IN BRIEF - Morocco Solidifies Global Dominance in Canned Sardines
MOROCCO
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Morocco has significantly strengthened its position as the world's leading exporter of canned sardines, according to the Spanish newspaper La Razón. The country's annual production volume has surpassed 15,000 tons, confirming its global market leadership.
The Kingdom exports its canned goods to diverse international markets, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Strategic Advantage and Economic Impact
This success is attributed to Morocco's integrated maritime and industrial system, which is underpinned by a vast network of processing facilities. These facilities, concentrated mainly in Agadir, Safi, and Laayoune, are a massive employment engine, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs (Source: FishRetail.ru).
Morocco's deliberate strategy to prioritize sardine canning over fresh or frozen fish sales has proven highly profitable, easing access to global markets. This industry is vital to coastal economies, providing major employment opportunities, particularly for women.
Quality and Modernization
The country has also invested in modernizing its fishing fleet, implementing traceability systems, and securing international certifications. These steps guarantee high product quality, boost consumer trust, and solidify Morocco's authority in international trade agreements.
The European Union and the Cook Islands have sealed a new seven-year protocol (2025-2032) to their Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement.
This renewed deal grants the EU fleet access to some of the Pacific Ocean’s most robust tuna stocks, permitting a total of 40 fishing days annually within Cook Islands waters.
In return, the EU has committed to a total financial contribution of €3.22 million ($3.74 million) over the seven years. A significant portion, €295,000 annually, is earmarked to boost the Cook Islands’ capacities for sustainable fisheries management, control, surveillance, and blue economy development. EU shipowners will also contribute €90,000 for authorization fees.
The protocol reinforces both parties' shared commitment to sustainable fishing and mutual economic progress.
As active members of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), the agreement aims to strike a balance between providing fishing opportunities for the EU fleet and ensuring the long-term environmental sustainability of the ecosystem.
The annual meeting of the Joint Russian-Norwegian Fisheries Commission (JRNFC) has commenced, held via videoconference. The Russian delegation is led by Ilya Shestakov, head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries.
Shortened Agenda Due to Sanctions
This year’s session is significantly shortened due to the unilateral sanctions imposed by Norway against Russian fishing companies. Consequently, Russia has decided that the four standing working groups (on statistics, scientific cooperation, monitoring, and seals) will not meet.
The discussions will be strictly limited to the core mandate: establishing the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and distributing quotas for jointly regulated aquatic bioresources in the Barents and Norwegian Seas.
The JRNFC, established in 1976, is crucial for ensuring the sustainable use of these shared stocks. This focused session will nevertheless aim to finalize the critical resource management decisions for the coming period.
Britain’s seafood sector – both farmed and wild caught – is facing major changes in the New Year for exports to the European Union.
The changes mainly concern the data companies must submit to enable their exports to flow smoothly, and will affect Scotland more than any other part of Britain.
The upcoming regulations will apply to every link in the supply chain, from fishers and merchants to processors and exporters.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Aker exits SalMar stake after offshore aquaculture split.
Aker has sold all its shares in salmon farmer Salmar, disposing of a holding worth around NOK 500 million, according to communications director Atle Kigen.
Holdings data show that Aker Capital recently sold 400,000 Salmar shares for NOK 241 million. Although the register still lists Aker Capital with 445,000 shares, Kigen said the remaining shares have also been sold.
The shares stem from Aker’s earlier offshore aquaculture venture with Salmar, initially branded Salmar Aker Ocean, launched in August 2021 with plans to develop large offshore salmon farming units and a potential stock market listing.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Mutag has successfully acquired the Intellectual Property (IP) rights and product portfolio of Alpha Aqua, significantly expanding its offering in water treatment components and support systems.
The acquisition allows Mutag to centralize technical responsibility, documentation, and future development, offering both existing and new customers a single supplier for service and upgrades.
Previously focused primarily on biomedia production, Mutag's range now includes Alpha Aqua’s prefabricated filtration solutions and skid systems for Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) plants. This encompasses Alpha Aqua's technical solutions and design basis for filtration and water treatment in RAS.
Mutag confirms its strategic focus remains on components and support systems, not complete (turnkey) RAS deliveries. Alpha Aqua customers will receive ongoing service, maintenance, and upgrades directly through Mutag.
