The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) has unveiled the first sea cage aquaculture project in the capital, marking a major step towards sustainable fishing and climate change mitigation. Located south-east of Delma Island in the Al Dhafra region, the project aims to relieve pressure on wild fisheries, support food security and promote future investments in the aquaculture sector.

The project consists of six floating cages designed to produce 100 tonnes of fish per year. It focuses on breeding high-value local species such as Safi Arabi, Gabit, Shaam and Sheri. To date, 168,000 Safi Arabi, 122,000 Gabit, 100,000 Shaam and 90,000 Sheri fish have been released into the cages.

The project is the first of its kind in the Middle East, equipped with advanced AI-powered data collection and monitoring systems. It employs environmental sensors to monitor seawater quality such as temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and ammonia levels. The system also features underwater and surface cameras to track fish behaviour and feeding efficiency, and a smart gateway for data transmission – all powered by solar panels.

This year, AQUA 2024, organised every six years by the World Aquaculture Society and the European Aquaculture Society, brought together 3,684 participants from 80 countries, including academics, representatives of the aquaculture industry, investors and public authorities, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The high participation makes this event the largest in the history of the conference, according to John Cooksey, Executive Director of the World Aquaculture Society. In particular, the presence of 382 students highlights the importance of the new generation in the future of aquaculture. With a total of 66 oral sessions, 945 presentations and 275 ePosters, the event has provided a solid platform for the discussion of relevant topics and the presentation of innovative research.

In addition to the academic sessions, the conference featured a large exhibition area with more than 235 stands, where the latest technological applications to improve aquaculture production were showcased. These stands not only enriched the attendees' experience, but also fostered collaborations between industry and academia, driving innovation in the sector.

Source: mispeces

The Ministry of Fisheries is encouraging public-private partnerships to develop high-value coastal species for sustainability and to meet market demand.

Minister Alitia Bainivalu says many of these species are heavily fished and need to be developed to generate income, create opportunities for communities, and boost export earnings.

Bainivalu says the Ministry will also continue to focus on minimizing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in coastal areas.

“The Ministry will continue to increase monitoring, compliance, and surveillance in our coastal areas and ensure that users comply with all fisheries laws and regulations.”

Bainivalu says the Ministry intends to ensure that proper policies are in place to support projects to ensure effectiveness in relieving pressure on our depleted fish stocks.

She adds the estimated annual production of coastal commercial and subsistence fisheries is about 30,700 tons annually.

Bainivalu says this estimation is challenged by the hundreds of landing sites and the 850 coastal communities that depend on these resources for food and income.

With the aim of strengthening the productive innovation work of entrepreneurs in the agro-industrial, fishing and aquaculture sectors, the President of the Republic, Dina Boluarte, together with the Minister of Production, Sergio González, today supervised the Center for Productive Innovation and Technology Transfer (CITE) Maynas and the New Horizon Aquaculture Center of the Loreto region, where training and technical assistance are provided to promote productive development.

“We, from the central government and through the Ministry of Production, will continue working to strengthen the productive and aquaculture development of the Loreto region. We are convinced that by working in a coordinated manner we will achieve better results,” said President Dina Boluarte.

It should be noted that the CITEproductivo Maynas provides technological services in the productive chains of agro-industry and fishing, the main hydrobiological species being paiche and gamitana, mainly in the frozen, cured and silage lines.

In addition, the tour included a detailed visit to the various areas of this center, such as the agro-industrial pilot plant, the quality control laboratory and the aquaculture-fishing pilot plant.

Source: gob.pe

Japan Food Service Co. subsidiary Japan Delica Co. is planning to export scallops from Japan to Bangladesh to be processed at a new factory in the southeast town of Cox’s Bazar. 

The company said it has already been exporting scallop raw material from Japan – sourced from major production areas like Hokkaido and Aomori – to Bangladesh to be processed in its factory. Japan Delica Co. has been operating a soft shell crab processing plant in the Shatkhira District in Bangladesh since 2018 and said it will use the technology it has developed through that business to establish the new plant in Cox’s Bazar. 

Author: Chris Chase / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

The Rollo Bay farm, which was acquired by AquaBounty in 2016 and developed into a broodstock and egg production facility, will be sold through a process managed by the company's investment banker. The sale is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

David Melbourne, CEO of AquaBounty, explained, "We remain focused on securing funding for both our short- and long-term needs to return to pursuing our growth strategy.

Source: FishFarmingExpert | Read the full article here

Salmon Scotland, the trade body representing the UK’s largest food export, is calling on John Swinney to cut the red tape hindering Scotland’s blue economy.

The appeal comes as Scotland’s Finance Secretary Shona Robison and UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves face tough financial outlooks and impose public spending curbs. Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, described Scottish salmon as “a bright spot for Scotland’s economy” and stressed the need for support to build on “giant leaps” in global sales, with the sector on track for record-breaking exports.

Source: FishFocus | Read the full article here

With the announcement on Monday by Belgium of its candidate for European Commissioner, the current Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib, and three days after the deadline given by the elected president Ursula von der Leyen for the different member countries to propose their candidates, the latter can now begin to form her team and decide the responsibilities of each of the candidates for the assumption of the designated portfolios.

The candidate for European Commissioner on the part of Spain is the Minister for the Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera.

Source: Ipac | Read the full article here

The Port Authority of Vigo has opened to public consultation the initial version of the Delimitation of Port Spaces and Uses (DEUP), including the strategic environmental study, in accordance with the provisions of art. 69 of Royal Legislative Decree 2/2011, of September 5, approving the Revised Text of the Law on State Ports and the Merchant Navy.

According to the information provided by the Port of Vigo, after carrying out a prior consultation with the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment belonging to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge

Source: IndustriasPesqueras | Read the full article here

From today, companies can contact Innovation Norway about loans through the new scheme Green Industry Financing. The government makes up to five billion kroner available to realize large industrial projects.

"Norway has a world-class industry and skilled professionals who will take us through a major restructuring. But we cannot meet those challenges with yesterday's tools. Green industrial financing is a powerful tool that will help create jobs and realize innovative green industrial projects", says Minister Cecilie Myrseth (Ap).

The scheme, which will be managed by Innovation Norway, has a total budget of up to NOK 5 billion and loans can be issued until 31 December 2025.

<--Photo:  Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet

"Private capital must lead the way, but the community must also step up to speed up the green transition. Innovation Norway now has an important task as Norway's green industry bank, and I hope many companies will apply", says the Minister Myrseth.

The scheme is set up as a risk loan scheme, and loans will be granted with elements of state aid or on market terms. The government has set aside NOK 1.75 billion for loss provisions. The public sector must not bear all the risk, as private financing must be involved in all the projects.

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries