The European Commission has greenlit a €13 million French state aid package to rescue fishing operations hit hard by skyrocketing fuel costs tied to the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.

This marks the very first support package approved under the brand-new Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), which the Commission adopted on 29 April 2026.

The emergency measure responds to a brutal 75% surge in marine fuel costs between late February and April 2026. To stabilize the sector and protect regional food security, the French government will issue direct cash grants through 31 December 2026, retroactively covering fuel purchases from April and May 2026.

Impacted businesses will receive payouts calculated directly from their fuel consumption:

• €0.20 per litre purchased between 1 and 30 April 2026.

• €0.35 per litre purchased between 1 and 31 May 2026.

The Commission validated the aid under Article 107(3)(c) of the TFEU, concluding the plan is entirely necessary, balanced, and fair without distorting the EU market.

GALWAY — Eight of Ireland’s most promising aquatech companies gathered today for the three-day 2026 BIM AquaScale Innovation Studio+, an intensive business growth programme designed to accelerate international expansion.

Hosted by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) in partnership with Hatch Blue, the event highlights a booming domestic sector that now comprises more than 90 companies, employs over 1,000 people, and generates an estimated €182 million in turnover—marking an 85% increase over the past decade.

Among the participants is pioneering biotech firm Auranta, led by co-founder John Cullen, which is targeting global leadership in natural animal health. Meanwhile, Kenbro Boats, founded by Aidan Kennedy, aims to leverage the event to export its fully recyclable HDPE vessels to major salmon farming regions like Scotland and Norway.

Damien Toner, BIM Aquatech Business Manager, and Richard Donnelly, Interim CEO of BIM, emphasized that Ireland is entering a pivotal stage to become a global centre of excellence for sustainable seafood production, positioning its home-grown talent for vital foreign investment.

As margins tighten, quotas change, and labour grows scarce, more seafood processors are turning to onshore automation to stabilise output and protect quality.

Optimising existing production facilities is an important part of staying competitive in the market and improving production capacity. Onshore automation is about reliable flow, fewer touches, and clean design that works every day.In recent years, Carsoe, a trusted partner in onboard seafood processing, has supplied several onshore processing solutions for both fish and shellfish focused on automating processes.

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here

Andfjord Salmon reported a Q1 operating loss of NOK 25 million (€2.33 million) as the land-based salmon farmer remained without harvest revenues ahead of its first commercial post-smolt sale next month.

The company generated operating income of NOK 0.1 million during the quarter, while net loss widened to NOK 23.9 million (€2.22 million) from NOK 18 million a year earlier.Andfjord said the first post-smolt delivery under its partnership with Eidsfjord Sjøfarm is scheduled for mid-June, ahead of schedule due to stronger-than-expected growth in pool K1 at its Kvalnes facility on Andøya.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Scottish shellfish farms produced more than 12,000 tonnes of mussels in 2025, the highest level of output recorded for the country.

The figures come from the Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2025, compiled by the Scottish Government based on returns from authorised shellfish farming businesses.

The survey shows that 12,303 tonnes of mussels were produced last year. The first sale value for farmed Scottish shellfish in total was estimated at £15.1 million, representing an 8% increase compared with 2024.

Author: Robert Outram / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here

With the goal of conquering Southeast Asia, five prominent companies from the Los Lagos Region —AquaChile, Granja Marina Tornagaleones, St. Andrews, Marine Solutions, and Imenco— are currently in Bangkok, Thailand, participating in the second Chile–ASEAN 2026 Business Matchmaking Event, organized by ProChile.

The companies, focused on salmon, mussels, and aquaculture solutions, are part of a national delegation of 28 companies from seven regions.

The region's leadership is undeniable: between January and April 2026, non-copper and non-lithium exports from Los Lagos totaled US$2,626 million, where salmon and trout accounted for more than 81% with US$2,141 million.

The ASEAN bloc is a key market that received US$986 million in Chilean shipments in 2025. The event, which runs until May 30, connects Chilean businesses with 50 importers from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapur. The agenda includes the THAIFEX–Anuga Asia trade show and will conclude with Chile Fest to captivate local consumers.

ABANCA has renewed its collaboration agreements with the OP ANACEF Professional Fishermen's Organization and the Port and Ría de Marín Fishing Producers' Organization (OPROMAR), reaffirming its commitment to the entire maritime value chain.

The signing ceremony, held in Marín, was attended by José Luis Ramírez (ABANCA), Francisco Freire Lino (OP ANACEF), Claudino González (OPROMAR), and Javier Fraga (ABANCA Mar). The meeting served to map out a joint roadmap to tackle challenges such as rising costs, the lack of generational renewal, and the current geopolitical situation.

Sustainability is the core focus of the agreement. Through ABANCA Mar (a specialized unit active since 2016), the bank offers a tailored product catalog where credit takes center stage. A key highlight is the naval mortgage, designed to upgrade the fleet with more efficient vessels.

These comprehensive solutions—including credit lines, loans, and advanced sustainable subsidy payouts—will benefit 18 freezer trawlers from OP ANACEF and 30 fishing companies from OPROMAR.