SHANGHAI – China and Japan held a vital Fisheries Cooperation Dialogue in Shanghai on May 26, bringing together officials from both nations to enhance collaborative efforts in sustainable fisheries management. The meeting, co-chaired by representatives from China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, focused on critical issues concerning East China Sea resources.

The two sides exchanged updates on their respective fisheries development and management strategies. China highlighted its recent achievements in promoting green aquaculture, strengthening offshore and distant-water fisheries management, conserving aquatic biological resources, and combating illegal fishing. Japan, in turn, detailed revisions to its fishery resource assessment and management system and shared results from its assessment of East China Sea surface fish, including mackerel.

Discussions also covered other shared concerns, notably the strengthened conservation and management of eel resources. During the dialogue, delegates visited the East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute and the Shanghai Aquatic Wildlife Conservation Center, gaining insights into resource surveys and efforts to conserve species like the Chinese sturgeon.

Both nations affirmed their strong foundation and broad potential for fisheries cooperation. 

Europêche is pleased to announce that the Latvian North Atlantic Fisheries Association (Latvijas Ziemelatlantijas Zvejas asociacija) has officially joined as a new member, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the voice of the European fishing sector at EU and international levels.

Europêche looks forward to a productive partnership with the Latvian North Atlantic Fisheries Association and to working together toward a sustainable, competitive and resilient future for European fisheries.

Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

Grieg Seafood reports Q1 2025 operational EBIT of NOK 221 million ($21.2 million/€19.0 million) amid restructuring costs.

Grieg Seafood ASA reported an operational EBIT of NOK 221 million ($21.2 million/€19.0 million) in the first quarter of 2025, down from NOK 292 million ($28.0 million/€25.1 million) in the same period last year.

The result includes a one-off cost of NOK 68 million ($6.5 million/€5.8 million) related to organisational changes and the demobilisation of its post-smolt Atlantic (PSA) operations.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

The value of the Republic of Ireland’s aquaculture sector increased by 25% last year compared to 2023 due entirely to a recovery in salmon production.

“After a low output year in 2023, salmon volumes bounced back by over 50%, reaching over 14,000 tonnes, the highest since 2017. This alone accounted for a 44% increase in the value of salmon production,” Ireland’s seafood development agency, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), said in its recently published Business of Seafood 2024 report.

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

Unions Halt All Maritime and Port Activities, Protesting Decrees Impacting Merchant Marine and Fishing Sector Wages.

BUENOS AIRES – Argentina's ports are facing a complete 24-hour shutdown as maritime and port unions initiated a nationwide strike today, May 27, 2025. The industrial action, which began at 00:00 AM and will conclude at 24:00 PM, protests recent government decrees aimed at deregulating water transport and the fisheries sector.

The Naval Skippers' Union of the Argentine Republic and the Center of River and Fishing Patrons and Officers and Maritime Cabotage announced the strike. They specifically cite Decree 340/25, known as the "Merchant Marine Exception Regime," which follows Decree 37/2025 that modified the "Maritime, River, and Lake Navigation Regime," paving the way for current deregulation attempts.

Union leaders accuse the government of acting "functionally to business interests that seek to promote a 30% reduction in the salaries of workers in the fishing sector" by suspending prospecting in national waters. They also condemned Resolution 1/2025 from the Ministry of Health's advisory cabinet, which they claim is designed to dismantle the social welfare system for healthcare.

The strike highlights escalating tensions between labor unions and the Argentine government over economic policy and its impact on maritime and fishing industries.

WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Warning Letters to two international seafood processing facilities—one in Venezuela and another in South Korea—citing significant violations of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations. These deficiencies raise serious concerns about the potential for Clostridium botulinum toxin formation, a severe food safety hazard.

The FDA sent a Warning Letter to Yeshua Bendito, C.A., a seafood processor in San Francisco, Zulia, Venezuela, following a remote regulatory assessment conducted in June 2024. The company, which processes cooked, ready-to-eat (RTE) refrigerated and frozen crab meat in reduced oxygen packaging, was found to have HACCP plan deficiencies that could lead to botulism toxin, natural toxins, and chemical contamination risks. The FDA deemed their products adulterated under U.S. law.

Similarly, Eden F&C Co. Ltd., a seafood processor in Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, received a Warning Letter after an April 2024 inspection. This facility processes RTE frozen fish sausage corn dogs in vacuum packaging. The FDA identified serious HACCP violations that could foster the growth of non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum and toxin formation, leading to the adulteration of their products.

Both Warning Letters, issued in early November 2024 and recently made public, require the companies to respond within 15 business days, outlining corrective actions.

Collaborative Effort Leads to Relocation of Unauthorized Aquaculture, Enhancing Navigation and Addressing Encroachments in Vital Vietnamese Port.

CAM RANH, Vietnam – Cam Ranh Bay's crucial shipping lanes are significantly clearer after a concerted effort to remove illegal aquaculture cages, marking a positive shift for maritime safety and port operations. The Nha Trang Maritime Port Authority recently convened a conference to review and assess the success of this clearance work, specifically targeting the dedicated channel to Cam Ranh International Port.

In recent times, the Nha Trang Maritime Port Authority, alongside the Department of Transport (now Department of Construction), Cam Ranh City People's Committee, and various port enterprises, intensified coordination to tackle unauthorized aquaculture and fishing activities. These activities had been encroaching on maritime infrastructure, shipping channels, and anchorage areas within Cam Ranh Bay's seaport waters.

Through this collaborative approach, authorities have successfully relocated and cleared cages from prohibited aquaculture zones. They've also prevented the proliferation of new illegal cages and promptly addressed violations.

To ensure the long-term resolution of this issue, the Nha Trang Maritime Port Authority recommends implementing appropriate sanctions against uncooperative households who deliberately violate regulations.

MPEDA Organizes New Annual Event in Chennai to Connect Global Buyers with Indian Seafood Industry Stakeholders.

CHENNAI – The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), India's nodal agency for seafood industry development, has announced the launch of the first-ever Seafood Expo Bharat (SEB) 2025. This major event is set to take place at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, from July 1 to 3, 2025.

Envisioned as an annual umbrella event, SEB 2025 aims to unite all facets of the seafood sector, from hatchery and feed operators to aqua farmers, processors, exporters, and international trading agents. MPEDA's primary goal is to foster trade relations and significantly boost India's seafood exports.

The expo promises a unique platform for trade visitors to conduct business, exchange technological insights, and forge valuable relationships. Key features of SEB 2025 include an International Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM), designed to facilitate direct interactions between top global seafood importers and Indian exporters. Additionally, the event will host Seafood Tasting Sessions to showcase the diversity and quality of Indian seafood, alongside Technical Sessions offering insights into industry trends and best practices.

MPEDA extends a special invitation to international seafood importers to participate in the RBSM, emphasizing the opportunity to explore India's rapidly developing seafood supply chain.