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 keen interest sparked within the British sector by the "octopus bloom"—the massive proliferation of *Octopus vulgaris* in the waters off southwest England and the western English Channel that began in 2025—has prompted the government to take action. After establishing a working group to advance the management of this fishery—which, until a year ago, was negligible—the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has now launched an information website aimed at the general public, the fishing industry, and the scientific community. "The octopus proliferation has understandably generated enormous interest, and we want to ensure that everyone can easily find reliable, up-to-date information in one place."
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals’, are commonly used to make textiles and other materials resistant to water and fire. However, because they persist in the environment and build up in living organisms, they pose growing risks to human health and ecosystems.
To help address this challenge, Venice-based start-up Algae Scope transforms residual seaweed biomass into a bio-based additive with natural fire- and water-repellent properties, offering manufacturers an alternative to PFAS.
China Southern Airlines has launched a new direct cargo route between Oslo and Shanghai, with capacity expected to carry around 200 tonnes of Norwegian salmon to China each week.
The route began operations on August 19 and will operate twice weekly using Boeing 777F freighters, with capacity of around 100 tonnes per flight, Norwegian airport operator Avinor said.
China Southern said it expects the service to carry 200 tonnes of Norwegian salmon a week during its initial operating phase.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
El Niño, the climate pattern marked by the warming of surface waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, is currently having a significant impact on global fishmeal and fish oil production, marine ingredients association IFFO said today.
Peru, which typically accounts for around 20% of world fishmeal production, has been particularly affected by El Niño. This has significant implications for global supply of marine ingredients, which remain an important part of aquaculture diets.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The shrimp fishery in Argentine waters is crucial to the financial performance of Galician-owned companies operating in the country through joint ventures. In fact, the multinational Iberconsa attributes a 5% drop in its business volume to the conflict that curtailed last year's season—and consequently, catch levels. While the 2025 season ended with a total of 63,800 tonnes, over 155,000 tonnes have already been landed by the middle of this month, according to Radio 3 Cadena Patagonia. The fleet and processing companies face a potential early closure, driven both by the volume of the catch and by the fact that rising levels of hake bycatch are affecting the yield of the shrimp fishery.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
El Niño is hitting the Pacific hard. According to the latest report from ENFEN—Peru’s multisectoral commission responsible for studying the El Niño phenomenon—"if anomalous warm conditions persist, the anchoveta is expected to remain concentrated near the coast and at greater depths than usual over the coming weeks, leading to increased depletion of their energy reserves." In fact, NOAA estimates that the event will intensify heading into autumn—a prediction shared by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which acknowledges that "El Niño continues to intensify steadily and is expected to have a decisive influence on global climate patterns during the August–October 2026 period."
Source: iPac.acuicultura | Read the full article here
RationFEED turns wasted pellets into feeding intelligence.
Icelandic aquaculture technology company Ration has developed RationFEED, an out-of-water computer-vision system that detects and counts uneaten feed pellets in the effluent from land-based fish tanks. The data can be used to automatically adjust feeding in real-time, helping farms reduce feed loss, protect water quality, and respond more accurately to changes in fish appetite.
Mounted above the tank effluent, RationFEED combines specialized optics, AI, and computer vision to distinguish pellets from fish waste. The system can connect to existing feeding equipment and control it automatically.
Islanders on Coll have invited Mowi to explore building another fish farm in Scotland’s Hebridean archipelago, in a move the company says will bring more jobs and families back to the island, and help tackle a housing shortage.
At the request of some members of the community, Mowi Scotland gave a presentation at the An Cridhe centre in Arinagour on 11 May, about the possibilities for Coll, its plans for the newly acquired uninhabited island of Sanda, and its operations off Muck, Rum and Colonsay.
Mowi said the possible development on Coll, which could produce 3,500 tonnes of biomass, employ 14 people, and build several new homes on the model of its Colonsay site, would “only progress … with the majority support of the local community”.
Author: Sandy Neil / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Natural feed solution aims to strengthen fish immunity, improve performance and reduce antibiotic use in tilapia farming.
A technology developed by Embrapa Meio Ambiente, Unicamp and UFSCar has been recognized at the 2026 Unicamp Inventors Award. Licensed to Terpenia Bioinsumos as Terpenia Acqua, the natural feed additive is designed to boost tilapia immunity and disease resistance, improve production performance and help reduce antibiotic use in aquaculture.
Licensed to Terpenia Bioinsumos and marketed as Terpenia Acqua, the innovation is a natural feed additive designed to strengthen the immune response and increase tilapia resistance to diseases, one of the main challenges affecting productivity and profitability in intensive aquaculture.
The funding will support new RAS facilities in Germany and Spain.
German aquaculture firm Oceanloop has secured USD 44.5 million (EUR 38.5 million) to expand land-based giant grouper production. A 250-ton RAS farm in Kiel, Germany, is planned from late 2026, followed by a 2,000-ton facility in Gran Canaria, Spain, from 2029.
Oceanloop noted grouper's appeal in Asian seafood markets as attractive for professional kitchens, foodservice, and premium seafood distribution.
The investment will also support a 2,000-ton commercial facility in Gran Canaria, Spain, that will begin construction in 2029. Oceanloop has a local subsidiary on the island currently, and the new site will become the company's first industrial-scale production platform.
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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.
UNITED KINGDOM
The keen interest sparked within the British sector by the "octopus bloom"—the massive proliferation of *Octopus vulgaris* in the waters off southwest England and the western English Channel that began in 2025—has prompted the government to take action. After establishing a working group to advance the management of this fishery—which, until a year ago, was negligible—the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has now launched an information website aimed at the general public, the fishing industry, and the scientific community. "The octopus proliferation has understandably generated enormous interest, and we want to ensure that everyone can easily find reliable, up-to-date information in one place."
ITALY
PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals’, are commonly used to make textiles and other materials resistant to water and fire. However, because they persist in the environment and build up in living organisms, they pose growing risks to human health and ecosystems.
CHINA
China Southern Airlines has launched a new direct cargo route between Oslo and Shanghai, with capacity expected to carry around 200 tonnes of Norwegian salmon to China each week.
PERU
El Niño, the climate pattern marked by the warming of surface waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, is currently having a significant impact on global fishmeal and fish oil production, marine ingredients association 
ARGENTINA
The shrimp fishery in Argentine waters is crucial to the financial performance of Galician-owned companies operating in the country through joint ventures. In fact, the multinational Iberconsa attributes a 5% drop in its business volume to the conflict that curtailed last year's season—and consequently, catch levels. While the 2025 season ended with a total of 63,800 tonnes, over 155,000 tonnes have already been landed by the middle of this month, according to Radio 3 Cadena Patagonia. The fleet and processing companies face a potential early closure, driven both by the volume of the catch and by the fact that rising levels of hake bycatch are affecting the yield of the shrimp fishery.
WORLDWIDE
El Niño is hitting the Pacific hard. According to the latest report from ENFEN—Peru’s multisectoral commission responsible for studying the El Niño phenomenon—"if anomalous warm conditions persist, the anchoveta is expected to remain concentrated near the coast and at greater depths than usual over the coming weeks, leading to increased depletion of their energy reserves." In fact, NOAA estimates that the event will intensify heading into autumn—a prediction shared by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which acknowledges that "El Niño continues to intensify steadily and is expected to have a decisive influence on global climate patterns during the August–October 2026 period." 
ICELAND
RationFEED turns wasted pellets into feeding intelligence. 
Islanders on Coll have invited
BRAZIL
Natural feed solution aims to strengthen fish immunity, improve performance and reduce antibiotic use in tilapia farming.
GERMANY.png)
