IN BRIEF - Israel formally accepts Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
SWITZERLAND
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Israel's instrument of acceptance brings to 89 the total number of WTO members that have formally accepted the Agreement. Twenty-two more formal acceptances are needed for the Agreement to come into effect.
DG Okonjo-Iweala said: “I welcome Israel's formal acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Each additional acceptance brings us closer to the threshold for the entry into force of these vital rules that will curb harmful subsidies and protect global fish stocks. I urge remaining WTO members to submit their own letters of acceptance, thereby helping to safeguard our oceans — and the livelihoods that depend on them — for future generations.”
Minister Barkat said: “Israel is proud to have successfully completed the domestic approval process of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, being the first agreement of its kind to focus on environmental sustainability. The agreement marks a pivotal moment in advancing sustainable development and we are glad to bring Members closer to its implementation. We remain not only optimistic, but also confident in the transformative potential of this agreement to rejuvenate and accelerate the processes leading up to the 14th Ministerial Conference. I extend my gratitude to the Director-General for her exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment in guiding this agreement to fruition.”
The Agreement will enter into force upon acceptance by two-thirds of the membership.
The price of headless and gutted (H&G) Atlantic cod from Norway surpassed the psychological level of $10,000 per ton CIF China this week, following a further upward revision of price assessments. The gap with the Russian product is widening, fueled by the perception of shortages and uncertainty about the 2026 quotas in the Barents Sea.
The key factor is the lack of clarity regarding the 2026 quota for Barents Sea cod. In recent months, the dominant scientific signal has been for cuts—with proposals from the Norwegian IMR placing the recommendation at the lowest level in decades—while the Russian institute VNIRO has argued, to the contrary, for an increase by 2026.
Rates for 40 foot containers rose 3 percent globally this week, reported the Drewry World Container Index. The increase was notable given that prior to last week, the container market had experienced a steady 17-week decline.
Rates on routes between Asia and the West Coast rebounded significantly, according to experts at Freightos, who said that prices increased by 18 percent to USD 1,687 (EUR 1,452.14) from the previous week. Prices from the Asia to the East Coast were up 2 percent, to USD 3071 (EUR 2,643.46).
Drewry attributed some of the increases to a General Rate Increase among carriers that took place in mid-October, while Xeneta Chief Analyst said that USTR port fees, and China’s retaliatory fees, had also given carriers reasons to justify rate increases.
Author: Erin Spampinato / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
Brussels' proposal to cut fishing funds by 67% has reached its 100th day, leaving a feeling of "total legal uncertainty" in a sector that is bleeding labor-wise and urgently needs support for growth. The EMFF alone has contributed to creating more than 37,000 jobs in the EU27 by 2023 and maintaining another 215,000. These jobs are likely to be complicated if the announced cut is implemented.
This week marked the first 100 days of the latest major blow dealt by the European Commission to the EU fishing sector. The fleet's sense of powerlessness is complete regarding the proposal by Ursula von der Leyen's government, which proposes reducing the specific allocation for fishing by 67% for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034). After five years of fighting for a commissioner dedicated exclusively to the interests of the industry and having achieved this—moving from the environmentalist extremism of Virginijus Sinkevicius to the desire for dialogue of Costas Kadis—the sector cannot understand how the EU executive has now presented a cutback that would mean increasing the budget from €6.1 billion to €2 billion
Author: Jorge Garnelo / Faro de Vigo | Read the full article here
Through community-led aquaculture, Indonesia’s Kampung Patin (Pangasius Village) has grown into a model of resilience – creating jobs across the value chain and proving that fish farming can lift an entire community out of poverty.
After being relocated in the 1990s due to the construction of a hydroelectric power plant, the community now living in Koto Mesjid, XIII Koto Kampar, Riau, came close to falling into poverty. They were given cash compensation and rubber plantations, but the money quickly ran out and the plantations failed to be profitable. Thankfully, in the early 2000s, the community was introduced to fish farming, which has since become their main source of income.
Author: Asep Bulkini / The Fish Site | Read the full article here
Adriana Giudice, chief executive of Austral Group – one of Peru’s leading producers of fishmeal, fish oil, and frozen fish – will serve as president. With a 1,200-strong team, Austral Group operates four processing plants along the Peruvian coast (Coischo, Chancay, Pisco and Ilo) and a modern fleet of 19 fishing vessels.
“I am very proud to take on the role of president of the IFFO Board as of January 1, 2026,” said Giudice.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The Takaichi Sanae Cabinet, inaugurated on October 21, has appointed Norikazu Suzuki as the new Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.
