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 Ecuadorian shrimp market in China has once again signaled weakness. In week 15, prices continued their downward trend, with particularly intense pressure on larger sizes, in a context marked by sluggish demand in the Asian giant and a solid supply from Ecuador. This is according to a report by Lewis Hu, which focuses on a phenomenon that transcends the week's trading situation: the difficulty the Chinese market is having in absorbing, at firm prices, the high volume of shrimp that continues to arrive from the world's leading exporter.
Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, organized by Diversified, announced its largest edition ever, with over 52,950 net square meters of exhibition space, a figure that continues to grow. The trade show, which will take place from April 21 to 23 at the Gran Via venue of Fira de Barcelona, ??expects to host more than 2,300 exhibiting companies from 86 countries and 65 national and regional pavilions, bringing together seafood professionals from across the global supply chain.
This year's edition features new national and regional pavilions, including Bulgaria, Mexico, Oman, Uruguay, and Venezuela, joining returning countries such as Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Greece, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Norway, the Netherlands, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vietnam, and others.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
The algae which has been creating problems for salmon farms in the south of Norway appears to be finally on the way out – but not before it has caused a lot of damage.
The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research said that the concentration of the Pseudochattonella algae has decreased significantly in all areas.
It is thought that high winds over the Easter weekend, including those from storm Dave which swept across Scotland and out towards Norway, are the main reason why the algae appears to be dispersing.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Chile’s fisheries authority, Servicio Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura (Sernapesca), held a coordination meeting with salmon producers and aquaculture service providers on April 8 to address an ongoing harmful algal bloom (HAB) in southern Chile.
The bloom, caused by the microalgae Heterosigma akashiwo, has been present since March and is affecting 11 farming sites located in Salmonid Concession Groups (ACS) 1 and 2 in the Reloncaví Sound. All affected sites have activated their preventive HAB action plans.
Under an existing aquaculture pre-alert, Sernapesca has authorised fish transfers to other farming locations, emergency harvests, and extended holding periods at storage centres. The meeting reiterated procedures for operators to submit requests for these measures to the regulator in the coming weeks.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
MOSCOW — Russia may catch between 30,000 and 40,000 tons of saury by the end of 2026, according to Ilya Shestakov, head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries.
Shestakov said current saury migration into Russian waters remains limited, with only “several dozen thousand tons” observed so far. “The species enters gradually, so catches will depend on how much arrives,” he explained, noting there is no fixed total allowable catch.
The official also highlighted a shortage of specialized fishing vessels, as the industry had largely abandoned saury fishing in recent years. To address this, authorities plan a major meeting with fishermen in 2026 to explore expanding the fleet and restoring lost expertise.
Historically, Russia harvested 60,000 to 120,000 tons annually during periods between 1985–1994, 2001–2008, and 2011–2014. However, catches fell sharply to just 615 tons in 2021, and no saury were caught in 2022 after the species migrated away from Russian coastal waters.
Exports of Vietnamese tuna to Spain are accelerating, with 2025 shipments projected to rise 13% year-on-year, extending momentum into early 2026.
Data from Vietnamese Customs show export turnover reached nearly US$3 million in January–February 2026, marking a sharp 101% increase compared to the same period in 2025, and well above 2024 levels.
According to Ms.Nguyen Ha, a market expert at VASEP, the rebound reflects strong European demand for tuna raw materials and processed products, positioning Spain once again as a key destination for Vietnam exports.
Despite the recent surge, the market has shown volatility. In 2024, export values remained relatively stable, while 2025 saw sharp spikes in September, November, and December, alongside notable declines in other months. This resulted in a 5% drop in early 2025 compared to 2024, before the current recovery trend took hold.
The Consumers and Users Organization (OCU) has reviewed the quality of canned mussels on the market and, after analyzing 24 different brands, concludes that all yield good or very good results, although the best are those containing Galician bivalves.
This high rating given by the OCU is based on nutritional value, food safety, and flavor. It is precisely in this last aspect that "cans made with Galician mussels, of the species Mytilus galloprovincialis, cultivated on rafts in the Galician estuaries, stand out, compared to cans containing Chilean mussels," or chorito, which corresponds to the variety Mytilus chilensis.
