IN BRIEF - Amendment to the law on the management of large bluefin tuna has been enacted
JAPAN
Thursday, June 20, 2024
It will provide material for negotiations on quota increases.
A bill amending the Fisheries Law and the Fisheries Distribution Optimization Law aimed at strengthening resource management through individual management of large Pacific bluefin tuna (over 30 kg) was passed by a majority vote at the House of Councilors plenary session of the 213th regular Diet session held on the morning of the 19th. The Fisheries Law requires reporting of the number of large bluefin tuna caught in addition to the catch volume and requires records such as the name of the vessel used and the weight of each individual. The Distribution Optimization Law requires distributors to transmit recorded information at the time of capture. It will be promulgated within 30 days and take effect no more than two months after its promulgation.
An illustration of the new reporting requirements for large Pacific bluefin tuna
Following the failure to report catches that occurred in Oma, Aomori, the government has been rushing to put in place a system that allows for individual comparisons of large Pacific bluefin tuna and significantly strengthens penalties. In case of failure to comply with the reporting obligation, the previous penalty was up to six months in prison and a fine of up to 300,000 yen (US$1,898) and will be increased to a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to 500,000 yen. (U$D 3,164), only for large Pacific bluefin tuna
Source: The Suisan Keizai (translated from original in japanese)
The winter storms that battered large areas of the United States in January have had a very noticeable effect on supermarket shelves: more stockpiling, fewer restaurant visits, and a rise in sales value across virtually all seafood categories. This phenomenon was also accompanied by a second decisive factor: an acceleration of seafood-specific inflation, more pronounced than general food inflation.
Data from Circana, analyzed by 210 Analytics, shows the extent to which bad weather can reshape consumption patterns in just a few days.
EJF and Calamasur Want to Put a Stop to Chinese Activity Operating Outside of Scientific Recommendations
“One of the world’s most important squid fisheries is heading toward an ecological and social crisis as vast Chinese fishing fleets take advantage of weak governance, lack of transparency, and regulatory gaps throughout the Southeast Pacific.” Adding to this biological crisis, new research by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) highlights labor abuses by one of the companies involved—China National Fisheries Corporation—whose catches are exported to the US, the European Union, and the UK.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
What sounds like a terrible idea – farming tropical shrimp in chilly northern Germany – is exactly what HanseGarnelen is turning into a high-tech, almost-zero-carbon showcase for “German shrimp”.
HanseGarnelen runs what is currently the largest operational clear-water shrimp recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) farm in Europe, producing around 100 tonnes of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) a year in Glückstadt, northern Germany. After a brush with insolvency and a change of ownership, the company is betting on automation, local branding and continuous improvement to make “German shrimp” a viable alternative to imports.
Author: Emma Barbier / The Fish Site | Read the full article here
Current estimates predict that floating offshore wind turbines will make up more than one third of the UK’s total offshore wind capacity by 2050. And as floating offshore wind scales up, the importance of coexisting with other sea users, such as commercial fisheries, is a crucial consideration within the development and consenting process.
‘The Floating Offshore Wind and Fishing Framework for Coexistence’ project, led by ORE Catapult on behalf of the Floating Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence, in partnership with Crown Estate Scotland, has developed a set of guidelines, following dialogue between offshore developers and commercial fisheries
De Heus Animal Nutrition has officially opened its state-of-the-art animal feed production plant in Kenya.
With an annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tons and a total investment of KES 3 billion (USD 23 million), the new facility represents the first dedicated animal feed plant in the country, marking a significant milestone for De Heus.
The family-owned firm is one of the world’s leading animal nutrition companies, operating feed mills in more than 20 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, and activities spanning over 50 countries worldwide. It supports thousands of livestock and aquaculture farmers by providing high-quality feed, nutritional expertise, and tailored farm support.
Questioning in Perfil the announcements made by Governor Ignacio “Nacho” Torres regarding the fight against illegal fishing.
On 2/2/2026, the governor announced the creation of the Fisheries Development Board and stated that in 2025 the province reached a 20-year export record, driven largely by the fishing sector. He also claimed that illegal fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone causes losses of between 600 and 1,000 million dollars per season.
Lerena welcomed the initiative but raised questions about how resources would be protected at Mile 201, considering that provincial jurisdiction extends only to 12 nautical miles. He also questioned the application of the Port State Control concept and requested details about the proposals Chubut plans to submit to the national government.
The expert warned about the lack of added value in exports — particularly shrimp — arguing that better management could generate more jobs and regional development.
