IN BRIEF - Falkland Islands dispute is causing fishing ‘free-for-all’ in nearby Blue Hole
FALKLAND ISLANDS
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Warning that soaring number of vessels threaten fish stocks and environment as geopolitics prevents agreement to regulate area
The scale of unregulated fishing in a disputed region close to the Falkland Islands has reached an “overwhelming” level that is threatening fish populations and the rich biodiversity of the area, politicians and environmentalists have claimed.
The “Blue Hole”, a stretch of the south Atlantic Ocean lying approximately 200 miles off the coast of Argentina and north of the Falkland Islands, is one of the only areas of sea that is not covered by a regional fishing agreement.
This has created a free-for-all, experts say, where fishing fleets can trawl the ocean, largely free from regulation or oversight. The number of vessels operating in the area has soared in recent months. According to routine monitoring carried out by the government of the Falkland Islands, at the end of January, more than 400 vessels were fishing in the Blue Hole. At the end of November, only 80 vessels had been observed.
“This overwhelming unregulated activity is disastrous,”said Teslyn Barkman, a member of the Falklands legislative assembly.“It’s unreported, unrestricted but legal due to a lack of regional agreement as to how the area should be managed.”
Most of the ships were Chinese, the government said, with many turning their trackers off when entering the area, which made their activities difficult to quantify.[...]
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In its statement, the Norwegian ministry clarifies that whaling in Norway is a sustainable activity, "strictly regulated, and the minke whale population is in very good condition." Furthermore, "Norway uses efficient fishing methods that respect animal welfare," it maintains.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
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Author: Sandy Neil / Fish Farmer | Read the fullarticle here
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Environmental law charity Ecojustice represented anti-fish farming groups the David Suzuki Foundation, Georgia Strait Alliance, Living Oceans Society, and Watershed Watch Salmon Society, and veteran anti-salmon farming activist Alexandra Morton, in the appeal.
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A recent search for capelin off the coast ...
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FALKLAND ISLANDS
Warning that soaring number of vessels threaten fish stocks and environment as geopolitics prevents agreement to regulate area
UNITED KINGDOM
A report from the OctoPulse project links the explosion of Octopus vulgaris to warmer seas and oceanographic changes; the phenomenon is already disrupting fisheries and could affect prices in Europe.
NORWAY
The Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans has set a quota of 1,641 minke whales for 2026, an increase of 235 animals compared to last year's quota of 1,406, according to a statement. The increase is possible, it explains, because the unused quota from previous years' fishing campaigns has been carried over to this year.
SPAIN.png)
It ranks sixth in the global Ocean Benchmark ranking, which evaluates the 125 largest companies in the world based on their responsible practices and contribution to the sustainable management of the oceans. It is the top-ranked fishing company globally in this ranking and third among food companies, behind only Nestlé and Mowi.
KENYA
Using a unique stacked-tank, land-based system, Vertical Lake produces traceable fish while converting waste streams into organic fertiliser and collagen.
The supermarket 
CHILE
With the aim of strengthening the presence of Chilean products in Southeast Asian markets, 
Galician waters are rich in many species of fish and shellfish. Some of the products that support hundreds of people are emblematic, helping to maintain populations in coastal areas and serving as food far beyond the region's borders. Perhaps one of the most characteristic resources is the octopus, the king cephalopod, which is vital in some markets around the world.
CANADA.png)
The ruling by the Federal Court of Appeal upholds a June 2024 Federal Court decision which affirmed the Canadian fisheris minister's ability to refuse aquaculture licences in the Discovery Islands based on conservation concerns. Salmon farmer Mowi Canada West is understood to have appealed the 2024 decision.
PERU
Global marine ingredients output shows modest growth in 2025
WORLDWIDE
From the established seaweed production hubs of Asia, to the emerging farms of the Western hemisphere, I have always been interested in identifying the gaps in farm technology that translate into opportunities for innovation. 
