Media and communications personnel from FFA Members are gathered in Suva for a three-day long training workshop ahead of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC21) that commences from 28 November – 03 December.

The workshop aims to build the capacity of fisheries media and communications personnel to effectively cover fisheries policies, promote media relations, and facilitate informed public dialogue around key issues—particularly those discussed during the upcoming WCPFC21.

FFA Deputy Director-General, Dr Pio Manoa officially opened the workshop on Monday followed by remarks from the WCPFC Executive Director, Rhea Moss-Christian.

“The WCPFC is the regional fisheries management organisation in the region so the interests of FFA Members must always be safeguarded in the binding rules and decisions of the Commission,” Dr Manoa explained in acknowledging the WCPFC’s role in Pacific fisheries.

“This is an exciting three days we will have here, and I am particularly proud to see a solid team of instructors that have availed themselves to come and support the training this week.”

The three days workshop also includes the participation of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Board Members, providing a unique opportunity for fisheries communications representatives to build and extend their relationships with the mainstream media.

Pakistan earned $116.115 million by exporting 54,539 metric tonnes of fish and fish preparations during the first four months of fiscal year 2024-25, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported.

As compared to the exports of $123.965 million during fiscal year 2023-24, the fish exports during the period under review witnessed a decline of 6.33 per cent, according to PBS data.

In terms of quantity, the exports of fish and fish preparations decreased by 0.04 per cent during the period when compared to exports of 54,562 metric tonnes during the last fiscal year.

On a year-on-year basis, the seafood exports increased by 12.78 per cent to $46.009 million in October 2024 as compared to the exports of $40.797 million in October 2023.

In terms of quantity, the exports witnessed a 27.93 per cent increase by going up from 16,724 metric tonnes last October to 21,395 metric tonnes during October 2024.

Egypt and Liberia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on aquaculture development, officials announced.

(L to R) Emma Catherine Metieh, director general of the NFAA and Hussein Farahat, executive director of the LPRDA

The agreement, signed Monday by the Egyptian Lake Protection and Fish Resources Development Authority (LPRDA) and Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NFAA), aims to boost sustainable development and economic integration in the fisheries sector.

The collaboration is part of a broader Egyptian effort to strengthen partnerships with African nations. Egyptian political leaders have actively promoted cooperation across the continent, addressing issues including peace and security, counter-terrorism, conflict resolution, and the economic impacts of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, as well as climate change and food security. This includes support for Agenda 2063, the African Union’s development plan.

The LPRDA-NFAA MOU focuses on several key areas. These include improving governance in the aquaculture sector, combating illegal fishing practices, fostering aquaculture development, sharing expertise, strengthening scientific research, and promoting trade between Egypt and Liberia.

Nordic Aqua (Ningbo) Co., Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Nordic Aqua Partners (“Nordic Aqua”) has entered into a 30-year rental agreement for land and production facilities with Xiangshan Government through its affiliated company, Xiangshan Strait Economic & Technological Cooperation Co., Ltd.

The agreement enables Nordic Aqua to develop Stage 3 of its land-based farming facility in Ningbo, China, allowing for an annual production capacity of 20,000 tonnes; adding 12,000 tons to the 4,000 tons in production and the 4,000 tons under construction (first harvest Q3/26)

Simultaneously, existing rental agreements for Stage 1 and Stage 2 are extended to 30 years, aligning maturity for all three stages, with an option to buy out the entire facility should Nordic Aqua so want.

CEO Ragnar Joensen comments:

“The agreements formalize the necessary long-term conditions for the development of our operations and is yet another confirmation of the dedication and support we enjoy from the local authorities in the region.”

Under the agreement, the Xiangshan Strait Economic & Technological Cooperation Co., Ltd.  will develop infrastructure and utilities based on Nordic Aqua specifications, which Nordic Aqua will lease back on a long-term basis. The infrastructure part of a land based salmon farm, like Nordic Aqua, is normally in the area of 40/45% of total investments.

A final investment decision for the development of Stage 3 is expected during 2025.

Ocean 14 Capital Fund has entered into an investment agreement with aquaManager in a bid to develop an improved software, data and automation platform for fish and shrimp producers.

Over the course of two decades, aquaManager – which is still run by its founder, Kostas Seferis, has developed farm management software tailored largely to the seabass/sea bream and tilapia sectors, gaining significant traction.

Author: Rob Fletcher / The FIsh Site l Read the full article here

A fish farm feed barge badly damaged by fire in January is almost ready to be deployed after being restored by local contractors, and engineers working for salmon producer Cooke Scotland.

A large shed on top of the concrete hull of the barge, which was at Cooke’s West Fara farm, Orkney, was destroyed in the blaze.

Author: Gareth Moore / fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here

Canadian salmon companies were left reeling today over the news that Donald Trump is threatening to impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported from over the border when he takes office in January.

Southern neighbours Mexico, along with China, are being targeted as well as Canada. President-elect Trump said this morning he would impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and 10% on Chinese goods, until all three countries are able to play their part in tackling the USA’s problems with drugs – particularly the synthetic opiate fentanyl – and illegal migration.

Author: Vince McDonagh / FIsh Farmer l Read the full article here

Alba, France’s first hydrogen-electric powered fishing training vessel, has been inaugurated by LPMA: Maritime and Aquaculture Professional School of Bastia. It was designed by European naval architecture and marine engineering company Mauric.

Mauric was also technical coordinator of the project.

Explaining the background to the project, Mauric said that LPMA of Bastia was awarded a €4 million budget for the development and construction of a zero-emission vessel through the France 2030 Recovery Plan. In April 2021, it published a Call for Applications for the design and construction of a 100% hydrogen-electric powered fishing training vessel.

Source: Worldfishing l Read the full article here