The National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Conapesca) has announced the start of the fishing ban periods for all shrimp species in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

Spain has established itself as the leading producer of farmed fish in the European Union (EU), contributing 25% of the total volume.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) analyzed at the Aquaculture Business Conference, the Spanish sector recorded an annual growth of 1.4%, contrasting with the 4% decline experienced across the rest of the community bloc.

Aurora de Blas (pictured), Director General of Fisheries Management and Aquaculture, highlighted that "one out of every four tons" produced in the EU originates from Spanish facilities. According to the industry association Apromar, national production reaches 268,000 tons annually, standing out not only for its volume but also for its species diversity.

With more than 5,000 establishments, the sector is key to territorial cohesion and the maintenance of rural communities. Looking ahead, the Government is promoting the EsAcui 2021-2030 strategy, focused on regulatory simplification, the effective use of funds, and the reinforcement of animal welfare as competitive pillars for the close of the 2024 fiscal year and beyond.

Aquabyte has launched a new camera solution for aquaculture that combines feeding, health monitoring, biomass calculation, and automatic lice counting in one unit.

"With Hydra 360, which is the name of our new camera solution, we are taking a serious step into AI-assisted feeding," Aquabyte's chief commercial officer, Thomas Fekete Rønningen, said at the HavExpo 2026 trade show on the outskirts on Bergen. 

Combined with the feeding product that the company launched at Aqua Nor 2025, Aquabyte believes its all-in-one Hydra 360 will be able to replace all types of cameras used in aquaculture – including the feeding camera - and cover all data collection needs in today's and tomorrow's aquaculture.

Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

The Tuvalu Fisheries Authority (TFA) has officially secured a Grant Funding Contract with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

This agreement marks the beginning of the Tuvalu Fisheries Support Programme Phase 3 (TFSP3), a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering the nation's economic and food security.

The contract allocates a total budget of NZ$10.9 million (approximately US$6.6 million) over a five-year period. To ensure the program's success, MFAT will also provide two long-term technical advisers to work alongside local teams.

Key Objectives of TFSP3

• Sustainable Management: Optimizing oceanic fisheries revenue while protecting marine resources.
• Institutional Strengthening: Enhancing financial management, human resources, and governance for the Board of Directors.
• Asset Maintenance: Restoring operational readiness for the fisheries vessel Manaui II.
• Local Growth: Supporting community fishing and marketing initiatives.

TFA Managing Director Sam Finikaso expressed deep gratitude for New Zealand’s decade-long partnership, emphasizing that this phase is critical for the long-term resilience of Tuvalu’s fisheries sector.

The Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) begins a new chapter under the leadership of Luis Parot Donoso, who returns as Executive Director following his previous tenure between 2018 and 2022.

Parot, a Fisheries Engineer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (Class of 1973) and holder of an MBA, possesses an extensive professional background in the Valparaíso Region, where he held prominent leadership roles in the municipalities of Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Villa Alemana, and Zapallar.

After serving on the institution's Board of Directors between 2013 and 2014, he takes on this challenge with a focus on aquaculture, fisheries, and climate change. Despite a complex financial outlook, Parot emphasizes the urgent need to improve the quality and relevance of research in Chile. To achieve this, he aims for close collaboration with the Undersecretariat of Fisheries, seeking to strengthen the technical advisory services the agency provides to the State of Chile while fostering a work environment built on unity and scientific excellence.

ABANCA and the Foundation Cluster for the Conservation of Seafood Products (FUNPROMAR) have renewed their strategic alliance to promote the dissemination of the sea-industry sector.

The agreement was signed in Vigo by Roberto Alonso, legal representative of the Foundation, and Lino Comesaña, Institutional Business Director of ABANCA in Galicia, Northern Spain, and Portugal.

Key Points of the Agreement:

• Colloquium Cycle: 3 public sessions will be organized in the city of Vigo.
• Themes: Industrial history, sustainability, innovation, and socio-economic value.
• Objective: To bridge the gap between the business world and the public, highlighting the sector's role in food supply and employment.

This collaboration reaffirms the commitment of both entities to the competitiveness of the business framework in Galicia. Through this partnership, they aim to position financing as a key lever for economic progress and social well-being, strengthening the image of an industry essential to the region's development.

One in two tins of tuna labelled sustainable, overtaking cod as UK’s top-selling MSC certified fish. One in two cans of tuna on UK supermarket shelves are now labelled as certified sustainable in a major turnaround for one of the UK’s favourite cupboard staples, according to a new report.

Five years ago, fewer than one in five tuna products carried the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) blue ecolabel, the world’s most recognised ecolabel for sustainably caught seafood, and retailers were being urged to do more to support consumer demand for sustainable sourcing.

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here

The Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) has announced that Bradley George will be serving as its new Executive Director, starting 11 May.

NAIA said that Bradley George is a senior leader and public affairs professional with over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, industry advocacy, government relations, and member-based organisation management.

The Association added: “With a solid understanding of board governance and financial stewardship, Bradley has a demonstrated track record leading provincial advocacy offices, advising policy and decision-makers, and fostering multi-stakeholder relationships.

Source: Fish Farmer | Read the full article here