The European Union and the Cook Islands have signed a new protocol to their partnership agreement on sustainable fisheries for a period of seven years (2025-2032). This agreement will grant the European Union fleet operating in the Pacific Ocean access to certain tuna stocks for a total of 40 fishing days per year.
In return, EU financial support will continue to foster the sustainable development of the fishing sector and the blue economy in the Cook Islands. The European Union will contribute €3.22 million, or €460,000 per year, of which €295,000 will be specifically allocated annually to support sustainable fisheries management, monitoring and enforcement capabilities in the Cook Islands, and the development of the blue economy.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
The European Union is a "net importer" of seafood from third countries. This is the conclusion of the new EU Fish Market report published by the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA), which confirms once again how dependence on external sources is not diminishing within the 27 member states, having needed to import 5.95 million tons of fish and shellfish in 2024 (0.3% more) to meet domestic demand. Spending amounted to €29.87 billion, with Spain being the country in the bloc that absorbed the largest volume of business (€5.6 billion, 4% more). It dethrones Sweden from the top spot it held last year—a position heavily influenced by imports of Norwegian salmon. And it surpasses the combined total of Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Ireland.
Author: Jorge Garnelo / Faro de Vigo | Read the full article here
Mutag has successfully acquired the Intellectual Property (IP) rights and product portfolio of Alpha Aqua, significantly expanding its offering in water treatment components and support systems.
The acquisition allows Mutag to centralize technical responsibility, documentation, and future development, offering both existing and new customers a single supplier for service and upgrades.
Previously focused primarily on biomedia production, Mutag's range now includes Alpha Aqua’s prefabricated filtration solutions and skid systems for Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) plants. This encompasses Alpha Aqua's technical solutions and design basis for filtration and water treatment in RAS.
Mutag confirms its strategic focus remains on components and support systems, not complete (turnkey) RAS deliveries. Alpha Aqua customers will receive ongoing service, maintenance, and upgrades directly through Mutag.
Jesper WN Nielsen, CBDO at Mutag, stated, "This is an important step towards delivering more integrated solutions."
Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, has signed an agreement to renew the country's hosting of WorldFish for another 25 years.
The move aims to cement Egypt’s role on the African continent as a leading producer of aquatic foods and a hub for cutting-edge research in sustainable aquaculture.
The international research centre for aquatic food systems has been hosted in the country since 1997. WorldFish has been an integral part of Egypt’s journey in becoming a powerhouse of aquaculture production, increasing it 12-fold in 25 years
Source: The Fish Site | Read the full article here
Companies anticipate stable sales, although they expect more planning and restraint from consumers, who are opting for convenience.
The fishing industries—canning, salting, and smoking—are intensifying their activity in the lead-up to Christmas, which represents up to 30% of their business. This year, they face a period of tight demand due to prices and consumers who are turning to easy-to-prepare options and celebrating outside the home.
For companies that process fish and seafood, this pre-Christmas season offers stable prospects, although with the effect of inflation and more careful planning on the part of consumers, according to industry sources, who agree that these holidays account for 30% of their revenue.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Vónin Aquaculture, Mørenot Aquaculture, and Fiizk Protection, all wholly owned by the Icelandic Hampidjan Group, will unite as of January 1, 2026, under the name ELDI, thus forming “one of the world’s most comprehensive aquaculture partners, designed to meet the growing need for innovation and service for the sustainable growth of the sector.” This was announced by Hampidjan, which, with this union of the three companies under ELDI, seeks to strengthen its position in a consolidating market with a broad offering, “combining a more extensive product portfolio, a unified service network, and a stronger platform for continuous innovation.” Thomas Myrvold, CEO of Mørenot Aquaculture, has been appointed CEO of the merged company.
Source: iPac.aquaculture | Read the full article here
Scotland’s fishing industry is bracing for a difficult year in 2026 as the outcomes of international quota negotiations reveal sharp reductions for several key stocks, including a major cut to Northern shelf cod.
The Shetland Fishermen’s Association (SFA) said the scale of the reductions – particularly the 44% cut to cod – will have deep economic consequences for island communities.UK and Scottish Government negotiators have worked hard to support sustainable fishing opportunities, and so spare the fleet – and our wider community – from the worst-case economic shocks.
