IN BRIEF - Starting today fishing vessel owners will be paid within 24 hours: President
MALDIVES
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says as per his pledge starting today the payment of fish catch would be deposited to the fishing vessel owner's accounts within 48 hours.
He made these remarks while addressing the residents of Kaafu Gaafaru today.
The President said the fishing industry is an industry that this government is giving high priority to develop.
Noting that the government owed around MVR 225 million to fish vessel owners when he took office, the President said his administration has now paid these dues. He further indicated that around MVR 100 million has been paid as oil subsidies to the fish vessel owners.
However, the President noted that this was not what he had promised during the Presidential Campaign and that he had pledged to pay the fishermen within 48 hours after they weighed their catch. The President said that despite the backlog of payments, the administration will begin implementing his pledge to the fishermen starting tomorrow.
He also assured that the MVR 38 million for the past 14 days will be handed over to the boat owners today and there will be no backlog.
The President that a vital agreement has been reached between the Finance Ministry, MIFCO, and the Bank of Maldives yesterday that would allow the government to deposit payments to fishing vessels that have bank accounts at the BML within 28 hours.
President Muizzu thanked BML and assured fishing vessels with accounts at the Maldives Islamic Bank that he would find alternative paths for them.
On April 28, 2026, the Vietnam Fisheries Society and the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance officially opened VINAFIS EXPO 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC).
This landmark event is the first to cover the entire fisheries value chain, from aquaculture to global distribution.
The expo features over 200 booths, with 40% of exhibitors hailing from international markets including Japan, Thailand, China, and the Republic of Korea. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien highlighted that Vietnam currently ranks third globally in fisheries exports, trailing only China and Norway, with a reach spanning 170 countries.
With a 3,260km coastline and 1.3 million hectares of aquaculture—including 747,400ha dedicated to shrimp—the sector is a vital economic pillar. Running until April 30, the event includes scientific seminars and the VINAFIS AWARD to honor industry excellence. The expo underscores Vietnam's commitment to green, circular development and high-tech integration to overcome climate and market challenges.
Japan’s seafood industry has achieved a remarkable turnaround following the August 2023 import ban imposed by China. According to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), overseas shipments have "almost returned to normal levels," signaling a successful strategic pivot.
Record-Breaking Growth
Data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries reveals that in 2025, total exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products reached 1.7005 trillion yen (approx. $11.12 billion). Specific highlights include:
Total Seafood Exports:423.1 billion yen (approx. $2.77 billion).
Growth Rate: A 17.2% year-on-year increase.
New Milestone: This surpasses the previous 2023 record of 390.1 billion yen (approx. $2.55 billion).
Navigating the Ban
The recovery follows a difficult 2024, where exports dipped to 360.9 billion yen (approx. $2.36 billion) due to China’s reaction to the Fukushima treated wastewater release. By shifting focus toward the United States, Southeast Asia, and Europe, Japanese firms have effectively diversified their market presence and mitigated the impact of the Chinese market gap.
The production of Chilean mussels (Mytilus chilensis) in the Los Lagos Region is an economic pillar currently facing the challenge of fouling.
During the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 seasons, mussel farmers reported an unusual presence of the "skeleton shrimp," an amphipod that competes for substrate on seed collectors.
In February 2026, researchers from IFOP Puerto Montt analyzed samples from the Reloncaví Sound. Researcher Macarena Herrera led the diversity study, while morphological analysis by Sandra Silva identified the specimens as Caprella mutica, a species known for its high colonization capacity.
The identity was molecularly validated at the Austral OMICS laboratory of the Austral University of Chile, using COI and 18S genetic markers, with support from biochemist Dennis Cisternas. This finding in Southern Chile necessitates a rethink of monitoring and management strategies to protect seed collection from competing species.
Changes to the fuel price stabilization mechanism open a new cost scenario for aquaculture, straining competitiveness and redefining its operations.
The recent change in fuel policy implemented by the government of President José Antonio Kast has opened a new scenario for energy-intensive sectors, such as salmon farming. The modification of the Fuel Price Stabilization Mechanism (MEPCO), as stated by the authorities, seeks to more quickly align domestic fuel prices and reduce the tax burden associated with the system.
The National Energy Commission indicates that MEPCO was created by Law No. 20,765, published on July 9, 2014, with the purpose of stabilizing the domestic retail prices of fuels included in Law No. 18,502. In general terms, it operated through increases and decreases in specific taxes, via a variable component—positive or negative—that was added to the base component for fuels such as gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas.
