IN BRIEF - Iwashi Sardine Catch 25% Higher Than 2023 Levels
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Friday, October 11, 2024
Russian fishermen have caught 304,000 tons of Iwashi sardines in the Far Eastern basin, a significant increase from last year’s catch of 241,400 tons. Currently, around 30 fishing vessels are engaged in the sardine fishery.
Iwashi sardines are primarily sent for processing to create affordable and popular canned and preserved products.
Fishing for Iwashi takes place in the open waters of the northwest Pacific Ocean (NWPO) as well as within Japan's exclusive economic zone. In addition to Russian vessels, approximately 100 foreign boats—mostly flying the Chinese flag—are also operating in these waters, targeting sardines, mackerel, and other pelagic species.
Interesting Fact #1:
Iwashi is often referred to as the "people's fish" due to its nutritional value. Its meat is rich in iodine, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, B vitamins, and other beneficial microelements, making it suitable for a wide range of culinary dishes.
Interesting Fact #2:
The Japanese have been catching Iwashi since the 15th and 16th centuries, and it was a common dish on their tables during that time. In Japanese, the word for sardine is "maiwashi."
The Ministry of Production reported that the consumption of seafood products in Peru has steadily increased over the last decade, rising from 13.2 kilos per person in 2012 to 17.1 kilos in 2024, representing an increase of nearly 4 kilos per capita. This progress is mainly attributed to the implementation of the National Program "Let's Eat Fish," aimed at promoting healthy eating and access to seafood at affordable prices.
In this context, and as part of Fish Consumption Week, the "My Fish Market: Nutrition for Families" fair was held in the Central Plaza of Manchay, in the district of Pachacámac, with the goal of promoting the consumption of highly nutritious seafood products, both wild and farmed.
The Port of Vigo is hosting the 7th Workshop of the FAO's Blue Ports Initiative until next Thursday, the 12th. This is the second workshop to be held in person in Vigo, with the participation of nearly fifty representatives from more than 25 fishing ports in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The event has the technical and financial support of the General Secretariat for Fisheries, State Ports, the Galician Ministry of the Sea, and the Vigo Port Authority.
The goal is to define the infrastructure requirements for sustainable fishing ports. To achieve this, national and international specialists in port management, development, and infrastructure will participate in training sessions and exchanges of experiences, combining classroom activities with technical visits to fishing ports in Galicia
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
A young biologist has achieved nothing short of a miracle: singlehandedly building the only RAS farm for Arctic char in the Netherlands. Focusing on short supply chains and a strong product story, he makes a decent living from his Dutch char as well.
The Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is a cold-water fish in the family Salmonidae, native to alpine lakes and Arctic and subarctic coastal waters in northern Europe. It was first scientifically described in the genus Salmo and it somewhat resembles a small, but beautifully speckled, Atlantic salmon.
In a small village near the river Rhine, in an area well known for its fruit orchards, we meet Jelle Busscher.
Authors: Jonah van Beijnen - Kyra Hoevenaars / The Fish Site | Read the full article here
Ninety-seven percent of the world’s total commercial tuna catch now comes from stocks at “healthy” abundance levels, according to the latest “Status of the Stocks” report from the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF).
At the same time, nearly 100% of the global tuna catch comes from stocks not experiencing overfishing. ISSF says this indicates that tuna fisheries are not only biologically healthy but also being harvested at sustainable levels.
SalMar passed 300,000 tons harvested in one year for the first time
Lower costs and higher prices gave SalMar, the world's second largest Atlantic salmon farmer, a clear boost in results in the fourth quarter, Fish Farming Expert's Norwegian sister site, Kyst.no, reports.
For the full year 2025, for the first time, over 300,000 gutted weight tonnes of salmon were harvested in one year, SalMar says in its Q4 2025 report. The total harvest volume ended at 300,900 gwt.
Author: Ole Andreas Drønen / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The figures, reported by Kevin Craigens of The Shetland Times, prompted Ms Burgess to accuse the industry of a lack of transparency and to question why salmon farms are allowed to decide what mortality data they disclose.
“Scotland’s salmon farming industry has serious problems, and letting companies choose what to report isn’t working,” said Ms Burgess, the Highlands and Islands list MSP and a member of Holyrood’s Rural Affairs Committee. She is campaigning for a pause on new salmon farms and the expansion of existing sites, and is calling for mandatory reporting of all fish deaths.
She said a committee review found that most of the 65 recommendations made by a previous inquiry in 2019 had not been implemented, with conditions in some areas worsening. “Scotland’s good name and our seas depend on it,” she added.
The Scottish Government said it takes fish health “very seriously” and insisted the industry is subject to “robust controls”. It said it does “not recognise” the figures cited and warned that a moratorium could threaten jobs and investment.
Industry body Salmon Scotland criticised Ms Burgess’ comments, noting an independent report showing the sector contributes £1 billion to the Scottish economy and supports rural communities.
The Rostov Region remains one of Russia’s leading producers of farmed fish in the Azov–Black Sea Fisheries Basin and nationwide. The development of aquaculture in the region was discussed at a meeting chaired by Vasily Sokolov, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries.
