IN BRIEF - Pacific Groups join global call for WTO to target big fishing fleets
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Pacific civil society groups have joined others from around the world in an open letter calling on trade negotiators at this week’s World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial to ensure that any outcome on fisheries subsidies targets those fleets most responsible for overfishing, protects small-scale fishers and doesn’t stop small-island stated from developing their own fishing fleets.
The WTO Ministeral starts today in Dubai, with expected attendance from WTO Pacific Ministers and delegations.
“The negotiations on subsidies that contribute to overfishing are failing to address the real problem those historically responsible for overfishing, and is instead creating loop holes that the big fleets will be able to use. The current agreement lets those most responsible off the hook”, commented Adam Wolfenden, Deputy Coordinator of the Pacific Network on Globalisation.
The open letter has been endorsed by over 65 organisations from around the world, including in the Pacific Islands region.[...]
Optimar has secured a major aquaculture contract to supply harvesting and slaughtering equipment to a new fish farming project in Kazakhstan, marking the company’s first delivery to the country and a significant expansion of its international footprint.
The deal is with Organic Fish, which is developing a modern trout farming operation in the Caspian Sea. The project aims to reach an annual production capacity of around 5,000 tonnes within three to four years. Optimar will deliver a complete harvesting package for offshore operations and a slaughterhouse package for land-based processing.
A Japanese sushi magnate has paid a record-breaking £2.4 million for a giant bluefin tuna at Tokyo’s famous New Year fish auction. Kiyoshi Kimura, widely known as the “Tuna King,” placed the winning bid of 510.3 million yen for the 243-kilogram fish, which was caught off the northern coast of Japan.
Speaking after the pre-dawn auction at Tokyo’s main fish market, Kimura admitted he had not expected the price to climb so high.
The price paid was the highest recorded since auction data began being collected in 1999. The previous record was set in 2019, when a 278-kilogram bluefin sold for 333.6 million yen shortly after the market relocated from the historic Tsukiji site to a new, modern facility. Last year’s top tuna fetched 207 million yen.
Data from EUMOFA paints a picture of resilient demand, but with subtle adjustments driven by seasonality, differences between species, and increased price sensitivity.
For years, tuna has occupied a unique place in the landscape of fish consumption in Europe. It's a versatile product: it suits different budgets, is sold in a wide variety of formats—from fresh to canned—and regularly appears on the shopping lists of millions of households. Precisely because of this constant presence, analyzing how tuna (and related species) is bought and consumed offers valuable insights not only into this product but also into the overall state of the food market and the fishing industry.
The draft Law on Control, Inspection, and Sanctions for Maritime Fishing, promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA), has begun its parliamentary process in the Congress and the Senate after its approval by the Council of Ministers on October 21. Pending debate, this is one of the laws—as of the publication of this article—threatened by the obstruction of the national government by Junts per Catalunya.
The text updates the fisheries control framework in Spain in accordance with European Union regulations and seeks to guarantee compliance with the Common Fisheries Policy while strengthening the sustainability of fishing activity.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Salmon farming project in Fukushima advances toward commercialization.
A land-based aquaculture project focused on Benizake, or sockeye salmon, in Fukushima Prefecture is moving from pilot scale toward commercial development after expansion plans were selected for national subsidy support.
The project is being undertaken jointly by Okayama University of Science, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation, and Ichii Inc.. The partners plan to expand operations and construct new facilities in Namie, following their selection under Japan’s Subsidy for Business Location to Support Self-Reliance and Return, and Create Employment.
Source: SalmonBusieness | Read the full article here
Salmon supplies out of northern Norway face disruption this week following heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures.
There are cancellations on fish trains and trucks between Narvik and Stockholm, and other onward destinations in Sweden.
And all trains between Narvik and Gällivare, an important railway junction in Sweden for salmon traffic, have been cancelled.
A warning of further heavy snow and string winds has been issued by the weather authorities.The Nordland region of Norway is a major salmon producing area. However, it is often prone to disruption at this time of year, which has a knock-on effect on prices.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
The spot price for market-influencing Norwegian salmon increased by NOK 14.18 per kilo in week 52, ending at NOK 98.93 (£7.29) per kilo.
However, the price saw an even bigger rise in the last week of 2024 (+30.21 NOK) so this year's price is NOK 16.94 below the level from then.
The average weekly price of Norwegian salmon in 2025 ended at NOK 77.21 per kilo. This is NOK 15.53/kg below the average price for 2024 of NOK 92.74/kg.
