In late September 2024, federal regulators shut down a significant Alaska fishery after two trawlers from Kodiak accidentally caught around 2,000 king salmon (Chinook Salmon - Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) while targeting pollock, a whitefish commonly used in processed products like fish sticks and surimi. This bycatch incident—where non-target species are unintentionally caught—triggered the closure, as the fleet approached its annual limit of 18,000 king salmon.

This closure affects about 20 boats and potentially hundreds of shore-based processing jobs, as the season was initially set to continue until November. The event has intensified ongoing debates about bycatch, with conservationists and Tribal advocates pushing for stricter regulations on trawl fleets, which often unintentionally harvest vulnerable species like salmon while targeting lower-value fish.

While bycatch in the Bering Sea has been a primary concern, this incident occurred in the Gulf of Alaska, an area whose bycatch includes salmon originating from British Columbia, the U.S. West Coast, and some from Alaska’s Copper and Kenai rivers.

This closure highlights the ongoing tension between sustaining Alaska’s commercial fishing industry and the urgent need to protect threatened salmon populations.

The farm’s pioneering founder, Khadidiatou Sar Seck, began the project around 15 years ago in the West African country, where fishing is a key part of the national identity.

A man feed fishes in a pond where they are reared at the Mbawane farm in Kayar. (Photo by SEYLLOU / AFP)

Fish accounts for over 70 percent of household protein intake, and the fishing industry provides around 600,000 direct and indirect jobs in a population of 18 million people.

The volume of catches by traditional wooden fishing canoes plunged by 58 percent between 2012 and 2019, according to the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF).

For Senegalese faced with a high cost of living and widespread unemployment, prices are rising and an essential foodstuff is becoming increasingly unaffordable.

Hardly a day goes by without reports of a migrant boat leaving, being intercepted or capsizing on the perilous route between Senegal and Spain’s Canary Islands.

Many who board the boats are fishermen or those living along the Atlantic coast, which is heavily reliant on the industry.

Like its predecessors, the new government has vowed to promote fish farming and attract industry investment.[...]

Source:The Guardian

Every year, within the framework of the Russian-Chinese Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Protection, Regulation and Reproduction of Living Aquatic Resources in the Border Waters of the Ussuri and Middle Amur Rivers, the fisheries protection agencies of the two countries carry out joint control measures.

The raid was organized in anticipation of the ban on fishing, which is in effect from October 1 to 20.

The Russian delegation visited fishing camps in China, where they familiarized themselves with documents permitting fishing, examined fishing boats and fishing gear, as well as the harvested aquatic bioresources. A conversation was held with fishermen about the need to comply with the Fishing Rules.

Joint control was carried out in full, in a businesslike and friendly atmosphere. No violations of the Rules for the protection, regulation and reproduction of fish stocks in the border waters of the Amur and Ussuri rivers were identified. Based on the results of the activities, the parties signed a protocol.

The next stage of cooperation will be a meeting of the Working Commission for the Management of Fisheries in the Border Waters of the Amur and Ussuri Rivers in November 2024.

Source: Federal Agency for Fisheries

As of October 2024, the volume of frozen mackerel imported up to September was 33,926 tons, nearly identical to the 33,927 tons imported in 2023. The domestic distribution price has shown a steady upward trend, with the average import price of frozen mackerel by September 2024 standing at USD 2.17/kg.

Norwegian mackerel accounted for the largest share of imports, with 27,941 tons, representing 83.3% of the total. 

The average import price for Norwegian mackerel was USD 2.23/kg. Chinese mackerel made up 10.9% of imports, with 3,645 tons and an average price of USD 1.97/kg. Taiwan contributed 1,352 tons, making up 4.0% of imports, at an average price of USD 1.48/kg. Additionally, 611 tons were imported from the Netherlands.

In the first week of October 2024, the wholesale price for Norwegian frozen mackerel, size 300/500g, reached 99,000 KRW, a 2.06% increase from September's price of 97,000 KRW, and a significant 57.14% rise from 63,000 KRW in December 2023. 

For size 400/600g, the price was 98,000 KRW, a 1.03% increase compared to September 2024 and a 44.11% rise compared to 68,000 KRW in December 2023. The price of Norwegian mackerel is expected to continue its upward trend in the near future.

