• Authorities launch a major survey to see how the cephalopod proliferation is affecting shipowners
• Devon fishermen lament that their traditional shellfish fisheries have plummeted by up to 80%

The British government has been monitoring the widespread presence of octopus in its waters for more than a year. The unusual bloom, which worries local shellfish fishermen, is the focus of attention for the industry, scientists, and authorities, who still don't quite know what to do about an event that hasn't occurred in 75 years and which they attribute mainly to climate change. Through the Marine Management Organization (MMO), the Administration is closely monitoring the situation and, in its latest update, reveals that the cephalopod plague continues, with more than 400 tons caught between January and February alone, a 450% increase compared to the same period last year.

The winners of the 2026 Bursary Awards were announced at the Iceland Ocean Cluster Reykjavik. The Awards are given by the organisers of the Icelandic Fisheries & Aquaculture exhibition and conference, (IceFish) which takes place from 22-24 September 2026.

They represent the event’s commitment to, and investment in the future of the commercial fishing and aquaculture industries. The students receive a ISK 300,000 bursary towards their studies. Today the first tranche of the bursary, and a commemorative certificate were presented and the second half of the award will be made in September at the prestigious IceFish Awards Ceremony 

The three worthy recipients are all students at the Icelandic College of Fisheries. They are Katarzyna Staszek, Ewa Jaros and Malgorzata Barbara Sworowska.  All three are studying quality management at the college and working in the commercial fishing industry. Katarzyna at Brim in Reyjavik; Ewa at Jakob Valgeir in Bolungarvik and Malgorzata at Nýfisk Sandgerdi, Sudurnesjaber.

Both Katarzyna and Malgorzata attended the presentation. The Icelandic weather stepped in to prevent Ewa from attending in person but she will receive her certificate from the Headmaster at the College.

The Bursary applications were assessed by a specialist judging panel from the industry, including  Klemenz Sæmundsson, Headmaster of the Icelandic College of Fisheries; Hrefna Karlsdóttir, Senior adviser at Fisheries Iceland; Kjartan Sveinsson, Chairman, National Association of Small Boat Owners; and Bjarni Jonsson, representative of IceFish.

icefish.is 

EU packaging rule changes will require seafood industry to rethink packaging.

New EU packaging rules could force seafood producers to redesign packaging systems over the next decade, according to a researcher at the Norwegian food research institute Nofima.

Writing in an opinion piece published by seafood industry publication IntraFish.no, senior researcher Anlaug Ådland Hansen said the EU’s EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will require a comprehensive review of packaging solutions used in seafood exports.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Salmon farming heavyweight SalMar has secured 6,112 tonnes of biomass allowance in Norway by winning permission to convert eight temporary development licences into permanent standard permits.

The permits – seven of 796 tonnes and one of 540 tonnes – are held by SalMar subsidiary Arctic Offshore Farming AS, in connection with the development of Arctic Offshore Farming concept for exposed offshore locations. The facility is designed as a circular, semi-submersible structure with two cages and a feed barge, where the cages can be operated below the surface to reduce contact with sea lice.The concept was developed by Norway Royal Salmon (NRS) and Aker, which were granted development permits for the project in 2018.

Author: Therese Soltveit / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

The maritime sector is reinforcing its role as one of the major drivers of employment in the global and European economy, combining the enduring relevance of traditional maritime trades with the emergence of new professions linked to digitalization, the energy transition, and technological innovation. Seafarers, shipbuilding and repair personnel, port technicians, logistics specialists, experts in new fuels, and blue biotechnology professionals are already among the most in-demand profiles in an industry undergoing profound transformation.

The maritime-port system requires highly qualified professionals to guarantee navigational safety, the efficiency of logistics chains, and the operation of strategic infrastructure for international trade.

Source: EuropaAzul | Read the full article here

A new global study suggests the fishing industry could dramatically increase the amount of seafood reaching consumers simply by reducing waste after fish are landed.

Researchers found that only about 54% of the world’s harvested fish is ultimately eaten by people, with the rest lost to spoilage, inefficient processing, poor storage or diverted to non-food uses such as fishmeal. By improving handling, storage and processing, that figure could potentially rise to 74% without catching a single extra fish.The research, conducted by scientists at the UCL Energy Institute and collaborators, suggests that better post-harvest practices could generate what the authors call a ‘hidden harvest’.

Source: Worldfishing | Read the full article here

Award winning Scottish salmon farm, Loch Duart is set to return to the Seafood Expo in Boston on the back of a successful US focussed marketing campaign. Loch Duart can be found as part of the Seafood from Scotland section of the event (Stand – 2745), which is North America’s largest seafood trade exposition.

Loch Duart’s heritage breed salmon is growing in popularity in North America and has grown significantly following their recent culinary competition in partnership with Chef’s Roll. 

Source: FIsh Focus | Read the full article here

The record-breaking fish carrier has arrived in Scotland and is in service already

Delivered from Sefine Shipyard in December 2025, the 93-metre live fish carrier Inter Alba has entered service in Scotland and has already successfully completed its first work period, performing combined freshwater and FLS treatment. With a well capacity of approximately 6,500 m³, Inter Alba is currently the largest wellboat operating in Scotland.

Designed by Salt Ship Design AS, the vessel is built around fish welfare, careful handling and high biosecurity. A substantial battery package, combined with heat recovery and other efficiency measures, helps reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Source: FIsh Farmer | Read the full article here

An aerial drone photo taken on March 9, 2026 shows the Dazhou base of the Fisheries Research Institute of Wanzhou District in Chongqing, southwest China.

The Dazhou base serves as a wild acclimation and conservation center for rare fish species from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The facility is equipped with 32 net cages covering about 800 square meters, supporting the protection and breeding of more than 20 rare and commercial fish species.

Each year, the base produces over 20 million high-quality fish fry, playing a key role in regional aquatic conservation and sustainable fisheries development.

In recent years, the institute has strengthened short-term wild acclimation training for fish fry before releasing them into natural waters. The program helps young fish adapt to river conditions, significantly improving survival rates and contributing to the recovery of rare Yangtze River fish populations.

The initiative reflects ongoing efforts in Chongqing to protect biodiversity and restore ecosystems in the upper Yangtze River basin. (Source: Xinhua, photo by Wang Quanchao)