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.
Chile strengthens monitoring of fisheries and climate impacts
IFOP told Chile’s Fisheries Commission that El Niño 2026 is becoming intense to strong and may persist until autumn 2027, affecting resource availability, reproduction, landings, jobs and exports. SIOM supports monitoring, while SIMMO will integrate ocean, fisheries and aquaculture data.
The Organization of Fresh Fishery Producers of the Port of Vigo (OPPF-4) has expressed its deep dissatisfaction following the confirmation of the closure of the common pool for the anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) fishery in waters of ICES Zone 8, scheduled for 00:00 hours on September 29, 2026.
The OPPF-4 denounces that this measure is the result of deficient management by the Administration. The entity had already warned of the errors in the Resolution of September 16, 2026, issued by SEGEPESCA, which set a surplus allocation of nearly 800,000 kg to be distributed among purse seiners in the Cantabrian and Northwest fishing grounds—a figure they considered excessive.
The sector points out that the quantity allocated to other vessels equals the amount deducted from the common pool, demonstrating an unequal distribution. According to the OPPF-4, this scenario violates Order APA/377/2026, which requires ensuring fishing access for vessels included in the common pool while leaving a significant surplus unutilized for the rest of the fleet.
Key agreement supports vessels, jobs and access to strategic fishing grounds
Spain urged the EU to renew the Mauritania protocol before November 15. It affects around 20 Canary tuna and artisanal vessels, 200 fishermen plus hundreds of indirect jobs. Fleets from 10 EU states can catch up to 280,050 t/year of shellfish, demersal fish, tuna and small pelagics.
Two European black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) farmers today published a jointly-written white paper that sets out what they say is a more real-world, up-to-date method of assessing the use and sustainability of insect ingredients in animal and aquafeed.
“Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) provides an essential foundation, but it does not always capture the full impact of ingredient choices within a changing food and feed system,” argue France-based Innovafeed and Dutch company Protix.
At scale, factors such as competition for raw materials, land-use implications, alternative uses of co-products and functional benefits in animal nutrition can materially influence the overall outcome.
Author: Gareth Moore / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Frøy has launched a new 4,500m³ wellboat that will operate under a long-term contract for salmon farmer SalMar.
The Frøy Frohav was launched at the Murueta shipyard outside Bilbao, Spain, and is scheduled for completion in October 2027. The vessel is nearly 90 metres long and has been designed for the transport and handling of live fish.
The vessel will use diesel-electric hybrid propulsion supported by a battery pack. A redesigned well circulation system is intended to improve water quality while reducing power consumption, including through shorter pipe runs and lower pumping heights.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
The Norwegian Seafood Council says the UK is one of the most stable and attractive markets for the country’s salmon.
New figures show that Norwegian salmon continues to play a central role in the UK seafood category, with total sales worth around £1.7 billion and farmed salmon accounting for approximately 92% of its seafood retail sales.
The Seafood Council believes several consumer trends are continuing to support demand. For example, raw consumption, particularly through sushi, has moved firmly into the mainstream, with sushi now worth £228 million in UK grocery retail and salmon accounting for more than half of consumption.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
12 expatriate workers detained for unlicensed fishing in Duqm
Omani authorities seized a commercial vessel in the Sea of Duqm for using prohibited nets. 12 expatriate workers were detained for fishing without licences.
The vessel, illegal gear and catch were confiscated, and the case was referred for legal action.
Aquaculture drives growth as output reaches 3,739.04 MT
Davao del Sur fisheries output climbed 20.8% in Q2 2026 to 3,739.04 MT. Aquaculture, accounting for 80.4%, rose 22.8% to 3,005.83 MT, led by milkfish at 2,211.23 MT.Marine cage production jumped 30.2%, strengthening the province’s overall fisheries performance.
Court found the state failed its constitutional duty to protect fish stocks
North Carolina appealed an August ruling that found all 13 state-managed coastal fish stocks, including flounder and shrimp, are currently not viable. The state cites climate change and budget limits, while conservation groups seek faster action to rebuild depleted stocks.
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.
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.
CHILE.png)
IFOP told Chile’s Fisheries Commission that El Niño 2026 is becoming intense to strong and may persist until autumn 2027, affecting resource availability, reproduction, landings, jobs and exports. SIOM supports monitoring, while SIMMO will integrate ocean, fisheries and aquaculture data.
SPAIN.png)
The Organization of Fresh Fishery Producers of the Port of Vigo (OPPF-4) has expressed its deep dissatisfaction following the confirmation of the closure of the common pool for the anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) fishery in waters of ICES Zone 8, scheduled for 00:00 hours on September 29, 2026..png)
Key agreement supports vessels, jobs and access to strategic fishing grounds
FRANCE.png)
“Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) provides an essential foundation, but it does not always capture the full impact of ingredient choices within a changing food and feed system,” argue France-based 
The Frøy Frohav was launched at the Murueta shipyard outside Bilbao, Spain, and is scheduled for completion in October 2027. The vessel is nearly 90 metres long and has been designed for the transport and handling of live fish..png)
OMAN
PHILIPPINES
Aquaculture drives growth as output reaches 3,739.04 MT
UNITED STATES.png)
Court found the state failed its constitutional duty to protect fish stocks
VIET NAM
eCDT rollout strengthens traceability and fight against IUU fishing
