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A recent report from the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) highlights a concerning decline in the cold-water prawn population in Greenland. As a result, NAFO recommends that Greenland reduce its prawn catch by 27,600 tonnes in 2025 compared to 2024.

This reduction includes a decrease of 22,500 tonnes on the west coast and 5,100 tonnes on the east coast, according to reports from Greenlandic media Kalaallit Nunaata Raioa (KNR).

Senior advisor Ann Dorte Burmeister from Greenland's Nature Institute attributes the decline to both overfishing and an increase in cod populations, which prey on prawn. While the prawn stock in West Greenland remains within what NAFO defines as "optimal biomass," the stock in East Greenland has plummeted by 42 percent below the sustainability limit.

Further regulations may be necessary, especially with the implementation of the new Fisheries Act next year, which will prioritize sustainability as a central requirement, as noted by KNR.

The Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI) advises that when the harvest control rule agreed by the Coastal States is applied, there should be zero catch in winter 2024/2025.

This advice is based on results from acoustic measurements on the capelin stock by RV Árni Friðriksson (Icelandic), FV Polar Ammassak and RV Tarajoq (Greenlandic) conducted during the period 21 August to 1 October 2024.

The acoustic survey is considered to have covered the distribution area of the stock. The survey estimate had low coefficient of variation as the capelin was relatively evenly distributed.

The total biomass came to 610 000 tonnes of which the mature part of the stock amounted to 307 000 tonnes. When accounted for the estimated predation until spawning in March, the spawning stock biomass is estimated to be 193 000 tonnes. The goal of the management plan is to set the final total allowable catch with >95% probability of SSB being greater than or equal to Blim of 114 000 tonnes at spawning time. That will not be reached according to the stock assessment resulting in zero catch advice for the current fishing season.

The estimated number of juveniles came to 57 billion. More than 50 billion is required to provide non-zero preliminary advice for the next fishing season (2025/26) according to the management plan, but ICES will give advice on fishing opportunities for that season in June 2025.

The advice will be revised on basis results of the traditional winter acoustic measurements of the capelin stock in January 2025.

The commercial squid fishery received positive news this week as the Western Cape High Court reviewed and overturned the squid appeal decisions made by the former Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, regarding Category A appellants.

The South African Squid Management Industry Association (SASMIA), representing the commercial squid fishing sector, had taken Minister Creecy to court over her decision to allocate a 15% fishing right for chokka squid to the small-scale sector, with plans to increase this allocation to 25%. SASMIA initiated legal proceedings against Creecy in June 2022 after she contested the ministerial division of squid resources.

In its court filings, SASMIA argued that this distribution would jeopardize the "existence of at least some rights holders" and could lead to significant job losses across the sector.

The company aims to address the UK’s overfishing crisis by introducing its cultivated fish technology to the British seafood industry.

It describes this initiative as “an urgently needed lifeline for a sustainable future.” Fish populations in UK waters are in serious decline, with one-third overfished and a quarter at critically low levels. UMAMI asserts that its technology can help protect marine biodiversity while ensuring a reliable supply of seafood for consumers.

“We will collaborate closely with leading institutions such as University College London (UCL) and Imperial College to advance the commercialization of our current generation of cultivated seafood solutions,” said Mihir Pershad, CEO of UMAMI Bioworks.

UMAMI’s technology leverages machine learning and stem cell biology to enable the large-scale production of cultivated seafood. The company partners with various organizations to develop seafood products, including a collaboration with US-based Friends & Family Pet Food Co, which plans to launch cultivated fish treats for cats in 2025.

Additionally, UMAMI recently announced a strategic partnership with South Korean biotechnology firm KCell Biosciences and bioprocess solutions provider WSG. This collaboration aims to integrate their technologies for the low-cost and efficient production of cultivated seafood in South Korea.

Pershad noted that “the ongoing support for cultivated meat technology” from the UK government, along with “a favorable regulatory environment, provides fertile ground for UMAMI’s success.”

