Fish n' Bits - The Aquaculture Data Intelligence Podcast

What does it really mean when headlines say “95% of AI pilots fail”? In this episode, we unpack MIT’s State of AI in Business 2025 report, looking past the hype to see why so many initiatives stall—and where the real success stories are happening. From the GenAI Divide to lessons on internal vs. external builds, and from ROI in back-office operations to parallels with past tech revolutions like the PC and internet, we’ll explore what this all means for seafood and aquaculture companies considering AI. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What does sea lice management have in common with one of the most famous problems in game theory? In this episode, we look at why rising lice levels in Norway reflect the dynamics of the Prisoner’s Dilemma—where individual short-term choices can create long-term harm for the entire industry. We’ll break down the latest data on lice pressure, explain why fragmented treatments are driving reinfestation risk, and explore how coordinated action, better models, and shared incentives can turn the tide. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What happens when strong biology collides with weak markets? In this episode, we break down the Q2 earnings season in salmon farming, where EBIT margins have tightened, prices continue to slide, and producers are facing tough calls on investment, strategy, and survival. From Mowi’s consistency to Bakkafrost’s split results, and from Norway’s political backdrop to Scotland’s biological struggles, we look at who’s weathering the storm and who’s most exposed. Beyond the numbers, we explore the Catch-22 of salmon farming: better fish health leading to oversupply and weaker profits, just as ecological and political pressures intensify. Download the full report here.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What fuels the world’s most powerful AI models isn’t just data, it’s how that data is labeled and given context. In this week’s episode, we take listeners inside the often-overlooked world of data labeling, from Meta’s $14B investment in Scale AI to the billion-dollar rise of Surge AI, and connect the dots to aquaculture. You’ll learn why context-rich data—not just perfect data, is the real driver of better models, and how farms can apply these lessons to turn messy records into predictive intelligence. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

How does a disease you can’t see, and often don’t even know is there, cause some of the most expensive losses in salmon farming? In this week’s episode, we examine Cardiomyopathy Syndrome (CMS), a viral heart disease that’s been quietly impacting farms for decades but is now forcing its way into the spotlight. From the biology of Piscine Myocarditis Virus to the real-world costs seen in recent Scottish outbreaks, we explore why CMS is so hard to detect, why it’s not on the official notifiable disease list, and what the latest science says about prevention, from genetics to nutrition. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

Why do some salmon fight off sea lice with ease, while others struggle year after year? In this week’s episode, we discuss a groundbreaking new study from Nofima that explores what Pacific salmon, especially coho, can teach us about natural sea lice resistance. You’ll learn how cutting-edge techniques like AI-powered histology, proteomics, and spatial transcriptomics came together to paint a full biological picture – mapping the immune response from tissue structure to gene activation. Plus, hear from lead researcher Dr. Lene Sveen as she shares what these findings could mean for future treatments and breeding programs.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What does it actually take to build an AI model that matters, not just for headlines, but for real-world decisions in aquaculture? In this week’s episode, we explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in fish health prediction and dive into Manolin’s work on pancreas disease modeling. From the explosive growth of global AI to the quiet (but powerful) momentum inside aquaculture, we unpack why “useful” is becoming the most important metric, and how aquaculture is finally stepping into the AI era.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

Is aquaculture finally ready for the global stage? This week, we unpack the World Bank’s latest 100+ page aquaculture report—its first in 17 years—and why it's far more than hype. You’ll hear what the data actually says about aquaculture’s rise, where the next wave of growth will happen, and why the bottlenecks aren’t biological, they’re financial and political. From massive investment gaps to surprising country forecasts, this episode explores the report’s blueprint for making aquaculture a cornerstone of food security, climate resilience, and economic growth. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What happens when an old virus makes a new appearance? In this episode, we explore the legacy and resurgence of Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA)—a disease that has shaped the global salmon industry for decades. With recent outbreaks reported in Northern Norway, we dive into what ISA is, how it spreads, and what history can teach us from past crises in Canada, Chile, Scotland, and the Faroe Islands. You’ll learn how modern tools like genetic sequencing, DNA vaccines, and strict biosecurity protocols are helping farms fight back—and what today’s uptick in cases might signal for the industry’s future. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

