IN BRIEF - The blood of this animal has saved millions of lives around the world
WORLDWIDE
Monday, August 12, 2024
The blood of the horseshoe crab has been crucial to modern medicine, allowing the detection of contaminants in medical supplies.
The horseshoe crab, a living fossil that is more than 450 million years old, has played a fundamental role in modern medicine. This animal, scientifically known as Limulus polyphemus.
Characteristics of the horseshoe crab
It has a unique blue blood due to the presence of hemocyanin instead of hemoglobin. This characteristic has allowed pharmaceutical companies to develop methods to identify contaminants and toxins in medical supplies, saving millions of lives in the process.
The blood of the horseshoe crab contains amebocytes, cells that react to the presence of endotoxins, which has been used to create Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL).
This compound is essential to ensure the safety of medical products such as vaccines and intravenous devices. Without this tool, the detection of contaminants would be much more complicated and less efficient, putting the health of millions of people at risk.
Endangered
Despite their importance, blood harvesting from these crabs has raised concerns among conservationists. The growing demand for their blood has put horseshoe crab populations at risk, especially in the North Atlantic.
NESLE — Innovafeed has released preliminary findings from ongoing trials of its Hilucia™ for Aqua ingredient in salmon feed, revealing both strong expected benefits and an unusual observation.
The company confirmed that the ingredient continues to support improved fish health and growth. However, recent studies noted that salmon fed with Hilucia™ displayed significantly higher activity levels, with some fish leaping energetically out of the water.
“The inclusion of Hilucia™ in diets seems to result in unusually high activity in salmon,” said Marine Bezagu, PhD, Head of Product Development at Innovafeed. “Maybe eating flies will make salmon grow wings!”
While the comment was made humorously, the company emphasized the scientific focus of its research. Despite the surprising behavior, no actual “flying fish” have been observed, and all salmon remain in standard aquaculture conditions.
Innovafeed reiterated that its priority remains delivering reliable, science-based nutrition solutions to the aquaculture industry, while continuing to explore the limits of sustainable inse
On April 13, Fedepesca will participate in the 39th Gourmets Fair, at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) stand within the "Foods of Spain" gastronomic area. This activity is part of the 2025-2026 Agreement signed with MAPA, which aims to promote Spanish fish and aquaculture products, as well as the role of traditional fishmongers as a specialized, professional, and influential channel.
To this end, Fedepesca will conduct a live culinary demonstration focused on preparing sushi using Spanish fish and aquaculture products, showcasing the quality, freshness, traceability, and diversity of fish and seafood, as well as their potential for innovative and high-end culinary creations.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
VIGO — The Cooperativa de Armadores de Pesca del Puerto de Vigo (ARVI) confirmed that the company “NOKAO-Sra. Emilia” has once again been selected for the production of the 7th Edition of the Festival ARVI do Peixe – Vigo SeaFest (VSF26), following an evaluation process carried out by the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee.
The decision was adopted at the close of the application period, in accordance with the criteria established in the official specifications, reaffirming the quality and efficiency demonstrated by the company in previous editions.
The VSF26 maintains its objective of promoting the consumption of seafood products and highlighting the work of the ARVI fleet, through outreach activities, workshops, gastronomic proposals, and concerts, in an open and free format.
The festival will take place from July 9 to 12, 2026 at the Elduayen Gardens, consolidating its position as a key event to bring the sea closer to the public.
ARVI thanked institutional support and is already working on an even more comprehensive and participatory edition, inviting the public to enjoy an event that celebrates the sea, its people, and its gastronomy.
Antimicrobial use in Chilean freshwater salmon farming fell 34.1% in 2025, with La Araucanía region alone reducing consumption by 70%, according to Chile’s National Fisheries Service, Sernapesca.
The overall national ICA index — which tracks antimicrobial use relative to biomass — rose 5.88%, driven by higher salmon biomass produced during the year. The freshwater reduction offsets part of that increase.
The Los Lagos and Los Ríos regions account for 71.89% of freshwater antimicrobial use. Los Lagos carries the highest volume due to its concentration of hatcheries.
Source: SalmonBusiness| Read the full article here
Discount supermarket chain Aldi Australia has received the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s Best Responsible Seafood Retailer Award for the fourth consecutive year.
