IN BRIEF - Pacific Groups join global call for WTO to target big fishing fleets
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Pacific civil society groups have joined others from around the world in an open letter calling on trade negotiators at this week’s World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial to ensure that any outcome on fisheries subsidies targets those fleets most responsible for overfishing, protects small-scale fishers and doesn’t stop small-island stated from developing their own fishing fleets.
The WTO Ministeral starts today in Dubai, with expected attendance from WTO Pacific Ministers and delegations.
“The negotiations on subsidies that contribute to overfishing are failing to address the real problem those historically responsible for overfishing, and is instead creating loop holes that the big fleets will be able to use. The current agreement lets those most responsible off the hook”, commented Adam Wolfenden, Deputy Coordinator of the Pacific Network on Globalisation.
The open letter has been endorsed by over 65 organisations from around the world, including in the Pacific Islands region.[...]
DSM-Firmenich?Animal Nutrition & Health today announced an update to its Digital SalmoFan software, adding a new algorithm designed to accurately measure trout fillet colour for partners across the entire value chain.
The Digital SalmoFan is a portable device that measures the colour of salmon and trout fillets digitally, using a numeric scoring system. This latest innovation builds on the foundations of the existing physical SalmonFan colour chart widely used in the global salmon industry for fillet colour measurement.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Pakistan’s seafood exports to China rose sharply to US$220 million during the first seven months of the current year, registering a 41% year-on-year increase from the corresponding period last year, according to the General Administration of Customs of China.
The growth reflected strong Chinese demand for a diverse range of marine products, particularly frozen fish, cephalopods and live crustaceans. Miscellaneous frozen whole fish led individual categories, generating US$40.04 million from 19,834 tonnes. Frozen cuttlefish and squid varieties together contributed US$36.39 million.
Frozen sardines and sprats generated US$19.49 million from 22,458 tonnes, while live and chilled mud crabs brought in US$18.70 million. Other significant exports included frozen octopus worth US$9.16 million, fish fillets and meat at US$7.71 million, frozen shelled shrimp and prawns at US$6.86 million, and flatfish at US$5.71 million.
Atlantic salmon, salmon fillets and smoked salmon are among seafood products included in Canada's latest retaliatory tariff package.
Canada will impose a 25% tariff on Atlantic salmon and a range of other seafood products originating in the United States from September 8, as part of its latest response to US trade measures.
The United States remains a relatively small producer of farmed Atlantic salmon compared with Canada, Norway and Chile, but it does have commercial production.
Atlantic Sapphire operates a land-based salmon farm at Homestead, Florida, where it harvested 5,096 tonnes in 2025.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Khyber Aquaculture and the Fisheries Department train farmers in sustainable cold-water aquaculture
Khyber Aquaculture and the Jammu & Kashmir Department of Fisheries launched specialised training for trout farmers from Ganderbal, Bandipora and Srinagar, covering biosecurity, water quality, disease prevention and RAS technology to improve survival, growth and farm efficiency.
The initiative aims to boost trout productivity and develop the region as a hub for sustainable cold-water fisheries.
New infrastructure aims to improve fuel access and operational efficiency for local fishermen.
Bahrain has begun work to install fuel pumps at four fishing jetties, strengthening essential infrastructure for the fishing sector. The project will provide fishermen with easier access to fuel directly at key landing sites, supporting daily operations and improving services for the local fleet.
Chinese shipbuilder Rongcheng Xinyang will strengthen Tanzania’s offshore fishing capacity
Tanzania Fisheries Corporation (TAFICO) signed a contract with China’s Rongcheng Xinyang Ship Industry Limited to build two deep-sea fishing vessels. The IFAD-funded AFDP project aims to boost fisheries productivity, expand use of marine resources and support Tanzania’s Blue Economy and Vision 2050.
The two men were rescued around 150 miles off Chiapas after their vessel sank.
The men endured days without food or fresh water after their vessel sank off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast.
Two Mexican fishermen, aged 53 and 32, survived five days adrift in the Pacific Ocean by clinging to and sheltering in a large fishing cooler after their boat sank. The Mexican Navy located them about 150 miles off Chiapas and carried out their rescue. Both men, weakened and suffering from severe dehydration after days without food or fresh water, received medical assistance and were transported safely to shore.
Border Force detained the crew near Cape York after finding fishing gear and 700 kg of salt
The Australian Border Force (ABF) seized the vessel near Little Adolphus Island, Torres Strait. Authorities found fishing equipment and 700 kg of salt, but intercepted it before marine life was caught. The crew was taken to Darwin for investigation. In 2026, 24 suspected illegal foreign fishing boats have been intercepted in Far North Queensland, with 14 destroyed.
The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation (Rosselkhoznadzor)—which inspected nine Chilean processing facilities and their entire associated supply chains, including farming centers, cold storage plants, and processing sites—has announced the lifting of restrictions on five facilities, allowing them to resume exports to that market.
For the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca), this announcement “represents significant progress in the process of implementing the adopted corrective measures” and reflects the outcome of collaborative efforts to strengthen the official control system and ensure compliance with requirements established by the Eurasian Economic Union and the Russian Federation.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Sashimi rules the salmon category in China, according to NSC research, offering an opening for salmon imports
Ahead of World Seafood Shanghai (WSS), taking place from 26–28 August, the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) has pinpointed sashimi as a key opportunity in China’s rapidly expanding salmon market. This is being driven by rising in-home consumption, fast delivery services and the parallel growth of factories providing sashimi-grade salmon to meet demand.
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UNITED KINGDOM
DSM-Firmenich?Animal Nutrition & Health today announced an update to its Digital SalmoFan software, adding a new algorithm designed to accurately measure trout fillet colour for partners across the entire value chain.
CHINA
The growth reflected strong Chinese demand for a diverse range of marine products, particularly frozen fish, cephalopods and live crustaceans. Miscellaneous frozen whole fish led individual categories, generating US$40.04 million from 19,834 tonnes. Frozen cuttlefish and squid varieties together contributed US$36.39 million.
CANADA
Atlantic salmon, salmon fillets and smoked salmon are among seafood products included in Canada's latest retaliatory tariff package.
INDIA.png)
Khyber Aquaculture and the Fisheries Department train farmers in sustainable cold-water aquaculture
BAHRAIN
New infrastructure aims to improve fuel access and operational efficiency for local fishermen.
TANZANIA.png)
Chinese shipbuilder Rongcheng Xinyang will strengthen Tanzania’s offshore fishing capacity
MEXICO
The two men were rescued around 150 miles off Chiapas after their vessel sank.
AUSTRALIA
Border Force detained the crew near Cape York after finding fishing gear and 700 kg of salt
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation (Rosselkhoznadzor)—which inspected nine Chilean processing facilities and their entire associated supply chains, including farming centers, cold storage plants, and processing sites—has announced the lifting of restrictions on five facilities, allowing them to resume exports to that market.
Ahead of 
