IN BRIEF - Massive Growth: Norwegian Seafood Imports to South Korea
SOUTH KOREA
Friday, March 14, 2025
South Korea experienced a significant 63% surge in Norwegian seafood imports in February compared to the previous year.
February 2025 imports reached 10,107 tons, up from 6,207 tons in February 2024. Total imports for January and February rose by 42% to 25,069 tons, compared to 17,674 tons in the same period of 2024. Norwegian seafood now represents 16% of South Korea's total seafood imports, which reached 152,793 tons.
[Import Trends by Product]
Norwegian seafood import values also increased, with February 2025 reaching USD 55.4 million, a 14% rise from USD 48.76 million in February 2024. The cumulative value for January and February increased by 30% to USD 139.4 million, compared to USD 107.31 million in 2024. However, the average import price decreased by 8% to USD 5.56/kg, down from USD 6.07/kg the previous year. The increased demand for Norwegian seafood in South Korea is evident, particularly for frozen mackerel and salmon fillets.
A few months before the event, the Center for Applied Research, CIA-INCAR², confirmed the sponsorship of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) for the International Conference SRS2026. This will be the first international meeting dedicated exclusively to piscirickettsiosis, a disease caused by the bacterium Piscirickettsia salmonis. This disease causes significant economic losses for Chilean salmon farming and is currently generating increasing interest in other countries of the Northern Hemisphere.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
A maximum of 250 daily permits and a limit of 10 permits per month per holder of a valid first-class recreational maritime fishing license are the key points of the new resolution adopted by the Government of Cantabria for recreational octopus (Octopus vulgaris) fishing in Cantabrian waters this year. The season will begin on July 1 and will run until September 30, in accordance with current regional regulations governing this activity.
The resolution, published in the Official Gazette of Cantabria (BOC), aims to reconcile the enjoyment of recreational fishing with the sustainability of the resource and the preservation of the species.
Source: Industria Pesqueras | Read the full article here
The 2026 Seawork Awards saw recognition for technology and expertise in the commercial marine sector. The awards, sponsored by Nova Shipyard, took place at the end of the first day of Seawork, Europe’s biggest trade show in the commercial marine and workboat sector
The Innovations Showcase Category Awards, sponsored for a second year by the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI), gave exhibitors the opportunity to demonstrate the latest in equipment, services, projects, and vessels introduced in the 12 months since the last Seawork Exhibition.
The world’s second biggest Atlantic salmon farmer, SalMar, is raising NOK 2.75 billion (£219.2 million) by issuing new senior unsecured green bonds.
The bonds are in two tranches:
NOK 1.75bn with a three-year tenor with a floating rate coupon (interest rate) of the average of three months’ NIBOR (Norwegian Inter Bank Offered Rate) plys 0.88% per annum. NOK 1bn with a three-year tenor with a fixed rate coupon of 5.541% p.a
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The new agreement for the period 2026-2030 guarantees access for the European fleet to one of the world's main tuna fishing grounds and strengthens economic and fisheries cooperation between the two parties.
The European Union and the Republic of Seychelles have taken a decisive step to ensure the continuity of one of the most important fishing partnerships for the EU tuna fleet after concluding negotiations on a new Implementing Protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) for the period 2026-2030. The agreement will allow European vessels to continue operating in the waters of the Indian Ocean archipelago, considered one of the strategic locations for global tuna fishing.
During May 2026, the Environmental Assessment Service (SEA) approved aquaculture initiatives in the Los Lagos and Aysén regions, in a month that registered the highest amount of environmentally qualified investment since the creation of the Environmental Impact Assessment System.
The Environmental Assessment Service (SEA) reported that during May 2026, projects with a total investment of US$13.962 billion were approved, the highest amount recorded in a calendar month since the creation of the Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA) in 1992.
With MSC Certification in the bag, one of Korea’s largest tuna companies is just beginning its sustainability work for bigeye, yellowfin and albacore tuna fisheries.
Last year, Sajo Industries secured Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification for 28 of its longline vessels catching tuna in the Eastern and Western Pacific Oceans. For Sajo, one of the largest tuna fishing companies in the world, this was a milestone. It was also just the beginning of their sustainability journey.
Sajo is the first Korean company to install electronic monitoring systems on their longline vessels, part of a government initiative to collect better fisheries data and eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Prices drop sharply as summer volumes weigh on the market.
Norwegian salmon spot prices are expected to fall to around EUR 5.70/kg (USD 6.57/kg) in week 24, down from approximately EUR 6.25/kg (USD 7.20/kg) the previous week, according to analysts.
Prices are expected to remain broadly flat through the rest of June, leaving volume-weighted second-quarter averages at EUR 6.53-6.62/kg (USD 7.52-7.63/kg), below earlier market expectations.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Thailand is set to take its trade dispute with Malaysia to international forums, raising the latter's recent suspension of imports of five Thai shrimp species during discussions at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Thai government’s measures are in response to actions by Malaysia, which announced it had suspended imports of five Thai shrimp species and imposed strict testing mandates on sea bass from Thailand starting 1 June. The Nation reported 7 June, citing Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, that the government is moving on several fronts to address the mandates.
Author: Toan Dao / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
SOUTH KOREA
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A few months before the event, the Center for Applied Research, CIA-INCAR², confirmed the sponsorship of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service 
SPAIN
A maximum of 250 daily permits and a limit of 10 permits per month per holder of a valid first-class recreational maritime fishing license are the key points of the new resolution adopted by the Government of Cantabria for recreational octopus (Octopus vulgaris) fishing in Cantabrian waters this year. The season will begin on July 1 and will run until September 30, in accordance with current regional regulations governing this activity.
UNITED KINGDOM
The 2026 
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The bonds are in two tranches:
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EUROPEAN UNION
The new agreement for the period 2026-2030 guarantees access for the European fleet to one of the world's main tuna fishing grounds and strengthens economic and fisheries cooperation between the two parties.
During May 2026, the Environmental Assessment Service (SEA) approved aquaculture initiatives in the Los Lagos and Aysén regions, in a month that registered the highest amount of environmentally qualified investment since the creation of the Environmental Impact Assessment System..png)
Last year, 
Prices drop sharply as summer volumes weigh on the market.
THAILAND
Thailand is set to take its trade dispute with Malaysia to international forums, raising the latter's recent suspension of imports of five Thai shrimp species during discussions at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
