IN BRIEF - New salmon study adds to evidence that pink salmon could be crowding out sockeye
UNITED STATES
Monday, March 04, 2024
A new analysis of nearly 25,000 fish scales offers more evidence that the millions of pink salmon churned out by Alaska fish hatcheries could be harming wild sockeye salmon populations when they meet in the ocean, according to the scientists who authored the study.
The new peer-reviewed paper, published this week in the ICES Journal of Marine Science, analyzed growth rates that could be deduced from the fish scales, similar to trees’ yearly growth rings.
The paper was built on a unique aspect of the life cycle of pink salmon, which are primarily targeted by commercial fishermen: Their abundance is high in odd-numbered years, and lower in even-numbered years. Those booms and busts allowed authors Peter Rand and Gregory Ruggerone to tease out whether sockeye salmon — which are more highly valued by sport and personal use fishermen — were growing at lower rates during odd years, when pink salmon are more numerous.
Their analysis showed that was the case across the Gulf of Alaska — a dynamic that Rand and Ruggerone describe as a “zero-sum game” between the two species. It found that yearly growth of sockeye was depressed by as much as 17% at times when pink salmon abundance was high.[...]
The first significant shipment of Scottish salmon has arrived in India after a free trade deal led to a 33% tariff on fish being scrapped.
Freshly harvested from Scotland’s west coast by Bakkafrost Scotland, the salmon arrived at Sashimi Foods in Bengaluru (also called Bangalore) in Karnataka in southwest India's earlier today.
Sent by air via Heathrow Airport, the delivery arrived less than two weeks after the UK Government’s trade deal with India came into force – and as Glasgow prepares to hand the Commonwealth Games baton to Amdavad (Ahmedabad) in Gujarat.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
CDFW authorized catches for human consumption after domoic acid fell below the federal limit.
Effective July 31, the measure covers waters from Pigeon Point to Point Lobos and includes part of the coastline of Santa Cruz. Restrictions imposed on June 26 affected northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) and Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax).
The restriction had been established on June 26 after samples from both species presented elevated concentrations of domoic acid.
During its validity, commercial capture destined for human consumption was prohibited, although the use of sardines and anchovies as bait remained authorized, subject to specific labeling obligations.
Conapesca will implement two fishing suspension periods during 2026 and 2027.
The measure entails two 64-day closures: from August 6 to October 8, 2026, and from November 9, 2026, to January 11, 2027. It applies to Mexican purse-seine and longline tuna vessels operating in the Eastern Pacific.
The temporary fishing ban applies to Mexican-flagged tuna vessels with a carrying capacity of 182 metric tons or more that use purse-seine nets, and to longline vessels exceeding 24 meters in total length, operating in the aforementioned waters under federal jurisdiction.
Cantabria records good catches, though generational turnover remains a concern
The season’s total quota for Spain is 28 million kilograms, with 9 million already landed. Sergio Valle Brigido highlighted the daily activity and explained that the albacore seeks waters between 19°C and 22°C, moving further north.Sea temperature in the Cantabrian Sea is crucial for optimal fishing conditions: “Albacore prefer temperate waters. What they don't like is temperatures above 22 degrees.”
Cargill is investing NOK90 million (€8.2 million) to expand its feed factory at Halsa in northern Norway.
The project includes a 1,100-square-metre finished-goods warehouse, alongside new offices, changing rooms and communal facilities at the site in Meløy municipality.
Norwegian contractor Halsa Bygg was selected for the project following a tender process. The warehouse is scheduled for completion in summer 2027, with the new staff facilities expected to be ready during the winter of 2027-28.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Thai Union Group PCL marks 10 years of leadership in responsible tuna sourcing with the publication of new 2025 Sustainability Report. Thai Union Group PCL is marking 10 years of leadership in responsible tuna sourcing with the publication of its latest Sustainability Report, which outlines the company’s progress across one of the world’s most complex seafood supply chains.
Over the decade since Thai Union set its Global Tuna Sustainability Goals in 2015, the company now sources more than 99.9% of its tuna responsibly, has 95% on the water monitoring coverage and can trace 100% of its tuna back to the vessel of origin.
