Korea has recently made serious progress to improve conditions for migrant crew on its distant-water fleet, starting to close deep inequalities and remove loopholes that allow crew to be abused at sea. But while these are commendable steps, they must be built on to achieve the full systemic progress needed, according to the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF).

Source: Worldfishing l Read the full article here

Fripozo, a company specialized in frozen solutions, managed, at the end of 2023, to exceed its forecasts, registering revenues of €180.3 M, which represented an increase of 13.2% compared to its previous year. The Murcian company had forecast revenues of around 177 million, according to data collected by Alimarket in the latest Report on Frozen Solutions, which will be updated next June.

According to the company, this increase is driven by the brand's significant commitment to the innovation of differentiating proposals, such as its new range of 'Stir-fried with more proteins'.

Source: Alimarket l Read the full article here

The organization considers it necessary to act in the face of the political shift in Norway after Brexit on issues such as cod or mackerel.

The Long Distance Fleet Advisory Council proposes eliminating Norwegian fishing products from the tariff quota regulations and putting sustainability back at the center of fishing relations between both powers.

Norway has historically been a strategic partner for Europe in fishing matters, and not only because the community market is a priority for the great Scandinavian fishing and aquaculture power, which directs up to 27.4% of production to the EU.

Source: Industrias Pesqueras l Read the full article here

Peru’s Production Ministry (PRODUCE) has announced it will open the North-Central zone of its anchovy fishery on 16 April, establishing a quota of 2.475 million metric tons (MT) for the first fishing season of 2024.

The total allowable catch (TAC) is significantly higher than the North-Central zone’s two seasons in 2023.

Author: Christian Molinari / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

Prices for Chilean salmon supplied to markets in the US, Brazil and China rose in week 13 (March 25-31), according to the latest data from Chilean company Skills. This was reported by Undercurrent News.

Average wholesale prices for trim D Atlantic salmon fillets delivered to Miami were $6.31 per pound in Week 13, up $0.03 per pound from Week 12.

The price was $0.29 per pound lower than the price during the same week last year.

Prices in Chile typically rise between January and April due to a decline in local production, according to a Chilean industry official. A second official noted on March 11 that prices were expected to correct previous losses ahead of the Easter holiday, when fish consumption typically rises.

Meanwhile, wholesale prices for fresh Atlantic salmon destined for Brazil rose to $9.37/kg in week 13, up $0.39/kg from the previous week.

In China, the price of fresh whole Chilean Atlantic salmon weighing over 6 kg, including shipping and freight, rose to $13.36/kg in week 13, up $0.72/kg from the previous week. This price remained significantly below last year's level in the same week, by more than $2 per kg.

Source: dalekayaokraina.ru

Ussuri customs officers did not allow a tourist to be taken from Russia to China with the thirteen teeth of a sperm whale. A criminal case has been opened, the violator faces up to 10 years in prison, reports the Federal Customs Service (FCS) of Russia.

“Three teeth were found in the jacket pocket of a Russian tourist, and another 10 were found in the bathrooms of the Pogranichny checkpoint,” the Federal Customs Service said in a statement.

The man admitted that a Chinese citizen asked him to transport derivatives of an endangered animal species across the border for money.

“Three acquaintances were involved in the scheme. They were supposed to take out 10 teeth, but after the organizer was detained, they decided to get rid of the evidence and threw it into trash cans in the bathrooms,” the customs officers explained.

The examination showed that the teeth are of cultural value and are protected by the CITES Convention.

Customs officers opened a criminal case. “The violator faces up to 10 years in prison,” the service said in a statement.

Frozen pollock imported into Korea in March 2024 amounted to 18,606 tons, a 10% decrease compared to the 20,677 tons imported in the same period in 2023.

Total imports amounted to 45,766 tons, down 13% from 52,891 tons in the same period last year, accounting for 19.4% of the total seafood imports of 236,154 tons.

As of March, 44,925 tons, or 98%, of frozen pollock were imported from Russia, 817 tons, or 1.8%, from the United States, and the remaining 24 tons were imported from China.

The import price by country was highest for the Chinese origin at USD 1.71/kg, the US origin at USD 1.20/kg, and the Russian at USD 0.96/kg.

The import amount of frozen pollock in March was USD 17.24 million, down 17% from USD 20.79 million in the same period of 2023, and the total import amount was USD 43.92 million, down 20% from USD 54.68 million in the same period last year. The average import price was USD 0.96/kg, 7% lower than the previous year's USD 1.03/kg.

Source: Union Forsea Corp.

King Oscar to showcase premium products at Norwegian Seafood Summit alongside his Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.  King Oscar, the legendary Norwegian seafood producer, is set to make waves at the Norwegian Seafood Council’s upcoming Norwegian Seafood Summit in San Francisco and Seattle. King Oscar will attend alongside His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and key Norwegian and American decision-makers, entrepreneurs, influencers, and companies, showcasing some of their best-performing international products such as their Atlantic Salmon, Brisling Sardines, and Mackerel ranges. The summit takes place on April 15-17.

Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

Mowi argues that the salmon tax violates EEA rules on free movement, including capital, and is competition-distorting and discriminatory.

On Thursday, Mowi, the world’s largest aquaculture company, faced the Norwegian state in the Bergen district court over the so-called salmon tax implemented last year.

The tax at a rate of 25 per cent was adopted on 31 May by the Norwegian parliament retroactive from 1 January 2023.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

Guidance on ethical best practice for seafood companies has been released by a leading international organisation, stressing the importance of human rights as well as conservation.

The Guidance for Companies on Environmentally and Socially Responsible Seafood is published by the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions, a not-for-profit body that includes seafood businesses, academics and non-governmental organisations.

Source: Fish Farmer l Read the full article here