The Analytical Center of the Fish Union has published a detailed report titled "Russian-Chinese Trade in Fish and Seafood: Results of 2024."

Key Highlights

Export Performance

In 2024, Russia's fish and seafood exports to China experienced a 13% decline in volume, amounting to 1.1 million tons, and a 5% drop in value, totaling $2.7 billion. Despite these setbacks, the year showcased several promising trends:

1. Growth in Higher-Processed Pollock Products:

   • Exports of pollock fillet and surimi have increased as Russia continues to solidify its competitive position in China, rivaling the United States.

2. Premium Product Expansion:

   • Improved logistics have boosted the export of live crabs, a high-demand premium item.

3. Shift in Herring Exports:

   • The decline in Pacific herring exports aligns with rising domestic production and consumption of herring fillets, which are increasingly sought after in Russia's local market.

The slight decline in frozen fish exports is attributed to the non-salmon year of 2024, a cyclical phenomenon affecting catch volumes.

Import Performance

Conversely, Russian imports of fish and seafood from China rose sharply:

• 66% increase in weight, reaching 84,000 tons
• 57% increase in value, totaling $406 million

Imports primarily consisted of fish fillets and processed seafood for species less abundant or declining in Russian waters, such as:

• Tuna, Tilapia, Halibut, Eel, and Vannamei Shrimp

This growing trade relationship underscores ongoing market diversification and shifting preferences in both nations' seafood sectors.

The All-Russian Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO), in collaboration with the Industry Council on Fishery Forecasting under the Federal Agency for Fisheries, recently convened an academic council to discuss fishing recommendations for Pacific salmon during the 2025 season. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Kirill Kolonchin, Director of VNIRO, took place on January 24th.

During the session, research findings were presented to substantiate projected production volumes for Pacific salmon in Russia's inland waters and territorial seas in the Far East. Olga Maznikova, Director of Anadromous Fish at VNIRO, reported that specialists have estimated the total Pacific salmon catch for the 2025 season at approximately 311,000 tons.

The academic council included key representatives from VNIRO’s Far Eastern branches and other experts who participated via virtual conferencing. Their combined insights will guide strategic decisions for the upcoming fishing season, ensuring sustainable and scientifically supported management of salmon resources.

Reston, VA – The Better Seafood Board (BSB), an initiative sponsored by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), released its third edition of “Industry Guidance of Best Practices for Addressing Seafood Fraud” in January.

The updated best practices include a new principle: “Products are correctly labeled for all added ingredients, including water.” This principle joins existing principles, “Products are correctly labeled for weights and counts”; “Products are correctly labeled for identity, and species are not substituted in any manner”; “Products are correctly labeled for country of origin”; and “Product labeling is truthful and not misleading.”

“The updated principles will continue to ensure that buyers recognize NFI members are seafood providers who have gone the extra mile to ensure their products are properly labeled,” NFI Chief Food Safety Officer Lisa Weddig said. “The new principle will further illustrate NFI members’ commitment to economic integrity.”

BSB does not shy away from seafood fraud but rather has effectively and successfully changed the climate and the focus with respect to trade, policy, and enforcement by pulling seafood fraud out of the shadows. The third edition can be found on NFI’s website.

Preliminary results from the ongoing capelin expedition off Iceland offer little cause for optimism. Researchers from the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI) are conducting the survey using a fleet of four vessels.

The coverage of four vessels in the capelin survey during 16-23th January 2025

The expedition, which began on January 16, is set to conclude this week. Despite challenges posed by bad weather, the MFRI reports that the conditions have not significantly impacted the results.

The Faroe Islands have proudly welcomed the "Høgaberg," a groundbreaking combined purse seiner and trawler that sets a new standard for the region's fishing industry.

This impressive vessel was recently delivered by Karstensens Skibsværft to Fremherji P/F, a shipping company based in Fuglafjørður, owned by Anfinn Olsen and family.

Spanning 87.80 meters in length, the "Høgaberg" boasts state-of-the-art fishing technology and is now fully prepared to embark on its first voyages. The vessel replaces its predecessor of the same name, which was operated by seasoned skippers Høgni Hansen and Jógvan Olsen. Beyond this new addition, Fremherji P/F also operates the pelagic fishing vessel "Fagraberg," a freezer trawler, and two longliners.

The official handover ceremony for the "Høgaberg" was held on January 20th, marking an exciting milestone for the company and the Faroese fishing community.

For those keen to explore the "Høgaberg" in greater detail, the first issue of Kystmagasinet this year offers a comprehensive review, complete with stunning photographs showcasing the vessel's advanced features and design. The digital edition will be available on Friday, February 7th.

New York, U.S.A.-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) salmon producer LocalCoho, will close at the end of January 2025. 

The company, formerly known as Finger Lakes Fish, raised salmon out of a 43,000- square-foot facility in Auburn, New York, U.S.A. and was one of the few U.S. companies to succeed in bringing land-based farmed salmon to the U.S. market. It had aspirations of supplying salmon to a 300-mile radius surrounding its Auburn facility, and to later establish a network of farms around the U.S.

Author: Erin Spampinato / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

The new Simpler Recycling rules affect any business with 10 or more full-time employees and arrangements to comply with them must be in place by 31 March 2025. Businesses that fit under this category must arrange separate collections of food waste, paper and cardboard (can be combined), and other dry recycling (glass, plastic, and metals, which can be combined).

It means businesses can no longer throw any of these materials away with general waste. 

Source: FIsh Focus  l Read the full article here

Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries has confirmed that approximately 27,500 farmed cod escaped from Norcod’s facility in Nesna, Nordland, following an incident in late November, with the figure verified after harvesting the affected cage.

The escape incident occurred in late November 2024, following damage to one of the net pens deployed at the company’s Labukta site. Despite Norcod immediately enacting emergency protocols, a significant number of cod had already escaped the time the breach was repaired.

Source: The FIsh Site l Read the full article here