Compassion in World Farming has welcomed a landmark victory after Nueva Pescanova abandoned plans to build the world’s first commercial octopus farm in Gran Canaria, Spain.
The farm, proposed by Spanish seafood company Nueva Pescanova for the Port of Las Palmas, would have confined around one million octopuses a year in barren tanks and caused serious damage to our oceans.
The plans sparked global outcry from animal welfare organisations, scientists, campaigners and members of the public. Today’s news follows a recent push by Compassion in World Farming to get the Las Palmas Port Authority to officially close the planning application for the farm.
Abanca and Conxemar—the Spanish Association of Wholesalers, Importers, Exporters, and Processors of Fishery and Aquaculture Products—have once again joined forces to boost the 27th edition of Conxemar, the International Seafood Trade Fair. The event will take place from October 6 to 8, positioning Vigo as a global benchmark in the sector.
The agreement was signed by Víctor Casal, Executive Director of Corporate, Business, and SME Banking at Abanca, and Eloy García, President of Conxemar, accompanied by Javier Fraga, Director of Abanca Mar. This long-standing collaboration allows Abanca to remain a sponsor while also supporting the fair through key institutional events and business generation efforts, facilitated by a dedicated Abanca Mar stand.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
A coalition of 11 environmental organisations, led by the Blue Marine Foundation, has launched the MPA Legal Coalition to push for stronger protection of Europe's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The group claims that Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain continue to allow destructive activities, including bottom trawling, even within officially protected marine areas.
After filing complaints with the European Commission in 2025 with little progress, the coalition is calling for stricter enforcement of the EU's Birds and Habitats Directives and greater government accountability. According to the organisations, many MPAs remain protected only on paper while activities that cause irreversible damage to marine ecosystems continue.
The initiative aims to build local expertise and expand aquaculture output by 2030.
Senegal has begun testing marine aquaculture for the first time as part of efforts to develop alternative fish production systems and reduce pressure on traditional fishing resources.
Two 25-metre floating fish cages aim to boost fish production and create up to 1,000 indirect jobs.
Senegal has launched its first marine aquaculture pilot project featuring two 25-metre floating fish cages in Palmarin, backed by an investment of more than FCFA 350 million (US$607,000). The initiative supports the country's goal of increasing aquaculture production to 20,000 tonnes by 2030, while strengthening food security and employment.
Alaskan Rationalized Crab Fishery Value Rises 37.5% United States
Added value in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands fishery, combined with reduced administrative costs, lowers federal cost recovery fee from 1.2% to 0.67% for the 2026/2027 season.
Washington. The comme...
Vietnamese tuna faces a new differential tariff race in the US market Viet Nam
The application of an additional 12.5% tariff under Section 301 starting July 24, 2026 presents a complex scenario for tuna exporters, who must balance retaining orders with protecting profit margins....
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UNITED STATES
INDIA
The first significant shipment of Scottish salmon has arrived in India after a free trade deal led to a 33% tariff on fish being scrapped.
CDFW
MEXICO.png)
The measure entails two 64-day closures: from August 6 to October 8, 2026, and from November 9, 2026, to January 11, 2027. It applies to Mexican purse-seine and longline tuna vessels operating in the Eastern Pacific.
SPAIN.png)
The season’s total quota for Spain is 28 million kilograms, with 9 million already landed. Sergio Valle Brigido highlighted the daily activity and explained that the albacore seeks waters between 19°C and 22°C, moving further north.Sea temperature in the Cantabrian Sea is crucial for optimal fishing conditions: “Albacore prefer temperate waters. What they don't like is temperatures above 22 degrees.”
NORWAY.png)
Cargill 
THAILAND
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Compassion in World Farming has welcomed a landmark victory after .png)
Abanca
EUROPEAN UNION.jpg)
After filing complaints with the European Commission in 2025 with little progress, the coalition is calling for stricter enforcement of the EU's Birds and Habitats Directives and greater government accountability. According to the organisations, many MPAs remain protected only on paper while activities that cause irreversible damage to marine ecosystems continue.
SENEGAL.png)
Two 25-metre floating fish cages aim to boost fish production and create up to 1,000 indirect jobs.
