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.
Nearly 7,000 verified environmental and social improvements were recorded at Aquaculture Stewardship Council-certified farms around the world in 2025, according to the ASC’s newly published 2025 Impact Report.
The report also reveals there were 2,543 ASC-certified farms across 51 countries operating last year, and that more than 2.9 million tonnes of ASC-certified seafood was produced, up 9% year-on-year.
The number of ASC-certified feed mill sites reached 91, up from 22 in 2024, and there were 30,236 ASC-labelled products available globally.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Regional agencies seek closer coordination on management, monitoring and control
Bulgaria and Romania discussed joint action with the GFCM and Ukraine, sharing expertise and improving fisheries management, inspections and monitoring across the Black Sea.
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Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith introduced the Ecuador Shrimp Tariff Act, proposing tariffs up to 40% by 2029 plus $0.10/kg to fund inspections and tighter origin labeling.
Ecuador, now supplying over 40% of U.S. shrimp imports, shipped 316 million lb in H1 2026.
The Galician company retains ownership of its frozen products division. The Ecuadorian firm, specializing in Vannamei shrimp, is advancing its expansion across Europe.
Nueva Pescanova has completed the sale of its chilled products business in France to the Ecuadorian group Omarsa, a specialist in the production and vertical integration of Vannamei shrimp. The transaction is part of a strategic asset review launched by the Galician seafood company earlier this year to improve efficiency and boost value creation following a return to profitability—posting a profit of €1.1 million on revenues of €1.035 billion.
Author: Alejandra Pascual / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Universo TUNI teaches primary pupils about fishing, oceans and responsible consumption
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Olam Nigerian Limited seeks an NYSC partnership to deploy more corps members to aquaculture farms, especially in Kwara State. About 200 members already work with Olam.
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Norwegian regulators are moving towards a more coordinated inspection model for salmon farming.
The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Mattilsynet, said they had carried out a joint inspection campaign in production area 4, stretching from Nordhordland to Stad.
The operation was risk-based and brought the two agencies together to follow both fish and documentation across different parts of the production chain.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Ross-shire firm highlights responsible growth as a model for aquaculture
Aquascot, based in Alness, became Scotland’s first seafood processor certified B Corp. The salmon and trout supplier to Waitrose says the milestone shows commercial success can combine with animal welfare, environmental management and responsible aquaculture.
Official figures reveal a huge increase in escaped farmed fish during 2025.
Scotland recorded 86,606 farmed fish escapes in 2025, up from just 301 in 2024. The surge was driven by about 75,000 salmon escaping into Loch Linnhe after storms damaged a Mowi farm. The figures have renewed concerns over interactions between escaped farmed salmon and vulnerable wild stocks.
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.
WORLDWIDE.png)
Nearly 7,000 verified environmental and social improvements were recorded at 
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Regional agencies seek closer coordination on management, monitoring and control
ECUADOR
Measure targets imports and strengthens inspections and labeling
SPAIN
The Galician company retains ownership of its frozen products division. The Ecuadorian firm, specializing in Vannamei shrimp, is advancing its expansion across Europe.
Universo TUNI teaches primary pupils about fishing, oceans and responsible consumption
NIGERIA
Norwegian regulators are moving towards a more coordinated inspection model for salmon farming.
UNITED KINGDOM
Ross-shire firm highlights responsible growth as a model for aquaculture
Official figures reveal a huge increase in escaped farmed fish during 2025.
