Japan’s bluefin tuna hauls are surging nationwide, forcing officials to impose strict restrictions or suspend fishing entirely as some prefectures race toward their annual limits at an unprecedented pace.

According to the Fisheries Agency, the April catch of large bluefin tuna weighing 30 kilograms or more reached a staggering 320.7 tons. This figure marks a historic record for the month since the current management system began in 2018, nearly doubling the volume recorded the previous year.

Smaller bluefin tuna weighing less than 30 kilograms also hit record highs for April, increasing by 10.4 percent to 300.6 tons.

Pacific bluefin tuna fishing is managed under strict international agreements, which subject Japan's waters to annual catch quotas starting each fiscal year in April.

The rapid surge has put immediate pressure on local limits. Fukui and Toyama prefectures have already exhausted more than 50 percent of their quotas for large bluefin tuna, while Kochi has surpassed the 40-percent mark. For smaller tuna, Fukushima Prefecture has already burned through over 90 percent of its allocation, and Fukui is past 50 percent.

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Cermaq is consolidating its Canadian operations under a newly created company as the salmon farmer continues the integration of the former Grieg Seafood British Columbia business.

Parent company Mitsubishi Corporation said Cermaq’s Canadian subsidiaries will be amalgamated into a new entity, Cermaq British Columbia Ltd., effective June 1. The new company will assume all assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of the existing businesses.

The restructuring follows Cermaq’s acquisition of Grieg Seafood’s operations in British Columbia and Newfoundland last year in a deal valued at approximately NOK 10.2 billion (€946 million).

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), together with the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of Kyrgyzstan and international partners, has launched a new initiative to strengthen the country’s aquaculture sector, bringing together key actors in Bishkek for a high-level inception workshop under the project Sustainable Fish Value Chains for Landlocked Developing Countries (SVC4LLDCs).Funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the project aims to boost the sustainability, productivity and competitiveness of fish value chains in Kyrgyzstan

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here

The Norwegian-owned salmon farming company said it may have to seek further funding, however, and it is currently exploring possibilities.

During the period, Proximar harvested the last mixed batch of fish affected by earlier production disruptions.

Biological performance remained strong, with superior share above 95% and high survival rates of 97.6% in the grow-out.

The company doubled its turnover from Q1 2025 to NOK 60.1 million (£4.8m) which included an insurance payout.

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

(Data recorded at Ishinomaki Fish Market for Kinka Coho Salmon, per kilogram in yen)

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SEATTLE, Wash. – More than 100 volunteers from the Wild Alaska Pollock catcher-processor fleet gathered at Terminal 91 for the industry’s annual Net Recycling Day. The hands-on event transformed retired fishing nets into reusable materials, advancing circular solutions and responsible fisheries management.

The initiative united five leading fishing companies—American Seafoods, Arctic Storm Management Group, Coastal Villages Region Fund, Glacier Fish Company, and Trident Seafoods—all members of the At-Sea Processors Association.

Participants worked alongside vessel captains and gear experts to cut and sort retired nets. The recovered material will be sent to specialized facilities to be repurposed into durable products like composite decking, outdoor furniture, and sports equipment.

Now in its second year as a unified initiative, the event builds on individual company efforts. "Net Recycling Day reflects the shared commitment across our fleet to continuously improve how we operate," said Doug Christensen, President/CEO of Arctic Storm Management Group.

Russian crab producers are setting their sights on international end-consumer markets (B2C), shifting focus toward branded retail products.

Industry leaders shared these strategic plans during the first meeting of the Fish Club in Vladivostok, a premier Far Eastern event jointly organized by ExpoSolutions Group and the FishNews media holding to revive regional industry traditions.

The gathering focused heavily on the logistical specifics of seafood transportation and its untapped market potential. Rather than continuing to supply unbranded, raw commodities, crab harvesters are actively exploring ways to capture more value by launching dedicated consumer brands.

"One of our goals is to integrate into the B2C market," announced Alexander Remeta (pictured), CEO of Antey Asset Management. He emphasized that this expansion will target global consumers through branded retail items and international joint products. By moving away from "no-name" packaging, Russian businesses aim to actively promote, differentiate, and capitalize on their premium seafood assets worldwide.