IN BRIEF - Iceland Foods Expands Sustainable Seafood Commitment
UNITED KINGDOM
Monday, May 26, 2025
Retailer Triples ASC-Certified Range, Making Responsible Aquaculture More Accessible to UK Shoppers.
LONDON – Iceland Foods is significantly expanding its offering of Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) labelled seafood, giving customers a much wider choice of responsibly farmed products both in-store and online.
The UK retailer has already grown its own-label ASC-certified farmed seafood range to eight products and is committed to increasing this to over 25 products by the end of 2026. This pledge includes ensuring all own-label whole prawn products will also be ASC-certified and prominently display the ASC logo.
The ASC sets rigorous global standards for responsible aquaculture, promoting environmentally and socially sound farming practices, alongside full traceability and transparency across the supply chain.
"We know our customers care deeply about where their food comes from," said Richard Walker, Executive Chairman at Iceland Foods. "By expanding our ASC-certified range, we’re making it easier than ever for people to make informed, sustainable choices without compromising on quality or taste. Initiatives like this set the standard for the entire industry, whilst demonstrating Iceland’s dedication to doing the right thing for our oceans.”
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.
Mussels – the sustainable seafood superstar making waves in aquaculture. The humble mussel, often overlooked in the seafood aisle, is quietly revolutionising the aquaculture industry. Not only are mussels delicious and nutritious, but they are emerging as champions of sustainable seafood, offering a glimmer of hope for a healthier planet. Recent data paints a compelling picture of their positive impact, and forward-thinking companies are leading the charge in responsible mussel farming.
Mussels are filter feeders, meaning they naturally clean the water around them.
The Chilean Salmon Council played an important role as a representative of the private sector at the 13th FAO Aquaculture Commission in Rome, Italy. During the session, the main challenges that climate change and the circular economy pose to global food security were discussed. At the meeting, Executive President Loreto Seguel King presented the association's credentials to the attending authorities.
The key player in the blue transformation is aquaculture, which is emerging as a global food solution.
Loreto Seguel had the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Chilean salmon private sector. In her presentation, she focused specifically on the role of co-management.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods (COSFF) is making its Responsibly Raised Shrimp available to other U.S. retailers and foodservice customers after successfully piloting the products in Food Lion and Hannaford stores earlier this year.
The new line of products stems from a shrimp decarbonization project between Samut Sakhon,Thailand-based Thai Union – Chicken of the Sea’s parent company – and environmental nonprofit The Nature Conservancy. The project aims to help retailers, foodservice, and wholesale customers meet their public greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets
Author: Christine Blank / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here
Trondheim trade show competition receives 58 applications
A record number of entries have been received for the Aqua Nor Innovation Award, organiser Nor-Fishing Foundation has said.
This year, a total of 58 applications were received, compared to 29 in 2023. This marks a record since the Innovation Award was established in 2003. Of the applicants, 32 are from countries outside of Norway, and 20 nations are represented in total.
Source: fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here
North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat Quotas Triple on Positive Scientific Advice, Signaling Healthier Stock.
COPENHAGEN – European fishermen are set to benefit from a substantial increase in the sprat fishing quota for the upcoming period of July 1, 2025, to June 31, 2026. The total allowable catch for sprat in the North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat has been set at 236,114 tonnes, a significant rise that brings welcome news to the industry, as reported by Line Dalgaard Jensen from fiskeritidende.
Danish fishermen, in particular, are poised to gain considerably, with their allocated share reaching 163,334 tonnes in the North Sea and 28,942 tonnes in the Skagerrak.
This increased quota directly aligns with the positive scientific advice issued by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) earlier this year. Crucially, the 2025-2026 recommendation represents more than triple the advice provided by ICES for the previous year, indicating a robust and improving status for the sprat stock in these vital fishing grounds. The decision reflects confidence in the sustainable management of this key pelagic species.
Donald Trump, President of the United States, has repeatedly reiterated his desire to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark with a significant fishing industry where more than 90% of exports are seafood. Hence, the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee highlights the "special relevance" of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Greenland, which it has just approved by a resounding majority. When the European Parliament ratifies it, a pact will come into force that will allow the EU fleet to fish in Greenlandic waters until 2030. For these six years, the EU will disburse €104 million and shipowners, €27 million.
Source: La Voz de Galicia l Read the full article here
The Galician shipyard Aister, specialized in aluminum shipbuilding and based in Moaña (Pontevedra), has completed the delivery of a 24-meter mussel vessel for the Belgian company Fleetco NV, part of the Colruyt group, one of the largest players in the country's food sector. The vessel, named "Moules Frites," was designed for offshore mussel harvesting and farming operations using a long-line system. Its construction represents a new milestone in the history of the Galician shipyard, which is advancing its internationalization process and has already delivered 104 vessels, a figure that will continue to grow with the units currently in production.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras l Read the full article here
FAO-Globefish - Groundfish Market Overview (cod, hake, pollock...) Worldwide
Cod and hake catches going down
In 2024, total cod and hake catches were lower than in previous years as quota reductions are impacting harvest volumes all over the world. These reductions cont...
UNITED KINGDOM
FRANCE.png)
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.
BANGLADESH
INDIA
WORLDWIDE
Mussels – the sustainable seafood superstar making waves in aquaculture. The humble mussel, often overlooked in the seafood aisle, is quietly revolutionising the aquaculture industry. Not only are mussels delicious and nutritious, but they are emerging as champions of sustainable seafood, offering a glimmer of hope for a healthier planet. Recent data paints a compelling picture of their positive impact, and forward-thinking companies are leading the charge in responsible mussel farming.
ITALY
The Chilean Salmon Council played an important role as a representative of the private sector at the 13th 
UNITED STATES
Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods (COSFF)
NORWAY.png)
Trondheim trade show competition receives 58 applications
DENMARK.png)
COPENHAGEN – European fishermen are set to benefit from a substantial increase in the sprat fishing quota for the upcoming period of July 1, 2025, to June 31, 2026. The total allowable catch for sprat in the North Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat has been set at 236,114 tonnes, a significant rise that brings welcome news to the industry, as reported by 
GREENLAND
Donald Trump, President of the United States, has repeatedly reiterated his desire to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark with a significant fishing industry where more than 90% of exports are seafood. Hence, the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee highlights the "special relevance" of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with Greenland, which it has just approved by a resounding majority. When the European Parliament ratifies it, a pact will come into force that will allow the EU fleet to fish in Greenlandic waters until 2030. For these six years, the EU will disburse €104 million and shipowners, €27 million.
SPAIN
The Galician shipyard 
