IN BRIEF - Japan to Provide Fisheries Research Vessels to 4 Pacific Island Nations
JAPAN
Monday, July 15, 2024
The government plans to provide one fisheries research vessel free of charge to each of the four Pacific island nations of Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, it has been learned.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will formally announce the plan during the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, a summit-level meeting that Japan will host in Tokyo from Tuesday through Thursday.
The aim of the plan is to help the four island nations carry out surveys on fisheries resources and the marine environment on their own in order to dispel concerns over the discharge of treated water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.
In addition, Japan plans to provide a patrol boat free of charge to the South Pacific island nation of Nauru to assist the country in cracking down on illegal fishing. Drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other crimes at sea are also reportedly rampant in Nauru’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Through the provision of a patrol boat, Japan intends to help Nauru boost surveillance and maritime law enforcement capabilities at sea.
The wholesale distribution prices of frozen pollock in South Korea exhibited varied trends by size during the 4th week of March 2025. Prices for sizes 6 and 7 declined, while sizes 8 and 9 increased.
As of February 2025, South Korea imported 24,373 tons of frozen pollock, a 4% decrease compared to the 25,500 tons imported in February 2024. However, the total import value reached $25.484 million USD, a 1% increase from $25.247 million USD in 2024.
The average import price of frozen pollock as of February 2025 was $1.05 USD/kg, a 6% increase from $0.99 USD/kg in 2024. By country, the import prices were:
Russia: $1.04 USD/kg
United States: $1.44 USD/kg
In terms of import share, Russia accounted for 99.52%, while the United States contributed 0.48% of the total imports.
Click on the images to enlarge them
Wholesale Prices by Size
Size 7: Approximately 38,000 KRW (approximately $28.15 USD)
Size 8: Approximately 35,500 KRW (approximately $26.30 USD)
The price of the representative Size 8 pollock in March 2025 showed:
A 7.6% increase from 33,000 KRW (approximately $24.45 USD) in February 2025.
A 1.4% decrease from 36,000 KRW (approximately $26.65 USD) in January 2025.
Market conditions indicate fluctuations in frozen pollock prices depending on size, with some sizes experiencing price declines while others are on the rise.
Neo-Kortex Group LLC has received yet another warning from Rosselkhoznadzor for the mislabeling of black caviar.
The company, located in Rzhev, Tver region, is packaging Chinese black caviar in its "Caspian Gold" branded jars and distributing the product as its own to supermarkets, online retailers, and restaurants.
Rosselkhoznadzor inspectors discovered that over 40 kg of black caviar from the Chinese manufacturer Quzhou Xunlong Aquatic Food Sci-tech Development Co. was delivered to Neo-Kortex Group's production facility. This caviar was then repackaged into consumer containers bearing the "Caspian Gold" trademark in various sizes (50g, 100g, 125g, 250g).
While production documents correctly identify the Chinese caviar as the raw material, Neo-Kortex Group is listed as the manufacturer of the final product.
This Rzhev-based enterprise has a history of misrepresenting Chinese black caviar as a premium Russian delicacy. The Rzhev Fish Breeding Complex, affiliated with Neo-Kortex Group, has repeatedly drawn scrutiny from law enforcement and regulatory bodies for this practice.
Notable incidents include the seizure of over 900 kg of counterfeit black caviar in late 2018. More recently, between 2023 and 2024, Neo-Kortex Group LLC received eight warnings from supervisory authorities for falsifying information regarding the sturgeon caviar producer in official documentation
As of February 2025, South Korea's total imported volume of frozen mackerel reached 20,057 tons, a 52.5% increase compared to the 13,149 tons imported in February 2024.
The domestic wholesale price remains stable, with the following approximate price levels:
The average import price of frozen mackerel up to February 2025 was $2.69 USD per kg.
Among the total imports, Norwegian mackerel accounted for 91% (18,614 tons), with an average import price of $2.74 USD per kg. Chinese mackerel represented 5.3% (1,050 tons) at $2.00 USD per kg, and 375 tons were imported from the UK.
As of the 4th week of March 2025, the wholesale price of Norwegian frozen mackerel is:
300/500g size: 99,000 KRW (approximately $73 USD), down 0.5% from 99,500 KRW (approximately $73.40 USD) in February 2025.
400/600g size: 101,000 KRW (approximately $74.50 USD), up 1.51% from 99,500 KRW (approximately $73.40 USD) in February 2025.
Moving forward, Norwegian mackerel prices are expected to remain around 100,000 KRW (approximately $73.80 USD) per box.
The Chillidque Center of Ventisqueros has been awarded first place in the Performance Per Period (RPL) category in the Salmonfood awards given to the best-performing farms. This recognition highlights the implementation of cutting-edge technology in salmon feeding, as well as improved connectivity and remote operation in isolated areas. This is the second consecutive year that the company has achieved recognition for production performance.
Since 2021, Ventisqueros, a Schörghuber Group company, has integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its processes to monitor and optimize feed delivery, reducing losses and improving planning through image and data analysis.
