Esselunga, a leading Italian retailer, has launched Italy’s first land-based smoked salmon for consumers, signaling a major move towards sustainable seafood.

Available since October 9th under The Icelander brand, the product is a result of a collaboration between Norwegian land-based farmer Salmon Evolution and processor Milarex.

The launch meets a growing consumer demand in Italy for products that combine quality, taste, and environmental responsibility. Esselunga is pioneering the introduction of healthier, more sustainable choices to Italian households.

Antonio Pellin from Milarex highlighted the market shift: “Introducing land-based salmon in partnership with Esselunga allows us to meet that demand and bring real innovation to Italian households.”

Salmon Evolution’s approach focuses on transparency and responsibility, raising the salmon in pristine Norwegian waters to align with Italy's increasing focus on sustainability, animal welfare, and health. This partnership strengthens Esselunga’s position as a retail innovator.

Leading Russian companies are showing significant interest in applying genetic technologies to boost domestic aquaculture. The industry's continued growth hinges on developing native production of high-quality seed material to raise in-demand fish species.

This pressing need was the focus of the roundtable, "Smart Breeding: How Genetics is Transforming Russian Aquaculture," held at the International Fisheries Forum.

Nikolai Müge, PhD in Biology and Head of the Molecular Genetics Department at the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO), highlighted the potential. "Thanks to the unique biological properties of fish, genetic technologies unavailable for other farm animals have great potential for application in aquaculture. These methods don't replace selection, but rather accelerate it and increase its efficiency."

The Center for Genomic Selection at VNIRO is actively working to identify individuals with superior traits by analyzing the genotypes of aquaculture species. Developments are most promising in studying carp and trout. Scientists use high-throughput genotyping or whole genome sequencing to identify offspring with the best combinations of traits that influence consumer characteristics, such as body weight and head size.

The goal is to implement these scientific solutions to produce fish with improved consumer properties, marking a strategic step toward securing Russia's aquaculture future.

Pescanova has launched its new Christmas campaign, once again focused on the prawn (langostino), the star product of the festive table.

This seafood is an undisputed classic: last year, consumption during this period reached 10,000 tons in Spanish households, representing 25% of the total annual volume.

Under the slogan "Which one do you choose?" ("¿Y tú, cuál eliges?"), the advertising campaign seeks to highlight the variety and versatility of the Pescanova prawn range. The brand offers options for all tastes:

• Whole vannamei prawns: Ideal for more traditional diners and classic recipes.

• Peeled Rodolfo shrimp: Designed for the more modern consumer looking for convenience, versatility, and practicality to innovate in the kitchen without complications.

The brand's new spot reinforces this message, ensuring that both formats add a touch of distinction to the celebrations. The campaign concludes with the already emblematic slogan "Good things turn out well" ("Lo bueno sale bien"), associating Pescanova with quality and enjoyment during the Christmas season.

The government has appointed biologist José Edgardo Allemant Sayán as the Director General of Aquaculture at the Ministry of Production (Produce), according to Ministerial Resolution N.° 364-2025-PRODUCE, published in the official gazette El Peruano.

Questions Over Repsol Link

The appointment has generated controversy because Allemant Sayán was, until recently, the Repsol official in charge of directing the negotiation, compensation, and conflict resolution process following the serious oil spill that occurred in January 2022.

Context of the Spill

This ecocide contaminated the coasts of Ventanilla, Santa Rosa, Ancón, Aucallama, and Chancay with more than 12,000 barrels of crude oil, severely impacting the incomes and jobs of thousands of artisan fishermen and those dependent on tourism in the area.

Allegations Regarding Compensation

CoopAcción highlights that leaders from the affected zones alleged that the compensation process led by Repsol was marked by injustices, with the company imposing criteria that resulted in amounts far below what was adequate to compensate those who lost their livelihoods. To date, the State has also failed to provide a complete report on the status of the cleanup and restoration of the affected areas, more than three years after the spill.

AlgaEurope 2025, set to take place in Riga, Latvia, from 9-12 December 2025, will bring together the global algae community for four days of collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange.

Organized by DLG Benelux and the European Algae Biomass Association (EABA), the AlgaEurope 2025 Conference is expected to welcome over 400 participants from across academia, research, and industry, making it one of the most significant annual gatherings dedicated to algae biomass.

Source: Fish Farmer  | Read the full article here

Scottish seafood businesses are to get greater access to market intelligence, buyer networks and promotional opportunities in Europe, thanks a new partnership that trade body Seafood Scotland’s has formed with the Central Fish Market, Mercat Central del Peix, and education centre at Mercabarna, Barcelona.

According to Seafood Scotland, this agreement with one of the largest fresh food wholesale markets in Europe will help Scottish exporters better understand shifting consumer preferences, ensuring products are tailored to meet local demand and capitalise on Spain’s growing appetite for premium seafood.

Source: Worldfishing | Read the full article here

Zhoushan—A massive, ultra-low temperature refrigerated vessel, dubbed the "Xinxiangli 55," has been delivered and is set to depart for the South Pacific fishing grounds in late November. The vessel is being called the world's largest of its kind by tonnage and loading capacity, effectively operating as a "mobile refrigerator at sea."

The ship was invested in and built by Zhoushan's Zhejiang Xinxiangli International Shipping Co., Ltd., at a cost of approximately $22.2 million (RMB 160 million). A sister vessel, the "Xinxiangli 56," is already operating in the South Pacific.

At 143.49 meters long, the "Xinxiangli 55" boasts approximately 11,500 cubic meters of refrigerated storage space, capable of maintaining temperatures as low as -55°C. This capability allows it to keep high-value catches, like raw tuna, in a state of "sleep" for thousands of nautical miles, preserving their quality.

The vessel will provide comprehensive services—including fish refrigeration, material supply, and personnel transfer—for Zhoushan's distant-water fishing fleet. It has an impressive maximum range of nearly 20,000 nautical miles and 54 berths, supporting flexible crew changes for distant-water fishermen.

Thai Union records Q3 2025 adjusted net profit of THB 1.5bn as organic sales return to growth despite global headwinds. 

• Sales volumes and organic sales improved year on year, with reported sales at THB 34.5 billion
• Gross profit margin stood at a very robust 19%, showing strongly improved margins in the frozen business
• Adjusted net profit reached THB 1.5 billion, up quarter on quarter, with major transformation costs set to taper off in 2026
• Earnings per share grew by 12.1% year on year, reaching THB 0.34

Thai Union Group PCL have announced its third-quarter results, reporting a net profit of THB 1.3 billion. 

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here