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.

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.

Salmon accounted for 65% of the value of Norwegian seafood exports to the UK in 2025, the Norwegian Seafood Council has announced. At the same time, consumption increased in both the grocery and catering markets, with 8% growth in home consumption and 20% more servings outside the home.

Salmon is the UK’s most popular fish, with sales of domestic and imported fish in the 12 months to August 2025 rising 7.2% to £1.5 billion amid rising demand.

Bjørn-Erik Stabell of the Norwegian Seafood Council believes that the seafood industry must be clearer about marketing seafood as a natural source of protein. 

The Norwegian Seafood Council’s UK director, Bjørn-Erik Stabell, describes salmon as the fastest growing source of protein in the British catering market measured in number of servings.

Author: Kyst redaksjonen / fishfarming expert | Read the full article here

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has announced the opening of a new support scheme aimed at assisting owners of registered fishing and aquaculture vessels in managing rising fuel costs.

Application Timeline

The scheme officially opened for applications on 21 May 2026. Interested applicants have a limited window to apply, as submissions will close at 5:00pm on 12 June 2026. BIM has advised that late applications will not be accepted, urging eligible vessel owners to submit their applications in advance of the deadline.

Further details on eligibility criteria and application processes are available here. Vessel owners are encouraged to review the requirements carefully and apply within the specified timeframe.