Alan Dykes Senior Biologist Lofotseminar 2013 Drink like a fish. Drikke som en fisk. 2 Think like a fish. Tenk som en fisk. 3 3 STEPS •  Know your fish (knowledge). •  Understand & Empathize. •  If you can’t or wont change – then change the fish. 4 Knowledge The tale of the bass fisherman. The more you learn – the less you know. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Concentrate on learning what is “normal”. Question our providers; the pharmaceutical companies, the feed companies, the breeding companies. •  Remember that knowledge is not wisdom. •  •  •  •  •  5 EMPATHIZE •  Moral and ethical responsibility. •  A life worth living versus a life not worth living. •  How are the fish doing today? –  Mortality is low : I am surviving. –  Feeding is good : I am hungry. –  DO & Algae OK! : I am breathing. •  There is a big gap between “I am surviving, I am hungry, I am breathing!” and “I am feeling really good!” 6 Empathize (Examples) •  •  •  •  •  •  Vaccination. Treatments. Water quality (put yourself in the water). Equipment (inc’ cage furniture). Husbandry decisions (for example PD). Diets fit for purpose. 7 Change the fish? •  Are we breeding the right fish? •  Are we breeding aggressive, competitive fish with poor coping strategies? •  Examples. 8 Summary •  Ask yourself; what does my fish want? •  What can you do to improve the life of your fish? If you can’t, then can you change your fish? •  2 hours spent watching your fish is better than 2 hours in a meeting. •  Don’t accept the status quo. •  Keep on asking questions – no matter how stupid! 9 Contact Information Registered Office The Scottish Salmon Company Ltd 8 Melville Crescent Edinburgh EH3 7JA t +44 (0) 131 718 8500 f +44 (0) 131 718 8511 [email protected] www.scottishsalmon.com 10