AquaGen Scotland has announced the appointment of Martin Haberfield as technical sales manager. Martin is the first employee to join the company’s new Scottish office, based on the Stirling University Innovation Park.
“Martin brings with him knowledge and experience gained from several years working in the aquaculture industry, following completion of an MSc in aquatic pathobiology at Stirling Institute of Aquaculture. This, combined with previous sales roles at AquaScot, Biomar, Novartis and EWOS, means that he brings a wealth of expertise to the company,” said Andrew Reeve, head of sales & marketing for the UK and Ireland.
AquaGen is a specialist in genomic selection and is the world’s leading supplier of fertilised Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout eggs to the global salmonid aquaculture sector. The company’s new office and enhanced representation in Scotland confirms a strong commitment to the Scottish industry.
“I am delighted to join the AquaGen team and look forward to developing relationships with the country’s growing aquaculture sector,” said Martin Haberfield.
An important part of his role is to help customers ongrow AquaGen eggs for optimum results, and to collect performance data from smolt and seawater operations.
“Trials with both salmon and trout are currently underway in Scotland, and documentation of effects in the field is an important part of our work, because the results help to shape the direction of future research activity,” he said.
An equally important role is to help share the latest developments in the field of genomic selection with fish farmers, and to help them understand the benefits that using AquaGen eggs can bring.
For instance, AquaGen eggs are now available with a strong resistance to sealice and amoebic gill disease, as well as being optimised for growth. Sealice in particular is a major issue in all salmon producing countries, causing global losses estimated to be around €300 million per annum.
“I look forward to introducing Martin to our many customers and believe that the enthusiasm and expertise he offers will be of great benefit in helping to grow their businesses,” said Andrew Reeve.
