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).
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.
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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.
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Galician mussel producers, represented by Opmega (Organization of Mussel Producers of Galicia), are making a significant commitment to demonstrating the sustainability of their activity, with the aim of achieving greater market recognition.
At the scientific level, the OPP (Organization of Producers of Galicia) already has the results of the first scientific study that comprehensively quantifies the ecosystem services of mussel farming on rafts. The report, prepared by the Marine Research Institute of the CSIC (Spanish National Research Council), places the carbon footprint of Galician mussels well below that of other sources of animal protein, documents the filtration and nutrient retention capacity that the rafts provide to the estuaries, and values ??the mussel shell as a usable resource in sectors such as agriculture and construction.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Tersan Shipyard has announced the successful delivery of NB1124, a next-generation fishing vessel commissioned by Aurora Fisheries, part of the Solander Group.
Soon to be named Takapo, the vessel represents a significant milestone in the partnership between the Turkish shipbuilder and the New Zealand seafood company, introducing advanced energy efficiency and regeneration technologies to deep-sea fishing operations in New Zealand waters.
Built at Tersan Shipyard Takapo has been designed for both pelagic and demersal trawling.
Accumulated mortality for Norwegian farmed salmon during the seawater phase reached 3.4% in the first quarter of 2026, slightly above the 3.3% recorded in the same period last year, according to new figures published by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
Total losses during the quarter were around 12.9 million fish. Of these, 10.9 million were reported as mortalities, 0.6 million as discarded fish and 1.4 million under the category “other”.
The figures are based on monthly reports submitted by salmon farmers to Norwegian authorities covering live and dead fish counts.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
The Minister of the Sea, Marta Villaverde, visited the facilities of Opmega, Galicia's leading mussel sector organization, in Boiro.
Accompanied by President Ricardo Herbón, she learned about advancements in sustainability and innovation, such as the CSIC study presented at Seafood Expo Global Barcelona. This report certifies that the carbon footprint of Galician mussels is minimal and highlights their ecological value to the estuaries.
The entity is moving toward MSC international certification to bolster competitiveness against imports. Commercially, the success of their fresh, microwave-ready mussel trays stands out for optimizing shelf life. Despite challenges like biotoxin closures in late 2025, Opmega remains a European benchmark with 579 platforms (bateas) and 312 members across the estuaries of Muros and Noia, Arousa, Pontevedra, Vigo, and Portugal.
Opmega has been recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food since 1986 as Spain's first transnational mussel producers' organization.
Kamchatka Unveils Grand Schedule for the Annual Pacific Salmon Harvest Russia Fed.
Regional authorities finalize key dates to launch the highly anticipated fishing season across the peninsula
The Kamchatka Anadromous Commission has officially ratified the schedule for the 2026 Paci...
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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.
UNITED KINGDOM
Ocean Ecology delivers practical science, robust surveys and trusted fish health expertise
ICELAND.png)
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.”
SPAIN
Galician mussel producers, represented by 
TURKEY
Tersan Shipyard
NORWAY
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Accompanied by President Ricardo Herbón, she learned about advancements in sustainability and innovation, such as the CSIC study presented at Seafood Expo Global Barcelona. This report certifies that the carbon footprint of Galician mussels is minimal and highlights their ecological value to the estuaries.
