Pangasius surimi, sourced from a freshwater fish primarily farmed in Asia, is gaining interest as a potential substitute for Alaska pollock in the Japanese manufacture of kamaboko, chikuwa, and other fish paste products.

Photo: NamMy Seafood

According to a report by Nikkei Suisan Keizai, difficulties in procuring US surimi—traditionally dominant in this market—are driving the search for new raw materials.

The trend coincides with a crisis declaration issued on October 15 by the Japan Kamaboko Association, which warned of historically high prices and supply restrictions.

Pangasius offers a potential alternative to diversify suppliers and reduce costs, though its widespread adoption will depend on texture, gelling capacity, quality, and commercial acceptance.

Recruitment practices involving foreign fishing crew members could undermine international confidence in South Korean seafood and increase demands for labor traceability.

SEOUL -  South Korean lawmaker Lee Jae-gwan (pictured) has raised concerns over shortcomings in the oversight of foreign crew recruitment during a parliamentary audit of the fisheries sector.

According to data provided by the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (Suhyup), 11 of the 15 recruitment management companies examined had collected up to five years of labor management service fees in advance. A government survey also found that 74.6% of the 311 workers interviewed had paid deposits intended to prevent them from leaving their jobs.

The lawmaker warned that such practices could damage international confidence in South Korea's fishing industry amid growing scrutiny of forced labor risks in seafood supply chains.

This is a joint media release from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and the Australian Border Force (ABF).

Fourteen (14) Indonesian nationals have pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters at Darwin Local Court on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. The charges followed apprehension of two foreign fishing vessels by Australian authorities attached to Maritime Border Command (MBC) during September 2026.

The first fishing vessel was detected and intercepted north of Cape Wessel, Northern Territory, on 9 September 2026. Six crew were on board, along with 70 kilograms of flying fish roe, 135 aggregation devices used to harvest the roe and 30 kilograms of dried fish.

The second fishing vessel was detected in the Torres Strait by aerial surveillance and subsequently intercepted under Operation BROADSTAFF. Eight crew members were on board, along with 600 kilograms of shark, 500 kilograms of reef fish and 4000 metres of fishing net. 

Salmon farmer Bakkafrost Scotland’s operating loss increased from £6 million in 2024 to £58.1m last year, newly published accounts show.

Its financial loss after tax increased from £23.5m to £63.9m.

The increased losses came during a year when a significant increase in global supply of salmon, particularly from Norway, led to lower market prices which negatively affected financial performance, wrote Bakkafrost Scotland’s directors.

Author: Gareth Moore / fishfarmingexperrt | Read the full article here

The company, which farms the premium white fish off the Norwegian coast, continued its positive operational development with a significantly higher third quarter harvest and sales volumes.

Nordic Halibut also enjoyed stable pricing and strong biomass growth for its fish. It reported an average sales price of 171 NOK per kilo for fresh HOG (head on, gutted) halibut compared to 170 NOK per kilo recorded in the same period last year.

A total of 276 metric tons HOG were harvested during the quarter, compared with 152 tons in Q3 2025.

Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here

The Antarctic Peninsula MPA and precautionary krill management are critical steps towards representative protection of the Southern Ocean by 2030.

Antarctica2030, a global movement uniting leaders to champion the protection of Antarctica’s Southern Ocean, is urging governments meeting in Hobart from 19 to 30 October to adopt the Antarctic Peninsula Marine Protected Area (Domain 1 MPA) and agree a roadmap to complete their commitments to safeguard the Southern Ocean by 2030.

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here

Alliance promotes tuna, albacore and culinary heritage.

Bermeo Tuna World Capital and Bilbao Hospitality School (ESHBI) signed a strategic agreement to train young chefs in sustainable tuna and albacore gastronomy, strengthen local hospitality, preserve traditional recipes and promote innovation, responsible consumption and Bermeo's maritime heritage.

The collaboration will also seek to strengthen the role of the hospitality sector as an ambassador for the region. With a particular focus on Bermeo and Urdaibai—and looking toward the broader area of ??Bizkaia and the Basque Country—both entities will promote awareness and the proper use of *bonito* (tuna).

www.bermeotuna.org

Yesterday morning maritime authorities in the Aysén region of Chile received a report that the wellboat Vali had run aground after hitting rocks

At the time, the vessel - operated by Naviera Detroit Chile - was carrying out work for the Serrano fish farm at Isla Verdugo, about 18 nautical miles southeast of Melinka in the Aysén region.

According to the Chilean Navy, the 63-metre-long vessel began taking on water after the grounding. 

Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here