The WTO fishing subsidies agreement, adopted in June 2022, adds a third ratification after Switzerland and Singapore, and the first from an African state: Seychelles. The director general of the WTO Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been "delighted and proud" of the step taken by the island state, stressing that "healthier seas and oceans are vital for the prosperity and resilience of fisheries in Seychelles". "The formal acceptance of Seychelles also signals the importance of the Agreement for Africa. 

Source: IndustriasPesqueras | Read the full article here

SalMar is to close a large coastal slaughterhouse at Rørvik in central Norway with the loss of more than 100 jobs.

The company said the decision is largely based on economic grounds, with the centre requiring an investment of NOK 250 million (£20m) to bring it up to standard. Rumours about a possible closure have been circulating for several weeks.

“Such an investment is not advisable with the ground rent tax,” the company added, referring to the new tax on fish farmers due to be imposed by the Norwegian government.

Author: Vince McDonagh / FishFarmer | read the full article here

Recently, the companies Mariscope and Reach Robotics have signed an exclusive representation agreement for the Chilean and Argentine markets. Given that both companies have always specialized in the development of innovative and individualized solutions, this cooperation will provide the national market with ROV systems and multifunction arms adapted to local realities and requirements.

Source: Aqua | Read the full article here

Almost exactly one year ago, Lineage Logistics Senior Vice President Brian Beattie painted a relatively grim picture of the state of cold storage from the perspective of the seafood industry: labor shortages, high energy costs, and abnormally high demand meant storage was both hard to find and came at a premium cost. 

The story isn’t quite as grim as it once was, but Beattie told SeafoodSource during the 2023 Seafood Expo North America – running from 12 to 14 March in Boston, Massachusetts – that it isn’t a fairy tale either. 

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

Best New Retail and Best New Foodservice Products in Seafood Honoured at Seafood Expo North America

The winners of the 2023 Seafood Excellence Awards were announced today at Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, taking place March 12-14 in Boston. Thunder’s Catch won the “Best New Retail Product” award for its Wild Salmon Chowder and Netuno USA won the “Best New Foodservice Product” award for its Tambaqui Ribs.

Source: FishFocus | read the full article here

The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, a €32 million German scheme to support the fishery sector affected by the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

The aim of the scheme is to support companies in the fishery sector in Germany in reorienting their activities. In particular, the measure will support: (i) marketing activities up to a maximum of €999,900 per beneficiary; (ii) the adaptation of fish processing activities up to a maximum of €7,5 million per beneficiary; (iii) investments in German-flagged fishing vessels up to a maximum of €5 million per beneficiary; and (iv) compensation to laid-off workers (‘severance payment') up to a total of €999,900 per company. The scheme will run until 31 December 2023.

The measure is planned to be funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, established to mitigate the economic and social impact of Brexit, subject to approval under the specific provisions governing funding from that instrument.

The Commission has assessed the scheme under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows member states to support the development of certain economic activities or regions under certain conditions, and in particular the Guidelines for the examination of state aid to the fishery and aquaculture sector.

Source: eureporter 

A national programme has been approved to develop effective and sustainable aquaculture while proactively adapting to climate change

Under the programme, which was approved by Prime Minister, Ph?m Minh Chính, and runs until 2030, Vietnam aims to improve productivity, quality, value and competitiveness of aquatic products and meet the requirements of domestic and export markets.

By 2030, aquaculture production is expected to reach seven million tonnes with export revenue of US$12bn per year, while the growth rate of aquaculture value is expected to reach an average of 4.5% a year.

In the next eight years, more than 50 aquaculture areas and concentrated seed production zones will receive investment while essential infrastructure will be upgraded to meet production requirements.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has expressed his belief that the application of modern aquaculture management in shrimp farming areas in Kebumen District, Central Java Province, could serve as an example for other regions in applying similar practices.

"Modern (aquaculture) management that we see today can be an example that can be emulated by other provinces and districts later," he remarked while inaugurating the Area-Based Shrimp Cultivation Ponds on Thursday.

He noted that a detailed management system was required for the shrimp farming business to support the production of ponds.

A detailed management system is implemented in whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultivation ponds in Kebumen District, which is able to maintain the cleanliness of water to optimize the production of the commodity.

The president stated that every hectare of the facility is estimated to generate over 40 tons of shrimp.

The government is targeting to further develop the area to reach 100 hectares, with about 200 to 210 farming ponds.

Knowing where the fish that is served on the plate comes from, from the hook used, the transshipments, its processing and everything that involves its capture is important to establish measures to counteract illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing that threatens the biodiversity of the oceans.

This is how Maxine Burkett, US Assistant Secretary of State for Ocean, Fisheries and Polar Affairs, sees it, who in an interview with Bloomberg Línea revealed that the United States is reviewing its policies with a view to strengthening its requirements in fishing traceability to receive exports from America Latina.

In addition to climate change and its effects on ocean acidification, illegal fishing known as IUU, for its acronym in English, is one of the great concerns for the United States, since it is a threat to the health of the oceans.

Source: bloombergline