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.
Ventisqueros welcomed a delegation from the FDA (United States) and Sernapesca on March 24 at its processing plant, in a visit considered key for the Chilean salmon industry. The meeting provided an on-site look at the company’s production, sanitary, and traceability standards, reinforcing transparency and regulatory compliance.
The delegation included Michelle Rodríguez, Rita Vera, Gonzalo Ibáñez, and Christofer Waldrop (FDA); Héctor Escobar, Patricio González, and Carolina Castillo (Sernapesca); and Marcela Lara (Salmon Council). Representing Ventisqueros were Agustín Waidele, Carolina Muñoz, and Raúl Gárnica.
During the visit, attendees toured the different stages of production and observed quality assurance, traceability, and sanitary control systems. This was followed by a corporate presentation addressing sustainability, innovation, and regulatory compliance. “These visits are an opportunity to open our operations, show how we work, and strengthen trust through processes that meet high international standards,” said Agustín Waidele.
The day concluded with a dialogue session highlighting the importance of public-private collaboration and the need to advance toward responsible aquaculture aligned with the demands of global markets.
With an agenda focused on technical activities, community engagement, and networking opportunities, ScaleAQ held a series of events during Aquasur 2026 week centered around its Dissemination, Technology, and Aquaculture Center. This initiative aimed to bring aquaculture innovation to the region and strengthen ties with various stakeholders in the ecosystem.
The program began on Monday, March 23, with the official opening of the center, located between Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt. The center is designed as an open platform for knowledge transfer, technology showcases, and connections between industry, academia, government officials, and the community.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
The Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers of the 27 EU member states yesterday called on the European Commission to implement measures to protect the fishing and aquaculture sector due to the sharp rise in costs resulting from the war in the Middle East. And the Commission has come to the rescue. At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (Agrifish), Commissioner Costas Kadis announced that the extraordinary measures provided for in the European Maritime Fund for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EMFF) will be activated, allowing the sector to be compensated for lost profits or additional costs. This anti-crisis shield was already deployed in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2022, due to the surge in energy costs following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Sales of fish and chips realized declines in U.K. foodservice last year, while overall seafood sales declined less dramatically, according to recent data from seafood representative public body Seafish.
According to a new report, Seafish found out-of-home consumption of fish and chips in the U.K. declined 9 percent in 2025, equivalent to 13.1 million fewer servings. Long-term consumption has also fallen significantly, with servings 61 percent lower in 2025 than in 2017.
Still, fish and chips generate significant sales across the U.K. foodservice market, Seafish pointed out.
Author: Christine Blank / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
AI, Feed and Automation in Aquaculture: Precision, reliability, and the shift toward predictive farming
As aquaculture intensifies to meet global protein demand, producers are confronting rising biological variability, complex feeding environments, and increasing pressure to deliver consistent performance.
Meanwhile, AI-enabled feeding systems, imaging tools, and precision nutrition platforms are maturing at pace – reshaping how farms understand their animals and make daily decisions. As a result, the sector is steadily transitioning from manual observation and intuition toward structured, predictive, and biologically informed ways of farming.
The soaring price of bunker fuel is shaking up profitability, disrupting the purchase of fishing days in the Pacific, and threatening to reshape the operations of purse seiners, longliners, and onshore processing plants.
Fuel has ceased to be a contextual factor and has become the variable that most directly influences tuna fishing operations. This is the central idea of ??the analysis by Francisco Blaha, who warns that, in a scenario of sharply rising energy costs, diesel and fuel oil not only erode profit margins but also modify routes, fishing decisions, effort allocation, and even the viability of entire segments of the value chain. Market data reinforces this argument. In Singapore, a benchmark for bunker fuel in Asia and a barometer of the western and central Pacific
The Nueva Pescanova Group posted a net profit of €1.1 million in 2025, returning to profitability after several consecutive years of losses, specifically €37.9 million in the previous year (nine months). In the twelve-month period of 2024, losses totaled €91 million.
The company has exceeded the targets of its recovery plan. Sales reached €1,053.6 million, compared to €982 million in the equivalent twelve months of 2024, representing a 7.3% increase. Compared to the revenue recorded in the nine-month accounting period of 2024, the increase was 36.9%.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Blumar reported full-year 2025 revenues of $712.8 million, a 15 percent increase year-on-year, while net profit remained broadly stable at $18.1 million.
Pre-fair-value EBITDA declined 7 percent to $79.7 million, reflecting lower salmon prices and higher operational costs during the year.
The company said its aquaculture segment recovered in volume terms compared with 2024, when production was disrupted by harmful algal blooms. However, the average salmon price fell 5 percent year-on-year, influenced by increased global Atlantic salmon supply and U.S. tariffs introduced in April 2025.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Ultra-low-density producer pioneers new aquaculture standard
A family-owned sea bass and sea bream estuary farm in southern Spain has become the first farm in the world to achieve certification against the new Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Farm Standard.
Located in the protected Parque Natural de la Breña y Marismas del Barbate in the province of Cadiz, Lubimar’s Cupibar farm produces around 2,000 metric tonnes of fish per year in a unique estuarine system built in former salt pans.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Mowi is facing the prospect of a double salmon disease blow at two of its sites in Norway
Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) has been detected at a site in Frøya municipality in Trondelag, and bacterial kidney disease (BKD) is suspected at a company facility in Hitra municipality.
On the ISA issue, Mowi’s suspicions were raised earlier this month, and then confirmed following positive analysis results from samples taken at the site.
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority confirmed the ISA diagnosis on last week based on analysis results from the Veterinary Institute.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | 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.
CHILE.png)
With an agenda focused on technical activities, community engagement, and networking opportunities, .png)
The Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers of the 27 EU member states yesterday called on the European Commission to implement measures to protect the fishing and aquaculture sector due to the sharp rise in costs resulting from the war in the Middle East. And the Commission has come to the rescue. At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (Agrifish), Commissioner Costas Kadis announced that the extraordinary measures provided for in the European Maritime Fund for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EMFF) will be activated, allowing the sector to be compensated for lost profits or additional costs. This anti-crisis shield was already deployed in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2022, due to the surge in energy costs following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
UNITED KINGDOM
Sales of fish and chips realized declines in U.K. foodservice last year, while overall seafood sales declined less dramatically, according to recent data from seafood representative public body Seafish.
WORLDWIDE.png)
As aquaculture intensifies to meet global protein demand, producers are confronting rising biological variability, complex feeding environments, and increasing pressure to deliver consistent performance..png)
Fuel has ceased to be a contextual factor and has become the variable that most directly influences tuna fishing operations. This is the central idea of ??the analysis by Francisco Blaha, who warns that, in a scenario of sharply rising energy costs, diesel and fuel oil not only erode profit margins but also modify routes, fishing decisions, effort allocation, and even the viability of entire segments of the value chain. Market data reinforces this argument. In Singapore, a benchmark for bunker fuel in Asia and a barometer of the western and central Pacific
SPAIN
The 
Blumar
Ultra-low-density producer pioneers new aquaculture standard
NORWAY
Mowi 
