IN BRIEF - Opaz launches tender for works at Fishing Port in Duqm
OMAN
Monday, November 04, 2024
Muscat: The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (Opaz) has announced a tender for the complementary works project at the fishing port in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (Sezad), which includes infrastructure and utility networks.
The tender, funded by the Saudi Development Fund, involves the establishment of utility services, such as road networks, traffic signals, power supply for road lighting, rainwater drainage systems, sewage systems, drinking water networks, fire-fighting systems, and communications at the fishing port in Sezad.
Opaz has invited experienced Omani and Saudi corporate coalitions to participate in the tender through the electronic tender platform “Isnad,” with the deadline for submission of tender documents set for 18 November 2024.
The existing port, covering an area of approximately 7.5 square kilometres, consists of 3.3 kilometres of breakwaters, a fixed quay of 1.3 kilometres, six floating berths with a draft depth of up to 10 metres, and a dedicated berth for Coast Guard boats.
The location of the fishing port in Duqm, part of which is already operational, is strategically close to the planned fisheries and food industries area, designed to meet the basic investment needs for targeted food industries, which currently hosts six factories.
Shetland’s whitefish fleet has received a welcome boost, with nine young men joining crews over the past year despite ongoing pressure from swingeing quota cuts.
Hailing from communities across the isles, the new recruits are gaining experience at sea while looking ahead to long-term careers in the industry, with several already aspiring to become skippers. Their stories feature in the Shetland Fishermen Yearbook 2026, which highlights a renewed sense of optimism within the sector.
Shetland Fishermen’s Association executive officer Sheila Keith said the influx showed the resilience of the local fishing community. “Despite mounting pressures on fisheries, there’s a growing interest among young people in joining the industry. It’s a reminder that the spirit of Shetland’s fishing community remains strong and worth fighting for.”
Among the recruits is 16-year-old Geordie Nicolson of Aith, who joined the Arcturus shortly after leaving school and hopes to work towards his skipper’s ticket. Fellow Aith school leaver Josh Duncan, also 16, has taken up a berth on the Venture with similar ambitions.
Others include Sonny Anderson, 18, fishing aboard the Alison Kay under his father’s command, and Eli Gadsby, 16, who joined the Copious after approaching the skipper directly. Several more young crew member
A Galician trawler, flying the Spanish flag and based in the port of Vigo, has found the body of a man caught in its fishing gear while operating in international waters off Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
According to sources in the sector consulted by Europa Press, the discovery was made on Wednesday, when the crew hauled in the net and found the lifeless body, which may belong to a man of Chinese origin.
A large number of vessels are currently operating in the area, including several Galician boats, although most are Chinese squid jiggers, engaged in squid fishing.
Sources from the Galician Regional Ministry of the Sea (Consellería do Mar) told Europa Press that, for the time being, the vessel continues fishing in the area and is awaiting authorization to transfer the body, in accordance with established protocols.
The Newfoundland fishing grounds have always been a tough, treacherous, and unforgiving area. A rich fishing ground that the Galician fleet has historically managed to navigate, even with the first large vessels, which were rudimentary in their navigation systems and accommodations, and which often brought the worst news for those waiting on land.
It is an area prone to ice formation, which is why the ships must be equipped to withstand not only blocks of ice at sea, but also the enormous weight of the ice that accumulates on the deck and must be broken off by force. And this Thursday, the Grand Banks of Newfoundland are showing their teeth, and will continue to do so for several days.
Author: Lara Graña / Faro de Vigo | Read the full article here
The multinational salmon farming company Mowi closed 2025 with a record harvest volume of 559,000 tons, driven by growth in Norway and Chile, along with a significant improvement in operating costs.
Mowi ASA, the world's largest salmon producer, reported its trading update for the fourth quarter of 2025, highlighting a record annual harvest and solid financial performance across its global value chain.
During Q4 2025, the company recorded a total salmon harvest of 152,000 tons (GWT), exceeding its previously provided market guidance.
Shamim Nyanda, community manager for the forthcoming Women in Ocean Food Africa venture studio, explains her dedication to empowering the continent’s female blue food entrepreneurs.
Following a joint degree in social sciences and education, Nyanda ventured into activism, with a focus on climate, but soon realised that something was missing.
Nyanda’s new role involves running the latest of Hatch Blue’s global innovation studios, following the success of similar women-focused initiatives in Asia and Latin America.
The year-long programme aims to connect 12 women-led teams that are working in Africa’s blue economy with investors, experts and mentors – something that Nyanda understands the need for only too well.
