The Tuvalu Fisheries Authority (TFA) has officially secured a Grant Funding Contract with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

This agreement marks the beginning of the Tuvalu Fisheries Support Programme Phase 3 (TFSP3), a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering the nation's economic and food security.

The contract allocates a total budget of NZ$10.9 million (approximately US$6.6 million) over a five-year period. To ensure the program's success, MFAT will also provide two long-term technical advisers to work alongside local teams.

Key Objectives of TFSP3

• Sustainable Management: Optimizing oceanic fisheries revenue while protecting marine resources.
• Institutional Strengthening: Enhancing financial management, human resources, and governance for the Board of Directors.
• Asset Maintenance: Restoring operational readiness for the fisheries vessel Manaui II.
• Local Growth: Supporting community fishing and marketing initiatives.

TFA Managing Director Sam Finikaso expressed deep gratitude for New Zealand’s decade-long partnership, emphasizing that this phase is critical for the long-term resilience of Tuvalu’s fisheries sector.

The Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) begins a new chapter under the leadership of Luis Parot Donoso, who returns as Executive Director following his previous tenure between 2018 and 2022.

Parot, a Fisheries Engineer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (Class of 1973) and holder of an MBA, possesses an extensive professional background in the Valparaíso Region, where he held prominent leadership roles in the municipalities of Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Villa Alemana, and Zapallar.

After serving on the institution's Board of Directors between 2013 and 2014, he takes on this challenge with a focus on aquaculture, fisheries, and climate change. Despite a complex financial outlook, Parot emphasizes the urgent need to improve the quality and relevance of research in Chile. To achieve this, he aims for close collaboration with the Undersecretariat of Fisheries, seeking to strengthen the technical advisory services the agency provides to the State of Chile while fostering a work environment built on unity and scientific excellence.

ABANCA and the Foundation Cluster for the Conservation of Seafood Products (FUNPROMAR) have renewed their strategic alliance to promote the dissemination of the sea-industry sector.

The agreement was signed in Vigo by Roberto Alonso, legal representative of the Foundation, and Lino Comesaña, Institutional Business Director of ABANCA in Galicia, Northern Spain, and Portugal.

Key Points of the Agreement:

• Colloquium Cycle: 3 public sessions will be organized in the city of Vigo.
• Themes: Industrial history, sustainability, innovation, and socio-economic value.
• Objective: To bridge the gap between the business world and the public, highlighting the sector's role in food supply and employment.

This collaboration reaffirms the commitment of both entities to the competitiveness of the business framework in Galicia. Through this partnership, they aim to position financing as a key lever for economic progress and social well-being, strengthening the image of an industry essential to the region's development.

One in two tins of tuna labelled sustainable, overtaking cod as UK’s top-selling MSC certified fish. One in two cans of tuna on UK supermarket shelves are now labelled as certified sustainable in a major turnaround for one of the UK’s favourite cupboard staples, according to a new report.

Five years ago, fewer than one in five tuna products carried the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) blue ecolabel, the world’s most recognised ecolabel for sustainably caught seafood, and retailers were being urged to do more to support consumer demand for sustainable sourcing.

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here

The Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) has announced that Bradley George will be serving as its new Executive Director, starting 11 May.

NAIA said that Bradley George is a senior leader and public affairs professional with over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, industry advocacy, government relations, and member-based organisation management.

The Association added: “With a solid understanding of board governance and financial stewardship, Bradley has a demonstrated track record leading provincial advocacy offices, advising policy and decision-makers, and fostering multi-stakeholder relationships.

Source: Fish Farmer | Read the full article here

New data from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China reveals a period of significant expansion and recent stabilization for Russian seafood trade.

In 2025, Russia exported a total of 61,089 tons of live sea urchin to China, reaching a total market value of $317,605.

The sector has seen a massive 71.9% surge in volume since 2023, representing an additional 25,554 tons entering the Chinese market. However, growth hit a plateau over the last year; the increase from 2024 to 2025 was a marginal 0.173 tons (approximately 0.28%).

Despite the record physical volumes, the total import value actually dipped by 3% in 2025. This decline is attributed to the average price per kilogram falling from $5.38 in 2024 to $5.20 in 2025. Even with this slight correction, the industry remains in a strong position compared to 2023 levels, when prices averaged just $4.04 per kilogram, signaling a long-term upward trend in valuation for Russian maritime exports.

PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Dr. Steve Lochmann, a professor of fisheries management and ecology at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), has been elected 2nd vice president of the American Fisheries Society (AFS). Set to be installed on Sept. 1, Dr. Lochmann will enter the presidential rotation for the world’s oldest and largest professional aquatic society.

Representing over 5,000 professionals and students globally, the AFS focuses on the conservation and research of North American and international aquatic resources. UAPB Chancellor Dr. Anthony Graham noted that the election reflects Dr. Lochmann’s national reputation and the university's commitment to advancing natural resource research.

Dr. Lochmann has a deep history with the organization, having served as president of the AFS Arkansas Chapter, the Southern Division, and the Fish Culture Section. In his new role on the Executive Committee, he aims to enhance member engagement and continue training the next generation of biologists. By bringing students to national meetings, he ensures they connect with experts from state, federal, and private sectors to address modern ecological challenges.