Aldi distinguished itself through accessible, affordable ASC-certified seafood and national campaigns that helped millions of Australians choose responsible aquaculture,
The German-headquartered retailer’s accolade was among 15 presented to winners of the 2026 Sustainable Seafood Awards organised by the ASC, which certifies aquaculture producers, and its wild-caught seafood sister organisation, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), in Australia.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Land-based aquaculture group Pure Salmon has marked a major financial milestone for its project in Japan, where it is building a farm with a planned annual output of 10,000 tonnes.
Pure Salmon Japan has announced the successful closing of a preferred note investment of over US $180m (£135m), led by funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, with participation from Tor Investment Management, an existing investor in the project. The transaction completes the preferred note financing for the project, which is already under construction.
Pure Salmon Japan (formerly trading as Soul of Japan) is building what it says will be a state-of-the-art recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)
Author: Robert Outram / Fish farmer | Read the full article here
Ventisqueros welcomed a delegation from the FDA (United States) and Sernapesca on March 24 at its processing plant, in a visit considered key for the Chilean salmon industry. The meeting provided an on-site look at the company’s production, sanitary, and traceability standards, reinforcing transparency and regulatory compliance.
The delegation included Michelle Rodríguez, Rita Vera, Gonzalo Ibáñez, and Christofer Waldrop (FDA); Héctor Escobar, Patricio González, and Carolina Castillo (Sernapesca); and Marcela Lara (Salmon Council). Representing Ventisqueros were Agustín Waidele, Carolina Muñoz, and Raúl Gárnica.
During the visit, attendees toured the different stages of production and observed quality assurance, traceability, and sanitary control systems. This was followed by a corporate presentation addressing sustainability, innovation, and regulatory compliance. “These visits are an opportunity to open our operations, show how we work, and strengthen trust through processes that meet high international standards,” said Agustín Waidele.
The day concluded with a dialogue session highlighting the importance of public-private collaboration and the need to advance toward responsible aquaculture aligned with the demands of global markets.
With an agenda focused on technical activities, community engagement, and networking opportunities, ScaleAQ held a series of events during Aquasur 2026 week centered around its Dissemination, Technology, and Aquaculture Center. This initiative aimed to bring aquaculture innovation to the region and strengthen ties with various stakeholders in the ecosystem.
The program began on Monday, March 23, with the official opening of the center, located between Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt. The center is designed as an open platform for knowledge transfer, technology showcases, and connections between industry, academia, government officials, and the community.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
The Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers of the 27 EU member states yesterday called on the European Commission to implement measures to protect the fishing and aquaculture sector due to the sharp rise in costs resulting from the war in the Middle East. And the Commission has come to the rescue. At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (Agrifish), Commissioner Costas Kadis announced that the extraordinary measures provided for in the European Maritime Fund for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EMFF) will be activated, allowing the sector to be compensated for lost profits or additional costs. This anti-crisis shield was already deployed in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2022, due to the surge in energy costs following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Sales of fish and chips realized declines in U.K. foodservice last year, while overall seafood sales declined less dramatically, according to recent data from seafood representative public body Seafish.
According to a new report, Seafish found out-of-home consumption of fish and chips in the U.K. declined 9 percent in 2025, equivalent to 13.1 million fewer servings. Long-term consumption has also fallen significantly, with servings 61 percent lower in 2025 than in 2017.
Still, fish and chips generate significant sales across the U.K. foodservice market, Seafish pointed out.
Author: Christine Blank / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
WORLDWIDE
FRANCE
SPAIN
On April 13, 
VIGO — The 
CHILE
Antimicrobial use in Chilean freshwater salmon farming fell 34.1% in 2025, with La Araucanía region alone reducing consumption by 70%, according to Chile’s National Fisheries Service, Sernapesca.
AUSTRALIA
Discount supermarket chain 
JAPAN.png)
Pure Salmon Japan.png)
With an agenda focused on technical activities, community engagement, and networking opportunities, 
EUROPEAN UNION.png)
The Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers of the 27 EU member states yesterday called on the European Commission to implement measures to protect the fishing and aquaculture sector due to the sharp rise in costs resulting from the war in the Middle East. And the Commission has come to the rescue. At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (Agrifish), Commissioner Costas Kadis announced that the extraordinary measures provided for in the European Maritime Fund for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EMFF) will be activated, allowing the sector to be compensated for lost profits or additional costs. This anti-crisis shield was already deployed in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2022, due to the surge in energy costs following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
UNITED KINGDOM
Sales of fish and chips realized declines in U.K. foodservice last year, while overall seafood sales declined less dramatically, according to recent data from seafood representative public body Seafish.
