IFOP and IMARPE Renew Agreement for Sustainable Management of Shared Resources, Driven by "Humboldt II"

VIÑA DEL MAR – A milestone for marine management in the Southeast Pacific was reached with the signing of a key addendum to the scientific and technical cooperation agreement between Chile's Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) and Peru's Marine Institute (IMARPE). The ceremony, held in Viña del Mar during the "Integrated Management of Protected Marine and Coastal Areas" conference, aims to optimize the exploitation of shared fishing resources.

Rear Admiral Jorge Paz Acosta (IMARPE) and Gonzalo Pereira Puchy (IFOP) signed the agreement. This third addendum to the original 1992 agreement will intensify scientific exchange, promote collaborative research on species of common interest, and analyze environmental conditions, focusing on climate variability and an ecosystemic approach. It will also facilitate the exchange of biological and fishing data.

The binational project GEF/PNUD/SUBPESCA/Vice Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture “Humboldt II”, launched in 2022, drove this update for optimal exploitation. Gonzalo Pereira highlighted the common vision of IFOP and IMARPE as "sister institutions." Jorge Paz added that this agreement solidifies joint work since 2024, already materialized in the exchange of over 25 professionals per country, benefiting both nations, leading fishing countries in South America.

South Korea's year-to-date imports of frozen pollock have declined, falling 10% from the previous year, despite a minor increase in September volume.

From January to September 2025, the country imported 95,128 tonnes of frozen pollock, down from 105,136 tonnes in the same period of 2024. This volume accounted for about 14% of South Korea’s total seafood imports.

While the cumulative trend is down, September 2025 saw a slight rise to 17,133 tonnes from 17,127 tonnes a year earlier. The value of these September imports also grew 14% year-on-year, reaching $18.2 million. However, the total import value for the nine-month period saw a slight 1% dip to $100.57 million.

Russia remains the dominant supplier, accounting for a massive 97% of the total volume (95,540 tonnes). The United States and China followed with 2,377 tonnes and 141 tonnes, respectively.

The average import unit price for frozen pollock has risen 10% to $1.06/kg. This price hike is attributed to several factors, including rising exchange rates, increased shipping costs, and supply adjustments in Russian pollock production.

Source: Union Forsea Corp.

Although its roots go back further, the network’s current incarnation was developed by Frédéric Pascal, who joined the seaweed sector after years working with major humanitarian NGOs in some of the world’s most volatile and repressive regions – including Afghanistan, Darfur and North Korea.

Ocean Farmers was formally established in 2017, under the umbrella of the Réunimer Group, a seafood conglomerate based on Réunion island.Although backed by a major seafood business, Ocean Farmers decided to adopt a community-based approach, providing seaweed cultivators with ropes, stakes, training, technical support and guaranteed market access – all under strict sustainability conditions. 

Author: Rob Fletcher / The Fish Site | Read the full article here

Just 48 hours after receiving the European Commission’s thumbs up, Mowi’s £500 million-plus acquisition of salmon farmer Nova Sea has been approved by the Norwegian competition authority.

The deal will mean Mowi increasing its ownership share in Nova Sea from 49% to 95%, giving it almost full control.

Mowi said in an Oslo Stock Exchange announcement this morning: “This means that all formal approvals are now in place and the transaction can be completed.

“With Nova Sea, Mowi now expects to harvest 597,000 tonnes in 2025. Of that, 372,000 tonnes will be in Norway, including 161,000 tonnes in Northern Norway, one of the world’s best regions for farming Atlantic salmon.”

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

Nofima has appointed Finn A. Weltzien as acting director of its aquaculture division for a period from 1 November 2025 until the summer of 2026.

Weltzien is a professor of physiology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and has held several senior leadership roles, most recently as pro-rector for research and innovation.

Nofima chief executive Bente Torstensen said the appointment would strengthen the institute’s management team during a period of change.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

The country overtakes Russia as the main sardine supplier, boosted by CPEC and China's 'Green Channel,' ensuring freshness and quality.

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan's seafood exports to China reached $153 million in the first nine months of 2025, a 25% increase from the previous year's $121.9 million. This growth underscores the strengthening of trade ties under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and improvements in logistics and certification.

Frozen fish exports led the increase, reaching $41 million (up from $30.1 million), with a volume of 21.8 million kilograms. Fresh and chilled crab exports grew to $25.68 million, and frozen cuttlefish to $20.29 million.

A milestone was the explosive growth of frozen sardines, jumping from $3 million to $11.24 million. With this, Pakistan becomes the main exporter of sardines to China, surpassing Russia ($8.39 million) and Indonesia ($1.33 million).

Trade officials attribute this success to increasing competitiveness and the efficiency of China's 'Green Channel,' a customs system that ensures the delivery of frozen products in less than 48 hours, maintaining their freshness. These advancements consolidate Pakistan as a key supplier in the global seafood market.

Canada’s federal government is touting a CAD 1 million (USD 712,423, EUR 611,977) investment in the shellfish sector across the nation's Atlantic provinces, most of which will be used to buy a diagnostic testing system for the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) and set up a “research cluster of excellence” 

According to the government, the purchase will be the basis of a “world-class rapid response testing system” for the nation’s Atlantic shellfish industry. The government has also awarded UPEI another CAD 61,200 (USD 43,600, EUR 37,452) to support a strategy for establishing a research cluster focused on Atlantic shellfish health.

Author: Nathan Strout /SeafoodSource | Read the full article here