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)
Last days to buy this unparalleled seafood, which will soon be out of season and won't return until November.
Scientists have concluded that Atlantic spider crabs are different from those in the Mediterranean and now distinguish them by calling the former Maja brachydactyla and the latter Maja squinado. From February to July, during their peak spawning season, Galicia registers the highest numbers of egg-bearing females, explains the Galician Ministry of the Sea, which last year closed the season for this crustacean from June 21 to November 9 on the Atlantic coast and from July 1 to November 30 on the Galician Cantabrian coast.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
The latest statistics for Norway’s seafood exports in May are revealing a deepening of existing 2026 export trends regarding both growth in Poland and China and stagnation in the U.S. market.
Poland, China, and Sweden were May's biggest growth markets for Norwegian seafood exports overall, with Poland, China, and Spain the biggest growth markets for salmon. The main factors driving this growth were demand for whole salmon in Poland, while the Chinese market was characterized by "strong demand for seafood for raw consumption," said Chramer, who noted that salmon and prawns were fast growing categories there.The war in the Middle East had also affected global salmon exports, reduced tourism to the region and logistics challenges amounted to a drop in export volume to Norway's major Middle Eastern salmon markets by more than 20 percent.
Author: Erin Spampinato / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
Norway exported seafood worth NOK 13.4 billion (€1.24 billion) in May, a decline of 1%, compared with the same month last year, reflecting continued pressure from geopolitical uncertainty, trade barriers and reduced raw material availability.
The latest figures mark the fourth month of declining seafood export values in 2026, with March remaining the only month this year to record growth compared with the same period in 2025.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East also continued to disrupt seafood trade flows.
French insect protein producer Innovafeed has secured €51 million in new financing as it shifts from industrial scale-up to commercial expansion, with a particular focus on aquaculture and pet food markets.
The funding round was supported primarily by existing investors, including Creadev, QIA, Temasek, FFC, ABC Impact and ADM, alongside the company’s banking partners.Innovafeed said its production facility in Nesle, northern France, has now reached full industrial operation. The company reported producing more than 15,000 tonnes of insect protein and oil over the past three years
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam's tilapia exports reached US$49 million, a 151% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive signs for the industry, with Brazil emerging as a major contributor to this boom, and frozen fillets continuing to play a key role.
Frozen Fillets Dominate Export Structure
In terms of product lines, frozen tilapia fillets (HS code 0304) accounted for over 80% of the total export value of the entire industry during this four-month period. Frozen whole fish (HS code 0303) ranked second with a significantly lower share, while value-added products (HS code 16) made almost no significant contribution. This high concentration on frozen fillets is partly driven by the breakthrough in Brazil, causing figures to deviate from the more diverse demands of other markets.
The data indicates that Vietnam's tilapia exports are entering a strong growth phase, led by Brazil and the frozen fillet group. While this concentration reflects the current advantage of Vietnamese businesses in quickly fulfilling large orders, it also highlights an opportunity to diversify into more value-added product lines moving forward.
Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports are rebounding strongly in early 2026, driven by booming demand in key Asian markets.
According to Ms. Nguyen Ha from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), export turnover for this product group reached US$232 million in the first four months of 2026, marking a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
This growth comes despite global challenges, including unstable seafood demand, rising input costs, and increasingly stringent traceability and quality control requirements.
South Korea Anchors Growth
South Korea has solidified its position as the top destination for Vietnamese cephalopods:
Export Turnover: Reached US$87 million, accounting for 37% of Vietnam's total squid and octopus exports.
Growth: A 17% increase year-on-year, contributing an additional US$12 million in value.
While South Korea acts as a stable "market anchor" due to compatible consumer preferences and familiar import systems, experts warn that heavy reliance on a single market remains a long-term risk for Vietnamese businesses.
The industry warned that the measure, currently under public comment in the United States, could affect the competitiveness of Chilean salmon in one of its main export markets and exacerbate the impact of existing tariffs.
SalmonChile expressed its concern regarding the proposal by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to apply a 12.5% ??tariff to Chilean exports. This measure is part of a public comment process initiated following an investigation into the importation of goods produced using forced labor.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
Fedepesca, the association of fish retailers, welcomes the European Commission's guidelines to facilitate the uniform application of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste, in force since February 11, 2025, and directly applicable in all Member States from August 12, 2026.
In their view, these guidelines contribute to simplifying compliance for economic operators and represent "a significant step forward by providing interpretative clarity and reinforcing an approach in line with the reality of micro-enterprises." This progress comes at a time when packaging regulations have generated concern among local businesses in recent years, especially following the approval in Spain of Royal Decree 1055/2022 and its subsequent interpretative criteria.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Aquafuture Spain presents its fourth edition, which will bring together more than 200 companies from the aquaculture industry in Vigo.
The International Aquaculture Industry Exhibition will be held from May 18 to 20, 2027 at the IFEVI exhibition centre in Vigo. • The fair reinforces its position as the leading professional aquaculture event in Southern Europe and the only one of its kind in Spain. Vigo, June 2026
Aquafuture Spain has begun marketing and promoting its fourth edition, which will take place from May 18 to 20, 2027 at the Vigo Trade Fair Institute (IFEVI).The International Aquaculture Industry Exhibition will once again transform Vigo into the premier meeting point for companies, institutions, technology centres, and professionals linked to aquaculture worldwide.
Aquafeed producer BioMar has revealed that it now has 10,800 new shareholders after listing on the Nasdaq Denmark electronic stock exchange last week.
The first day of trading was marked by a bell-ringing ceremony at BioMar’s headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark, attended by employees, management, financial advisors, collaboration partners, and media representatives.
BioMar chief executive Carlos Diaz, chief financial officer Claus Eskildsen, the chair of the board Jens Bjerg Sørensen and Nasdaq all gave speeches, and more than 2,000 BioMar employees worldwide were able to follow the ceremony through a global live broadcast.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
JAPAN
SPAIN.png)
Last days to buy this unparalleled seafood, which will soon be out of season and won't return until November.
NORWAY
The latest statistics for Norway’s seafood exports in May are revealing a deepening of existing 2026 export trends regarding both growth in Poland and China and stagnation in the U.S. market..png)
Norway exported seafood worth NOK 13.4 billion (€1.24 billion) in May, a decline of 1%, compared with the same month last year, reflecting continued pressure from geopolitical uncertainty, trade barriers and reduced raw material availability.
FRANCE.png)
French insect protein producer 
VIET NAM
Frozen Fillets Dominate Export Structure
According to Ms. Nguyen Ha from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), export turnover for this product group reached US$232 million in the first four months of 2026, marking a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
CHILE
Fedepesca.png)
The International Aquaculture Industry Exhibition will be held from May 18 to 20, 2027 at the IFEVI exhibition centre in Vigo. • The fair reinforces its position as the leading professional aquaculture event in Southern Europe and the only one of its kind in Spain. Vigo, June 2026
DENMARK.png)
The first day of trading was marked by a bell-ringing ceremony at BioMar’s headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark, attended by employees, management, financial advisors, collaboration partners, and media representatives.
