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 governing board of Anfaco-Cytma—the business association representing the canning and processing industry—met this Friday in Vigo to review the scientific, technological, and knowledge-transfer achievements made by its national knowledge center during the first half of the year. During this period, Anfaco-Cytma has had 62 R&D&i projects underway; of these, 15 are international in scope, 60 involve collaboration, and 61% are based on direct contracts with companies. In total, "these projects mobilize a combined budget of €109,676,355," the organization stated in a press release.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
The 49th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49), held last week in Geneva (Switzerland), concluded with the selection of Spain as the new host country for the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP)—one of the subsidiary bodies of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) dedicated to international food standardization.
Spain's selection marks a significant milestone for the country's international standing in the fields of food safety and international standardization. According to AESAN, this designation not only recognizes the technical and scientific capabilities of Spanish government bodies and institutions linked to the fisheries, aquaculture, and food sectors, but also strengthens Spain's role in the multilateral forums where international reference standards for global food trade are developed.
Source: ipac.acuicultura | Read the full article here
The bluefin tuna (BFT) fishing season opens next week in parts of the UK, giving authorised commercial and permitted recreational fishers the opportunity to fish for BFT.From Monday 13 July:
authorised UK commercial vessels can target BFT in English, Welsh and Scottish waters.
permitted recreational catch and release vessels, administered by Marine Management Organisation (MMO), can fish for BFT within English waters.
The opportunities for commercial fishermen to land BFT for sale, and for recreational anglers to catch and release the fish, have increased significantly this year following successful negotiations to boost the UK’s quota for the species.
Norway's seafood industry has renewed calls for a free-trade agreement with Japan, warning exporters remain at a disadvantage to competitors in the EU and UK, which already benefit from preferential market access.
The appeal came during a meeting between industry representatives and Fisheries and Oceans Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss, where Sjømat Norge urged the government to maintain efforts to improve access to one of Norway's most important seafood markets.
Geopolitical uncertainty makes it even more important to secure access to stable markets
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
The European Parliament rejects a move to halt the reform of the REACH regulation and endorses the phased implementation of new limits on the use and marketing of certain lead-containing equipment.
The European Parliament has cleared one of the final political hurdles for the entry into force of new restrictions on the use of lead in certain types of fishing tackle. The plenary session in Strasbourg rejected an objection lodged against the European Commission regulation amending Annex XVII of the REACH regulation, thereby allowing the adoption process to continue for rules that will affect manufacturers and distributors as well as professional and recreational anglers.The vote concluded with broad support for the European Commission's position.
The Ministry of Production (Produce) of Peru has increased by 500,000 tons the maximum limit of total allowable catch (LMCTP) of giant squid or squid, from 539,230 to 589,230 tons, for the second half of the year. The measure was adopted after the accumulated catches reached 95.44% of the current limit.
Jesús Barrientos, Vice Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, explained that "this decision reaffirms the Government's commitment to fisheries management based on science. Each measure adopted by Produce responds to technical evidence from Imarpe and seeks to ensure that the use of our hydrobiological resources continues to generate employment and development, while contributing to their sustainability for future generations."
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Salmon farmer Alsaker had to reduce biomass under Norway's traffic light system but managed to maintain nearly all of its harvest volume
Norway's Alsaker Group delivered a pre-tax profit of NOK 649 million (£51.7m) in 2025, despite production being affected by 6% capacity reductions under the government's traffic light system, the company said in a press release today.
The group, which is the parent company of Alsaker Fjordbruk, had operating revenues of NOK 2.596 billion. This gives a profit margin before tax of 25%, down from 33.5% in 2024.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), Europêche and Copa-Cogeca have jointly called on EU institutions to incorporate the revised International Maritime Organization’s STCW-F Convention into European law through a dedicated directive, arguing the move would improve safety, professional recognition and labour mobility for Europe’s fishing workforce.
The revised International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F), which entered into force on 1 January 2026, sets internationally recognised standards for the training, certification and competence of fishing vessel personnel.
Domestic and international factors—including reduced fishing quotas and global uncertainty—shaped the performance of Norwegian seafood exports during the first half of the year.
Norway exported seafood worth NOK 84.5 billion in the first half of the year. This represents a decrease of NOK 669 million, or 1%, compared to the same period last year.
The main markets for Norwegian seafood exports during the first half of the year were Poland, China, and the United States.
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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.
SPAIN
The governing board of
SWITZERLAND
The 49th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49), held last week in Geneva (Switzerland), concluded with the selection of Spain as the new host country for the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP)—one of the subsidiary bodies of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) dedicated to international food standardization.
UNITED KINGDOM.png)
The bluefin tuna (BFT) fishing season opens next week in parts of the UK, giving authorised commercial and permitted recreational fishers the opportunity to fish for BFT.From Monday 13 July:
NORWAY
.png)
Norway's seafood industry has renewed calls for a free-trade agreement with Japan, warning exporters remain at a disadvantage to competitors in the EU and UK, which already benefit from preferential market access.
The European Parliament rejects a move to halt the reform of the REACH regulation and endorses the phased implementation of new limits on the use and marketing of certain lead-containing equipment.
PERU.png)
The Ministry of Production.png)
Norway's Alsaker Group delivered a pre-tax profit of NOK 649 million (£51.7m) in 2025, despite production being affected by 6% capacity reductions under the government's traffic light system, the company said in a press release today.
The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), Europêche and Copa-Cogeca have jointly called on EU institutions to incorporate the revised International Maritime Organization’s STCW-F Convention into European law through a dedicated directive, arguing the move would improve safety, professional recognition and labour mobility for Europe’s fishing workforce.
Domestic and international factors—including reduced fishing quotas and global uncertainty—shaped the performance of Norwegian seafood exports during the first half of the year.
