IN BRIEF - Ecuador Boosts Premium Shrimp Exports at Gulfood Dubai 2025
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Ecuador strengthens its presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market by presenting its high-quality shrimp at the 30th edition of Gulfood, one of the most important food and beverage fairs in the world, held from February 17 to 21 at the World Trade Center in Dubai.
Under the brand "Ecuador First Class Shrimp", the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) leads Ecuadorian participation in this event, which brings together more than 5,500 exhibitors from 129 countries.
Exclusive Pavilion and Industry Representation
In a milestone for Ecuadorian aquaculture, Ecuador has for the first time an exclusive shrimp pavilion at Gulfood 2025, located in the "World Food" zone. The companies Aquagold and Expalsa are responsible for representing the sector in this 48 m² space.
UAE Market: Opportunities and Challenges
The UAE market represents a strategic opportunity for Ecuador, given the high per capita consumption of fish and seafood (33 kg/year), almost double the world average. However, competition is intense, with India, Pakistan and Vietnam dominating the supply of shrimp in the region.
Competitive Advantages of Ecuadorian Shrimp
Participation in Gulfood aims to highlight the competitive advantages of Ecuadorian shrimp: flavor, texture, size and high nutritional value. In addition, the commitment of the sector to sustainable practices is emphasized, guaranteeing responsible production that protects marine and coastal ecosystems.
The three unions represented at the negotiating table for the national collective bargaining agreement for the fish and seafood canning industry (CIG, CCOO, and UGT) have broken off talks with employers following what they consider a "regressive proposal" that, they explain, "insists on changing the professional classification system so that nothing changes and aims for a real wage increase of 0.0%."
This was announced by the CIG, which demands a "clear and transparent" professional classification based on a job evaluation that avoids discretion and arbitrary classification decisions by companies, in addition to a 5% wage increase.
Source: iPac.aquaculture | Read the full article here
Shark scare at salmon farm as damage discovered in sea pen.
A swarm of sharks has ripped into a salmon farm in Norway, tearing holes in nets and sparking fears thousands of fish may have escaped.
The dramatic incident unfolded at a SalMarsite in Trøndelag, Norway where operators discovered extensive damage to a sea pen after repeated shark attacks.Regulators say the predators struck under cover of darkness, forcing the company to urgently move fish out of the damaged enclosure and deploy emergency recapture nets.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
A ban on salmon farm in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, has been overturned by a single vote in the region’s legislature, according to reports.
The local government in Tierra del Fuego passed the law in 2021, but regional legislator Agustín Coto – now a senator - moved to revoke the ban in the face of an economic squeeze. Tourism in Tierra del Fuego has slowed, and the region’s manufacturing sector is facing increasing pressures.Argentina’s current president, Javier Milei, also favours deregulating the nation’s industries to boost growth.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
FISA presented the preliminary program for the AquaSur 2026 Congress, featuring three days focused on innovation, sustainability, genetics, and technologies for aquaculture.
The thirteenth edition of AquaSur will take place from March 24 to 26, 2026, in the Los Lagos Region of Chile. The exhibition is considered the leading meeting point in the Southern Hemisphere for companies dedicated to aquaculture and related products.
The event organizers, FISA, part of the French group GL events, have high expectations for this edition.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
Norway has seen another salmon farming acquisition, as the industry continues to consolidate.
Alsaker AS has entered into a binding agreement to purchase 100% of the shares in the rival Bolaks Group AS, creating by far the largest privately owned aquaculture operations in Western Norway.
Alsaker and Bolaks , both private businesses, will together have over 25,000 tonnes of MTB in the areas PO2 and PO3 and will constitute a locally owned aquaculture operator with a strong foothold in many local communities in the west of the country.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
A ban on salmon farming in the Argentinian part of Tierra del Fuego has been overturned by the local government this week.
The legislature of the region voted by just a single vote to modify Law 1,355, the pioneering 2021 legislation that prohibited salmon farming in the sea, rivers, lakes and lagoons of the province.
The outcome was received with dismay and frustration by local chefs, artisanal fisherpeople, environmental groups and residents who had mobilised in recent weeks to defend the ban.
Source: The Fish Site | Read the full article here
Indonesian shrimp exports declined sharply in October, largely due to recalls of Indonesian products which were found, upon their arrival in the United States, to contain traces of Cesium-137 (Cs-137), a radioactive material.
The first findings of Cs-137 came in August, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory to the public not to eat, sell, or serve imported shrimp processed by Indonesia-based PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, a supplier to some Walmart locations.
After two months of stalled shipments and trade challenges, the FDA reached an agreement with the nation to resume imports after its Cs-137 task force identified the source of the contamination and cleared it.
Author: Erin Spampinato / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
Norway, the UK, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland have just signed a new long-term agreement for the management and distribution of the mackerel stock. This comes in a context where the EU has agreed to a 70% reduction in the quota for the species, pending an agreement with the coastal states.
"I am extremely pleased that we have signed a new long-term agreement for the management and distribution of the mackerel stock. The agreement will contribute to limiting mackerel fishing and, therefore, to reducing fishing pressure in the long term," said the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Marianne Sivertsen Næss. She also welcomed Iceland's participation in the agreement.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Salmon producer Bakkafrost is set to appeal a decision by Western Isles local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to refuse consent for a new fish farm on the east coast of Lewis.
Earlier this month councillors went against the recommendation of planning officials and rejected the proposal for five 200m (656ft) circumference pens at a site off North Gravir.
Concern had been voiced about the potential impact of the farm on historically important and economically productive fishing grounds.
IFFO reports higher fishmeal and fish oil output through October 2025.
Global fishmeal and fish oil production increased year on year in the first three quarters of 2025, according to updated market intelligence from IFFO, the Marine Ingredients Organisation.
IFFO said cumulative fishmeal production reported by its members was up around 7% versus the same period in 2024 by October 2025, with higher output recorded across most regions. The organisation noted a year on year decline in the Iceland and North Atlantic area.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
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The three unions represented at the negotiating table for the national collective bargaining agreement for the fish and seafood canning industry (CIG, CCOO, and UGT) have broken off talks with employers following what they consider a "regressive proposal" that, they explain, "insists on changing the professional classification system so that nothing changes and aims for a real wage increase of 0.0%."
NORWAY.png)
A swarm of sharks has ripped into a salmon farm in Norway, tearing holes in nets and sparking fears thousands of fish may have escaped.
ARGENTINA
A ban on salmon farm in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, has been overturned by a single vote in the region’s legislature, according to reports.
CHILE.png)
FISA presented the preliminary program for the 
Norway has seen another salmon farming acquisition, as the industry continues to consolidate.
A ban on salmon farming in the Argentinian part of Tierra del Fuego has been overturned by the local government this week.
INDONESIA
Indonesian shrimp exports declined sharply in October, largely due to recalls of Indonesian products which were found, upon their arrival in the United States, to contain traces of Cesium-137 (Cs-137), a radioactive material. 
WORLDWIDE
Norway, the UK, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland have just signed a new long-term agreement for the management and distribution of the mackerel stock. This comes in a context where the EU has agreed to a 70% reduction in the quota for the species, pending an agreement with the coastal states.
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Salmon producer 
