ROSTOV-ON-DON /TASS/. A new research and production facility for cultivating crayfish and shrimp has been launched at the Vzmorye Aquaculture Research Center in Rostov Oblast, the Azov-Black Sea branch of Russia’s State Research Center “All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography” reported.

Photo: azniirkh.vniro.ru

The complex features a specialized closed-loop water system, enabling controlled breeding conditions for crustaceans. Researchers will use the facility to identify optimal technologies for farming crayfish and shrimp in southern Russia.

Initial trials have begun with Australian red-clawed and long-clawed crayfish, as well as Rosenberg shrimp. Scientists are also exploring the potential of other species, using both closed systems and open pond methods at the center.

The European fishing sector, represented by Europêche and its Spanish member Cepesca, has welcomed the new fisheries agreement reached between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which extends reciprocal access to fishing waters until 2038.

While the full details have yet to be released, the sector sees the deal as a key step toward long-term stability post-Brexit.

The agreement, to be formally signed in London by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is expected to enhance cooperation, predictability, and sustainability in the shared management of marine resources.

Replacing the current framework set to expire in 2026, the deal is seen as offering vital certainty to European fishing communities that depend on UK waters. In return, the EU and UK have agreed to ease trade tensions by simplifying sanitary and phytosanitary controls, benefiting exporters and consumers alike.

The agreement is part of a broader EU-UK cooperation package that includes energy and defense, signaling a new era of strategic partnership. Europêche notes that the 2020 Trade and Cooperation Agreement led to the loss of 25% of the value of EU landings from UK waters, resulting in fleet reductions and job losses across member states.

The Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association (SPFA) says today’s UK-EU deal is a betrayal of the fishing industry and the communities it supports.

Ian Gatt, chief executive of the SPFA, the representative organisation for Scotland’s mackerel, herring and blue whiting fishermen, said:  “The outcome of this deal is an utter betrayal of the promises made to us on Brexit and the benefits it would bring to fishing, including control of our own waters.

“We met with the EU Director General last November who at that time was looking for a five-year extension for fishing opportunities in UK waters, and it beggars belief that this has been extended to 12 years, which ties the hands of future UK governments in negotiations.

“In granting an extension in the access to our waters, the UK negotiators at the very least should have pressed for a reciprocal arrangement of more fish for us to catch, which would have also given increased volumes for our processing sector. This has been a terrible negotiation carried out by the UK, and which shows a complete indifference to the fortunes of our fishing communities, as well as our national food security.”

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The British government assures that the agreement does not imply an increase in catches by the EU sector in its fishing grounds.

The European Union and the United Kingdom dispel doubts about the future of their fishing relationship beyond June 2026, when the current post-Brexit agreement for reciprocal access to their waters expires. Hours before the first EU-UK summit in London, both parties reached an initial agreement that reaffirms existing commitments on fisheries and maritime security, and that will guarantee the stability of the sector for another 12 years, until June 30, 2038.

Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here

South American media coverage intensifies over Falklands salmon farming proposal.

Plans to establish large-scale salmon farming operations off the coast of the Falkland Islands are attracting growing media attention in Argentina, where the issue is being framed as both an environmental threat and a sovereignty concern.

In a report published on 15 May, Argentine outlet Canal 12 warned that “Patagonia is on alert” over the proposal, highlighting anxieties about potential ecological impacts across the wider South Atlantic. The Falkland Islands Government is currently preparing a public consultation on the project, to run from 30 June to 24 August.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

In keeping with North American culinary tradition, Mowi has launched the salmon burger in the US.

The move is part of a strategy by the Norwegian salmon giant to expand its branded products across the Atlantic.

It is being marketed through the membership-based Sam’s Club store chain which is part of the giant Walmart group.

The average American eats the equivalent three beefburgers a week or 50 billion a year among in the entire population, so Mowi is hoping to take a bite out of part of that huge consumption with an omega-rich seafood alternative.

Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer l Read the full article here

The U.S Navy is using joint military exercises with nearly 30 nations to improve cooperation on tacking illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing in West Africa.

Obangame Express 2025 (OE25) brings together militaries from Europe, South America, and Africa for the Navy’s largest exercises focused specifically on tackling IUU fishing in the Gulf of Guinea. According to the Navy, the collaboration focused on improving regional enforcement, legal coordination, naval interoperability, and communication.

Author: Nathan Strout / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

On April 25, an individual business owner registered in Putuo District for distant-water fishing successfully completed online account registration through the "Ocean Cloud+" supply chain service platform.

On the same day, the business officially joined the platform and completed an online listing transaction for 250 tons of Southeast Pacific squid, with a transaction value exceeding 5.3 million yuan.

This milestone trade—the first online transaction by an individual offshore fishing business—was made possible through the coordination and resource integration efforts of Sino-Ocean Group. After completing real-name authentication, entity verification, and warehouse receipt confirmation, the user signed an electronic contract, processed payment, and completed ownership transfer of the goods within the same month. The transaction achieved full alignment across business flow, capital flow, logistics, and data flow for online trade products.

Looking ahead, the Zhejiang Agricultural Center will continue to promote the industry’s digital transformation in line with the group company's directives. Efforts will focus on optimizing industrial data verification services, standardizing market trading practices, enhancing service quality, and accelerating the high-quality development of Zhoushan's offshore fisheries.

Source: Zhejiang Agricultural Center

Fredericton, N.B. – Glenn Cooke, Chief Executive Officer of Cooke Inc., a global seafood leader headquartered in New Brunswick, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by St. Thomas University during its Spring Convocation ceremony held on May 13, 2025.

The prestigious recognition was bestowed upon Cooke in front of graduates, families, faculty, staff, dignitaries, and other special guests. He expressed his profound gratitude to St. Thomas University President Farooqi and the university leadership for the honour, stating it was a privilege to receive such recognition from a respected institution in his home province. Cooke acknowledged the significance of the occasion and accepted the degree with deep appreciation and a sense of responsibility.

In his address to the graduating class, Cooke offered his congratulations, celebrating their commitment, resilience, and promising futures. He also commended St. Thomas University for the recent launch of its Business and Social Entrepreneurship program, hailing it as a bold and timely initiative that reflects the university's forward-thinking vision in a rapidly evolving business and societal landscape.

Cooke emphasized his long-held belief that truly sustainable businesses must extend beyond mere profitability, advocating for fiscal soundness, environmental responsibility, and social commitment as crucial pillars for thriving communities and a healthy planet.