Anchovy fishing will not resume on the north-central coast of Peru until May 3, following the Ministry of Production's decision to temporarily suspend fishing activity for the first season of the year for a period of ten calendar days. The measure, which came into effect on April 24, aims to preserve the biomass and ensure the sustainability of the resource, in line with the recommendations of the Peruvian Marine Institute (IMARPE). Specifically, it seeks to guarantee spawning, prevent the capture of undersized specimens, and preserve and protect the development of the biomass and the sustainability of the aquatic resource.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
BioMar is expanding its research and development activities at its Aquaculture Technology Centre (ATC) in Hirtshals, Denmark, to support the introduction of new species into its global portfolio.
As the company grows into new markets, the need for targeted scientific research on key species such as yellowtail kingfish and barramundi is increasing, strengthening BioMar’s ability to deliver species-specific nutritional solutions worldwide. Expanding into new regions requires a deeper understanding of species-specific requirements, feeding strategies, and performance under different farming conditions.
Source: The Fish Site | Read the full article here
The World Aquaculture Society has issued a call for abstracts from people wishing to make presentations at its annual conference, which is being held in Tanzania in December.
World Aquaculture 2026 Tanzania (WA26T) is being run in conjunction with the fifth Annual International Conference and Exposition of the African Chapter of theWorld Aquaculture Society(AFRAQ2026).
The dates for the combined events are December 1-4, and the venue is the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, East Africa’s fastest growing city with a population of more than 4 million inhabitants.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
There has been an unexpected change of leadership from father to son at the Norwegian land based company Gigante Salmon.
Kjell Lorentsen, founder of the business, has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer while his son Kristian Lorentsen who has also been involved in the development of Gigante Salmon since the start, will take his place.
Gigante, which operates a land-based salmon farm on the Norwegian coast, in the Nordland region, announced earlier this month that it is now in the commercial stage of production.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
On April 28, 2026, the Afundación de Vigo headquarters hosted the IV GSSG Forum. The event, held under the motto "Responsibility and Impact," brought together more than 350 people of 20 nationalities and 18 international experts.
The inauguration featured figures such as Marta Villaverde, Abel Caballero, Isabel Artime, and José María Benavent. Villaverde highlighted Galicia as a leader in responsible management, while Caballero emphasized the scientific support of technical institutions located in Vigo.
During the day, key topics were debated, such as:
Blue Transformation: Technical presentation by Diana Fernández de la Reguera.
Fisheries Certification: Participation of Rupert Howes.
Blue Carbon and Mangroves: Analysis by Simone Maridueña and Gianluca Marino.
Socioeconomic Development: Case study of Lüderitz, Namibia, presented by Brigitte Fredericks.
Impact Economy: Closing session led by Gerbrand Haverkamp.
During the first quarter of 2026, salmon exports reached US$1.991 billion, representing 7% of total national exports and registering an 8% increase in value and a 19% increase in volume compared to the same period of the previous year, even though the growth in harvested biomass over the last five years has averaged 2%. These figures are part of the Export Bulletin prepared by the research department of SalmonChile and confirm the sector's importance as an engine of economic development for the country, especially for the southern regions.
According to the report, during the first quarter of 2026, the sector's export growth was most pronounced in January (+14% in value, +23% in volume)
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
MALDIVES
VIET NAM
JAPAN
CHILE.png)
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The recent change in fuel policy implemented by the government of President José Antonio Kast has opened a new scenario for energy-intensive sectors, such as salmon farming. The modification of the Fuel Price Stabilization Mechanism (MEPCO), as stated by the authorities, seeks to more quickly align domestic fuel prices and reduce the tax burden associated with the system.
PERU.png)
The measure will be in effect until May 3
DENMARK.png)
BioMar is expanding its research and development activities at its Aquaculture Technology Centre (ATC) in Hirtshals, Denmark, to support the introduction of new species into its global portfolio. 
TANZANIA.png)
World Aquaculture 2026 Tanzania (WA26T) is being run in conjunction with the fifth Annual International Conference and Exposition of the African Chapter of the 
NORWAY
There has been an unexpected change of leadership from father to son at the Norwegian land based company 
SPAIN.png)
During the first quarter of 2026, salmon exports reached US$1.991 billion, representing 7% of total national exports and registering an 8% increase in value and a 19% increase in volume compared to the same period of the previous year, even though the growth in harvested biomass over the last five years has averaged 2%. These figures are part of the Export Bulletin prepared by the research department of SalmonChile and confirm the sector's importance as an engine of economic development for the country, especially for the southern regions.
