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.[...]
Santander will serve as the European capital of the blue economy next year, acting as the host city for European Maritime Day (EMD)—the European Union's premier annual event dedicated to maritime affairs and sustainable blue growth. The event is scheduled for May 20 and 21, as confirmed by the Government of Cantabria, which is already actively collaborating with the Commission on the event's organization. Annette Westberg, a representative from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), visited Cantabria to inspect the proposed venues firsthand, meet with the relevant institutions, and gain a deeper understanding of the proposal put forward by the Cantabrian government.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
The Norwegian company tops the Ocean Benchmark 2026, while the Spanish group ranks among the top five companies across all analyzed areas.
Mowi and Nueva Pescanova have established themselves as the top performers in sustainability among major international fishing and aquaculture companies. The Ocean Benchmark 2026, produced by the World Benchmarking Alliance, positions the Norwegian multinational as the global leader and highlights the Spanish group's consistent performance in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) areas.
The study examined 22 of the world's most influential seafood companies.
Freight and haulage operator Northwards, which has bases in Shetland, Orkney, Aberdeen, Inverness, Scrabster and Central Scotland, is investing £640,000 in additional insulated trailers to meet growing demand for salmon exports from Shetland.
The company will take delivery of eight trailers this year, followed by a rolling replacement programme of four trailers annually.
The new insulated trailers are particularly efficient for use on the Shetland–Aberdeen ferry service, where deck space is limited.
The Insuliner design was first pioneered by Northwards to enable temperature-controlled fish to be transported from Shetland.
On the return journey, the trailers can accommodate a range of other freight items that can be side-loaded, rather than being restricted to the rear doors of conventional refrigerated trailers.
Argentina enacted legislation to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by officially signing onto the United Nations-backed Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA).
The PSMA is an agreement administered through the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization that was developed 10 years ago. According to a release by the Pew Charitable Trusts, it's the only legally binding international treaty designed to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by denying vessels that have been caught from entering ports. There are over 100 signed participants in the PSMA, including major fishing fleets from the E.U. and China. Participants are subject to strengthened inspections and data sharing.
Author: Haley Jones / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
Following poor results from this year's salmon fishing season—which ended with 108 catches, an 18% decrease from the previous year—the Department of Rural Affairs and Agricultural Policy of the Principality of Asturias announced a few days ago that it would evaluate these figures, alongside all scientific indicators, "to adopt the decisions deemed technically most appropriate for preserving the species."
This Tuesday, the Department of Rural Affairs announced that it will propose a temporary ban on salmon fishing in 2027 to the Council for Aquatic Ecosystems and Inland Fishing, with the aim of fostering the species' recovery.
Source: iPac.acuicultura | Read the full article here
Shell-volution is advancing Scotland’s aquaculture sector through targeted research and innovation designed to strengthen mussel farming and the long-term resilience of the shellfish industry.
The project has appointed internationally recognised mussel aquaculture researcher Dr Brad Skelton, Research Fellow at the University of Auckland, as Independent Scientific Advisor for a one-year pilot.
Dr Skelton will provide independent scientific advice, constructive challenge and an international perspective to help ensure Shell-volution’s research, innovation and knowledge exchange activities deliver practical benefits for Shetland’s mussel sector and support the long-term growth of Scotland’s shellfish industry.
Aquaculture UK provided a showcase for some of the best and most innovative products in the fish farming space.
Aquaculture UK is the UK’s leading trade exhibition and conference for the aquaculture and fish-farming sector — a free-to-attend, industry trade show that brings together suppliers, farm managers, researchers and other professionals to see new products, hear technical and commercial conference sessions, and network.
This year, the show took place at its new venue - the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow.The biennial event, which ran from June 16-17, saw a 22% increase in visitors since the last Aquaculture UK in Aviemore, with international attendees surging by 33%.
Author: Janice Johnston / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Six salmon-producing communities in northeastern Japan have adopted a common identity as corporate investment begins to lift national output.
Iwate, a prefecture on Japan’s northeastern Pacific coast, is attempting to turn six separate salmon-producing communities into a recognisable regional industry, according to a press release from the prefectural government this week.
The prefecture’s long Sanriku coastline includes the municipalities of Kuji, Miyako, Yamada, Otsuchi, Kamaishi and Rikuzentakata.Each has developed its own farmed-salmon products and local branding.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
US-based AZ Gems, which has Indian capital backing, has also acquired two vessels from the Galician-owned company.
The US company AZ Gems has purchased the "La Escalerona" wild shrimp processing plant—located in Puerto Madryn (Chubut, Argentina)—as well as the vessels *Don Nacho* and *Codaste*. Both assets belonged to the Galician-owned San Isidro group, the Argentine subsidiary of Lanzal.
While San Isidro confirmed the transaction, they clarified that only the physical property is being sold, as the company holds numerous other assets. Among these is Greciamar; located just a few meters from La Escalerona, it is one of Argentina's most important wild shrimp processing plants, exporting nearly 100% of its output.
Author: C. Valdes / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
The volume of Chilean salmon exports increased by 15.5% to 441,000 tonnes in the first half of 2026, state Customs figures show.
The exports were worth US $3.506 billion, a 7.3% increase compared to the $3.266bn made on an export volume of 382,000 tonnes in the first half of last year, indicating that producers achieved a lower price per kilo.
Exports to the Chilean sector’s biggest customer, the United States, rose from 118,800 tonnes worth £1.326bn in H1 2025 to 133,600 tonnes worth $1.356bn.
Author: Jonathan Garcés / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
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Sockeye Recovers in Hawk Inlet, but Pink and Chum Remain Below Average United States
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UNITED STATES
SPAIN
Santander will serve as the European capital of the blue economy next year, acting as the host city for European Maritime Day (EMD)—the European Union's premier annual event dedicated to maritime affairs and sustainable blue growth. The event is scheduled for May 20 and 21, as confirmed by the Government of Cantabria, which is already actively collaborating with the Commission on the event's organization. Annette Westberg, a representative from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), visited Cantabria to inspect the proposed venues firsthand, meet with the relevant institutions, and gain a deeper understanding of the proposal put forward by the Cantabrian government.
WORLDWIDE.png)
The Norwegian company tops the Ocean Benchmark 2026, while the Spanish group ranks among the top five companies across all analyzed areas.
UNITED KINGDOM.png)
The company will take delivery of eight trailers this year, followed by a rolling replacement programme of four trailers annually.
ARGENTINA.png)
Argentina enacted legislation to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by officially signing onto the United Nations-backed Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA).
Following poor results from this year's salmon fishing season—which ended with 108 catches, an 18% decrease from the previous year—the Department of Rural Affairs and Agricultural Policy of the Principality of Asturias announced a few days ago that it would evaluate these figures, alongside all scientific indicators, "to adopt the decisions deemed technically most appropriate for preserving the species."
Shell-volution is advancing Scotland’s aquaculture sector through targeted research and innovation designed to strengthen mussel farming and the long-term resilience of the shellfish industry..png)
Aquaculture UK 
JAPAN
Six salmon-producing communities in northeastern Japan have adopted a common identity as corporate investment begins to lift national output.
The US company 
CHILE.png)
The volume of Chilean salmon exports increased by 15.5% to 441,000 tonnes in the first half of 2026, state Customs figures show.
