Salmon farmers in Chile will be hoping for a more expansion-friendly environment following the election of José Antonio Kast as the country’s new president at the weekend.

The hardline conservative’s focus is on tackling violent crime and immigration, but he has also promised to slash regulation and taxes to boost economic growth.

Chile is the world’s second-largest producer of farmed salmon, after Norway, but the salmon sector’s ambitions to grow further have been frustrated during the term of outgoing leftwing president Gabriel Boric.

Author: Gareth Moore  / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, GALICIA – The Organization of Mussel Producers of Galicia (Opmega) participated once again in the protest in Santiago de Compostela, reiterating its firm opposition to Altri's proposed large-scale pulp mill.

The producers' association considers this initiative incompatible with environmental protection, the Galician rías (estuaries), and the productive model linked to the sea.

Opmega's delegation was led by its president, Ricardo Herbón, who emphasized that the mussel sector—a fundamental pillar of the coastal economy—cannot ignore a project that generates wide social opposition and raises serious doubts about its impact.

“Galicia cannot take risks that endanger strategic natural resources or activities that sustain thousands of direct and indirect jobs,” the organization stated.

Opmega insists that its future depends on the preservation of water quality and the balance of marine ecosystems. Therefore, they consider it crucial to heed the voices of the affected productive sectors and the repeated citizen mobilization.

The organization reaffirms its commitment to the defense of the sea, environmental sustainability, and a development model compatible with traditional activity and the future of the Galician rías.

Norwegian research organization SINTEF has released a report finding that nylon aquaculture nets release five times more microplastics than nets made from other materials.

The release of most microplastics into the marine environment is commonly believed to come from land-based sources, but according to SINTEF, fisheries and aquaculture farms are becoming increasingly reliant on plastic equipment and infrastructure, introducing microplastics directly into ocean waters and contributing both to environmental and seafood contamination.

Author: Emma Prairie / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

The Far Eastern fishing fleet has been boosted with the addition of the new crab fishing vessel, the Alexander Sapozhnikov.

Built by the Onega Shipyard for the Russian Crab Group under the investment quota program, the national flag was recently raised on the vessel, marking its official commissioning.

The ship is designed for sustainable crabbing and live catch transport. It features a specialized two-level hold with modern monitoring systems (temperature, salinity, oxygen) to ensure a high preservation rate of 98% for the catch.

Ilya Shestakov, head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries, emphasized the significance of the new vessel: "Each new vessel is a step toward achieving our strategic goal—the modernization of the domestic fishing fleet... Furthermore, automation and digital process control are ensured for more efficient operations at sea."

The vessel is named in honor of Alexander Anatolyevich Sapozhnikov, who led the Russian Crab Group from 2020 to 2024 and significantly contributed to the company's fleet and staff expansion. (Source: Federal Agency for Fisheries)

The Russian State Duma is considering a draft law to authorize the canning of cod liver oil directly on fishing vessels.

This measure seeks to solve the problem of wasting large quantities of this valuable byproduct, which is often discarded due to its short shelf life and the inability to process it onboard.

The proposal amends the Law on Fisheries to allow vessels equipped with specialized gear to produce canned cod liver during the fishing process.

• Objective: To increase the supply of cod liver to the domestic market, valued for its high content of beneficial fatty acids.

• Economic Benefits: It is expected to reduce resource depletion, increase efficiency, add value, create jobs, and improve fishermen's incomes.

• Implementation: If approved, the regulation will take effect on September 1, 2026. A transition period until 2030 is proposed to allow companies to establish processing plants in the northern region.

Legislators view this initiative as a key step for the development of the Russian fishing sector, especially in the context of declining cod stocks.

Russian scientists at Kuban State Agrarian University (KubSAU) are developing the country's first oral vaccine for farmed fish to combat the deadly disease aeromonosis.

Logo of the Kuban State Agrarian University

Aeromonosis is a dangerous infection that causes mass mortality in aquaculture. Traditionally treated with antibiotics, the disease has led to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains, making the development of new solutions critical.

The new drug is designed to combine an antigen and an adjuvant into a single molecule. Scientists say this innovative design will allow fish to develop immunity without injections, significantly reducing the need for antibiotics in aquaculture.

KubSAU estimates that the vaccine will help reduce fish mortality and promote herd immunity, ultimately cutting fish farming costs by approximately 19%. Researchers are currently isolating the responsible bacterial strain in the lab, with state registration of the vaccine planned for early 2029.

Norway & the UK fish & chips industry: A strategic partnership between two cornerstone industries.

Fish & Chips is far more than a beloved British meal—it stands as a symbol of national identity and cultural heritage. From its humble beginnings in the 19th century, this dish became a staple for the working class, offering affordable nourishment through times of hardship and war.

Today, Fish & Chips remains a thriving industry, deeply connected to the quality and sustainability of Norwegian cod, and strengthened by close collaboration between British and Norwegian partners. 

Author: Bjørn-Erik Stabell, Country Director UK of the  Norwegian Seafood Council / Fish Focus | Read the full article here

Industry fury as police probe alleged misuse of major salmon brands.

Norwegian police have opened a formal investigation into alleged illegal export practices at Bergen-based salmon trader North Tandem, following NRK disclosures and multiple complaints from industry companies and the Food Safety Authority. Several individuals in the company are charged with document forgery, breaches of the food law and providing false information to the Food Safety Authority. The charges also cover violations of regulations governing the export of downgraded production fish. 

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here