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 Vietnamese province is advancing efforts to lift the European Commission’s “yellow card” and build sustainable fisheries.
Khanh Hoa has licensed 99.9% of eligible fishing vessels, while 100% of vessels 15 metres or longer have VMS. In June, all 6,252 tonnes of seafood landed at ports were electronically recorded to ensure traceability.
New legislation proposes incorporating eDNA to improve scientific assessments of marine stocks.
The Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026 would direct NOAA Fisheries to establish a pilot program validating environmental DNA (eDNA) across different regions and species. The initiative aims to expand sampling, develop national standards, and complement traditional survey methods for more accurate and efficient fisheries management.
Rising sea temperatures and shifting ocean currents could reduce fish populations.
Fisheries Minister Jelta Wong urged stronger sustainable fishing, catch limits, monitoring and marine protected areas to safeguard fisheries resources and food security.
Delegates from 26 countries and leading international scientists are meeting for two weeks in Apia to assess fish stocks and strengthen the sustainable management of Pacific fisheries resources.
Samoa has welcomed delegates from 26 countries for the 22nd Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Scientific Committee, hosted with the support of Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF).
During the two-week meeting, scientists and representatives from member countries, territories and observers will examine the state of Western and Central Pacific Ocean fisheries, WCPFC scientific data, fish stock assessments and the Regional Observer Programme.
Discussions will also cover the development of the WCPFC harvest strategy framework, including models and harvesting methods aimed at improving the sustainable management of different fish species.
The meeting seeks to strengthen international cooperation and science-based management to ensure the long-term sustainability of highly migratory fish stocks and safeguard the resources of the Blue Pacific Ocean.
The role will be key to strengthening sustainable tuna management, governance and economic returns for member countries.
The PNA has opened applications for a new CEO to lead its office in Majuro, Marshall Islands. Candidates need at least 10 years of senior management experience in the tuna sector. The appointment is for 3 years, renewable for up to 3 more, overseeing strategy, operations and sustainable resource management.
The CEO will be accountable to PNA members through a governance structure involving senior government officials, ministers and national leaders
PureSalmon has secured environmental authorisation for its planned 10,000-tonne land-based salmon facility in Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France, marking a significant milestone for the project.
The authorisation for the project, which will operate under the name Saumon du Médoc, was granted by French authorities on 3 August 2026. It follows the building permit issued in June, a positive public inquiry commission opinion and a favourable opinion from CODERST, the Departmental Council for the Environment and Health and Technological Risks, issued on 2 July.
Japanese seafood group Nissui has reported a slower-than-planned recovery at newly acquired Chilean salmon farmer Pesquera Yadran after fish disease reduced survival and low oxygen levels restricted feeding and slowed growth.
Yadran recorded lower survival rates and lower fish weights than Nissui had expected during the first quarter, the company disclosed in its latest investor presentation.
Fish disease was responsible for the lower survival rates and also increased disease-related costs, while low dissolved oxygen levels resulted in feeding restrictions that slowed salmon growth
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Five new licences will allow bluefin tuna catches in Wales, Jersey and Scotland.
The commercial and scientific trials will use 26 tonnes of the UK's 2026 bluefin tuna quota. The programme aims to improve knowledge of the species' behaviour and distribution and support sustainable fisheries management.
Ngai Tahu's Hananui project targets production of up to 14,400 tonnes annually off Rakiura/Stewart Island.
New Zealand has fast-tracked approval for the Hananui Aquaculture Project, led by Ngai Tahu Seafood Resources Limited, to develop an open-ocean salmon farm across about 2,500 hectares, located 2–6 km off Rakiura/Stewart Island. The project includes four marine farms, around 80 circular net pens and a production target of up to 14,400 tonnes of salmon per year.The development is expected to strengthen aquaculture production, exports and regional employment.
Krishna Sri Kotikalapudi left her technology career to enter aquaculture and now manages 105 acres of shrimp farming operations in Andhra Pradesh.
An Electrical Engineering graduate, Kotikalapudi is involved in a family operation spanning nearly 800 acres, applying a technical approach to pond management, health and feeding. She also shares practical aquaculture knowledge with around 14,000 followers on social media, helping promote more efficient and science-based farming practices.
Chancay: South America's Shanghai or a Chinese Myth? Peru
Twenty months after its inauguration, the port of Chancay fails to lower costs for Peruvian exporters despite cutting travel time to Asia by twelve days.
Foto: Chancay Port / Ocean Alliance
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Toyosu shows strong segmentation between fresh and frozen tuna Japan
Tokyo wholesale market reports prices up to ¥16,200/kg (US$ 108.00/kg) for domestic fresh tuna, while frozen tuna drops to an average value of ¥3,727/kg (US$ 24.85/kg) despite higher volumes.
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UNITED KINGDOM 09_02_55.png)
VIET NAM
The Vietnamese province is advancing efforts to lift the European Commission’s “yellow card” and build sustainable fisheries.
UNITED STATES
New legislation proposes incorporating eDNA to improve scientific assessments of marine stocks.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Rising sea temperatures and shifting ocean currents could reduce fish populations.
SAMOA.png)
Delegates from 26 countries and leading international scientists are meeting for two weeks in Apia to assess fish stocks and strengthen the sustainable management of Pacific fisheries resources..png)
The meeting seeks to strengthen international cooperation and science-based management to ensure the long-term sustainability of highly migratory fish stocks and safeguard the resources of the Blue Pacific Ocean.
MARSHALL ISLANDS.png)
The 
FRANCE
PureSalmon
JAPAN
Japanese seafood group .png)
Five new licences will allow bluefin tuna catches in Wales, Jersey and Scotland.
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand has fast-tracked approval for the Hananui Aquaculture Project, led by Ngai Tahu Seafood Resources Limited, to develop an open-ocean salmon farm across about 2,500 hectares, located 2–6 km off Rakiura/Stewart Island. The project includes four marine farms, around 80 circular net pens and a production target of up to 14,400 tonnes of salmon per year.The development is expected to strengthen aquaculture production, exports and regional employment. 
INDIA.png)
An Electrical Engineering graduate, Kotikalapudi is involved in a family operation spanning nearly 800 acres, applying a technical approach to pond management, health and feeding. She also shares practical aquaculture knowledge with around 14,000 followers on social media, helping promote more efficient and science-based farming practices.
