IN BRIEF - US judge seeks plan to protect humpback whales from fishery
UNITED STATES
Friday, March 17, 2023
A U.S. judge this week ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service violated the law when it failed to develop a plan to prevent West Coast commercial sablefish fishermen from harming humpback whales.
The Endangered Species Act requires the fisheries service to develop a plan to reduce the number of whales accidentally injured or killed by the fishery, but the agency neither crafted such a plan nor started to create one, the ruling said.
About 150 commercial fishing vessels use traps to capture sablefish in waters off California, Oregon and Washington.
The fisheries service estimates the fishery accidentally injuries or kills an average of one humpback whale per year.
Sablefish dwell on muddy ocean floors deeper than 650 feet. To target the fish, fishermen place multiple heavy pots on the seafloor and link them together with heavy-duty fishing line.
The number of pots ranges from 15 to 50 while the lines can stretch about two miles, according to court documents. The fishery deployed an annual average of 75,000 pots from 2015 to 2019, the document said.
In Kamchatka, participants of the 34th session of the Joint Russian-Chinese Commission on Fisheries expanded their agenda beyond meetings with a visit to the Kamchattralflot fishing and processing complex.
The Chinese delegation observed the full production cycle, from raw material intake to high-value products such as fillets, minced fish, and canned goods. The tour highlighted ongoing investments in fleet modernization and coastal infrastructure, key to boosting efficiency and maximizing the use of aquatic resources.
Officials emphasized that these upgrades allow Russian producers to deliver ready-to-eat products that comply with international quality standards.
The visit provided tangible evidence of Russia’s commitment to the sustainable development of its fishing industry and strengthened cooperation with Chinese partners.
Source: Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo)
PRIMORYE — In February, the Primorsky branch of the National Center for Fishery and Agricultural Products Safety (FSBI) “APK NATSRYBA” processed and certified 75,800 tons of fish products for export, the institution reported.
A total of 576 shipments of fish, seafood, and related products were inspected to ensure compliance with international standards. Key exports included pollock, cod, sardines, flounder, squid, shrimp, crab, halibut, scallops, mollusks, and fish-derived products such as roe, milt, and fish meal.
China remained the leading destination, receiving 55,200 tons across 383 shipments. South Korea imported 11,100 tons in 134 batches, while European Union countries accounted for 9,500 tons in 59 shipments.
The figures highlight Primorye’s continued role as a major hub for seafood exports in the region.
The presence at the leading seafood trade show in the United States is part of the strategy of Chile's main salmon producer to deepen its relationships with customers, push higher-value categories, and consolidate its position in a market crucial for its international expansion.
For the company, this participation comes at a particularly relevant time. The United States is not only its main international destination but also a market that drives the development of brands, convenience formats, and more differentiated offerings. In this arena, growth no longer depends solely on scale but also on the ability to better understand consumers, respond consistently, and capture more value within the category.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
For fish processors, profitability is often determined by small operational gains.
A slight improvement in yield.
Less product loss during packing.
A portion that commands a stronger price per kilo.
These details make a real difference across a processing operation.
At the same time, processors are operating in a tougher environment. Labour shortages, rising input costs and tight retail margins mean every stage of the process needs to work efficiently.
In many cases, the biggest gains do not come from new machinery or major process changes. They come from the everyday materials used on the factory floor.
The market-influencing spot price of Norwegian farmed salmon climbed a good deal last week, and has thus increased by more than NOK 15 in two weeks. Not since early summer in 2024 have there been better prices in regular weeks.
According to the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), the spot price of salmon rose by NOK 8.01 per kilo in week 11 to NOK 94.45 (£7.30) per kilo. That price is NOK 12.09/kg better than in the same week last year. You have to go back to week 22 of 2024 to find better prices if you ignore the usual price peaks around Christmas and New Year.
Author: Pål Mugaas Jensen / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Bakkafrost CEO Regin Jacobsen is not one to go in for hyperbole. His statements are usually measured and well thought through before he delivers.
So when he says that President Donald Trump’s tariff measures have created a great deal of frustration and confusion, you can bet that the impact has probably been more difficult than that.
