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.
Fisheries Minister Luis Planas had convened representatives of the Spanish fishing sector to review progress on negotiations regarding the EU's multiannual financial framework—specifically concerning the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)—and aid to address the crisis triggered by US and Israeli attacks on Iran. However, the discussion ended up covering a wide range of topics: training, trade agreements, fishing quotas, Mediterranean regulations, and more.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Thailand has launched its first research project to farm Atlantic salmon domestically, with scientists using a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) to assess whether commercial production is feasible in the tropical country.
The project is being led by the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University in partnership with PTT LNG. Researchers are studying salmon growth, nutrition and the economics of production to determine whether a domestic industry could be established.The first phase of the project began after 20,000 fertilised Atlantic salmon eggs were imported from Chile in early May.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Salmon farming has become one of the world’s most successful aquaculture industries. It has provided large volumes of healthy protein, created employment in coastal regions and built a global market for farmed Atlantic salmon.
For many years, the main production model has been relatively simple: produce smolt on land, transfer the fish to sea cages and grow them to harvest size in the ocean. This model has been extremely effective. It has allowed the industry to scale up and in the right locations it remains a very efficient way to produce salmon.
Author: Ivar Warrer-Hansen / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
The Ecuadorian shrimp industry, through theNational Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) and the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP), has formalised an alliance with Conservation International Ecuador (CI-Ecuador) to strengthen mangrove conservation and restoration efforts, promote sustainable shrimp aquaculture, and contribute to the climate resilience of Ecuador’s coastal ecosystems and communities.Through this agreement, the organisations will establish a framework for collaboration and implement joint actions under the Mangroves for Climate initiative.
The German government scraps the heavy frigate project led by Rheinmetall and opts for TKMS's Meko frigates to modernize its Navy
The German government has decided to cancel the F126 heavy frigate program—valued at approximately €10 billion—after noting accumulated delays and rising project costs. The decision marks a significant setback for Rheinmetall, which was undertaking its first major foray into military shipbuilding following its acquisition of Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL), and it reshapes Germany's industrial strategy regarding one of Europe's largest naval defense programs.
During the 2026 Applied AI SummIT, Mowi Chile presented its Smart Farming 4.0 strategy, which relies on artificial intelligence, real-time monitoring, and data analysis to optimize feeding, anticipate environmental risks, and strengthen decision-making in salmon production.
Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in salmon farming—not only in automating processes but also in enhancing the ability to anticipate production, environmental, and health-related events. This was one of the key takeaways shared by Mowi Chile during the 2026 Applied Artificial Intelligence SummIT hosted by Duoc UC in Puerto Montt.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
This year, Russia unilaterally increased its quota to 67,548 tonnes—nearly five times its 2004 quota.
Following a proposal by the European Union (EU) and recent trade restrictions targeting Russian fish, members of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)—with the exception of Russia—have adopted measures to curb unsustainable mackerel fishing in the North-East Atlantic. The stock is in a critical state of conservation after years of overfishing, particularly by Russia. This year, the country unilaterally raised its quota to 22.5% of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC)—equivalent to 67,548 tonnes—which is nearly five times the quota it held in 2004.
The EU, the United Kingdom, Denmark (on behalf of the Faroe Islands and Greenland), Norway, and Iceland have agreed to limit Russian mackerel catches in international waters to 1,495 tonnes.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Marine conservation charity Oceana UK has revealed the scale of the UK’s offshore oil and gas legacy,?identifying?1,685 active or unplugged wells inside marine protected areas and warning that ageing infrastructure could pose growing risks to marine wildlife if not properly decommissioned.
The findings come as ministers prepare the?Energy Independence Bill, which is expected to legislate for an end to new oil and gas licences.?Oceana says the UK now has a major opportunity to tackle the environmental legacy of decades of offshore extraction
The Koñimo I, which was being used at a Chilean salmon farm, sank when its crew were sleeping
A fish farm service vessel that sank with the loss of six lives in Chile’s Reloncaví estuary on January 27 has been raised five months after the tragedy
Salvage operations began in early June and the recovery was completed at the weekend.
Following this, prosecutor María Angélica de Miguel reported that “now comes a very important stage, which is the carrying out of the various expert analyses that will be performed together with the Investigative Police”.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The Governor of Tierra del Fuego, Gustavo Melella, and the Argentine-Canadian firm Wanchese Cooke—a subsidiary of Cooke Canada—have signed a letter of intent. The agreement aims to establish an initial framework for dialogue, technical and institutional exchange, and the assessment of aquaculture development opportunities within the Argentine province.
This initiative aligns with Tierra del Fuego’s public policy of promoting sustainable, innovative aquaculture that generates added value, in accordance with the provincial Aquaculture Development Plan and current regulations.
Through this agreement, both parties express their commitment to advancing a preliminary work agenda.
Source: iPac.acuicultura | 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
Fisheries Minister Luis Planas had convened representatives of the Spanish fishing sector to review progress on negotiations regarding the EU's multiannual financial framework—specifically concerning the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)—and aid to address the crisis triggered by US and Israeli attacks on Iran. However, the discussion ended up covering a wide range of topics: training, trade agreements, fishing quotas, Mediterranean regulations, and more.
THAILAND
Thailand has launched its first research project to farm Atlantic salmon domestically, with scientists using a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) to assess whether commercial production is feasible in the tropical country.
NORWAY
Salmon farming has become one of the world’s most successful aquaculture industries. It has provided large volumes of healthy protein, created employment in coastal regions and built a global market for farmed Atlantic salmon.
ECUADOR
The Ecuadorian shrimp industry, through the
GERMANY
The German government scraps the heavy frigate project led by Rheinmetall and opts for TKMS's Meko frigates to modernize its Navy
CHILE.png)
During the 2026 Applied AI SummIT, .png)
Following a proposal by the European Union (EU) and recent trade restrictions targeting Russian fish, members of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)—with the exception of Russia—have adopted measures to curb unsustainable mackerel fishing in the North-East Atlantic. The stock is in a critical state of conservation after years of overfishing, particularly by Russia. This year, the country unilaterally raised its quota to 22.5% of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC)—equivalent to 67,548 tonnes—which is nearly five times the quota it held in 2004.
UNITED KINGDOM
Marine conservation charity .png)
A fish farm service vessel that sank with the loss of six lives in Chile’s Reloncaví estuary on January 27 has been raised five months after the tragedy
ARGENTINA
The Governor of Tierra del Fuego, Gustavo Melella, and the Argentine-Canadian firm Wanchese Cooke—a subsidiary of
