IN BRIEF - From Trader to Successful Aquaculturist: Matilde Ikeda Leads Paco Production in Puerto Maldonado
PERU
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Amazonian Pioneer Converts Her Passion into a Personalized Cultivation and Sales Business Model
Matilde Ikeda, an entrepreneur from Puerto Maldonado, Peru, has successfully transitioned her career from fish trader to thriving aquaculturist, specializing in the cultivation of the Amazonian fish paco (Piaractus brachypomus).
Since the age of 9, Ikeda was dedicated to trading fish. In 2015, she decided to pivot and utilize her own ponds to start paco cultivation. Despite initial difficulties, her dedication prospered. Her pond currently houses over 9,000 fingerlings and paco of various sizes, including specimens weighing over one kilogram.
"I grab my net, tie it at one end, go around, and pull out any fish I want," Matilde said, describing the ease of harvesting her production.
Although she maintains her commercial activity at the market, Matilde Ikeda has developed a more personalized business model. She prefers direct sales, packing the fish on her motorcycle for delivery "from house to house" to her customers.
For Ikeda, aquaculture is more than just a job: "It’s my hobby, because it’s my joy; I don't see it as work. I love living in the countryside," she explained. Her story is an example of the potential of sustainable aquaculture in the Peruvian Amazon to generate income and personal development.
Beijing Denounces Violation of Sovereignty and International Norms
The Government of China has strongly condemned the United States for the interception of a Venezuelan fishing vessel near its coast, labeling the action as a unilateral overreach of law enforcement and a violation of international norms.
The spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, stated that Beijing opposes Washington "unilaterally exceeding the reasonably necessary limits to carry out the so-called law enforcement against ships of other nations." He urged the U.S. to utilize bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks for judicial cooperation.
Jian reaffirmed China's firm stance against any interference by external forces in the internal affairs of Venezuela. Furthermore, he underscored China’s support for the declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and its rejection of the "use or threat of use of force in international relations," insisting on respect for the sovereignty of States.
New Plant Will Create 400 Jobs in December Due to Lower Labor Costs and Logistics Advantages
The Spanish fishing company Wofco is set to inaugurate a new processing plant in Paraguay in December, operating under its subsidiary, South Atlantic Company. Located 40 kilometers from Posadas, the investment amounts to nearly 40 million dollars.
Lucio Tortosa Palacios, CEO of the subsidiary, confirmed that the 10,000 square-meter plant will primarily be supplied with shrimp from Rawson (Argentina). It will have a processing capacity of 600 tons, equivalent to two containers of shrimp tails daily.
The project is expected to generate between 400 and 600 direct jobs. Tortosa told Revista Puerto that Paraguay was chosen as the "best place" when factoring in economic and logistical costs. The decision hinged on lower operational costs, particularly labor, which is more affordable than in Argentina and allows workers to earn a decent living with salaries of approximately 400 dollars.
In addition to wages, Paraguay offers comparative advantages, such as cutting the cost of social charges for companies by half. The Paraguayan State acts as the main supervisor of compliance with labor agreements.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, has publicly congratulated the Punta del Moral Fisheries Producers Organization (OPP80) for achieving the prestigious international certification "Friend of the Sea".
This seal, promoted by the World Sustainability Organization (WSO), certifies that the fishery for the emblematic Huelva white shrimp (gamba blanca de Huelva) meets the most rigorous standards for sustainable fishing.
Via his official X account, Planas recognized the achievement, highlighting the commitment of the Ayamonte (Huelva) fleet to excellence and the sustainability of its practices.
OPP Punta del Moral is the first fishing entity in Andalusia and the second in Spain to obtain this globally recognized certification. Alonso Abreu, manager of the OPP Punta del Moral, emphasized the importance of the recognition, noting that the certificate is the result of "years of work, innovation, and commitment to the sea" by the Huelva fleet.
This milestone solidifies Andalusia's position as an international reference in responsible and environmentally respectful fishing.
It is the first fishery in the world to certify the Indian Ocean yellowfin stock.
Grouped within the Organization of Associated Producers of Large Tuna Freezers (OPAGAC), the Spanish tuna fleet has become the first fishery in the world to certify the Indian Ocean yellowfin stock with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) seal. This brings its tropical catches—345,000 tons annually, 7% of the world's catches—to 95% certified in the three oceans and under the four Regional Fisheries Organizations (RFOs). Currently, 10 of the 12 tuna stocks caught by the fleet are MSC-certified: yellowfin and skipjack tuna in the Indian, Atlantic, Western, and Eastern Pacific Oceans, and bigeye tuna in the Western and Eastern Pacific.