Salmon farmer Mowi Scotland and local wild fishery management body the River Lochy Association have agreed a long term and wide-ranging scientific study to examine the potential impacts of the fish escape from Mowi’s Gorsten farm in Loch Linnhe in October.
The study, funded by Mowi, will also utilise the genetic expertise of the Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation at UHI (University of the Highlands and Islands) Inverness, and will enable Mowi and the River Lochy Association to monitor and mitigate any adverse impacts on wild salmonid biology within the catchment area.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
A shopper in southern China has been sentenced to eight days of administrative detention after using artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake images and videos of dead crabs in a fraudulent attempt to secure a refund.
The case, which highlights a new frontier in retail fraud, began when an online seafood seller, Gao, shipped eight live crabs. The customer later claimed six had arrived dead and submitted photos and videos to claim a 195 yuan ($27) refund.
Gao grew suspicious, noting the crabs' stiff, unnatural postures and inconsistent details in the submitted videos (varying counts of male vs. female crabs), suggesting AI manipulation. After reporting the incident to police, the customer was confirmed to have used a mobile phone to create a synthetic video for the fraudulent claim.
The buyer was detained from November 29 to December 7, and the refund was recovered. The incident has raised alarms among Chinese e-commerce merchants about the rise of AI-assisted refund fraud. Retailers are now urging platforms to develop technical tools to detect AI-generated media to better protect them against these rapidly evolving tactics.
Düsseldorf – Global food wholesaler METRO AG, operating over 700 stores across 21 countries, has received significant praise for dramatically improving its animal welfare requirements for seafood across its entire global supply chain.
The company's updated Animal Health and Welfare Position statement introduces a groundbreaking requirement: all fish and crustaceans sourced for METRO’s own-brand seafood products must now be humanely stunned using mechanical or electrical methods before slaughter. This policy applies to all METRO and MAKRO stores spanning Europe and Asia.
The improved standards also include a commitment to ask shrimp suppliers (for both own-brand and branded products) to avoid eyestalk ablation.
"We aim to ensure 100% humane stunning prior to slaughtering in order to minimise anxiety, pain and suffering and the distress experienced by animals," METRO AG stated.
This move is expected to benefit tens of millions of fish and hundreds of millions of crustaceans annually, addressing current industry practices where many aquatic animals are slaughtered without stunning.
EUROPEAN UNION
The European Union and the Cook Islands have signed a new protocol to their partnership agreement on sustainable fisheries for a period of seven years (2025-2032). This agreement will grant the European Union fleet operating in the Pacific Ocean access to certain tuna stocks for a total of 40 fishing days per year.
SPAIN
The European Union is a "net importer" of seafood from third countries. This is the conclusion of the new EU Fish Market report published by the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA), which confirms once again how dependence on external sources is not diminishing within the 27 member states, having needed to import 5.95 million tons of fish and shellfish in 2024 (0.3% more) to meet domestic demand. Spending amounted to €29.87 billion, with Spain being the country in the bloc that absorbed the largest volume of business (€5.6 billion, 4% more). It dethrones Sweden from the top spot it held last year—a position heavily influenced by imports of Norwegian salmon. And it surpasses the combined total of Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Ireland.
DENMARK
EGYPT
Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, has signed an agreement to renew the country's hosting of .png)
The fishing industries—canning, salting, and smoking—are intensifying their activity in the lead-up to Christmas, which represents up to 30% of their business. This year, they face a period of tight demand due to prices and consumers who are turning to easy-to-prepare options and celebrating outside the home.
ICELAND.png)
UNITED KINGDOM
Scotland’s fishing industry is bracing for a difficult year in 2026 as the outcomes of international quota negotiations reveal sharp reductions for several key stocks, including a major cut to Northern shelf cod.
Salmon farmer 
CHINA
GERMANY
The company's updated Animal Health and Welfare Position statement introduces a groundbreaking requirement: all fish and crustaceans sourced for METRO’s own-brand seafood products must now be humanely stunned using mechanical or electrical methods before slaughter. This policy applies to all METRO and MAKRO stores spanning Europe and Asia.
