The energy transition in the fisheries sector is not just about reducing emissions and fighting climate change—it's about ensuring the sector remains competitive on the global stage and stays resilient in the long-term.

The sector’s reliance on fossil fuels threatens the viability of the industry, making the shift to low-impact, low-carbon practices essential for both economic and environmental sustainability. By accelerating this transition, the EU can enhance the global competitiveness of its fisheries sector while also ensuring a fair social transition for fishers and communities. 

Organised by ClientEarth, Oceana and Seas at Risk, this event is part of the larger Ocean Week in Brussels—a critical moment for advancing ocean sustainability in EU policy discussions.

Speakers will include MEP Caroline Roose, scientific experts Didier Gascuel, and Frederieke Ziegler, who will share their insights on sustainable fishing and the sector's transition. 

Read more here on the Ocean Week website

Register/RSVP here

Seafood New Zealand and Aquaculture New Zealand have been collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to address concerns that New Zealand's seafood exporters might not be fully utilizing the tariff reductions or eliminations available under various free trade agreements (FTAs).

In a recent press release, Seafood New Zealand stated:

"We have conducted a thorough review of trade data and are pleased to report that any issues in this area are relatively minor. In fact, it appears that the majority of our seafood exports are successfully entering their markets with the benefits provided by FTAs."

There are a few exceptions in certain specialized product lines (such as extracts and powders) and niche markets where preferential tariff treatment has not always been claimed. Seafood New Zealand and Aquaculture New Zealand are now ensuring that relevant exporters have the necessary information to enable their importers to fully utilize the available preferential tariff treatments.

It is important to note that it is the importer, not the exporter, who claims these benefits. However, New Zealand exporters may be able to negotiate better prices with their importing agents by leveraging the tariff-free status that the FTAs provide.

The Norges Sildesalgslag Association set a record on Monday with a daily turnover of NOK 333.3 million (U$D 30,8M), mainly driven by mackerel fishing in the NØS.

On Monday 9 September, a new turnover record was set at Sildelaget, with NOK 333.3 million turnover in one day. Mainly driven by mackerel fishing in the Norwegian economic zone. 

It is also important to note that it is very positive that the fishing takes place in the Norwegian economic zone.

Photo: Eivind Sævik/EMSPhoto

The forecasts for mackerel fishing thus look promising, with 121,000 tonnes already fished out of this year's quota of 237,907 tonnes. This is significantly more than at the same time last year, when only 61,000 tonnes of mackerel had been fished as of 10 September, of which 59,000 tonnes in the NØS. The fishing in NØS in 2024 as of 10 September is therefore double what it was in 2023.

There are now around 116,600 tonnes left before this year's quota is filled. In the UK zone, Norwegian vessels can fish up to 123,000 tonnes in 2024, but this fishing has not yet started. 

Norway's Norges Sildesalgslag  Association would otherwise like to praise both the fishermen and the buyers for the solid effort put in so far in the mackerel season.

Source: Norges Sildesalgslag (translated from original in Norwegian)

The autumn salmon fishing season off the coast of Hokkaido started in the northern part of the Sea of ??Japan.

Fixed net fishing began in the Wakkanai area on August 30th and 31st, but only a dozen or so salmon were caught. After that, early fishing began in Taiki, east of Erimo in the Pacific Ocean, where voluntary restrictions had been put in place to catch parent fish, on September 2nd, and in Otsu, Hidaka, Iburi, and Rumoi on the 3rd.

The Ishikari Bay Fisheries Association in the central Sea of ??Japan only set up land nets on September 2nd, catching 49 fish. This is a stark contrast to last year's first landing, when over 11 tons (more than 3,800 fish) was landed, including those from Ishikari Bay Honjo and Atsuta.

Offshore nets were set up on the 3rd and 4th, and on the 5th, two set-up boats were used to fish four lines from Ishikari Bay Honjo, catching a total of about 230 fish. The autumn salmon were small, and many other fish species, such as flounder, were also caught as by-catch. The association plans to operate while watching the situation at the beginning, aiming to pick up the pace from the end of the month when the water temperature drops.

The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca), through the Safety and Certification Sub-directorate, carried out official procedures with the Panamanian Food Agency (APA), to request the extension of 33 Chilean plants on the official list of establishments that process fishery and aquaculture products for human consumption that can export to Panama until 2026.

