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.

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.

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.

Starting today, Monday, October 20, 2025, the city of Punta Arenas, in the Magallanes Region, becomes the global capital of marine science as it hosts the 21st International Conference on Harmful Algae (ICHA).

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 Bangladesh Navy detained 14 Indian fishermen and their trawler for illegally entering and fishing in the country's territorial waters.

The detention occurred Friday night in the Fairway Buoy area of the Bay of Bengal. The fishermen, all residents of the Dakshin 24 Parganas district in India, were transported to the Digraj naval jetty in Mongla (Bagerhat).

The intercepted vessel, the Indian trawler 'FB Shubho Jatra', was found carrying approximately 500 kilograms of fish, including the valuable ilish species.

The apprehension was carried out by the Navy ship, 'BNS Shaheed Akhtar Uddin'. The detainees are set to be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court of Bagerhat this Sunday.

Nigeria's marine and fisheries sectors are adopting the Pico Titan VMS (Vessel Monitoring System) to align with global standards for transparency and safety.

The Pico Titan provides uninterrupted, real-time tracking using advanced satellite and mobile networks, ensuring accountability even beyond cellular coverage. Its features include automated position reporting, geofencing, and tamper alerts, helping regulators combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Designed for resilience in harsh marine environments, the device boasts an IP67 waterproof rating and is solar-powered, requiring minimal maintenance. This technology allows Nigerian fleet operations to utilize data-driven management for improved oversight, mirroring practices in leading global maritime nations.

For any company or agency seeking to improve monitoring efficiency, the Pico Titan VMS is more than just a device — it’s a smarter way to manage the ocean.

To explore partnership or purchase opportunities, visit Tetron Marine Ltd.

Larval Monitoring Identifies Spawning Events and Alerts Mussel Farmers in the X Region

The Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), through its Environmental Department, has officially announced the start of the 2025-2026 mussel seed collection season for mussel (Mytilus chilensis) in the X Region of Los Lagos, Chile.

The announcement is based on results from the larval monitoring program, funded by the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca), which detected a significant increase in the concentration of D-larvae in late September 2025, indicating recent mussel spawning events.

The data should alert mussel farmers to prepare their collectors. High larval concentrations were recorded in key sectors, notably:

• Pichicolo: 230,000 larvae per m³.

• Hornopirén: approximately 50,000 larvae per m³.

• Compu: 4,181 larvae per m³.

• Castro: 1,972 larvae per m³.

All information generated by the program is available to users on the IFOP digital platform "Semilla Endémica" (ifop.cl/monitoreo-larvas-de-mitilidos), allowing producers to make timely management decisions.

Chile has become the first country in Latin America to introduce legislation to ban octopus farming nationwide. Bill 17913-12 was introduced this week by Representative Marisela Santibáñez with support from 7 additional congress representatives, and now moves to the commission of environment and natural resources to be discussed. This bill would prohibit the intensive farming of octopuses, focusing on the potential harmful impacts that this industry could pose for the environment. The bill was introduced by local Chilean organisation Fundación Veg, with additional support, technical information, and draft language provided by Aquatic Life Institute. 

Source: Fish Focus |  Read the full article here