The opening joins three other sub-areas, giving the fleet ample room to operate.

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As of today, August 13, Sub-area No. 4, located within the Permanent Hake Juvenile Spawning Closure Area, has been enabled for commercial shrimp fishing. The decision was made by the National Directorate of Fishing Coordination and Oversight, based on the positive results of a survey that confirmed adequate shrimp concentrations and a low percentage of juvenile specimens (0.26%). Additionally, incidental hake bycatch remained below 0.2%.

This opening joins Sub-areas No. 8, 12, and 14, which were already operational. With four enabled fishing areas extending from the 42nd to the 46th parallel, the fleet of freezer trawlers and offshore fresh-fish vessels will have ample room to operate for catching the species Pleoticus muelleri, which could boost fishing activity in the region.

The General Court of the European Union has issued a ruling in Case T-577/22, rejecting the appeal filed by the environmental organization ClientEarth against the decision of the Council of the European Union regarding the 2022 TAC and quota agreement. The ruling has been published in the OJEU.

ClientEarth sought the annulment of the Council decision that denied its request for internal review of Regulation (EU) 2022/109, which establishes fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks in EU and non-EU waters for 2022.

Source: Fishing Industries | Read the full article here

Normex secures first major Asian contract with Mirae Aquafarm.

Norwegian technology company Normex has signed a supply agreement with Mirae Aquafarm, a land-based salmon farming facility under construction in Pohang, South Korea.

The contract covers delivery and installation of Normex’s Razone water treatment system, as well as wastewater, intake water and pre-harvest purification solutions. Once completed, the farm is expected to produce 10,000 tonnes of salmon annually.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Australian engineering company Sprintex Ltd. has secured a three-year, A$9.3 million (£4.6m) private-label agreement with Guangdong Baode Technology Co. Ltd, also known as BD Compressor, to enter the Chinese aquaculture market. 

This agreement will see Sprintex’s G15 series jet blowers distributed under BD Compressor’s branding. 

The agreement includes a minimum first-quarter order of AUS $320,000 and opens the door to significant future revenue through scalable deployment, as aquaculture farms often require hundreds of units. 

Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here

The theft of a salmon shipment in a state dominated by organized crime reveals a new criminal diversification strategy.

Early Friday morning, a trailer transporting a million-dollar cargo of salmon was stolen in Michoacán, an event that points to the growing diversification of Mexican cartels' illicit businesses, which are no longer limited to the traditional trafficking of fentanyl and cocaine.

The swift action of the San Pedro Tlaquepaque Police in Jalisco was crucial in the vehicle's recovery. The trailer was detected circulating on the Zapotlanejo-Guadalajara highway. After a brief pursuit, agents managed to intercept the vehicle at the intersection of Fuelle and Lázaro Cárdenas.

The driver, who could not prove ownership of the truck and its valuable cargo, was arrested and placed at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor's Office. According to authorities, the entire salmon shipment, as well as the vehicle and trailer, were recovered. This incident adds to a trend of robberies against transporters that suggests criminal organizations are expanding their operations to high-value goods, a phenomenon already observed with products like avocados and limes in the same region. Investigations will continue to dismantle the network behind this and similar heists.

Bidfresh, a fresh produce wholesaler, has announced the acquisition of seafood suppliers Hodgson Fish and Sailbrand. 

The move is a strategic step toward Bidfresh's goal of doubling in size within the next five years, strengthening its operations with increased scale and a broader product range.

Hodgson Fish is a fourth-generation business based in Hartlepool with a history dating back to 1916. Its subsidiary, Sailbrand, acquired in 2018, delivers fresh and frozen seafood, poultry, and deli items across northern England.

Both companies will continue to operate independently under their current management. Peter Hodgson will remain as managing director of Hodgson Fish, and Lee Roberts will continue to lead Sailbrand as business director.

According to Bidfresh MD Andy Farnworth, the acquisition aligns with the company's strategy of expanding its network through both organic growth and the acquisition of like-minded regional businesses. Peter Hodgson expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting Bidfresh's commitment to quality and service while allowing acquired businesses to maintain their unique operations.

Norwegian aquaculture firm Norcod is planning to launch a new sashimi product within the Chinese market this fall.

Norcod touts its premium Snow Cod as having a firm texture and white, even-looking meat that provides “a clean and delicate flavor,” and the announcement of the fall launch combining Snow Cod with salmon is the latest move by the firm to make inroads with premium products in China, a market which Norcod has approached with a diligent, targeted marketing strategy

Author: Mark Godfrey / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here