In late September 2024, federal regulators shut down a significant Alaska fishery after two trawlers from Kodiak accidentally caught around 2,000 king salmon (Chinook Salmon - Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) while targeting pollock, a whitefish commonly used in processed products like fish sticks and surimi. This bycatch incident—where non-target species are unintentionally caught—triggered the closure, as the fleet approached its annual limit of 18,000 king salmon.

This closure affects about 20 boats and potentially hundreds of shore-based processing jobs, as the season was initially set to continue until November. The event has intensified ongoing debates about bycatch, with conservationists and Tribal advocates pushing for stricter regulations on trawl fleets, which often unintentionally harvest vulnerable species like salmon while targeting lower-value fish.

While bycatch in the Bering Sea has been a primary concern, this incident occurred in the Gulf of Alaska, an area whose bycatch includes salmon originating from British Columbia, the U.S. West Coast, and some from Alaska’s Copper and Kenai rivers.

This closure highlights the ongoing tension between sustaining Alaska’s commercial fishing industry and the urgent need to protect threatened salmon populations.

The farm’s pioneering founder, Khadidiatou Sar Seck, began the project around 15 years ago in the West African country, where fishing is a key part of the national identity.

A man feed fishes in a pond where they are reared at the Mbawane farm in Kayar. (Photo by SEYLLOU / AFP)

Fish accounts for over 70 percent of household protein intake, and the fishing industry provides around 600,000 direct and indirect jobs in a population of 18 million people.

The volume of catches by traditional wooden fishing canoes plunged by 58 percent between 2012 and 2019, according to the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF).

For Senegalese faced with a high cost of living and widespread unemployment, prices are rising and an essential foodstuff is becoming increasingly unaffordable.

Hardly a day goes by without reports of a migrant boat leaving, being intercepted or capsizing on the perilous route between Senegal and Spain’s Canary Islands.

Many who board the boats are fishermen or those living along the Atlantic coast, which is heavily reliant on the industry.

Like its predecessors, the new government has vowed to promote fish farming and attract industry investment.[...]

Source:The Guardian

Every year, within the framework of the Russian-Chinese Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Protection, Regulation and Reproduction of Living Aquatic Resources in the Border Waters of the Ussuri and Middle Amur Rivers, the fisheries protection agencies of the two countries carry out joint control measures.

The raid was organized in anticipation of the ban on fishing, which is in effect from October 1 to 20.

The Russian delegation visited fishing camps in China, where they familiarized themselves with documents permitting fishing, examined fishing boats and fishing gear, as well as the harvested aquatic bioresources. A conversation was held with fishermen about the need to comply with the Fishing Rules.

Joint control was carried out in full, in a businesslike and friendly atmosphere. No violations of the Rules for the protection, regulation and reproduction of fish stocks in the border waters of the Amur and Ussuri rivers were identified. Based on the results of the activities, the parties signed a protocol.

The next stage of cooperation will be a meeting of the Working Commission for the Management of Fisheries in the Border Waters of the Amur and Ussuri Rivers in November 2024.

Source: Federal Agency for Fisheries

As of October 2024, the volume of frozen mackerel imported up to September was 33,926 tons, nearly identical to the 33,927 tons imported in 2023. The domestic distribution price has shown a steady upward trend, with the average import price of frozen mackerel by September 2024 standing at USD 2.17/kg.

Norwegian mackerel accounted for the largest share of imports, with 27,941 tons, representing 83.3% of the total. 

The average import price for Norwegian mackerel was USD 2.23/kg. Chinese mackerel made up 10.9% of imports, with 3,645 tons and an average price of USD 1.97/kg. Taiwan contributed 1,352 tons, making up 4.0% of imports, at an average price of USD 1.48/kg. Additionally, 611 tons were imported from the Netherlands.

In the first week of October 2024, the wholesale price for Norwegian frozen mackerel, size 300/500g, reached 99,000 KRW, a 2.06% increase from September's price of 97,000 KRW, and a significant 57.14% rise from 63,000 KRW in December 2023. 

For size 400/600g, the price was 98,000 KRW, a 1.03% increase compared to September 2024 and a 44.11% rise compared to 68,000 KRW in December 2023. The price of Norwegian mackerel is expected to continue its upward trend in the near future.

Source: Union Forsea Corp.

The production of the Fandicosta refrigerator has increased by almost 70% since the company Wofco formalized its acquisition last June. The historic fishing company from Domaio (Moaña) has fitted well into the group run by Borja Tenorio and Alberto Barreiro, formed by its experience as a "provider of cold and maquila services" for Wofco itself. A faithful reflection that things are working in the facilities next to the Rande bridge is the expansion of the workforce that they are undertaking, reinforcing the teams of plants and offices. 

Source: La Voz de Galicia l Read the full article here

Through the automation of processes and the use of no-code technology, it has achieved full traceability of bluefin tuna

Thus, and through the automation of processes, and the use of no-code technology, as Eloi Melich explained, Grup Balfegó has achieved full traceability of bluefin tuna, from its capture at sea to the consumer's table. A traceability that is based on four key processes: the maintenance and feeding of bluefin tuna on the farm, the industrial process that is carried out when the piece arrives at the plant, and the marketing stage.

Source: iPac.acuicultura l Read the full article here

Turkey’s Tersan Shipyard has confirmed delivery of vessel NB1117, soon to be named “Inuksuk II”, a factory freezer stern trawler constructed for Niqitaq Fisheries of Canada. 

The 80-metre-long, 18-meter-wide vessel, which is designed for both single and twin trawl operations, is the fourth ship Tersan has built for a Canadian client.

Inuksuk II is equipped with an advanced onboard factory to process and freeze catches of Greenland halibut and shrimp. With a capacity to store 1,320 tonnes of frozen-at-sea Greenland halibut or 930 tonnes of shrimp.

Source: Worldfishing l Read the full article here

Norway’s seafood exports reached NOK 44.1 billion ($4.15 billion) in the third quarter of 2024.

The figure is up by NOK 2.2 billion ($207 million), or 5%, from the same period last year, driven by strong sales of salmon, trout, mackerel, and prawns, the Norwegian Seafood Council said on Tuesday.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

Faroes and Scotland salmon farmer Bakkafrost harvested 27,000 gutted weight tonnes in the third quarter of this year, it said in a market update today.

Most of the volume – 21,600 gwt – was harvested in the Faroes, in line with Bakkafrost’s strategy of harvesting 70% of its Scotland-raised fish in the first half of the year to avoid the biological problems that have been caused by warmer sea surface temperatures in Q3 in the last few years.

Source: fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here

Norwegian, Icelandic and Faroese salmon companies are facing a serious export challenge today with US east coast ports shut down by a huge strike.

Dockers at ports between Maine and the Gulf of Mexico walked out last night in a dispute over pay.

These ports are regularly used by Nordic exports to get their fish, mainly salmon and cod and haddock, into the US.

Some companies, notably Hiddenfjord in the Faroe Islands have dropped air transport in favour of sea shipments as part of a carbon emissions drive. But a number of Icelandic salmon companies also use sea transport because they are so much closer to US ports.

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