• Comprehensive Evaluation: A thorough assessment of the biological and fishery indicators of giant squid will be conducted to monitor the health and trends of the population.
• Projections for 2025: The collected data will inform projections for fishing opportunities in the coming year and guide fisheries management decisions.
• Sustainability Focus: The research underscores the importance of preserving the resource while supporting the livelihoods of fishing communities.

The Seafood Council's annual conference, Seafood Nation Norway, celebrated a record-breaking year for Norwegian seafood exports in 2024, reaching NOK 175.4 billion.

However, the conference also highlighted the challenges of navigating a changing global landscape, including geopolitical tensions and the need for increased cooperation.

Key themes discussed included:

• The importance of international trade: Despite global challenges, Norwegian seafood continues to find markets in over 150 countries, with a focus on growing markets in Southeast Asia.
• Sustainability and innovation: The industry recognizes the need for sustainable practices, including technological advancements like AI and gene editing, to ensure long-term success.
• Collaboration: The conference emphasized the importance of collaboration between industry, research, and government to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities.

The event concluded with a discussion on the future of the seafood industry, highlighting the need for adaptability, innovation, and a focus on sustainability to ensure continued growth and success in the years to come.

Two state-of-the-art pollock processing plants have been completed in Sakhalin Oblast under the second phase of the investment quota program.

Built by the Gidrostroy Group of Companies, these facilities are equipped to produce pollock fillets, mince, and efficiently utilize 100% of the catch by converting waste into fish meal and fish oil.

Key Plant Capacities:

• Daily Production: At least 100 tons of pollock products.
• Waste Utilization: At least 20 tons of products derived from production waste daily.

The new plants are strategically located on Iturup Island and Shikotan Island, enhancing processing capabilities in the region. The total investment for these facilities amounted to approximately 3.2 billion rubles, a significant contribution to local infrastructure and the fishing industry.

Modernizing the Industry:

These plants are part of a larger initiative under the investment quota program, which has resulted in the construction of 27 cutting-edge processing facilities across the country. The program's focus on modernization and sustainability aims to strengthen the seafood industry's efficiency and reduce waste.

Source: Federal Agency for Fisheries

SalMar, the world's second-largest Atlantic salmon farmer, harvested approximately 73,800 gutted weight tonnes of fish in Norway and Iceland in the last quarter of 2024, the company said in a trading update.

The company harvested 39,700 gwt in its Central Norway region, 27,700 gwt in Northern Norway, and 6,500 gwt via its Icelandic Salmon subsidiary. These volumes add up to 73,900 due to rounding up.

Source: fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here

Proximar Seafood reports biomass growth and positive market feedback in Q4 2024.

Land-based salmon farmer Proximar Seafood has announced its sixth production update, reporting a standing biomass of 1,058 metric tonnes at the end of Q4 2024, up from 735 metric tonnes in Q3.

The Oyama-based facility in Japan, operational since October 2022, is targeting a long-term harvest level of 5,300 tonnes (HOG) annually by 2027.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture agreed to purchase up to $30 million in farm-raised catfish products and $25 million in Gulf shrimp.

The seafood purchased by the USDA will be distributed to various nutrition assistance programs and charities.

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith says this should also benefit seafood producers in Mississippi.

“Our catfish producers and shrimpers in Mississippi have hit hard times because of high input costs, inflation, and unfair global competition," said Hyde-Smith. “This new round of Section 32 purchases should work to help sustain their operations while also supplying more protein for nutrition assistance programs.”