The Seagriculture USA 2024 conference, the premier event for the seaweed industry, was successfully held in Ketchikan, Alaska from 11-12 September 2024.

Under the theme “Exploring New Frontiers,” Seagriculture USA 2024 united nearly 200 stakeholders from 10 countries to share knowledge and ideas, steering the future of the seaweed industry towards sustainable and economically viable paths. Representatives from more than 120 companies and institutions actively engaged in discussions, networking, and knowledge sharing.

Source: Fish Farmer l  Read the full article here

The most famous brand fish named after a university is the Kindai Tuna, which is fully farmed at Kinki University, but what is less known is that Hokkaido University also has a brand fish named after a university, the Hokkaido University Trout. 

They are selling them as processed products. They are teaming up with a local food company to make effective use of salmon and trout that have completed breeding experiments at the Hokkaido University Nanae Freshwater Experiment Station in Nanae Town. (Kohei Tsuchida)

Eisuke Takahashi, who is in charge of salmon farming and experiments at the Hokkaido University Nanae Freshwater Research Station ==>

Currently, there are three types of Hokkaido University Trout products: "Smoked Cherry Salmon," "Smoked Yamame," and "Ito Oil Confit." They are manufactured by Hokuto City's food processing company, "Wiseman's FPL," and sold on the company's website. They are also available at the cafe and co-op on the Hokkaido University Sapporo Campus (Kita Ward, Sapporo City) from time to time.

Takahashi says, "The salmon and trout that become Hokkaido University trout are mainly used for research, so the quantities are not large, but we hope to continue providing them as high-quality, delicious fish."

Vessels built under the investment quota program are included in the updated list of Russian production facilities whose products (fish meal and oil) are approved for delivery to China.

The list, posted on the website of the Main Territorial Administration of the People's Republic of China, includes, among other things, new trawlers of the Russian Fishing Company and Atlantrybflot, members of the Fishery Shipowners Association (FSA).

"The inclusion of vessels built under investment quotas in the list of fishmeal suppliers to China has eliminated the non-tariff barrier to the supply of this product from new capacities to the key market. This is the result of the systematic work of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rosselkhoznadzor in developing the export of fish products," said FSA President Alexey Osintsev.

Russian fishermen are actively increasing the production of fishmeal. The FSA analysis showed that over the five years from 2018 to 2023, its production in Russia increased by one and a half times (from 116.5 to 174.1 thousand tons) with an average annual growth rate of 8.4%. According to expert forecasts, by the end of 2024, compared to 2023, production will grow by another 11% - to 193 thousand tons, and the volume of exports will increase by more than 30% and will amount to 189 thousand tons.

The fishmeal market remains promising in the long term. In the next 10 years, experts predict the growth of the world mar

Advansia is strengthening the professional environment in aquaculture by employing Harald Schreiner Fiksdal as a senior advisor. Fiksdal himself has been involved in starting and managing a land-based farming company and knows where the shoe presses.

Aquaculture is a rapidly developing industry and increasingly larger and more modern land-based facilities are being built in Norway. It also creates an increased need in the industry for actors with expertise and experience in project management of large and complex projects.

"We are proud that Harald has chosen us in Advansia as his new employer. With his in-depth technical understanding and his long managerial experience from both the energy and aquaculture industries, Harald adds valuable expertise to our professional environment and to our customers", says Peder Sollie, section manager Aquaculture, Advansia.

Fiksdal has a master's degree in engineering from Germany and almost 30 years of experience in the energy sector, both in Norway and internationally. Since 2017, he has worked in aquaculture where, among other things, he has been the founder and managing director of a land-based farming company.

Scientists are using an ecosystem approach to aquaculture, growing multiple seafood products together in a sustainable system.

Have you ever heard the expression “What grows together, goes together”? In our latest podcast, we'll hear about an innovative aquaculture system that's more complex than growing a single species of fish (or kelp or shellfish). It also has the potential for greater returns. What's unique about this system is that the wastes from one species gets transformed into resources for another. That’s right, we’re talking about fish poop—which can be a costly and challenging issue for commercial aquaculture operations.

It’s called integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, which means growing more than one species in the same place at the same time. For example, researcher Dr. Mike Acquafredda grew striped bass, worms, and edible sea beans in a connected system. The fish thrived; the worms ate nearly half the fish poop; and he produced almost 50 pounds of sea beans—all in a fairly small space.

Learn more about his research and the future of this cost-effective, sustainable way to grow seafood.

Source: NOAA Fisheries

In August 2024, South Korea imported 1,367 tons of fresh salmon, a 14% decrease from 1,596 tons during the same period in 2023.

The cumulative import volume by August 2024 reached 10,872 tons, down 14% from 12,590 tons in the previous year. This accounts for 1.86% of the total seafood import volume of 583,751 tons.

Norway was the dominant supplier, accounting for 98% of the refrigerated salmon imports with 10,649 tons, followed by Canada (85 tons), Australia (59 tons), Chile (50 tons), and the UK (29 tons). 

The import price per country was highest for Norway at USD 13.42/kg, followed by Canada at USD 12.29/kg, and Australia at USD 10.97/kg.

The import value for August 2024 amounted to USD 14.06 million, a 35% decline from USD 21.51 million in August 2023. The cumulative import value for the year reached USD 145.58 million, down 23% compared to USD 188.49 million in the same period last year. The average import price was USD 13.39/kg, an 11% decrease from the USD 14.97/kg recorded in the previous year.

Source: Union Forsea Corp.

In samples taken from two batches of canned cod liver from a manufacturer in Primorsky Krai, violations of organoleptic indicators were found, namely, the smell of oxidized and rancid fat was detected.

The studies were conducted in the Primorsky branch of the National Center for Safety of Aquatic Products and Aquaculture of the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSBI "NCBRP").

“A possible reason for the violation of veterinary and sanitary rules was the failure to comply with production or storage technology, as well as the violation of the conditions for transporting canned goods,” the institution’s experts commented .

The results of the studies were entered into the automated Vesta system. The information was then transferred to the central office and territorial departments of Rosselkhoznadzor, the veterinary departments of the regions of the Russian Federation and other departments for taking response measures. Information about violations was also communicated to the owner of the products.

It is worth noting that the problem of violation of organoleptic indicators in producers of canned cod liver has been identified repeatedly. Earlier, the Fish Union conducted a study of such canned goods.

Icefish 2024 concluded with record-breaking success, attracting 12,387 attendees from 60 countries and celebrating the event's 40th anniversary. It marked a return to pre-COVID visitor levels, reinforcing Icefish as a global hub for the fishing industry and highlighting Iceland’s leadership in fisheries. 

The event featured an awards ceremony recognizing innovation, sustainability, and technology in the sector, alongside the Fish Waste for Profit Conference, which focused on maximizing value from fish by-products and promoting sustainable practices. With a strong emphasis on AI, automation, and sustainability, Icefish 2024 showcased the industry's resilience and future potential for growth and innovation.

Icefish 2024 was not just a reflection of the industry's resilience in the wake of global challenges, but a forward-looking celebration of its capacity for growth, innovation, and transformation.

The organizers of the event  are very excited to build on this incredible momentum and look forward to even more groundbreaking achievements at future editions of Icefish.

OTTAWA — After months of negotiations, Canada and France have reached an agreement allowing fishers from the French archipelago of St-Pierre-Miquelon to access a portion of the annual Atlantic halibut catch, officials announced Monday.

The deal grants French fishers 3% of the total allowable catch, which is set annually by Canada, according to the federal Fisheries Department. Negotiations had been ongoing since 2016.

Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier stated, “This agreement ensures the long-term sustainability of Atlantic halibut stocks, while supporting both Canadian and French coastal communities.”

Photo: Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck/FIS

Most Atlantic halibut are found in Canadian waters, though a smaller portion lives within the maritime zone of St-Pierre-Miquelon, located about 25 km off Newfoundland’s Burin Peninsula.

Under the new deal, French fishers can operate in French waters and international waters, but not in Canadian zones. The agreement is also expected to foster collaboration on scientific research.

In 2022, Canadian Atlantic halibut landings were valued at approximately $70 million.

Neither the union representing Newfoundland and Labrador harvesters nor other fishing organizations offered immediate comment on the agreement.