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.
PRODUCE has officially invited artisanal fishing vessels to participate in the “Giant Squid Operation IV”, scheduled for the second week of November.
The initiative, authorized by Ministerial Resolution No. 332-2025, is a key scientific effort for the sustainable management of the giant squid or pota (Dosidicus gigas) resource along the Peruvian coast.
The goal is to generate solid scientific information to strengthen resource management by determining biological-fishery indicators such as abundance, population structure, and reproductive evaluation of the species. The Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Jesús Barrientos, stressed that this operation is a "joint effort between the State, science, and artisanal fishers."
The operation will be executed by the IMARPE, which will send scientific observers aboard the participating vessels. Interested vessel owners must express their interest starting October 27, 2025.
Key Requirements for Vessel Owners: It is essential to have a valid fishing permit for the squid, use exclusively a squid jigging line (línea potera), and have an operational satellite tracking system. Vessel owners will cover the navigation and crew expenses during the scientific expedition, in addition to boarding the scientific observer.
PRODUCE emphasizes that the fishers' experience, combined with the technical work of IMARPE, will allow for the rational utilization and sustainable development of the artisanal fishing sector.
UK-based businesses that process fish caught and landed in the UK are facing major changes in the information they must submit to enable seafood exports to flow smoothly.
On 10 January 2026, new EU import requirements will come into force and so everyone involved in the UK’s seafood supply to the EU now has a role to play in ensuring they meet additional data requirements to keep exporting.
The Fish, Trace, Ship campaign, led by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), make clears what action will need to be taken by each sector of the supply chain, from fishers and merchants through to processors and exporters
India's Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, will travel to Europe at the end of October to advance negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), following 14 rounds of dialogue.
India's strategy aims to diversify exports and mitigate risks from global uncertainty and US tariffs.
A key focus is fisheries exports. The EU's recent approval for 102 new Indian establishments to export to its market has offset losses caused by US tariffs of 50%.
Additionally, Russia is reviewing authorizations for Indian fisheries products to enter, which could open up further access to the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Although the US remains the top destination, the EU is the second-largest market for India's marine products, followed by China, Japan, and Vietnam. Goyal is also expected to visit New Zealand to continue trade negotiations.
A delegation of Guatemalan professionals from academia, government, and the productive sector is in Chile for intensive training in salmonid aquaculture techniques, with a focus on trout farming.
This activity is part of the "Technological Cooperation Project for the Promotion of Fish Aquaculture in Guatemala," an initiative by the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) and the Chilean Agency for International Development Cooperation (AGCID).
The training runs from October 13 to 30 at IFOP's Hueihue Mariculture Center. The program includes technical visits to key industry facilities such as Piscicultura Salmones Dalcahue, MOWI's Piscicultura Copihue, AQUACHILE's Feed Plant, and MULTIX's Processing Plant.
The project's goal is to transfer Chilean know-how and install infrastructure at the Center for Sea Studies and Aquaculture at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala to establish a complete trout production cycle.
This marks the first time Chile has hosted the main global summit on this phenomenon, an event organized by the International Scientific Society on Harmful Algae (ISSHA).
The gathering, running until Friday, October 24, at the Dreams Hotel, will bring together approximately 500 international experts, along with public and private sector decision-makers. The goal is to present the latest scientific and technological advancements on HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms), covering topics from molecular biology to the use of satellite imagery.
The scientific program includes seven plenary talks from long-standing researchers, 31 parallel sessions with over 80 chairs, and the presentation of 180 posters and 45 "Ignite Talks." Additionally, several workshops will be held, including one on HAB Early Warning Systems, along with community outreach activities.
The conference is expected to be a crucial platform for discussing the global rise of HABs, driven by factors such as increased nutrients from human activities and climatic fluctuations. The event will conclude with a gala dinner and the traditional ISSHA Auction, which aims to raise funds to support young researchers.
The Conxemar trade fair and its prelude, the congress it organizes jointly with the FAO, serve as a thermometer for the situation and trends in fish consumption. And although in Spain, consulting firms such as Kantar have detected a slight increase in the consumption of aquatic proteins, the truth is that it remains a mirage if one considers that consumption has fallen by 30% over the last ten years. What's worse, in the main fish market, the European Union, the consumption trend is downward. So much so that the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (Eumofa) has detected that the number of people who never eat fish or seafood has increased since 2021, reaching 15%.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Faced with "pressure" from the US and other countries, the extraordinary session will reconvene in 12 months.
Negotiations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have concluded with a one-year postponement of the vote on the adoption of the Net-Zero Emissions Framework (NZF), the first global system for setting carbon prices for shipping. Shipping stakeholders criticize this decision as coming after a week of "pressure and delaying tactics" from the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other countries.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Esselunga launches Italy’s first land-based smoked salmon.
Italian retailer Esselunga has introduced the country’s first land-based smoked salmon to its shelves, marking a collaboration between Salmon Evolution and Milarex aimed at meeting growing consumer demand for sustainable seafood.
Available since 9 October under The Icelander brand, the product represents the first time Italian consumers can purchase smoked salmon produced entirely from land-based aquaculture.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources of the Maldives, in collaboration with the World Bank, has announced a new training initiative aimed at attracting youth to the fisheries sector.
The program seeks to foster interest and equip participants with the technical skills and practical experience needed for employment in the industry.
The three-month training (running from November through January) will be conducted under the "Transforming Fisheries Sector in South-West Indian Ocean Region and Maldives Project."
Participants will have both theoretical and practical learning opportunities, including fishing sessions aboard one of the nation's leading skipjack tuna pole-and-line vessels. They will also learn directly from experienced captains.
The program is open to youth under 24 years of age who are not currently registered in the Ministry's fisheries registry. Those selected will receive a daily allowance. Applications must be submitted via email before October 23.
Frøy, one of Norway’s largest aquaculture vessel and services support companies, is selling part of its operation
Frøy is transferring its Akvaservice operation, which includes 33 service vessels and its 230 employees to Abyss of Norway, also a leading energy, marine and aquaculture business.
Included in the deal are the land bases at Frøya, Måløy and Finnsnes.
Frøy said the sale is part of the company’s long-term strategy to strengthen its position as a leader in core areas.
Author: Vince McDonagh /Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
UNITED STATES
PERU.png)
The initiative, authorized by Ministerial Resolution No. 332-2025, is a key scientific effort for the sustainable management of the giant squid or pota (Dosidicus gigas) resource along the Peruvian coast.
UNITED KINGDOM.png)
On 10 January 2026, new EU import requirements will come into force and so everyone involved in the UK’s seafood supply to the EU now has a role to play in ensuring they meet additional data requirements to keep exporting.
INDIA
India's strategy aims to diversify exports and mitigate risks from global uncertainty and US tariffs.
CHILE.png)
.png)
This marks the first time Chile has hosted the main global summit on this phenomenon, an event organized by the International Scientific Society on Harmful Algae (ISSHA).
WORLDWIDE
The Conxemar trade fair and its prelude, the congress it organizes jointly with the 
Faced with "pressure" from the US and other countries, the extraordinary session will reconvene in 12 months.
ITALY
Esselunga launches Italy’s first land-based smoked salmon.
MALDIVES.png)
NORWAY
Frøy, one of Norway’s largest aquaculture vessel and services support companies, is selling part of its operation