A proactive approach to biosecurity, involving applying biosecurity measures to prevent, control, and eliminate pathogens, is far more effective in protecting herds, experts said at the Biosecurity Asia Forum held in HCM City on Thursday.

The forum, organised by the Department of Livestock Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, featured a panel of experts who addressed important issues that will help make a difference in the fight against disease.

Topics under discussion included best practices to minimise the risk of the introduction and spread of diseases, practical information to develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated biosecurity plan for individual operations, and steps to manage a disease outbreak.

Livestock, poultry, and aquaculture producers and supply chain firms from feed mills to processing plants attended the forum to get information on how to protect their business and the industry by implementing effective biosecurity measures to minimise the introduction and spread of diseases.

More than ever, devastating disease outbreaks, such as white spot syndrome in shrimp have made clear the importance of effective biosecurity programmes that prevent, control, and eradicate infectious diseases, experts said.

Source: VNS

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources is investing RO 11.5 million in the establishment and rehabilitation of fishing ports across Dhofar Governorate.

Muscat – This initiative aims to enhance the region’s fisheries sector and improve maritime transport services.

The projects include the construction of two new fishing ports in Sadah Wilayat, the rehabilitation and development of Raysut and Al Halaniyat ports, and the design of a fishing port in Al Fazaih area of Rakhyut Wilayat.

Eng. Abdul Nasser bin Obaid Ghawas, Director of the Fisheries Department, explained that the design and implementation work for the two fishing ports in Sadah has commenced at a total cost of approximately RO 5.8 million. Each project will feature two breakwaters, floating moorings, and essential infrastructure such as internal roads and public facilities for fishermen.

The rehabilitation of the Raysut port, estimated at RO 3 million, will include the construction of a 610-meter protection breakwater and a 70-meter fixed dock, alongside significant dredging efforts to deepen the port basin by 100,000 cubic meters.

Ghawas pointed out that three additional projects are in the pipeline for Dhofar, including the development of a marine fishing port in Mirbat and further expansions in Sadah and Rakhyut. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to strengthen the fisheries sector and enhance its contributions to the national economy.

Source: Oman News Agency

The year 2024 is a special year for Suempol which celebrates its 35th anniversary. In this exceptional time Suempol is taking another ambitious step in its development by acquiring 100% shares in Copernus Ltd based in Hull. Copernus is a leading supplier of fresh fish on the UK market.

Suempol is the oldest producer of smoked salmon in Poland and one of the largest in the world. Its headquarters and main production plant are located in Bielsk Podlaski. The history of the company dates back to 1989. The company’s current position was achieved thanks to successful previous foreign acquisitions.

The roots of Copernus company also date back to the 1980s when it started selling fish on the wholesale market. Since then Copernus has been growing dynamically, becoming a producer of a wide range of fresh refrigerated products that reach the shelves of leading supermarkets throughout the United Kingdom. The company’s offer includes salmon, cod, haddock in various forms as well as other species of fish.

The philosophy of Copernus is based on long-standing family values, honesty, integrity and transparency. The company places a strong emphasis on close collaboration with partners, creating products that are closely developed with them to directly address consumer needs.

The modern Copernus production plant is located in Hull which is one of the main centres of the fishing industry in Great Britain. Each year, the facility produces an average of 52 million portions of seafood.

As more Kiwis explore ways to prepare and eat whole fish, Foodstuffs North Island is making fresh whole fish more accessible in its supermarkets, reports FMCG Business.

Customers at PAK’nSAVE, New World, and Four Square stores across the North Island are enjoying export quality fish, delivered straight from sea to store, thanks to co-op owned Leigh Fish, a New Zealand fishery based north of Auckland, and key suppliers including Moana New Zealand and local small-scale fishers.

Traditionally, fish fillets have been a popular go-to among customers, but the growing demand for whole fish has led Foodstuffs to boost its availability.

Brett Sellers, Seafood Operations Manager for Foodstuffs North Island, says that while most New Zealand seafood is exported, premium export quality fish has typically been difficult for Kiwis to access, except through high-end restaurants or local direct-to-consumer sources – until now.