The mussels also passed the test in terms of nutrition, receiving a good or very good rating. They may find "a slight excess of salt" in some brands, which the OCU (Spanish Consumers' Organization) attributes to the pickling process.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Pure Salmon France has secured a major milestone in its plans to develop a large-scale land-based salmon farm in Verdon-sur-Mer, following a positive opinion from the public inquiry commission on environmental and construction permitting.
The decision marks a significant step forward for the €275 million project, validating several years of technical and environmental studies and allowing the company to move into the next phase of approvals. Construction is targeted for the second half of 2026, with first production expected by 2030.The proposed facility will use recirculating aquaculture system technology to produce up to 10,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon annually.
Avinor, the state-owned operator of Oslo Airport – a key export hub for the country’s seafood industry – has proposed moving the cargo area as part of plans to ensure the airport keeps pace with growing demand.
Norway depends on a strong and well-functioning shipping system for seafood and other critical goods. Seafood is the country’s second largest export (after fossil fuels), and Oslo Airport is a key hub in the global transport chain.The establishment of freight on the west side will also free up space and capacity that can be used for further development of passenger traffic and new routes.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The leading food tech event will bring together industry leaders to explore the sector’s future amid inflation, trade tensions, and energy and climate challenges Global experts from Nestlé, Unilever, Danone, and Ferrero, among many others, will share their insights from May 27 to 28 at the Food 4 Future World Summit.
Food production has become a strategic asset in a global context shaped by trade tensions, climate crises, and increasing competition for resources. In this scenario, F4F – Expo FoodTech 2026 and Pick&Pack for Food Industry, the major technology event for the food and beverage sector.
The Food 4 Future World Summit will bring together senior executives such as Jorge Escudero, CEO of Nueva Pescanova; Cristóbal Valdés, CEO of Deoleo, the world’s largest olive oil company; Susana Entero, CEO of Kellanova, owner of brands such as Corn Flakes, Special K,and Pringles; and Jordi Llach, CEO of Nestlé Iberia.
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The Ecuadorian shrimp market in China has once again signaled weakness. In week 15, prices continued their downward trend, with particularly intense pressure on larger sizes, in a context marked by sluggish demand in the Asian giant and a solid supply from Ecuador. This is according to a report by Lewis Hu, which focuses on a phenomenon that transcends the week's trading situation: the difficulty the Chinese market is having in absorbing, at firm prices, the high volume of shrimp that continues to arrive from the world's leading exporter.
SPAIN
Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global
NORWAY
The algae which has been creating problems for salmon farms in the south of Norway appears to be finally on the way out – but not before it has caused a lot of damage.
CHILE.png)
The bloom, caused by the microalgae Heterosigma akashiwo, has been present since March and is affecting 11 farming sites located in Salmonid Concession Groups (ACS) 1 and 2 in the Reloncaví Sound. All affected sites have activated their preventive HAB action plans.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION FIS seafood Media.png)
Shestakov said current saury migration into Russian waters remains limited, with only “several dozen thousand tons” observed so far. “The species enters gradually, so catches will depend on how much arrives,” he explained, noting there is no fixed total allowable catch.
VIET NAM%20FIS%20seafood%20Media(4).png)
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This high rating given by the OCU is based on nutritional value, food safety, and flavor. It is precisely in this last aspect that "cans made with Galician mussels, of the species Mytilus galloprovincialis, cultivated on rafts in the Galician estuaries, stand out, compared to cans containing Chilean mussels," or chorito, which corresponds to the variety Mytilus chilensis.
FRANCE
Pure Salmon France has secured a major milestone in its plans to develop a large-scale land-based salmon farm in Verdon-sur-Mer, following a positive opinion from the public inquiry commission on environmental and construction permitting.
Avinor, the state-owned operator of Oslo Airport – a key export hub for the country’s seafood industry – has proposed moving the cargo area as part of plans to ensure the airport keeps pace with growing demand..png)
The leading food tech event will bring together industry leaders to explore the sector’s future amid inflation, trade tensions, and energy and climate challenges Global experts from Nestlé, Unilever, Danone, and Ferrero, among many others, will share their insights from May 27 to 28 at the Food 4 Future World Summit.
