IN BRIEF - ICFA Releases Resolution Ahead of United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29)
AZERBAIJAN
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Baku, Azerbaijan — As global leaders convene for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29), the International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) is calling on policymakers to recognize and address the critical relationship between fisheries and climate change. ICFA highlights that climate action in the fisheries sector is essential for food security, ecosystem health, and achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).
ICFA’s Key Messages for COP 29:
Climate Threats to Fisheries: Rising ocean temperatures, acidification, and species migration are destabilizing marine ecosystems and fish stocks, with far-reaching consequences for global food security and coastal economies.
"Blue Foods" for a Low-Carbon Future: Fisheries products, or “blue foods,” are among the lowest carbon-impact animal proteins. Increasing their share in global diets can help lower food system emissions and advance SDGs like SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Adaptation for Marine Resilience: ICFA urges COP 29 participants to prioritize adaptation strategies that strengthen ocean resilience and protect sustainable fish resources.
Collaborative Climate Solutions: A coordinated approach between policymakers and the fisheries sector is essential to develop effective, practical climate solutions.
Read ICFA’s full resolution on climate and fisheries here.
Bømlo-based Napier has signed a shipbuilding contract with Freire Shipyard in Vigo, Spain, for the construction of a new salmon processing vessel to be named Tauriko.
The vessel will be based on the design of Napier’s recently delivered Tauroa and upcoming sister ship Tautiki, but with several modifications, including higher speed and upgraded logistics systems. Napier said Tauriko will have a top speed of up to 18 knots and new discharge technology designed to reduce processing costs per kilo of fish.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
The Common Fisheries Policy establishes as a general objective “to ensure that fisheries and aquaculture activities are environmentally sustainable in the long term and are managed coherently to generate economic, social, and employment benefits, and contribute to the availability of food products.” Economics is a fundamental part of this process; however, decision-making seems to be based solely on biological data.
Fisheries and aquaculture play a key role in food security and the economic development of coastal communities. In the European Union (EU), fisheries and aquaculture production, with more than €5.4 billion in gross value added (GVA) and almost 198,000 jobs in 2022, contributed approximately 0.03% of total EU GVA and accounted for 0.10% of total EU employment.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
The Takaichi Sanae Cabinet, inaugurated on October 21, has appointed Norikazu Suzuki as the new Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.
Suzuki (LDP, member of the House of Representatives), who is 43 years old, is a former bureaucrat at the same ministry and originally hails from the rice-producing region of Yamagata.
In his first press conference on October 22, the young minister clearly stated his priority: "I would like to visit as many sites as possible, put the site first, and approach agricultural, forestry and fisheries administration with the sensibilities of those on the ground."
This declaration underscores the shift in his leadership's focus. In addition to his experience as a former Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (2011–2012), Prime Minister Takaichi has given him a specific mandate: to promote the nation's food security.
Suzuki pledged to work together with the ministry's 20,000 staff members to implement policies that prioritize the needs of farmers, foresters, and fishermen. His appointment, and his emphasis on the field, send a clear signal about the importance of local production on the government's agenda.
Jersey's environment minister has been asked to clarify claims French authorities had "refused" island scallops packed in ice made from island tap water because it did not have the "appropriate" paperwork.
The Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel said it wanted details on "specific circumstances surrounding this issue" and the "current position regarding any such requirements for seafood exports".
It comes after Minister Steve Luce told a hearing it was becoming increasingly difficult to meet French seafood requirements.
Author: Julia Gregory / BBC | Read the full article here
Mowi’s Scottish Salmon Fillets picked up the Consumer Choice prize at the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s awards event last night. The event also saw awards for aquafeed business BioMar, New England Seafood International, Birds Eye and Sainsbury’s.
At the fifth annual ASC Awards, held in Edinburgh in partnership with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), ASC celebrated excellence across the seafood supply chain — from major retailers and suppliers to brands and producers — honouring those driving meaningful change in the farmed seafood sector.
