IN BRIEF - Death of Gonzalo Vial, president and founder of Agrosuper, parent company of AquaChile
CHILE
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
With great pain and sadness, AquaChile announces the sensitive death of Gonzalo Vial Vial, president and founder of Agrosuper, parent company of AquaChile.
Gonzalo Vial began his career as an entrepreneur and transformed his passion into a leading food manufacturing company for Chile and the world. His leadership and vision of the future led him to create a company based on solid principles and values, with a marked seal of innovation and excellence, rooted in the regions of Chile.
Throughout his life he focused on delivering the highest quality food to all Chilean families with the support of his collaborators and so many entrepreneurs and suppliers who grew up with Agrosuper.
AquaChile accompanies the family in this difficult time. His funeral will be held privately.
“We are very sad about the departure of a great man, a great entrepreneur and a great visionary, who leaves an indelible mark on our country. Gonzalo Vial was a hard-working businessman committed to the sustainable development of Chile, especially its regions and the people who live in those areas. And he played an important role in the world of salmon farming in Chile,” said AquaChile general manager Sady Delgado.
Relief for the fleet, which hopes the price will continue to fall
The announcement of the peace agreement between the US and Iran has also brought relief to the fishing fleet, which began to see a drop in diesel prices this Monday. According to the Geoportal of Gas Stations of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, a liter cost less than 90 cents at 19 of the 25 maritime stations in Galicia listed on that website. This is a decrease compared to last Friday, when the average price in the three Galician provinces was €0.904 in Lugo, €0.926 in A Coruña, and €0.934 in Pontevedra.
Author: S.M / M Gago / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
The agreement also allows the IMO to move forward with its plan to evacuate the thousands of seafarers stranded in the area.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is very pleased with the peace agreement reached between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the parties to the conflict affecting the Strait of Hormuz. It considers this an "important step" towards restoring security in the vital maritime corridor for seafarers and ships, as well as safeguarding the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Domínguez expressed his deepest condolences to all victims of the conflict, paying special tribute to the innocent seafarers affected and their families.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Bern Aqua, an ADM group company and supplier of hatchery and nursery feeds for fish and shrimp, has become the first aquaculture feed producer in Belgium to achieve Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification.
The certification was awarded to the company’s feed mill in Olen and marks a significant milestone for both Bern Aqua and the wider Belgian aquaculture sector. The achievement reflects growing global demand for greater traceability, responsible sourcing and independently certified feed production across the aquaculture sector.
Although the aquaculture industry has good operations and a high level of awareness about marine litter, fish farming equipment is still being lost at sea, according to a new survey conducted by the research organisation Opinion on behalf of the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries.
The survey is based on interviews with 12 representatives from the aquaculture industry. Eight out of 12 state that they have lost major farming components over the past five years.
The findings show that losses most often occur during demanding operations such as delousing, net changes and maintenance work.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Aquascot, the employee-owned Scottish seafood processor behind Waitrose’s premium Scottish salmon and trout range, has been named Waitrose Own Brand Supplier of the Year 2026.
The award recognises Aquascot’s long-standing commitment to quality, innovation and partnership and marks the first time the Highland-based business has received the honour in more than 30 years of supplying the retailer. Aquascot first started supplying Waitrose in 1993 and has been a permanent dedicated supplier since 2003.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The cross-border initiative, funded by European Interreg POCTEP funds until 2028, will combat the aging workforce by promoting employment, digitalization, and equality in Galicia, Andalusia, and Portugal.
VIGO – Spain and Portugal have launched the European project MUDARPESCA, a strategic cross-border cooperation alliance designed to attract young people to the seafood sector and ensure generational renewal. Co-financed by the Interreg POCTEP 2021-2027 program through the ERDF fund, the initiative will run until February 2028 to revitalize the economies of Galicia, Andalusia, and the Portuguese coast—regions heavily affected by the lack of young labor and a general lack of social awareness regarding maritime professions.
