It will provide material for negotiations on quota increases.

A bill amending the Fisheries Law and the Fisheries Distribution Optimization Law aimed at strengthening resource management through individual management of large Pacific bluefin tuna (over 30 kg) was passed by a majority vote at the House of Councilors plenary session of the 213th regular Diet session held on the morning of the 19th. The Fisheries Law requires reporting of the number of large bluefin tuna caught in addition to the catch volume and requires records such as the name of the vessel used and the weight of each individual. The Distribution Optimization Law requires distributors to transmit recorded information at the time of capture. It will be promulgated within 30 days and take effect no more than two months after its promulgation.

An illustration of the new reporting requirements for large Pacific bluefin tuna

Following the failure to report catches that occurred in Oma, Aomori, the government has been rushing to put in place a system that allows for individual comparisons of large Pacific bluefin tuna and significantly strengthens penalties. In case of failure to comply with the reporting obligation, the previous penalty was up to six months in prison and a fine of up to 300,000 yen (US$1,898) and will be increased to a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to 500,000 yen. (U$D 3,164), only for large Pacific bluefin tuna

Source: The Suisan Keizai (translated from original in japanese)

During the 1.5 months of mandatory labeling of red and black caviar, the “Honest Sign” system brought 26 producers out of the shadows, about whom the state was previously unaware. These companies did not reflect their activities in other state systems, reports the press service of the Center for the Development of Advanced Technologies (CRPT - labeling operator).

In total, the labeling system now includes 22.3 thousand market participants, of which 737 companies are manufacturers and importers. “Now we can estimate both the real number of participants in the turnover, as well as the actual volumes of production and imports, and in the near future, the volumes of caviar consumption in Russia,” commented Yulia Kuzmina, head of the department of excise-free food products at the CRPT.

Let us remind you that the labeling of red and black caviar in Russia began on May 1, 2024. Now all manufacturers and importers are required to apply labeling codes to each jar of caviar and provide information about the introduction of products into circulation to Chestny Znak. From April 1 next year, it will become mandatory to transmit information about the sale of these products at retail.

Hokkaido, Hakodate: Squid catch shortages cause price rise in raw materials

[Hokkaido] Seafood retailer Sansho (Hakodate, Hokkaido, President Watanabe Tsuyoshi) entrusted the 'autopsy process' to lawyer Oshima Takumi of Protect Stance Sapporo Office (Sapporo, (Tel) 011-206-9307) on the 17th. They plan to file for personal bankruptcy. According to Teikoku Databank's Hakodate branch, the debt is about 100 million yen.

The company was established in September 2012 with a capital of 3 million yen, has about 20 employees and 26 years of existence. They mainly deal in squid, salmon, scallops, and herring roe, and also handle seafood raw materials and processed products outsourced to outside companies.

Source: Minato Yamaguchi (translated from the original in Japanese)

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A report prepared for the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and summarized for local media, highlights a nearly 8% decline in revenue for the Hawai‘i longline fishery due to a drop in average fish prices at the first point of landing in Honolulu Harbor.

The 2023 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Report, which monitors fish catch and revenue, was presented to scientists and advisors of the Council’s 152nd Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting from June 11-13, 2024, for advice on shaping the future of fisheries management in the Western Pacific Region.

The report indicates that while the Hawaii longline fishery landed slightly more fish in 2023, greater yields did not lead to higher revenue. Industry representatives confirmed better catch rates towards the end of 2023, but overall it was a very tough year for the fleet. It was further noted that the volume and price of subsidized foreign imports, coupled with all-time high operational costs, are causing severe economic impacts on the fleet, which is the State’s largest food producer.

The Hawaii longline fleet consists of 150 U.S.-flagged vessels operating out of Honolulu Harbor. The SSC discussed this information to provide scientific advice on the management of this fishery.

The Estrella del Sur Fishermen's Union is the first of its kind to be awarded a tender for the maintenance and control of closed centers of a salmon farming company.

For Camanchaca, the collaboration and articulation of actors is fundamental for the development and well-being of the regions and their inhabitants, mainly in those where it has operations. In this context, the unprecedented alliance between Salmones Camanchaca and the Estrella del Sur Fishermen's Union of Calbuco arises, the first group of its type that was awarded a tender to maintain and control the Company's closed centers.

Source: MundoAcuicola l Read the full article here

The Xunta de Galicia has revealed that the fishing company Wofco has become Fandicosta in an operation concocted over several months, after the latter's request for pre-bankruptcy of creditors

Wofco is now officially the owner of Fandicosta, after the operation has been signed before a notary. This was confirmed this same day by the Xunta de Galicia, which until now retained 12% of the fishery.

Wofco's met the requirements and, after showing a commitment to maintaining employment - at least 90% of the production staff, 75% of the total company, which currently has 214 workers

Source: EuropaAzul l Read the full article here

Europêche, the leading trade body representing the fishing industry in Europe, has formally requested Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to address the imminent vacancy that will be left by Commissioner Sinkevicius and ensure stability in fisheries governance during this transitional period.

In a letter addressed to President von der Leyen, Europêche underscored two critical requests for the Commission President’s immediate attention. First, the sector appreciated her decision to appoint a dedicated Fisheries Commissioner for the upcoming term, emphasising the need for a true balance between biodiversity conservation, a competitive fishing fleet, and food security. 

Author: Oliver McBride  / The Fishing Daily l Read the full article here

With closed steel cages, Westcon Hexacage is approaching a critical step in development in what it believes can help change the farming industry for the better. Soon the first contract will be signed.

Westcon’s Hexacage is a unit that consists of closed steel cages that surround a service cell. Each cage operates in isolation with its own machine rooms, filters, and pumps, and the service cell houses common infrastructure. It contains, among other things, various engine rooms, feed storage, emergency generators, and storage capacity for sludge.

Author: Ole Andreas Drønen / fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here

Canada pushes back BC salmon farm transition; open net-pens to be banned from 2029

Existing salmon aquaculture licenses will be renewed for five years to ensure a successful transition, with stricter conditions on managing sea lice, reporting requirements, and monitoring of marine mammal interactions.

Canada will prohibit open-net salmon farms off the coast of British Columbia by mid-2029 to help protect the declining wild Pacific salmon populations, the federal government announced on Wednesday.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here