Norway and Chile have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of strengthening dialogue and cooperation on issues related to sustainable oceans. Chile becomes the third country with which Norway has established a formal “oceanic dialogue”, and the first in Latin America.

This MoU, as underlined by the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Ine Eriksen Søreide, “is not only a sign of our close bilateral cooperation with Chile in the field of the oceans, but also shows our international commitment to developing an economy sustainable oceanic ".

Source: iPac.acuicultura | Read the full article here

Between Monday, March 1 and Friday, March 5, the 8th version of the World Ocean Summit Virtual Week is taking place, promoted by The Economist, with plenary sessions, panels and interviews that address various challenges of the six fundamental pillars in the use and care of oceans: aquaculture, tourism, energy, plastic, fishing and shipping industry.

'Blue economy', a concept that began to spread about 15 years ago and the World Bank defines it as 'the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improving ways of life and generating work while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem' 

Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here

The leaders of Gathered Foods, BlueNalu, and AquaBounty are each predicting a big year for their respective companies.

Speaking at the 2021 Global Seafood Marketing Conference, which took place virtually last month, Gathered Foods CEO Christine Tsai, BlueNalu CEO Lou Cooperhouse, and AquaBounty CEO Sylvia Wulf agreed the U.S. market is warming up to alternative proteins.

Tsai, whose company markets plant-based seafood analogs under the Good Catch brand, said consumers “are now more accepting new ways to have protein.”

Author: Cliff White / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

THE LÉ JAMES Joyce Irish Naval Service vessel has detained a Belgian registered fishing boat approximately 65 nautical miles South-East of Mizen Head.

This afternoon LÉ JAMES JOYCE #P62 detained a Belgian registered Fishing Vessel approx 65 miles South-East of Mizen Head. The detention was in relation to alleged breaches of fishing regulations. This is the first vessel detained by @naval_service in 2021 ???????? pic.twitter.com/gzfXHmFXKe

— Irish Naval Service (@naval_service) February 28, 2021

The boat was detained yesterday afternoon due to alleged breaches of fishing regulations. The LÉ James Joyce escorted the vessel to Castletownbere, Co Cork, where it was handed over to the gardaí.

This is the first vessel detained by the Naval Service in 2021. The Defence Forces conducts at sea fishery inspections in line with the service level agreement with the Sea Fishery Protection Authority, as part of its delivery of government services to the state.

Grieg-backed project also signs final land purchase agreement with Daiwa House Industry.

Proximar Seafood writes that the construction contract and a final land purchase agreement with Daiwa House Industry have been signed. The construction preparations are set to start by the end of the 1st quarter of this year.

The signing of the contracts are “important milestones for the company in starting construction of the first large-scale RAS facility for Atlantic salmon in Japan,” said Proximar CEO Joachim Nielsen.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

French fishermen have hit back at NGOs, providing figures to counter claims put forward by environmental groups concerning accidental cetacean catches, and dismissing some claims as being no more believable than fairy tales.

France’s National Fisheries Committee (CNPMEM) has issued a statement listing some of the misconceptions being peddled by NGOs and accusing those behind the campaign concerned with dolphin catches of making efforts to denigrate the significant efforts made by the industry, and to demonise an entire profession.

Author: Quentin Bates / FiskerForum | Read the full article here

In the context of a pandemic that has put the EU's food system on edge, the European Commission has launched a public consultation process on the future plan to ensure food supply and security in times of crisis. This consultation is intended to gather feedback on the form, nature and scope of the plan.

Brussels invites stakeholders involved in the food supply chain, such as producers, processors, distributors or transport operators, as well as consumers, civil society and national authorities, to offer their views on this issue. The consultation, now open, will remain active for 9 weeks until May 3.

Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here

Only six of the 30 African countries with sea cucumber resources have reported total catch their export totals over the past decade, despite an escalating trend of underreporting and illegal trade of it and other high-value marine species in the region.

According to a report by TRAFFIC, an international non-governmental organization that campaigns against illegal trade in wild animals and plants, the current illegal trade in high-value marine products between Africa and Asia –  especially of species like seahorse, sea cucumber, and fish maw – is flourishing. That illegal trade is decimating the species’ populations and denying several coastal communities means to a livelihood, the report found.

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

A group led by Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) chief executive Tavish Scott has begun work to identify measures that can ease seafood export problems cause by Brexit.

Scott was appointed to lead the group at the second meeting of the Scottish Seafood Exports Task Force on Friday. The task force, which brings together UK and Scottish government ministers and officials and key Scottish seafood industry figures, was formed after repeated requests from the SSPO.

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

Aucxis believes its cloud-based digital trading platform can help relieve the UK fishing industry of the significant burden of additional export paperwork now needed following Brexit.

KOSMOS eases the processing of supply, organises the sale within fish auctions and digitises the detailed administration and reporting requested by auction customers, suppliers, buyers, fish and sea products exporters, local authorities and producer organisations.

Source: Worldfishing | Read the full article here