The herring fishery in Prince William Sound, Alaska, is set to open this week for the first time since 1998 due to an estimated spawning biomass of 35,485 short tons, surpassing the minimum threshold of 22,000 tons.

However, concerns remain as harvesters are struggling to find buyers, with canneries currently closed reports Margaret Bauman for The Cordova times.

Photo usgs.gov ==>

Cordova City Council member and commercial fisher Ken Jones expressed excitement but noted uncertainty about market readiness and local permit ownership. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has established a conservative 500-ton harvest guideline.

Veteran harvester John Renner mentioned potential interest from Trident for bait but no confirmed buyers. This is the fourth consecutive year the biomass has been above the threshold, suggesting possible stock recovery. Fishers remain hopeful for future market opportunities and are also looking at related fisheries, like sea cucumber, to expand prospects.

In a formal disclosure on the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX), Oman Fisheries Company announced the termination of the services of its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Miguel Sanchez.

Muscat – According to the statement, Sanchez’s last working day will be December 31, 2024.

The company cited “noticeable performance and unacceptable decline in Mr. Sanchez’s job performance” as the primary reason for the termination.

“This decision was made due to a noticeable performance and unacceptable decline in Mr. Sanchez’s job performance, as well as the Board’s strategic direction towards restructuring as part of the company’s transformation plan,” stated the company’s disclosure on MSX.

Santiago de Chile - This Monday, Chile and South Africa signed a cooperation agreement in the field of fishing and aquaculture, with the aim of exchanging information and establishing a Technical Committee in this sector, according to the Chilean Foreign Ministry.

"The signing of this agreement is aligned with our policy of marine conservation and sustainability, both nationally and internationally. Currently, we are implementing specific measures to protect marine biodiversity,", said the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs of Chile, Gloria de la Fuente, in a statement.

The agreement, which was signed together with the Vice Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment of South Africa, Narend Sing, "will allow both countries to collaborate and share information, experiences and knowledge in areas of research, conservation, management and sustainable use of marine resources," thus contributing to the advancement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans.

In addition, both nations discussed various opportunities for collaboration in the areas of fishing, sustainability and the environment, as well as Chile's possible application to host the Secretariat of the Agreement on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ).

Source: EFE

The European Commission has published its proposed 2025 catch limits for ten fish stocks in the EU waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Kattegat and Skagerrak.

Limits for eight stocks are in line with the scientifically advised maximum sustainable yield, whilst one is above to allow mixed fisheries to continue. A six-month ban on eel fishing will remain in place.

Limits for five stocks have been increased, namely anglerfish, megrims and horse mackerel in Atlantic Iberian waters, Norway lobster in the southern Bay of Biscay and Cantabrian Sea, and common sole in the Bay of Biscay.

Source: Worldfishing l Read the full article here

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has launched a new venture designed to incentivize fisheries improvement and prepare them for certification.

The MSC Improved Program will accelerate the improvement of fisheries that do not currently meet the conditions of the MSC Fisheries Standard. According to MSC, the program will offer support and incentives to fisheries in exchange for following an independently verified action plan and making measurable improvements over a five-year period.

Author: Nathan Strout / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

As of September 2024, South Korea has seen a significant increase in the importation of Boiled Frozen Octopus, both in volume and value, compared to the previous year.

In September alone, 179 tons were imported, representing a 47% increase over the 122 tons imported in September 2023. The total import volume for the year to date has reached 1,292 tons, reflecting a 23% rise from last year's 1,017 tons. This accounts for approximately 0.2% of South Korea's total seafood imports, which amount to 651,137 tons.

The Philippines emerged as the leading supplier, providing 1,124 tons and making up 87% of the total imports. This was followed by Indonesia with 141 tons, Vietnam with 14 tons, Madagascar with 8 tons, and China contributing 5 tons. The highest import price per kilogram was reported from the Philippines at USD 9.10, followed by Indonesia at USD 7.34, and China at USD 3.80 per kg.

The import value for September reached USD 1.51 million, a 53% increase from USD 990,000 recorded in the same month of 2023. The cumulative import value for the year rose by 23% to USD 11.36 million, compared to USD 9.27 million in 2023. Despite the overall increase, the average import price per kilogram dropped slightly to USD 8.79, around 4% lower than last year's average of USD 9.12.

These trends indicate a dynamic shift in sourcing and market conditions for Boiled Frozen Octopus, highlighting evolving import strategies and supplier relationships.

In South Korea's domestic wholesale market, Boiled Frozen Octopus sourced from Mauritania is typically priced at approximately KRW 194,000 for an 8 kg size, with options including sizes 8 and 9.

Source: Union Forsea Corp.

The Norwegian Seafood Council is conducting a new user survey in collaboration with Ipsos to ensure that our products and services effectively meet the needs and expectations of the seafood industry. This survey will now be conducted annually.

Photo: Norwegian Seafood Council

The primary goal of the survey is to evaluate the Seafood Council's offerings. By gathering valuable feedback, we can assess and enhance our capacity to deliver impactful and relevant solutions for the Norwegian seafood sector.

The survey focuses on two main areas:

1. The Seafood Council's initiatives aimed at the seafood industry
2. The Council's products and services

These areas are evaluated based on three key criteria:

• Awareness of our products and services
• Perceived importance of these products and services
• Overall satisfaction with our offerings

This approach provides a clear understanding of how our services are perceived and highlights areas for improvement.

The survey results will inform our efforts to refine and prioritize our products and services, ensuring that we address the actual needs of the industry.

By participating in the survey, members of the seafood industry play a crucial role in shaping future solutions, enabling us to collectively maximize the value of Norwegian seafood.