The IFFO – The Marine Ingredients Organisation has officially concluded its 2026 Members’ Meeting, which took place in Madrid from April 27–29. The event saw a record-breaking 277 delegates arriving from 35 countries to address the future of the global marine ingredients value chain.

IFFO President Adriana Giudice opened the summit by calling for greater transparency regarding the sector's role in global nutrition and food security. A primary focus of the meeting was the necessity of science-based decision-making and the implementation of common metrics to track industry progress.

Key insights included:

• Fisheries Stability: Professor Ray Hilborn from the University of Washington reported that small pelagic fisheries remain stable and generally above maximum sustainable yield, despite the challenges posed by climate change.
• Market Growth: Experts highlighted rising demand in fed aquaculture, nutraceuticals, and pet food.
• Certification: The industry’s shift toward accountability is being spearheaded by initiatives like MarinTrust, ensuring the sector meets high sustainability and traceability standards.

A landmark partnership has been solidified between Cameroon and Morocco to revolutionize their maritime and aquaculture sectors.

Signed during the 18th International Agriculture Show in Morocco (SIAM), the new framework agreement aims to bolster food security and combat illegal fishing across the region.

The deal was finalized by Morocco’s Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries, Zakia Driouich, and Cameroon’s Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr. Taïga, alongside Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari.

Key Pillars of the Agreement:

• Scientific Research: Sharing data on stock monitoring and preservation.
• Aquaculture Expansion: Reducing reliance on wild catches through technical support for fish farming.
• Security: Strengthening surveillance to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• Economic Growth: Enhancing seafood processing, marketing, and cold storage logistics.

“This agreement provides the legal framework to deepen our technical cooperation,” stated Dr. Taïga, noting that Cameroon will specifically leverage Moroccan expertise in maritime surveillance. A joint commission will be established to monitor the implementation of these projects, ensuring the "blue economy" remains a sustainable driver for regional jobs.

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.

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 the World 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