Mackerel is a cause for concern for the EU fishing sector. Following the ICES recommendation to cut its TAC by 70%, reactions from associations such as AIPCE-CEP and the Irish fishing sector, for which it is a key resource, have been swift.
Now, the fishing industry association Europêche has made its position known. Ahead of the next round of coastal state consultations on mackerel, the association reiterates its call to political leaders to reach a comprehensive sharing agreement for this stock, as other organizations have already demanded. "If this fails, fishermen would welcome an emergency interim agreement for 2026."
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Representatives introduce companion bill to act being promoted in Senate
Democrat and Republican politicians in the US House of Representatives (the House) have joined forces to introduce a bill that would make it easier to establish offshore fish farms.
The four Representatives from Mississippi, Hawaii, Florida, and California have introduced the Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act of 2025 as companion legislation to the same act introduced in the US Senate earlier this year.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The jellyfish which killed more than three million salmon in Norway two years ago, and several hundred thousand in Scotland, may be on the way back.
The warning over the “pearl” or “string” jellyfish has come from the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR) which says they have been observed off Troms and west Finnmark.
String jellyfish, scientifically known as Apolemia uvaria and also called Perlesnormanet or "pearl normanets" in Norway, are a type of siphonophore—a colonial organism made up of many individual animals working together.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Veidekke to build salmon filleting plant at Oslo Airport City.
Oslo Airport City has awarded Veidekke Logistikkbygg a contract to build an environmentally certified salmon filleting plant to be leased by Abrahams Salmon Processing. The turnkey contract is valued at just over NOK 100 million ($9.9 million/€8.6 million) excluding VAT.
The 4,600-square-metre facility will be purpose-built for Abrahams Salmon Processing’s salmon filleting operations, serving both partners and its own smokehouse and processing activities in Germany. The plant will be constructed to high technical and automation standards and certified under BREEAM-NOR “Good” environmental criteria.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Easy-to-Consume Capsules and Drink Launched on October 10th via Official Mail Order Store
Nissui Co., Ltd. has launched two new health support foods, "Uokatsu Senka Capsules" and "Uokatsu Senka Drink," to provide an easy way for consumers to get essential nutrients EPA and DHA. These products became available exclusively through the official Nissui mail order store on October 10th.
EPA and DHA, commonly found in blue fish like sardines, are challenging for the body to produce and are often lacking in modern diets.
Developed as simple supplements, "Uokatsu Senka" aims to help individuals who eat fish infrequently or find other health-certified foods too demanding. The recommended daily serving (two capsules or one drink) delivers 300 mg of EPA and DHA, which accounts for one-third of the recommended daily intake for people in Japan, according to a JPHC study (Circulation. 2006; 113, 195-202).
Nissui states that the new line utilizes the "bounty of the sea" to support the healthy lifestyles of its customers.
Acquisition of ICCL Group in Malaysia Finalizing in December 2025 to Drive "Compass x Growth 2027"
Nichirei Logistics Group Inc., a subsidiary of Nichirei Corporation, signed a share transfer agreement to acquire ICCL Group (Integrated Cold Chain Logistics Sdn. Bhd.), a major cold chain logistics operator in Malaysia. The acquisition is scheduled for completion around December 2025, making ICCL Group a new member of the Nichirei Logistics Group.
This strategic move is central to Nichirei's medium-term management plan, "Compass x Growth 2027," which emphasizes bolstering overseas growth and profitability. ICCL Group, which operates its own multi-temperature warehouses and refrigerated vehicles from its base in Penang, will significantly expand Nichirei's service offerings within Malaysia through collaboration with existing entities, NLCCN
PERU
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PARAGUAY.png)
The Spanish fishing company 
SPAIN.png)
Grouped within the Organization of Associated Producers of Large Tuna Freezers 
EUROPEAN UNION
Mackerel is a cause for concern for the EU fishing sector. Following the ICES recommendation to cut its TAC by 70%, reactions from associations such as AIPCE-CEP and the Irish fishing sector, for which it is a key resource, have been swift.
UNITED STATES
Representatives introduce companion bill to act being promoted in Senate
NORWAY
The jellyfish which killed more than three million salmon in Norway two years ago, and several hundred thousand in Scotland, may be on the way back.
Veidekke to build salmon filleting plant at Oslo Airport City.
JAPAN
MALAYSIA
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