Other Media | WWF:MSC certification of bluefin tuna fishery before stocks have recovered sets dangerous precedent
ITALY
Saturday, August 01, 2020
Rome, Italy - The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), has just announced its first eco-certification of an Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery, while admitting it will take a minimum of five years for the population numbers of the species to return to healthy levels [1]. WWF opposes the certification, believing it will hinder the full recovery of one of the world’s most valuable fish stocks.
After a two-year consultation and an objection filed by WWF, the adjudicator did not uphold the objections against the MSC certification for bluefin tuna granted to a Japanese fishery.
NUUK, GREENLAND – On Wednesday, H.M. King Frederik X visited a production facility operated by Royal Greenland in Nuuk as part of his official visit to Greenland.
During the tour, King Frederik X was given detailed insight into the early stages of Royal Greenland’s value chain and the daily operations behind its global seafood production. The visit highlighted how the company processes and distributes products from communities across Greenland to international markets.
His Majesty showed strong interest in the importance of fisheries, a key pillar of the Greenlandic economy, and in how Royal Greenland operates nationwide to support local communities.
“It was a great honour to welcome H.M. King Frederik X to Royal Greenland,” said CEO Toke Binzer. “The fisheries sector forms the foundation of the Greenlandic economy, and we greatly appreciate his genuine interest and continued engagement with our industry.”
The hull of fishing vessel BH 8112 has been found intact at a depth of 38 meters, with no signs of mines or external damage, announced Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov, commander of the Bulgarian Naval Forces. The ship rests slightly on its starboard side, and its life raft was discovered secured to the wheelhouse, undeployed — strongly indicating the crew did not abandon the vessel and are presumed dead. No bodies have been recovered.
The wreck lies in Burgas Bay, where the frigate “Drazki” was dispatched on February 18 following a request from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) and an order by the Chief of Defense. Severe snowfall and freezing rain initially grounded helicopters, though nighttime searches continued using specialized vision equipment. No survivors were found.
Divers from Varna, supported by remotely operated vehicles, confirmed the vessel’s identity after multiple inspections. Visibility below 30 meters was extremely poor. Heavy equipment and narrow hatches have prevented entry, and officials say cutting into the hull may be required for further investigation.
Registration is now open for the UK’s leading aquaculture show, which is expected to attract record crowds from around the world to its new home in Glasgow.
Aquaculture UK, to be held this year from June 16-17 at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), has moved from its long-term base in Aviemore to Scotland’s biggest city to accommodate growing demand for exhibition space and provide easy access for exhibitors and visitors.
The biennial show provides a platform for all the latest developments in the industry over the past two years and brings together the entire aquaculture community for two days of business and networking opportunities.
Author: Robert Outram / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Nordic Aqua Partners strengthens balance sheet, sets course for 20,000-tonne capacity
Nordic Aqua Partners reported strengthened financing and continued biological performance in the fourth quarter of 2025, as the land-based salmon producer advances toward its long-term target of 20,000 tonnes annual capacity in China.
The company harvested 353 tonnes head-on gutted (HOG) in the quarter, with 93 percent graded superior and an average harvest weight of 3.3 kg HOG (4.0 kg live weight). Harvest volumes were affected by biomass optimisation initiatives.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
COPENHAGEN — Fisheries Minister Jacob Jensen (V) is moving to accelerate a long-awaited scrapping scheme for fishermen affected by fishing closures in the Baltic Sea and Kattegat, potentially allowing applications years earlier than previously planned as reported by fiskeritidende.
Until now, fishermen were told they would not be able to apply for scrapping compensation in the Baltic Sea and Kattegat before 2028. However, Jensen now says he is working to make the scheme available as early as 2026, and possibly already this year for parts of inland Danish waters.
In a letter to Læsø fisherman Klaus Rosenfeldt, the minister confirmed that efforts are underway to bring the timeline forward. The Danish Fisheries Association has been pressing for faster action amid mounting financial pressure on vessel owners.
“I agree that the support for scrapping must be implemented as soon as possible, and work is therefore being done to advance the schedule with a view to establishing a scrapping scheme before the end of 2026,” Jensen wrote in response to Rosenfeldt, who contacted the minister in December outlining the financial and health consequences of the current situation.
Jensen acknowledged that restructuring will not be economically viable for all fishermen. He stressed that implementation in 2026 depends on approval from the EU Commission.
Nichirei Foods Corporation (President and CEO: Masahiko Takenaga) established Nichirei BizNext Corporation, a sales and logistics management subsidiary, with the aim of consolidating and enhancing the functions that support the Nichirei Foods Group's business operations across the board. The subsidiary is scheduled to begin operations on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Background and purpose of establishment
In recent years, management issues facing companies have become increasingly complex and sophisticated, including legal compliance and governance, changes in the food logistics environment, a declining workforce and securing human resources, and promoting women's participation in the workplace. By consolidating management functions that were previously dispersed across each base and department into the new company and increasing expertise and productivity, the company will convert problem-solving itself into value and build a system that will contribute to the sustainable growth of the group.
BRIDGEWATER, N.S. – Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. welcomed a decision by the Nova Scotia Aquaculture Review Board (ARB) approving a lease boundary amendment and expansion of salmon farm AQ#1205, located offshore from Coffin Island in Liverpool Bay.
Operating since 2011 under the province’s Environmental Monitoring Program, the site will now be permitted to add 6 new cages for Atlantic salmon, increasing the total from 14 to 20 cages.
The approval follows a week-long public hearing in October, where multiple stakeholders and intervenors presented submissions and raised questions about environmental oversight and farming practices.
“We appreciate that the Board allowed the time necessary for everyone to present and better understand our aquaculture operations,” said Joel Richardson, Vice President of Public Relations at Cooke Aquaculture Inc., the parent company of Kelly Cove.
Company representatives also presented a video outlining operations in Liverpool Bay during the hearing.
The agriculture and environment sector is advancing new opportunities to sustain growth and achieve its target of $73–74 billion in exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products by 2026, amid a slow global economic recovery and increasingly stringent market regulations.
According to leaders from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in January 2026 alone, total sector exports reached $6.51 billion, marking an increase of nearly 30% year-on-year.
Key measures include market diversification, expanding into the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, while maximizing the benefits of free trade agreements. The sector is also prioritizing deep processing, the application of science and technology, supply chain digitalization, and stronger traceability systems—all considered crucial to enhancing added value, boosting competitiveness, and ensuring sustainable development.
The Government is taking another step towards requiring Braille labeling on consumer products, a move that worried the fishing industry due to the "extreme difficulty" the regulation posed for its operations. Despite the withdrawal of the legislation last December, the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 has decided to relaunch the royal decree. According to information obtained by FARO and confirmed by Anfaco-Cytma (one of the organizations that filed objections at the time), the department headed by Pablo Bustinduy plans to transfer the obligation to provide Braille labels to retailers to inform customers upon request.
Author: Adrián Amoedo / Faro de Vigo | Read the full article here
The Freire Shipyard has signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to build four new vessels for naval support missions. They will be 47 meters long, have a top speed of 12 knots, and an endurance of up to 10 days, with a crew capacity of 16.
Each vessel will be equipped with two main cranes on the main deck and an auxiliary crane for supplies, allowing for autonomous loading and unloading operations. It will also have a folding ramp for vehicle access from the stern.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
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