Inner Mongolia — A pioneering aquaculture project is turning saline-alkali water bodies in Inner Mongolia into productive seafood farms. In May 2025, 20,000 sea bass fry were introduced into two inland sites in Bayanmaodu Sumu, marking the start of an adaptive breeding experiment for marine fish in non-traditional environments.

Led by the Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute and China University of Petroleum (East China), the initiative aims to revitalize rural areas by tapping into underutilized saline-alkali waters—estimated at 200,000 to 300,000 mu in Kezuohou Banner. The project also explores farming white shrimp and is backed by rigorous monitoring of water quality and fish growth.

If successful, this model could establish a new “saline-alkali seafood” industry inland, supporting economic development and food production. The effort follows recent national advancements in transporting marine fish over long distances, underscoring China's push to expand aquaculture innovation.

Source: Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon recently said that the massive global retailer will likely have to raise prices due to tariffs instituted by U.S. President Donald Trump.

In response, Trump said that Walmart should just “eat the tariffs.”

“Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain,” Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social. “Between Walmart and China they should, as is said, 'EAT THE TARIFFS,' and not charge valued customers ANYTHING. I’ll be watching, and so will your customers!!!”

Author: Christine Blank / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

The first quarter was characterised by a low harvest volume where majority of the volume was harvested late in the quarter. The focus in the quarter has been to build biomass so that increased volume is facilitated later in 2025.

Operational EBIT for Norway was NOK 852 million in the first quarter of 2025. The harvest volume was 40,400 tonnes and operational EBIT per kg was NOK 21.1. Operational EBIT for the Group was NOK 798 million in the first quarter of 2025. The harvest volume was 42,700 tonnes and operational EBIT per kg was NOK 18.7.

SalMar has great faith in and willingness to invest in profitable and sustainable salmon production in Norway and has recently further strengthened SalMar’s position

Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

Producers will be able to use Salmon Standard until May 2027

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has launched a 30-day public consultation on the inclusion of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) within the ASC certification and labelling programme.

To enable quick access to ASC certification, Atlantic cod will initially be added to the scope of the ASC’s Salmon Standard (version 1.4). Cod farming will then be incorporated into the ASC Farm Standard, following a transition period until the Farm Standard becomes the mandatory option from May 2027 onwards. 

Source: fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here

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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