The volume of frozen cod imports to South Korea in 2024 has more than halved compared to the previous year.

South Korea imported 504 tons of frozen cod in October, a 41% decrease from the 848 tons imported during the same period last year. Cumulative imports from January to October totaled 5,250 tons, down 50% from 10,569 tons in the same period in 2023. Frozen cod accounted for just 0.72% of the total seafood imports of 732,192 tons.

Most frozen cod imports came from Russia, which supplied 96% of the total volume, or 5,029 tons. The remaining imports were sourced from the United States (125 tons), Canada (75 tons), and China (20 tons). By country, import prices were USD 3.06/kg for Russian cod, USD 2.73/kg for U.S. cod, USD 2.60/kg for Chinese cod, and USD 1.88/kg for Canadian cod, with Canadian cod being the cheapest.

In monetary terms, frozen cod imports in October amounted to USD 1.13 million, a 52% decrease from USD 2.35 million in the same period last year. Year-to-date import value stood at USD 15.94 million, down 59% from USD 39.14 million in 2023. The average import price per kilogram was USD 3.04, an 18% decline from USD 3.70 in the same period last year.

For reference, the domestic wholesale price of frozen cod (Russian origin, 18.5kg, size L) is trading at approximately KRW 88,000 (USD 62.82).

Source: Union Forsea Corp.

MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has allowed the importation of 25,000 metric tons (MT) of frozen fish and aquatic products, saying it is necessary to curb inflation.

In Memorandum Order 51, Tiu Laurel said 24,000 MT of the total would be allocated to import salmon, squid, tuna, black-cod, gindara, halibut sardines and red snapper. The remaining 1,000 MT would be for small pelagic fishes to be sold under the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) program.

“In order to ensure the steady supply of affordable fish and fishery/aquatic products for a food-secure country, taking into consideration public welfare and to support the implementation of KNP, a total volume of 1,000 MT shall be allocated for distribution to the Kadiwa Centers,” Tiu Laurel said.

On the 1st, a large and medium-sized purse seine fishing fleet operating off the coast of Sanriku landed 1,255 tons of mackerel, the highest amount this season, at the Hachinohe Port No. 1 Fish Market in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture.

Mackerel landed at Hachinohe Port by a large to medium-sized purse seine boat at around 11:10 a.m. on the 1st at the No. 1 Fish Market in the port.

This is the first time in three years since November 2021 that the number of mackerel landings has exceeded 1,000 tons in a single day. The landings were made by fish from within and outside the prefecture.

This is already about 30% more than the amount landed in a single month in November last year. On the 21st, about 1,500 tons were landed. Most of the fish were medium-sized, weighing 300 to 400 grams each. The Northern Purse Seine Fleet, which uses large and medium-sized purse seines..

As of the 21st, a total of 27 groups of large and medium-sized northern purse seine fleets were operating in the waters off the coast of Aomori and Iwate. On the same day, there were also fish from Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture

Source: toonippo.co.jp

The General Authority for Fisheries in the Gulf of Aden condemned the provocative and illegal actions carried out by the UAE occupation forces against fishermen in the Shihr area on the Hadhramaut coast.

In a statement issued Saturday, the authority revealed reports of Emirati warships stationed off Hadhramout's coast near Shahir, coupled with the deployment of armed militias to restrict fishermen's freedom.

The authority highlighted that Emirati forces based at Al-Rayyan Airport summoned local collaborators to intimidate fishermen who ventured into the sea, challenging restrictions imposed by the Saudi-Emirati coalition. This coalition enforces an arbitrary ban on Yemeni fishermen operating within the country’s territorial waters in the Arabian Sea.

The authority rejected all measures aimed at restricting the rights of Yemeni fishermen, asserting that such actions violate both national and international laws. It demanded the immediate lifting of these restrictions and an end to violations, calling for fishermen to be allowed to pursue their livelihoods safely and without threats.

As of October 2024, South Korea's frozen ray imports experienced a modest 2% decline compared to the same period in 2023.

According to fisheries import statistics, the cumulative import volume of frozen ray reached 5,786 tons, down from 5,902 tons last year, accounting for 0.8% of South Korea's total seafood imports of 732,192 tons. Despite this overall decrease, October's import volume showed a significant uptick, rising 15% to 716 tons compared to 621 tons in October 2023.

The United States emerged as the leading supplier, contributing 2,875 tons (50% of total imports), followed by Argentina with 1,330 tons (23%). Other notable contributors included Indonesia (320 tons), Brazil (280 tons), and Vietnam (244 tons).

The average import price of frozen ray for 2024 rose by 16% to USD 4.05/kg, up from USD 3.49/kg in 2023. Among exporters, Spain commanded the highest unit price at USD 5.55/kg, followed by the United States at USD 3.57/kg and Indonesia at USD 3.98/kg. In contrast, Papua New Guinea offered the lowest unit price at USD 1.00/kg.

The value of frozen ray imports reflected a more pronounced increase. In October 2024, the import value surged by 45% to USD 3.06 million, compared to USD 2.11 million in October 2023. Cumulatively, the import value rose to USD 23.46 million, a 14% increase from USD 20.60 million during the same period last year.

Source: Union Forsea Corp.

Hybrid flow-through systems (HFS) have the potential to transform the aquaculture industry says new report. 

Hybrid flow-through systems (HFS) could revolutionize aquaculture by offering a sustainable, biosecure alternative to traditional net-pen farming and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), according to a report published by RaboResearch on Wednesday.

However, widespread adoption will require significant financial investment and regulatory support, the report notes.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

A recently launched partnership in Taiwan has set up a fishery improvement project (FIP) for the nation's tuna fishery, aiming to achieve certification to the Marine Stewardship Council standard.

Ocean Outcomes (O2), a U.S.-based nonprofit, partnered with the Taiwan Tuna Longline Association (TTLA), the largest fishing vessel member association in Taiwan, in April 2024 to improve fishing practices among Taiwanese longline tuna vessels. Now, that partnership has launched its first FIP, applying to 41 TTLA vessels with a combined catch of 3,500 metric tons (MT) of Pacific albacore, bigeye, and yellowfin tuna. 

Author: Chris Chase / SeafodoSource l Read the full article here

UK’s best new chippies named as finalists for Newcomer of the Year award. They’ve been on the fish and chip scene for less than two years, but three outstanding chippies in Devon, Yorkshire and Northern Ireland are off to a ‘frying’ start in their business journey having made it to the National Fish & Chip Awards 2025 final in the Newcomer of the Year category.

The chip shop contenders have excelled during numerous judging stages where they were grilled on all aspects of the industry including product knowledge, environmental and sustainability best practice, teamwork and more.

Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here