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.
A wave of price hikes has hit the aquaculture industry in South China, with dozens of major producers—including industry giants Haid Group and Tongwei—announcing significant increases for water-based feed.
Starting April 20, 2026, these companies implemented price hikes ranging from $28 to $55 (200–400 yuan) per ton. This surge comes despite a downward trend in some raw materials; for instance, soybean meal prices continued to slide on April 20, settling at approximately $408 (2,950 yuan) per ton.
However, the market for high-protein additives remains under pressure. Fishmeal prices stay firm and elevated, currently trading between $2,583 and $2,625 (18,700–19,000 yuan) per ton.
The convention, signed by Miguel Ríos (ABANCA Mar) and Ricardo Herbón (OPMEGA), aims to modernize the sector and facilitate its adaptation to new tax requirements.
Key points of the agreement:
Fiscal Transition: In light of the IRPF (Income Tax) campaign, specific financing solutions are being launched to handle tax payments, preventing liquidity issues caused by the change in fiscal regime.
Tailored Financing: Highlights include a 5-year credit policy (with no fees) to cover treasury deficits derived from seasonality or red tide closures.
Fleet Modernization: The naval mortgage is promoted for the construction and repair of vessels and mussel platforms (bateas) to ensure they are more efficient and sustainable.
Comprehensive Support: Access to financing plans through SGRs (Mutual Guarantee Societies) and the benefits of the ABANCA Services Program.
Since 2016, the ABANCA Mar unit has consolidated its support for the maritime value chain in Galicia with custom-designed financial products.
Mauritania’s Ministry of Fisheries, Maritime and Port Infrastructure has officially announced a total moratorium on cephalopod fishing, including octopus and squid, within its sovereign waters.
The suspension is set to take effect on May 1 and will apply to all sectors, including conventional, coastal, and deep-sea fishing operations.
This strategic pause follows critical scientific recommendations issued by the Mauritanian Institute of Marine and Fisheries on April 10. Data suggests that a biological rest period is essential to allow for the regeneration of fish stocks and to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine resources.
By enforcing this temporary ban, the Ministry aims to strengthen industry governance and promote sustainable management practices. The move is seen as a vital step in safeguarding Mauritania’s biological diversity against the pressures of overfishing, ensuring that the nation's maritime economy remains viable for future generations.
Alaska fears that new digital traceability requirements could end up acting as a trade barrier for some of its salmon exports, while Brussels defends the system as a key element in the fight against illegal fishing
The entry into force of the European Union's digital CATCH system, designed to strengthen the traceability of fish imports and block products linked to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, has opened a front of concern in the US fishing industry.
The Patagonian squid is back. The Galician fleet fishing in the Falkland Islands will conclude its first campaign of the year next week and return to Galicia with over 42,000 tons of Patagonian squid. This information comes from industry sources familiar with the current fishing season, which has shown improved yields, although they urge caution.
The 16 vessels, jointly owned by Galician and private companies, began fishing on February 22nd, following the encouraging survey of the fishing grounds conducted by the fishing vessel Monteferro. Two months later, the fleet is entering its final phase in the Falklands and is pleased to have completed the planned 64 days of fishing.
Author: Alejandra Pascual / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is maintaining intense bilateral activity at Seafood Expo Global. To this end, Minister Luis Planas has held meetings with the Icelandic Minister of Industry and Innovation, Hanna Katrín Frioriksson; the UK Minister of State for Food Safety and Rural Development, Angela Eagle; and the Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Marianne Sivertsen.
In his meeting with the Icelandic representative, both officials agreed on the importance of defending sustainable fishing as a fundamental pillar of international cooperation and emphasized the need to maintain demanding standards in fisheries management as a basis for guaranteeing the sector's long-term viability.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Monitoring of water and production conditions has long been a crucial part of aquaculture, now the arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) is offering the opportunity of real-time control, delegates at IceFish 2026 will hear.
Paw Petersen, CEO of OxyGuard International, has spent more than 25 years in the development of technologies that support more sustainable, data-driven aquaculture production. OxyGuard’s core focus is on delivering reliable solutions that enable fish farmers to better understand and control their production and environments. At the same time the specialist company participates in selected research-based development projects in close collaboration with research institutions and industry partners.
Source: The Fish Site | Read the full article here
A total of 68,464 fish with an average weight of 5.1 kg were delivered from the neighbouring locality of Brottøy.
"Even though it has taken longer than it should have and been more demanding than we had imagined, we are a bit proud of where we have come with this project," says Bjarne Johansen, operations director at Nordlaks Havbruk AS, in a press release from the company.
Since the facility arrived in Vesterålen in November last year, there has been a lot of work to complete all the systems so that it is ready to house fish.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Vietnam’s tilapia industry reached a significant milestone in March 2026, as export values climbed to $15 million, representing a staggering 109% increase compared to March 2025.
The first quarter of 2026 has proven to be a period of rapid expansion. Cumulative export values for the first three months have surged by 174% year-on-year. This upward trajectory highlights the industry's successful scaling and its strengthening foothold in the global seafood trade.
Key Market Performance
While demand is growing globally, the trade remains heavily concentrated in two primary regions:
Brazil: Remains the #1 destination for Vietnamese tilapia, maintaining its position as the top importer.
United States: Holds the second-largest market share at 28%, marking a 16% increase over the previous year.
Together, Brazil and the US now command over 70% of the total market share. While this dominance underscores the popularity of the product in the Americas, it also highlights a strategic dependence on these key markets as Vietnam continues to navigate the global landscape.
“The clouds are gathering, but the storm has not yet broken on rising food and drink inflation. The war in Iran has delivered a cost shock that is already too large for manufacturers to absorb in full. The impact on prices will take time to work its way through the system, but it’s only a matter of time before it does. For manufacturers, long-term contracts with suppliers and retailers mean it can take up to a year for higher costs to be fully passed through. But where products are less processed, or supply chains are shorter, prices will move more quickly.
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BELGIUM.png)
CHINA.png)
Starting April 20, 2026, these companies implemented price hikes ranging from $28 to $55 (200–400 yuan) per ton. This surge comes despite a downward trend in some raw materials; for instance, soybean meal prices continued to slide on April 20, settling at approximately $408 (2,950 yuan) per ton.
SPAIN.png)
MAURITANIA
UNITED STATES
Alaska fears that new digital traceability requirements could end up acting as a trade barrier for some of its salmon exports, while Brussels defends the system as a key element in the fight against illegal fishing
FALKLAND ISLANDS
The Patagonian squid is back. The Galician fleet fishing in the Falkland Islands will conclude its first campaign of the year next week and return to Galicia with over 42,000 tons of Patagonian squid. This information comes from industry sources familiar with the current fishing season, which has shown improved yields, although they urge caution.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is maintaining intense bilateral activity at 
ICELAND
Monitoring of water and production conditions has long been a crucial part of aquaculture, now the arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) is offering the opportunity of real-time control, delegates at
NORWAY
A total of 68,464 fish with an average weight of 5.1 kg were delivered from the neighbouring locality of Brottøy.
VIET NAM.png)
The first quarter of 2026 has proven to be a period of rapid expansion. Cumulative export values for the first three months have surged by 174% year-on-year. This upward trajectory highlights the industry's successful scaling and its strengthening foothold in the global seafood trade.
UNITED KINGDOM
Dr Liliana Danila, Chief Economist, 
