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.
Center for Food Safety alleges a Washington hatchery violated the Clean Water Act, threatening Quilcene Bay and protected marine species.
Center for Food Safety filed a lawsuit against Pacific Seafood's shellfish hatchery, alleging illegal wastewater and thermal discharges into Quilcene Bay. The complaint claims repeated Clean Water Act permit violations that could impact orca whales, coho salmon and local water quality.Pacific Seafood's Quilcene facility produces large volumes of shellfish seed for industrial shellfish aquaculture operations.
Government seeks to preserve its vessel tracking system to safeguard market access and combat illegal fishing.
The Philippines is seeking to preserve its vessel monitoring and electronic catch reporting system after a court ruling threatened its implementation. Authorities warn the measure is essential to strengthen seafood traceability, curb IUU fishing, and protect access to key export markets, including the EU and US, where traceability standards are increasingly stringent.
The company will showcase research on nutrition, gut health and science communication during the event in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 29 September to 1 October.
Innovafeed will present three abstracts at Aquaculture Europe 2026 (29 Sept.-1 Oct., Ljubljana). Topics include black soldier fly larval meal for Penaeus vannamei, functional ingredients for fish performance and gut health, and science communication from industry. Presenters include Marine Bezagu, Luca Donati and Nadège Audiffren.
The incident happened during Florida's lobster season. The 18-year-old diver survived after being rescued by the boat's captain.
A Miami-Dade court has charged Michael Joseph Simpson, 51, with attempted murder after he allegedly shut off the air supply of an 18-year-old diver during a dispute over a lobster fishing spot near Fisher Island, Florida. Investigators say Simpson claimed the location was his, threatened to disable the surface air system, and then jumped into the water to turn it off.
The diver was pulled to safety by the boat's owner after surfacing gasping for air and disoriented.
A total of 38 exhibitors will join the Pavilion of Denmark at Nor-Fishing 2026, presenting Danish solutions for the fisheries, fish processing and maritime industries while strengthening business relationships in one of the Nordic region’s most important markets.
Pavilion of Denmark at Nor-Fishing 2026 will be the place to find Danish innovation and solutions for the fisheries, fish processing and maritime industries.This year, 38 exhibitors will join the Pavilion of Denmark to form a strong presence at one of the leading events in the industry.
Internationally recognised shrimp aquaculture specialist David Kawahigashi has been announced as one of the plenary speakers at the Latin American and Caribbean Aquaculture Congress (LACQUA26) to be held in El Salvador in October.
With more than 40 years of technical and management experience spanning every stage of shrimp aquaculture, Kawahigashi is the founder and director of Vannamei 101, a Hawaii-based aquaculture consulting and training company dedicated to advancing knowledge transfer and innovative technologies throughout the global aquaculture industry.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Seafood Expo Asia/Seafood Processing Asia—the Asian edition of the trade show organized by the U.S.-based company Diversified—has kicked off the countdown to its next event, scheduled for September 2–4, 2026, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.
Seafood suppliers from around the world and across every link of the supply chain will gather to showcase new products, strengthen business relationships, and analyze the sector's opportunities and challenges. "The addition of new exhibitors and national and regional pavilions from four continents highlights the event's importance as a strategic platform within the growing Asian market."
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
The global seafood giant Thai Union has made a significant recovery in the second quarter of 2026, after a challenging time last year.
The company said it delivered an all-time high gross profit margin of 21.4% - exceeding the 2026 target range and already in line with the company’s 2030 target.
Two of Thai Union’s main brands include John West and King Oscar.The dividend per share grew 14.3%, the company’s strongest interim dividend for four years and equivalent to an attractive interim dividend yield of 3.4%.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Japan reached US$1.4 million in the first half of 2026, up 54%. Fillets, representing 67% of export value, are entering the sushi and sashimi segment, supporting the development of higher-value products.
Compared with the United States and Brazil—which currently account for a larger share of Vietnam's tilapia exports—Japan may not generate dramatic export volumes in the short term. However, the market's strategic value lies in its ability to establish benchmark quality standards and pave the way for premium processed seafood products.
Tilapia exports for sushi and sashimi increase raw-material value and create opportunities for sliced fillets, portion packs, ready-to-eat, seasoned, and other value-added products.
The 54% export growth recorded in the first half of 2026 suggests that Japan is opening a new avenue for Vietnam's tilapia industry.
Norway Pelagic Fishing Update Week 31 Norway
North Sea Herring Fishing Continues in the British Zone
North Sea herring catches lead activity in week 31, accompanied by regular landings of mackerel, blue whiting, sprat, and NVG herring
During w...
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.
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Center for Food Safety filed a lawsuit against Pacific Seafood's shellfish hatchery, alleging illegal wastewater and thermal discharges into Quilcene Bay. The complaint claims repeated Clean Water Act permit violations that could impact orca whales, coho salmon and local water quality.Pacific Seafood's Quilcene facility produces large volumes of shellfish seed for industrial shellfish aquaculture operations.
PHILIPPINES.png)
The Philippines is seeking to preserve its vessel monitoring and electronic catch reporting system after a court ruling threatened its implementation. Authorities warn the measure is essential to strengthen seafood traceability, curb IUU fishing, and protect access to key export markets, including the EU and US, where traceability standards are increasingly stringent.
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Innovafeed will present three abstracts at .png){kind=logo}
A Miami-Dade court has charged Michael Joseph Simpson, 51, with attempted murder after he allegedly shut off the air supply of an 18-year-old diver during a dispute over a lobster fishing spot near Fisher Island, Florida. Investigators say Simpson claimed the location was his, threatened to disable the surface air system, and then jumped into the water to turn it off.
A total of 38 exhibitors will join the Pavilion of Denmark at 
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Internationally recognised shrimp aquaculture specialist David Kawahigashi has been announced as one of the plenary speakers at the Latin American and Caribbean Aquaculture Congress
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Seafood Expo Asia/Seafood Processing Asia
THAILAND
The global seafood giant 
Norway’s average export price for fresh salmon rose 21.4% year on year in week 31 as export volumes also increased, official figures showed.
JAPAN
Fillets now enter the sushi and sashimi segment.
