AGP Executive Report

Aquaculture Health: The University of Stirling secured £2.4 million for a four-year project with Vietnamese pangasius farmers to study antimicrobial resistance and develop practical alternatives to antibiotics. Shrimp Trade: The U.S. set a 1.76% final antidumping margin for many Thai shrimp exporters for 2024–25; Thai Royal Frozen Foods received a zero rate. Export Challenges: Indonesia’s seafood sector is still working to rebuild confidence after radioactive cesium was found in shrimp shipments, triggering recalls and import restrictions. Illegal Fishing: Florida authorities charged 10 people after an undercover investigation into the alleged sale of about 23,000 pounds of fish, shrimp and sea turtles.

Lake Trout Recovery Research: Scientists from SUNY Brockport, UVM, and Oregon State report lake trout embryos in Lake Champlain can naturally accumulate thiamine, a finding that could help tackle thiamine deficiency complex and improve Great Lakes restoration efforts. El Niño Hits Fisheries: Warming seas linked to a “super” El Niño are leaving Latin American nets half-empty, with tuna and anchovies moving offshore and some boats staying idle. Bangladesh–Maldives Fisheries & Tourism: Bangladesh’s civil aviation and tourism minister called for closer Maldives cooperation to boost sustainable fisheries and tourism, highlighted at a “Great Tuna Gala” promoting pole-and-line tuna. Shellfish Safety Crackdown: Southend authorities seized nearly 295kg of illegal shellfish, renewing calls for stronger enforcement to protect public health and the regulated fishing industry. Namibia FMD Response: Namibia reported 127 FMD cases across 15 farms and rolled out surveillance teams and roadblocks to contain spread and protect meat export markets. Scotland Salmon Pressure: A Chris Packham campaign targets M&S over farmed Scottish salmon, citing sea lice and welfare concerns. NOAA Vessel Overhaul: The NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson arrived in Ketchikan for a $95.4m modernization supporting Alaska fisheries science. Farm-to-Enterprise Push: Nagaland urged farmers to shift from subsistence to enterprise via tech, value addition, and collective marketing at Village Fair 2026. Aquaculture Resilience Theme: Coverage also flags the need for aquaculture to build resilience now amid climate and disease pressures.

Aquaculture Policy & Legal Pressure: A U.S. judge allowed a Conservation Law Foundation lawsuit to move forward against Cooke Aquaculture USA over alleged violations of Maine discharge permits and the Clean Water Act, keeping scrutiny on salmon cage impacts on state waters. Antibiotics in Salmon Farming: Tassal says it will begin individually injecting diseased fish with oxytetracycline in Tasmania, following last year’s florfenicol controversy and renewed residue-risk concerns. Fisheries Data for Better Management: Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust won a $293,000 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant to expand at-sea salmon troll data collection across 20 fisheries using the Deckhand app, with analysis shared with managers. Marine Habitat Restoration: In Clayoquot Sound, a kelp nursery is rebuilding underwater forests with Indigenous knowledge plus sea-otter-supported urchin control, already establishing thousands of square meters of new growth. Supply Chain for Seafood: BSF extended a two-year contract with cold-storage and distribution partner Lineage through June 2028, supporting inventory for cooked and raw seafood across the U.S.

Blue Food Policy: China is rolling out a new “offshore ranching” category to unify marine ranching and deep-sea aquaculture into a single program, spanning breeding through farming and distribution. Biosecurity & Research: Thermo Fisher says a PRECISE-SG100K collaboration using proteomics tools uncovered 2,500+ new gene–protein links, aimed at better disease biomarkers and targets. Fisheries Tech & Safety: Western Australia will expand shark-tagging and test AI-powered drone surveillance, adding $5m to boost aerial coverage and beach patrols. Industry & Trade: Indonesia targets an October EU submission for ratifying the I-EU CEPA, aiming to open market access for commodities and boost EU engagement. Land & Community Pressure: US communities are protesting data centers over impacts on energy costs, air/water quality, and farmland loss—an issue that’s increasingly colliding with rural agriculture. Waste & Diversion: South Africa warns landfill space is running out and pushes stronger recycling and extended producer responsibility to keep waste out of dumps.

