IN BRIEF - Presentation of the CHONOS Initiative at the Ocean EDITO 2024 Digital Forum, Brussels 2024
BELGIUM
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Brussels - During the Ocean EDITO 2024 Digital Forum, Elías Pinilla, researcher at the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), presented the innovative CHONOS Initiative, a program whose central objective is the sustainable management of the coasts in the Chilean Patagonia region, through ocean observations and simulations.
Presentation of the CHONOS Initiative at the Ocean EDITO 2024 Digital Forum, Brussels 2024.
Aligned with the UN Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development, the European Digital Twin Ocean (EU DTO) is a multidimensional virtual representation of the ocean. It combines marine observations, artificial intelligence, and ocean models operating on high-performance computers. This flagship initiative of the European Commission, co-developed by Mercator Ocean International and the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), was presented at the Digital Ocean Forum 2024, offering new capabilities for marine data exploration and decision-making. The forum brought together experts and representatives of mainly European initiatives, which makes the presence of IFOP's CHONOS especially relevant as an outstanding example of 'Digital Ocean' applied to the complexity of the channels and fjords of Patagonia.
The introduction of CHONOS and the discussion forums is a significant recognition, as it positions IFOP on the global map of advanced science-based ocean research and management.
Laboratory tests have revealed dangerously high arsenic levels in imported shrimp from Greenland, exceeding the allowable limit by four times, according to Vetandlife. The findings have already been reported to Rosselkhoznadzor.
The analyses were carried out in January 2026 by the All-Russian State Center for Quality and Standardization of Veterinary Medicines and Feed (FSBI “VGNKI”), operating under the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance. The products were tested for compliance with the technical regulations “On Food Safety” and “On the Safety of Fish and Fish Products.”
Tests showed that arsenic levels in a sample of frozen-cooked northern prawn (Pandalus borealis) reached 20 mg/kg, which is four times higher than the maximum permissible limit. The sample was taken from a shipment weighing 18 tons. Details of the violation were forwarded to the Northwestern Interregional Office of the supervisory agency.
Experts warn that prolonged consumption of foods with elevated arsenic can lead to its accumulation in the body, increasing the risk of neurological disorders, skin damage, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, particularly of the skin, lungs, and bladder. In cases of acute exposure, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a sharp drop in blood pressure.
The cities of Dakhla (Morocco) and Dreux (France) are strengthening their cooperation in agriculture, aquaculture, renewable energy, and waste management following the signing of a cooperation agreement this Saturday in Dakhla.
The meeting was chaired by Erragheb Hormatallah, President of the Dakhla Communal Council, and attended by Pierre-Frédéric Billet, Mayor of Dreux, who led a French delegation made up of business leaders, investors, and representatives of the GEDIA Group, a key player in the environmental and renewable energy sectors.
PUERTO DESEADO is experiencing an exceptional summer driven by strong activity in the squid jigging sector. According to Mar y Pesca, more than 15,000 tons of squid have already been unloaded at the local port, amid the sustained arrival of vessels dedicated to harvesting the resource.
Currently, 25 squid jigging vessels are operating, with new arrivals announced almost daily, encouraged by the sustained abundance of squid, which is increasingly conc
The freezer trawler Playa da Cativa, based in Vigo, was detected by satellite on the 1st in Argentine territorial waters at a speed that the Naval Prefecture considers compatible with fishing. Antonio López Cazorla, Argentina's Undersecretary of Fisheries, confirms that they have opened an investigation for alleged illegal fishing. If the infraction is proven, and because "we are inflexible, it will be fined €850,000," although he also indicates that they expect "the vessel to quickly acknowledge its actions, and, if it cooperates, the fine could be reduced by 25%."
Owned by the Galician company Moradiña, headquartered in Cangas de Morrazo, the Playa da Cativa has its operational base in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Author: Cecilia Valdez / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
The new ship, scheduled for completion by the end of 2028, will be the first large sailing-assisted cruise ship built in Chinese shipyards and aims for fuel savings of up to 40%.
