Two research vessels and three commercial fishing vessels are now searching for capelin in Icelandic waters, according to a statement by Minister of Fisheries Kristján Thór Júlíusson.

Research vessel Árni Friðriksson is surveying waters off the Westfjords and Bjarni Sæmundsson is at work on shallower grounds off the north coast.

Commercial fishing vessels Aðalsteinn Jónsson, Ásgrímur Halldórsson and Polar Amaroq are searching waters off the Eastfjords, the north east and offshore northern grounds.

Author: Quentin Bates / FiskerForum  |  Read the full article here

The Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland's seafood development agency, has appealed to all seafood companies trading to the UK or through the UK, no matter how small their operations, to continue to familiarize themselves with the impacts of any new rules or processes that affect their operations and supply chains.

Jim O'Toole, CEO of BIM, recognized the double challenge that the COVID-19 pandemic and the 'Brexit' are having in the sector and has indicated that "the approach of BIM and other state agencies, including the SFPA, is to continue providing support and guidance to the sector during this challenging time By working together and taking action, we can reduce the impact of 'Brexit' as much as possible.

Source: Fisheries Industries | Read the full article here

We're now accepting applications for the Innovation Award 2021

The Nor-Fishing Foundation is now accepting applications for the Innovation Award 2021. The applicant with the most innovative product or service for the industry will be announced and receive the award at Aqua Nor in August.

The Innovation Award has been of great importance in generating sales, interest and attention in the industry, for both previous winners and nominees.

The deadline for submitting an application is 15 May - however, we are happy receive applications as early as possible.

The fishermen of the Bay of the Seine are in tension with those of the United Kingdom whom they accuse of "looting" the resources. While the Gallic fishermen apply protection measures, the British roam freely with the sole aim of taking over the species. Although Brexit still allows the presence of English fishermen in the Seine Bay, the Norman fishermen cannot take it anymore . They denounce the discrepancy between the measures they are taking to preserve the resource and the British “irruption”.

The presence of fishermen on the other side of the Channel to fish for scallops in the 12-20 mile strip is the main reason for disagreement.

Source: EuropaAzul | Read the full article here

The Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca) established January 5 as the opening date of the first artisanal catching season for horse mackerel this year for the Ñuble and Biobío regions.

Immediately, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca), the supervisory body, activated the measures to carry out the necessary controls for regulatory compliance with the provisions of the Fisheries Law. That is how, on the previous day, patrolling was carried out in the fishing area with the maritime authority, said Sernapesca. In turn, the Sernapesca Biobío Regional Satellite Monitoring Unit activated vessel monitoring to ensure that the capture start date was respected.

Source: aqua.cl | Read the full article here

A new, accredited third-party certification program, the FISH Standard for Crew, seeks to ensure that fish sold all around the world is harvested by crews who are ethically hired, treated with respect, paid properly, and allowed fair access to address grievance.

Developed by a diverse group of experts in fish harvesting, with added insight from various labor non-profit organizations, the voluntary and independent standard will be open to wild-capture harvesters of all sizes. Its scope is built upon four pillars represented by the name "FISH": fairness, integrity, safety, and health.

An 11-person board of directors currently oversees the FISH initiative, with Brim Chief Human Resources Officer Fridrik Fridriksson serving as chair. 

Author: Madelyn Kearns / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

Jimmy Buchan, chief executive of the Scottish Seafood Association, said he was extremely disappointed that just a few days into 2021 his members who export to the EU were being hit by unnecessary delays.

“Trucks laden with fresh seafood are being held up in central Scotland due to problems with customs barcodes and lack of veterinary service capacity. Instead of representative samples being removed from trucks and checked, entire trailers are being emptied so that every box and label can be checked.

“Combined with computer problems on both sides of the English Channel, this is a worrying sign for the days and weeks ahead when the flow of produce will get much greater.

Source: The Fishing Daily | Read the full article here

A $1 million project that aims reduces losses in the shellfish aquaculture industry through the use of unmanned vehicles is underway at North Carolina State University.

The researchers plan to use small fleets of unmanned vehicles to monitor water quality in areas that are difficult and dangerous for people to access.

It’s a step, they say, that could help the state’s shellfish farming sector grow into a $100-million-a-year industry by 2030.

The researchers say the project will provide valuable data to inform management decisions that are key to unlocking sustainable growth of nearshore production of shellfish in North Carolina and beyond.

Source: The Fish Site | Read the full article here

The Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) increased its membership by a quarter last year and now has more than 150 members.

The latest companies to join are at opposite ends of the spectrum: the long-established Glasgow-based marine engineering specialist Malin Group and shellfish start-up the Isle of Skye Mussel Company.

SAIC acts as a connecting hub for different parts of the aquaculture sector, including seafood producers, supply chain companies, regulators, and the public sector. Other sectors represented under the SAIC umbrella range from biotechnology, subsea companies, and equipment suppliers, to logistics firms and retailers. SAIC organises and part-funds many aquaculture research projects.

Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

Supermarket chain sees major pickup at Christmas.

The FT reports that festive sales at Wm Morrison Supermarkets, trading as Morrisons, i.e the UK’s fourth largest chain of supermarkets, picked up despite the coronavirus.

The publication wrote that consumers splashed out more than usual, spending what they would have spent on Christmas parties and restaurants, on yuletide treats.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here