IN BRIEF - Globefish: 'Cod farming seems to be on the way up again'
NORWAY
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Norwegian production of farmed cod reached 12 000 tonnes in 2023, and is expected to increase to 14 000 tonnes in 2024. Although these are still very modest volumes, they are an indication that in the future, farmed cod may replace some of the volumes lost by reduced quotas in the Barents Sea.
However, some of the cod farmers are even more optimistic. One farmer said he expects the 2024 volume to reach 20 000 tonnes, and by 2028, his company alone will produce 28 000 tonnes a year. There have been a lot of technological, biological and genetic improvements since Norway embarked on cod farming in the early 2000s. Production costs have been cut considerably, and production time is shorter.
Farmed cod can now be grown to 4 kg in 18 months in the sea, and year-round production is possible. Thus, farmers would be able to supply fresh cod all through the year, while the wild catch in Norway peaks during the period from February through March. Most of the farmed cod would go for exports as fresh fish destined for the high-end restaurant market.
There are challenges, though. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) has stopped processing all new applications for cod farming licences while it assesses how cod farming might be affecting the wild populations. Investors have been taken by surprise, and nobody knows when applications will be processed again.
The season has set an all-time catch record: 185,233 tonnes in Chubut ports managed by Puerto Madryn.
According to this year's shrimp catch report released by the Undersecretariat of Fisheries, Conarpesa—a partner of the Galician company Wofco—leads the rankings for landings. Eight of the top 12 spots are held by Galician companies: the aforementioned Conarpesa, Iberconsa, and Pesquera Deseado (in which Profand holds a stake).
Conarpesa’s freezer trawler *Don Juan Álvarez* took the top spot, landing 1,952 tonnes. It was followed by the *Patagonia Queen*—owned by the US-based Red Chamber—with 1,797.5 tonnes, and Iberconsa’s *API XII* with 1,536.2 tonnes.
Author: Cecilia Valdez / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
On September 22, the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) and the Chilean Safety Association (ACHS) formalized a strategic collaboration agreement to consolidate preventive management and promote safe and healthy work environments in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).
During the meeting, the Executive Director of IFOP, Luis Parot, along with Risk Prevention Manager Carlos Rodríguez and ACHS Risk Prevention Expert Álvaro Sanhueza, reviewed the progress made through joint efforts in 2026 and outlined key priorities and challenges for the 2026-2027 period.
This alliance will reinforce IFOP’s preventive capabilities and directly address safety across its scientific, technical, and operational activities, covering both onshore facilities and field research operations aboard vessels.
33 Indonesian-flagged vessels deployed in the Arafura Sea
Indonesia and China are implementing fisheries cooperation involving 33 vessels and 669 Indonesian workers. The fleet is projected to catch 9,500 tonnes/year and generate Rp65 billion (US$3.6m) in state revenue, while supporting training, processing and port development.
The impact of the rising tide of data and the growing role of AI in its interpretation came under the spotlight at the first ever Aquaculture – Driving Sustainable Growth Conference at IceFish 2026.
In the opening afternoon session at the debut event, a series of expert speakers gave their views on AI’s impact of the sector, with a broad agreement that the sheer quantity of data was not an issue, though its assessment, determination of its meaning and resulting action remained a challenge.
EquaFish offered an improved operational culture where data was readily available in a useful manner to those who needed it.
Flooding breached levees near Lake Imbanuma, devastating aquaculture facilities in Chiba
Tani Fish Farm in Narita lost nearly 100,000 ornamental carp ready for sale after Typhoon Dujuan flooded its facilities; only 200–300 survived. Farming, forestry and fisheries losses in Chiba already exceed ¥87 million (US$550,000).
When The Fish Site first interviewed Benjamin Orishaba in 2022, he was managing tilapia hatcheries in Côte d’Ivoire while developing his aquaculture consultancy. Four years later, he is working in a large-scale intensive Nile tilapia production facility in Kenya and has completed an MSc in Sustainable Aquaculture at the University of St Andrews. His experience across Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire and Kenya gives him a perspective on how different production models are developing across African aquaculture.
