IN BRIEF - Statement from Naviera Ancora, owner of the F/V 'Lodairo'
SPAIN
Tuesday, December 05, 2023
Glasgow - Ancora, shipowner company of the Spanish cod fishery Lodairo, reports that the two crew members who suffered an accident on board the ship on November 29 continue to be stable and progressing favorably at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow.
Iván López Van der Veen, the ship's owner, remains in the Scottish city and will remain there for a few more days, accompanying the relatives of the sailors, who arrived in Glasgow on November 30.
Likewise, Ancora and the families of the crew express their gratitude to the United Kingdom rescue services and the staff of the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, particularly in the Intensive Care and Trauma areas. “Their exquisite treatment of family members, respecting their privacy, and the support received are being fundamental in the recovery process, both from their own
crew members, as well as their families,”says Iván López.
The shipowner also wants to thank the “incredible” work and tenacity of the Lodairo crew during the first aid provided to the injured, since their level of training in health matters and the support received by the Radiomedical Center of Spain allowed the sailors to be stabilized until the arrival of the rescue helicopter.
GLOUCESTER, MA – In a move to catalyze early-season commercial activity, NOAA Fisheries has officially transferred Atlantic bluefin tuna quota from the year-end December period to the January–March 2026 window.
The temporary rule, effective January 8, 2026, reallocates tonnage within the General category, significantly increasing the first-quarter subquota to 63.7 metric tons while reducing the December allocation to 11.0 metric tons.
Key Impacts for Vessels
The adjustment applies to General category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat vessels with commercial sale endorsements. By front-loading the quota, NOAA aims to provide immediate opportunities for operators during the traditionally slower post-holiday market.
Market Timing: Increased landing limits allow for better dealer coordination and auction planning during Q1.
Regulatory Context: This is an interim measure while NOAA aligns 2026 baseline quotas with recent ICCAT international conservation decisions.
Immediate Next Steps for Operators
Fishermen should verify that all permits and endorsements are current before targeting bluefin. Because this is a temporary shift, operators are encouraged to coordinate closely with dealers and monitor landing records to ensure the fleet stays within the revised 63.7 mt limit.
Keep an eye on upcoming 2026 rulemaking, as further baseline adjustments are expected later this year.
With a 37-year history in the Magallanes Region, Pesca Cisne has consolidated its leadership in the Chilean Seabass (Patagonian Toothfish) industry with the addition of the "Isla Edén."
This world-class longliner represents an investment exceeding $8 million and will be officially inaugurated this Friday, January 15, at the Arturo Prat pier in Punta Arenas.
Cutting-Edge Technology for the Drake Passage
The "Isla Edén" is more than just a vessel; it is a sophisticated processing plant designed in Norway to withstand the extreme conditions of the far south. Key specifications include:
Impact on the Magallanes Economy
The arrival of this ship strengthens a network that currently supports 100 direct jobs and over 1,500 indirect positions in the region. "This investment not only modernizes our fleet but also injects dynamism into the local economy and improves the quality of life for our workers," the company stated.
With the "Isla Edén," Pesca Cisne reaffirms its commitment to the development of Magallanes, focusing on high-quality extraction and environmental responsibility.
Ecuadorian Skipjack Remains More Expensive Than Bangkok As Fishing Resumes on January 19
The price gap for skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) is once again a barometer of tension in the global tuna market. Fish landed in Manta, Ecuador, maintains a significant premium compared to deliveries destined for Bangkok, Thailand. This difference, far from diminishing, continues to put pressure on the margins of the Ecuadorian canning industry just before the purse seine fleet resumes operations in the IATTC area following the seasonal closure.
The Nueva Pescanova Group has begun the validation phase of the first prototypes of a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool to optimize surimi production. Implementation will begin at the Chapela factory this January. This solution is part of the "PremIA" R&D project, which aims to develop a new AI-based predictive system to improve efficiency and quality in the production of fish, shellfish, and related products.
The goal of PremIA is to design and implement a tool that analyzes large volumes of information, detects hidden patterns, and generates statistical models to forecast future production performance.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Welsh Government funding of up to £1.85m is being opened to support the marine, fisheries and aquaculture sector, with applications accepted from 7 January until 31 March.
