A wave of price hikes has hit the aquaculture industry in South China, with dozens of major producers—including industry giants Haid Group and Tongwei—announcing significant increases for water-based feed.

Starting April 20, 2026, these companies implemented price hikes ranging from $28 to $55 (200–400 yuan) per ton. This surge comes despite a downward trend in some raw materials; for instance, soybean meal prices continued to slide on April 20, settling at approximately $408 (2,950 yuan) per ton.

However, the market for high-protein additives remains under pressure. Fishmeal prices stay firm and elevated, currently trading between $2,583 and $2,625 (18,700–19,000 yuan) per ton.

Mauritania’s Ministry of Fisheries, Maritime and Port Infrastructure has officially announced a total moratorium on cephalopod fishing, including octopus and squid, within its sovereign waters.

The suspension is set to take effect on May 1 and will apply to all sectors, including conventional, coastal, and deep-sea fishing operations.

This strategic pause follows critical scientific recommendations issued by the Mauritanian Institute of Marine and Fisheries on April 10. Data suggests that a biological rest period is essential to allow for the regeneration of fish stocks and to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine resources.

By enforcing this temporary ban, the Ministry aims to strengthen industry governance and promote sustainable management practices. The move is seen as a vital step in safeguarding Mauritania’s biological diversity against the pressures of overfishing, ensuring that the nation's maritime economy remains viable for future generations.

Monitoring of water and production conditions has long been a crucial part of aquaculture, now the arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) is offering the opportunity of real-time control, delegates at IceFish 2026 will hear.

Paw Petersen, CEO of OxyGuard International, has spent more than 25 years in the development of technologies that support more sustainable, data-driven aquaculture production. OxyGuard’s core focus is on delivering reliable solutions that enable fish farmers to better understand and control their production and environments. At the same time the specialist company participates in selected research-based development projects in close collaboration with research institutions and industry partners. 

Source: The Fish Site | Read the full article here

A total of 68,464 fish with an average weight of 5.1 kg were delivered from the neighbouring locality of Brottøy.

"Even though it has taken longer than it should have and been more demanding than we had imagined, we are a bit proud of where we have come with this project," says Bjarne Johansen, operations director at Nordlaks Havbruk AS, in a press release from the company.

Since the facility arrived in Vesterålen in November last year, there has been a lot of work to complete all the systems so that it is ready to house fish. 

Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

Vietnam’s tilapia industry reached a significant milestone in March 2026, as export values climbed to $15 million, representing a staggering 109% increase compared to March 2025.

The first quarter of 2026 has proven to be a period of rapid expansion. Cumulative export values for the first three months have surged by 174% year-on-year. This upward trajectory highlights the industry's successful scaling and its strengthening foothold in the global seafood trade.

Key Market Performance

While demand is growing globally, the trade remains heavily concentrated in two primary regions:

• Brazil: Remains the #1 destination for Vietnamese tilapia, maintaining its position as the top importer.

• United States: Holds the second-largest market share at 28%, marking a 16% increase over the previous year.

Together, Brazil and the US now command over 70% of the total market share. While this dominance underscores the popularity of the product in the Americas, it also highlights a strategic dependence on these key markets as Vietnam continues to navigate the global landscape.

Dr Liliana Danila, Chief Economist, The Food and Drink Federation (FDF):

“The clouds are gathering, but the storm has not yet broken on rising food and drink inflation. The war in Iran has delivered a cost shock that is already too large for manufacturers to absorb in full. The impact on prices will take time to work its way through the system, but it’s only a matter of time before it does. For manufacturers, long-term contracts with suppliers and retailers mean it can take up to a year for higher costs to be fully passed through. But where products are less processed, or supply chains are shorter, prices will move more quickly. 

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here

A new report from Royal Bank of Canada has been highlighted by Canada’s salmon farming industry as evidence that federal policy is discouraging investment in aquaculture, particularly in British Columbia.

RBC said more than C$1 trillion in investment left Canada between 2015 and 2024, with C$2 leaving the country for every C$1 of foreign direct investment entering, according to SeaWestNews,The bank said Canada’s challenge was not a shortage of capital, but an investment climate weakened by regulatory drag, shifting policy signals and uncertainty that pushes money elsewhere.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

The Norwegian salmon industry has become embroiled in a big row, with some companies being accused of trading with Russia.

The situation is complex, with few companies actually involved with direct trading, but some admitting they have been using feed with Russian-sourced ingredients.

The Norwegian government, like most western countries, has banned most direct trade with Russia following that country’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, the issue is a complicated one, with companies pointing out there are no official sanctions against purchasing feed for farmed salmon from Russia.

Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here