The Commission has adopted its proposal for the 2025 fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea. It responds to a scientific assessment that indicates several fisheries are in a dire situation.

The Commission proposed today the total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for nine out of the ten stocks managed by the EU in the Baltic Sea. The remaining quota proposal (Bothnian herring) will be submitted at a later stage.

The Commission proposes to increase fishing opportunities for central Baltic herring (+108%) and herring in the Gulf of Riga (+10%). It proposes to decrease fishing of salmon in the main basin (-36%) and in the Gulf of Finland (-20%), as well as of sprat

(-42%). Catches of plaice would remain unchanged. The Commission proposes to decrease the allocations for unavoidable by-catches of western Baltic cod (-73%), eastern Baltic cod (-68%) and western Baltic herring (-50%).

The proposed TACs are based on the best available scientific advice from the International Council on the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and follow the Baltic Sea multiannual management plan adopted in 2016 by the European Parliament and the Council.

Source: European Commission

The Civil Guard has seized 35 kilograms of illegal fishery products in a restaurant in Santa Pola (Alicante), according to the Armed Institute in a statement. These are lobster and rock octopus supposedly caught illegally that were being sold without being able to prove traceability or health guarantees for their consumption.

Thus, the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) of the Civil Guard of Alicante has initiated a file against the person responsible for the aforementioned establishment. This person faces various sanctions for violations of Law 5/2017 on maritime fishing and aquaculture, with a fine of up to 60,000 euros, and of Law 14/1986 General Health, with a fine of up to 4,000 euros.

The inspection carried out in this restaurant took place following an investigation carried out by the Seprona patrol of the Alicante Command, which is still open to locate the fishing vessel responsible for the illegal capture of the product found in the restaurant, as well as the area in which this is being carried out, the Benemérita has indicated.

After learning of a possible illegal capture and sale of fishing products in the aforementioned Alicante town and once the first inquiries had been made, on August 21 the Seprona patrol moved to that town to verify the facts.

Source: europapress

Seafood Legacy, a company promoted by Norwegian brothers Jonny and Roger Marøy, is taking the necessary steps to build the first 3,000-tonne Atlantic salmon plant in Burela, Galicia, and become a key producer of this species in the Autonomous Community.

The company, as explained by various sources in the sector, is in the final stages of obtaining the necessary permits.

The company, as it has stated on various occasions, is willing to make a considerable investment of between 30 and 40 million euros in Burela, in the province of Lugo, reflecting the long-term commitment to the project.

The plant is based on recirculating aquaculture systems, the most advanced technology at the moment for the production of Atlantic salmon. This form of intensive fish production is highly recommended for its reduced water consumption, the generation of highly qualified employment, up to 70 workers according to the project, and the strengthening of the local economy.

On the other hand, the introduction of Atlantic salmon production in Galicia will allow the diversification of fish species, which are currently highly oriented towards rainbow trout, turbot and sole.

Source: MisPeces

New approaches to land-based aquaculture include farming unusual species and implementing new sanitary regimes

As a rapidly expanding sector in the global food industry, aquaculture stands out for its diverse range of species. Diversification can improve the resilience of the global food system or facilitate the growth of aquaculture through multiple mechanisms.

With obstacles to overcome, such as technical difficulties and limited markets, cultivating species diversity is no simple task, but a team of researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Plymouth in the UK is taking on the challenge. In November 2023, they published a study in the scientific journal Nature on the potential of farming a new marine species.

Shipworms (teredinids) are bivalves that live in wood and feed on it, converting it into essential proteins and nutrients. Historically, they were considered marine pests because they would bore into any wood left in seawater, such as ships, docks and piers. However, the research team has now rebranded them as “naked clams” and they could play a role as an eco-friendly superfood.

Author/Source: Bonnie Waycott / globalseafood

Torben Hald Christensen fishes with RS 194 Stisholm for spiny lobster in the Kattegat, which he subsequently unloads at Anholt. The fisherman experiences that there is a great demand for his lobster from both tourists and locals, therefore he also has difficulty recognizing the image of his fishing that is painted in the media, on political platforms and social media.

This is written by TV2 Østjylland.

This debate is taking up a lot of space in our industry right now, but I can  guarantee that our bottom trawl does not destroy the seabed. Why should we destroy our own profession and livelihood? It makes no sense at all, and it is far-fetched, says Torben Hald Christensen to TV2 Østjylland .

The fisherman says that tools develop over time, and that you therefore cannot compare trawls from the 1980s with those used in lobster fishing today. Because modern tools have been developed to be gentler on the marine environment.

In his interview with TV2 Østjylland, Torben Hald Christensen does away with the assumption that trawlers "plow up" the seabed when they fish. Because, as he explains to the local media, the net is hardly in contact with the seabed when the fishermen fish with the gear. Because if the trawl has to be lifted over the seabed in the way that people assume the gear is used, it will destroy the gear.

Author: Louise Svane Pedersen / /fiskeritidende

The company recorded revenues of NOK 934 million in Q2 2024, up from NOK 804 million in the same quarter last year. While market prices for salmon fluctuated significantly throughout the period, Måsøval achieved an average price NOK 8 higher per kilo compared to Q2 2023.

Salmon prices were a rollercoaster this quarter, commented Helge Kvalvik, CEO of Måsøval. 

However, our strategic harvesting approach allowed us to capitalize on favorable market conditions and ultimately achieve higher prices compared to last year, he added.

Author:Ole Andreas Drønen / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

Female seaweed farmers operating in the Western Indian Ocean will have access to private-sector financing through a new project that will support them in introducing farming technology, both boosting the resilience of their enterprises against the adverse impacts of climate change and increasing production of high-quality seaweed.

At least 25,000 female seaweed farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique will have access to the financing between 2024 and 2028 under the Africa Fair Seaweed Finance Facility (AFSFF) project

Author: Shem Oirere / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

Seafish campaign invites industry to tell its positive and inspiring stories

The UK seafood industry is being encouraged to share positive and uplifting stories to support a new campaign aimed at improving the public’s perceptions of seafood and its production.

Seafish, the public body that supports the UK seafood industry to thrive, is this week launching Seafood for Life, an initiative that aims to help businesses or individuals in the sector share good news stories 

Source: FishFocus | Read the full article here

With directed fishing for mackerel banned for the second consecutive year from the north of Fisterra to the mouth of the Bidasoa, the anchovy is closed in the entire northwest. The impossibility of reaching an agreement with the Portuguese shipowners caused the distribution of quotas between both countries to fail. With only the horse mackerel open, everything seems to indicate that we will have to tie up until February. Half a year of stoppage, a disaster, only avoidable with an agreement with another country, on the campaign.

Source: EuropaAzul | Read the full article here

The Andalusian Government Council has given the green light to the decrees that modify the structures of ten of the ministries of the Andalusian Government, including those of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development; and that of Sustainability and Environment.

The decree that modifies the organic structure of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development redistributes some of its powers after having assumed, at the end of last July, those of use, management and sustainable conservation of marine resources.

Source: IndustriasPesqueras | Read the full article here