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.
A report on the Galician economy published by the University of Santiago de Compostela acknowledges the substitution effect that has occurred within the Galician mussel canning industry, where local mussels have been replaced by *choritos* (Chilean mussels). In this regard, the article analyzing the fishing sector—authored by Gonzalo Rodríguez, a researcher in Applied Economics at the University of Santiago de Compostela—explains that "while prior to 2007 approximately two-thirds of production went to the processing industry and one-third to the fresh market, that ratio subsequently reversed, completely altering commercial dynamics and forcing the opening of new markets for fresh consumption."
Source: iPac.acuicultura | Read the full article here
Over six years, Chilean salmon producer Ventisqueros reduced the share of waste sent to landfill from 26 percent to 0.6 percent through its circular economy strategy.
In 2025, Ventisqueros recovered 99.4 percent of the waste generated by its operations, advancing its progress towards eliminating landfill waste by 2026 under its “Zero Waste to Landfill” programme.
During the year, the company generated 30,592 tonnes of waste, of which 30,396 tonnes were recovered, reused or otherwise diverted from disposal. As a result, only 0.6 percent was sent to an authorised landfill – a sharp reduction from 26 percent in 2019 following systematic efforts to expand circular economy practices.
Source: The Fish Site | Read the full article here
The first significant shipment of Scottish salmon has arrived in India after a free trade deal led to a 33 per cent tariff being lifted.
Freshly harvested from Scotland’s west coast by leading salmon producer Bakkafrost Scotland, the salmon arrived at Sashimi Foods in Bengaluru on Friday. Sent by air via Heathrow Airport, the delivery arrived less than two weeks after the UK Government’s trade deal with India came into force – and as Glasgow prepares to hand the Commonwealth Games baton to Amdavad.
The Chittoor Fisheries Department launches a 5-day awareness campaign to help fish farmers mitigate El Niño impacts like water shortage and low oxygen.
The Tirupati Fisheries Department held an awareness drive to alert fishers and aquaculture farmers about the impacts of El Niño, promoting adaptation measures to reduce risks to fisheries and production.
Pacific tuna treaty delivers US$50.4m to island nations
FFA calls the agreement vital for regional fisheries cooperation.
The U.S. Tuna Treaty will distribute US$50.42 million to Pacific Island Parties, strengthening a partnership that grants U.S. purse-seine vessels access to regional waters through 2033.
Philippines to Appeal Ruling Voiding Fisheries Monitoring
The measure could weaken the fight against IUU fishing and affect seafood exports.
The Department of Agriculture and BFAR will ask the Supreme Court to reconsider the annulment of FAO 266, which required commercial vessels to use satellite tracking and submit electronic catch reports.
IFOP contributes to award-winning study on marine conservation
Dr. Patricia Zárate participated in the research recognized as Australia’s National Champion by the Frontiers Planet Prize.
Published in *Science*, the analysis compiled over 30 years of telemetry data on 111 species and warns that protecting 30% of the ocean must be complemented by measures addressing the impacts of fishing and maritime transport.
In early June, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the 21st package of measures against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine would include "fisheries for the first time." However, the EU has reversed course and removed measures targeting the fishing sector from this new sanctions package. There is no official explanation for the exclusion of these penalties.
Von der Leyen had previously stated that the EU-27 had decided to include "one of the last major unsanctioned sectors—fisheries—" in the punitive measures against Russia.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Fisheries agreements have moved beyond the "pay-to-fish" model, evolving into instruments of cooperation that foster investment and development in partner countries. As the European Commission prepares a new generation of agreements, the sector champions their strategic value and shared benefits—provided they are negotiated and implemented with appropriate safeguards.
This autumn, the European Commission will present a major package of policy guidelines for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors: "Vision 2040," which will define the long-term outlook for both sectors; a roadmap for the energy transition; and an external dimension strategy that will outline, among other key elements, the framework for a new generation of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs).
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
The first significant shipment of Scottish salmon has arrived in India after a free trade deal led to a 33% tariff on fish being scrapped.
Freshly harvested from Scotland’s west coast by Bakkafrost Scotland, the salmon arrived at Sashimi Foods in Bengaluru (also called Bangalore) in Karnataka in southwest India's earlier today.
Sent by air via Heathrow Airport, the delivery arrived less than two weeks after the UK Government’s trade deal with India came into force – and as Glasgow prepares to hand the Commonwealth Games baton to Amdavad (Ahmedabad) in Gujarat.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Alaskan Rationalized Crab Fishery Value Rises 37.5% United States
Added value in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands fishery, combined with reduced administrative costs, lowers federal cost recovery fee from 1.2% to 0.67% for the 2026/2027 season.
Washington. The comme...
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
A report on the Galician economy published by the University of Santiago de Compostela acknowledges the substitution effect that has occurred within the Galician mussel canning industry, where local mussels have been replaced by *choritos* (Chilean mussels). In this regard, the article analyzing the fishing sector—authored by Gonzalo Rodríguez, a researcher in Applied Economics at the University of Santiago de Compostela—explains that "while prior to 2007 approximately two-thirds of production went to the processing industry and one-third to the fresh market, that ratio subsequently reversed, completely altering commercial dynamics and forcing the opening of new markets for fresh consumption."
CHILE.png)
Over six years, Chilean salmon producer 
INDIA
The first significant shipment of Scottish salmon has arrived in India after a free trade deal led to a 33 per cent tariff being lifted..png)
The Chittoor Fisheries Department launches a 5-day awareness campaign to help fish farmers mitigate El Niño impacts like water shortage and low oxygen.
NEW ZEALAND
Pacific tuna treaty delivers US$50.4m to island nations
PHILIPPINES
The measure could weaken the fight against IUU fishing and affect seafood exports.
AUSTRALIA.jpg)
Dr. Patricia Zárate participated in the research recognized as Australia’s National Champion by the Frontiers Planet Prize.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
In early June, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the 21st package of measures against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine would include "fisheries for the first time." However, the EU has reversed course and removed measures targeting the fishing sector from this new sanctions package. There is no official explanation for the exclusion of these penalties.
Fisheries agreements have moved beyond the "pay-to-fish" model, evolving into instruments of cooperation that foster investment and development in partner countries. As the European Commission prepares a new generation of agreements, the sector champions their strategic value and shared benefits—provided they are negotiated and implemented with appropriate safeguards.
The first significant shipment of Scottish salmon has arrived in India after a free trade deal led to a 33% tariff on fish being scrapped.