Author: Robert Outram / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
The President of the Republic assures that they will go to court over the order for two patrol boats. The management of the Galician company: "We have not been formally informed of anything." Four soldiers from the South American country were arrested in April.
A major setback for the Galician shipyard Cardama: the largest contract in its century-long history has been canceled. The President of the Republic of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, announced Wednesday night that his government will file a complaint "with the courts in both the civil and criminal phases" after detecting "strong indications of fraud or defrauding the State"
Author: Alejandra Pascual / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Four companies from the Los Lagos Region, Chile, are participating in a trade mission organized by ProChile at AquaExpo Guayaquil 2025, the most significant shrimp farming event in Latin America, taking place in Ecuador from October 20 to 23.
The main objective is to showcase aquaculture innovation from southern Chile and strengthen the bilateral cooperation between Chile and Ecuador.
The firms Kura Biotech, Keepex, Innovex, and Pesquera La Portada represent the region at this key platform.
Ricardo Arriagada, ProChile Los Lagos Regional Director, emphasized that this mission is a continuous effort to diversify export offerings and connect Chilean suppliers with major markets on the continent, allowing them to establish strategic alliances and drive internationalization.
Meanwhile, Susan Rojas, ProChile Commercial Director in Ecuador, highlighted the strong positioning of Chile, and Los Lagos in particular, within the Ecuadorian industry. Chilean knowledge and experience are the major differentiator sought by sector players. This relationship has been further strengthened by the prior participation of Ecuadorian companies in ENEXPRO, contributing to stronger bilateral cooperation and commercial opportunities in the aquaculture sector.
This event underscores Chile's commitment to innovation and the expansion of its aquaculture technology solutions across the region.
PRODUCE Announces Final Dates for Giant Squid (Dosidicus gigas) Fishing and Warns of Sanctions for Non-Compliance
LIMA – Peru's Ministry of Production (PRODUCE), through its General Directorate of Supervision, Inspection, and Sanction (DGSFS-PA), has officially announced the deadlines for the fishing activity of the giant squid or pota (Dosidicus gigas), a vital hydrobiological resource for the artisanal fleet.
According to Communique N° 031-2025-PRODUCE/DGSFS-PA and within the framework of Ministerial Resolution N.° 000123-2025-PRODUCE, all fishing vessel owners are informed:
The last departure date for artisanal fishing vessels was October 19, 2025.
The final and unextendable landing of the resource must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on October 28, 2025.
Peruvian authorities have emphasized the strictness of these dates. They warn that any unauthorized departure or landing outside the established deadline will lead to the initiation of administrative sanctioning procedures and the application of corrective measures, in accordance with Supreme Decree N.° 017-2017-PRODUCE. Additionally, legal actions may be filed with the competent authorities. This measure seeks to ensure the sustainable management of this valuable marine resource.
LOMÉ – The third edition of BlueInvest Africa transformed Lomé, Togo, into the nerve center of Africa's blue economy between October 15 and 16, 2025.
The event, organized by the European Union with Togolese support, gathered over 300 in-person and 100 online participants, connecting innovative entrepreneurs with investors to drive solutions in food security, marine pollution, and climate resilience.
Twenty-three startups and SMEs from countries like Senegal and Zambia pitched their projects. Six received session awards, and the Grand Prize went to Mohamed Trimeche, from Société Tunisienne d’Élevage de Poissons – STEP (Tunisia), for his scalable sustainable aquaculture. Other winners included projects from Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, and Madagascar.
Leaders from institutions such as the EIB, UNDP, FAO, and the World Bank participated in strategic discussions. Stanislas BABA, Minister Secretary-General of the Government of Togo, highlighted the country's importance as a maritime hub: "Over 90% of Togo's trade is carried out by sea." Gwilym Ceri Jones, EU Ambassador to Togo, emphasized that Togo's selection was not "casual."
Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the European Commission, underscored that success is measured by the positive impact on people's lives. The initiative will continue in 2026 in South Africa, solidifying its role as a key platform for African blue innovation.
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