Namibia is poised for a blue revolution as salmon farming prepares to transform a coastline traditionally dominated by capture fisheries since the 1940s. While the current commercial fishing sector yields approximately 300,000 tonnes annually, it faces mounting pressure from climate change, illegal fishing, and a rising seal and whale population.

By contrast, Norway—a global leader with a 100,000km coastline—produces over 1,200,000 tonnes of salmon. Leveraging its pristine waters and political stability, Namibia aims to replicate this success. Existing license holders are projected to produce over 50,000 tonnes of salmon, valued at roughly N$6.4 billion.

Economic & Social Impact

• Revenue: Expected injection of N$6.4 billion into the national economy.
• Employment: High potential to absorb skilled labor from traditional fisheries.
• Regional Leadership: Potential to become the food production hub of Southern Africa.

Hiskia Asino, chairperson of the Universal Aquaculture Association and PhD candidate at UNAM Sam Nujoma Campus, emphasizes that institutional research and updated regulations are vital for this "ground-breaking" transition.

Despite his struggles with the courts, U.S. President Donald Trump is continuing his push to block offshore wind power development with all the tools at his disposal – including buying out the developers.

Trump has made blocking offshore wind projects a priority during his second term, immediately issuing an executive order pausing federal approval of wind projects on the Outer Continental Shelf after resuming office in January 2025. He followed up that order by issuing stop work orders for two of the larger wind farms developments on the East Coast, although those orders were ultimately rescinded.

Author: Nathan Strout / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

Atlantic salmon spot prices reached 6.71 EUR/kg in the week ending April 28, according to Kontali, as a shorter harvest and trading week tightened near-term availability.

Kontali revised its May and early summer price outlook slightly upward. The coming six months are expected to see lower supply growth and intensifying competition for available volumes.

February supply reached 244,000 tonnes whole fish equivalent, up 16% year-on-year, according to Kontali’s April 29 market update. 

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Scotland-based aquaculture innovation body SAIC is inviting experienced professionals from across aquaculture and related fields to join its independent Science Panel. The call is open until May 29.

Established in 2014 as the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre and recently re-named as the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster Ltd, SAIC aims to accelerate sustainable growth across Scotland’s aquaculture sector by funding and facilitating collaborative R&D activity. It connects businesses with researchers to tackle key challenges, enhance productivity, reduce environmental impact, and support long-term resilience across finfish, shellfish, and seaweed.

Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

The UAE’s fisheries sector is entering a new era of transparency as Fujairah officially joins the SFS Fisheries system. This pioneering platform, developed by Seafood Souq, is the first of its kind in the region designed to track fish landings and verify the origin of local catch.

The expansion was formalized via an MoU between the Fujairah Fishermen Association and Seafood Souq, signed by Fahim Al Qasimi and Mahmood Hassan Al Ali. Supported by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the initiative aims to create a unified, sustainable management framework across all emirates.

Key Impact & Data:

• Proven Success: In Sharjah, the system has already digitally verified over 140,000 kilograms of seafood from 130+ vessels and 50 local species.
• Tech Integration: Each vessel is assigned a unique QR code linked to a mobile app and electronic logbook.
• Full Traceability: Real-time data on catch type, origin, and quantity replaces manual systems, ensuring "sea-to-market" authenticity.

Fahim Al Qasimi noted that digital traceability is essential for global competitiveness, positioning UAE seafood to access high-value international markets while ensuring long-term ecological sustainability.

On April 28, the National Fisheries Technology Extension Center and the China Fisheries Society convened a high-level seminar in Beijing to accelerate the development of standard systems for ecological fisheries in large waters.

The event brought together 17 experts from leading research institutions and private enterprises to ensure the industry's high-quality and sustainable growth.

Guo Chuanbo, a researcher from the Institute of Hydrobiology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led the session by presenting the progress of the draft standards. Participants engaged in rigorous discussions regarding:

• Basic Definitions and industry terminology.
• Capacity Assessment and operational management.
• Aquaculture Models tailored for large-scale environments.

The meeting highlighted that these standards are vital for implementing the "broad food concept" and advancing rural revitalization. Moving forward, the Fisheries Research Institute will integrate expert feedback into a formal work plan, focusing on ecological protection and farmer-linkage benefits to streamline the legislative framework for the industry.

Rogue chip shops have been passing off catfish as "traditional fish and chips" to cut down on costs, the BBC has learned.

Cases of fish being mis-sold or misdescribed are often hard to detect since any investigations are intelligence-led and rely on expensive DNA testing.

A BBC North West investigation found a catfish species, known as pangasius or river cobbler, being sold in the region's chippies without customers being fully aware of what they were buying.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute said that while the mis-selling or misdescription of fish was not a widespread issue it acknowledged "there are still some unscrupulous businesses".

Authors: Daniel O'Donoghue  and William Higgens / BBC | Read the full article here

The cod farmer Norcod has announced a new financing plan to help it achieve its growth targets – and it will focus on raising more equity rather than borrowing.

The company said two months ago that it was evaluating various options but has since found that potential funding alternatives through the bond and private lending market have been considered, but the terms available have not been sufficiently attractive.

It said in an Oslo Stock Exchange announcement today that an updated funding plan has now been established which includes raising NOK 100 million (£8m) in new equity through a private placement of new shares in the company.

Author: Vincent McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here