IN BRIEF - French fishing vessel bosses fined thousands at Plymouth court
UNITED KINGDOM
Monday, March 27, 2023
The owner and master of the fishing vessel Felir was brought into Plymouth waters after being boarded by officers from the British fishing watchdog
The owner and master of a French fishing vessel brought into Cattedown harbour after being boarded by British fishing watchdogs has been left tens of thousands out of pocket after a Plymouth court hearing.
French-registered fishing vessel the Felir was boarded and inspected by officers from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) - which licenses, regulates and plans marine activities in the seas around England - on September 12, 2020. The Felir was intercepted by the Ocean Osprey, which carries out fisheries patrol work in the North Sea for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, at around 4pm on that day, and it was accompanied into Plymouth's waters.
Appearing at Plymouth Magistrates' Court on March 20 this year, the vessel’s owner Felir SAS and master Ludovic Fourgault admitted using fishing gear in British waters to which was "attached a device, namely a piece of diamond shaped mesh placed over the square mesh panel, that obstructed or otherwise diminished the mesh size of part of the towed gear."
The two men were rescued around 150 miles off Chiapas after their vessel sank.
The men endured days without food or fresh water after their vessel sank off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast.
Two Mexican fishermen, aged 53 and 32, survived five days adrift in the Pacific Ocean by clinging to and sheltering in a large fishing cooler after their boat sank. The Mexican Navy located them about 150 miles off Chiapas and carried out their rescue. Both men, weakened and suffering from severe dehydration after days without food or fresh water, received medical assistance and were transported safely to shore.
Border Force detained the crew near Cape York after finding fishing gear and 700 kg of salt
The Australian Border Force (ABF) seized the vessel near Little Adolphus Island, Torres Strait. Authorities found fishing equipment and 700 kg of salt, but intercepted it before marine life was caught. The crew was taken to Darwin for investigation. In 2026, 24 suspected illegal foreign fishing boats have been intercepted in Far North Queensland, with 14 destroyed.
The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation (Rosselkhoznadzor)—which inspected nine Chilean processing facilities and their entire associated supply chains, including farming centers, cold storage plants, and processing sites—has announced the lifting of restrictions on five facilities, allowing them to resume exports to that market.
For the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca), this announcement “represents significant progress in the process of implementing the adopted corrective measures” and reflects the outcome of collaborative efforts to strengthen the official control system and ensure compliance with requirements established by the Eurasian Economic Union and the Russian Federation.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Sashimi rules the salmon category in China, according to NSC research, offering an opening for salmon imports
Ahead of World Seafood Shanghai (WSS), taking place from 26–28 August, the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) has pinpointed sashimi as a key opportunity in China’s rapidly expanding salmon market. This is being driven by rising in-home consumption, fast delivery services and the parallel growth of factories providing sashimi-grade salmon to meet demand.
Austevoll Seafood, the global-based majority owner of the Lerøy Seafood Group has again strongly rejected allegations of salmon price fixing going back several years – but the company adds that there is still no timetable for the European Commission to resolve the issue.
Writing in its second quarter financial report under the heading “special considerations”, Austevoll said it was not possible to “at this stage to make any statement on whether the case will result in sanctions or other negative consequences for the group, or when the case will end”.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
In the first half of 2026, the share of production fish - fish that have wounds, deformities or other quality defects when harvested - was 10.6% of the harvest volume, compared to 17.7% in the first half of 2025 and 30% in the first half of 2024. At the same time, the harvest volume is at a record high.
Production fish cannot be sold directly for normal consumption, but must be corrected through processing before they can be sold as food.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Strong demand for frozen fish, squid, sardines and live crustaceans drives rapid trade growth
Pakistan’s seafood exports to China reached $220 million in the first seven months of 2026, up 41% from $156 million a year earlier. Frozen fish led exports at $40.04 million, followed by cuttlefish and squid at $36.39 million. Around 200 Pakistani seafood exporters are now registered with Chinese customs.
Scheme will offset higher fuel costs with grants covering up to 70% of the increase
The European Commission approved Germany’s €4.5 million aid scheme for fishing and aquaculture companies affected by higher fuel prices linked to the Middle East crisis. Direct grants will cover 70% of estimated additional fuel costs from March 1 to July 23, 2026, capped at €50,000 per company. The scheme runs until December 31, 2026.
More than 745,000 salmon died in June, the highest monthly loss since December 2024
Mortality reached about 3% of farmed salmon at sea. MAST linked the largest losses to incidents during fish release and transfers in the Eastfjords and Westfjords. After corrective measures, mortality fell to about 1% in July.
September program will connect consumers with local fishers, aquaculture producers and chefs across Darwin.
Australia’s Northern Territory will hold its inaugural NT Seafood Month in September, showcasing mud crab, Spanish mackerel, Humpty Doo barramundi, Australia Bay snapper and local prawns. The NT Seafood Trail will feature restaurants, producer dinners, chef collaborations and cooking demonstrations.
Illex Squid Closure Reshapes Atlantic Commercial Season United States
NOAA limits directed fishery through year-end after projecting 96% of domestic quota will be harvested
The directed fishery for Illex squid (Illex illecebrosus) is formally closed in United States fe...
UNITED KINGDOM 09_02_55.png)
MEXICO
The two men were rescued around 150 miles off Chiapas after their vessel sank.
AUSTRALIA
Border Force detained the crew near Cape York after finding fishing gear and 700 kg of salt
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation (Rosselkhoznadzor)—which inspected nine Chilean processing facilities and their entire associated supply chains, including farming centers, cold storage plants, and processing sites—has announced the lifting of restrictions on five facilities, allowing them to resume exports to that market.
CHINA
Ahead of 
NORWAY
Austevoll Seafood,
In the first half of 2026, the share of production fish - fish that have wounds, deformities or other quality defects when harvested - was 10.6% of the harvest volume, compared to 17.7% in the first half of 2025 and 30% in the first half of 2024. At the same time, the harvest volume is at a record high.
PAKISTAN
Strong demand for frozen fish, squid, sardines and live crustaceans drives rapid trade growth
GERMANY
Scheme will offset higher fuel costs with grants covering up to 70% of the increase
ICELAND
More than 745,000 salmon died in June, the highest monthly loss since December 2024.png)
Australia’s Northern Territory will hold its inaugural NT Seafood Month in September, showcasing mud crab, Spanish mackerel, Humpty Doo barramundi, Australia Bay snapper and local prawns. The NT Seafood Trail will feature restaurants, producer dinners, chef collaborations and cooking demonstrations.
