The Chilean salmon farmer has been accused of failing to provide facilities for nursing mothers, sacking employees who have taken maternity leave, and sending warning letters for non-existent absences

A union representing processing workers employed by Chilean salmon farmer Ventisqueros has claimed that some of their members have had to use staff toilets to express breast milk “as there is no suitable, private, clean, and specially equipped space for exercising this right”.

The Ventisqueros Seafood Workers Union also claims there have be cases of female workers who, “after reporting their pregnancy, have faced actions to remove their maternity leave protections, long after their contracts had been converted to permanent positions.

Author: Jonathan Garcés / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

Catchwise has grown rapidly in the Norwegian fishing industry, with 30% of Norwegian skippers moving to the platform.

In some segments, including larger vessels, longliners, trawlers and pot vessels, the share is significantly higher.

Catchwise is aware that this has not happened by accident. Growth has come from staying close to skippers, listening to what creates problems at sea, and building the product around those needs.

Source: Worldfishing | Read the full article here

Researchers at the University of Aveiro have shown that marine amphipods can transform low-value agricultural by-products into premium aquafeed ingredients rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids.

The findings, developed under the PUFApods project, offer a sustainable, circular pathway to reduce the dependence of the aquaculture industry on finite wild fish stocks for essential fatty acids.

As the global aquaculture sector expands, securing sustainable sources of essential nutrients – particularly omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) such as EPA and DHA – remains a critical bottleneck. 

Source: The Fish Site | Read the full article here

The bluefin tuna (BFT) fishing season opens next week in parts of the UK, giving authorised commercial and permitted recreational fishers the opportunity to fish for BFT.From Monday 13 July:

• authorised UK commercial vessels can target BFT in English, Welsh and Scottish waters.
• permitted recreational catch and release vessels, administered by Marine Management Organisation (MMO), can fish for BFT within English waters.

The opportunities for commercial fishermen to land BFT for sale, and for recreational anglers to catch and release the fish, have increased significantly this year following successful negotiations to boost the UK’s quota for the species.

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here

SalMar, which has just acquired a majority stake in the rival salmon company Måsoval, has reported a markedly improved second quarter performance.

The group harvest between April and June totalled 81,800 metric tons, more than 17,000 tons up on a year ago.

The group is currently enjoying a golden start to the year, with both its northern and central Norway farms producing bumper volumes.

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

Norway's seafood industry has renewed calls for a free-trade agreement with Japan, warning exporters remain at a disadvantage to competitors in the EU and UK, which already benefit from preferential market access.

The appeal came during a meeting between industry representatives and Fisheries and Oceans Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss, where Sjømat Norge urged the government to maintain efforts to improve access to one of Norway's most important seafood markets.

Geopolitical uncertainty makes it even more important to secure access to stable markets

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

The Ministry of Production (Produce) of Peru has increased by 500,000 tons the maximum limit of total allowable catch (LMCTP) of giant squid or squid, from 539,230 to 589,230 tons, for the second half of the year. The measure was adopted after the accumulated catches reached 95.44% of the current limit.