IN BRIEF - Thailand’s fisheries law amendment to ease fishermen’s concerns
THAILAND
Monday, September 25, 2023
A proposed amendment to the fisheries law by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is underway, designed to alleviate the economic issues plaguing fishermen who assert that their livelihoods are compromised by stringent regulations.
Thammanat Prompow, the Minister, acknowledges the concerns raised by fishing communities, who claim to be adversely impacted by the Fisheries Act. This fisheries law, originally instituted to curb Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in Thailand, has drawn criticism for its severity. In response, the ministry has established a committee to investigate these concerns, as announced by Thammanat.
He further elaborated that the committee would comprise representatives from the government, business sector, and civil society, and is scheduled for its inaugural meeting this week.
Thammanat emphasised the significance of the fisheries sector in propelling economic growth, citing its contribution of approximately 130.3 billion baht (U$D 3.6 billion) to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the previous year. This was partly attributed to the Department of Fisheries’ efforts to augment fish stocks and collaborate with local communities to conserve marine life.[...]
Last days to buy this unparalleled seafood, which will soon be out of season and won't return until November.
Scientists have concluded that Atlantic spider crabs are different from those in the Mediterranean and now distinguish them by calling the former Maja brachydactyla and the latter Maja squinado. From February to July, during their peak spawning season, Galicia registers the highest numbers of egg-bearing females, explains the Galician Ministry of the Sea, which last year closed the season for this crustacean from June 21 to November 9 on the Atlantic coast and from July 1 to November 30 on the Galician Cantabrian coast.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
The latest statistics for Norway’s seafood exports in May are revealing a deepening of existing 2026 export trends regarding both growth in Poland and China and stagnation in the U.S. market.
Poland, China, and Sweden were May's biggest growth markets for Norwegian seafood exports overall, with Poland, China, and Spain the biggest growth markets for salmon. The main factors driving this growth were demand for whole salmon in Poland, while the Chinese market was characterized by "strong demand for seafood for raw consumption," said Chramer, who noted that salmon and prawns were fast growing categories there.The war in the Middle East had also affected global salmon exports, reduced tourism to the region and logistics challenges amounted to a drop in export volume to Norway's major Middle Eastern salmon markets by more than 20 percent.
Author: Erin Spampinato / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
Norway exported seafood worth NOK 13.4 billion (€1.24 billion) in May, a decline of 1%, compared with the same month last year, reflecting continued pressure from geopolitical uncertainty, trade barriers and reduced raw material availability.
The latest figures mark the fourth month of declining seafood export values in 2026, with March remaining the only month this year to record growth compared with the same period in 2025.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East also continued to disrupt seafood trade flows.
French insect protein producer Innovafeed has secured €51 million in new financing as it shifts from industrial scale-up to commercial expansion, with a particular focus on aquaculture and pet food markets.
The funding round was supported primarily by existing investors, including Creadev, QIA, Temasek, FFC, ABC Impact and ADM, alongside the company’s banking partners.Innovafeed said its production facility in Nesle, northern France, has now reached full industrial operation. The company reported producing more than 15,000 tonnes of insect protein and oil over the past three years
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam's tilapia exports reached US$49 million, a 151% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive signs for the industry, with Brazil emerging as a major contributor to this boom, and frozen fillets continuing to play a key role.
Frozen Fillets Dominate Export Structure
In terms of product lines, frozen tilapia fillets (HS code 0304) accounted for over 80% of the total export value of the entire industry during this four-month period. Frozen whole fish (HS code 0303) ranked second with a significantly lower share, while value-added products (HS code 16) made almost no significant contribution. This high concentration on frozen fillets is partly driven by the breakthrough in Brazil, causing figures to deviate from the more diverse demands of other markets.
The data indicates that Vietnam's tilapia exports are entering a strong growth phase, led by Brazil and the frozen fillet group. While this concentration reflects the current advantage of Vietnamese businesses in quickly fulfilling large orders, it also highlights an opportunity to diversify into more value-added product lines moving forward.
Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports are rebounding strongly in early 2026, driven by booming demand in key Asian markets.
According to Ms. Nguyen Ha from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), export turnover for this product group reached US$232 million in the first four months of 2026, marking a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
This growth comes despite global challenges, including unstable seafood demand, rising input costs, and increasingly stringent traceability and quality control requirements.
