IN BRIEF - Guatemalan Shrimp Gains Access to U.S. Market After International Certification
GUATEMALA
Monday, June 02, 2025
GUATEMALA CITY – Guatemalan shrimp, both wild-caught and from aquaculture, will now be able to enter the United States market, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food (MAGA) announced.
This crucial opening comes after an official certification from the U.S. Department of State, which endorses Guatemala's compliance with international standards for responsible fishing.
The certification highlights that the country has implemented effective measures to minimize the impact of shrimp fishing on sea turtles, a key concern in global commercial fishing. This achievement is the result of a rigorous evaluation of the national responsible fishing program, coordinated by MAGA, Visar (Vice Ministry of Agricultural Health and Regulations), and the Directorate of Normativity, Fisheries, and Aquaculture.
The news opens new and significant export opportunities for Guatemala, solidifying its position in the international seafood trade and underscoring the value of regulation in fishing activity for sustainability and access to demanding markets.
The AKVA aquaculture technology group delivered a 41% plus increase in its fourth quarter revenues, the company said today.
The figure was NOK 1,113 million (£85m) an increase of NOK 321 million (£24m) on a year earlier.
AKVA described the quarter as a period of high revenues and a strong order book.
The land based division chalked up record high quarterly revenues of NOK 422 million (£32m), an increase of NOK 205 million (almost £16m) or 94% compared to Q4 in 2024.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Havforskningsinstituttet: Record increase in Norwegian salmon production in 2025.
Norwegian farmed salmon production rose by 200,000 tonnes between 2024 and 2025, marking the largest year-on-year increase since official statistics began in 1980, according to the Institute of Marine Research’s 2026 risk report.
Total output growth occurred despite a lower average number of fish standing in the sea in 2025 compared with the previous year, suggesting improved utilisation of existing production capacity.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Jakarta's largest recent investment push for its fleet aims to increase productivity, strengthen the cold chain, and create up to 600,000 jobs, all while keeping the blue economy agenda in mind.
Indonesia has launched an ambitious program to build 1,582 new fishing vessels starting in 2026, a significant undertaking that the government links to coastal modernization, food security, and shipbuilding reindustrialization. The plan—to be rolled out gradually until 2028—has the backing of the United Kingdom within a framework of bilateral maritime cooperation, according to Indonesian officials and international trade media.
According to the United Nations, the world produces 430 million tons of plastic annually, much of which has a short lifespan, generating negative consequences for ecosystems.
The Director of the Environment, Climate Change, and Oceans Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Julio Cordano, was elected today in Switzerland as the new president of the negotiation process for the international agreement on plastic pollution. The Undersecretary of the Environment, Maximiliano Proaño, also participated in the meeting.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
With the latest development, reduction fisheries producing fishmeal and fish oil for aquaculture feed and engaged in the Improvement Program are now included within ASC’s sustainability ladder for marine ingredients.
Salmon producer Scottish Sea Farms has won planning permission for a proposed 6,000-tonne site off the east coast on Mainland, Shetland.
Shetland Island Council gave the go-ahead for the Fish Holm site yesterday.
Approval of SSF’s application had been delayed by an objection from Scottish Government agency NatureScot, which expressed concern that developing the farm would have a significant effect on three bird species: the great northern diver (non-breeding), red-throated diver (breeding), and Slavonian grebe (non-breeding).
Author: Gareth Moore / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Seafood industry investment firm Highwood Harbor has acquired Eastern Fish Company for an undisclosed amount.
The acquisition adds to Highwood Harbor’s growing portfolio of seafood companies, which includes Eddie M’s, Nova Seafood, and JBR Maine LLC. Those companies have also acquired other companies in recent years, including Eddie M’s acquisition of American Fish and Seafood in 2023 and its acquisition of Morey’s Seafood International’s distribution business in 2022.
Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.A.-based Eastern Fish was founded in 1974 and imports and markets a range of seafood products – including shrimp, scallops, crab, salmon, and more to retailers, foodservice operators, and distributors.
Author: Chris Chase / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
Raúl Gil, executive vice president of the Italian firm, highlights that this operation allows his company to benefit from the experience of more than 350 experts in underwater prospecting and preparation, three specialized vessels, and essential equipment, such as unmanned underwater robots.
The Italian firm Prysmian has completed the acquisition of ACSM, a Vigo-based company specializing in solutions for submarine cable installation, route planning, and seabed preparation, for €169 million. The Galician firm was responsible for locating and inspecting the wreck of the Villa de Pitanxo, which sank off Newfoundland in February 2022.
Source: EFE / Faro de Vigo | Read the full article here
A new technical document from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), prepared jointly with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warns of food fraud in fisheries and aquaculture products, which it defines as “a global and widespread phenomenon” with implications ranging from consumer finances and health to ocean sustainability, as well as the loss of profitability for companies that, while operating legally, have to compete with fraudulent practices.
Source: iPac.aquacultura | Read the full article here
ALDI Ireland has been named Irish Supermarket of the Year by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the world’s most recognised ecolabel for sustainable seafood, in the first year this award has been presented by the MSC in Ireland.
The prestigious win is in recognition of the supermarket’s sustainability credentials as it leads the way for the most own-brand products sold with the blue MSC ecolabel. The variety across the sector is expanding every year, according to the recently released MSC UK & Ireland Market Report 2025.