Jacobsen told Fish Farmer that the North American (US) market is important for the company, adding that so too is Europe, its primary market, and Asia where its business is growing.He added that Europe is Bakkafrost’s largest market, followed by the US and then the Far East in third place. But business with China is growing.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Chilean aquaculture has positioned itself as a global production powerhouse, particularly in salmon farming. However, the current international landscape presents a deeper challenge: moving from a leadership model based on volume to one based on innovation, technology, and exportable knowledge.
Chile is currently a global leader in aquaculture due to its scale, production efficiency, and specialization, particularly in the salmon industry. However, when we talk about aquaculture innovation in the strict sense—that is, the capacity to develop its own technology, generate intellectual property, scale solutions, and export knowledge.
The intensity of the damage suffered by the fishing and aquaculture sector will be directly proportional to the duration of the military crisis and the level of disruption to fossil fuel extraction infrastructure. This was the conclusion reached on Monday by the Spanish Aquaculture Business Association (APROMAR), Cepesca, and the National Federation of Fishermen's Associations at a meeting convened by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, to analyze the consequences of the recent attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran for the fishing and aquaculture sector. The meeting focused particularly on the situation arising from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the disruption to oil and natural gas flows.
Source: iPac.aquacultura | Read the full article here
With Seafood Expo North America taking place in Boston on 15-17 March, Rob Lewis, head of technical and innovation at Catapult Print, a leading US-based linerless label provider for the seafood sector, discusses the advantages of linerless labels in driving operational efficiency, reducing waste and delivering quality and compliance.
With so much volatility and price fluctuation in the seafood market, hanging on to market share and margin is more challenging than ever. Keeping quality high and costs down is critical, which is why both seafood producers and retailers are increasingly looking to linerless labels to help them achieve both of those goals.
Labels may not seem like a major part of the cost profile for seafood products, but when labelling fails, the impact on production is immediate and significant. Quality issues, such as labels detaching due to moisture or smearing under stress, can result in inconsistency across SKUs, compliance failures, and even rejected shipments.
Nearly 40% of fish died in first hit from 2025 algae crisis.
A research paper published in the Journal of Fish Diseases has documented 39.5% acute mortality at the first salmon farm struck by the 2025 algae bloom in northern Norway.
The first signs were reduced appetite and turbid water, followed by behavioural changes and rapid fish death. Water samples confirmed dominance of Phaeocystis pouchetii and Chrysochromulina leadbeateri. Post-mortem examination and histopathological findings in gills and liver confirmed algae as the cause of death.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
UNITED STATES
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
A total of 576 shipments of fish, seafood, and related products were inspected to ensure compliance with international standards. Key exports included pollock, cod, sardines, flounder, squid, shrimp, crab, halibut, scallops, mollusks, and fish-derived products such as roe, milt, and fish meal.
The presence at the leading seafood trade show in the United States is part of the strategy of Chile's main salmon producer to deepen its relationships with customers, push higher-value categories, and consolidate its position in a market crucial for its international expansion.
UNITED KINGDOM.png)
These details make a real difference across a processing operation.
NORWAY
FAROE ISLANDS.png)
So when he says that President Donald Trump’s tariff measures have created a great deal of frustration and confusion, you can bet that the impact has probably been more difficult than that.
CHILE
Chilean aquaculture has positioned itself as a global production powerhouse, particularly in salmon farming. However, the current international landscape presents a deeper challenge: moving from a leadership model based on volume to one based on innovation, technology, and exportable knowledge.
SPAIN
The intensity of the damage suffered by the fishing and aquaculture sector will be directly proportional to the duration of the military crisis and the level of disruption to fossil fuel extraction infrastructure. This was the conclusion reached on Monday by the Spanish Aquaculture Business Association (.png)
With so much volatility and price fluctuation in the seafood market, hanging on to market share and margin is more challenging than ever. Keeping quality high and costs down is critical, which is why both seafood producers and retailers are increasingly looking to linerless labels to help them achieve both of those goals.
A research paper published in the Journal of Fish Diseases has documented 39.5% acute mortality at the first salmon farm struck by the 2025 algae bloom in northern Norway.
