The 2024 Peruvian anchovy fishing season is showing remarkable progress, with total catch volumes projected to reach an unprecedented 4.6–4.7 million tonnes—double the figures recorded last year.

Since the second half of the fishing season began in November, 1.37 million tonnes of anchovies have been landed, accounting for 54.6% of the annual quota. However, concerns are rising as juvenile catches near the 151,000-tonne limit, potentially prompting an early closure of the season and impacting preliminary contractual obligations.

Despite this, the market outlook remains strong. Approximately 450,000 tonnes of fishmeal have already been pre-sold for the current season, covering 75–89% of the anticipated production. This robust pre-sale activity underscores continued confidence in Peru’s anchovy sector, despite environmental and regulatory challenges.

The last French factory of the Saupiquet brand will cease its activity on Friday, December 20, with 152 layoffs. 

But the negotiations for the departure of the employees went well, according to the CFDT, reports Franck JOURDAIN from Le Marin.

The last Saupiquet factory in France, located in Quimper in Finistère, will close on Friday, December 20 and 152 jobs will be cut, in accordance with what its owner, the Italian group Bolton Food , announced on June 11. The last temporary workers (70 work at the factory on average) will leave on Thursday evening.  Friday will not be easy because there is a family atmosphere in the company  , concedes Valérie Bonder, CFDT union representative.

Shrimp exports in the first 11 months of 2024 brought in nearly 3.6 billion USD, up 22% over the same period last year. Exports to major consumer markets all recorded double-digit growth.

For the first time in over 40 years, the United States has released a comprehensive update to its National Aquaculture Development Plan, reaffirming its commitment to this method of seafood production. The updated plan emphasises aquaculture’s role as a climate-smart food source, highlighting its potential to bolster food security.

The plan was developed by the National Science and Technology Council's Subcommittee on Aquaculture and integrates several strategic frameworks, including a newly finalised Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Economic Development. 

Source: The Fish Site l Read the full article here

Wilton, California-based white sturgeon farm Tsar Nicoulai Caviar has bought Sterling Caviar, the oldest caviar farm in America, with the strategic merger positioning Tsar Nicoulai’s combined farms as the largest purveyors of sustainable caviar in the country.

Founded in 1983 by Norwegian entrepreneur Jacob Stolt-Nielsen, Sterling Caviar utilises water recirculating technology and sustainable farming practices. Despite its rich history and contributions to the industry, Sterling has faced various financial difficulties, entering receivership earlier this year due to a US$23 million debt. The acquisition by Tsar Nicoulai Caviar marks a new chapter for Sterling, allowing it to leverage Tsar Nicoulai’s expertise and resources to revitalize its operations.

Source: Worldfishing l Read the full article here

Grieg Seafood is dealing with the aftermath of a large oil spill at one of its farm sites in British Columbia, Canada.

Up to 8,000 litres are reported to have escaped at Esperanza Inlet in the province, it has been confirmed.

According to reports, the spill was caused by "human error during fuel transfer" on a floating concrete platform on Saturday 14 December. The incident was reported to the Environmental Emergency Branch the same day.

Aerial and ground surveillance has now shown a visible sheen to the north and west toward Centre Island from the spill site, with smaller patches observed to the south and east toward Steamer Point

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

Research on the adaptation of artisanal fishermen to climate change

Researcher Pedro Romero Maltrana presented a study at the XXVI Annual Congress of Agrarian Economics on how Chilean artisanal fishermen are facing climate change. His research focused on productive diversification as a strategy to reduce the vulnerability of these coastal communities.

The study analyzed data from 1998 to 2020 using econometric models to assess how external factors, such as climate and economics, influence decisions to diversify their activities. The results show that diversifying into other areas of fishing and related activities helps improve fishermen's income, mitigating the impacts of climate change. However, an inverse relationship was also found between diversification into fishing and into completely different sectors.

IFOP research highlights the importance of productive diversification as a key tool for the sustainability of artisanal fishermen's livelihoods and for the sustainable management of marine resources in a context of climate change.

The Russian Ministry of Agriculture has developed a draft order to limit industrial cod fishing in the Far Eastern fisheries basin in 2025. The document can be found on the portal of draft regulatory legal acts.

In particular, this concerns  a ban on  catching Pacific cod using bottom trawls and snurrevads in the West Bering Sea zone and the Karaginsky subzone until April 15, 2025.

The same order proposes to limit cod fishing using longline gear in the above-mentioned fishing zones until March 31 of next year.

Public discussions of the project will continue until the end of December.

In December last year, the Ministry of Agriculture  banned  industrial cod fishing with all types of fishing gear in the West Bering Sea and Chukchi fishing zones. The restrictions were in effect until April 15 of this year.