Norway’s amazing three year run of seafood export growth has finally stopped – at least for the time being.

Figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council today show a fall in the value of sales, including salmon, both for last month and over the first quarter of 2024.

Norway exported NOK 40.2bn (almost £3bn) worth of seafood between January and March, a decrease of NOK 1.2bn, or 3% less compared to the same period last year.

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

The International Maritime Organization has launched a new futurefuels.imo.org where you can access the latest information on zero and near-zero emissions marine fuels and technologies, including pricing information and the latest studies on the subject. .

The website has been developed within the framework of the Future Fuels and Technologies Project (FFT Project), a partnership project between the IMO and the Republic of Korea, which supports the development of new regulations within the possible framework of net zero emissions of IMO to achieve the objectives contained in the IMO 2023 GHG Strategy.

Source: Industrias Pesqueras l Read the full article here

Cooke Chile has begun harvesting the first organic farm-raised Atlantic salmon in Chile.

This marine aquaculture production in Chile will initially be equivalent to 25% of Cooke’s total salmon production in Chile and is certified organic pursuant to European Commission regulations and equivalents in Great Britain. Cooke Chile organic salmon is now approved to use the EU Organic green and white leaf logo for export to EU and Great Britain markets. 

Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

NASCO focuses on the protection, development, and rational utilization of salmon stocks in the North Atlantic.

Iceland has re-entered the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO), as announced by Svandísar Svavarsdóttir, Iceland’s Minister of Food.

The decision, made in March 2023, restores Iceland’s membership in the international body, which it had left in 2009 following the collapse of its banking system.

Source: Salmon Business l Read the full article here

The BlueInvest initiative has been a driving force behind these changes that span fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, shipping and ports, offshore renewable energy and biotechnology, said the European Commission.

Blue renewable energy, blue tech and ocean observation and aquaculture have been the three most dynamic sectors, advises the report. At the other end of the spectrum, sustainable coastal and maritime tourism as well as environmental protection and regeneration have closed fewer deals.

Source: Worldfishing l Read the full article here

Hilton supplies major supermarkets including Tesco, Morrisons and Waitrose

• The company reported pre-tax profits skyrocketed by 64.2% to £48.6m in 2023

• Hilton Food Group is planning further geographic expansion and potential takeover deals after profits jumped by nearly two-thirds last year.

The food packaging company, which supplies major supermarkets including Tesco, Morrisons and Waitrose, reported bumper pre-tax profits growth 64.2 per cent to £48.6million in 2023.

Its UK seafood arm returned to operating profitability thanks to price hikes and new business contracts after being heavily impacted the previous year by surging cost inflation and supply chain disruption.

Hilton's core meat segment also performed strongly amid volume growth in the Asia-Pacific region and a 'resilient outturn' across the UK and Europe.

In the British Isles, the firm's revenue increased by 3.7 per cent at constant currency levels to £1.33billion as raw material price rises offset declining volumes.

At the same time, sales in Europe were bolstered by higher demand for easy meals across Scandinavia and Central Europe, as well as the acquisition of Dutch smoked salmon processor Foppen.

Author/Source: Harry Wise / thisismoney.co.uk

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., /PRNewswire/ -- Seafood industry sales veteran Guy Lott has been named Vice President of Sales for Aquamar®, a leader in surimi and convenience seafood products, including its newly created ready-to-eat seafood line.

Lott's seafood industry experience across sales, processing, and distribution as well as his relationships within top multi-unit restaurant concepts, fine dining leaders and major retailers, accelerates Aquamar's go-to-market strategy currently underway.

The addition of Lott rounds out the leadership team, advancing Aquamar's goal of being an industry leader in seafood innovation in the retail and foodservice markets. Lott joins CEO Daryl Gormley, CFO Eric Wills, Operations VP Sam Metri, and QA Director Ila Dabo.

"We are excited to welcome Guy to the Aquamar team, confident that his experience and track record will accelerate Aquamar's efforts to drive seafood consumption through innovation," said Daryl Gormley, CEO. "There is opportunity for us to continue our sales momentum and we're confident Guy is the best person to help us do that as we stay on our mission is to ensure everyone has access to healthy, high-quality protein."

HMS Tamar is the fourth of the five offshore patrol vessels built to replace the current river class vessels.

The United Kingdom Royal Navy’s offshore patrol vessel HMS Tamar, has been out on patrol in Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone, helping to counter illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.

HMS Tamar was berthed at Suva Port, Fiji last week and departed on March 31, 2024.

Acting British High Commissioner to Fiji, Nicola Noble said HMS Tamar, is one of ‘two’ Royal Navy vessels that are now permanently based in the Pacific.

“We were delighted to host HMS Spey, in 2022 and it is fantastic now to have Tamar here in Fiji,” she said.

“Tamar, like Spey, has no home port and so can quickly adapt to the requirements of the Pacific and the countries that she visits.”

“Tamar has been out on patrol in Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone, helping to counter illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.”

She said the HMS Tamar has extended its work on Maritime Security, an area of increasing importance in the South Pacific, and so for the UK

HMS Tamar is the fourth of the five offshore patrol vessels built to replace the current river class vessels.

HMS Tamar can perform a variety of roles, from intercepting drug-traffickers and smugglers to protecting UK territorial waters and providing humanitarian assistance in the wake of a disaster. The vessel sailed at a speed of 8.8 knots and has a gross tonnage of 2453.

Author/source: Laiseana Nasiga /Fiji Sun

Andrew Choe brings a decade of industry experience to the iconic seafood company

SAN DIEGO,  /PRNewswire/ -- Bumble Bee Seafoods welcomes Andrew Choe to the company as Chief Executive Officer, effective as of April 1. Choe was appointed to the position by Jerry Chou, Bumble Bee Chair of the Board, a role in which he will continue to serve. Chou also served as Interim CEO beginning in July 2022.

"Our company is on an upward trajectory with great momentum in place," said Chou. "Andrew is the right leader at the right time to further transform our business and take us to new heights. He has priceless knowledge and expertise in our complex industry and is a people-focused leader with a history of helping talented teams succeed."

Choe spent more than a decade at StarKist, as SVP of Supply Chain and Operations for two years, and then as CEO for eight years. In his tenure, he was highly engaged in all aspects of the business including supply chain management, manufacturing, customer and broker relations, innovation and brand building. Choe most recently served as CEO for SENSEE World, a company that provides products to help the visually impaired community.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to buy 5.7 million pounds of frozen Alaska pollock nuggets as well as 35,300 pounds of various frozen fish fillets.

The department released the solicitation 1 April 2024 and has set a due date of 15 April for all bids. The government said awards will be announced by 29 April.

Fish purchased through the solicitation will be distributed through the U.S. government’s domestic food distribution programs, such as the National School Lunch Program. Companies that are awarded contracts will need to complete their deliveries between 1 July and 31 December 2024.

Author: Nathan Strout / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here