IN BRIEF - Frozen Pollock Wholesale Prices by Size Show Mixed Trends
SOUTH KOREA
Thursday, October 10, 2024
In week 41 of 2024, wholesale prices for frozen pollock in South Korea have experienced a modest increase across all sizes (6, 7, 8, and 9 pieces per box).
By the end of September 2024, South Korea had imported 105,136 tons of frozen pollock, marking a 1% decrease from 106,596 tons imported in 2023. This volume represents 16.1% of the country’s total seafood imports.
The total value of frozen pollock imports reached USD 105.14 million, reflecting a 10% decline from USD 101.10 million during the same period in 2023. The average import price for frozen pollock until September 2024 was USD 0.96 per kilogram, down 9% from USD 1.06 per kilogram in 2023. Prices varied by country, with Russia at USD 0.96/kg, the United States at USD 1.25/kg, and China at USD 1.61/kg.
Domestically, wholesale prices for frozen pollock are as follows: the 7-piece size is approximately KRW 39,500, while the 8-piece size is about KRW 29,500. The price for the 8-piece size has decreased by 3.3% from KRW 30,500 in August 2024 and by 13.2% from KRW 34,000 in June 2024.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) of Indonesia intercepted 154 vessels involved in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in jurisdictional waters through September 2026.
This tally adds to the surveillance operations conducted by the agency in recent periods, following the seizure of 88 illegal vessels in 2024 and 355 vessels across 2025.
Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono emphasized in Jakarta that maritime enforcement actions aim to curb the unlawful exploitation of national fisheries resources and ensure they deliver maximum benefit to local fishing communities. Alongside the interdiction of offending vessels, the official noted that the ministry is stepping up marine conservation measures to protect the archipelago's ocean ecosystems.
The Environment and Energy Agency has granted a temporary permit to Samherji to immediately resume operations at its fish drying facility in Laugar, located in the Reykjadalur valley.
The provisional measure remains in effect while the Northeastern Health Committee processes a new permanent operating license, with a maximum validity set at 1 year. The plant, which employs approximately 20 people and represents the largest workplace in the area outside the municipality itself, handles the final processing stages of the company's commercial catch.
The resumption comes after the original permit was revoked in mid-September by the Environmental and Natural Resources Appeals Committee. The tribunal ruled that the local health board had issued the authorization without sufficient baseline data on the status of surrounding water bodies, while clarifying that there were no operational deficiencies on the part of Samherji. Under this renewed temporary authorization, the seafood company must maintain rigorous, updated wastewater monitoring while the administrative procedure is rectified.
An FAO report notes a recovery in resources and growth in aquaculture, while warning of uneven profitability across fishing fleets and the challenges of attracting young people to the sector.
Fisheries in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea are showing progress in the recovery of their resources, though significant biological and economic imbalances persist. The report *The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2025*, produced by the FAO’s General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), indicates that average fishing pressure dropped by approximately 50% between 2013 and 2023, and that the biomass of the commercial species assessed increased by 25%. Nevertheless, 52% of the populations analyzed remain overexploited—even though this figure is at its lowest point in the recorded series.
The cod farmer Norcod has successfully started fish oil production at its Kråkøy harvesting facility in Norway, enabling almost every part of each harvested cod to be utilised and generate value for the company.
In the first two weeks of operation, the Norwegian cod farmer’s new facility has produced more than 14 tons of high-quality fish oil.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Scientists and authorities from eight coastal nations across the Americas warned that the 2026 El Niño event is consolidating as one of the largest instrumentally recorded, pointing to a steady increase in both the frequency and magnitude of ENSO cycles.
The alert was issued during a regional conference held in Panama City from October 14 to 16, 2026.
The delegation from Chile was led by the executive director of the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), Luis Parot, representing the Undersecretariat for Fisheries, alongside oceanographer Dr. Jaime Letelier Pino (ERFEN-Chile). The summit also brought together experts from the FAO and the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific (CPPS).
Specialists emphasized that coastal ecosystems and local fish stocks exhibit high vulnerability starting in the initial stages of the phenomenon, impacting their distribution, abundance, and reproductive cycles. In response to these direct marine habitat alterations, IFOP will intensify monitoring of strategic fishery resources, including swordfish (Xiphias gladius).
Businesses in Australia, Malaysia and the Netherlands have reached the finals of Britain’s prestigious international fish and chip awards
Three fish and chip businesses in Australia, Malaysia and the Netherlands have been named finalists for International Fish & Chip Operator of the Year at the National Fish & Chip Awards, recognising their efforts to bring the traditional British dish to customers overseas.
Organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), the awards celebrate businesses maintaining the quality, standards and traditions associated with Britain’s popular takeaway while introducing it to new international markets.
Tokyo — Japanese seafood group Nissui announced that its subsidiary, Nissui Logistics, has fully restored cargo receiving and shipping operations at all 17 facilities following an IT disruption caused by unauthorized access to systems operated by its technology provider, IDC Frontier.
The incident initially disrupted the company's logistics activities. Operations began to resume partially on October 9, with full restoration confirmed on October 20.
Nissui stated that it will strengthen its cybersecurity measures, third-party risk management, and business continuity and recovery procedures.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of cold-chain logistics to cyberattacks affecting technology providers and underscores the importance of maintaining operational continuity across the food supply chain.
Presents "Vision 2040" with measures that fail to address urgent problems
Yesterday in Strasbourg, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis unveiled the long-awaited "Vision 2040" for EU fisheries and aquaculture—a strategy designed to build a competitive, resilient, and sustainable sector over the next 15 years. However, this forward-looking plan defers too many issues that, according to industry professionals, require urgent, immediate action. Specifically, it sidesteps a reform of the 2013 Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)—a reform that the European Commission continues to avoid, thirteen years later.
Author: J. G. Santalla / S. M. / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Authorities and salmon producers in Chile’s Aysén region are reviewing preparations for potential mass fish mortality as the critical period for El Niño is expected to begin in December.
The work covers early-warning systems, company contingency plans and the capacity to respond to harmful algal blooms, according to a statement issued by fisheries and aquaculture regulator Sernapesca on 19 October.
Regional director Daniela Leiva said advance coordination was necessary ahead of the expected December risk period.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
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