A recent announcement from the UK Government which detailed increases in National Insurance contributions, in addition to other tax changes, has been met with unrest from the country’s seafood industry.

The recent announcement of changes has caused unrest within the seafood sector, with industry organisations such as the Scottish Seafood Association (SSA) and the Scottish Pelagic Processors’ Association (SPPA) claiming the budget changes threaten economic growth.

Source: The Fish Site l Read the full article here

Otter Ferry Seafish, one of the most innovative – and oldest – aquaculture businesses in Scotland, has been sold to Canada-based Amar Seafood.

Operating since 1968 on the shores of Loch Fyne, Otter Ferry developed trout farming and land based salmon farming operations, as well as salmon broodstock and smolt production, before moving into other marine species.

As the only commercial marine hatchery in Scotland it has played a leading role in establishing production of halibut broodstock and juveniles, wrasse and lumpfish.

Author: Robert Outram / Fish Farmer l Read the full article here

With a new space designed to encourage teamwork, the entity celebrates its growth and commitment to the future of the fishing sector.

Sinerxia Consultora has officially opened its new offices located on Rúa do Rego in Milladoiro (Ames). This modern space has been designed to support the company's growth and encourage collaborative work in the development of innovative and sustainable solutions, especially focused on the fishing industry.

The opening ceremony was attended by Raquel Estévez, CEO of Sinerxia, employees; the mayor of Ames, Blas García Piñeiro; the Councilor for Economic Promotion, Ana Belén Paz García; representatives of the local government; and Sinerxia clients. During the event, Raquel Estévez, CEO of Sinerxia, described the new facilities as “a space to continue growing and working towards a sustainable future in the fishing sector and beyond.”

As part of the inauguration, the awards ceremony for the First Sinerxia Innovation Competition was held, an initiative aimed at highlighting disruptive projects that promote sustainability and efficiency in key sectors. The jury, composed of: Raquel Estévez (CEO of Sinerxia Consultora), Juan Lago (R&D director of Sinerxia), Jorge Romón (president of PTEPA) and Rocío Béjar (deputy general secretary of CEPESCA), evaluated each proposal based on innovation, technical and economic viability, sustainability, and implementation capacity.

The state’s longest-operating seafood canning facility in Washington County, Maine, is closing its doors, according to a report by Fox 22 Bangor. For more than 100 years, Looks Gourmet, operating as Bar Harbor Foods, has processed and canned mackerel, salmon, sardines, and clams from its factory, the last of its kind in the region.

The company, renowned for its clam chowder and clam juice, has been a staple of Maine’s seafood industry. However, the decision to close the facility follows years of operational challenges and shifting business priorities.

Sea Watch International, which acquired Looks Gourmet in 2016, announced the closure as part of a restructuring plan.

“After careful consideration and extensive evaluation of our current business needs, we made the painful decision to close the Maine facility,” said General Manager Mike Sansing.

The production will be relocated to Sea Watch's facility in Milford, Delaware, a move Sansing described as essential to ensure the company's long-term success.

This closure marks the end of an era for Washington County, leaving a significant gap in the local seafood processing industry.

Muzaffargarh pilot project ships 21 tons, with sights set on $2 billion in annual exports.

Pakistan has entered the $57 billion global shrimp farming industry with its inaugural shrimp export to Vietnam, a significant achievement in the country’s expanding aquaculture sector.

The first shipment, consisting of 21 tons of shrimp, was dispatched from the Muzaffargarh shrimp farm pilot project. This marks a key milestone in collaborative efforts by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Green Pakistan Initiative, and the Green Corporate Livestock Initiative (GCLI). Plans are already underway for additional shipments to Jordan and the United States.

Vast Potential for Expansion

Pakistan’s aquaculture sector is tapping into its immense potential, with thousands of acres in coastal areas and Punjab's saline regions identified as suitable for shrimp farming. This progress is the result of strategic legislative reforms and targeted measures aimed at strengthening the sector.

The project unites federal and provincial governments, with Punjab and Sindh collaborating under the SIFC and GCLI frameworks to attract both domestic and international investments. These coordinated efforts aim to position Pakistan as a significant competitor in the global shrimp market.

Factory trawler Centurión del Atlántico – the largest in the South American country – has made a strong start after a complete refit.

In September 2024, Estremar, a leading Argentine fisheries company, put its fully-renovated factory vessel Centurión del Atlántico into action. The 118-metre-long trawler is now the only fishing vessel in the South American country with hybrid propulsion. Its update was done in Norway, where it received many new features to enhance its operations’ sustainability and to reduce its carbon footprint.

Author: Eduardo Campos Lima / Worldfishing l  Read the full article here

Rehovot, Israel-based cell-cultured seafood producer Forsea said it has achieved a major step toward making cell-cultured eel commercially viable. 

Using the startup’s organoid technology, Forsea said it recently achieved the highest cell density recorded in the cell-cultured seafood field.

Organoid technology is a patented platform which allows cells to differentiate and grow autonomously, as they do in nature. In general, cell-cultured seafood uses stem cells that are directed toward specific target tissues like muscle or fat.

Author: Erin Spampinato / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here