The UK arm of supermarket chain Lidl has confirmed it has eliminated eyestalk ablation from its core own-brand farmed prawn range — effective since January 2026 — and said it will implement electrical stunning by the end of 2026.

Animal welfare organisations have hailed the announcement as a success following a campaign that has now seen 10 out of 11 UK supermarket chains setting time-bound welfare standfards for shrimp in their supply chains.

Until recently, welfare issues for crustaceans were seen as a low priority by retailers and the public.

Author: Robert Outram / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here

Mowi CP of Americas, a subsidiary of Bergen, Norway-based salmon-farming firm Mowi, is unveiling new packaging across several brands at the 2026 Seafood Expo North America (SENA).

At this year’s SENA, the subsidiary is highlighting both its core product lines along with new products across fresh, smoked, and frozen salmon categories. Additionally, it is rolling out a new packaging identity, designed to rejuvenate its Mowi, Ducktrap, and Marine Harvest by Mowi brands.

Ducktrap’s new packaging in particular, developed over many months, will begin rolling out in 2026 and transition fully through 2027, according to the firm.

Author: Christine Blank / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

Valparaíso – With the aim of strengthening scientific cooperation and advancing the challenges of ocean governance, authorities from the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) welcomed a delegation from the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) at a high-level meeting held at the institute’s headquarters.

The meeting was led by IFOP Executive Director Gonzalo Pereira Puchy and VLIZ Director Jan Mees, with the participation of the Ambassador of Belgium to Chile, Christian de Lannoy, who highlighted the importance of reinforcing international collaboration in marine research.

During the session, IFOP’s International Affairs and Cooperation Department presented the main guidelines of the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, where climate change is identified as a key priority. The institution reaffirmed its commitment to management based on the Best Available Science (BAS) and a preventive ecosystem-based approach to ensure ocean sustainability.

As part of the visit, the VLIZ delegation will carry out a technical agenda that includes visits to IFOP facilities in Puerto Montt and nearby areas.

The production of giant squid is showing signs of decline in Peru, raising concerns about global supply as prices for Argentinian squid continue to climb in China.

Recent market data indicates that weekly catches of giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) in Peru have fallen by about 10% compared with the previous week. Despite the drop, overall supply remains relatively high. As one of the world’s largest producers of giant squid, changes in Peru’s catch volumes can quickly influence supply in major importing markets, particularly China.

At the same time, prices for Argentinian squid (Illex argentinus) at Shidao Port, Shandong, China, are steadily increasing. Squid measuring 21–25 cm are currently selling for about 16.5–17 RMB/kg (approximately 2.40–2.47 USD/kg), while larger specimens of 26–30 cm are trading at 20.5–21.5 RMB/kg (around 2.98–3.13 USD/kg).

Market participants attribute the rise largely to renewed purchasing activity after the Lunar New Year holiday, when processing plants resumed operations and supplies for immediate delivery remained limited.

China sources squid from several regions, including Peru, Argentina, and parts of the Indo-Pacific. In the short term, prices are expected to remain volatile, depending on fishing activity, port arrivals, and demand from processing companies.

• Authorities launch a major survey to see how the cephalopod proliferation is affecting shipowners
• Devon fishermen lament that their traditional shellfish fisheries have plummeted by up to 80%

The British government has been monitoring the widespread presence of octopus in its waters for more than a year. The unusual bloom, which worries local shellfish fishermen, is the focus of attention for the industry, scientists, and authorities, who still don't quite know what to do about an event that hasn't occurred in 75 years and which they attribute mainly to climate change. Through the Marine Management Organization (MMO), the Administration is closely monitoring the situation and, in its latest update, reveals that the cephalopod plague continues, with more than 400 tons caught between January and February alone, a 450% increase compared to the same period last year.

The winners of the 2026 Bursary Awards were announced at the Iceland Ocean Cluster Reykjavik. The Awards are given by the organisers of the Icelandic Fisheries & Aquaculture exhibition and conference, (IceFish) which takes place from 22-24 September 2026.

They represent the event’s commitment to, and investment in the future of the commercial fishing and aquaculture industries. The students receive a ISK 300,000 bursary towards their studies. Today the first tranche of the bursary, and a commemorative certificate were presented and the second half of the award will be made in September at the prestigious IceFish Awards Ceremony 

The three worthy recipients are all students at the Icelandic College of Fisheries. They are Katarzyna Staszek, Ewa Jaros and Malgorzata Barbara Sworowska.  All three are studying quality management at the college and working in the commercial fishing industry. Katarzyna at Brim in Reyjavik; Ewa at Jakob Valgeir in Bolungarvik and Malgorzata at Nýfisk Sandgerdi, Sudurnesjaber.

Both Katarzyna and Malgorzata attended the presentation. The Icelandic weather stepped in to prevent Ewa from attending in person but she will receive her certificate from the Headmaster at the College.

The Bursary applications were assessed by a specialist judging panel from the industry, including  Klemenz Sæmundsson, Headmaster of the Icelandic College of Fisheries; Hrefna Karlsdóttir, Senior adviser at Fisheries Iceland; Kjartan Sveinsson, Chairman, National Association of Small Boat Owners; and Bjarni Jonsson, representative of IceFish.

icefish.is 

EU packaging rule changes will require seafood industry to rethink packaging.

New EU packaging rules could force seafood producers to redesign packaging systems over the next decade, according to a researcher at the Norwegian food research institute Nofima.

Writing in an opinion piece published by seafood industry publication IntraFish.no, senior researcher Anlaug Ådland Hansen said the EU’s EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will require a comprehensive review of packaging solutions used in seafood exports.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Salmon farming heavyweight SalMar has secured 6,112 tonnes of biomass allowance in Norway by winning permission to convert eight temporary development licences into permanent standard permits.

The permits – seven of 796 tonnes and one of 540 tonnes – are held by SalMar subsidiary Arctic Offshore Farming AS, in connection with the development of Arctic Offshore Farming concept for exposed offshore locations. The facility is designed as a circular, semi-submersible structure with two cages and a feed barge, where the cages can be operated below the surface to reduce contact with sea lice.The concept was developed by Norway Royal Salmon (NRS) and Aker, which were granted development permits for the project in 2018.

Author: Therese Soltveit / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

The maritime sector is reinforcing its role as one of the major drivers of employment in the global and European economy, combining the enduring relevance of traditional maritime trades with the emergence of new professions linked to digitalization, the energy transition, and technological innovation. Seafarers, shipbuilding and repair personnel, port technicians, logistics specialists, experts in new fuels, and blue biotechnology professionals are already among the most in-demand profiles in an industry undergoing profound transformation.

The maritime-port system requires highly qualified professionals to guarantee navigational safety, the efficiency of logistics chains, and the operation of strategic infrastructure for international trade.

Source: EuropaAzul | Read the full article here