IN BRIEF - Hunterston Salmon Farm Construction Poised to Generate Hundreds of Jobs
UNITED KINGDOM
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
North Ayrshire Council highlights the potential for 264 full-time construction roles in the development of Bakkafrost Scotland's recirculating aquaculture system facility.
North Ayrshire Council has announced that the construction of a major salmon rearing facility at Hunterston is projected to create 264 full-time jobs during its development phase.
The recently approved plans, spearheaded by Bakkafrost Scotland, outline the construction of a state-of-the-art recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility. This development will occupy a 6.75-hectare area situated at the north-east corner of the Hunterston Construction Yard.
Councillor Tony Gurney, the cabinet member for green environment and economy at North Ayrshire Council, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “We welcome this decision by the Planning Committee and eagerly anticipate seeing this significant development come to fruition in the months ahead. Hunterston is a key strategic site for North Ayrshire and is intended to play a pivotal role in Scotland’s transition to net-zero emissions by 2045."
Councillor Gurney further emphasized the broader potential of the site:“Hunterston possesses incredible potential and could become a driving force for Scotland in tackling climate change, generating vital employment opportunities, regenerating the local community, and delivering numerous other benefits.”
Europêche Warns of Tariff Exemption Because It Sees It “Is Impossible to Guarantee Traceability and Compliance with Health Standards”
The European fishing industry association Europêche has just reiterated to the European Commission's Directorates-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) and for Trade and Economic Security (DG TRADE) its “deep concern” about the elimination of tariffs foreseen in the draft free trade agreement between the EU and Indonesia, “the world's leading tuna producer.”
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
In response to the persistent price volatility that continues to affect shrimp producers worldwide, Nutreco has significantly expanded its Eruvaka smart aquaculture ecosystem, now present in 12 countries. This expansion helps shrimp farmers implement smart solutions to increase productivity and reduce risk at a commercial scale.
Three years after acquiring full ownership of the Indian company, as Nutreco points out, “Eruvaka has evolved from a technology provider to a globally integrated platform that now manages approximately 20,000 harvests per year. More than 45,000 hectares of shrimp ponds are managed and monitored through connected systems, with over 60,000 smart feeding devices in operation.”
Source: iPac.acuicultura | Read the full article here
Lice laser pioneer Stingray Marine Solutions said it has completed construction of its second factory in Norway, adjacent to its existing plant.
The building will help the company further increase production to meet demand from “several large aquaculture customers”, said co-founder and CEO John Arne Breivik in a LinkedIn post.
Stingray’s technology removes salmon lice using cameras, advanced software, and a targeted laser which is controlled by artificial intelligence.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
A fishing port in Torbay has seen sales more than double in the past five years with the "upward trajectory" showing "no signs of slowing", a report has found.
Due to its success of sales rising from £36.8m in 2020 to £77.7m in 2025, Brixham's fishing port could be extended with new buildings if approved by Torbay Council's cabinet on 12 May.
The council is expected to approve the next stages of plans to extend buildings at Oxen Cove for the Brixham Port Infrastructure Project
Author: Guy Henderson / BBC | Read the full article here
The government of Canada has approved the import of disease-resistant oyster broodstock from the United States, as part of a package of emergency measures to save the oyster industry in Prince Edward Island (PEI).
Farmers in PEI have been facing a double threat from two diseases, first detected in the region in 2024, which have led to high mortality rates in oysters and substantial losses for the entire sector.
Multinucleated Sphere Unknown (MSX) and Dermo (also known as Perkinsosis) pose no risks to human health or food safety, but they can cause decreased growth rates and increased oyster mortality.
Author: Robert Outram / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
The iconic ice fishing trawler Gullver NS has officially been sold and renamed Elisabeth H. According to the Icelandic Herring Processing Company (Síldarvinnslan), the vessel’s new home port is Banjul, the capital of Gambia. The new owner, a Norwegian national, renamed the ship after his daughter.
