Within a package of 37 new fishing industry initiatives, the Danish government has established trawl-free areas in 19% of its marine waters, with the decision introducing a bottom trawl ban in the Belt Sea, including Isefjord and several important areas in the Kattegat around existing Natura 2000 areas, as well as a large sea area off Djursland.

The government package also includes a suspension of the CO2 tax for fishing, whereby fishermen will receive full compensation for the CO2 tax in 2025, and then the tax will be suspended until 2029, when a gradual phasing-in will begin, with full phasing-in from 2030. Over DKK 800 million has been allocated for this.

Source: Worldfishing l Read the full article here

Baldvin Thorsteinsson has assumed the role of CEO of Samherji hf., succeeding his father, Thorsteinn Már Baldvinsson, who has stepped down after 42 years as CEO, having led the company since its founding in 1983.

Earlier, the Board of Directors of Samherji announced the appointment of Baldvin Thorsteinsson, one of the company’s largest shareholders, as the new CEO. Baldvin says he is grateful for the confidence shown in him with the appointment.

In conjunction with his new role, Baldvin has stepped down as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Samherji hf. Jón Sigurdsson, former CEO of Össur hf. (now Embla Medical), has been elected to the Board and will serve as the new Chairman. 

Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

Total value of fish was just 3% more than in first half of last year

Norway exported 22% more farmed salmon in the first half of 2025 than in the same period last year, but the value of those exports was just 3% higher than in H1 2024, new figures show.

The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) reported that Norway exported 609,946 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 57.8 billion (£4.2bn) in the first half of this year.

Poland, the United States, and France were the largest markets for salmon in the period.

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

Innovaciones Alumbra (iAlumbra), a foundation established by Walmart heiress Christy Walton, will support the development of regenerative aquaculture in Mexico with the creation of The Center for Applied Aquaculture Innovation (CAAI) in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

According to iAlumbra, the center will support scientific and technological breakthroughs that enable generative and regenerative aquaculture, with a focus on “species validation, advancing applied research and technology, refining production models for small and medium businesses, and building talent.”

Cost-conscious consumers turn to frozen and prepared seafood.

Norwegian seafood consumption has dropped by three kilograms per person over the past decade, according to a new report published by the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Figures from Flesland Market Information show that average annual consumption fell from 21.5 kg in 2015 to just over 18 kg in 2024 – a decline of nearly 12%. The reduction is largely attributed to rising seafood prices, which increased 63% over the same period, outpacing both meat and sugar price inflation.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

The Icelandic fish farmer Arctic Fish is coming under strong political criticism in Iceland over a decision to relocate its feed plant from a remote community in the Westfjords to a more central location.

Although the distances are not great, travel can be difficult in that region of the country, particularly in winter.

Artic Fish, which is majority owned by Mowi, said at the weekend it planned to transfer from the community of Þingeyri to the more accessible town of Ísafjörðu in the autumn. The round distance is probably around 40 to 50 kilometres.

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

This week, Frøy's newest wellboat, MS Veidnes, was christened in Hammerfest. Frøy's CEO, Lars Erling Krogh, and Project Manager, Anette Hansen, were in attendance. Cermaq CEO, Kristin Hurum, served as the godmother for the occasion.

MMC First Process expressed pride in its contribution to the vessel's development. They noted that wellboat construction involves significant innovation, with each vessel being unique. This industry's evolution is driven by a focus on fish welfare and sustainable aquaculture. From the outset, the MMC First Process team, led by Anette Hansen, collaborated with Frøy, engineers, designers, and shipbuilders to deliver the systems and support essential for the vessel's functionality and excellence. They emphasized that the vessel's design prioritizes the fish, with fish welfare as the central concern.

MMC First Process described Veidnes as more than just the sum of its parts, highlighting its holistic architectural approach base

Beijing (Jiji Press) – China has lifted its two-year blanket ban on Japanese fishery product imports, effective Sunday, June 29. The ban was imposed in August 2023 following the release of treated water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.

However, a ban remains for 10 prefectures, including Tokyo and Fukushima, which were already restricted.

Japanese Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi welcomed the decision Monday, calling it a "significant milestone." He stated that both public and private sectors would work to resume exports quickly. Koizumi added that Japan will continue to urge China to lift the remaining bans and resume Japanese beef imports.

An agreement on resumption procedures was reached by both governments in late May.