Conxemar, the Spanish Association of Wholesalers, Importers, Exporters and Processors of Fishing and Aquaculture Products, has launched a digital observatory for its associated companies with foreign trade data of more than 300 references of seafood products and all EU countries. Thanks to this tool, companies will be able to quickly and easily consult information on imports and exports in tons, economic value and average price, both for frozen and prepared or canned products marketed to all countries in the world.

Source: La Voz de Galicia l Read the full article here

"Blue Justice Initiative", the action promoted by the Norwegian Government to promote cooperation against illegal fishing, has celebrated its fifth year of life, an anniversary that has coincided with the launch of a new tool that shows satellite information (AIS signals) of boats from all over the world. The tool will be used in the fight against fishing crimes.

The Global Research Vessel Tracking User Portal (GLISTRUP) allows five Norwegian Executive satellites to collect satellite information. The system offers real-time data through historical data collected over four years and an advanced analysis tool.

Source: Industrias Pesqueras l Read the full article here

The Danish Seafood Association has raised concerns over a new trade agreement between the EU and Norway that allows duty-free access for processed Norwegian salmon while maintaining duties on raw materials imported into the EU.

Speaking to Danish media Fodevarewatch, Poul Melgaard Jensen, Director of the Danish Seafood Association, explains that the agreement allows Norwegian processed salmon, such as smoked salmon, to enter the EU market duty-free, while raw salmon imports into the EU still face duties.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

Red Lobster owes seafood wholesaler Red Chamber Co. more than USD 7.6 million (EUR 7.1 million), a court filing in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case revealed.

Vernon, California, U.S.A.-based seafood wholesaler Red Chamber submitted a USD 7.6 million (EUR 7.1 million) claim in the case, which is being overseen by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.

The contracts were confirmed in letters from Red Lobster Strategic Sourcing Manager Cliff Culhane to Red Chamber Vice President Andro Chen, according to the documentation provided by Red Chamber.

Author: Christine Blank / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

Salmon farming giant Mowi has voiced its frustration over the Government of Canada’s decision to ban open net-pen salmon aquaculture in British Columbia (BC) coastal waters by 30 June 2029.

On 19 June 2024, Canada’s Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Diane Lebouthillier announced a new five-year licensing period to 30 June 2029 as well as a policy to move-away from traditional marine salmon farms in BC.

The government is proposing moving BC salmon farms to closed-containment systems or onto land, with further details, including a draft plan for the required transition, to be announced by the end of July 2024 and to be followed by another period of consultation.

Source: Worldfishing l Read the full article here

It will provide material for negotiations on quota increases.

A bill amending the Fisheries Law and the Fisheries Distribution Optimization Law aimed at strengthening resource management through individual management of large Pacific bluefin tuna (over 30 kg) was passed by a majority vote at the House of Councilors plenary session of the 213th regular Diet session held on the morning of the 19th. The Fisheries Law requires reporting of the number of large bluefin tuna caught in addition to the catch volume and requires records such as the name of the vessel used and the weight of each individual. The Distribution Optimization Law requires distributors to transmit recorded information at the time of capture. It will be promulgated within 30 days and take effect no more than two months after its promulgation.

An illustration of the new reporting requirements for large Pacific bluefin tuna

Following the failure to report catches that occurred in Oma, Aomori, the government has been rushing to put in place a system that allows for individual comparisons of large Pacific bluefin tuna and significantly strengthens penalties. In case of failure to comply with the reporting obligation, the previous penalty was up to six months in prison and a fine of up to 300,000 yen (US$1,898) and will be increased to a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to 500,000 yen. (U$D 3,164), only for large Pacific bluefin tuna

Source: The Suisan Keizai (translated from original in japanese)

During the 1.5 months of mandatory labeling of red and black caviar, the “Honest Sign” system brought 26 producers out of the shadows, about whom the state was previously unaware. These companies did not reflect their activities in other state systems, reports the press service of the Center for the Development of Advanced Technologies (CRPT - labeling operator).

In total, the labeling system now includes 22.3 thousand market participants, of which 737 companies are manufacturers and importers. “Now we can estimate both the real number of participants in the turnover, as well as the actual volumes of production and imports, and in the near future, the volumes of caviar consumption in Russia,” commented Yulia Kuzmina, head of the department of excise-free food products at the CRPT.

Let us remind you that the labeling of red and black caviar in Russia began on May 1, 2024. Now all manufacturers and importers are required to apply labeling codes to each jar of caviar and provide information about the introduction of products into circulation to Chestny Znak. From April 1 next year, it will become mandatory to transmit information about the sale of these products at retail.

Hokkaido, Hakodate: Squid catch shortages cause price rise in raw materials

[Hokkaido] Seafood retailer Sansho (Hakodate, Hokkaido, President Watanabe Tsuyoshi) entrusted the 'autopsy process' to lawyer Oshima Takumi of Protect Stance Sapporo Office (Sapporo, (Tel) 011-206-9307) on the 17th. They plan to file for personal bankruptcy. According to Teikoku Databank's Hakodate branch, the debt is about 100 million yen.

The company was established in September 2012 with a capital of 3 million yen, has about 20 employees and 26 years of existence. They mainly deal in squid, salmon, scallops, and herring roe, and also handle seafood raw materials and processed products outsourced to outside companies.

Source: Minato Yamaguchi (translated from the original in Japanese)

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A report prepared for the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and summarized for local media, highlights a nearly 8% decline in revenue for the Hawai‘i longline fishery due to a drop in average fish prices at the first point of landing in Honolulu Harbor.

The 2023 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Report, which monitors fish catch and revenue, was presented to scientists and advisors of the Council’s 152nd Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting from June 11-13, 2024, for advice on shaping the future of fisheries management in the Western Pacific Region.

The report indicates that while the Hawaii longline fishery landed slightly more fish in 2023, greater yields did not lead to higher revenue. Industry representatives confirmed better catch rates towards the end of 2023, but overall it was a very tough year for the fleet. It was further noted that the volume and price of subsidized foreign imports, coupled with all-time high operational costs, are causing severe economic impacts on the fleet, which is the State’s largest food producer.

The Hawaii longline fleet consists of 150 U.S.-flagged vessels operating out of Honolulu Harbor. The SSC discussed this information to provide scientific advice on the management of this fishery.