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.
US-based AZ Gems, which has Indian capital backing, has also acquired two vessels from the Galician-owned company.
The US company AZ Gems has purchased the "La Escalerona" wild shrimp processing plant—located in Puerto Madryn (Chubut, Argentina)—as well as the vessels *Don Nacho* and *Codaste*. Both assets belonged to the Galician-owned San Isidro group, the Argentine subsidiary of Lanzal.
While San Isidro confirmed the transaction, they clarified that only the physical property is being sold, as the company holds numerous other assets. Among these is Greciamar; located just a few meters from La Escalerona, it is one of Argentina's most important wild shrimp processing plants, exporting nearly 100% of its output.
Author: C. Valdes / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
The volume of Chilean salmon exports increased by 15.5% to 441,000 tonnes in the first half of 2026, state Customs figures show.
The exports were worth US $3.506 billion, a 7.3% increase compared to the $3.266bn made on an export volume of 382,000 tonnes in the first half of last year, indicating that producers achieved a lower price per kilo.
Exports to the Chilean sector’s biggest customer, the United States, rose from 118,800 tonnes worth £1.326bn in H1 2025 to 133,600 tonnes worth $1.356bn.
Author: Jonathan Garcés / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Cold-water prawns and the new value equation: Why 2026 could be a breakthrough year for UK foodservice.
Cold-water prawns are emerging as one of the most promising growth categories in UK foodservice, combining premium positioning with operational simplicity. A recently released industry report, launched earlier this year, highlights a category that is already firmly embedded in consumer behaviour — yet still has significant headroom for growth.
Produced by the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) under its Seafood from Norway initiative, the study positions cold-water prawns as a high-value ingredient capable of supporting menu innovation, margin growth, and operational efficiency across the UK out-of-home sector.
Chinese tuna-fishing firm Pingtai Rong Ocean Fishery Co. has announced plans to invest CNY 520 million (USD 76.8 million, EUR 67.2 million) in a fishery industrial park project in the Southern African nation of Angola.
Speaking recently at the Sustainable Markets Initiative China Forum in Beijing, Ni Jianbo, the chairman of Pingtai Rong Group, which is the holding company that controls the fishing firm, said the facility will play host to modernized fishing fleets in the near term and aquaculture operations in the long term, “creating local jobs and securing long-term fishing rights.”
Author: Mark Godfrey / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
"Easing the burden" on companies while simultaneously ensuring that momentum toward achieving decarbonization goals is maintained.
With this aim in mind, the Commission has just proposed a major reform of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which was launched in 2005. Since then, while driving down emissions, the scheme has generated €270 billion in revenue that was reinvested in innovation, industrial decarbonization, and the modernization of the European energy system. "However, the geopolitical and economic context has changed, and EU industry is under greater pressure," notes the Commission.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
The prospect of cod and pollock ultimately being left out of the 21st sanctions package reflects the delicate balance between political pressure on Moscow and the need to ensure supplies for the European processing industry.
Negotiations regarding the European Union's twenty-first sanctions package against Russia have once again placed the fishing sector at the heart of the EU debate. Although the European Commission had proposed banning imports of certain species caught by the Russian fleet, the latest discussions among Member States suggest that fish may ultimately be excluded from the final text—a decision that is already impacting European markets for cod and Alaska pollock.
The El Niño climate pattern is expected to trigger severe marine heatwaves, leading to a significant decline in Indian oil sardine availability in 2027, according to the ICAR-Central Marine Research Institute (CMFRI).
Speaking at the inauguration of a scientist–farmer interface programme to mark National Fish Farmers Day at CMFRI on 10 July, CMFRI director Grinson George warned that the warming associated with El Niño is expected to intensify between October and December. The resulting impact is likely to be felt across the northern Indian Ocean by April or May 2027.
Source: The Fish Site | Read the full article here
IceFish attracts visitors from across Iceland and from over 60 other countries. The three-day event focuses on commercial fishing and Aquaculture and offers a wide range of exhibitors from across the sectors.
This year there will be Danish and Faroese pavilions and a strong exhibitor presence from Norway. The exhibition has growing international importance and there are exhibitors from fifteen other countries including Germany, Spain, Canada and the UK.
Naturally occurring compounds such as geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) are two of the leading causes of poor flavour, writes Asbjørn Husby. As producers increasingly adopt more efficient production models, taking control of these compounds is vital.
Geosmin and MIB are naturally occurring organic compounds produced by microorganisms commonly found in aquaculture ponds and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Even at extremely low concentrations, once these compounds have been absorbed, it can lead to fish containing undesirable flavours, such as earthy or musty tastes, which are easily noticed by consumers.
With a presence in sectors such as mining, transportation, infrastructure, data centers, energy, and—of course—aquaculture, WSP has focused its expertise and technical capabilities on generating solutions that add value to its clients' businesses and position them for future success.
With extensive experience in consulting, engineering, and integrated solutions, WSP—an international company based in Montreal, Canada—has established itself as a strategic partner for the country's key industries. In southern Chile, its relationship with the aquaculture sector has developed over more than two decades; this track record has enabled the company to gain deep insight into the region, the specific characteristics of the sector, and the challenges it faces regarding growth, sustainability, and innovation.
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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.
ARGENTINA
The US company 
CHILE.png)
The volume of Chilean salmon exports increased by 15.5% to 441,000 tonnes in the first half of 2026, state Customs figures show.
UNITED KINGDOM.png)
Cold-water prawns are emerging as one of the most promising growth categories in UK foodservice, combining premium positioning with operational simplicity. A recently released industry report, launched earlier this year, highlights a category that is already firmly embedded in consumer behaviour — yet still has significant headroom for growth.
CHINA.png)
Chinese tuna-fishing firm .png)
"Easing the burden" on companies while simultaneously ensuring that momentum toward achieving decarbonization goals is maintained.
The prospect of cod and pollock ultimately being left out of the 21st sanctions package reflects the delicate balance between political pressure on Moscow and the need to ensure supplies for the European processing industry.
INDIA
The El Niño climate pattern is expected to trigger severe marine heatwaves, leading to a significant decline in Indian oil sardine availability in 2027, according to the ICAR-Central Marine Research Institute (CMFRI).
ICELAND
It’s under nine weeks until the 
UNITED STATES
Naturally occurring compounds such as geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) are two of the leading causes of poor flavour, writes Asbjørn Husby. As producers increasingly adopt more efficient production models, taking control of these compounds is vital.
With a presence in sectors such as mining, transportation, infrastructure, data centers, energy, and—of course—aquaculture, WSP has focused its expertise and technical capabilities on generating solutions that add value to its clients' businesses and position them for future success.