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has announced that its research vessel will operate between Al Musannah and Muscat from February 19 to 21, 2026, as part of the Fisheries Resources Survey Project in the Arabian Sea and the Sea of Oman.
Source: TAS agency
The survey aims to assess and monitor marine resources to support sustainable fisheries management in Oman. Authorities have urged fishermen and sea-goers to avoid the vessel’s operational routes during the three-day mission to prevent disruption to scientific activities.
Mariners have also been advised not to deploy nets, traps or other fishing equipment at depths of 20 metres or more within the designated research zone throughout the survey period.
The Ministry emphasized that the initiative is part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen fisheries oversight, improve data collection and ensure the safe and efficient conduct of marine research operations.
The Instituto del Mar del Perú (IMARPE) launched on February 16 the Hydroacoustic Survey of Anchovy and Other Pelagic Resources 2602-04, a key scientific research mission aimed at updating the biological and fishery status of the anchovy (Engraulis ringens) in the Grau Sea.
The expedition, which will last 48 days, will cover the entire Peruvian coastline, from Tumbes to Tacna, in order to estimate biomass, spatial distribution, size structure, and reproductive status of the country’s main fishery resource.
The launch ceremony was attended by the Minister of Production, César Quispe Luján, who highlighted the importance of having timely scientific information to support decision-making amid changing oceanographic conditions.
The survey will also assess the distribution of eggs and larvae, the composition and abundance of phytoplankton and zooplankton, as well as the presence of seabirds and marine mammals. In addition, oceanographic and environmental conditions will be updated, contributing to a comprehensive diagnosis of Peru’s marine ecosystem.
Cermaq, a global leader in sustainable aquaculture, launched a special promotion to commemorate the Chinese New Year, reinforcing its presence in one of its most important strategic markets. The initiative consists of an exclusively designed box, inspired by the fire horse, a central symbol of the new year in Chinese culture, highlighting the company's commitment to cultural affinity and differentiation in its key markets.
Chinese New Year—the country's most important holiday—marks the beginning of a new cycle governed by the signs of the zodiac. In 2026, the fire horse will be the protagonist, a symbol associated with strength, vitality, and renewed energy.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
The Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is changing its distribution as a direct response to climate change. This is the conclusion of an international scientific study, which states that, throughout the 21st century, rising ocean temperatures will alter the areas where this species can feed, reproduce, and be caught.
The research, titled "Navigating Future Waters: The Resilience of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Under Climate Change" and published in the journal Fish and Fisheries, shows that, as the ocean warms, bluefin tuna will tend to move progressively northward, seeking cooler, more productive waters. This movement will result in habitat loss in tropical and temperate regions and a gain in favorable conditions in more northerly areas, such as northern Europe, the waters around Greenland, and the Northeast Atlantic.
Source: iPac.aquacultura | Read the full article here
EU–India Free Trade Agreement Set to Reshape European Tuna Market European Union
Indian exporters gain tariff edge as Vietnamese producers face mounting competitive pressure
The announcement by the European Union (EU) and India that negotiations for a landmark Free Trade Agreemen...
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JAPAN
UNITED STATES
The winter storms that battered large areas of the United States in January have had a very noticeable effect on supermarket shelves: more stockpiling, fewer restaurant visits, and a rise in sales value across virtually all seafood categories. This phenomenon was also accompanied by a second decisive factor: an acceleration of seafood-specific inflation, more pronounced than general food inflation.
WORLDWIDE
EJF and 
GERMANY
What sounds like a terrible idea – farming tropical shrimp in chilly northern Germany – is exactly what HanseGarnelen is turning into a high-tech, almost-zero-carbon showcase for “German shrimp”.
UNITED KINGDOM
Current estimates predict that floating offshore wind turbines will make up more than one third of the UK’s total offshore wind capacity by 2050. And as floating offshore wind scales up, the importance of coexisting with other sea users, such as commercial fisheries, is a crucial consideration within the development and consenting process.
KENYA.png)
With an annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tons and a total investment of KES 3 billion (USD 23 million), the new facility represents the first dedicated animal feed plant in the country, marking a significant milestone for De Heus.
ARGENTINA.png)
On 2/2/2026, the governor announced the creation of the Fisheries Development Board and stated that in 2025 the province reached a 20-year export record, driven largely by the fishing sector. He also claimed that illegal fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone causes losses of between 600 and 1,000 million dollars per season.
OMAN
PERU
CHILE
Cermaq
The Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is changing its distribution as a direct response to climate change. This is the conclusion of an international scientific study, which states that, throughout the 21st century, rising ocean temperatures will alter the areas where this species can feed, reproduce, and be caught.
