Scotland’s salmon farmers say they are confident consumers in the United States will continue to buy their fish despite a 10% import tariff announced by US president Donald Trump on Wednesday.

“Around a quarter of the salmon exported from Scotland is for the American market, where our premium product is increasingly popular,” said Tavish Scott, chief executive of trade body Salmon Scotland.

In 2024, exports of salmon to the US were valued at £225 million, an increase of £85.4m (61%) compared to 2023. That makes the US the second most valuable export market for Scottish salmon, after France.

Author: Gareth Moore / fishfarmerexpert l Read the full article here

Reston, VA – While we are encouraged by exemptions on reciprocal tariffs for some countries, like Canada and Mexico, tariffs will raise the cost of seafood, making the healthiest animal protein on the planet less available and more expensive. Meanwhile, the tariffs could threaten many of the 1.6 million American jobs that, according to the federal government, U.S. commercial seafood companies support.

Lisa Wallenda Picard 

President & CEO

Following delays, Indian seafood exporters are continuing their work to obtain Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certifications for several wild-capture fisheries in the country.

Since 2019, exporters in the South Asian nation have implemented various fishery improvement projects (FIPs) aimed at improving sustainability within India’s fisheries and achieving MSC certification, according to MSC India Consultant Ranjit Suseelan.

The FIPs, which involve species such as shrimp, cuttlefish, blue swimming crab, threadfin bream, and squid, have encountered delays ranging from one to two years each, partly due to Covid-19 lockdowns and delays 

Author: Toan Dao / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

During the first three months of this year, seafood exports from Norway reached their highest recorded level.

The latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council show that, once again, salmon was the big winner in what will be the last export statistics before Donald Trump’s 15% tariff levy on Norwegian seafood, announced last night, takes effect.

Ironically, the United States was the fastest growing market for Norway’s seafood between January and March this year, but China was also a fast growing market.

Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer l Read the full article here

The groundbreaking 'Bay Area Lingding,' recognized as the world's first smart far-sea aquaculture platform, has been officially named.

This innovative vessel, equipped with a pollution-free seawater exchange system, is undergoing final construction in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China, with sea trials scheduled for April and official delivery anticipated in June.

Bakkafrost, the prominent Faroese salmon farmer, has announced substantial first-quarter harvest volumes, showcasing significant production growth, according to a recent stock exchange disclosure.

The company, with operations in the Faroe Islands and Scotland, reported a total harvest volume of 25,200 metric tons. This impressive figure is attributed to an average salmon weight of 5.1 kilograms in the Faroes and 6.7 kilograms in Scotland. In comparison, the company harvested 14,294 metric tons in the Faroes and 7,263 metric tons in Scotland during the same period last year, demonstrating a notable year-over-year increase.

Bakkafrost also reported stocking 3.2 million smolts in the Faroe Islands and 600,000 in Scotland, ensuring continued production capacity.

Notably, the Faroe Islands experienced zero event-based mortality costs in the quarter, while Scotland's mortality costs decreased significantly to DKK 8 million (approximately $1.16 million USD), down from DKK 18 million in the first quarter of 2024. (Note: Exchange rate used is approximate).

The company is set to release its comprehensive first-quarter report on May 19th.

Despite these positive production figures, Bakkafrost's stock has seen a decline of nearly 30 percent over the past year, closing at NOK 490.80 on Tuesday.

Austrian food-tech start-up Revo Foods is launching “EL BLANCO”, an alternative to black cod made of fungi protein and microalgae oils. The product is produced with a new 3D extrusion technology, giving an attractive look of scaled fish filets. This product shows the versatility of 3D Extrusion Technology to create filet-, and steak-like products at scale.

Following the successful launch of “THE FILET – Inspired by Salmon”, Austrian food-tech company Revo Foods is now introducing its newest innovation: EL BLANCO – Inspired by Black Cod. EL BLANCO is a whitefish-filet alternative for black cod. 

Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

A consortium of companies in Norway and Iceland have put into use netting that’s been derived from recycled fishing gear.

Nofir has joined with AKVA Group Egersund Net, Aquafil, Grieg Seafood and Hampiðjan to developed and produced this first net for salmon farming use, made using nylon recycled from used nets, fishing gear and other products. The filaments are made from regenerated nylon from ECONYL, and the project is supported by Handelens Miljøfond.

The first net has been made for a Grieg Seafood facility.

Source: Worldfishing l Read the full article here

Farmed salmon contributed £187 million to the economy of Scotland’s Western Isles in 2024, according to figures from industry body Salmon Scotland.

The value reflects sales from farming operations in the islands, which support 420 full-time jobs — making salmon farming one of the largest private sector employers in the region.

The figures come in the wake of a Scottish parliamentary rural affairs committee report, which called for stronger regulation of the sector. Some stakeholders have pushed for a moratorium on new farm sites due to environmental concerns.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here