Author: Rob Fletcher / The Fish Site | Read the full article here
After 16 years’ service as CEO of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association (SPFA), Ian Gatt CBE has announced his intention to retire from the role, which has resulted in the SPFA Board appointing well-known Scottish fishing industry figure, Hannah Fennell, as CEO Designate.
Hannah Fennell joins SPFA as CEO Designate on 3 February and will work closely alongside Ian Gatt for the next 12-18 months to familiarise herself with the role before then taking over as CEO.
Ian Gatt (64) has steered SPFA through a challenging period for the Scottish pelagic fishing industry, including international disputes over quota shares and increasing regulation affecting the sector.
Sydney, Australia opened a new AUD 800 million (USD 538 million, EUR 459 million), 26,000-square-meter fish market on 19 January in what it called a “major milestone” for the country’s seafood industry.
The new market, located on Sydney Harbour, was designed by 3XN GXN Architects and the New South Wales (NSW), Australia government called the new building “the world’s best fish market” in a release. NSW said it is now the third major landmark on the harbor’s waterfront, located alongside the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Author: Haley Jones / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
Myanmar earned more than US$278.9 million from fishery exports during the first nine months of the 2025–2026 financial year (April–December), according to the Department of Fisheries.
Over 227,000 metric tonnes of seafood were exported to more than 40 countries, including China, Thailand, Bangladesh and Japan, through both maritime routes and land border trade channels.
Of the total volume, more than 113,500 metric tonnes were shipped by sea, generating an estimated US$177.5 million. A further 114,000 metric tonnes, valued at about US$101.36 million, were exported to neighbouring countries via land borders.
In the previous 2024–2025 financial year (April 2024–March 2025), Myanmar’s fishery exports totalled around 400,000 metric tonnes, earning approximately US$421 million.
Key export products include hilsa, rohu, river catfish, seabass, eel, shrimp and crab, according to the Myanmar Fisheries Federation. The sector is supported by more than 140 cold storage facilities nationwide, with
The MSC's 2025 yearbook confirms that half of the global catch is already certified, but warns of the challenge of extending management agreements and fishing strategies in shared fisheries.
The tuna market is experiencing a quiet acceleration: more traceable product, greater demands for sustainability from large retailers, and a notable increase in the certified supply for consumers. The Sustainable Tuna Yearbook 2025, published by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), quantifies this trend and paints a picture of an industry in transition
The Minister of Rural Affairs, María José Gómez, has asked the Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, what additional "control measures" will be implemented to enforce the agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries. She made these remarks prior to the Sectoral Conference on Agriculture and Fisheries and the Advisory Council on Agricultural and Fisheries Policy for Community Affairs, which she attended remotely, as did her counterpart in Fisheries, Marta Villaverde. As reported by Europa Press, the Minister of Rural Affairs noted that livestock farmers are demonstrating in Galicia and other regions "because it is an agreement that is causing great concern and uncertainty in the sector."
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
OMAN
UNITED KINGDOM.png)
SPAIN.jpg)
CANADA
The Newfoundland fishing grounds have always been a tough, treacherous, and unforgiving area. A rich fishing ground that the Galician fleet has historically managed to navigate, even with the first large vessels, which were rudimentary in their navigation systems and accommodations, and which often brought the worst news for those waiting on land.
NORWAY.png)
The multinational salmon farming company Mowi closed 2025 with a record harvest volume of 559,000 tons, driven by growth in Norway and Chile, along with a significant improvement in operating costs.
TANZANIA.png)
Following a joint degree in social sciences and education, Nyanda ventured into activism, with a focus on climate, but soon realised that something was missing. 
After 16 years’ service as CEO of the
AUSTRALIA
Sydney, Australia opened a new AUD 800 million (USD 538 million, EUR 459 million), 26,000-square-meter fish market on 19 January in what it called a “major milestone” for the country’s seafood industry.
MYANMAR_svg(6).png)
Over 227,000 metric tonnes of seafood were exported to more than 40 countries, including China, Thailand, Bangladesh and Japan, through both maritime routes and land border trade channels.
WORLDWIDE
The MSC's 2025 yearbook confirms that half of the global catch is already certified, but warns of the challenge of extending management agreements and fishing strategies in shared fisheries.
The Minister of Rural Affairs, María José Gómez, has asked the Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, what additional "control measures" will be implemented to enforce the agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries. She made these remarks prior to the Sectoral Conference on Agriculture and Fisheries and the Advisory Council on Agricultural and Fisheries Policy for Community Affairs, which she attended remotely, as did her counterpart in Fisheries, Marta Villaverde. As reported by Europa Press, the Minister of Rural Affairs noted that livestock farmers are demonstrating in Galicia and other regions "because it is an agreement that is causing great concern and uncertainty in the sector."