Author: Pål Mugaas Jensen / fiahfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
WASHINGTON D.C. — In a decisive move to solidify maritime leadership, the U.S. Senate confirmed Timothy Petty on December 19, 2025, as the new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. Petty will now spearhead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) fisheries division.
A Strategic Leadership Role
As the head of NOAA Fisheries, Petty is tasked with a massive mandate: managing the nation’s marine fisheries and ensuring the conservation of protected ocean species. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) noted that Petty will act as second-in-command at NOAA, likely stepping into the role of NOAA Deputy Administrator.
Background and Expertise
Petty, a seasoned geologist, brings extensive legislative and administrative experience to the Department of Commerce:
Department of the Interior: Served as Assistant Secretary for Water and Science (2018–2021).
Capitol Hill: Former senior staffer for the House Subcommittee on Water and Environment.
During his October confirmation hearing, Petty faced rigorous questioning regarding stock assessments and the streamlining of disaster relief funding for coastal communities. His appointment comes at a critical time as the agency balances commercial fishing interests with escalating climate-related challenges in federal waters.
During his recent annual televised Q&A session, President Vladimir Putin addressed a growing concern for Russian households: the lack of affordable fish. Despite Russia’s vast maritime resources, domestic consumption continues to fall short of national health standards.
Barriers to Consumption
The President identified several systemic bottlenecks preventing the fishing industry from meeting public demand. Currently, high costs and logistical hurdles mean that high-quality catch from the Far East often struggles to reach the more populated European regions of Russia at competitive prices.
The Strategic Roadmap
To bridge the gap between the ocean and the dinner table, Putin outlined a multi-pronged strategy:
Logistical Optimization: Streamlining supply chains to ensure fish products move across the country more efficiently.
Reduced Transport Costs: Implementing measures to lower the price of shipping from eastern ports to the West.
Tax Incentives: Reviewing taxation policies to alleviate pressure on the fishing industry.
Fleet Modernization: Creating favorable conditions to continue the construction of domestic fishing vessels.
"We need to ensure that fish products can reach consumers as cheaply as possible," Putin emphasized, signaling that the government will prioritize infrastructure and affordability to improve the national diet.
This maritime sector, located off the coast of Río Negro Province (between parallels 41° and 43° S and extending to the 62° W meridian), is currently under a strict bottom-trawling ban for shrimp per Resolution CFP No. 7/2018. The proposed mission aims to:
Evaluate population dynamics within the protected reserve.
Analyze potential yields in light of recent changes observed in the commercial fishery.
Provide empirical data to support future management and sustainability decisions.
Technical Rationale
The decision follows an assessment of fleet behavior and catch yields in open fishing grounds over recent seasons. By gathering updated technical information, autho
Far East Fleet Deployed as 2026 Sea of Okhotsk Fishing Season Begins Russia Fed.
Pollock and Herring Harvest Targets Set Following Record-Breaking 2025 Yields
The Russian Far East has officially launched the 2026 Sea of Okhotsk fishing season, known as Season "A". This critic...
Copyright 1995 - 2026 Seafood Media Group Ltd.| All Rights Reserved. DISCLAIMER
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
KAZAKHSTAN
Optimar 
JAPAN.png)
Speaking after the pre-dawn auction at Tokyo’s main fish market, Kimura admitted he had not expected the price to climb so high.
EUROPEAN UNION
Data from 
SPAIN
The draft Law on Control, Inspection, and Sanctions for Maritime Fishing, promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA), has begun its parliamentary process in the Congress and the Senate after its approval by the Council of Ministers on October 21. Pending debate, this is one of the laws—as of the publication of this article—threatened by the obstruction of the national government by Junts per Catalunya.
A land-based aquaculture project focused on Benizake, or sockeye salmon, in Fukushima Prefecture is moving from pilot scale toward commercial development after expansion plans were selected for national subsidy support.
NORWAY.png)
There are cancellations on fish trains and trucks between Narvik and Stockholm, and other onward destinations in Sweden.
The spot price for market-influencing Norwegian salmon increased by NOK 14.18 per kilo in week 52, ending at NOK 98.93 (£7.29) per kilo.
UNITED STATES
As the head of NOAA Fisheries, Petty is tasked with a massive mandate: managing the nation’s marine fisheries and ensuring the conservation of protected ocean species. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) noted that Petty will act as second-in-command at NOAA, likely stepping into the role of NOAA Deputy Administrator.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
ARGENTINA
