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.
The Russian government has officially expanded the functionality of the “Inspector” mobile application, marking a significant step in the digitalization of the nation’s fisheries and aquatic bioresource conservation sectors.
This update transitions traditional regulatory interactions into a streamlined, remote format with full official recording of all actions.
Key Enhancements
The “Inspector” app, integrated into the Standard cloud solution for automation of control (supervisory) activities, now serves as the primary tool for federal oversight. Its expanded capabilities include:
Remote Inspections: Conducting real-time video conferences during official checks and preventative measures.
Digital Evidence: Documenting violations through photography and video directly within the app.
Information Exchange: Seamless presentation of documents and data during inspections.
Compliance Tracking: Official confirmation that previously identified violations of fishing regulations or fishing ground use conditions have been rectified.
By leveraging these remote tools, authorities aim to reduce the administrative burden on bona fide industry participants while maintaining rigorous compliance with fisheries legislation.
Myanmar is currently exporting aquatic products to 42 countries, with seafood making up 70% of shipments and freshwater products accounting for the remaining 30%.
According to the Myanmar Fisheries Union, the industry is pivoting toward modern aquaculture to offset rising production costs and a decline in marine fishery resources.
A key development is underway in Bandanau, located in the Ayeyarwady Region, where a 3,000-acre deep-water zone is utilizing modern technology to farm tilapia. New export contracts have already been signed with the United States and China, with shipments scheduled to begin this year.
Officials emphasize that transitioning from traditional catches to controlled environments is vital. Establishing modern aquaculture zones could generate nearly $200 million in annual revenue. By expanding these industries, Myanmar aims to secure its domestic food supply while significantly boosting foreign exchange earnings through a more sustainable and consistent export model.
Tilapia prices are showing signs of stabilization across Brazil, though significant regional gaps persist. According to the Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics (Cepea), price differences reached up to US$ 0.25 per kilo between monitored regions during the week of May 4-8, 2026.
Market Highlights:
Northern Paraná: Recorded the highest price at US$ 1.73/kg (R$ 10.47).
Triângulo Mineiro / Alto Paranaíba: Followed closely at US$ 1.69/kg (R$ 10.24), a 0.13% increase.
Grandes Lagos (SP/MS): Averaged US$ 1.67/kg (R$ 10.09), up 0.28%.
Morada Nova de Minas (MG): Noted a slight dip to US$ 1.61/kg (R$ 9.75).
Western Paraná: Maintained the lowest national rate at US$ 1.48/kg (R$ 8.96).
While Western Paraná remains the most affordable hub, the state of Paraná continues to lead the nation in processing and exports. This stability marks a shift away from the high volatility seen in recent fish farming cycles.
The blue whiting season for Síldarvinnslan vessels has officially come to a close following a period of highly productive fishing.
The season’s end was marked this morning as Beitir NK (pictured) arrived in the port of Neskaupstaður carrying 2,720 tons of catch from Faroese jurisdiction. This follows successful landings earlier this week by Barði NK, which brought in 2,100 tons on Tuesday, and Börkur NK, which landed 3,200 tons on Wednesday.
Captain Þorkell Pétursson of Barði NK noted that fishing in the Ræsin separation area near Færeyjabanki was excellent, with hauls taken in six to eleven hours. Similarly, Captain Hjörvar Hjálmarsson of Börkur NK reported a swift trip, filling the ship in less than three days with hauls ranging from 360 to 580 tons.
While Captain Ólafur Gunnar Guðnason of Beitir NK observed that the fish began to disperse and move north toward the Rósagarður area in Icelandic jurisdiction at the end of the run, the overall sentiment remains high. Despite a slight dip in density during the final days, crews remain very satisfied with the robust volumes achieved throughout the season.
Satlink is attending Navalia once again to showcase its wide range of solutions for maritime-fishing digitalization and reaffirm its commitment to innovation, knowledge, and ocean sustainability through tools focused on resource management, activity optimization, and improved communications in the marine environment.
As a global technology provider in the field of satellite connectivity, Satlink designs and implements multi-operator architectures that integrate different networks and technologies to guarantee availability, service continuity, security, and data integrity, with 24/7 support.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
On May 27 and 28, Expo Foodtech 2026 will serve as a hub for logistics and technological innovation in the food industry
The Food 4 Future World Summit will focus on reducing emissions, traceability, food safety, and AI and robotics as drivers of competitiveness
Madrid, May 12, 2026 – Expo Foodtech 2026 will bring together food industry professionals on May 27 and 28 in Bilbao, Spain, to explore the solutions shaping the future of packaging, logistics, automation, and technology in the sector. The trade show will be held simultaneously with Pick&Pack for Food Industry, which will reinforce Bilbao’s position as a hub for food innovation and the promotion of new, more efficient, sustainable, and connected production models.
Expo Foodtech will once again host the Food 4 Future World Summit, the leading conference on food innovation. This year’s agenda will feature the Operations & Logistics Summit and the CTO’s & Purchasing Summit—two specialized forums that will address the main challenges across the entire food value chain, from food production to distribution.
How the UK Seafood Federation Is Shaping the Future of Seafood.
The UK Seafood Federation (UKSF) is the unified voice of the UK’s seafood processing and trading sector, bringing together businesses from across the supply chain with a shared ambition: to make seafood a bigger part of the British diet for the benefit of both public health and the planet.
At a time when the role of food systems in sustainability, nutrition and economic resilience is under increasing scrutiny, UKSF positions the seafood industry as a vital contributor to a healthier, more sustainable future.
Selenium is one of many nutrients tilapia need to thrive, but new research suggests the way it is delivered in feed may be just as important as the dose.
Selenium is an essential micronutrient in tilapia fish farming. When levels fall short, the effects may be gradual but costly. Poor growth and rising mortality rates can erode margins. Fortunately, a new feed coating approach is gaining attention as a more efficient and cost-effective solution for selenium supplementation.
Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the world’s most widely farmed freshwater species because of its rapid growth, adaptability and efficient feed conversion.
Author: Beth Rush / The Fish Site | Read the full article here
Qingdao Guoxin Group has harvested the first Atlantic salmon produced aboard its 150,000-tonne aquaculture vessel Guoxin No. 1 2-2, marking what the company described as the world’s first commercial-scale salmon harvest from an ultra-large mobile aquaculture ship.
The first harvest, consisting of 3,000 fish weighing 12 tonnes, was released onto the Chinese market on May 11, according to Chinese state media outlet the Economic Daily.The salmon were produced using the vessel’s “ship-based tank farming” system, which allows the vessel to move along China’s coastline in search of optimal water temperatures.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
In a landmark moment for private maritime enterprise, China’s first privately funded scientific research vessel, the Haiying Jiake, was officially launched on Tuesday in Songmen town, Wenling, located in Zhejiang province.
Breaking away from the traditional model of state-sponsored oceanography, the project was financed by a dedicated group of 37 local fishermen. The ambitious venture required a total investment of approximately 150 million yuan ($21.9 million).
The Haiying Jiake is a formidable addition to the nation's fleet, boasting the following specifications:
Length:82 meters
Operational Range:10,000 nautical miles
Purpose: Designed for multidisciplinary research in open waters.
The launch signifies a growing trend of private capital fueling scientific advancement. By providing a platform for complex oceanic studies, these Zhejiang entrepreneurs are bridging the gap between industry and academia, ensuring China's maritime exploration continues to expand into deeper horizons.