IN BRIEF - Barbados hosts largest-ever meeting of FAO fishery body
BARBADOS
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Pressing issues threatening the sustainability of living marine resources across the Caribbean were discussed at the 19th Session of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) held in Bridgetown, Barbados, earlier this month.
The hybrid meeting, which was organised and led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), was attended by 110 delegates from 22 member countries and 11 partner organisations, signalling the highest number of delegates to ever attend in the history of this commission’s plenary meetings.
The delegates of the 19th session discussed the interim Caribbean Regional Management Plan for the Anchored Fish Aggregating Device Fishery (aFAD), and the associated guide for improved monitoring aFAD catches and assessment of aFAD impacts on stocks. They also reviewed the manual on aFAD Fisheries Governance with application to other Fisheries in the Wider Caribbean and the impacts of sargassum on marine resources in the region, a regional socio-economic and environmental developing issue.
The progress made in the strategic reorientation of the commission, the finalisation of the revised 2014 Rules of Procedures, opportunities for collaboration with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), and other critical topics of potential implications for the fisheries in the region, among others two global instruments, the Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, were included on the comprehensive agenda for discourse.
In delivering opening remarks, Adrian Forde, Barbados’ minister of environment and national beautification, the green and blue economy, spoke on the significance of the meeting for Barbados and at large, the CARICOM countries, and acknowledged the considerable progress of WECAFC in the preparation of fisheries management advice, especially as it relates to the management of fisheries using anchored Fish Aggregating Devices (aFADs).
The Navalia 2026 trade fair opens its doors today in Vigo with its largest edition ever. The Ifevi exhibition center is too small for an event that will bring together 602 exhibitors, 13% more than in 2024, and nearly 1,200 represented brands, occupying all four pavilions of the fairgrounds.
Navalia, which lasts three days, has established itself as Spain's leading shipbuilding trade fair and one of the three most important in Europe. The organizers highlight the strong international presence of this edition, with the addition of five new countries: Bulgaria, Chile, Egypt, Hong Kong, and Ireland, joining the usual delegations from Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Author: A. Pascual / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Balfegó Grup begins its annual bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) fishing campaign today, May 19. The company, based in L’Ametlla de Mar, will have until July 1 to catch a total allocated quota of 4,045 tons, the result of agreements established with various Spanish, French, and Italian vessels that supply Balfegó.
For this campaign, Balfegó will deploy a fleet of 13 purse seine vessels—including its own vessels Frau II and Tio Gel Segundo—as well as 26 auxiliary vessels, and will generate more than 350 direct jobs.
The company is confident that weather conditions will allow the campaign to proceed smoothly. This campaign will once again be carried out under the B Corp seal, a certification that Balfegó obtained in March 2024, becoming the first company in the Spanish fishing sector to achieve it.
Source: ipac, aquacultura | Read the full article here
SB1 Markets has downgraded Atlantic Sapphire to “sell” from “neutral” and cut its target price to NOK 0.8 from NOK 7.5, according to a note reported by Finansavisen/TDN Direkt.
The bank cited weaker salmon price assumptions, higher farming costs and continued cash burn behind the downgrade.
SB1 Markets said it had lowered its 2026 forecasts due to weaker expected salmon prices and higher farming costs in the first half of the year. It also pushed back the assumed start of Atlantic Sapphire’s planned phase two expansion to the second half of 2027.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Princes Group shifts to MSC-Certified Iberian sardines, strengthening sustainable sourcing. Princes has announced it is now sourcing its sardines from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified Iberian purse seine fishery, marking a further step forward in its commitment to independently certified sustainable seafood.
The Iberian sardine fishery achieved MSC status in July 2025, confirming that Iberian sardines (European pilchard) meet globally recognised standards for sustainable fishing. Criteria include stock health, ecosystem impact and effective fisheries management.
A report by BIM and Atlantic Technical University analyzes 88 offshore wind farms and emphasizes that coexistence depends on the type of fishing gear, early planning, and the co-design of infrastructure.
The expansion of offshore wind in European waters has once again brought the debate about the coexistence of renewable energy and fishing activity to the forefront. A report prepared by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and Atlantic Technical University (ATU) analyzes the interactions between offshore wind farms and fisheries in Europe over a twelve-year period, using fishing effort data and 88 operational installations.