The race to decarbonize the cruise industry has opened a new front—and a new market—in Asia. The US company Atlas Ocean Voyages, linked to the Portuguese group Mystic Invest, has confirmed an order in China for an expedition ship with sail-assisted propulsion, a move that raises the technological bar for the sector and puts Chinese shipyards on the map of sailing-assisted voyages.
The agreement aims to promote the sale of seafood products in the company's more than 1,500 stores in Spain.
In 2024, the company distributed more than 9,000 tons of fish from 73 fish markets along the Spanish coast.
During the "Fishing and Aquaculture in Spain: Blue Economy from Sea to Table" event, organized by Carrefour in collaboration with REECEA (Spanish Network of Knowledge Spaces for the Blue Economy) and the Fisheries Secretariat of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the company promoted a collaboration agreement with 30 suppliers and associations in the fishing and consumer sectors.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Highland Council backs extension of Bakkafrost hatchery.
Bakkafrost Scotland has received planning consent from Highland Council to extend its Applecross hatchery site in Wester Ross.
The application, submitted in June 2025 and approved in January 2026, relates to an extension of an existing hatchery building at the former Russelburn Hatchery, now operating as Applecross Hatchery.
According to planning documents, the site has been in operation for more than 35 years for the rearing of salmon eggs and smolt.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority commences a series of nationwide information sessions for industry including roll out of new fisheries Electronic Recording System (ERS) hardware and updates on the revised Fisheries Control Regulation for vessels over 12m
In January, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority commenced a series of nationwide information sessions for industry starting in Co. Wexford and running until early March.
Nichirei announced on February 3 that it will invest more than USD 100 million (approximately 15.5 billion yen) to build a new frozen food factory in the United States, with operations scheduled to begin in 2028.
The facility will produce frozen processed chicken products and rice dishes, targeting rising demand as the Asian food market continues to expand across the US.
The new plant will be built in Arkansas by Nichirei Global Foods, a sub-subsidiary of Nichirei Foods set to be established in February 2026. The factory will cover approximately 16,000 square meters and is expected to create around 180 on-site jobs, strengthening the company’s local production footprint.
Currently, Nichirei operates its own frozen rice manufacturing facility in California. By expanding in-house production in the US and reducing reliance on outsourced manufacturing, the company aims to improve efficiency and boost profitability while reinforcing its supply chain for the North American market.
ANFACO-CYTMA has launched a new edition of the gastronomic competition “One can, one tapa by ANFACO-CYTMA”, aimed at hospitality schools throughout Spain, with the goal of fostering creativity and culinary technique through the use of canned fish and seafood in tapa format.
The competition is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and #AlimentosdEspaña, and is part of the “Fill your table with the sea” campaign. The initiative seeks to bring the gastronomic value of canned products closer to the educational sphere, highlighting them as a versatile, healthy and high-quality ingredient.
Participating schools are challenged to select one student to represent their institution with a tapa proposal made from canned fish and/or seafood. The creations must demonstrate creativity, balance and culinary judgment, showcasing the wide range of possibilities these products offer in small-format cuisine.
Each school may submit a single entry, which will represent the institution in the competition, in accordance with the established rules.
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The analyses were carried out in January 2026 by the All-Russian State Center for Quality and Standardization of Veterinary Medicines and Feed (FSBI “VGNKI”), operating under the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance. The products were tested for compliance with the technical regulations “On Food Safety” and “On the Safety of Fish and Fish Products.”
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ARGENTINA
The freezer trawler Playa da Cativa, based in Vigo, was detected by satellite on the 1st in Argentine territorial waters at a speed that the Naval Prefecture considers compatible with fishing. Antonio López Cazorla, Argentina's Undersecretary of Fisheries, confirms that they have opened an investigation for alleged illegal fishing. If the infraction is proven, and because "we are inflexible, it will be fined €850,000," although he also indicates that they expect "the vessel to quickly acknowledge its actions, and, if it cooperates, the fine could be reduced by 25%."
CHINA
SPAIN
The agreement aims to promote the sale of seafood products in the company's more than 1,500 stores in Spain.
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Bakkafrost Scotland has received planning consent from Highland Council to extend its Applecross hatchery site in Wester Ross.
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SFPA Explains New Fisheries Control Regulation
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