IN BRIEF - Japanese 'IWASHI' Sardines in California? A Shocking Discovery in the Pacific
UNITED STATES
Friday, March 14, 2025
We hear from the scientist who discovered Japanese sardines off the coast of California for the first time and discuss what it means for the future.
In 2022, Dr. Gary Longo detected Japanese sardines swimming in the eastern Pacific, off the coast of California. This was the first time they’d ever been seen here—their normal range is in the western Pacific from Korea to Russia, thousands and thousands of miles away. It was a shocking discovery. Sardines are incredibly important to the California current ecosystem and are a key forage fish across the globe.
On this episode of Dive In with NOAA Fisheries, we scratch at this mystery of Japanese sardine appearing in U.S. waters. How did they get here? What does it mean for the native Pacific sardine? Are they staying? (Spoiler alert: so far, yes.)
We hear from Dr. Longo, a research scientist at NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center and one of the authors of a new study documenting this discovery. The authors suggest marine heatwaves that warmed the North Pacific over the last decade might have opened a corridor of favorable habitat, which the Japanese sardines followed across the ocean.
Five new licences will allow bluefin tuna catches in Wales, Jersey and Scotland.
The commercial and scientific trials will use 26 tonnes of the UK's 2026 bluefin tuna quota. The programme aims to improve knowledge of the species' behaviour and distribution and support sustainable fisheries management.
Ngai Tahu's Hananui project targets production of up to 14,400 tonnes annually off Rakiura/Stewart Island.
New Zealand has fast-tracked approval for the Hananui Aquaculture Project, led by Ngai Tahu Seafood Resources Limited, to develop an open-ocean salmon farm across about 2,500 hectares, located 2–6 km off Rakiura/Stewart Island. The project includes four marine farms, around 80 circular net pens and a production target of up to 14,400 tonnes of salmon per year.The development is expected to strengthen aquaculture production, exports and regional employment.
Krishna Sri Kotikalapudi left her technology career to enter aquaculture and now manages 105 acres of shrimp farming operations in Andhra Pradesh.
An Electrical Engineering graduate, Kotikalapudi is involved in a family operation spanning nearly 800 acres, applying a technical approach to pond management, health and feeding. She also shares practical aquaculture knowledge with around 14,000 followers on social media, helping promote more efficient and science-based farming practices.
Fish exports fell 83.7% between 2014 and 2025, while ports, fishermen and coastal communities suffered major impacts.
Yemen estimates direct and indirect losses to its fisheries sector at more than US$15 billion, including around US$2 billion in lost exports and investment. Fish exports dropped from 46,300 tonnes in 2014 to 7,521 tonnes in 2025. In addition, 11 fishing ports and landing centres were affected, while more than 21,600 people lost their main sources of livelihood.
The initiative combines traditional fishing, tourism and gastronomy, backed by public funding for vessel upgrades.
Greece is promoting fishing tourism to diversify fishermen's income. The 2021-2027 programme funds vessel upgrades, safety and equipment, while a separate €16 million call supports investments in the professional fishing fleet.The Ministry of Rural Development and Food is supporting these initiatives through the Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Sea Programme 2021-2027, which provides funding for vessel adaptations, equipment purchases and improvements related to safety and hygiene.
Ode, Norway’s leading cod producer, has been awarded its first ASCcertification, the most rigorous and widely recognised sustainability, quality and responsibility standard in aquaculture. This makes Ode the first cod producer in the world certified against the standard of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).
ASC opened for certification of Atlantic cod in 2025, when cod was included in the revised ASC Salmon and Cod Standard v1.5. Ode is the first company to have completed a full audit and been awarded a certificate under the new standard.
This certification is a strong validation of Ode, the way we operate, and the products we provide our customers.
Chilean aquaculture and agriculture giant AgriSuper has received approximately US $48 million in refunds of tariffs paid on its exports to the United States.
AgriSuper, which owns the country’s largest salmon farmer, AquaChile, said in its report for the first half of 2026 that the refunds were for tariffs paid on both its meat (chicken, beef, and pork) and salmon exports to the US in 2025 and the first quarter of this year.
