The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has launched a public consultation on the inclusion of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in its certification and labeling program. Comments are open until June 20.
The consultation seeks to gather information on the specific environmental and social impacts of Atlantic cod farming and assess whether additional considerations are required for its inclusion in the ASC Salmon Standard v1.4. The consultation asks about Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDR) metrics, the impact of fingerling suppliers, and any additional metrics that could improve the assessment of cod farming.
Source: iPac.aquaculture | Read the full article here
87% of Spaniards want the government to allocate more quotas to small-scale fishers—those who operate in coastal waters with vessels less than twelve meters long—and 78% are in favor of allocating less to industrial vessel operators, according to a new YouGov survey published this Monday by the NGO Oceana. "Citizens support this redistribution of quotas because it would support local seafood, protect jobs, and protect the ocean," the survey emphasized.
Source: La Voz de Galicia l Read the full article here
A British fishing vessel has been impounded by the French authorities, accused of illegally fishing in their waters.
It was seized in the English Channel and is being held at the port of Boulogne, unable to leave while the French authorities consider bringing a prosecution.
The vessel was stopped at sea by the French Navy on Thursday night, with its crew alleged to have been fishing in French waters without a licence.
Author: Simon Jones - Adam Durbin / BBC l Read the full article here
The results of a recently published scientific study show wild salmon populations in the Discovery Islands in British Columbia, Canada, continue to have high levels of sea lice, despite the closure of all salmon farming in the region.
Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced its plan to close all salmon farming in the Discovery Islands in December 2020, giving farmers in the region just 18 months to shift production. While court orders ended up delaying that timeline, DFO announced on 17 February 2023 it was done renewing licenses for the region, which represented 24 percent of all salmon production in the province.
Author: Chris Chase / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here
Austevoll Seafood, the group which owns Leroy Seafood and other fish related businesses, has recorded a strong first quarter with significant revenue growth.
Earnings totalled NOK 9.8 billion (£717m) with an EBIT of NOK 1.9 billion (£138m), marking one of the best quarters ever for the group. Austevell said the company has a robust balance sheet with total assets of 53 billion NOK (£3.9bn) and an equity ratio of 55%.
There was a significant increase in harvest volumes, particularly in the salmon segment, which saw a 45% rise in volume.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer l Read the full article here
China is poised to revolutionize its aquaculture sector with the imminent delivery of the Su Hai No 1, a groundbreaking offshore salmon-farming vessel.
GUANGZHOU – Built by Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard for approximately $83.6 million USD (600 million yuan), this nearly 250-meter (820-foot) ship represents a major leap in modernizing salmon production and a key step in China's drive for domestic seafood self-sufficiency.
Owned by Jiangsu Lianshen Marine Technology, the vessel is projected to produce up to 8,000 tonnes of salmon annually. Following successful trial voyages in late April and final adjustments, the Su Hai No 1 is slated for delivery next month. It is expected to begin operations as early as this autumn in the Yellow Sea off Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, with the first harvest anticipated next year.
This ambitious project directly addresses China's surging demand for salmon, with over 80% of current consumption reliant on imports, primarily from Norway and Chile. China imported more than 100,000 tonnes of salmon last year, a figure projected to exceed 200,000 tonnes by 2030, according to data from the North Atlantic Seafood Forum in March. The Su Hai No 1 is a strategic move to sate this growing domestic appetite and enhance China's food security in high-value seafood.
Rosselkhoznadzor Adds New Company to Growing List of Russian Seafood Suppliers to Latin America's Largest Market.
MOSCOW – Russia is further strengthening its position in the Brazilian seafood market, with Rosselkhoznadzor, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, announcing the expansion of its list of approved fish product exporters to Brazil. A vessel from Russia's Murmansk Region is the latest addition to this growing roster of suppliers.
This development stems from Rosselkhoznadzor's efforts to open foreign markets and is based on guarantees provided by the service. The Secretariat for Plant and Animal Protection of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has approved the expansion.
Currently, 39 Russian fishing companies are authorized to export fish products to Brazil, Latin America's largest economy. Rosselkhoznadzor stated its ongoing commitment to further expanding this list of domestic companies with export rights to the Brazilian market.
This Monday, May 26, Grup Balfegó will launch its annual bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) fishing season. The company will have until July 1 to catch the quota assigned to Spanish, French, and Italian vessels, suppliers to Balfegó, which this year totals 3,700 tons. Specifically, Balfegó will captain a fleet composed of 13 European vessels, including the "Frau II" and "Tio Gel Segón," owned by the L'Ametlla de Mar-based company, in addition to 26 auxiliary vessels.
Balfegó maintains that it will create more than 350 direct jobs, representing an increase of between 18% and 20% compared to last year.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras l Read the full article here
Aquaculture biotech and nutrition company Benchmark Holdings has announced plans to de-list from the stock market and buy back stock from shareholders following the sale of its genetics division to Denmark-headquartered life sciences investor Novo Holdings for £230 million.
Benchmark, which made gross proceeds of £194m from the sale, said that after the repayment of loans and other debts it currently has net cash reserves of £117m. It intends to pay £95m of that to shareholders through a combination of a £56.7m share buy-back and a special dividend for investors
Author: Gareth Moore / fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here
Innovasea Partners with Grieg Seafood Newfoundland to Lead New Fish Welfare and Sustainability Project for Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Innovasea, a global leader in technologically advanced aquatic solutions for aquaculture and fish tracking, announced today a new project – the Enhanced Aquaculture Technology for Marine Health Project – sponsored by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC), and conducted in partnership with Grieg Seafood Newfoundland.
The three-year, CAD $6M initiative aimed at improving fish welfare, boosting sustainability and optimising production through innovative solutions, will outfit six Grieg sites with a suite of Innovasea’s advanced precision aquaculture technology, software and equipment.
NETHERLANDS
The 
SPAIN
87% of Spaniards want the government to allocate more quotas to small-scale fishers—those who operate in coastal waters with vessels less than twelve meters long—and 78% are in favor of allocating less to industrial vessel operators, according to a new YouGov survey published this Monday by the 
FRANCE
A British fishing vessel has been impounded by the French authorities, accused of illegally fishing in their waters.
CANADA
The results of a recently published scientific study show wild salmon populations in the Discovery Islands in British Columbia, Canada, continue to have high levels of sea lice, despite the closure of all salmon farming in the region.
NORWAY
CHINA
GUANGZHOU – Built by Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard for approximately $83.6 million USD (600 million yuan), this nearly 250-meter (820-foot) ship represents a major leap in modernizing salmon production and a key step in China's drive for domestic seafood self-sufficiency.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
MOSCOW – Russia is further strengthening its position in the Brazilian seafood market, with Rosselkhoznadzor, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, announcing the expansion of its list of approved fish product exporters to Brazil. A vessel from Russia's Murmansk Region is the latest addition to this growing roster of suppliers.
This Monday, May 26, 
UNITED KINGDOM
Aquaculture biotech and nutrition company .png)
Innovasea, a global leader in technologically advanced aquatic solutions for aquaculture and fish tracking, announced today a new project – the Enhanced Aquaculture Technology for Marine Health Project – sponsored by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC), and conducted in partnership with Grieg Seafood Newfoundland.
