The research vessel Árni Friðriksson arrived in Akureyri a week ago after completing a week-long survey of capelin spawning migrations east and north of Iceland.

Árni Friðriksson tracks in the capelin survey 5-12 January 2026 (pink) along with acoustic values ??for capelin (red lines perpendicular to the survey tracks). The grey line shows the 400 m depth contour. Source: hafogvatn

The survey aimed to map the current distribution of the capelin stock to support planning and assessment of a forthcoming comprehensive survey.

Findings indicate that the traditional eastward spawning migration has not yet progressed. The leading edge of the migration was located northeast of Langanes, where capelin abundance was negligible. Capelin were subsequently observed along the continental shelf edge toward the Kolbeinsey Ridge and farther west, where the highest densities were recorded.

Stormy weather prevented the vessel from surveying areas farther west, while sea ice off the Westfjords also limited coverage.

Based on these results, a more extensive assessment of the capelin stock is planned for early next week. The survey will involve five vessels: the research ships Árni Friðriksson and Þórunn Þórðardóttir, and the fishing vessels Barði, Heimaey and Polar Ammassak.

Polish fishermen have stopped landing sprat at the port of Nexø because prices have fallen too low, according to Danish media Fiskeritidende.

A difference of just two Danish kroner per kilo — approximately $0.31 USD/kg — has led Polish sprat fishermen to prefer landing their catch in Poland rather than on Bornholm. This pricing gap is reported by TV2 Bornholm.

In Poland, fishermen can receive about 4.60 DKK per kilo (roughly $0.72 USD/kg), while in Nexø they were offered around 2.60 DKK per kilo (about $0.41 USD/kg).

The price drop is attributed to lower demand, partly because mink feed factories in the Bornholm port city no longer operate at previous levels. Additionally, sprat is widely regarded as an edible fish in Poland, sustaining stronger local demand.

The shift has had noticeable economic effects on the Port of Nexø. In past years the port earned over 1 million DKK in landing fees (more than $155,000 USD), but this year it expects re

CPS brings charges over alleged Scottish salmon misrepresentation.

Four individuals have been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in connection with the alleged misrepresentation of smoked salmon products.

The charges follow what the Food Standards Agency said was a lengthy and complex investigation carried out by its National Food Crime Unit (NFCU). The defendants appeared at York Magistrates’ Court this week and have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Scottish and several Nordic salmon farmers face the possibility of new turmoil following President Donald Trump’s decision to increase tariffs to several countries over Greenland.

The President has decided to slap extra tariffs on the UK, Norway and the Faroe island, along with a number of other European countries, because they sent military personnel to Greenland last week.

He is demanding that Denmark sells the large Arctic island to the US, claiming that if he doesn’t get it China or Russia will.

His move has wider political and economic implications for everyone, but the threat to European seafood exporters will be almost immediate.

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

Vietnamese seafood company agrees to use stunner to slaughter 1,800 tonnes that will be prioritised by UK-based supplier

Vietnamese food and seafood company Trang Corporation has joined the Shrimp Welfare Project’s Humane Slaughter Initiative to advance higher-welfare harvest practices in shrimp farming.

Trang Corporation has committed to electrically stun 1,800 tonnes of shrimps annually using a shrimp stunner granted by Shrimp Welfare Project (SWP).

UK-based seafood supplier Trangs Group has also joined the partnership by agreeing to prioritise the purchase of the humanely slaughtered shrimps from Trang Corporation.

Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

A new study from the ZeroKyst project evaluates whether Norwegian fishing vessels can reduce emissions by using battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies.

The analysis compares three power systems for a 10.5-meter coastal gillnet vessel: a diesel-mechanical system (DMS), a diesel–battery hybrid (PHS), and a hydrogen fuel cell–battery hybrid (SHS), using a life cycle assessment (LCA).

The results show that diesel systems produce the highest direct climate and health impacts due to fuel combustion. Hybrid systems reduce operational emissions but increase environmental impacts during the manufacturing phase, mainly from batteries and fuel cells.

The SHS configuration achieves the largest emission reductions—up to 92%—when powered by renewable electricity and hydrogen produced in Norway, enabling near-zero operational emissions. However, its performance depends heavily on energy sources, component lifetimes, and infrastructure, increasing cost and technical risks. The PHS option delivers around a 30% reduction in climate impact using mature technology and existing fuel infrastructure, making it a more practical short-term solution for many coastal vessels.

The study concludes that hydrogen systems offer long-term potential, while diesel–battery hybrids currently provide the most feasible pathway to lower-emission fishing operations. The research forms part of the ZeroKyst KSP project and a PhD program, with the paper under journal review and a pre-print available.

Maersk will implement its first structural return of the MECL service to the trans-Suez route, following improved stability in the Red Sea. The move is expected to enable more efficient transit times while maintaining safety as the company’s top priority.

After the successful trans-Suez transits of the Maersk Sebarok and Maersk Denver, A.P. Moller – Maersk has decided to introduce its first permanent service adjustment back to the Suez Canal. The change applies to the MECL service, allowing Maersk to revert to its originally designed service pattern and offer customers shorter and more reliable transit times. The MECL service is operated exclusively by Maersk and connects the Middle East and India with the U.S. East Coast.

Maersk will continue to closely monitor the security situation in the Middle East. Any further adjustments to the MECL service will remain dependent on sustained stability in the Red Sea and the absence of regional escalation. The safety of crews, vessels, and customers’ cargo remains the company’s highest priority. Contingency plans are in place should conditions deteriorate, including the possibility of reverting individual sailings—or the entire MECL service—back to th

Landed catch in December 2025 totaled just over 53 thousand tonnes, which is 13% less than in December of the previous year.

click on the image to enlarge it | Source: auðlindin.is

Demersal fish catches decreased by 13% year on year, pelagic catches by 12%, while flatfish catches fell by 30%, according to Statistics Iceland.

In 2025, a total of 1,032 thousand tonnes were landed, representing a 4% increase compared to 2024. Pelagic catches rose by 8%, while flatfish catches declined by 17% and demersal catches by 1%.