When farms push smolt growth, what happens to biology, health, and risk? In this episode, we explore the evolving science and rising business pressures behind smoltification in salmon farming. From light control and brackish water systems to the push for 1 kg smolt, Tony breaks down why getting this phase right is so critical, and how larger smolt bring a new set of biological and operational challenges. Then, stay tuned for a conversation with Dr. Bill Harris, whose journey from Harvard pediatric nephrology to smoltification feed innovation reveals just how interconnected fish and human biology can be.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What happens when the biology is strong but the market turns against you? In this week’s episode, we break down the Q1 2025 earnings from publicly traded salmon producers across six countries. While fish health remains solid, companies are facing some of the lowest salmon prices in recent memory, dragging down profits, shaking up leadership, and forcing a rethink of what “profitable farming” really means. We dive into EBIT/kg performance across the board, spotlight standout results from Grieg and Salmones Camanchaca, and unpack why Iceland and Canada are at a strategic crossroads. Download our report for Q1 of 2025.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What happens when we build policy on the wrong measurements? In this episode, we unpack Norway’s proposed lice regulations and why the industry's biggest concern might not be the rules themselves, but the science behind them. From farm-level impact forecasts to a surprising case out of British Columbia, where sea lice returned despite the complete removal of salmon farms, we explore the statistical pitfalls that can shape, or misguide, long-term policy. If you're in farming, regulation, or simply trying to make sense of where the industry’s heading, this episode offers critical perspective.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What does it mean when sea surface temperatures break records before summer even begins? In this week’s episode, we dive into early-season sea lice data and rising ocean temperatures that are already signaling a challenging year for Norwegian salmon farms. From warnings of heat-driven outbreaks to shifting regulations and market pressure, we break down why 2025 could be another pivotal year for fish health strategy. Then, stay tuned for a conversation with oceanographer and Senior Researcher, Dr. Helene Langehaug of the Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC), who explains the science behind marine heatwaves, their classifications, and what this year’s climate models are telling us about what’s coming next.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What happens when two global biotech giants team up to tackle one of aquaculture’s biggest bottlenecks? You get Veramaris - a joint venture between DSM and Evonik that’s producing high-potency omega-3s from algae, not fish.In this episode, Tony sits down with Ian Carr and Yann Le Gal from Veramaris to unpack how industrial-scale fermentation could be the key to unlocking more predictable, scalable, and sustainable feed nutrition for the seafood industry.We dive into:Why the supply of EPA and DHA is critical - and maxed out from traditional sourcesHow algae oil offers pricing stability in a volatile marketWhat it took to scale a fermentation plant in NebraskaAnd what new big data from Manolin reveals about omega-3 nutrition and farm performance at scaleWhether you’re a feed miller, farmer, investor, or just trying to make sense of the evolving aquafeed landscape, this is an episode packed with insights on innovation, sustainability, and the future of aquaculture.

How do you turn millions of noisy farm records into clear, actionable insights that drive real-world change? In this week’s episode, we go behind the scenes of our recent Big Data study with Veramaris, unpacking how Manolin’s advanced techniques—like traced populations and inverse probability weighted regression—are redefining how aquaculture can learn directly from farm operations. Beyond the findings on EPA and DHA feed levels, we explore why better data science is becoming the new competitive edge for salmon farms worldwide.Download the EPA+DHA Study Whitepaper.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

This week we sat down with acclaimed journalist Alexandra Talty, whose investigative reporting spans oceans, farms, and the global dinner plate. From her experiences covering fisheries and aquaculture to food security and climate resilience, Alexandra brings a grounded, global perspective to the conversation around sustainability in seafood. Alexandra's writing has appeared in publications such as Civil Eats, the New York Times, the Guardian, Outside Magazine, Forbes, The Fish Site, and more.Visit her website to learn more.

This week we break down Norway’s proposed overhaul of its aquaculture licensing system—a seismic shift that could redefine global standards. From scrapping biomass-based licenses to introducing sea lice emission quotas and a mortality tax, the new framework flips traditional input-based regulation on its head. We walk through the 115-page white paper to unpack what this means for farms, investors, and suppliers alike—and why this policy could drive both innovation and industry shakeups.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

Why are salmon prices dropping so dramatically—and why now? This week Tony unpacks one of the most unexpected trends so far this year: the early and steep decline in Norwegian salmon prices. With insights pulled from two decades of pricing data, fresh export stats, and market commentary, we explore why this drop is different, whether it could have been predicted, and what it means for farmers, exporters, and supply chain businesses going forward. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What can other fish farms learn from Mattilsynet's ongoing system audits? This week, we break down the existing 2024–2025 Mattilsynet (The Norwegian Food Safety Authority) audits - Norway’s deep dive into fish welfare, risk management, and internal controls across some of the country’s largest salmon producers. From widespread regulatory devations to surprising gaps in how farms assess and act on risk, we explore what these findings reveal about the state of the industry today, and why they matter far beyond Norway.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.Download the whitepaper here.

This week we’re taking a thorough look at Greek aquaculture - how it became the EU’s top producer, what the 2009 debt crisis taught the industry, and why seabass and seabream farming still hold untapped potential. From historical growth and financial restructuring to the wild story of how seabass was first bred in captivity, this episode breaks down the past, present, and future of one of the Mediterranean’s most resilient seafood sectors. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.