IN BRIEF - Presentation of the CHONOS Initiative at the Ocean EDITO 2024 Digital Forum, Brussels 2024
BELGIUM
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Brussels - During the Ocean EDITO 2024 Digital Forum, Elías Pinilla, researcher at the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), presented the innovative CHONOS Initiative, a program whose central objective is the sustainable management of the coasts in the Chilean Patagonia region, through ocean observations and simulations.
Presentation of the CHONOS Initiative at the Ocean EDITO 2024 Digital Forum, Brussels 2024.
Aligned with the UN Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development, the European Digital Twin Ocean (EU DTO) is a multidimensional virtual representation of the ocean. It combines marine observations, artificial intelligence, and ocean models operating on high-performance computers. This flagship initiative of the European Commission, co-developed by Mercator Ocean International and the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), was presented at the Digital Ocean Forum 2024, offering new capabilities for marine data exploration and decision-making. The forum brought together experts and representatives of mainly European initiatives, which makes the presence of IFOP's CHONOS especially relevant as an outstanding example of 'Digital Ocean' applied to the complexity of the channels and fjords of Patagonia.
The introduction of CHONOS and the discussion forums is a significant recognition, as it positions IFOP on the global map of advanced science-based ocean research and management.
Chilean aquaculture has positioned itself as a global production powerhouse, particularly in salmon farming. However, the current international landscape presents a deeper challenge: moving from a leadership model based on volume to one based on innovation, technology, and exportable knowledge.
Chile is currently a global leader in aquaculture due to its scale, production efficiency, and specialization, particularly in the salmon industry. However, when we talk about aquaculture innovation in the strict sense—that is, the capacity to develop its own technology, generate intellectual property, scale solutions, and export knowledge.
The intensity of the damage suffered by the fishing and aquaculture sector will be directly proportional to the duration of the military crisis and the level of disruption to fossil fuel extraction infrastructure. This was the conclusion reached on Monday by the Spanish Aquaculture Business Association (APROMAR), Cepesca, and the National Federation of Fishermen's Associations at a meeting convened by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, to analyze the consequences of the recent attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran for the fishing and aquaculture sector. The meeting focused particularly on the situation arising from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the disruption to oil and natural gas flows.
Source: iPac.aquacultura | Read the full article here
With Seafood Expo North America taking place in Boston on 15-17 March, Rob Lewis, head of technical and innovation at Catapult Print, a leading US-based linerless label provider for the seafood sector, discusses the advantages of linerless labels in driving operational efficiency, reducing waste and delivering quality and compliance.
With so much volatility and price fluctuation in the seafood market, hanging on to market share and margin is more challenging than ever. Keeping quality high and costs down is critical, which is why both seafood producers and retailers are increasingly looking to linerless labels to help them achieve both of those goals.
Labels may not seem like a major part of the cost profile for seafood products, but when labelling fails, the impact on production is immediate and significant. Quality issues, such as labels detaching due to moisture or smearing under stress, can result in inconsistency across SKUs, compliance failures, and even rejected shipments.
Nearly 40% of fish died in first hit from 2025 algae crisis.
A research paper published in the Journal of Fish Diseases has documented 39.5% acute mortality at the first salmon farm struck by the 2025 algae bloom in northern Norway.
The first signs were reduced appetite and turbid water, followed by behavioural changes and rapid fish death. Water samples confirmed dominance of Phaeocystis pouchetii and Chrysochromulina leadbeateri. Post-mortem examination and histopathological findings in gills and liver confirmed algae as the cause of death.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Air China Cargo has expanded its operation between Chengdu and Glasgow Prestwick Airport to a daily service on the back of rising demand
The service between Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Prestwick was launched in June 2025 and had been operating four times per week until yesterday, when the frequency was increased. It carries Chinese goods to Scotland and exports such as salmon, caught seafood, and whisky, to China.
Daily connectivity enables Scottish exporters to move premium products such as salmon, seafood, and whisky into China while also supporting faster and more reliable imports into Scotland from one of China’s most dynamic manufacturing regions
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The managers of Profand and Lanzal explain how Galician companies are consolidating their presence in Patagonia and learning to cope with economic and labor fluctuations
With wild shrimp as their flagship product, Galician companies located in Argentine Patagonia are consolidating their presence in the region and learning to deal with the ups and downs of the economy. Bureaucracy, inflation, currency exchange rates, taxes, and a highly conflictive labor environment are some of the issues mentioned by the managers of two of the most important Galician fishing companies: Profand and Lanzal.
Despite the risks and challenges, wild shrimp is a premium product that can only be found in Argentine waters. "The main problem we have is competition from vannamei shrimp."
