IN BRIEF - Amendment to the law on the management of large bluefin tuna has been enacted
JAPAN
Thursday, June 20, 2024
It will provide material for negotiations on quota increases.
A bill amending the Fisheries Law and the Fisheries Distribution Optimization Law aimed at strengthening resource management through individual management of large Pacific bluefin tuna (over 30 kg) was passed by a majority vote at the House of Councilors plenary session of the 213th regular Diet session held on the morning of the 19th. The Fisheries Law requires reporting of the number of large bluefin tuna caught in addition to the catch volume and requires records such as the name of the vessel used and the weight of each individual. The Distribution Optimization Law requires distributors to transmit recorded information at the time of capture. It will be promulgated within 30 days and take effect no more than two months after its promulgation.
An illustration of the new reporting requirements for large Pacific bluefin tuna
Following the failure to report catches that occurred in Oma, Aomori, the government has been rushing to put in place a system that allows for individual comparisons of large Pacific bluefin tuna and significantly strengthens penalties. In case of failure to comply with the reporting obligation, the previous penalty was up to six months in prison and a fine of up to 300,000 yen (US$1,898) and will be increased to a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to 500,000 yen. (U$D 3,164), only for large Pacific bluefin tuna
Source: The Suisan Keizai (translated from original in japanese)
Reston, VA – NFI has been working diligently to help the seafood community benefit from the type of programs the agriculture sector has enjoyed for decades. This provision is a quintessential example of that work. Seafood, like ag, produces products that are vital to food security in this country. Meanwhile, our fishermen, producers and processors, who provide almost 1.6 million U.S. jobs, ensure the healthiest animal protein on the planet makes it to American plates, a true public health benefit.
Lisa Wallenda Picard
President & CEO
‘‘SEC. 139L. INTEREST ON LOANS SECURED BY RURAL OR AGRICULTURAL REAL PROPERTY.”
This would allow for 25% interest deduction on a loan from a qualified lender for ‘‘(3) RURAL OR AGRICULTURAL REAL ESTATE.—The term ‘rural or agricultural real estate’ means—
‘‘(A) any real property which is substantially used for the production of one or more agricultural products, ‘‘
‘‘(B) any real property which is substantially used in the trade or business of fishing or seafood processing, and
The German offshore and coastal fishing fleet landed around 162,530 tons of fish in 2024, representing a 4% increase over the previous year. According to the Federal Office of Agriculture and Food (BLE), the increase is primarily due to higher catch quotas in the Northeast Atlantic, especially for pelagic species such as herring. However, despite the growth in volume, revenue decreased by 1.3%, reaching €179.6 million, compared to €181.9 million in 2023. The government indicates that the composition of the catches, with a higher proportion of low-value species, has influenced the economic performance for the year.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
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.
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.
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
The State Ports' buoy networks have set new sea water temperature records this June, exceeding the highest values ??recorded in historical series for the same month. Specifically, the highest sea water temperature for June was 30.55°C, recorded by the Dragonera buoy on June 30 at 3:00 PM UTC (5:00 PM local time). This same buoy, part of the Outer Buoy Network (or deepwater buoys), holds the absolute record for seawater temperature, with 31.87°C, recorded in August 2024.
In the Outer Buoy Network, individual highs have been recorded for the month of June at all buoys anchored in the Mediterranean, with the Cabo Begur buoy equaling the all-time high in its measurement series, with 29.1°C measured on June 30 at 1:00 p.m. UTC (3:00 p.m. local time).
Source: Industrias Pesqueras 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.”
Author: Nathan Strout / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here
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
JAPAN
UNITED STATES
Reston, VA – 
GERMANY.png)
The German offshore and coastal fishing fleet landed around 162,530 tons of fish in 2024, representing a 4% increase over the previous year. According to the Federal Office of Agriculture and Food (BLE), the increase is primarily due to higher catch quotas in the Northeast Atlantic, especially for pelagic species such as herring. However, despite the growth in volume, revenue decreased by 1.3%, reaching €179.6 million, compared to €181.9 million in 2023. The government indicates that the composition of the catches, with a higher proportion of low-value species, has influenced the economic performance for the year.
DENMARK
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.
ICELAND
Baldvin Thorsteinsson has assumed the role of CEO of 
NORWAY
Total value of fish was just 3% more than in first half of last year
SPAIN
The State Ports' buoy networks have set new sea water temperature records this June, exceeding the highest values ??recorded in historical series for the same month. Specifically, the highest sea water temperature for June was 30.55°C, recorded by the Dragonera buoy on June 30 at 3:00 PM UTC (5:00 PM local time). This same buoy, part of the Outer Buoy Network (or deepwater buoys), holds the absolute record for seawater temperature, with 31.87°C, recorded in August 2024.
MEXICO
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.
Cost-conscious consumers turn to frozen and prepared seafood.
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.
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 
