Highland Council backs extension of Bakkafrost hatchery.

Bakkafrost Scotland has received planning consent from Highland Council to extend its Applecross hatchery site in Wester Ross.

The application, submitted in June 2025 and approved in January 2026, relates to an extension of an existing hatchery building at the former Russelburn Hatchery, now operating as Applecross Hatchery.

According to planning documents, the site has been in operation for more than 35 years for the rearing of salmon eggs and smolt.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

SFPA Explains New Fisheries Control Regulation

Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority commences a series of nationwide information sessions for industry including roll out of new fisheries Electronic Recording System (ERS) hardware and updates on the revised Fisheries Control Regulation for vessels over 12m

In January, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority commenced a series of nationwide information sessions for industry starting in Co. Wexford and running until early March.

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here

Nichirei announced on February 3 that it will invest more than USD 100 million (approximately 15.5 billion yen) to build a new frozen food factory in the United States, with operations scheduled to begin in 2028.

The facility will produce frozen processed chicken products and rice dishes, targeting rising demand as the Asian food market continues to expand across the US.

The new plant will be built in Arkansas by Nichirei Global Foods, a sub-subsidiary of Nichirei Foods set to be established in February 2026. The factory will cover approximately 16,000 square meters and is expected to create around 180 on-site jobs, strengthening the company’s local production footprint.

Currently, Nichirei operates its own frozen rice manufacturing facility in California. By expanding in-house production in the US and reducing reliance on outsourced manufacturing, the company aims to improve efficiency and boost profitability while reinforcing its supply chain for the North American market.

ANFACO-CYTMA has launched a new edition of the gastronomic competition “One can, one tapa by ANFACO-CYTMA”, aimed at hospitality schools throughout Spain, with the goal of fostering creativity and culinary technique through the use of canned fish and seafood in tapa format.

The competition is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and #AlimentosdEspaña, and is part of the “Fill your table with the sea” campaign. The initiative seeks to bring the gastronomic value of canned products closer to the educational sphere, highlighting them as a versatile, healthy and high-quality ingredient.

Participating schools are challenged to select one student to represent their institution with a tapa proposal made from canned fish and/or seafood. The creations must demonstrate creativity, balance and culinary judgment, showcasing the wide range of possibilities these products offer in small-format cuisine.

Each school may submit a single entry, which will represent the institution in the competition, in accordance with the established rules.

Capelin season is officially underway in Neskaupstaður following new advice from the Marine Research Institute, which has proposed a total capelin catch of more than 197,000 tonnes for the season. In response, preparations moved swiftly at Síldarvinnslan, where the focus this year will be on processing capelin for human consumption, according to the company’s website.

The first catch of the season arrived on January 20, when the Greenlandic vessel Polar Amaroq landed 340 tonnes of capelin at the local processing plant. Shortly afterward, Barður NK delivered 880 tonnes, followed by a second landing from Polar Amaroq, which brought in an additional 1,200 tonnes. These landings mark a strong and active start to the season in the town.

Oddur Einarsson, chief foreman at the processing plant, says full-scale operations are expected by the end of February, with production running in double shifts, 24 hours a day. He notes that staff were fully prepared once the scientific advice was issued and that there is clear optimism both within the plant and throughout the local community.

The Legislative Assembly took a key step toward regulating the fishing sector by approving a favorable opinion on the Law for the Creation of the Salvadoran Authority for the Blue Economy (ASEA).

Source: WIkipedia

The opinion was issued yesterday by the Health, Agriculture, and Environment Committee, which endorsed the initiative without debate among its members. The new entity will be responsible for the regulation and oversight of fishing, aquaculture, and other activities linked to the blue economy throughout the national territory.

During the session, lawmakers received a visit from Marta Solís, representing the Ministry of Economy, as part of the review of the proposed legislation. The creation of ASEA aims to strengthen the sustainable management of the country’s marine and aquaculture resources.