When addressing maritime security, the various factors that comprise it must be taken into account. The United Nations considers maritime security to encompass acts of terrorism, piracy, arms or human trafficking, maritime pollution, unreported and unregulated illegal fishing, maritime accidents, and territorial disputes between states. Furthermore, it calls into question the observance of human rights on the high seas. There are conventions and agreements that govern these rights, but they do not actually guarantee their respect.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras l Read the full article here
Kontali forecasts 5% growth in global salmon supply for 2025.
Norwegian analytical firm Kontali projects a 5% increase in global Atlantic salmon harvest volumes in 2025, driven by higher biomass, strong production, and lower losses in the first quarter. The estimate is based on three- to five-year averaged productivity parameters, which serve as a benchmark for the most likely outcome.
While company guidance suggests potential growth of nearly 11%, past forecasts have often been overly optimistic. Industry commentators predict growth as low as 2.5% to 3%, highlighting uncertainty in actual harvest volumes.
Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here
Home-built machine impresses in two-month trial in Loch Fyne
A fish farm net cleaning pump designed and manufactured by Aberdeenshire-based engineering specialist Brimmond has successfully completed its second field trial in Scotland.
The NetJet pump was deployed to Loch Fyne in late 2024 by global aquaculture supplier AKVA for a 60-day trial, to test out some product improvements following an earlier project on a fish farm near Mull.
Brimmond, based at Kintore, northwest of Aberdeen, said in a press release that feedback from clients during the latest trial was extremely positive
Source: fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here
The high quality Norwegian salmon brand SALMA has been sold to the seafood group Insula, it was announced yesterday.
Launched in 2016, the SALMA brand was suspended by its owner Bremnes Seashore towards the end of last year because it had been running at a loss. It had become a particular favourite with sushi lovers.
Bremnes Seashore CEO Linda Litlekalsøy Aase said at the time it had been a difficult but necessary decision.
Now, what has been described as Norway’s best known quality brand, has gone to Insula, who will be responsible for distribution and further development. The brand is likely to become available in Norway again, probably later in the year.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer l Read the full article here
Nichirei Corporation is honored to announce it has received the Excellence Award at the NIKKEI Integrated Report Awards 2024, presented by Nikkei Inc.
Nikkei Inc. hosts the annual NIKKEI Integrated Report Awards to promote the advancement and dissemination of integrated reporting (*). Since 2018, Nichirei has utilized its integrated report as a key communication tool for stakeholders, particularly investors.
The report aims to articulate Nichirei’s vision and sustainability efforts by systematically presenting financial and non-financial information alongside its business strategies. The award specifically acknowledged the report's clear articulation of ROIC-conscious management and the demonstration of how non-financial initiatives contribute to financial value drivers and overall corporate value enhancement.
Nichirei remains committed to enhancing its integrated report, providing valuable financial and non-financial information, and fostering dialogue with stakeholders to drive corporate value.
*Note: The awards were known as the "Nikkei Annual Report Awards" from 1998 to 2020 and were renamed in 2021.
The total fishmeal production from IFFO’s members* in January increased by approximately 75 percent compared to the same month in 2024.
According to the organisation’s latest report, this increase was primarily influenced by a 300 percent increase in the Peruvian output, while Chile, the USA, Spain and the African countries also reported positive trends.
As for fish oil, total output in January 2025 was 71 percent up year over year, again mainly driven by Peru. The other regions also reported an increased fish oil production compared to January 2024, with the exception of the North European countries.
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RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Rosselkhoznadzor inspectors discovered that over 40 kg of black caviar from the Chinese manufacturer Quzhou Xunlong Aquatic Food Sci-tech Development Co. was delivered to Neo-Kortex Group's production facility. This caviar was then repackaged into consumer containers bearing the "Caspian Gold" trademark in various sizes (50g, 100g, 125g, 250g).
CHILE
The Chillidque Center of 
WORLDWIDE
When addressing maritime security, the various factors that comprise it must be taken into account. The United Nations considers maritime security to encompass acts of terrorism, piracy, arms or human trafficking, maritime pollution, unreported and unregulated illegal fishing, maritime accidents, and territorial disputes between states. Furthermore, it calls into question the observance of human rights on the high seas. There are conventions and agreements that govern these rights, but they do not actually guarantee their respect.
NORWAY
Kontali
UNITED KINGDOM
A fish farm net cleaning pump designed and manufactured by Aberdeenshire-based engineering specialist Brimmond has successfully completed its second field trial in Scotland.
Launched in 2016, the SALMA brand was suspended by its owner Bremnes Seashore towards the end of last year because it had been running at a loss. It had become a particular favourite with sushi lovers.
Nikkei Inc. hosts the annual NIKKEI Integrated Report Awards to promote the advancement and dissemination of integrated reporting (*). Since 2018, Nichirei has utilized its integrated report as a key communication tool for stakeholders, particularly investors.
The total fishmeal production from 
