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.
The Nueva Pescanova group has launched a research project applying technological solutions based on sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize the detection of foreign bodies in fish products and advance automation, as announced this Thursday in a press release.
According to the statement, the project, called Sensomare, will be developed by a multidisciplinary consortium made up of technology and food sector companies, with the collaboration of the canning industry association Anfaco and the University of Vigo.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
After nearly four years of work, the AquaWind project, coordinated by the Canary Islands Agency for Research, Innovation and the Information Society (ACIISI), has demonstrated that, under real-world conditions, renewable energy production and aquaculture can not only coexist but also complement each other to optimize the use of the sea.
The prototype combining floating offshore wind and aquaculture is no longer just a concept; it is a physical reality in the Atlantic. Following this technological success, the next step is administrative. As indicated at the results presentation, the main bottleneck is no longer technical but regulatory and administrative, in addition to the need to strengthen public acceptance.
Source: iPac.aquaculture | Read the full article here
Scotland’s salmon industry has been given a big new lift following a key trade deal between the UK and the Middle East.
It follows a similar trade agreement with South Korea last December.
The industry trade body Salmon Scotland said the deal between the UK and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) ensures permanent tariff-free access for UK goods to the United
Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, removing five per cent tariffs on some salmon exports. Scottish salmon exports to the region hit £6.5 million in 2025 with 670 tons.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Inmarsat Maritime has partnered with Argentinian technology provider Ingenieros Electrónicos Asociados (IEA) to deploy its NexusWave connectivity service across the fleet of fishing company Glaciar Pesquera.
The rollout is aimed at supporting Glaciar’s operational efficiency goals while also improving onboard welfare for crew working on long voyages.
NexusWave is a fully managed bonded multi-network service designed to provide secure, high-speed and unlimited connectivity at sea. According to the companies, the solution removes concerns around data overages and unpredictable communication costs, while improving network stability and operational reliability.
According to sector statistics provider Akvafakta, the spot price of Norwegian farmed salmon decreased by NOK 5.38 (£0.43) per kilo last week (week 20), down to NOK 72.56 (£6.08) per kilo.
This is a price that is almost NOK 1 below the price in the same week last year.
The average spot price so far this year is NOK 83.44/kg, compared to the equivalent of NOK 86.85 in 2025.
Author: Pål Mugaas Jensen / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
BioMar is set to debut on the Copenhagen stock exchange at a valuation of DKK 11.5–12.4 billion (€1.50–1.61 billion), after parent company Schouw & Co. set an IPO price range of DKK 100–108 (€13.00–14.04) per share, according to Bloomberg News.
The offering could raise up to DKK 2.72 billion (€353.6 million), with most of the proceeds going to Schouw. The flotation would mark Copenhagen’s largest IPO since 2018.ATP, Danske Bank Asset Management, DNB Asset Management, Nykredit Asset Management and Tind Asset Management have jointly committed to purchasing around half of the shares on offer. Morgan Stanley and DNB Carnegie are acting as bookrunners.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
This sale represents a unique opportunity for buyers to purchase the UK’s first fully electric zero-commissions commercial landing utility vessel.
Gordon Brothers, the global asset experts, is offering for sale (by private treaty) a fully electric commercial landing utility vessel (E-LUV 2208) with an associated power storage system, on behalf of the joint administrators of Coastal Workboats Scotland Limited.
E-LUV 2208 has limited fit-out works remaining, presenting an opportunity for a buyer to complete the final build to suit their operational requirements.
The bay of Pasaia was the setting for the spectacular launch of the latest vessel from the Zamakona Shipyard. The ship, the Eidsvaag Atlas, was commissioned by a Norwegian shipping company and will be used to transport fish feed by sea, according to sources at the port of Pasaia. Representatives from the shipbuilding company, the Scandinavian shipping company, and the president of the Port Authority of Pasaia, Izaskun Goñi, participated in the launching ceremony at 6:30 p.m., which was attended by numerous onlookers and boating enthusiasts.
In addition to a significant portion of the suitable land in the five areas where floating wind farms can be located in Galicia, the Maritime Spatial Planning Plans (POEM) approved by the Government in February 2023 eliminated the possibility, present in the initial draft, of classifying these areas as "priority use" zones for offshore energy over other activities. They were reclassified as simply "high-potential" areas. "It has been very important to have the information, the input, and the participation of all public and private stakeholders."
Author: Julio Pérez / Faro de Vigo | Read the full article here
Gustavo Torrens, Operations and Development Manager at Gama Mobility, analyzes how real-time information is transforming fleet management, optimizing resources, and strengthening logistical efficiency.
The incorporation of real-time information into fleet management is redefining business logistics, allowing organizations to improve operational efficiency, optimize resources, and respond more quickly to changing scenarios. In this column, Gustavo Torrens, Operations and Development Manager at Gama Mobility, discusses how data visibility has become a strategic factor for strengthening operational control, reducing uncertainties, and moving toward smarter and more competitive mobility.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
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.
SPAIN.png)
The 
After nearly four years of work, the AquaWind project, coordinated by the Canary Islands Agency for Research, Innovation and the Information Society (ACIISI), has demonstrated that, under real-world conditions, renewable energy production and aquaculture can not only coexist but also complement each other to optimize the use of the sea.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Scotland’s salmon industry has been given a big new lift following a key trade deal between the UK and the Middle East.
ARGENTINA.png)
NORWAY
According to sector statistics provider Akvafakta, the spot price of Norwegian farmed salmon decreased by NOK 5.38 (£0.43) per kilo last week (week 20), down to NOK 72.56 (£6.08) per kilo.
DENMARK.png)
UNITED KINGDOM.png)
Gordon Brothers, the global asset experts, is offering for sale (by private treaty) a fully electric commercial landing utility vessel (E-LUV 2208) with an associated power storage system, on behalf of the joint administrators of Coastal Workboats Scotland Limited.
The bay of Pasaia was the setting for the spectacular launch of the latest vessel from the .png)
In addition to a significant portion of the suitable land in the five areas where floating wind farms can be located in Galicia, the Maritime Spatial Planning Plans (POEM) approved by the Government in February 2023 eliminated the possibility, present in the initial draft, of classifying these areas as "priority use" zones for offshore energy over other activities. They were reclassified as simply "high-potential" areas. "It has been very important to have the information, the input, and the participation of all public and private stakeholders." 
CHILE
Gustavo Torrens, Operations and Development Manager at Gama Mobility, analyzes how real-time information is transforming fleet management, optimizing resources, and strengthening logistical efficiency.
