TEHRAN, (MNA) – Iran’s exports of farmed caviar witnessed remarkable growth, surging by 112% during the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year, which began on March 21, 2024, according to an official from the Iranian Fisheries Organization.

Nasser Karamirad, Director General of Stock Enhancement and Conservation of Aquatic Genetic Resources at the Iranian Fisheries Organization, reported that 5.346 tons of farmed caviar, valued at $3.2 million, were exported to 28 countries between March 21 and December 22, 2024. This marks a significant increase compared to the same period last year.

Among the key export destinations for Iranian farmed caviar were the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Belgium, Karamirad noted.

He further highlighted that, in the previous Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 20, 2024, Iran exported 4.784 tons of farmed caviar. The latest figures showcase a substantial year-on-year improvement in export performance.

Karamirad also stated that as of the first six months of the current calendar year (March 21 to September 21, 2024), Iran had 304 units dedicated to farmed caviar production.

The provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Fars emerged as the leading regions in caviar production, demonstrating their pivotal role in driving the industry forward.

Source: MA/IRN85723754

In the Far East, the Okhotsk Sea fishing season "A" has been underway since January, ending in April. During this period, the main pollock catch is made - up to 80% of the annual volume.

The progress of the fishery is under the control of the Headquarters of the Federal Agency for Fisheries on issues of organizing and conducting the Okhotsk Sea fishing season "A" 2025.

According to the industry monitoring system of the Federal Agency for Fisheries (Federal Service for Fisheries Monitoring) as of January 19, 2025, the pollock catch totaled more than 135 thousand tons, of which 92 thousand tons were caught in the Sea of ??Okhotsk. 64 vessels were involved in the pollock expedition.

In the Sea of ??Okhotsk, 20 vessels were fishing for herring. Since the beginning of the year, Far Eastern fishermen have caught 80.3 thousand tons of Pacific herring (152.4% of the 2024 level), including 74.9 thousand tons in the North Okhotsk subzone (159% of the 2024 level).

The cod catch in the Far Eastern basin amounted to 8.5 thousand tons, including 4.5 thousand tons in the Sea of ??Okhotsk, where 19 vessels worked.

As of January 19, the total occupancy rate of refrigerators for storing fish products in Primorsky Krai was 49%. There were 28 vessels approaching ports with more than 39,846 tons of fish products on board.

Source: Federal Agency for Fisheries

Norway and the other EFTA countries today signed a historic free trade agreement with Thailand. The agreement will grant virtually all products from Norway zero tariffs to Thailand.

Israel's instrument of acceptance brings to 89 the total number of WTO members that have formally accepted the Agreement. Twenty-two more formal acceptances are needed for the Agreement to come into effect.

DG Okonjo-Iweala said: “I welcome Israel's formal acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Each additional acceptance brings us closer to the threshold for the entry into force of these vital rules that will curb harmful subsidies and protect global fish stocks. I urge remaining WTO members to submit their own letters of acceptance, thereby helping to safeguard our oceans — and the livelihoods that depend on them — for future generations.”

Minister Barkat said: “Israel is proud to have successfully completed the domestic approval process of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, being the first agreement of its kind to focus on environmental sustainability. The agreement marks a pivotal moment in advancing sustainable development and we are glad to bring Members closer to its implementation. We remain not only optimistic, but also confident in the transformative potential of this agreement to rejuvenate and accelerate the processes leading up to the 14th Ministerial Conference. I extend my gratitude to the Director-General for her exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment in guiding this agreement to fruition.”

The Agreement will enter into force upon acceptance by two-thirds of the membership.

Norwegian salmon flooding EU Market, Danish industry raises concerns.

New tariff rules have increased Norway’s access to the EU market for smoked salmon, sparking criticism from Danish seafood leaders.

As of January 1, Norway has been granted an additional export quota of 2,500 tonnes of tariff-free smoked salmon under the compensation mechanism tied to the EEA agreement, bringing the total annual allowance to 5,250 tonnes.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

Salmon farming company Bakkafrost has agreed to continue its sponsorship of the Faroese men’s national football team.

Bakkafrost has not given a financial figure but said the support will continue for the next four years.

Bakkafrost has been a long-term supporter of the Faroese national team, which is seen as one of the minnows in international soccer although it occasionally springs surprises.

However, the choice of players is very limited as the population of the Faroe Islands is only 57,000, the size of a town like Weymouth in the UK.

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

Fish farmer and business executive Stewart Hawthorn has been appointed as the new chief executive of Akaroa King Salmon in New Zealand.

Hawthorn is managing director of Loch Long Salmon which is seeking to establish floating closed containment farms in Loch Long and Loch Linnhe in Scotland, and is a former farming director of Scotland trout producer Dawnfresh, now owned by Mowi.

He spent almost 13 years in New Zealand as general manager aquaculture for the New Zealand King Salmon Company between 1997 and 2010.

Author: Gareth Moore / fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here

When choosing cod liver, experts recommend paying attention to several facts. 

For example, where the canned food was produced and what is in its composition - chilled or frozen raw materials, says consumer goods quality specialist Marina Kovalchuk.

“If you see that the raw material has been frozen, it’s better to put that jar aside,” she advises .

According to her, liver from chilled raw materials will have a more delicate taste and will not be bitter.

Another important point is the region of production. It is better to choose those canned goods that were produced directly in the regions where cod is caught, for example in Murmansk or Arkhangelsk. According to Marina Kovalchuk, such products are of high quality, so it is important that the place of production coincides with the region of catch.

But the names "cod liver Murmansk style" or "Scandinavian style" should be treated with caution. According to Marina Kovalchuk, often these inscriptions hide pates or canned goods with added milk.

This information was confirmed to Veterinary Science and Life by the National Center for Fish and Agricultural Safety (FSBI NTSBRP Rosselkhoznadzor). Last year, the center's laboratory examined 95 samples of canned cod liver. Of these, 13 samples did not meet quality and safety requirements. Instead of cod liver, salmon milt and heavy metals (arsenic) were found in the cans. In addition, discrepancies in organoleptic indicators were found.