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."
Precautionary measure due to low biomass in the Loligo
The Falkland Islands Fisheries Department confirms that fishing within the Loligo Box will be paused for a period of around two weeks as a precautionary measure due to low Loligo squid biomass.
This decision has been taken following close engagement with the fishing industry and reflects a shared view that a temporary cessation of fishing activity represents the most appropriate course of action. Targeted trawling carried out by the fishing industry, and coordinated by the Department, will take place throughout the Loligo Box on 12 August in order to obtain more information on the distribution of squid throughout the fishing area.
This precautionary approach reflects the Department’s commitment to the long-term stock sustainability and responsible management of the fishery.
The Department will continue to work with industry partners throughout this period and will provide further updates once further information is available.
New projects, rising investment and local feed production are strengthening the Sultanate’s aquaculture industry.
Oman is expanding aquaculture as a key pillar of its fisheries strategy, targeting production of 252,000 tonnes by 2030. Aquaculture output reached 9,240 tonnes in 2025, while total investment stood at RO 349 million. Projects cover shrimp, marine fish, oysters, abalone and algae, alongside local fish-feed production aimed at reducing imports and supporting a more competitive and sustainable seafood industry.
Funding will strengthen production, infrastructure and private investment while supporting food security and new jobs.
The World Bank approved US$60 million to expand aquaculture and poultry production in the Republic of Congo. The programme will improve access to feed, infrastructure, finance and technical assistance, while promoting private investment, employment and food security.
Incident highlights risks of close encounters with large marine mammals
Two Fisheries and Oceans Canada officers were injured during an encounter with a humpback whale off British Columbia. The incident underscores the hazards faced by fisheries personnel working around large marine mammals.
The ACC is pushing for public disclosure of fishing rights, quotas, licence holders and beneficial ownership to strengthen accountability across the sector.
Namibia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has called for greater transparency in the fisheries sector to curb corruption, illegal fishing and financial crime. The agency advocates publishing information on fishing rights, quota allocations, licence holders and beneficial ownership, strengthening oversight and public accountability over the country’s valuable marine resources.
FFA members seek to capture greater economic benefits from their tuna resources through local participation and value-added development.
Pacific fisheries leaders are shifting their focus from simply managing tuna stocks to retaining more value in the region. The FFA is promoting greater Pacific ownership, processing, investment and employment, seeking to ensure that more of the economic benefits generated by tuna remain within island economies.
The new EU regulation on packaging and packaging waste has entered into force today. The regulation—the implementation of which is causing uncertainty within the seafood canning and processing sector—introduces strict limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, known as "forever chemicals") in food-contact packaging, with the aim of providing "greater protection for consumers and the environment." The rule also represents a step forward in harmonizing definitions for manufacturers and producers responsible for extended producer responsibility regarding packaging. Additionally, specific labeling and information requirements will apply to packaging, ensuring that manufacturers or importers can be identified and contacted as necessary.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
A yacht that crashed over a floating collar and into a salmon farm pen has been successfully removed, Mowi Ireland said
The near-70-year-old vessel barged over the top of one pen at Mowi’s Portlee Smolt site, Clare Island, in County Mayo before coming to rest inside a second pen after an apparent navigation error.
The incident involving the Rara Avis, a flat-bottomed schooner modelled after Thames barge lines.There were 25 French people on the boat, and no reported injuries. Those aboard were temporarily transferred to Clare Island while Mowi prepared to remove the vessel
Author: Gareth Moore / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The Antarctic krill fishery is rapidly approaching its seasonal catch limit and is expected to close before the end of August 2026, marking the second consecutive year of an early shutdown for the Southern Ocean fleet.
The anticipated closure follows the August 2025 shutdown, when the fishery reached its 620,000-tonne trigger limit four months ahead of schedule for the first time in history. Conservation organisations warn that a repeated early shutdown underscores accelerating pressure on the fishery and highlights the critical need to reform current management protocols. Krill form the foundation of the Southern Ocean ecosystem, supporting penguins, whales, seals and countless other Antarctic species while also supplying a growing global market for omega-3 nutritional supplements, aquaculture feed and pet food.
Source: The Fish Site | Read the full article here
BioMar raised its full-year guidance after first-half feed volumes increased 5% to 710,000 tonnes, in its first results since listing on Nasdaq Copenhagen.
Revenue was broadly unchanged at DKK7.37 billion (€985 million/$1.14 billion), while operating profit fell 4% to DKK359 million (€48 million/$55 million), according to the half-year report.
Second-quarter volumes rose 3% to 395,000 tonnes and revenue increased 5% to DKK4.16 billion (€557 million/$643 million).
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Chancay: South America's Shanghai or a Chinese Myth? Peru
Twenty months after its inauguration, the port of Chancay fails to lower costs for Peruvian exporters despite cutting travel time to Asia by twelve days.
Foto: Chancay Port / Ocean Alliance
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Toyosu shows strong segmentation between fresh and frozen tuna Japan
Tokyo wholesale market reports prices up to ¥16,200/kg (US$ 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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FALKLAND ISLANDS.png)
The Falkland Islands Fisheries Department confirms that fishing within the Loligo Box will be paused for a period of around two weeks as a precautionary measure due to low Loligo squid biomass.
OMAN.png)
CONGO
Funding will strengthen production, infrastructure and private investment while supporting food security and new jobs.
CANADA
Incident highlights risks of close encounters with large marine mammals
NAMIBIA
The ACC is pushing for public disclosure of fishing rights, quotas, licence holders and beneficial ownership to strengthen accountability across the sector.
NEW ZEALAND
FFA members seek to capture greater economic benefits from their tuna resources through local participation and value-added development.
BELGIUM
The new EU regulation on packaging and packaging waste has entered into force today. The regulation—the implementation of which is causing uncertainty within the seafood canning and processing sector—introduces strict limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, known as "forever chemicals") in food-contact packaging, with the aim of providing "greater protection for consumers and the environment." The rule also represents a step forward in harmonizing definitions for manufacturers and producers responsible for extended producer responsibility regarding packaging. Additionally, specific labeling and information requirements will apply to packaging, ensuring that manufacturers or importers can be identified and contacted as necessary.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND.png)
The near-70-year-old vessel barged over the top of one pen at Mowi’s Portlee Smolt site, Clare Island, in County Mayo before coming to rest inside a second pen after an apparent navigation error.
ANTARCTICA
The Antarctic krill fishery is rapidly approaching its seasonal catch limit and is expected to close before the end of August 2026, marking the second consecutive year of an early shutdown for the Southern Ocean fleet.
DENMARK.png)
BioMar
