Latest news with #RobField
BBC News
07-04-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Norfolk anglers join researchers to tackle algal blooms on Broads
Anglers are working alongside academics on a project to tackle toxic algal blooms. The Prymnesium blooms can occur on the Broads, producing toxins that can lead to mass fish kills and have a knock-on effect on the angling industry. The University of East Anglia, the Broads Authority, and the Norfolk pike angling community are working to find solutions to prevent its harmful effects. "We are making significant strides in understanding and heading off harmful algal blooms," said Prof Rob Field, who is pro-vice chancellor for the faculty of science. "This research is crucial for the future of the Broads' ecosystem and economy."The initiative has received strong support from Norfolk's angling community, including a donation of about £4,000 towards the research effort. John Currie, chairman of the Norwich and District Pike Club, said: "Local anglers well know the devastating effects caused by a toxic Prymnesium bloom and the negative effects on the whole ecosystem." The university will use laboratory work and field studies to identify specific locations at risk of the algal blooms and what factors can cause them. Andrea Kelly, the Broads Authority's environment policy advisor, said: "Preventing Prymnesium algal blooms will help protect populations of fish, Broads angling and improve our management of the navigation." Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Norfolk or BBC Suffolk.
Zawya
05-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: RCL Foods posts profit surge, resumes dividends
South African food producer RCL Foods reported a 38.8% rise in half-year earnings on Monday, 3 March 2025, and declared its first interim dividend in two years, sending its shares up more than 8%. The company, whose brands include Selati sugar and Sunbake bread, had been completing a portfolio review that included selling its frozen food business Vector Logistics and spinning off and listing its Rainbow Chicken poultry unit. During that review, and while grappling with depressed consumer demand, it withheld paying dividends, with the last interim dividend declared for the six months to December 2021, which it paid in 2022. With the processes concluded, the board declared an interim dividend of 20c per share for the six months ended December 2024. RCL said its headline earnings per share from continuing operations rose to 109.4 South African cents in the period. Its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation and impairments (EBITDA) jumped 25.1% to R1.5bn, supported by cost savings and production efficiencies. RCL said it has begun to see some welcome price relief in certain commodities such as wheat, contributing to improved margins in its groceries and baking businesses, though prices remain elevated. Group revenue rose 5.4% to R13.6bn. With the portfolio review now complete, chief financial officer, Rob Field told Reuters the group is quite settled with the remaining portfolio, but did not rule out further acquisitions. "We're very clear going forward that if opportunities present themselves in the branded food space, we're going to look closely at that because that's the closest to a strategic fit and what we believe we can add the most value to," Field said. RCL will no longer be chasing any commodity type businesses, Field added. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
