Collaborative Effort Leads to Relocation of Unauthorized Aquaculture, Enhancing Navigation and Addressing Encroachments in Vital Vietnamese Port.

CAM RANH, Vietnam – Cam Ranh Bay's crucial shipping lanes are significantly clearer after a concerted effort to remove illegal aquaculture cages, marking a positive shift for maritime safety and port operations. The Nha Trang Maritime Port Authority recently convened a conference to review and assess the success of this clearance work, specifically targeting the dedicated channel to Cam Ranh International Port.

In recent times, the Nha Trang Maritime Port Authority, alongside the Department of Transport (now Department of Construction), Cam Ranh City People's Committee, and various port enterprises, intensified coordination to tackle unauthorized aquaculture and fishing activities. These activities had been encroaching on maritime infrastructure, shipping channels, and anchorage areas within Cam Ranh Bay's seaport waters.

Through this collaborative approach, authorities have successfully relocated and cleared cages from prohibited aquaculture zones. They've also prevented the proliferation of new illegal cages and promptly addressed violations.

To ensure the long-term resolution of this issue, the Nha Trang Maritime Port Authority recommends implementing appropriate sanctions against uncooperative households who deliberately violate regulations.

China is poised to revolutionize its aquaculture sector with the imminent delivery of the Su Hai No 1, a groundbreaking offshore salmon-farming vessel.

GUANGZHOU – Built by Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard for approximately $83.6 million USD (600 million yuan), this nearly 250-meter (820-foot) ship represents a major leap in modernizing salmon production and a key step in China's drive for domestic seafood self-sufficiency.

Owned by Jiangsu Lianshen Marine Technology, the vessel is projected to produce up to 8,000 tonnes of salmon annually. Following successful trial voyages in late April and final adjustments, the Su Hai No 1 is slated for delivery next month. It is expected to begin operations as early as this autumn in the Yellow Sea off Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, with the first harvest anticipated next year.

This ambitious project directly addresses China's surging demand for salmon, with over 80% of current consumption reliant on imports, primarily from Norway and Chile. China imported more than 100,000 tonnes of salmon last year, a figure projected to exceed 200,000 tonnes by 2030, according to data from the North Atlantic Seafood Forum in March. The Su Hai No 1 is a strategic move to sate this growing domestic appetite and enhance China's food security in high-value seafood.

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Rosselkhoznadzor Adds New Company to Growing List of Russian Seafood Suppliers to Latin America's Largest Market.

MOSCOW – Russia is further strengthening its position in the Brazilian seafood market, with Rosselkhoznadzor, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, announcing the expansion of its list of approved fish product exporters to Brazil. A vessel from Russia's Murmansk Region is the latest addition to this growing roster of suppliers.

This development stems from Rosselkhoznadzor's efforts to open foreign markets and is based on guarantees provided by the service. The Secretariat for Plant and Animal Protection of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has approved the expansion.

Currently, 39 Russian fishing companies are authorized to export fish products to Brazil, Latin America's largest economy. Rosselkhoznadzor stated its ongoing commitment to further expanding this list of domestic companies with export rights to the Brazilian market.

Aquaculture biotech and nutrition company Benchmark Holdings has announced plans to de-list from the stock market and buy back stock from shareholders following the sale of its genetics division to Denmark-headquartered life sciences investor Novo Holdings for £230 million.

Benchmark, which made gross proceeds of £194m from the sale, said that after the repayment of loans and other debts it currently has net cash reserves of £117m. It intends to pay £95m of that to shareholders through a combination of a £56.7m share buy-back and a special dividend for investors 

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

Innovasea Partners with Grieg Seafood Newfoundland to Lead New Fish Welfare and Sustainability Project for Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

Innovasea, a global leader in technologically advanced aquatic solutions for aquaculture and fish tracking, announced today a new project – the Enhanced Aquaculture Technology for Marine Health Project – sponsored by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC), and conducted in partnership with Grieg Seafood Newfoundland.

