Global shipping rates continue to be high as the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran drives up costs, and the latest attacks by Iran on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz could cause more issues.

Trans-Pacific shipping rates appeared to moderate in early July, as spot rates for certain major routes stayed relatively flat after months of steady increases, according to shipping rate indexing and analysis firm Xeneta.

Freight rates began to tick up with the commencement of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in March 2026, and have steadily increase up since then. 

Author: Chris Chase / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement entered into force on Wednesday, eliminating Indian import tariffs on UK exports of fresh and frozen salmon with immediate effect.

The agreement is expected to improve the competitiveness of Scottish salmon in one of the world's fastest-growing consumer markets, where imported seafood has historically faced tariffs of around 33%. The deal also removes tariffs on cod and lamb, while duties on products including whisky and chocolate will be reduced over time.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

The Chilean salmon farmer has been accused of failing to provide facilities for nursing mothers, sacking employees who have taken maternity leave, and sending warning letters for non-existent absences

A union representing processing workers employed by Chilean salmon farmer Ventisqueros has claimed that some of their members have had to use staff toilets to express breast milk “as there is no suitable, private, clean, and specially equipped space for exercising this right”.

The Ventisqueros Seafood Workers Union also claims there have be cases of female workers who, “after reporting their pregnancy, have faced actions to remove their maternity leave protections, long after their contracts had been converted to permanent positions.

Author: Jonathan Garcés / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

Catchwise has grown rapidly in the Norwegian fishing industry, with 30% of Norwegian skippers moving to the platform.

In some segments, including larger vessels, longliners, trawlers and pot vessels, the share is significantly higher.

Catchwise is aware that this has not happened by accident. Growth has come from staying close to skippers, listening to what creates problems at sea, and building the product around those needs.

Source: Worldfishing | Read the full article here

Researchers at the University of Aveiro have shown that marine amphipods can transform low-value agricultural by-products into premium aquafeed ingredients rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids.

The findings, developed under the PUFApods project, offer a sustainable, circular pathway to reduce the dependence of the aquaculture industry on finite wild fish stocks for essential fatty acids.

As the global aquaculture sector expands, securing sustainable sources of essential nutrients – particularly omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) such as EPA and DHA – remains a critical bottleneck. 

Source: The Fish Site | Read the full article here

The bluefin tuna (BFT) fishing season opens next week in parts of the UK, giving authorised commercial and permitted recreational fishers the opportunity to fish for BFT.From Monday 13 July:

• authorised UK commercial vessels can target BFT in English, Welsh and Scottish waters.
• permitted recreational catch and release vessels, administered by Marine Management Organisation (MMO), can fish for BFT within English waters.

The opportunities for commercial fishermen to land BFT for sale, and for recreational anglers to catch and release the fish, have increased significantly this year following successful negotiations to boost the UK’s quota for the species.

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here

SalMar, which has just acquired a majority stake in the rival salmon company Måsoval, has reported a markedly improved second quarter performance.

The group harvest between April and June totalled 81,800 metric tons, more than 17,000 tons up on a year ago.

The group is currently enjoying a golden start to the year, with both its northern and central Norway farms producing bumper volumes.

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