Jesper WN Nielsen, CBDO at Mutag, stated, "This is an important step towards delivering more integrated solutions."
Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, has signed an agreement to renew the country's hosting of WorldFish for another 25 years.
The move aims to cement Egypt’s role on the African continent as a leading producer of aquatic foods and a hub for cutting-edge research in sustainable aquaculture.
The international research centre for aquatic food systems has been hosted in the country since 1997. WorldFish has been an integral part of Egypt’s journey in becoming a powerhouse of aquaculture production, increasing it 12-fold in 25 years
Source: The Fish Site | Read the full article here
Companies anticipate stable sales, although they expect more planning and restraint from consumers, who are opting for convenience.
The fishing industries—canning, salting, and smoking—are intensifying their activity in the lead-up to Christmas, which represents up to 30% of their business. This year, they face a period of tight demand due to prices and consumers who are turning to easy-to-prepare options and celebrating outside the home.
For companies that process fish and seafood, this pre-Christmas season offers stable prospects, although with the effect of inflation and more careful planning on the part of consumers, according to industry sources, who agree that these holidays account for 30% of their revenue.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Vónin Aquaculture, Mørenot Aquaculture, and Fiizk Protection, all wholly owned by the Icelandic Hampidjan Group, will unite as of January 1, 2026, under the name ELDI, thus forming “one of the world’s most comprehensive aquaculture partners, designed to meet the growing need for innovation and service for the sustainable growth of the sector.” This was announced by Hampidjan, which, with this union of the three companies under ELDI, seeks to strengthen its position in a consolidating market with a broad offering, “combining a more extensive product portfolio, a unified service network, and a stronger platform for continuous innovation.” Thomas Myrvold, CEO of Mørenot Aquaculture, has been appointed CEO of the merged company.
Source: iPac.aquaculture | Read the full article here
Salmon farmer Mowi Scotland and local wild fishery management body the River Lochy Association have agreed a long term and wide-ranging scientific study to examine the potential impacts of the fish escape from Mowi’s Gorsten farm in Loch Linnhe in October.
The study, funded by Mowi, will also utilise the genetic expertise of the Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation at UHI (University of the Highlands and Islands) Inverness, and will enable Mowi and the River Lochy Association to monitor and mitigate any adverse impacts on wild salmonid biology within the catchment area.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Scotland’s fishing industry is bracing for a difficult year in 2026 as the outcomes of international quota negotiations reveal sharp reductions for several key stocks, including a major cut to Northern shelf cod.
The Shetland Fishermen’s Association (SFA) said the scale of the reductions – particularly the 44% cut to cod – will have deep economic consequences for island communities.UK and Scottish Government negotiators have worked hard to support sustainable fishing opportunities, and so spare the fleet – and our wider community – from the worst-case economic shocks.
Norway, the EU, and the UK Seal a Crucial North Sea Pact for 2026 European Union
December 2025. Following intense negotiations that extended from the autumn, Norway, the European Union (EU), and the United Kingdom (UK) have signed a key tripartite agreement defining fishing quotas...
MOROCCO
The Kingdom exports its canned goods to diverse international markets, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
EUROPEAN UNION
This renewed deal grants the EU fleet access to some of the Pacific Ocean’s most robust tuna stocks, permitting a total of 40 fishing days annually within Cook Islands waters.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
This year’s session is significantly shortened due to the unilateral sanctions imposed by Norway against Russian fishing companies. Consequently, Russia has decided that the four standing working groups (on statistics, scientific cooperation, monitoring, and seals) will not meet.
UNITED KINGDOM
Britain’s seafood sector – both farmed and wild caught – is facing major changes in the New Year for exports to the European Union.
NORWAY
Aker exits SalMar stake after offshore aquaculture split.
DENMARK
EGYPT
Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, has signed an agreement to renew the country's hosting of 
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The fishing industries—canning, salting, and smoking—are intensifying their activity in the lead-up to Christmas, which represents up to 30% of their business. This year, they face a period of tight demand due to prices and consumers who are turning to easy-to-prepare options and celebrating outside the home.
ICELAND.png)
Salmon farmer 
Scotland’s fishing industry is bracing for a difficult year in 2026 as the outcomes of international quota negotiations reveal sharp reductions for several key stocks, including a major cut to Northern shelf cod.