Fish farming enterprises in the Rostov Region continue to increase production. In 2024, total output, including stocking material, reached 32.121 thousand tons, while production in 2025 is expected to rise to 32.694 thousand tons. Key species cultivated include carp, silver carp, grass carp, trout, and sturgeon.
While pond aquaculture in artificial reservoirs remains dominant, extensive open-water aquaculture based on natural feeding conditions is expanding rapidly. Its share of total commercial fish production grew from 27.9% in 2024 to 34.4% in 2025.
A promising growth area is aquaculture in ponds formed by water-retaining structures on natural watercourses. The Ministry of Natural Resources of the Rostov Region has issued 16 permits allowing such activities. Increased business interest has been supported by state assistance measures, reinforcing the region’s role in aquaculture development in southern Russia.
The Aquaculture Innovation Zone is growing and consolidating itself as a barometer of the new production model: data, automation, and "measurable" sustainability to gain efficiency, control risks, and ensure supply.
From April 21 to 23, 2026, Seafood Expo Global / Seafood Processing Global returns to Barcelona with a message that's hard to ignore: aquaculture is no longer a peripheral chapter but will occupy a strategic place at the world's leading seafood trade fair. The change is not just aesthetic—an extra space or an extra program—but a shift in focus: the event emphasizes aquaculture as a key industrial infrastructure for sustaining volume
Imitations have more calories, sugar, and fat than aquatic protein
About a year and a half ago, Anfaco, the association of canning companies and the fish and seafood processing industry, along with other employers' associations in the meat and poultry industries, fed up with products made from soy, peas, broad beans, and other vegetables being disguised as animal protein, demanded that things be called by their proper names. #Cadacosaporsunombre (Everything by its name) was their hashtag. Because no matter how much a gelled lupin or an emulsified pea is called—and even labeled—a tuna burger or hake fillet, the truth is that they are still just peas or lupins (as lupins are also known).
Author: E. Abuín / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Danish pelagic fleet goes green at Skagen port Denmark
EU-backed shore power project cuts emissions, noise, and diesel use as Denmark’s largest fishing port accelerates its energy transition
At the northern tip of Denmark, the Port of Skagen—...
Global Market Update: King Crab, Snow Crab and Cold-Water Prawn Norway
Exports show sharp contrasts in January as king crab struggles, snow crab surges, and prawn volumes fall amid supply constraints and tariff uncertainty.
Challenging January for King Crab
Norway expo...
Giant Squid: to Regulate or to Plunder Peru
Between March 2 and 6, Panama City will host the 14th meeting of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO), a decisive gathering for the future of transboundary high-seas f...
Copyright 1995 - 2026 Seafood Media Group Ltd.| All Rights Reserved. DISCLAIMER
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
PERU
The Ministry of Production reported that the consumption of seafood products in Peru has steadily increased over the last decade, rising from 13.2 kilos per person in 2012 to 17.1 kilos in 2024, representing an increase of nearly 4 kilos per capita. This progress is mainly attributed to the implementation of the National Program "Let's Eat Fish," aimed at promoting healthy eating and access to seafood at affordable prices.
SPAIN.png)
The Port of Vigo is hosting the 7th Workshop of the FAO's Blue Ports Initiative until next Thursday, the 12th. This is the second workshop to be held in person in Vigo, with the participation of nearly fifty representatives from more than 25 fishing ports in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The event has the technical and financial support of the General Secretariat for Fisheries, State Ports, the Galician Ministry of the Sea, and the Vigo Port Authority.
NETHERLANDS
A young biologist has achieved nothing short of a miracle: singlehandedly building the only RAS farm for Arctic char in the Netherlands. Focusing on short supply chains and a strong product story, he makes a decent living from his Dutch char as well.
UNITED STATES.png)
Ninety-seven percent of the world’s total commercial tuna catch now comes from stocks at “healthy” abundance levels, according to the latest “Status of the Stocks” report from the
NORWAY
SalMar 
UNITED KINGDOM
“Scotland’s salmon farming industry has serious problems, and letting companies choose what to report isn’t working,” said Ms Burgess, the Highlands and Islands list MSP and a member of Holyrood’s Rural Affairs Committee. She is campaigning for a pause on new salmon farms and the expansion of existing sites, and is calling for mandatory reporting of all fish deaths.
.png)
The Aquaculture Innovation Zone is growing and consolidating itself as a barometer of the new production model: data, automation, and "measurable" sustainability to gain efficiency, control risks, and ensure supply..png)
About a year and a half ago, Anfaco, the association of canning companies and the fish and seafood processing industry, along with other employers' associations in the meat and poultry industries, fed up with products made from soy, peas, broad beans, and other vegetables being disguised as animal protein, demanded that things be called by their proper names. #Cadacosaporsunombre (Everything by its name) was their hashtag. Because no matter how much a gelled lupin or an emulsified pea is called—and even labeled—a tuna burger or hake fillet, the truth is that they are still just peas or lupins (as lupins are also known). .png)
Ragnhild Dragøy is moving from the Aker QRILL company.
