Small marine crustaceans are as valuable as key coastal habitats for storing carbon and should be similarly protected, according to new research.

The study shows that a single species, Antarctic krill, store similar amounts of carbon to key ‘blue carbon’ habitats such as mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrasses.

However, krill are also impacted by global heating and potential overfishing, so should be considered for similar protections as other important habitats

Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

Portugal-based multinational food producer Jeronimo Martins Agroalimentar (JMA) has increased its shareholding in Norwegian land-based fish farmer Andfjord Salmon Group by buying an extra 2 million shares of NOK 30 each in a deal worth NOK 60m (£4.3m).

The shares, which represent 2.95% of the total outstanding shares in the fish farmer, were sold by Andfjord Holding AS, which is owned by Andfjord Salmon founder Roy Bernt Petterssen. The purchase increases JMA’s holding from 25.08% to 28.03%.

Source: fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here

For once, Brussels has stopped to do the math and calculate the socioeconomic impact that results from a fisheries management measure. It has been on account of pollock, one of the stocks for which, last December, the EU decided on multiannual quotas, only that it was set at a 53% cut for 3 years. Spain immediately made it clear that it was too aggressive a cut. And then Portugal did. They warned the Commission that the total allowable catch (TAC) for the Cantabrian and Iberian Atlantic waters would lead to "a premature closure of mixed fisheries."

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

The Spanish tuna fleet, grouped in the Organisation of Associated Producers of Large Freezer Tuna Vessels (OPAGAC), draws attention to the need to strengthen collaboration between the Regional Fisheries Organisations (RFOs) of the Western Pacific (WCPFC 1 ) and Eastern Pacific (CIAT 2 ), to prevent illegal, undocumented and unregulated fishing (IUU), especially by the Chinese fleet, linked to the displacement of the tuna population from its usual fishing areas in the central-western Pacific to others, such as the Eastern Central Pacific Ocean (EPO-C). These movements of tuna towards the high seas are caused by the warming of the waters that is causing climate change.

Source: EuropaAzul l Read the full article here

United Kingdom-based frozen food brand Birds Eye, owned by Feltham, U.K.-based Nomad Foods, is rolling out a packaging revamp across all of its brands, including Birds Eye Fish.

The new designs will roll out across over 100 Birds Eye products over the next few months, with further rollout expected for 2025.

The new packaging features the Birds Eye red leaf logo in a consistent position at the top of packs, “acting as a beacon in store for each category across the Birds Eye range,” the company said. 

Author: Christine Blank l SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

The 110-meter Seigrunn, one of the world’s largest wellboats, was delivered to Seistar Holding on Friday.

The vessel, owned jointly by Br. Bakke of Austevoll and Lerøy Seafood Group, will sail to Norway this week, with operations expected to commence following a two-week preparation period.

The wellboat boasts an 8,000 cubic meter tank capacity and a deadweight of 12,000 tons, positioning it as one of the largest of its kind. The vessel also features 4,000 cubic meters of freshwater storage. 

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

The Canadian Federal Government has finally published its transition plans to end open pen farming in British Columbia.

The move comes almost five years since it first said it would formulate a transition policy. It then said in June that a scheme was on its way but that was further delayed.

The plan outlines how the government intends to move forward with support for First Nations, communities and workers that depend on the industry.

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

As of September 19, 2024, South Korea imported 17,731 tons of fresh salmon, reflecting a 2% decrease from the 18,041 tons imported during the same period in 2023.

The total import value also dropped by 12%, falling from USD 287.19 million last year to USD 252.45 million.

Norway continued to dominate as the primary supplier, contributing 96.54% of the total imports with 17,099 tons. Chile followed with 433 tons, and Canada with 90 tons. In terms of import pricing, Norwegian salmon commanded the highest price at USD 14.26/kg, with Chile at USD 12.63/kg and Canada offering the lowest at USD 12.23/kg.

Source: Union Forsea Corp.

According to the industry monitoring system of the Federal Agency for Fisheries (ISFRR), the catch of aquatic bioresources by all Russian users by September 16, 2024 exceeded 3.6 million tons (3,676.8 thousand).

Far Eastern basin: over 2.8 million tons

Pollock – over 1.6 million tons (+ 9.7 thousand tons compared to 2023); cod – 90.5 thousand tons; herring – 323.3 thousand tons (+ 45.5 thousand tons compared to 2023); flounder – 53.7 thousand tons; Iwashi sardine – 225.5 thousand tons in the Russian EEZ (+ 62.6 thousand tons compared to 2023)

Northern basin: 357.2 thousand tons

Cod – 188.5 thousand tons; haddock – 44.2 thousand tons; capelin – 51.7 thousand tons.

Western basin: 54.9 thousand tons

Sprats – 30.4 thousand tons; Baltic herring – 18.6 thousand tons.

Azov-Black Sea basin: 23.6 thousand tons

of anchovy - 9.2 thousand tons (+ 0.7 thousand tons to the 2023 level).

Volga-Caspian basin: 50.2 thousand tons

Sprat – 18.9 thousand tons; ordinary fish species – 11.3 thousand tons

In the exclusive economic zones of foreign states, conventional areas and the open part of the World Ocean, the Russian fleet has produced more than 364,802 thousand tons.

Source: Federal Agency for Fisheries

Muscat – Fisheries Development Oman (FDO), a state-owned company under Oman Investment Authority, is inviting qualified companies to participate in a tender for a market study on shrimp and tilapia aquaculture in the sultanate.

In a statement, the company said, ‘The study is part of FDO’s mission to contribute to sustainable economic diversification within the commercial fishing and aquaculture industries.’

As the investment arm of the government and a key execution entity in line with Oman Vision 2040 goals, FDO aims to enhance the national economy by improving the business environment and empowering the private sector to play a significant role in these industries.

Qualified companies are invited to participate in the tender with bids due by October 2.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, farmed fish production in Oman reached 5,117 tonnes, valued at RO15.1mn, this year by August. This marks a 7% increase in volume and a remarkable 50% rise in financial value compared to 2023 when production registered 4,767 tonnes valued at RO10.99mn.

The growth trend has been consistent since 2018, with production increasing from 350 tonnes valued at RO700,000 to 3,179 tonnes worth RO6.9mn in 2022. The diversity of farmed species has also expanded, now including 33 varieties such as white shrimp, Omani abalone and various types of finfish.