El Niño Water Stress: DOST-Davao is urging a whole-of-society push on water management as El Niño strains supplies and threatens food production, including household conservation and moves to reduce pressure on aquifers. Seafood Industry Hiring: The At-sea Processors Association named Heidi Olson as its new vice president for fisheries policy and advocacy, adding fresh leadership for Alaska-focused policy work. Aquaculture Tech Investment: Ambienta bought four aquaculture technology firms (Norway and Faroe Islands) to build a sustainable aquaculture platform aimed at welfare, pollution control, and lower chemical use. Feed Market Expansion: Chinese feed giant Haid is expanding aggressively abroad, with new facilities across multiple countries and strong 2026 growth in aquafeed volumes. Shrimp Supply Chain Deal: Ecuador’s Omarsa acquired Nueva Pescanova’s French refrigerated shrimp business, keeping jobs and shifting the focus to frozen foods. Legal/Policy Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a Maine lobster boat tracking privacy challenge, leaving the policy in place. Global Trade & Events: Venezuela will participate in CONXEMAR in Vigo to expand European market access for marine products.

Aquaculture & Fisheries Policy: Australia launched a new bird flu campaign urging people to avoid sick or dead birds, report suspected cases, and protect poultry and pets, as H5 detections rise (no cases in poultry or agriculture reported). Aquaculture Tech & Inputs: Japan’s salmon farming industry is moving inland as wild catch plunges, while a new method using porous materials (MOFs) aims to pull toxic metals and recover rare earths from wastewater—relevant for cleaner processing and effluent management. Marine & Coastal Resources: Greenland’s slow shark bycatch is under scrutiny as fishers tangle with Greenland sharks, highlighting ongoing pressure on northern fisheries. Food System & Labor: A new report says 416 million people in the global food system earn too little, with widespread informal work and forced labor risks—an issue that also touches fishing and aquaculture supply chains. Community & Local Food: A UK case saw a fisherman fined for illegal scallop dredging, reinforcing tighter enforcement of marine protected areas.

Small-Scale Fisheries Co-Management: Ghana’s Small-Scale Fisheries Academy trained 35 fisheries stakeholders in Elmina to strengthen community leadership and shared decision-making under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025. Shrimp Hatchery Breakthrough: Indian researchers report that using simple sugar dextrose in biofloc systems can boost survival of Pacific white shrimp larvae raised in non-exchanged water, targeting a key bottleneck for hatchery seed quality. Marine Cleanup Milestone: Ohio’s Black River is moving toward removal from the U.S. EPA polluted-water list after decades of restoration, including hazardous-site cleanup and wetland and stream improvements. Aquaculture-Adjacent Policy Support: The Philippines’ DA and OWWA launched a Balik Agri-OFW program to help returning overseas workers start agribusinesses, including oyster mushroom production and other processing ventures. Community Fisheries Capacity: Wyoming’s new commercial fishing guide oversight and Snake River recreation fees are reshaping how river use is managed in Teton County.

Aquaculture & Fisheries Growth (Vietnam): Vietnam’s agriculture, forestry and fishery sector grew 4.02% in the first nine months of 2026, with fisheries up 4.99%, driven by aquaculture, higher-tech production, and expansion of intensive, super-intensive and marine farming models; brackish-water shrimp output hit 940,800 tonnes (+8.3%) and tilapia/marine farming rose 10.2%. Climate Pressure on Marine Systems (Tuvalu): Scientists say a 2024 marine heatwave killed about 99.9% of the coral supporting Tuvalu’s atolls, raising fears the archipelago could become uninhabitable by century’s end. Research & Monitoring (UK): The UK is funding an 85-metre Cefas research vessel (up to £115m) to replace the RV Cefas Endeavour by 2032, boosting long-term marine monitoring and support for sustainable fisheries. Policy & Port Facilitation (Pakistan): Pakistan’s maritime minister ordered faster work on a one-door facilitation centre in Karachi to streamline port-related services, including steps aimed at fisheries and aquaculture policy development. Salmon Farming Scrutiny (Scotland): Salmon Scotland alleges “dark money” from overseas is funding campaigns targeting Scottish salmon farms, while critics argue for transparency and public-interest scrutiny. El Niño Support for Fishers (Philippines): DA Bicol is preparing P3.3bn for farmers and fisherfolk ahead of El Niño, including crop insurance, irrigation, seeds, farm machinery, and drought-tolerant crops.