Suzuki (LDP, member of the House of Representatives), who is 43 years old, is a former bureaucrat at the same ministry and originally hails from the rice-producing region of Yamagata.
In his first press conference on October 22, the young minister clearly stated his priority: "I would like to visit as many sites as possible, put the site first, and approach agricultural, forestry and fisheries administration with the sensibilities of those on the ground."
This declaration underscores the shift in his leadership's focus. In addition to his experience as a former Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (2011–2012), Prime Minister Takaichi has given him a specific mandate: to promote the nation's food security.
Suzuki pledged to work together with the ministry's 20,000 staff members to implement policies that prioritize the needs of farmers, foresters, and fishermen. His appointment, and his emphasis on the field, send a clear signal about the importance of local production on the government's agenda.
The Common Fisheries Policy establishes as a general objective “to ensure that fisheries and aquaculture activities are environmentally sustainable in the long term and are managed coherently to generate economic, social, and employment benefits, and contribute to the availability of food products.” Economics is a fundamental part of this process; however, decision-making seems to be based solely on biological data.
Fisheries and aquaculture play a key role in food security and the economic development of coastal communities. In the European Union (EU), fisheries and aquaculture production, with more than €5.4 billion in gross value added (GVA) and almost 198,000 jobs in 2022, contributed approximately 0.03% of total EU GVA and accounted for 0.10% of total EU employment.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Bømlo-based Napier has signed a shipbuilding contract with Freire Shipyard in Vigo, Spain, for the construction of a new salmon processing vessel to be named Tauriko.
The vessel will be based on the design of Napier’s recently delivered Tauroa and upcoming sister ship Tautiki, but with several modifications, including higher speed and upgraded logistics systems. Napier said Tauriko will have a top speed of up to 18 knots and new discharge technology designed to reduce processing costs per kilo of fish.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Jersey's environment minister has been asked to clarify claims French authorities had "refused" island scallops packed in ice made from island tap water because it did not have the "appropriate" paperwork.
The Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel said it wanted details on "specific circumstances surrounding this issue" and the "current position regarding any such requirements for seafood exports".
It comes after Minister Steve Luce told a hearing it was becoming increasingly difficult to meet French seafood requirements.
Author: Julia Gregory / BBC | Read the full article here
Mowi’s Scottish Salmon Fillets picked up the Consumer Choice prize at the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s awards event last night. The event also saw awards for aquafeed business BioMar, New England Seafood International, Birds Eye and Sainsbury’s.
At the fifth annual ASC Awards, held in Edinburgh in partnership with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), ASC celebrated excellence across the seafood supply chain — from major retailers and suppliers to brands and producers — honouring those driving meaningful change in the farmed seafood sector.
Author: Robert Outram / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
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SWITZERLAND
DG Okonjo-Iweala said:
WORLDWIDE
The price of headless and gutted (H&G) Atlantic cod from Norway surpassed the psychological level of $10,000 per ton CIF China this week, following a further upward revision of price assessments. The gap with the Russian product is widening, fueled by the perception of shortages and uncertainty about the 2026 quotas in the Barents Sea.
Rates for 40 foot containers rose 3 percent globally this week, reported the Drewry World Container Index. The increase was notable given that prior to last week, the container market had experienced a steady 17-week decline. 
EUROPEAN UNION.png)
This week marked the first 100 days of the latest major blow dealt by the European Commission to the EU fishing sector. The fleet's sense of powerlessness is complete regarding the proposal by Ursula von der Leyen's government, which proposes reducing the specific allocation for fishing by 67% for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034). After five years of fighting for a commissioner dedicated exclusively to the interests of the industry and having achieved this—moving from the environmentalist extremism of Virginijus Sinkevicius to the desire for dialogue of Costas Kadis—the sector cannot understand how the EU executive has now presented a cutback that would mean increasing the budget from €6.1 billion to €2 billion
INDONESIA
Through community-led aquaculture, Indonesia’s Kampung Patin (Pangasius Village) has grown into a model of resilience – creating jobs across the value chain and proving that fish farming can lift an entire community out of poverty.
PERU
Marine ingredients organisation IFFO
JAPAN.png)
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The Common Fisheries Policy establishes as a general objective “to ensure that fisheries and aquaculture activities are environmentally sustainable in the long term and are managed coherently to generate economic, social, and employment benefits, and contribute to the availability of food products.” Economics is a fundamental part of this process; however, decision-making seems to be based solely on biological data.
SPAIN.png)
Napier orders new processing vessel from
UNITED KINGDOM.png)
Jersey's environment minister has been asked to clarify claims French authorities had "refused" island scallops packed in ice made from island tap water because it did not have the "appropriate" paperwork..png)