Source: Union Forsea Corp.

Norwegian, Icelandic and Faroese salmon companies are facing a serious export challenge today with US east coast ports shut down by a huge strike.

Dockers at ports between Maine and the Gulf of Mexico walked out last night in a dispute over pay.

These ports are regularly used by Nordic exports to get their fish, mainly salmon and cod and haddock, into the US.

Some companies, notably Hiddenfjord in the Faroe Islands have dropped air transport in favour of sea shipments as part of a carbon emissions drive. But a number of Icelandic salmon companies also use sea transport because they are so much closer to US ports.

Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer l Read the full article here

“The US is interested to help develop Bangladesh’s fisheries and livestock sectors and invest there,” said US charge d’affaires Helen LaFave as she met Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter at her secretariat office on Monday, reports BSS.

During the meeting, the adviser said Bangladesh wants to exploit the vast experience of the US in extracting the marine fisheries resources.

The two countries also agreed to work together on the mutual bilateral issues.

Fisheries and livestock Secretary Sayeed Mahmud Belal Haider, Additional Secretary ATM Mostafa Kamal, USAID Director Joseph Lessard and US embassy’s Agricultural Attache Sarah Gilleski, among others, were present.

Salmon Evolution ASA (the “Company”, OSE: SALME) harvested 680 tonnes HOG in Q3 and reiterates the harvest guidance of approximately 2,500 tonnes HOG for the second half of 2024, taking full year harvest volume to approximately 5,000 HOG. The Company had good biomass buildup during the quarter, with steady improvement in daily growth rates and continued strong results on key parameters such as feed conversion ratio, mortality and superior grade share.

Q3 operational summary:

• Harvest of 680 tonnes HOG with superior grade share of 98 %.
• All-in price realization of NOK 72/kg.
• Average weight of 3.3 kg (HOG), up 10 % from Q2.
• Standing biomass of 2,582 tonnes LW end Q3.

"Biomass production is steadily improving at Indre Harøy, with a wide range of initiatives ongoing to take out the full growth potential”, CEO of Salmon Evolution, Trond Håkon Schaug-Pettersen said. “The standing biomass is close to record levels going into Q4, which together with a further increase in expected harvest weights, makes us well positioned to capitalize on the expected price rebound”, he said.

In September, European private equity firm Hivest Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in the French fishing group Réunimer – Pêcherie du Sud.

Réunimer, a leading player in seafood products in Réunion Island, has expanded its operations to Madagascar since 2000. Established in 1996, the group is known for its vertical integration, spanning the entire value chain. Its activities include fishing, aquaculture, processing, export, and distribution across French and international markets. Some of its fishing activities hold MSC and Sustainable Fishing certifications, reflecting its commitment to sustainability.

The group operates through five subsidiaries: Enez Pêche, Réunipêche, Réunion Pélagique, Le Martin Pêcheur, and Le Pêcheur Créole, offering a wide range of products including toothfish, octopus, shrimp, seaweed, and various pelagic and demersal fish. These products are available in multiple forms—raw, cut, frozen, fresh, and processed—and cater to supermarkets, foodservice, manufacturers, and public institutions.

In a seafood market growing at 5% annually, Réunimer aims to rely on Hivest Capital’s financial expertise to support the group’s future development and facilitate a smooth transition between management generations, with a greater share of capital being offered to both current and future leaders.

However, the United Kingdom remains its main market abroad

For ten years, the company Frigoríficos Arcos, from O Carballiño, has been perfecting the sous vide technique that they apply to the octopus they sell. It is a cooking method developed in France during the 20th century that maintains the integrity of the food by heating it for long periods.

Source: La Voz de Galicia l Read the full article here

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is urging coastal states and North Atlantic fishing nations to resolve their political deadlock and agree on a sustainable quota-sharing deal for key pelagic stocks.

This appeal follows alarming data from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), which highlights a continued decline in Atlanto-Scandian (AS) herring and mackerel stocks—two of Europe’s most valuable and iconic fish species.

Author: Oliver McBride / The Fishing Daily l Read the full article here