Last month, NCCOS scientists taught staff from NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) how to analyze freshwater algal toxin data collected by NCCOS-designed sensors.

GLERL researchers Duane Gossiaux (left) and Danna Palladino (right) analyze a microcystin array as part of the training. Credit: NOAA.NCCOS toxin sensors are used in the moored (left; being deployed) and the mobile (right) Environmental Sample Processors (ESPs), both seen here in Lake Erie. Credit: Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (moored ESP) and NOAA (mobile ESP)

The sensors are deployed on GLERL’s moored Environmental Sample Processors (ESPs) in Lake Erie from July through early October, when harmful algal blooms most commonly occur in the lake.

These sensors, integrated into GLERL's moored Environmental Sample Processors (ESPs), provide near real-time microcystin measurements, crucial for early warnings to drinking water managers during harmful algal blooms. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute's new mobile ESP, featuring a miniaturized NCCOS toxin sensor, expands GLERL's monitoring capabilities. The data from both moored and mobile sensors contributes to NOAA’s Lake Erie harmful algal bloom forecast, aiding in informed management decisions for drinking water treatment, recreational activities, and fishery operations.

The rebranding aims to strengthen its identity and commitment to sustainable seafood solutions, aligning with industry trends and consumer preferences.

Japanese seafood conglomerate Maruha Nichiro will change its corporate name to Umios on March 1, 2026, the company announced this week.

The rebranding reflects a strategic pivot toward sustainability, innovation, and global market positioning, as the company prepares for its “third founding” since the original firms were established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

The United Kingdom will provide funding for universities and research institutions to implement four projects supporting sustainable aquaculture in Southeast Asia.

On 7 March, U.K.’s national funding agency – U.K. Research and Innovation (UKRI) – announced that it has launched a GBP 12 million (USD 15.5 million, EUR 14.3 million) program to provide funding for four projects to strengthen sustainable aquaculture in Southeast Asia.

These include a project to support small shrimp farmers in Thailand and Vietnam; a program led by U.K.’s University of Southampton to improve mollusk-farming practices in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia; a project led by U.K.’s Natural History Museum to support the seaweed industry in Southeast Asia; and another led by U.K.’s University of Stirling to develop a digital tool to safeguard ecosystems and support sustainable aquaculture in Vietnam.

Author: Toan Dao / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

A major fire over the weekend has seriously damaged up to five new buildings belonging to Norwegian salmon farmer Alsaker Fjordbruk.

The police have launched an investigation, bringing in a specialist crime scene unit although at this stage it must be stressed the cause is still unknown.

It was a major outbreak, at Tysnes, south of Bergen, affecting most of what are still fairly new buildings which were either destroyed or very badly damaged. There were no injuries.

The outbreak brought in crews from at least four firefighting centres along with a coastguard vessel.

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

A master's student in the Graduate Program of the Fisheries Institute (IP-Apta), part of the Agriculture and Supply Department of the State of São Paulo, biologist Pedro Lopes Bezerra, is developing a study that could bring significant production gains to national aquaculture.

Entitled “Evaluation of plastic covering on the growth of tilapia and productivity of lemna in a water recirculation system,” the research aims to identify more efficient methods for tilapia farming, testing the application of plastic coverings over tanks and integrating this cultivation with the growth of lemna (Landoltia punctata), a small aquatic plant that can serve as a supplementary food source for the fish.

To achieve this, water recirculation systems (RAS) will be established, each comprising nine circular tanks with a usable capacity of 500 liters, alongside a 16 m² settling tank, with a total volume of 20 m³. In the experiments, the fish will be provided with three distinct feed types: exclusively commercial feed, a blend of commercial feed and dried lemna, and a combination of commercial feed and fresh lemna. The study seeks to determine if the incorporation of lemna can decrease reliance on conventional feed without negatively impacting the fish's health and growth. Furthermore, the research assesses whether this method can contribute to maintaining water quality and enhancing the sustainability of the farming process.

Tokyo, (Jiji Press)--The Japanese and Chinese governments on Saturday confirmed that they will make progress in talks toward the resumption of China's imports of Japanese fishery products.

The confirmation was made during a high-level economic dialogue between Japanese and Chinese government officials held in Tokyo, the first such meeting in about six years since April 2019. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya (left) and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi (right), chaired the meeting.

China imposed the import ban in response to the release into the ocean of tritium-containing treated water from Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s meltdown-stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan.

"It was meaningful that we were able to make confirmation about moving ahead with the import resumption-related process," Iwaya told reporters after the meeting.

Regarding exports of Japanese agricultural products such as rice, Iwaya said he told the Chinese side that priority should be given to what can be resolved early.

• The sanction and operational costs are estimated to exceed 700 million pesos.
• China increases the use of vessels with flags of convenience, according to Infobae reports.

After a process lasting just over two months, the Argentine State has collected a significant sum in fines and operational costs from the shipowner of the Xin Run 579, a vessel flying the Vanuatu flag, detected by the Argentine Naval Prefecture fishing illegally by trawling within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on January 5th.

The National Undersecretariat of Fisheries, the enforcing authority in this case, has not disclosed the exact amount of the sanction. However, unofficial sources informed Infobae that the total value would exceed 700 million pesos (approximately USD 640,000 at the official exchange rate, or close to USD 550,000 at the free exchange rate).

The procedure had taken place in January (see footnotes).

Related News:

• Illegal Fishing: China Increases Pressure on Argentine Sea Using Vessels Flying Flags of Vanuatu and Cameroon

• Argentine Coast Guard Detects Chinese Trawler Operating Illegally in the Exclusive Economic Zone

• Mass Participation Planned for Saturday's Protest in A Pobra.

Vilagarcía de Arousa – A significant portion of Galicia's mussel farming sector ("bateeiro" sector) has confirmed its participation in the upcoming demonstration against the proposed Altri pulp mill in the Arousa estuary. "We have consistently voiced our unequivocal opposition to this project, which directly threatens our livelihoods and the ecological integrity of the estuary," representatives stated.

The mussel farmers' primary concern centers on the potential impact of the Altri plant on the Arousa estuary's water quality. The proposed mill, located in Palas de Rei, plans to extract up to 46,000 cubic meters of water daily from the Ulla River and discharge 30,000 cubic meters of treated wastewater. As the Ulla River empties into the Arousa estuary, the discharge of this treated water raises serious concerns about potential harm to the marine ecosystem, specifically water quality and shellfish and mussel ("bateeira") production.

Despite receiving environmental approval from the Xunta de Galicia, the shellfish and environmental sectors remain deeply concerned about the potential for irreversible damage. The Arousa estuary is a critical ecosystem for mussel cultivation and a vital economic engine for Galicia.

Ståle Walderhaug has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF). The 49-year-old, who most recently served as Director of Oil Spills, Monitoring, and Analysis at Kongsberg Satellite Services in Tromsø, will return to the seafood sector this autumn.

Walderhaug brings a robust background to FHF, holding a civil engineering degree from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and a doctorate in software development from the University of Tromsø (UiT). His professional experience includes research positions within SINTEF companies, management roles at SINTEF Digital, and the CEO position at SINTEF Nord AS. He has also spent 15 years teaching computer science and Ocean Leadership at UiT.

During his tenure at SINTEF, Walderhaug collaborated closely with the fishing industry, gaining extensive knowledge of the Norwegian seafood sector. At FHF, he will now engage with the broader Norwegian seafood industry.

"My desire to contribute to research and development in partnership with the seafood industry proved too compelling to resist," stated Ståle Walderhaug. "This industry is vital to Norway and demonstrates a strong commitment to utilizing cutting-edge research. I am eager to begin my work at FHF."