The project, led by the Shipowners Cooperative of the Port of Vigo (ARVI), includes the creation of a digital platform to connect companies with job seekers, awareness campaigns in educational centers, and strategic recommendations for the sustainability of the blue economy. Key stakeholders participating in the consortium include Sinerxia, FOR-MAR, OPP Lonja de Conil, the Xunta de Galicia, the Portuguese DGRM, Docapesca, and FECOPESCA, among other entities.
The European Commission has published a new study on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Europe's aquaculture sector. It offers a set of potential pathways to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and concludes with concrete policy recommendations, including investment in research into new feed raw materials and improvements to EU aquaculture policy.
One of the recommendations focuses on boosting energy efficiency and digitalization, both for the opportunities it offers to save costs and emissions, and for the implementation of artificial intelligence-based technologies that offer promising solutions for reducing GHG emissions, both at the farm level and by predicting ecosystem changes that negatively impact producers.
Source: iPac.aquacultura | Read the full article here
A Nordic Council report advocates combining education, availability, price, and consumer information to incorporate more fish and seafood into the diet
Increasing seafood consumption in Nordic countries requires public policies capable of influencing consumer habits, motivation, and real choices. This is the argument put forward in the Nordic Aquatic Food Systems report by the Nordic Council of Ministers, which analyzes the necessary measures to strengthen the presence of fish, seafood, and other aquatic products in a healthy and sustainable diet.
The document starts from a central idea: simply informing the public about the nutritional benefits of fish is not enough.
ASC responds to U.S. Senate Inquiry, highlighting transparent and independent assurance of the ASC Programme. Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has responded to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labour and Pensions (HELP) Committee, outlining the robustness of its certification system, which is built on stringent standards, independent third-party audits, full supply chain traceability, and public transparency to provide credible assurance for certified seafood products. ASC-certified products are available in markets worldwide, including the United States, which is a strongly growing market for ASC, and provide assurance to retailers and consumers that seafood has been produced in accordance with ASC requirements.
Inverlussa Marine Services has signed contracts for three new hybrid vessels in a fleet expansion programme that will increase its fleet to 25 vessels when the ships are delivered in summer 2027.
The Scottish aquaculture support company has ordered a 20-metre by 12-metre heavy service catamaran from Macduff Shipyards, a 25-metre by 10.6-metre heavy service vessel from Nauplius Workboats, and a 27-metre by 11-metre fish feed carrier with a 400-tonne hold capacity from Parkol Marine Engineering.
All three vessels have been designed by Macduff Ship Design and will be equipped with battery-hybrid propulsion systems and IMO Tier III engines aimed at reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
CHILE.png)
Gonzalo Vial began his career as an entrepreneur and transformed his passion into a leading food manufacturing company for Chile and the world. His leadership and vision of the future led him to create a company based on solid principles and values, with a marked seal of innovation and excellence, rooted in the regions of Chile.
SPAIN
Relief for the fleet, which hopes the price will continue to fall
WORLDWIDE.png)
The agreement also allows the IMO to move forward with its plan to evacuate the thousands of seafarers stranded in the area.
BELGIUM
Although the aquaculture industry has good operations and a high level of awareness about marine litter, fish farming equipment is still being lost at sea, according to a new survey conducted by the research organisation Opinion on behalf of the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries.
UNITED KINGDOM
Aquascot
EUROPEAN UNION
The European Commission has published a new study on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Europe's aquaculture sector. It offers a set of potential pathways to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and concludes with concrete policy recommendations, including investment in research into new feed raw materials and improvements to EU aquaculture policy.
NORWAY
A Nordic Council report advocates combining education, availability, price, and consumer information to incorporate more fish and seafood into the diet
UNITED STATES.png)
ASC.png)
The Scottish aquaculture support company has ordered a 20-metre by 12-metre heavy service catamaran from Macduff Shipyards, a 25-metre by 10.6-metre heavy service vessel from Nauplius Workboats, and a 27-metre by 11-metre fish feed carrier with a 400-tonne hold capacity from Parkol Marine Engineering.
