IN BRIEF - 22.5% of European commercial fishing vessels accused of using forced labor
EUROPEAN UNION
Monday, February 12, 2024
Europe is second only to Asia, whose companies, especially those from China, own nearly two-thirds of the ships involved in forced labor. An estimated 128,000 fishermen suffer horrific abuses as a result of forced labor on board fishing vessels every year, a figure that likely significantly underestimates the full scale of this crisis.
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), abuses include physical violence, non-payment of wages and being required to spend more time in the workplace than allowed.
According to a recent report, 22.5% of commercial fishing vessels accused of forced labor are owned by European companies, led by Spain and the UK.
Most European countries - along with other fishing superpowers such as China, Indonesia and the US - have yet to ratify key treaties prohibiting forced labor on fishing vessels, such as ILO Labor Convention 188, while the relevant EU directive applies only to EU-flagged vessels or vessels operating in EU waters.
Even if countries comply with the ILO Convention and other key agreements, financial secrecy means that the ultimate owners of accused ships can continue to evade justice.
Crucially, ratification of these agreements will result in the proceeds of forced labor courts being consistent with the proceeds of crime under money laundering laws, making prosecution easier.
Center for Food Safety alleges a Washington hatchery violated the Clean Water Act, threatening Quilcene Bay and protected marine species.
Center for Food Safety filed a lawsuit against Pacific Seafood's shellfish hatchery, alleging illegal wastewater and thermal discharges into Quilcene Bay. The complaint claims repeated Clean Water Act permit violations that could impact orca whales, coho salmon and local water quality.Pacific Seafood's Quilcene facility produces large volumes of shellfish seed for industrial shellfish aquaculture operations.
Government seeks to preserve its vessel tracking system to safeguard market access and combat illegal fishing.
The Philippines is seeking to preserve its vessel monitoring and electronic catch reporting system after a court ruling threatened its implementation. Authorities warn the measure is essential to strengthen seafood traceability, curb IUU fishing, and protect access to key export markets, including the EU and US, where traceability standards are increasingly stringent.
The company will showcase research on nutrition, gut health and science communication during the event in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 29 September to 1 October.
Innovafeed will present three abstracts at Aquaculture Europe 2026 (29 Sept.-1 Oct., Ljubljana). Topics include black soldier fly larval meal for Penaeus vannamei, functional ingredients for fish performance and gut health, and science communication from industry. Presenters include Marine Bezagu, Luca Donati and Nadège Audiffren.
The incident happened during Florida's lobster season. The 18-year-old diver survived after being rescued by the boat's captain.
A Miami-Dade court has charged Michael Joseph Simpson, 51, with attempted murder after he allegedly shut off the air supply of an 18-year-old diver during a dispute over a lobster fishing spot near Fisher Island, Florida. Investigators say Simpson claimed the location was his, threatened to disable the surface air system, and then jumped into the water to turn it off.
The diver was pulled to safety by the boat's owner after surfacing gasping for air and disoriented.
A total of 38 exhibitors will join the Pavilion of Denmark at Nor-Fishing 2026, presenting Danish solutions for the fisheries, fish processing and maritime industries while strengthening business relationships in one of the Nordic region’s most important markets.
Pavilion of Denmark at Nor-Fishing 2026 will be the place to find Danish innovation and solutions for the fisheries, fish processing and maritime industries.This year, 38 exhibitors will join the Pavilion of Denmark to form a strong presence at one of the leading events in the industry.
Internationally recognised shrimp aquaculture specialist David Kawahigashi has been announced as one of the plenary speakers at the Latin American and Caribbean Aquaculture Congress (LACQUA26) to be held in El Salvador in October.
With more than 40 years of technical and management experience spanning every stage of shrimp aquaculture, Kawahigashi is the founder and director of Vannamei 101, a Hawaii-based aquaculture consulting and training company dedicated to advancing knowledge transfer and innovative technologies throughout the global aquaculture industry.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Seafood Expo Asia/Seafood Processing Asia—the Asian edition of the trade show organized by the U.S.-based company Diversified—has kicked off the countdown to its next event, scheduled for September 2–4, 2026, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.
Seafood suppliers from around the world and across every link of the supply chain will gather to showcase new products, strengthen business relationships, and analyze the sector's opportunities and challenges. "The addition of new exhibitors and national and regional pavilions from four continents highlights the event's importance as a strategic platform within the growing Asian market."
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
The global seafood giant Thai Union has made a significant recovery in the second quarter of 2026, after a challenging time last year.
The company said it delivered an all-time high gross profit margin of 21.4% - exceeding the 2026 target range and already in line with the company’s 2030 target.
Two of Thai Union’s main brands include John West and King Oscar.The dividend per share grew 14.3%, the company’s strongest interim dividend for four years and equivalent to an attractive interim dividend yield of 3.4%.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Japan reached US$1.4 million in the first half of 2026, up 54%. Fillets, representing 67% of export value, are entering the sushi and sashimi segment, supporting the development of higher-value products.
Compared with the United States and Brazil—which currently account for a larger share of Vietnam's tilapia exports—Japan may not generate dramatic export volumes in the short term. However, the market's strategic value lies in its ability to establish benchmark quality standards and pave the way for premium processed seafood products.
Tilapia exports for sushi and sashimi increase raw-material value and create opportunities for sliced fillets, portion packs, ready-to-eat, seasoned, and other value-added products.
The 54% export growth recorded in the first half of 2026 suggests that Japan is opening a new avenue for Vietnam's tilapia industry.
Norway Pelagic Fishing Update Week 31 Norway
North Sea Herring Fishing Continues in the British Zone
North Sea herring catches lead activity in week 31, accompanied by regular landings of mackerel, blue whiting, sprat, and NVG herring
During w...
EUROPEAN UNION.png)
According to a recent report, 22.5% of commercial fishing vessels accused of forced labor are owned by European companies, led by Spain and the UK.
UNITED STATES.jpg)
Center for Food Safety filed a lawsuit against Pacific Seafood's shellfish hatchery, alleging illegal wastewater and thermal discharges into Quilcene Bay. The complaint claims repeated Clean Water Act permit violations that could impact orca whales, coho salmon and local water quality.Pacific Seafood's Quilcene facility produces large volumes of shellfish seed for industrial shellfish aquaculture operations.
PHILIPPINES.png)
The Philippines is seeking to preserve its vessel monitoring and electronic catch reporting system after a court ruling threatened its implementation. Authorities warn the measure is essential to strengthen seafood traceability, curb IUU fishing, and protect access to key export markets, including the EU and US, where traceability standards are increasingly stringent.
SLOVENIA.png)
Innovafeed will present three abstracts at .png){kind=logo}
A Miami-Dade court has charged Michael Joseph Simpson, 51, with attempted murder after he allegedly shut off the air supply of an 18-year-old diver during a dispute over a lobster fishing spot near Fisher Island, Florida. Investigators say Simpson claimed the location was his, threatened to disable the surface air system, and then jumped into the water to turn it off.
NORWAY
A total of 38 exhibitors will join the Pavilion of Denmark at 
EL SALVADOR.png)
Internationally recognised shrimp aquaculture specialist David Kawahigashi has been announced as one of the plenary speakers at the Latin American and Caribbean Aquaculture Congress
SINGAPORE.png)
Seafood Expo Asia/Seafood Processing Asia
THAILAND
The global seafood giant 
Norway’s average export price for fresh salmon rose 21.4% year on year in week 31 as export volumes also increased, official figures showed.
JAPAN
Fillets now enter the sushi and sashimi segment.
