The future National Food Strategy (ENA) developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food aims to be a "reference" for the new European Commission. "We are an agro-food and fishing power and we have to act as such," said Minister Luis Planas at the first participatory forum on this strategy, held in Córdoba. Planas has indicated the importance of Spain taking the initiative, making proposals and setting positions on food sovereignty, "instead of waiting for the final decisions to be made in Brussels," says the MAPA.

The minister has highlighted the importance of ensuring food supply and sustainability as two of the challenges facing the Spanish food sector.

Source: Industrias Pesqueras l Read the full article here

Norwegian vessels fishing for mackerel in UK waters have recently faced an added hurdle in their operations.

Pelagisk Forening, the Norwegian Pelagic Association, has reported a significant increase in the use of the control point at Lerwick, Shetland, by British authorities for inspections. This detour has led to longer travel times for vessels, resulting in higher costs and potential risks to the quality of the catch.

Before delivering their catch to shore, Norwegian vessels must now reroute to Lerwick for inspection by British authorities. 

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

Oceana is urging the European Commission to expand labelling requirements for processed seafood products, calling for greater transparency for consumers.

A new analysis from the environmental organisation reveals that nearly 40% of processed seafood products in Belgium, France, and Spain lacks critical information such as species, origin, and fishing methods. This stands in contrast to the strict labelling regulations that apply to fresh seafood in the EU.

Source: Worldfishing l Read the full article here

Proximar Seafood has secured JPY 1 billion (USD 7 million, EUR 6.3 million) in additional funds from Japanese banks as the company approaches its first harvest from its Yokohama, Japan-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS).

In an announcement posted to the Oslo Børs, Proximar said it has secured the additional funds for working capital purposes and to buffer its liquidity as it approaches the first sales of its Atlantic salmon. The funding is split into two loans of JPY 500 million (USD 3.5 million, EUR 3.2 million) from two separate banks, with the first loan being paid out on 20 September and the second loan available at the end of September.

Author: Chris Chase l SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

Smir Group, a leader in aquaculture technology and services, has finalized an agreement to acquire Ambiente Aqua AS, a technology company based in Årland, Norway. As part of the acquisition, all rights to Ambiente Aqua's proprietary technologies will be transferred to Smir Group.

"We've been collaborating closely on two key projects that leverage UV-LED technology, and we view this as a promising area of investment for Smir Group. Ambiente's innovative solutions align perfectly with our goals, which led us to pursue this acquisition," said Frank Øren, CEO of Smir Group, in a press release.

Ambiente Aqua AS, founded in 2021 by Kurt Magne Berge, Roald Rø, and Gunder Andre Johansen, specializes in developing advanced light and energy systems, with a particular focus on UV-LED technology.

Øren highlighted the strategic value of this acquisition for Smir Group:

"One of our primary objectives is to offer preventive solutions for the aquaculture industry, and we see significant potential in UV-LED technology when applied effectively. As we continue to innovate and develop new preventive concepts, we are excited about the additional opportunities that Ambiente’s technology will create when integrated with our existing solutions."

This acquisition follows Smir Group's earlier purchase of the service and diving company KB-Gruppen AS in Rørvik, further strengthening its presence in the aquaculture sector.

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ST. PETERSBURG (Interfax) - The Russian aquaculture sector could receive 70 billion-100 billion rubles of investment over a period of three to five years, Russian Agricultural Bank forecasts.

"The bank sees a growth area and investment potential in aquaculture. Profit margins here are stable and very high and return is 45%- 50%. Also, investments are needed in science, fish feed, genetics, vaccine production and software for aquaculture to develop. In general, Rusag Bank sees an investment potential of 70 billion-100 billion rubles in the development of aquaculture over the next three to five years," the bank's deputy CEO, Irina Zhachkina, said at the Seventh International Fishery Forum in St. Petersburg.

Russian aquaculture output rose 4.8% to 402,000 tonnes in 2023 from 383,500 tonnes in 2022. The fisheries development strategy envisages aquaculture production will rise to 600,000 tonnes per year by 2030.

Almost US$5.3 billion in seafood, more than US$4.8 billion in fresh fruit shipments and US$1.073 billion in wine exports were registered from Chile between January and August, a period in which Chilean food reached 171 markets around the world.

According to figures from ProChile, based on records from the National Customs Service, the value of Chilean food shipped around the world in the first eight months of the year reached US$14.536 billion, a growth of 3.6% compared to the same period last year.

Source: aqua.cl l Read the full article here

Climate change impacts Japanese fish stocks. Rising ocean temperatures are permanently altering the distribution of marine species, with long-term consequences for the fishing industry

Once a world power, Japan's fishing industry is facing unprecedented challenges due to the ongoing effects of climate change. Over the past decade, catches of key species such as Pacific saury and Japanese flying squid have fallen to historic lows.

Source: EuropaAzul l Read the full article here

The Norwegian Seafood Council has officially launched its first major campaign in collaboration with football star Erling Braut Haaland, targeting the South Korean market.

The campaign, in partnership with several grocery chains and Norwegian exporters, includes early participation from salmon producer SalMar.

Source: Salmon Business l Read the full article here