South Korea Anchors Growth
South Korea has solidified its position as the top destination for Vietnamese cephalopods:
Export Turnover: Reached US$87 million, accounting for 37% of Vietnam's total squid and octopus exports.
Growth: A 17% increase year-on-year, contributing an additional US$12 million in value.
While South Korea acts as a stable "market anchor" due to compatible consumer preferences and familiar import systems, experts warn that heavy reliance on a single market remains a long-term risk for Vietnamese businesses.
The industry warned that the measure, currently under public comment in the United States, could affect the competitiveness of Chilean salmon in one of its main export markets and exacerbate the impact of existing tariffs.
SalmonChile expressed its concern regarding the proposal by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to apply a 12.5% ??tariff to Chilean exports. This measure is part of a public comment process initiated following an investigation into the importation of goods produced using forced labor.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
Fedepesca, the association of fish retailers, welcomes the European Commission's guidelines to facilitate the uniform application of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste, in force since February 11, 2025, and directly applicable in all Member States from August 12, 2026.
In their view, these guidelines contribute to simplifying compliance for economic operators and represent "a significant step forward by providing interpretative clarity and reinforcing an approach in line with the reality of micro-enterprises." This progress comes at a time when packaging regulations have generated concern among local businesses in recent years, especially following the approval in Spain of Royal Decree 1055/2022 and its subsequent interpretative criteria.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Aquafuture Spain presents its fourth edition, which will bring together more than 200 companies from the aquaculture industry in Vigo.
The International Aquaculture Industry Exhibition will be held from May 18 to 20, 2027 at the IFEVI exhibition centre in Vigo. • The fair reinforces its position as the leading professional aquaculture event in Southern Europe and the only one of its kind in Spain. Vigo, June 2026
Aquafuture Spain has begun marketing and promoting its fourth edition, which will take place from May 18 to 20, 2027 at the Vigo Trade Fair Institute (IFEVI).The International Aquaculture Industry Exhibition will once again transform Vigo into the premier meeting point for companies, institutions, technology centres, and professionals linked to aquaculture worldwide.
Aquafeed producer BioMar has revealed that it now has 10,800 new shareholders after listing on the Nasdaq Denmark electronic stock exchange last week.
The first day of trading was marked by a bell-ringing ceremony at BioMar’s headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark, attended by employees, management, financial advisors, collaboration partners, and media representatives.
BioMar chief executive Carlos Diaz, chief financial officer Claus Eskildsen, the chair of the board Jens Bjerg Sørensen and Nasdaq all gave speeches, and more than 2,000 BioMar employees worldwide were able to follow the ceremony through a global live broadcast.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
THAILAND
Thammanat Prompow, the Minister, acknowledges the concerns raised by fishing communities, who claim to be adversely impacted by the Fisheries Act. This fisheries law, originally instituted to curb Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in Thailand, has drawn criticism for its severity. In response, the ministry has established a committee to investigate these concerns, as announced by Thammanat.
SPAIN.png)
Last days to buy this unparalleled seafood, which will soon be out of season and won't return until November.
NORWAY
The latest statistics for Norway’s seafood exports in May are revealing a deepening of existing 2026 export trends regarding both growth in Poland and China and stagnation in the U.S. market..png)
Norway exported seafood worth NOK 13.4 billion (€1.24 billion) in May, a decline of 1%, compared with the same month last year, reflecting continued pressure from geopolitical uncertainty, trade barriers and reduced raw material availability.
FRANCE.png)
French insect protein producer 
VIET NAM
Frozen Fillets Dominate Export Structure
According to Ms. Nguyen Ha from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), export turnover for this product group reached US$232 million in the first four months of 2026, marking a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
CHILE
Fedepesca.png)
The International Aquaculture Industry Exhibition will be held from May 18 to 20, 2027 at the IFEVI exhibition centre in Vigo. • The fair reinforces its position as the leading professional aquaculture event in Southern Europe and the only one of its kind in Spain. Vigo, June 2026
DENMARK.png)
The first day of trading was marked by a bell-ringing ceremony at BioMar’s headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark, attended by employees, management, financial advisors, collaboration partners, and media representatives.
