A few years ago, snow crab populations in Alaska collapsed. Hear how NOAA biologists solved the mystery of what happened to them

In October 2022, the Bering Sea snow crab season was canceled for the first time in U.S. history. Snow crab populations crashed unexpectedly and officials had no choice but to close the fishery. The next year, it happened again. 

The decline of roughly 10 billion crabs hit fishermen hard and the entire industry was impacted—from distributors, to processors, to consumers. The value of the fishery went from $227 million to $0 in just 2 years. Making it all the more confounding was that snow crabs were abundant just a few years prior. So ... what happened?

In our new episode, we'll speak with Dr. Cody Szuwalski, a research fishery biologist and stock assessment scientist at NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center. He is the lead author of a study examining the snow crab collapse. Tune in as we hear how NOAA biologists cracked the case of the mysterious Alaska snow crab collapse, what likely caused it, and why it matters.

Source: NOAA Fisheries

Fiji and Japan reaffirmed their longstanding partnership in the fisheries sector with a significant equipment donation and pledge for future collaboration.

Japan handed over three excavators, three trucks valued at $1.5 million to the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry.

Japanese Ambassador Rokuichiro Michii also announced a $10 million commitment to procure a new research vessel and ice machine for the Ministry, bolstering food security initiatives across Fiji.

Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Kalaveti Ravu emphasized the role of aquaculture in ensuring the long-term viability of the fisheries sector.

“The Ministry has always believed that aquaculture holds the key to ensuring fisheries sustainability and solidifying fisheries development which can provide sustainable and consistent income from our aquaculture commodities.”

Ravu noted the potential for the partnership to extend beyond Fiji’s borders.

“This resource will enhance the ability of aquaculture farming communities to put food on the table and mete the economic needs , furthermore this assistance will boost fisheries and forestry development activities in neighboring communities and open opportunities for further collaboration.”

Ravu says this collaborative effort between Fiji and Japan positions them to make significant strides in achieving sustainable fisheries practices and ensuring food security in the region.

Author/Source: Praneeta Prakash/fbcnews

AIPCE-CEP, EAPO, Europe^che and FEAP, representing the EU’s fisheries and aquaculture industries, announced their intent to form a strategic alliance aimed at advancing shared goals and promoting critical industry priorities on a broader stage at Seafood Expo Global (SEG) 2024 in Barcelona.

Through this new alliance, they will seek to amplify their impact by forging common ground and promoting collaborative initiatives to reach out to a wider audience.

Source: Worldfishing l Read the full article here

A recent study has investigated the unique challenges of managing the global octopus fishery.

Global octopus landings in 2020 totaled 377,818 metric tons (MT), according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). China landed 27.8 percent of this total, while countries in West Africa, including Morocco and Mauritania, accounted for 24 percent of the catch.

Other large producers of octopus include Mexico, which hauled in 9.2 percent of the worldwide total; Japan, at 8.6 percent; and South Korea at 5.1 percent.

Author: Chris Loew / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

The forecasts have been fulfilled. The 30th edition of the Seafood Expo Global, which closed its door in Barcelona after three intense days of activity, has been the largest in the history of the event. The event has managed to exceed 35,000 professional visitors, the record reached in 2023 when there were more than 34,000 attendees, according to the organization.

With 51,248 net square meters of exhibition space, the event has hosted a record number of 2,244 companies exhibiting seafood products and processing equipment, from 87 different countries and 67 national and regional pavilions.

Source: Industrias Pesqueras l Read the full article here

Russian fishermen continue to increase their total catch of fish and seafood. According to the industry monitoring system of Rosrybolovstvo (Federal Agency for Fishery), by April 16 this year, production volume amounted to 1.7 million tons, which is 2.6% more than last year.

The growth of the all-Russian catch is provided mainly by fishermen of the Far East: the figure amounted to almost 1.4 million tons (+7.5% compared to the 2023 level). Good performance in the fishery for pollock (+8%), flounder (+5%), and herring (+13.5%).

Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

Today, much is known about the benefits that, from an environmental point of view, the cultivation of bivalve mollusks and seaweed offers, which are potentially sustainable food sources. However, very little is known about the effects of these crops on fish populations. Starting from this conception, researchers from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) and the University of Exeter have teamed up to determine whether these aquaculture sites help or can hinder the abundance and diversity of fish.

To do this, the researchers carried out a study on two integrated mussel and seaweed farms in Cornwall.

Source: iPac.acucultura l Read the full article here

India was the 12th main destination for Brazilian agricultural exports last year, with shipments of US$2.9 billion

Brazil will be able to export farmed fish (aquaculture) and captured fish (extractive fishing) to India, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement. The opening of the market was confirmed by Indian authorities to the Brazilian government this Friday.

In the note, the ministry recalled that the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro (in the photo), met with the Minister of Fisheries, Livestock and Dairy of India, Kamala V Rao, in November last year. Last year, India also authorized the import of Brazilian açaí powder and açaí juice.

In the first quarter of this year, Brazil exported more than 12 thousand tons of fish to around 90 countries, with revenue of US$ 193 million, 160% more in the annual comparison. “We remain committed to expanding the presence of Brazilian agricultural products on shelves around the world. This strategy not only opens up more international opportunities for our products and demonstrates confidence in our health control system, but also strengthens the domestic economy”, said Mapa's Secretary of Commerce and International Relations, Roberto Perosa, in the note.

During the year, Brazil accumulates 30 market openings for agricultural products.

Vietnam's seafood exports in the first 3 months of 2024 reached 837 million USD, up 5% over the same period in 2022. Japan, America, Korea, China & HK, Thailand, and Russia are the 6 largest import markets for Vietnamese seafood during this period.

Author/Source: Nguyen Ha / VASEP (translated from original in Vietnamese)

By March 2024, imports of frozen boiled whelk meat were 354 tons, down 12% from 403 tons in the same period last year, and the average import unit price was at USD 11.36/kg, up 8.5% from USD 10.47/kg in 2023. 

The main exporters of its are the UK and Ireland, with 245 tons or 69.2% of the total coming from the UK and 109 tons imported from Ireland.

The total import value was USD 40.21 million, down from USD 42.2 million in 2023, and the average import unit price was formed at USD 11.36/kg, up 8.5% from USD 10.47/kg in the same period last year.

The average import unit price in the UK is USD 1.15/kg, and Irish is formed at USD 11.83/kg, and the use of frozen boiled whelk meat is divided into sales, manufacturing its own products, and re-export, but many of them are used to manufacture its own products.

Source: Union Forsea Corp.