Author: Gareth Moore and Jonathan Garces / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Aquaculture in Ireland is holding steady in the face of a number of challenges – from the ongoing fallout from Brexit to warming seas and falling salmon prices – but many argue that its capacity to grow is being held back by a licensing system that is no longer fit for purpose
The Business of Seafood 2025 report, published by the seafood development agency Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), provides the most up-to-date snapshot of the state of aquaculture in Ireland.
In total, the seafood sector contributed €1.31bn (£1.11) to Ireland’s GDP in 2025, up 6% on the previous year.
Author: Robert Outram / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
The platform showcases the work of more than 40 organizations and highlights innovation, sustainability and cooperation projects, including the Bermeo Tuna Forum 2027
Bermeo Tuna has launched its redesigned website, bermeotuna.org, as part of its renewed corporate identity. The platform will increase visibility for the more than 40 organizations linked to the tuna value chain and their innovation, sustainability, training and international cooperation projects. Key initiatives include the Bermeo Tuna Forum 2027, which will bring leading global tuna industry stakeholders together in Bilbao and Bermeo.
The goal is to drive continuous improvement in the shrimp industry
Aker QRILL Company, Edisa, and Milanplastic have joined the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) as new Associate Members. Pamela Nath, Director of SSP, acknowledges that this addition "allows us to bring together additional capabilities, expertise, and new perspectives to continue driving continuous improvement in the shrimp industry. We are convinced that collaborative work is the best way to identify opportunities that benefit the entire sector."
With the addition of these companies, SSP continues to expand its network.
Source: iPac.acuicultura | Read the full article here
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UNITED STATES
In 2022, Dr. Gary Longo detected Japanese sardines swimming in the eastern Pacific, off the coast of California. This was the first time they’d ever been seen here—their normal range is in the western Pacific from Korea to Russia, thousands and thousands of miles away. It was a shocking discovery. Sardines are incredibly important to the California current ecosystem and are a key forage fish across the globe.
UNITED KINGDOM.png)
Five new licences will allow bluefin tuna catches in Wales, Jersey and Scotland.
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand has fast-tracked approval for the Hananui Aquaculture Project, led by Ngai Tahu Seafood Resources Limited, to develop an open-ocean salmon farm across about 2,500 hectares, located 2–6 km off Rakiura/Stewart Island. The project includes four marine farms, around 80 circular net pens and a production target of up to 14,400 tonnes of salmon per year.The development is expected to strengthen aquaculture production, exports and regional employment. 
INDIA.png)
An Electrical Engineering graduate, Kotikalapudi is involved in a family operation spanning nearly 800 acres, applying a technical approach to pond management, health and feeding. She also shares practical aquaculture knowledge with around 14,000 followers on social media, helping promote more efficient and science-based farming practices.
YEMEN.png)
Yemen estimates direct and indirect losses to its fisheries sector at more than US$15 billion, including around US$2 billion in lost exports and investment. Fish exports dropped from 46,300 tonnes in 2014 to 7,521 tonnes in 2025. In addition, 11 fishing ports and landing centres were affected, while more than 21,600 people lost their main sources of livelihood.
GREECE.png)
Greece is promoting fishing tourism to diversify fishermen's income. The 2021-2027 programme funds vessel upgrades, safety and equipment, while a separate €16 million call supports investments in the professional fishing fleet.The Ministry of Rural Development and Food is supporting these initiatives through the Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Sea Programme 2021-2027, which provides funding for vessel adaptations, equipment purchases and improvements related to safety and hygiene.
NORWAY
Ode
CHILE
Chilean aquaculture and agriculture giant AgriSuper has received approximately US $48 million in refunds of tariffs paid on its exports to the United States.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Aquaculture in Ireland is holding steady in the face of a number of challenges – from the ongoing fallout from Brexit to warming seas and falling salmon prices – but many argue that its capacity to grow is being held back by a licensing system that is no longer fit for purpose
SPAIN
The platform showcases the work of more than 40 organizations and highlights innovation, sustainability and cooperation projects, including the Bermeo Tuna Forum 2027.png)
The goal is to drive continuous improvement in the shrimp industry