Built in Flekkefjord, Norway, in 1983, the 674-gross-ton vessel is powered by a 1,770 horsepower MAK engine. It arrived in Seyðisfjörður on July 12, 1983, originally owned by Gullberg hf. Síldarvinnslan acquired the company in 2014, maintaining the ship’s operations for over 40 years.
Chief Engineer Gunnlaugur Hafsteinsson, who served on the vessel since 1987, shared highlights of its rugged past:
The 1994 "Smugutúr": The crew survived winds over 20 meters per second and temperatures of -18°C, which encased the ship in a solid block of ice.
The sale follows Síldarvinnslan’s decision to replace Gullver NS and Jóhanna Gísladóttir GK with the trawler Birtingur NK. Elisabeth H was recently prepared for its new journey.
The German group has submitted a non-binding offer for the GNYK shipyard, putting it in competition with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems amidst the European rearmament.
The German defense giant Rheinmetall has submitted a non-binding offer for German Naval Yards Kiel, a shipyard specializing in military construction and currently part of the French CMN Naval Group. The operation, first reported by Reuters, opens a new industrial battle in Germany and reflects the growing interest of the arms sector in the naval business in a context of increased defense spending in Europe.
The problem of fraud in fishery labeling, progress in combating bycatch, and food safety were the central themes of the 5th Annual Technical Conference organized by the Association of Fishery Producer Organizations of Cantabria (OPPs Cantábrico), which this year took place in Hondarribia, Gipuzkoa. The meeting, which brought together around fifty representatives from the fishing sector, the canning industry, public administration, and technological and scientific centers on Friday and Saturday, began with two presentations dedicated to fish food safety.
Sofía Ioannidou, from EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), presented data from the EU Menu program on the frequency of consumption of different species of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks and its relationship to methylmercury exposure.
Source: Fishing Industries | Read the full article here
David Thomson, Food and Drink Federation Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer, said:
“Congratulations to John Swinney MSP and his party for their election win. We look forward to working in active partnership with the new government to address the challenges facing Scotland’s food and drink manufacturers and to support a sector that plays a vital role in our economy and food security.
“As we set out clearly in our recent letter to the next First Minister, food and drink manufacturing sits at the heart of the weekly shop, supports tens of thousands of jobs across Scotland
Starfrost has launched its next-generation Hybrid Tunnel Freezer, introducing a new solution for individual quick freezing (IQF) applications designed to improve production capacity, hygiene and operational efficiency for food processors.
The updated freezer features a newly developed compact design capable of delivering up to 60% greater production capacity than previous models and enabling processors to maximise factory floor space without sacrificing throughput.
Russia’s High-Tech Crab Processor Hits the High Seas Russia Fed.
In a landmark move for the Russian maritime industry, the innovative crab-catching and processing vessel Kildin has officially been commissioned, marking a new era for the nation’s fishing fleet...
UNITED KINGDOM
EUROPEAN UNION.png)
Europêche
NETHERLANDS
In response to the persistent price volatility that continues to affect shrimp producers worldwide, 
NORWAY
Lice laser pioneer
A fishing port in Torbay has seen sales more than double in the past five years with the "upward trajectory" showing "no signs of slowing", a report has found.
CANADA
The government of Canada has approved the import of disease-resistant oyster broodstock from the United States, as part of a package of emergency measures to save the oyster industry in Prince Edward Island (PEI).
ICELAND.jpeg)
GERMANY.png)
SPAIN.png)
The problem of fraud in fishery labeling, progress in combating bycatch, and food safety were the central themes of the 5th Annual Technical Conference organized by the Association of Fishery Producer Organizations of Cantabria (OPPs Cantábrico), which this year took place in Hondarribia, Gipuzkoa. The meeting, which brought together around fifty representatives from the fishing sector, the canning industry, public administration, and technological and scientific centers on Friday and Saturday, began with two presentations dedicated to fish food safety.
David Thomson, Food and Drink Federation Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer, said:
Starfrost 