The funding, delivered through the Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme, is intended to support sustainable growth across the sector while strengthening coastal communities. Grants are available across 11 categories, covering a broad mix of operational, environmental and business-focused activities.Eligible projects range from upgrades to aquaculture sites and vessel equipment aimed at reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency, to professional advice on marine environmental sustainability, business planning and marketing.
Chinese abalone firm Fujian Xiangbin recently acquired Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP)two-star certification in an effort to expand sales in the domestic premium market and also grow international sales of its products.
Securing BAP two-star status in late 2025 marked a “milestone breakthrough” for the company, according to Xiangbin CEO Xiuying Chen.
Located in the Southeastern Chinese province of Fujian where much of China’s abalone production is centered, Xiangbin started out in live abalone trading in 2003 before expanding into farming, processing, distribution, and global sales
Author: Mark Godfrey / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
The organisers of Iceland’s IceFish Conference have announced that the programme will double in size this year and co-locate with the IceFish Exhibition at Fifan-Smárinn Halls, in Kópavogur, Reykjavík.
The expanded programme features two conferences, 100% Fish for Profit, formerly Fish Waste for Profit, and Aquaculture, Driving Sustainable Growth, a new event taking place on day one of IceFish, on September 22. 100% Fish for Profit will return with a packed one and half day programme on days two and three, September 23-24.
The IceFish conference organisers will be working in close collaboration with the Icelandic Ocean Cluster on conference content and chairing.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA) released its latest resource assessment for the Japanese common flying squid (Todarodes pacificus) on December 26, 2025.
While coastal regions like Sanriku saw a surprising uptick in migrations last year, experts warn that the species remains in a critical state overall.
Click on the image to enlarge it
The "Pacific Shift" Explained
According to the National Research Institute for Fisheries Science, the 2025 surge along the Pacific coast was driven by two specific environmental factors:
Slightly Higher Spawning Success: A marginal increase in winter-born parent fish compared to the previous year provided a larger initial larval base.
Ocean Current Diversion: Favorable current patterns acted as a "conveyor belt," pushing newborn larvae toward the Pacific side rather than their traditional routes into the Sea of Japan.
A Tale of Two Stocks
Despite the localized bounty in the Pacific, the broader picture is bleak. The autumn-born stock, which primarily supports the Sea of Japan fisheries, continues to hover at all-time record lows.
Japanese fisheries experts emphasize that "resource recovery" is not yet on the horizon. The low density of parent fish in the autumn-born group suggests that the reproductive cycle remains fragile. Marine biologists point to rising sea temperatures in the East China Sea spawning grounds as a persistent threat
Anfaco-Cytma Reveals Rabat Will Close Exports to Supply Its Industry and Sell in the EU
Zakia Driouich, Morocco's Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries, announced on January 7 that her country intends to temporarily suspend frozen sardine exports starting February 1, according to the Vigo-based employers' association Anfaco-Cytma. If implemented, this "could have a significant impact on the activity and employment" of Spanish and EU canneries and processing industries.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Record-Breaking Year for Norwegian Cold-Water Prawns Norway
Shift Toward High-Value Consumer Products Drives Revenue to New Heights Despite Lower Catch Volumes
Norway has solidified its position as a global leader in the shellfish industry, exporting 31,8...
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Iván López Van der Veen, the ship's owner, remains in the Scottish city and will remain there for a few more days, accompanying the relatives of the sailors, who arrived in Glasgow on November 30.
UNITED STATES
Key Impacts for Vessels
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WORLDWIDE
Ecuadorian Skipjack Remains More Expensive Than Bangkok As Fishing Resumes on January 19
The 
UNITED KINGDOM
Welsh Government funding of up to £1.85m is being opened to support the marine, fisheries and aquaculture sector, with applications accepted from 7 January until 31 March.
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Chinese abalone firm Fujian Xiangbin recently acquired 
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The expanded programme features two conferences, 100% Fish for Profit, formerly Fish Waste for Profit, and Aquaculture, Driving Sustainable Growth, a new event taking place on day one of IceFish, on September 22. 100% Fish for Profit will return with a packed one and half day programme on days two and three, September 23-24.
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RUSSIAN FEDERATION
MOROCCO
Anfaco-Cytma
