In week 41 of 2024, wholesale prices for frozen pollock in South Korea have experienced a modest increase across all sizes (6, 7, 8, and 9 pieces per box).

By the end of September 2024, South Korea had imported 105,136 tons of frozen pollock, marking a 1% decrease from 106,596 tons imported in 2023. This volume represents 16.1% of the country’s total seafood imports.

The total value of frozen pollock imports reached USD 105.14 million, reflecting a 10% decline from USD 101.10 million during the same period in 2023. The average import price for frozen pollock until September 2024 was USD 0.96 per kilogram, down 9% from USD 1.06 per kilogram in 2023. Prices varied by country, with Russia at USD 0.96/kg, the United States at USD 1.25/kg, and China at USD 1.61/kg.

Domestically, wholesale prices for frozen pollock are as follows: the 7-piece size is approximately KRW 39,500, while the 8-piece size is about KRW 29,500. The price for the 8-piece size has decreased by 3.3% from KRW 30,500 in August 2024 and by 13.2% from KRW 34,000 in June 2024.

Source: Union Forsea Corp.

The National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) estimates that the power cuts announced by the National Electricity Operator Cenace for the country's industrial sector could cause a drop of USD 75 million per month in shrimp exports, with effects that could worsen as the days go by.

This measure, which contemplates cuts of up to 14 hours a day for 15 days, will seriously affect the productive chain of the shrimp sector.

The power cuts, which began this week, are already impacting the production of balanced feed for shrimp, vital for the industry.

According to the CNA, the factories have not been able to compensate for the lack of energy with their own generation, which has drastically reduced their production capacity.

In addition, the packing plants face similar difficulties, with interruptions of up to 13 hours a day, complicating the export process.

"The scenario proposed by CENACE places the shrimp sector in a critical situation. The lack of balanced feed, which we have already begun to register, not only affects current production, but will also force a reduction in planting densities, which means a lower export volume right in a season of greater demand,” said José Antonio Camposano, president of the CNA.

Camposano stressed the need to have predictable rationing schedules and manageable time slots to mitigate the impacts.

Fisheries Development Oman (FDO), a fisheries investment arm of the state-owned Oman Investment Authority (OIA), has signed an advisory contract with Malta-based aquaculture consultant AquaBioTech Group.

AquaBioTech will provide a comprehensive range of consulting and advisory services to support FDO to develop sustainable aquaculture and fisheries sectors in the Sultanate of Oman. 

Source: fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here

Fiji’s fisheries sector is a cornerstone of our economy, contributing to our Gross Domestic Product and supporting thousands of Fijians, especially in coastal and rural communities.

While launching three key policies last night, Minister for Fisheries Alitia Bainivalu highlighted that in 2022 alone, the sector contributed $207.1 million, accounting for eight percent of our national export earnings.

The Fisheries Minister states that our fisheries are more than just economic assets.

“Of this, 70% came from our offshore fisheries, central to tuna harvesting and processing. Inshore fisheries contributed around 25%, while aquaculture, though still emerging, provided 5%.”

Bainivalu stresses that the Strategic Development Plan 2024-2028 prioritizes three key areas, one of which is the offshore fisheries, strengthening the tuna industry, modernizing the fleet, and positioning Fiji as a regional processing hub.

She reiterates that the ministry is committed to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

HAPPIEE!, the innovative brand shaking up the plant-based sector, is thrilled to announce its latest milestone with new listings in two of the UK’s largest supermarket chains. In recent weeks, HAPPIEE! has significantly expanded its retail presence, making its delicious and sustainable plant-based seafood alternatives more accessible than ever before.

New Launches:

25th September: HAPPIEE! products are now available in 245 Sainsbury’s stores across the UK.

9th October: The brand has furthered its reach by launching in 327 Morrisons stores.

Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

The Ecuador site of aquafeed group BioMar has achieved certification under the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s new international Feed Standard.

Located in Guayaquil, BioMar’s facility produces high-quality shrimp feed. The company said that achieving ASC Feed certification is a key part of BioMar’s broader strategy of sustainable innovation and strengthens its role as a trusted provider of ASC compliant feed.

Source: Fish Farmer l  Read the full article here

Seafrigo Airfreight is opening a new 7,500 m2 logistics platform in the immediate vicinity of Paris Orly airport, next to the Rungis MIN.

The new Seafrigo Group platform, built to the latest environmental standards, has 2,600 pallet spaces, offers temperature-controlled storage capacities ranging from -20°C to +15°C and is equipped with 17 loading docks.

The objective? To guarantee optimal storage conditions and control of the cold chain for perishable products such as seafood, fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, delicatessen products as well as wines and spirits.

For maximum supply chain efficiency from origin to destination, the warehouse is connected to Seafrigo Group's consolidation services (LCL).

This global network with a presence in 32 countries allows Seafrigo to offer our customers a high value-added service for their imports and exports of perishable products.

MIRI - The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained two foreign fishing vessels and 10 crew members, including two skippers, for alleged encroachment and illegal fishing into Malaysian waters.

Kamal Ariffin (centre) flanked by Simon Templer (left) and Mohd Khairol Anuar, speaks to reporters at the press conference.

MMEA Sarawak director First Admiral (Maritime) Kamal Ariffin Jusoh said the two vessels were detained approximately 132 nautical miles northwest of Tanjong Baram last Saturday.

“On Oct 5, at around 10.18am, the MMEA patrol vessel was conducting a routine patrol in Sarawak waters when they detected two suspicious-looking vessels suspected of encroachment and illegal fishing activities.

“The patrol ship intercepted the first vessel at 11.35am, and upon inspection, found it to be a Vietnamese fishing vessel with five crew members, including a skipper.

“The crew, aged between 48 and 66, were subsequently apprehended,” he told a press conference after officiating the closing of the MMEA Search and Rescue exercise (Sarex) at a leading hotel here today.

Kamal Ariffin mentioned that the second vessel was detained at 11.55am, and five crew members, including a skipper, aged between 30 and 63, were arrested.

A total of 776 individuals in Ghana's Volta Region received hands-on training in aquaculture business through the government's Aquaculture for Food and Jobs Programme. 

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture in collaboration with R and B Farms, aims to equip over 10,000 Ghanaians with the skills needed to start and manage aquaculture enterprises. 

The training covered key areas such as fish farming techniques, marketing, and financial management, promoting sustainable livelihoods, food security, and economic growth. Volta Regional Minister Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa emphasized the potential of the program to economically empower participants, offering not only technical knowledge but also support in launching their businesses.

Freire and Armón shipyards enter the 50 million euro tender

The Vigo naval company, established as an international benchmark in the construction of marine research vessels, is now bidding for the new order from the Technical University of Denmark, valued at 370 million Danish crowns, almost 50 million euros. Freire and Armón Vigo have already provided the Danish institution with everything they are capable of contributing in the field of oceanographic models, according to sources in the sector familiar with the process. 

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