IN BRIEF - Coromandel Scallop Fishery To Remain Closed
NEW ZEALAND
Friday, March 17, 2023
The Coromandel scallop fishery has been fully closed to commercial and recreational fishing to allow it to recover.
Most of the Coromandel scallop fishery and all of the Northland scallop fishery were closed in 2021 due to sustainability concerns, says Fisheries New Zealand’s Director of Fisheries Management, Emma Taylor.
“In December 2022, new information led to a temporary emergency closure of the two remaining open areas, one around Little Barrier Island and the other in Colville channel. This new 2023 sustainability closure will see those areas remain closed.
“The use of emergency measures to close a fishery is rare, and they are not used lightly.”
Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Stuart Nash, made the decision based on new survey information which showed the two open areas in the fishery could no longer sustain harvesting.
“The initial closures followed extensive surveys in 2021, which revealed sustainability concerns. Results from surveys in the areas around Little Barrier Island and the Colville Channel in 2022 revealed further serious declines in scallop numbers.
“In light of this evidence, feedback received during public consultation supported a full and ongoing closure of the fishery as well as reductions to the total allowable catch to give the fishery the best chance of recovery.”
The Minister has decided to set the commercial and recreational allowances at zero, reflecting that no fishing will take place while the closure is in effect. The closure will not affect the relatively small amount of customary allowance. We note iwi in the region strongly support the recovery of the fishery and issuing of customary fishing permits has been limited if not completely ceased.
Jakarta's largest recent investment push for its fleet aims to increase productivity, strengthen the cold chain, and create up to 600,000 jobs, all while keeping the blue economy agenda in mind.
Indonesia has launched an ambitious program to build 1,582 new fishing vessels starting in 2026, a significant undertaking that the government links to coastal modernization, food security, and shipbuilding reindustrialization. The plan—to be rolled out gradually until 2028—has the backing of the United Kingdom within a framework of bilateral maritime cooperation, according to Indonesian officials and international trade media.
According to the United Nations, the world produces 430 million tons of plastic annually, much of which has a short lifespan, generating negative consequences for ecosystems.
The Director of the Environment, Climate Change, and Oceans Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Julio Cordano, was elected today in Switzerland as the new president of the negotiation process for the international agreement on plastic pollution. The Undersecretary of the Environment, Maximiliano Proaño, also participated in the meeting.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
With the latest development, reduction fisheries producing fishmeal and fish oil for aquaculture feed and engaged in the Improvement Program are now included within ASC’s sustainability ladder for marine ingredients.
Salmon producer Scottish Sea Farms has won planning permission for a proposed 6,000-tonne site off the east coast on Mainland, Shetland.
Shetland Island Council gave the go-ahead for the Fish Holm site yesterday.
Approval of SSF’s application had been delayed by an objection from Scottish Government agency NatureScot, which expressed concern that developing the farm would have a significant effect on three bird species: the great northern diver (non-breeding), red-throated diver (breeding), and Slavonian grebe (non-breeding).
Author: Gareth Moore / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Seafood industry investment firm Highwood Harbor has acquired Eastern Fish Company for an undisclosed amount.
The acquisition adds to Highwood Harbor’s growing portfolio of seafood companies, which includes Eddie M’s, Nova Seafood, and JBR Maine LLC. Those companies have also acquired other companies in recent years, including Eddie M’s acquisition of American Fish and Seafood in 2023 and its acquisition of Morey’s Seafood International’s distribution business in 2022.
Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.A.-based Eastern Fish was founded in 1974 and imports and markets a range of seafood products – including shrimp, scallops, crab, salmon, and more to retailers, foodservice operators, and distributors.
Author: Chris Chase / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
Raúl Gil, executive vice president of the Italian firm, highlights that this operation allows his company to benefit from the experience of more than 350 experts in underwater prospecting and preparation, three specialized vessels, and essential equipment, such as unmanned underwater robots.
The Italian firm Prysmian has completed the acquisition of ACSM, a Vigo-based company specializing in solutions for submarine cable installation, route planning, and seabed preparation, for €169 million. The Galician firm was responsible for locating and inspecting the wreck of the Villa de Pitanxo, which sank off Newfoundland in February 2022.
Source: EFE / Faro de Vigo | Read the full article here
A new technical document from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), prepared jointly with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warns of food fraud in fisheries and aquaculture products, which it defines as “a global and widespread phenomenon” with implications ranging from consumer finances and health to ocean sustainability, as well as the loss of profitability for companies that, while operating legally, have to compete with fraudulent practices.
Source: iPac.aquacultura | Read the full article here
ALDI Ireland has been named Irish Supermarket of the Year by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the world’s most recognised ecolabel for sustainable seafood, in the first year this award has been presented by the MSC in Ireland.
The prestigious win is in recognition of the supermarket’s sustainability credentials as it leads the way for the most own-brand products sold with the blue MSC ecolabel. The variety across the sector is expanding every year, according to the recently released MSC UK & Ireland Market Report 2025.
The Norwegian land-based fish farmer Gigante Salmon last night raised NOK 360 million (around £27m) in new shares, the Oslo Stock Market reports.
The amount is higher than the NOK 322.5 million (£24m) it said earlier in the day that it planned to raise.
Gigante Salmon said the funds raised will be used for the next phase of the land-based aquaculture company’s growth, including necessary and strategic improvements to the facility on Rødøy.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
IFFO – The Marine Ingredients Organisation will hold its 2026 Members’ Meeting in Madrid from 27 to 29 April, marking the second consecutive year the event takes place in the Spanish capital.
The three-day meeting is expected to bring together participants from across the global marine ingredients value chain to discuss market developments, sustainability frameworks, innovation, and supply dynamics.
According to IFFO, the programme will include presentations from 18 speakers covering fisheries, market outlooks, regulation, and technological developments, alongside two side events organised in partnership with Global Seafood Alliance and MarinTrust.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
NEW ZEALAND
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Jakarta's largest recent investment push for its fleet aims to increase productivity, strengthen the cold chain, and create up to 600,000 jobs, all while keeping the blue economy agenda in mind.
CHILE
According to the United Nations, the world produces 430 million tons of plastic annually, much of which has a short lifespan, generating negative consequences for ecosystems.
WORLDWIDE
Fisheries participating in the 
UNITED KINGDOM
Shetland Island Council gave the go-ahead for the Fish Holm site yesterday.
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The acquisition adds to Highwood Harbor’s growing portfolio of seafood companies, which includes Eddie M’s, Nova Seafood, and JBR Maine LLC. Those companies have also acquired other companies in recent years, including Eddie M’s acquisition of American Fish and Seafood in 2023 and its acquisition of Morey’s Seafood International’s distribution business in 2022.
SPAIN
Raúl Gil, executive vice president of the Italian firm, highlights that this operation allows his company to benefit from the experience of more than 350 experts in underwater prospecting and preparation, three specialized vessels, and essential equipment, such as unmanned underwater robots..png)
A new technical document from the 
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
ALDI 
NORWAY
The Norwegian land-based fish farmer .png)
The three-day meeting is expected to bring together participants from across the global marine ingredients value chain to discuss market developments, sustainability frameworks, innovation, and supply dynamics.