The three-year, CAD $6M initiative aimed at improving fish welfare, boosting sustainability and optimising production through innovative solutions, will outfit six Grieg sites with a suite of Innovasea’s advanced precision aquaculture technology, software and equipment.

Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

Persistent marine heatwave raises concerns for salmon farmers in UK and Irish waters.

A sustained marine heatwave in UK and Irish coastal waters is raising concerns about potential biological impacts on salmon farming operations, particularly in Western Scotland and Northern Ireland.

According to the Met Office and National Oceanography Centre, sea surface temperatures off the west coast of Ireland, as well as parts of Cornwall, Devon, and Western Scotland, are currently between 2.5°C and 4°C above the seasonal average.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

Incident Over Alleged Illegal Fishing in English Channel Follows Controversial UK-EU Fishing Rights Extension Until 2038.

OULOGNE – French authorities have seized a British fishing vessel, the Lady T, named after Margaret Thatcher, on allegations of illegal fishing in French waters. The incident, which occurred Thursday night in the English Channel, has led to the boat's detention at the port of Boulogne, where it faces potential confiscation.

The French navy patrol vessel Pluvier intercepted the Lady T. Its skipper may now be prosecuted for fishing for whelks without the required license within the French Exclusive Economic Zone near Somme Bay. A spokesperson for France’s Maritime Prefecture confirmed the operation was part of the State’s maritime enforcement efforts, stating the vessel was diverted to Boulogne-sur-Mer "for the purpose of initiating prosecution under the authority of the Public Prosecutor."

Under the controversial new agreement, European trawlers, including French vessels, will retain unrestricted access to UK coastal waters until 2038. This significantly extends an earlier deal, negotiated during Boris Johnson's tenure as prime minister, which was set to expire next year and had allowed the UK to reclaim 25 percent of EU fishing quotas. The incident involving the Lady T is likely to further fuel debates surrounding these long-term fishing arrangements post-Brexit.

New Agreement to Utilize Sonali Payment Gateway for Fisheries Sector Charges and Fees, Boosting Efficiency in Bangladesh's Seafood Trade.

DHAKA – Sonali Bank PLC and the Department of Fisheries have formalized a new partnership aimed at enhancing the efficiency of financial transactions within Bangladesh's vital fisheries sector. An agreement was signed on Saturday, enabling the Department of Fisheries to collect all export-import related charges and fees through the secure and accessible Sonali Payment Gateway.

The signing ceremony took place at the head office conference room of the Department of Fisheries. Subhash Chandra Das, Deputy Managing Director of Sonali Bank PLC, and Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf, Director General (In Charge) of the Department of Fisheries, affixed their signatures to the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.

The collaboration is expected to streamline payment processes for businesses involved in the country's growing seafood trade, facilitating smoother operations for exporters and importers.

Key officials present at the event included Aklima Islam, General Manager of Sonali Bank, and Deputy General Manager Md. Aminur Rahaman Khan. From the Department of Fisheries, Principal Scientific Officer Masuda Khanam and Dr. Md. Khaled Kanak also attended the ceremony, alongside other high-ranking officials from both institutions.

India's Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying recently convened the "Fisheries Secretaries Conference 2025," signaling a major push for technologically advanced aquaculture. The event focused on leveraging innovation to transform the sector, aligning with national flagship schemes.

NUEVA DELHI – Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary (Fisheries), announced the imminent deployment of drone technology for live fish transport in challenging terrains. Additionally, satellite systems will be utilized for real-time resource mapping, enhancing fisher safety and efficiency. The agenda also included developing "smart harbors," modern fish markets, and integrating AI-backed innovations in line with green and blue economy principles.

Discussions highlighted pilot projects for heavy-payload fish-transport drones, digital registration via the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP), and the adoption of ReALCraft monitoring. States were urged to boost ornamental fisheries, promote aquaculture insurance under PM-MKSSY, and bridge credit gaps by encouraging banks to support tech-driven models. The conference underscored digital tools, financial inclusion, and infrastructure upgrades as pivotal for India's fisheries future.