GLOUCESTER, MA – In a move to catalyze early-season commercial activity, NOAA Fisheries has officially transferred Atlantic bluefin tuna quota from the year-end December period to the January–March 2026 window.

The temporary rule, effective January 8, 2026, reallocates tonnage within the General category, significantly increasing the first-quarter subquota to 63.7 metric tons while reducing the December allocation to 11.0 metric tons.

Key Impacts for Vessels

The adjustment applies to General category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat vessels with commercial sale endorsements. By front-loading the quota, NOAA aims to provide immediate opportunities for operators during the traditionally slower post-holiday market.

• Market Timing: Increased landing limits allow for better dealer coordination and auction planning during Q1.

• Regulatory Context: This is an interim measure while NOAA aligns 2026 baseline quotas with recent ICCAT international conservation decisions.

Immediate Next Steps for Operators

Fishermen should verify that all permits and endorsements are current before targeting bluefin. Because this is a temporary shift, operators are encouraged to coordinate closely with dealers and monitor landing records to ensure the fleet stays within the revised 63.7 mt limit.

Keep an eye on upcoming 2026 rulemaking, as further baseline adjustments are expected later this year.

With a 37-year history in the Magallanes Region, Pesca Cisne has consolidated its leadership in the Chilean Seabass (Patagonian Toothfish) industry with the addition of the "Isla Edén."

This world-class longliner represents an investment exceeding $8 million and will be officially inaugurated this Friday, January 15, at the Arturo Prat pier in Punta Arenas.

Cutting-Edge Technology for the Drake Passage

The "Isla Edén" is more than just a vessel; it is a sophisticated processing plant designed in Norway to withstand the extreme conditions of the far south. Key specifications include:

Impact on the Magallanes Economy

The arrival of this ship strengthens a network that currently supports 100 direct jobs and over 1,500 indirect positions in the region. "This investment not only modernizes our fleet but also injects dynamism into the local economy and improves the quality of life for our workers," the company stated.

With the "Isla Edén," Pesca Cisne reaffirms its commitment to the development of Magallanes, focusing on high-quality extraction and environmental responsibility.

Welsh Government funding of up to £1.85m is being opened to support the marine, fisheries and aquaculture sector, with applications accepted from 7 January until 31 March.

The funding, delivered through the Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme, is intended to support sustainable growth across the sector while strengthening coastal communities. Grants are available across 11 categories, covering a broad mix of operational, environmental and business-focused activities.Eligible projects range from upgrades to aquaculture sites and vessel equipment aimed at reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency, to professional advice on marine environmental sustainability, business planning and marketing.

Source: Worldfishing | Read the full article here

Chinese abalone firm Fujian Xiangbin recently acquired Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) two-star certification in an effort to expand sales in the domestic premium market and also grow international sales of its products.

Securing BAP two-star status in late 2025 marked a “milestone breakthrough” for the company, according to Xiangbin CEO Xiuying Chen.

Located in the Southeastern Chinese province of Fujian where much of China’s abalone production is centered, Xiangbin started out in live abalone trading in 2003 before expanding into farming, processing, distribution, and global sales

Author: Mark Godfrey / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

The organisers of Iceland’s IceFish Conference have announced that the programme will double in size this year and co-locate with the IceFish Exhibition at Fifan-Smárinn Halls, in Kópavogur, Reykjavík.

The expanded programme features two conferences, 100% Fish for Profit, formerly Fish Waste for Profit, and Aquaculture, Driving Sustainable Growth, a new event taking place on day one of IceFish, on September 22. 100% Fish for Profit will return with a packed one and half day programme on days two and three, September 23-24.

The IceFish conference organisers will be working in close collaboration with the Icelandic Ocean Cluster on conference content and chairing.

Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

The Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA) released its latest resource assessment for the Japanese common flying squid (Todarodes pacificus) on December 26, 2025.

While coastal regions like Sanriku saw a surprising uptick in migrations last year, experts warn that the species remains in a critical state overall.

Click on the image to enlarge it

The "Pacific Shift" Explained

According to the National Research Institute for Fisheries Science, the 2025 surge along the Pacific coast was driven by two specific environmental factors:

• Slightly Higher Spawning Success: A marginal increase in winter-born parent fish compared to the previous year provided a larger initial larval base.

• Ocean Current Diversion: Favorable current patterns acted as a "conveyor belt," pushing newborn larvae toward the Pacific side rather than their traditional routes into the Sea of Japan.

A Tale of Two Stocks

Despite the localized bounty in the Pacific, the broader picture is bleak. The autumn-born stock, which primarily supports the Sea of Japan fisheries, continues to hover at all-time record lows.

Japanese fisheries experts emphasize that "resource recovery" is not yet on the horizon. The low density of parent fish in the autumn-born group suggests that the reproductive cycle remains fragile. Marine biologists point to rising sea temperatures in the East China Sea spawning grounds as a persistent threat

The catch volume of one of the main commercial species – pollock – exceeded 2.1 million tons.

This is the best result in more than 25 years.

Video: RRPK

Source:  Federal Agency for Fisheries