The negotiations between both entities began in June, corresponding to 11 plants whose license had an expiration date of July 30, which were renewed. Added to these are another 22 plants whose certification expires on September 30 and are awaiting approval by the competent health authority. To obtain the extension of the certification, compliance with the health requirements established by Sernapesca must be guaranteed and the maintenance of its authorization to export products to Panama must be requested.

According to the Service's statistics, the most exported product to that Central American market during 2024 is raw frozen Atlantic salmon, with 935 tons shipped to date, followed by canned horse mackerel, with 166 tons exported to date. The main shipping regions are Biobío, from where salmon and horse mackerel are shipped; and Valparaíso, with horse mackerel and cuttlefish.

Source: Sernapesca

The Director General of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Technological Innovation, Antonio Basanta, has travelled to Belgrade (Serbia) as part of the Spanish delegation led by the General Secretariat of Fisheries to participate in the launching of the cooperation project with the government of the Balkan country under the title: 'Greater development of national fisheries legislation'. The objective is to strengthen the management capacity of the Serbian Executive in the field of the fishing and aquaculture sector in line with the criteria and community regulations for its possible integration into the European Union.

The Director General of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Technological Innovation, Antonio Basanta, has travelled to Belgrade (Serbia) as part of the Spanish delegation led by the General Secretariat of Fisheries to participate in the launching of the cooperation project with the government of the Balkan country under the title: 'Greater development of national fisheries legislation'. The objective is to strengthen the management capacity of the Serbian Executive in the field of the fishing and aquaculture sector in line with the criteria and community regulations for its possible integration into the European Union.

The Xunta, as an administration with competences in fishing and aquaculture, participates by sharing its experience in the regulation and management of these activities, which include the processing of marine products as well as their control and traceability.

Source: galiciapress

The national government is fulfilling its commitments to sustainable development in the artisanal fishing and fish farming sector in the Ucayali region and Peru; on Sunday, September 8, in the official newspaper El Peruano, the resolution 000062-2024-FONDEPES/J was published, which approves the “Guidelines for developing Investment Projects in Aquaculture and Artisanal Fishing Landings”, signed by Katia Natali Novoa Sánchez, head of the National Fisheries Development Fund (FONDEPES).

These guidelines seek to establish a clear and regulatory framework that facilitates investment in these sectors, promoting responsible practices, so it is expected that these projects will not only boost the local economy, but also ensure the conservation of hydrobiological resources, highlighted Blgo. Pesq. Mariano Rebaza Alfaro Regional Director of Production in Ucayali.

These guidelines may include aspects such as technical requirements with standards for designing and managing projects to ensure their viability and sustainability. Likewise, financing must be oriented towards how to access funds or incentives to carry out these investments.

Source: gob.pe

Good smolt is the key to successful farming. Should it grow large on land to perform better at sea? At the conference "Fremtidens smoltproduksjon" on 16-17 In October, you are invited to a thorough review of the latest knowledge in the field.

The conference is known for being aimed at smolt production in RAS and closed facilities at sea, and is organized by Nofima and Sunndal Næringsselskap every two years.

Debate new this year

This year, the conference will be opened by Fisheries and Oceans Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss and followed by business leaders with their insight into what is required to succeed in smolt production. One of the highlights will be an exciting debate on how politics, industry and research can work together to reduce mortality at sea. Is large smolt part of the solution?

There are expectations of a large participation from all sectors of the industry, including international players, because this is a global problem with roots in Norwegian conditions.

Source: Nofima

Norway’s Conservative Party has proposed significant reforms to the country’s aquaculture tax system, with plans to lower the current 25% cash flow tax and simplify the overall framework.

This was confirmed by party deputy leader Henrik Asheim, who has overseen the development of the party’s new program. The proposed changes aim to create a more predictable, understandable, and less bureaucratic tax structure to support the industry’s growth.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Norway’s seafood export value recently hit a new record high for the month of August; though, once again, currency effects were a big part of the value increase.

According to data shared by the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), Norway exported seafood worth NOK 14.6 billion (USD 1.34 billion, EUR 1.22 billion) in August 2024, up NOK 724 million (USD 66.8 million, EUR 60.5 million), or 5 percent, from the same month of 2023. That value means it was the best August ever for Norway’s seafood exports, NSC CEO Christian Chramer said.

Author: Chris Chase / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here