Working with an intensive production system in one of Africa’s largest commercial RAS hatchery operations has taught me what happens when aquaculture moves from managing thousands of fish to managing millions.
What is particularly important to me is making this accessible to African businesses.
Author:Emma Barbier / The Fish Site | Read the full article here
High-risk boats targeted among 1,476 registered vessels
Incheon is conducting inspections through Nov. 30 with the Korea Coast Guard and MOF, targeting accident-prone and aging boats, disabled location transmitters, overloading and drunk operation. Crews must wear life jackets, while serious violations face penalties.
But serious violations that can cause casualties, including exceeding passenger limits or operating a vessel while intoxicated, will result in administrative penalties under a zero-tolerance policy.
The annual meeting in Vilnius addressed the future of Flemish Cap cod and launched a benchmark assessment for the 3NO stock, while the LDAC called for quota stability, improved scientific data, and the protection of European fleet interests.
Cod has once again taken center stage in the decisions of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). The 48th annual meeting, held from September 21 to 25 in Vilnius (Lithuania), addressed fishing opportunities for 2027 against the backdrop of trends in the Flemish Cap (3M) cod stock, the reopening of the Northern (2J3KL) cod fishery, and the need to improve scientific understanding of the 3NO stock.
ISS warns overfishing is putting marine biodiversity and food security at risk
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) says 40% of fish stocks are being harvested faster than they can recover. Expanding sustainable aquaculture could ease pressure on wild fisheries while supporting food security, jobs and Africa’s blue economy.
eCDT rollout strengthens traceability and fight against IUU fishing
Ho Chi Minh City ordered all fishing vessels 6 metres or longer to install eCDT by October 30. Boats without the system cannot leave port. The measure strengthens catch traceability, IUU fishing controls and compliance for seafood exports to the EU.
Northern Basin Atlantic Cod Spawning Stocks Begin Rebuilding Russia Fed.
Following a prolonged decline since 2015, Russian and Norwegian scientists observe signs of stabilization and project a Total Allowable Catch increase for 2027
The agency Rosrybolovstvo regularly mon...
NORWAY
However, some of the cod farmers are even more optimistic. One farmer said he expects the 2024 volume to reach 20 000 tonnes, and by 2028, his company alone will produce 28 000 tonnes a year. There have been a lot of technological, biological and genetic improvements since Norway embarked on cod farming in the early 2000s. Production costs have been cut considerably, and production time is shorter.
ARGENTINA.png)
According to this year's shrimp catch report released by the Undersecretariat of Fisheries, 
CHILE.png)
On September 22, the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) and the Chilean Safety Association (ACHS) formalized a strategic collaboration agreement to consolidate preventive management and promote safe and healthy work environments in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).
INDONESIA
ICELAND
The impact of the rising tide of data and the growing role of AI in its interpretation came under the spotlight at the first ever Aquaculture – Driving Sustainable Growth Conference at 
JAPAN.png)
KENYA
When The Fish Site first interviewed Benjamin Orishaba in 2022, he was managing tilapia hatcheries in Côte d’Ivoire while developing his aquaculture consultancy. Four years later, he is working in a large-scale intensive Nile tilapia production facility in Kenya and has completed an MSc in Sustainable Aquaculture at the University of St Andrews. His experience across Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire and Kenya gives him a perspective on how different production models are developing across African aquaculture.
SOUTH KOREA
High-risk boats targeted among 1,476 registered vessels
LITHUANIA
The annual meeting in Vilnius addressed the future of Flemish Cap cod and launched a benchmark assessment for the 3NO stock, while the LDAC called for quota stability, improved scientific data, and the protection of European fleet interests.
TANZANIA
ISS warns overfishing is putting marine biodiversity and food security at risk
VIET NAM
eCDT rollout strengthens traceability and fight against IUU fishing