Author: Cecilia Valdez / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
At the initiative of the Ministries of Energy and of the Sea and Fisheries, the French government convened an emergency meeting with the fishing sector to assess the impact of rising fuel prices on fishing activity following the Iran-Contra conflict and the mitigation measures to be adopted. During the meeting, several commitments were made to establish an initial aid package. It was agreed that, like price increases, reductions in fuel prices would be reflected at the pump, that retailers would review potential price support measures using existing tax instruments, and that banks would immediately assess, on a case-by-case basis, the situation of fleets facing liquidity difficulties.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
ULMA Packaging UK has appointed Paul Morican as managing director, strengthening its senior management team as the business continues to expand its offering of automation and packaging solutions across the UK and Ireland.
Having joined the business at the end of January 2026, Morican brings more than two decades of leadership experience across the packaging technology, processing equipment and industrial manufacturing sectors.
He began his career as a Royal Naval officer before moving into the packaging equipment sector in 1996. During spells since in industrial coding and marking, industrial and food processing sectors, he has built a strong commercial track record, delivering growth and developing performing teams as key account manager, sales team manager, head of sales and sales director.
The UK arm of supermarket chain Lidl has confirmed it has eliminated eyestalk ablation from its core own-brand farmed prawn range — effective since January 2026 — and said it will implement electrical stunning by the end of 2026.
Animal welfare organisations have hailed the announcement as a success following a campaign that has now seen 10 out of 11 UK supermarket chains setting time-bound welfare standfards for shrimp in their supply chains.
Until recently, welfare issues for crustaceans were seen as a low priority by retailers and the public.
Author: Robert Outram / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Mowi CP of Americas, a subsidiary of Bergen, Norway-based salmon-farming firm Mowi, is unveiling new packaging across several brands at the 2026 Seafood Expo North America (SENA).
At this year’s SENA, the subsidiary is highlighting both its core product lines along with new products across fresh, smoked, and frozen salmon categories. Additionally, it is rolling out a new packaging identity, designed to rejuvenate its Mowi, Ducktrap, and Marine Harvest by Mowi brands.
Ducktrap’s new packaging in particular, developed over many months, will begin rolling out in 2026 and transition fully through 2027, according to the firm.
Author: Christine Blank / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
Global Scallop Trade Shifts as U.S. Faces Shortage of Premium Sizes Worldwide
Chinese small scallops fill U.S. supply gap while French exports reshape China’s seafood imports
As the U.S. Atlantic scallop fishing season approaches its close, the market is experiencing a p...
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BELGIUM.png)
CHILE
Chilean aquaculture has positioned itself as a global production powerhouse, particularly in salmon farming. However, the current international landscape presents a deeper challenge: moving from a leadership model based on volume to one based on innovation, technology, and exportable knowledge.
SPAIN
The intensity of the damage suffered by the fishing and aquaculture sector will be directly proportional to the duration of the military crisis and the level of disruption to fossil fuel extraction infrastructure. This was the conclusion reached on Monday by the Spanish Aquaculture Business Association (
UNITED STATES.png)
With so much volatility and price fluctuation in the seafood market, hanging on to market share and margin is more challenging than ever. Keeping quality high and costs down is critical, which is why both seafood producers and retailers are increasingly looking to linerless labels to help them achieve both of those goals.
NORWAY
A research paper published in the Journal of Fish Diseases has documented 39.5% acute mortality at the first salmon farm struck by the 2025 algae bloom in northern Norway.
CHINA.png)
The service between Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Prestwick was launched in June 2025 and had been operating four times per week until yesterday, when the frequency was increased. It carries Chinese goods to Scotland and exports such as salmon, caught seafood, and whisky, to China.
ARGENTINA.png)
With wild shrimp as their flagship product, Galician companies located in Argentine Patagonia are consolidating their presence in the region and learning to deal with the ups and downs of the economy. Bureaucracy, inflation, currency exchange rates, taxes, and a highly conflictive labor environment are some of the issues mentioned by the managers of two of the most important Galician fishing companies: Profand and Lanzal.
FRANCE
At the initiative of the Ministries of Energy and of the Sea and Fisheries, the French government convened an emergency meeting with the fishing sector to assess the impact of rising fuel prices on fishing activity following the Iran-Contra conflict and the mitigation measures to be adopted. During the meeting, several commitments were made to establish an initial aid package. It was agreed that, like price increases, reductions in fuel prices would be reflected at the pump, that retailers would review potential price support measures using existing tax instruments, and that banks would immediately assess, on a case-by-case basis, the situation of fleets facing liquidity difficulties.
UNITED KINGDOM.png)
Having joined the business at the end of January 2026, Morican brings more than two decades of leadership experience across the packaging technology, processing equipment and industrial manufacturing sectors..png)
The UK arm of supermarket chain 
Mowi CP of Americas, a subsidiary of Bergen, Norway-based salmon-farming firm 
