Speaking from the latest edition of the Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, Argentine fishing industry leader Antonio “Tony” Solimeno shared his perspective on the structural challenges facing the sector in an interview with Revista Puerto journalist Karina Fernández.

Solimeno outlined three key pressure points: rising domestic costs, falling international market prices, and increasingly burdensome global tariffs. “Hake is in a tough spot, shrimp prices have been falling for three years, and only squid remains stable. Those with integrated operations are managing a little better,” he said.

He also criticized the limitations of the Mercosur trade bloc, citing sanitary and bureaucratic issues at borders, and how it hinders bilateral trade deals. “We don’t have agreements with anyone. Wherever we go, we pay tariffs,” he emphasized.

Looking ahead, Solimeno pointed to a clear global trend: more processed seafood products, smaller packaging, and ready-to-eat formats. “The market no longer wants 21-kilo interleaved blocks. They want one-kilo bags and ready meals. The consumer has changed—and we’ll need to change too.”

With consumption habits evolving rapidly, he closed with a clear warning: “We’ll need to think carefully and always keep in mind that change is coming.”

Negotiations with the UK over future fishing quotas should not hold up a security deal, the European Union's foreign policy chief has suggested.

Kaja Kallas told BBC Newsnight "a few elements" of a deal were still to be agreed but "I think we are over the fish".

It comes as the UK and EU prepare to hold a summit in London next week at which they hope to announce a security and defence pact.

There have been reports that some EU countries, particularly France, want to link future access to British waters for fishing with wider negotiations.

Author: Becky Morton / BBC l Read the full article here

Maruha Nichiro acquires majority stake in Van der Lee Seafish.

Seafood Connection, a subsidiary of Japan’s Maruha Nichiro, has acquired a 70 percent stake in Netherlands-based processor Van der Lee Seafish in a transaction valued at €40 million ($44.4 million).

The deal includes shares in Van der Lee Seafish’s subsidiary King Fish Selection. Both companies are headquartered in Urk, the Netherlands.

Source: SalmonBusinessl Read the full article here

The Norwegian land-based fish farmer seeks to build facilities in both South Korea and North America, but there are several factors that are creating difficulties.

Both the current uncertainty related to the impact of potential tariffs in the North American market, as well as the absence of a regulatory framework for land-based salmon farming in North America, reduce the relative attractiveness of expanding into this market, Salmon Evolution writes in its report for the first quarter of 2025.

Over the past three years, Salmon Evolution has conducted an extensive search for suitable locations in North America and says it has identified several promising areas with great potential for a hybrid flow-through system like the one it uses in Norway.

Author: Mugaas Jensen / fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here

Strategic partnership with RD Corporation aims to establish a major fishing cannery in Madang, boosting local employment and the national seafood processing capacity.

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – The government of Papua New Guinea has pledged a significant investment of K80 million (approximately USD 22.5 million) in the newly established Kumul Fisheries Ltd, according to the Minister for International Trade and Investments, Richard Maru. This commitment was announced during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RD Corporation in Port Moresby on Friday, signaling a strong governmental push to expand the nation's seafood processing capabilities.

Minister Maru expressed confidence in the swift finalization of the shareholder's agreement following the MoU signing. The joint venture structure for Kumul Fisheries Ltd involves key stakeholders including Kumul Consolidated Holdings (representing the State with a 40 percent stake), the Madang Provincial Government (5 percent), Madang District (2.5 percent), Sumkar District (2.5 percent), and RD Fishing Company (holding the majority share at 50 percent).

Public-Private Partnership model to drive sustainable aquaculture development, address fingerling shortages, and boost Liberia's fisheries sector.

KLAY, Bomi County – The Government of Liberia, through its National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), has partnered with the World Bank to launch a significant initiative aimed at transforming the nation's aquaculture sector and bolstering food security. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Klay, Bomi County, to mark the commencement of the reconstruction of a modern fish hatchery.

This pivotal project is a key component of the US$40 million Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP), a collaborative effort signed in 2021 focused on strengthening fisheries management practices and supporting livelihoods within the sector.

During the groundbreaking ceremony held over the weekend, NaFAA Acting Director General Cyrus Saygbe outlined the strategic operational model for the facility. He stated that the hatchery will function under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, with NaFAA undertaking a competitive recruitment process to select a capable private firm to manage its operations.

Saygbe emphasized that the establishment of this modern hatchery is a direct response to long-standing challenges faced by local fish farmers in Liberia.

Significant reforms are needed on salmon farms to better protect the environment and give farmed fish a good life, according to the charity behind the leading organic standards for the industry.

The Soil Association, which sets standards for certified organic salmon, has warned it will withdraw from the sector if “meaningful progress” is not delivered in the next year.

The charity has just finished an 18-month review looking at welfare and environmental problems facing salmon farms across the entire Scottish salmon farming industry

 Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

Algae has led to a large number of salmon deaths in northern Norway, the authorities are reporting.

The Institute of Marine Research, which is monitoring the spread, said it is receiving reports of increased mortality.

Last week it was reported that the company Nordlaks had been seriously affected and had been forced into slaughtering several hundred thousand salmon.  The problem is spreading, with several farms being affected.

Nordlaks CEO Eirik Welde told his local newspaper the Lofoten Post that it was very hard to see so many fish die.

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