IN BRIEF - North Sea Herring Season Kicks Off with Strong Catches
UNITED KINGDOM
Thursday, August 14, 2025
The Scottish North Sea herring fishery is well underway, with the fleet of around 15 boats now active and the rest set to join soon. Fishing began slowly east of Shetland and Fair Isle but has since gained momentum, with catches yielding high-quality fish weighing over 200 grams, perfect for the fillet market.
According to Robert Duthie, chairman of the Scottish Pelagic Processors’ Association (SPPA), the initial catches have been "excellent quality," setting a positive tone for the weeks ahead.
The upcoming roe fishery is expected to take place later in September in traditional spawning grounds. This year's catch will continue to support the important export market, particularly in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states, where herring is a culinary staple.
Notably, the North Sea herring fishery is the only one of its kind in the north-east Atlantic to be independently certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for its sustainable and responsible fishing practices—a certification it has proudly held since 2008.
The update of the "Snapshot of the Large-Scale Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fishing Fleets" report by the International Fish Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) reveals that, as of June 2025, the number of large-scale tuna purse seine vessels operating in all the world's oceans has increased; however, global capacity remains stable. Specifically, 675 large-scale purse seine vessels (LSPS) are currently operating, representing a 3.8% increase over the previous year. However, the total fish hold volume (FHV) barely exceeds 864,000 m³, with an increase of less than 0.2% in global fishing capacity.
The report confirms that in the last year, 47 LSPS vessels built after 2012 were added to the RFO authorized lists, 11 of which were built in 2024 and 2025.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
If technology holds its own, starting August 15th, the digital era begins for procedures as common as they are essential for fishing, recreational, and maritime transport vessels: the clearance and registration of crew members. The transition from paper to computerized means begins, but only for procedures carried out starting today. Those valid beyond today will not need to be digitized until they expire.
Ana Núñez, Director General of the Merchant Marine, explained a few days ago that the computerized procedure will impact fishing, recreational boating, and maritime transport
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Australian government maintains approval for salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.
The Albanese government has reaffirmed a 2012 decision allowing salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania, despite objections from environmental groups citing risks to the endangered Maugean skate.
Environment minister Murray Watt confirmed the decision in letters to three organisations, including the Bob Brown Foundation and the Australia Institute, following the passage earlier this year of amendments to Australia’s environmental laws designed to protect the salmon industry.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
Migdale Transport, a leader in live fish transport for the aquaculture industry, has announced the addition of its new state-of-the-art vessel, the Quinag, to its growing fleet.
Named after a prominent mountain in NW Sutherland, the Quinag joins its sister ships, the Migdale and Marsali, as part of a significant investment in fish welfare and sustainable transport solutions.
The new vessel, along with Migdale’s fleet of trucks, is equipped with advanced quality monitoring and handling systems. These systems reinforce the company’s commitment to high welfare standards for smolt movements, site transfers, and treatments. Servicing fish farms across the UK and Ireland, the company continues to support the growing global demand for Scottish salmon and trout.
"This new vessel represents a major step forward for our business and our customers," said Managing Director Hugh Murray."This development reflects industry demand, creates 12 new posts, and supports the long-term future for the company."
Built on over 30 years of expertise, Migdale Transport continues to lead the way in sustainable aquaculture logistics, integrating advanced technology with experienced handling for the highest standards in live fish transport.
To boost exports, the Foreign Trade Board (Mesa Comex) was reactivated in Puerto Montt. This public-private initiative, coordinated by ProChile, aims to improve the competitiveness of products from the Los Lagos Region.
The meeting, which brought together some 30 representatives from key sectors such as aquaculture and agriculture, established its new board, which will be chaired by Rodrigo Carrasco of AmiChile.
Ricardo Arriagada, ProChile's regional director for Los Lagos, emphasized the importance of this forum for identifying and solving the challenges faced by exporting companies. Ricardo Mayer from the Undersecretariat for International Economic Relations (SUBREI) highlighted that foreign trade is twice as relevant for this region as the national average, as two-thirds of what is produced is exported.
The Mesa Comex will focus on diversification and added value, working together to strengthen public-private collaboration and consolidate the Los Lagos Region as a leading exporter.
President Donald Trump's administration has flatly rejected the draft regulatory framework promoted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to help global shipping achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
In a statement issued on August 12, the US government described the initiative, preliminarily agreed upon by IMO members last April, as "imposing a global carbon tax on Americans." Washington has urged countries that supported the text to reconsider their support and warned that it could implement retaliatory measures if the framework is approved in the vote scheduled for October.
Bluefront-owned Seaqloud, which delivers software and sensor technology to the seafood industry, acquires Norwegian company Sematek and strengthens its offering within sensors for the fish farming and maritime industries.
The acquisition of Sematek – Senter for materialteknologi AS – is Seaqloud’s third in two years. First was the software company Naviaq, followed by Meox’s “Guardian” environmental monitoring products and software.Seaqloud offers sensors and software that provide an overview of the fish’s environmental conditions, both above and below the surface.
Vietnam’s pangasius sector has adapted well so far amid the trade disruptions thrown at it this year, with leading exporters posting high profits on the back of early export pushes and aggressive cost-cutting during the second quarter of 2025.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), pangasius exports in the first half of the year overall were worth just over USD 1 billion (EUR 878.5 million), marking an 11 percent year-over-year increase as exporters rushed shipments to the U.S. ahead of higher reciprocal tariffs. The positive trend extended into July, bringing total sales for the first seven months of 2025 to USD 1.2 billion (EUR 1 billion), an 11.1 percent increase year over year.
Author: Toan Dao / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
Police and the Navy in Chile have arrested 17 people in an operation aimed at dismantling a criminal organisation dedicated to stealing salmon from farms in the Chiloé area, Fish Farming Expert's Chilean sister site, Salmonexpert.cl, reports.
The operation, named “Marejada”, was the result of two months of investigation and also resulted in the seizure of two vehicles, a crane truck, a small vessel, and an undetermined amount of salmonid species.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
Norway Pelagic Fishing Update Week 32 Norway
Challenging Weather Affects Fishing Week in the North Sea: Foreign Vessels Dominate Herring Catches
Poor weather in the North Sea has challenged fishing activity over the past week, impacting ...
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UNITED KINGDOM
WORLDWIDE
The update of the "Snapshot of the Large-Scale Tropical Tuna Purse Seine Fishing Fleets" report by the 
SPAIN
If technology holds its own, starting August 15th, the digital era begins for procedures as common as they are essential for fishing, recreational, and maritime transport vessels: the clearance and registration of crew members. The transition from paper to computerized means begins, but only for procedures carried out starting today. Those valid beyond today will not need to be digitized until they expire.
AUSTRALIA
The Albanese government has reaffirmed a 2012 decision allowing salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania, despite objections from environmental groups citing risks to the endangered Maugean skate.
New figures show that salmon exports from Scotland rose by 33% to £941m in the rolling 12 months to the end of June.
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UNITED STATES
President Donald Trump's administration has flatly rejected the draft regulatory framework promoted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to help global shipping achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
NORWAY
Bluefront-
VIET NAM
Vietnam’s pangasius sector has adapted well so far amid the trade disruptions thrown at it this year, with leading exporters posting high profits on the back of early export pushes and aggressive cost-cutting during the second quarter of 2025.
Police and the Navy in Chile have arrested 17 people in an operation aimed at dismantling a criminal organisation dedicated to stealing salmon from farms in the Chiloé area, Fish Farming Expert's Chilean sister site, Salmonexpert.cl, reports.