Ocean Ecology delivers practical science, robust surveys and trusted fish health expertise
As the aquaculture sector faces increasing regulatory scrutiny alongside ongoing commercial pressures, operators need partners who can deliver reliable, defensible data and practical expertise, without unnecessary cost or complexity.
Ocean Ecology and Tritonia (part of the Ocean Ecology Group), working in collaboration from the European Marine Science Park in Oban, provide integrated environmental, survey and fish health services supporting aquaculture projects from site selection through to operation and compliance.
IceFish exhibitor, Saeplast has recently launched an updated website with new site features including geolocation integration, custom quote and comparison forms, colour-swatch renderings, advanced faceted filters for easier product discovery and WooCommerce integration.
The site has also expanded sections across ‘Industries, Products and Services’, with deeper insights into Saeplast’s team, sustainability initiatives and manufacturing process. A new Resource Hub brings together case studies, insights, white papers, downloads, FAQs, news updates and events, designed to help its customers make informed decisions with confidence.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport has seen seafood volumes soar, with one million kilograms of Scottish salmon exported through the airport since the start of the year.
The milestone follows the launch of Prestwick’s Scotland to China seafood export service last year and investment in new equipment, dedicated cool chain personnel, and temperature-controlled facilities for time-sensitive exports. The airport’s seafood export operation includes high-volume metal detectors, temperature exposure and tracking systems, and 87 tonnes of chiller capacity, Air Cargo News reported.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Rosselkhoznadzor, the Primorsky Interregional Office overseeing Primorsky Krai and Sakhalin Oblast, announced a major surge in trade. From May 4 to May 11, 2026, authorities successfully cleared 627 shipments of fish and seafood products for export, totaling 42,700 tons.
To facilitate international trade, officials issued 211 veterinary certificates (form 5i) for Far Eastern aquatic products, with 12 certificates processed on Sakhalin. Additionally, 434 health certificates were granted for exported aquatic resources, including 33 in the Sakhalin Region. The primary destinations for these goods were China, receiving 289 certificates, and the Republic of Korea, which took 145.
Furthermore, 143 certificates were authorized for import transportation.
To guarantee safety compliance, inspectors collected 182 samples from controlled products. This testing included 39 samples on government orders, 2 for monitoring, 3 on suspicion of violations, 10 under enhanced control, and 128 samples requested by product owners.
With over 20 years of experience in food packaging development and innovation, Austral Pack is a Chilean company with certified and validated solutions for the most demanding markets, establishing itself as a strategic partner for its clients. Founded by Chilean engineers Luis Mayorga and Saúl Soto, who possess extensive national and international experience in the field, the company has become a specialist in automated solutions for food processing and packaging. “Our development has been sustained by a multidisciplinary team and close collaboration with our clients, who trust us to improve the efficiency, quality, and safety of their processes.”
Among its main advantages are the reduction of up to 75% in the use of plastic per container
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SPAIN
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Balfegó Grup
NORWAY
SB1 Markets has downgraded 
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Princes Group 
EUROPEAN UNION
A report by BIM and Atlantic Technical University analyzes 88 offshore wind farms and emphasizes that coexistence depends on the type of fishing gear, early planning, and the co-design of infrastructure.
Ocean Ecology delivers practical science, robust surveys and trusted fish health expertise
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The site has also expanded sections across ‘Industries, Products and Services’, with deeper insights into Saeplast’s team, sustainability initiatives and manufacturing process. A new Resource Hub brings together case studies, insights, white papers, downloads, FAQs, news updates and events, designed to help its customers make informed decisions with confidence.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport has seen seafood volumes soar, with one million kilograms of Scottish salmon exported through the airport since the start of the year.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
CHILE
With over 20 years of experience in food packaging development and innovation, Austral Pack is a Chilean company with certified and validated solutions for the most demanding markets, establishing itself as a strategic partner for its clients. Founded by Chilean engineers Luis Mayorga and Saúl Soto, who possess extensive national and international experience in the field, the company has become a specialist in automated solutions for food processing and packaging. “Our development has been sustained by a multidisciplinary team and close collaboration with our clients, who trust us to improve the efficiency, quality, and safety of their processes.”
