The iconic ice fishing trawler Gullver NS has officially been sold and renamed Elisabeth H. According to the Icelandic Herring Processing Company (Síldarvinnslan), the vessel’s new home port is Banjul, the capital of Gambia. The new owner, a Norwegian national, renamed the ship after his daughter.

Built in Flekkefjord, Norway, in 1983, the 674-gross-ton vessel is powered by a 1,770 horsepower MAK engine. It arrived in Seyðisfjörður on July 12, 1983, originally owned by Gullberg hf. Síldarvinnslan acquired the company in 2014, maintaining the ship’s operations for over 40 years.

Chief Engineer Gunnlaugur Hafsteinsson, who served on the vessel since 1987, shared highlights of its rugged past:

• The 1994 "Smugutúr": The crew survived winds over 20 meters per second and temperatures of -18°C, which encased the ship in a solid block of ice.

The sale follows Síldarvinnslan’s decision to replace Gullver NS and Jóhanna Gísladóttir GK with the trawler Birtingur NK. Elisabeth H was recently prepared for its new journey.

David Thomson, Food and Drink Federation Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer, said:

“Congratulations to John Swinney MSP and his party for their election win. We look forward to working in active partnership with the new government to address the challenges facing Scotland’s food and drink manufacturers and to support a sector that plays a vital role in our economy and food security.

“As we set out clearly in our recent letter to the next First Minister, food and drink manufacturing sits at the heart of the weekly shop, supports tens of thousands of jobs across Scotland 

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here

Starfrost has launched its next-generation Hybrid Tunnel Freezer, introducing a new solution for individual quick freezing (IQF) applications designed to improve production capacity, hygiene and operational efficiency for food processors.

The updated freezer features a newly developed compact design capable of delivering up to 60% greater production capacity than previous models and enabling processors to maximise factory floor space without sacrificing throughput.

Source: Worldfishing | Read the full article here

The organization CALAMASUR has announced the webinar "Advances in Jumbo Squid Management and Control of Illegal Fishing in the South Pacific," a vital virtual space to analyze the sustainability of the jumbo flying squid. The event will take place on Monday, May 11, via Zoom and Facebook Live.

The session will bring together industry leaders such as Alfonso Miranda (CALAMASUR), Elsa Vega Pardo (SONAPESCAL), and Gigliola Centonizo (Alianza Pesca Maule). A highlight includes a presentation by Milko Schvartzman, an Argentine expert who has spent years investigating foreign fleets in the South Atlantic and South Pacific. The event will be moderated by Iván Gómez.

The debate will focus on combating IUU fishing (illegal, unreported, and unregulated), a critical threat to the regional economy and ecosystem.

Event Times:

• 16:00 h: Mexico City
• 17:00 h: Peru and Ecuador
• 18:00 h: Chile
• 19:00 h: Argentina

Register here

AKVA group reported record first-quarter EBITDA and higher revenue as activity remained strong across its sea-based, land-based and digital divisions.

The aquaculture technology supplier posted Q1 2026 revenue of NOK 1.14 billion (€104.9 million), up 13% from NOK 1.01 billion in the same period last year.

Quarterly EBITDA reached a record NOK 153 million (€14.1 million), up from NOK 113 million a year earlier. EBITDA margin improved to 13.4% from 11.2%.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Fishmeal production by members of marine ingredients organisation IFFO fell 38% year on year in March, and cumulative first-quarter production was down 28% versus 2025.

Fish oil output was also lower, but the decline was less severe: cumulative first-quarter output was down 12%.

Both fishmeal and fish oil remain important ingredients in aquafeed.

The production data is based on statistics shared by IFFO members in Chile, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Norway, the UK, the US, Peru, South Africa and Spain, accounting for 40% of global fishmeal production and 50% of fish oil output.

Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

Despite intensifying competitive pressure, Vietnam’s exports of fish paste and surimi maintain a promising outlook for growth in 2026.

According to reports from Ms. Nguyen Ha of VASEP, export turnover for this processed food group reached US$63 million in the first three months of 2026, marking a 5% decrease compared to the same period last year. This slight decline is attributed to shifting demand in traditional strongholds and a more cautious approach to import costs globally.

Market Performance Shifts

Data from Vietnam Customs highlights a divergence in market performance:

• South Korea: Remains the largest importer but saw a significant 21% drop in turnover compared to 2025.
• Thailand & Japan: Experienced declines of 8% and 6% respectively, as purchasing power remains dampened by price competition.
• China: Emerged as a bright spot, with exports increasing sharply during the first quarter.

While traditional markets face headwinds, the surge in China and growth in emerging destinations suggest a rebound for Vietnam's convenient seafood products in the coming quarters of 2026.

The Superior Court of Justice of Asturias (TSJA) has issued a key ruling regarding public health protection in the region.

The high court granted the appeal filed by the Villaviciosa City Council, nullifying the resolution from the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Agricultural Policy that had authorized a clam fattening plant in the estuary.

Key Points of the Ruling:

• Affected Company: Asga Acuicultura, which had been granted a license in December 2024.
• The Project: A pre-fattening farm for carpet shell clams and Japanese clams covering an area of 2,420 square meters for a 10-year term.
• The Conflict: Regional authorities permitted the activity by arguing that the estuary's precautionary closure only applied to direct consumption. However, the TSJA supported the judicial expert’s view that public health risks persist even if the shellfish are relocated to other areas.

"If there is a risk derived from shellfish harvesting, there is also a risk in clam production, even if they are not marketed directly," states the ruling dated April 28.

The City Council reminded the court that the estuary has been closed to shellfish harvesting since 2011 due to very high levels of organic pollution, making any commercial exploitation in its waters unfeasible.