Ecuador strengthens its presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market by presenting its high-quality shrimp at the 30th edition of Gulfood, one of the most important food and beverage fairs in the world, held from February 17 to 21 at the World Trade Center in Dubai.

Under the brand "Ecuador First Class Shrimp", the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) leads Ecuadorian participation in this event, which brings together more than 5,500 exhibitors from 129 countries.

Exclusive Pavilion and Industry Representation

In a milestone for Ecuadorian aquaculture, Ecuador has for the first time an exclusive shrimp pavilion at Gulfood 2025, located in the "World Food" zone. The companies Aquagold and Expalsa are responsible for representing the sector in this 48 m² space.

UAE Market: Opportunities and Challenges

The UAE market represents a strategic opportunity for Ecuador, given the high per capita consumption of fish and seafood (33 kg/year), almost double the world average. However, competition is intense, with India, Pakistan and Vietnam dominating the supply of shrimp in the region.

Competitive Advantages of Ecuadorian Shrimp

Participation in Gulfood aims to highlight the competitive advantages of Ecuadorian shrimp: flavor, texture, size and high nutritional value. In addition, the commitment of the sector to sustainable practices is emphasized, guaranteeing responsible production that protects marine and coastal ecosystems.

In a first for Chile, the Instituto de Fomento Pesquero (IFOP) has deployed two scientific vessels to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the anchovy stock. The Abate Molina and Dra. Barbieri departed from the Port of Valparaíso on February 15th for a 27-day hydroacoustic prospecting cruise.

Their mission: to survey the waters off the Atacama and Coquimbo regions and evaluate the current state of the anchovy resource.

A 43-member team of IFOP professionals and technicians, including researchers, biological samplers, scientific observers (acoustic and electronic), equipment operators, crew, pilots, captains (Takashi Abe on the Abate Molina and Jorge Acevedo on the Dra. Barbieri), and support staff will be responsible for data collection. The scientific cruise is led by fishing engineer Francisco Leiva.

IFOP senior researcher Jorge Castillo emphasized the significance of utilizing both vessels: “This cruise will test the capabilities of the Dra. Barbieri for acoustic prospecting in coastal areas, where a significant portion of the anchovy population resides. This allows the Dra. Barbieri to assume the role previously filled by rented and IFOP-equipped artisanal purse seiners.”

Leading the World with Quality, Sustainability, and Innovation. Ecuador First Class Shrimp are proud to represent the excellence of Ecuadorian shrimp on a global scale. As the world’s leading shrimp exporter, delivering premium, sustainably farmed shrimp to over 60 countries, showcasing Ecuador’s dedication to quality, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

Ecuador First Class Shrimp embodies the spirit of Ecuador resilient, innovative, and committed to excellence. They share the best of the nation’s resources while preserving the environment and uplifting communities. With over six decades of industry leadership they have transformed Ecuadorian shrimp into a global benchmark for quality and sustainability.

Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

Salmon farmer Mowi Scotland has bought Sanda Island off the southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula. The company plans to establish a salmon farm in a high-energy location off the east coast of Sanda and aims to reinvigorate the currently uninhabited island and develop its potential as a tourism destination.

Mowi said the fish farm, which would use 200-metre-circumference pens, will create 14 new jobs in two shifts of seven people, including apprentice positions. It hopes a further 10 jobs will be created through the establishment of a sustainable tourism industry on the island.

Author: Gareth Moore / fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here

UK retailer Waitrose has committed to introducing humane slaughter methods for all of its farmed prawns by the end of this year

The supermarket business, which is part of the John Lewis group, said the move reflected the importance of animal welfare to Waitrose’s values.

Farmed shrimp are typically killed by immersion in ice slurry. Animal rights organisations have long argued that this can be a cruel slaughter method, with many of the shrimp dying from suffocation.

Author: Robert Outram / Fish Farmer l Read the full article here

According to the North Ocean Development Association of the Hokkaido Shipbuilding Federation, Russian scientific research institutes have projected a total Pacific salmon and trout catch of 311,000 tons for the current season. This includes:

• 189,000 tons of pink salmon,

• 82,000 tons of chum salmon, and

• Over 31,200 tons of sockeye salmon.

By region, the catch is expected to be distributed as follows:

• Kamchatka Krai: 199,250 tons,

• Sakhalin Krai: 61,920 tons, and

• Khabarovsk Krai: 36,380 tons.

This forecast comes after a challenging year in 2023, when the actual catch reached only 235,500 tons—27% below the recommended catch of 320,000 tons and marking the lowest catch in 20 years. Russian scientific research institutes caution that record-breaking catches are unlikely for the next five to seven years, signaling a period of recovery and adjustment for the fishery.

The shrimp season at the port of Rawson, in the province of Chubut, continues its course with a significant volume of landings.

At the close of January, more than 27,000 tons were recorded, bringing the cumulative total since November to nearly 80,000 tons. Specifically, 25,000 tons were recorded since November, December added another 22,000, and January was the strongest month with 27,483 tons. In addition, as of February 4th, landings totaled another 2,336 tons, bringing the season total to 77,756 tons.

However, the commercial outlook presents considerable challenges, as international markets show no signs of recovery and a substantial portion of the seafood remains stored, awaiting buyers.

Comparative and Catch Trends

While the landing numbers are robust, when compared to January 2024, a slight decline is observed, with a difference of nearly 3,000 tons less. This data suggests a variability in catches that sector professionals must consider in their strategies.