JUNEAU, Alaska – The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) is pleased to announce it has secured over $4.5 million in federal Market Access Program (MAP) funding to increase its international marketing efforts.

MAP funds are provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to share the costs of overseas marketing and promotional activities that help build commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products and commodities, and they require a monetary match from the participating organization.

These funds, like most other federal grants received by ASMI, must be used for international purposes, and are extremely welcome as the Alaska seafood industry emerges from the current global market collapse that has put incredible financial pressure on Alaska communities, fishermen, fishing families, processors, and seafood businesses.

“The timing of the new federal funds is well-aligned with the Alaska seafood industry’s needs to combat numerous global economic pressures", said ASMI International Marketing Director Nicole Alba.

When combined with other federal funds received for marketing Alaska seafood internationally, these additional federal funds bring the total received by ASMI in the current fiscal year to over $17.5 million. In the past 5 years, ASMI has been awarded over $40 million in federal funds to market Alaska seafood internationally.

Jakarta. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is partnering with Indonesia’s Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry to train Indonesian workers for employment in Japan’s fishery industry.

Under this program, trained workers will gain hands-on experience in Japan and are expected to share their knowledge and skills with their compatriots upon returning, contributing to the development of Indonesia’s fishery sector.

According to Japan’s immigration office, the country’s fishery sector employed 3,488 foreign workers as of 2024, with Indonesians making up the majority at 2,888. Japan has been facing a significant decline in its fishery workforce, dropping from approximately 238,000 workers in 2003 to 123,000 in 2022.

To address this shortage, the Japanese government has been seeking to recruit 17,000 trained workers for the fishery sector since last year. Indonesian nationals currently represent the largest group of foreign workers employed on Japanese fishing vessels.

The partnership between JICA and the Indonesian ministry will span three years, following the signing of an agreement on Wednesday by JICA Senior Representative Kenji Okamura and the ministry’s Secretary-General, Rudy Heriyanto Adi Nugroho.

According to a statement from JICA, the collaboration aims to strengthen the fishery sectors of both countries through training programs conducted at the ministry’s educational and vocational institutes across Indonesia.

Sworn in on March 14, 2025, in Ottawa as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet, Thompson is the Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, Newfoundland and Labrador. She previously served as Minister of Seniors since December 2024.

Thompson succeeds Diane Lebouthillier, whose tenure was marked by the announcement of a five-year transitional plan to phase out net-pen salmon farming on British Columbia's coast. This decision faced significant opposition from the aquaculture industry.

Gerry Byrne, Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Fisheries, expressed his anticipation for collaboration with Thompson on sector-related issues and opportunities. As reported by The Telegram, Byrne emphasized the need for enhanced intergovernmental cooperation, including joint management that respects the principle of adjacency in fisheries management.

Thompson's term may be brief, as a federal election is scheduled before the year's end

The Norwegian Råfisklag's Skrei Patrol continues its rigorous efforts to uphold the premium standards of the Skrei quality brand.

With the Skrei season nearing its end, the Skrei Patrol, in collaboration with the Norwegian Seafood Council, has conducted extensive inspections both domestically and internationally. These inspections, vital for ensuring the brand's exclusivity, have taken place in key markets, including Madrid and Oslo.

This season, nearly 300 boxes of Skrei products, encompassing both whole fish and fillets, have undergone thorough scrutiny. The feedback received consistently underscores the exceptional quality of the Skrei.

Skrei, renowned for its superior meat quality, is caught during its annual migration from the Barents Sea to the Norwegian coast between January 1 and April 30. This natural journey imparts unique characteristics to the fish, resulting in firm, elastic flesh. The Skrei brand, protected by trademark, guarantees cod of the highest caliber.

Inspections in Madrid and at Spanish transshipment terminals have confirmed that Skrei maintains its freshness and quality throughout its journey, even after several days of transport. Inspectors have consistently praised the fish's excellent condition and its popularity among wholesalers and consumers.

The Skrei Patrol's diligent efforts are instrumental in safeguarding the Skrei brand's reputation for excellence, ensuring that consumers in major markets receive a product that consistently meets the highest standards.

Limited credit, regulatory ambiguity, and unclear policies are impeding the growth of aquaculture in Amazonas.

Amazonas' fish farming sector is experiencing significant challenges. Despite being Brazil's largest market for farmed tambaqui and supporting production in Rondônia and Roraima, the state witnessed a 25.36% production decrease in 2024 compared to 2023. Industry stakeholders attribute this decline to insufficient credit availability, environmental regulatory uncertainty, and the lack of clear, consistent policies, all of which deter new investments and hinder growth.

According to data from Peixe BR, Amazonas' aquaculture production fell from 20,500 tons in 2023 to 15,300 tons in 2024, falling short of projected figures. The state's focus on native fish species, primarily tambaqui, as opposed to tilapia, which is widely farmed elsewhere, further exacerbates its competitive challenges.

Local producers express concerns over their diminished competitiveness compared to states that have addressed structural and regulatory obstacles. In Amazonas, these issues persist without adequate intervention from government agencies, research institutions, and universities.

The state's aquaculture infrastructure comprises 1,770 hectares of ponds, divided into 7,822 ponds and only 120 cages, according to Bussola.farm data. The limited use of cage systems underscores the urgent need for modernization and expansion to enhance productivity.

Måsøval secures lease for educational aquaculture licence.

Norwegian salmon farmer Måsøval has been selected to lease and operate an educational licence in Møre og Romsdal, following a tender process conducted by Møre og Romsdal County Council (MRFK).

MRFK has applied to the Directorate of Fisheries for an extension of the educational licence, which supports aquaculture training at Hustadvika high school. Måsøval, which has longstanding operations in the county, will manage the licence for a 10-year period, during which it will increase its maximum biomass (MTB) basis by 780 tonnes. 

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

A Chinese bank has promised to lend CNY 20 billion (USD 2.8 billion, EUR 2.6 billion) in the near term to the distant-water fishing industry in the southeastern province of Fujian. 

Fuzhou-based Haixia Bank has signed a strategic framework agreement with the provincial Ocean and Fisheries Bureau, pledging to lend CNY 100 billion (USD 14 billion, EUR 13 billion) in the province's marine-related fields over the next five years, with CNY 20 billion (USD 2.8 billion, EUR 2.6 billion) of that earmarked as credit for local distant-water fishing firms.

Author: Mark Godfrey / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

Skretting Japan is driving positive change upstream and downstream in the farmed seafood value chain.

Aquaculture Stewardship Council proudly announces that Skretting Japan’s Imari Plant is the country’s first ASC certified feed mill—a game-changing moment for Japan’s seafood farming sector. This milestone boosts transparency in feed supply chains and propels the industry toward more traceable, environmentally and socially responsible seafood.

Located in Saga Prefecture, Kyushu, Skretting’s Imari Plant produces feed for species including freshwater trout, salmon, seabass, seabream, meagre, seriola, cobia, and tropical marine finfish.

Source: Fish Focue l Read the full article here