El Niño support for fishers and farmers (Philippines): The Department of Agriculture in Bicol is preparing a P3.3B package for farmers and fisherfolk as El Niño bites, including crop insurance, irrigation, seeds, farm machinery, and drought-tolerant crops, plus additional funding for fisheries agencies. Vietnam business momentum (agro-fish backdrop): Vietnam reported 149,700 new enterprises in nine months, with the agro-forestry-fishery sector adding 1,588 firms, alongside GDP growth of 9.95% in Q3 and 4.21% growth in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Marine processing investment (Spain): Galicia’s Sea minister backed modernization at Mariscos Gilmar in Vilanova de Arousa, citing EU-backed funding to upgrade facilities and production for higher-value octopus products. Squid science workshop sparks union complaints (Vigo): An international Illex shortfin squid workshop in Vigo drew protests from Argentine unions, who say Argentina wasn’t invited, even as scientists aim to update stock knowledge for the South Atlantic fishery. Stone crab season kickoff (Florida): Everglades City held its annual Blessing of the Fleet ahead of the Oct. 15 stone crab season, reinforcing community ties as the commercial fishery prepares for a costly year. Bycatch-cutting gear trial (Cornwall): A floating scarecrow and “scarybird” kite trial off Cornwall reduced seabird net entanglements by 61%, offering a practical tool for fisheries to protect diving seabirds.

Maine Water Protection: Maine’s Forest Service released a new Best Management Practices report saying properly applied timber-harvesting practices reduce pollution risks to streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands, while waterbody risk rises when BMPs are misused. Pakistan Port Facilitation: Pakistan’s maritime minister ordered faster work on a “one-door” facilitation centre for port-related businesses in Karachi, alongside plans to simplify ship and fishing-vessel registration and advance fisheries and aquaculture policy. Philippines–Taiwan Patrol Support: Taiwan donated a retired 500-tonne patrol vessel to the Philippines, commissioned into the Philippine Coast Guard as BRP Sarangani to support patrols, search and rescue, environmental protection and training. Bangladesh–Korea Trade Push: Bangladesh’s foreign affairs state minister urged South Korea to boost imports of Bangladeshi agricultural, fishery and food products, including streamlining food-safety inspections and quarantine steps. Food Safety Alarm: A new study found heavy metals and other contaminants in most tested cat foods, raising concerns about repeated exposure for pets. Aquaculture Recreation in Australia: GV Water reopened Dunyak Moira fishing ponds in Merrigum, turning former lagoons into catch-and-release sites for species including Murray cod and endangered perch.

Aquaculture & Fisheries Policy: Abu Dhabi’s Sustainable Fisheries Index hit 100% by end-2025, up from 8% in 2018, as the emirate ramps up coral and mangrove restoration and uses scientific data to guide recovery. Fishers Under Pressure: Vietnam’s fishers are cutting trips as diesel costs spike amid the Iran-linked fuel shock and contested waters; fishing activity fell about 19% year-on-year in March–April 2026, with trawlers hit hardest. Aquaculture Business & Feed Costs: Andhra Pradesh’s seafood exports rose in 2025-26, but the aquaculture sector still faces rising feed and disease risks plus weak farm margins. Training & Capacity Building: Nigeria’s IDEAS-TVET Cohort 3 kicked off in Kogi with 1,000+ beneficiaries trained via skills centers, including solar and livestock-related tracks. Environment & Habitat: Texas is deploying hundreds of tons of concrete and railroad ties to build new Gulf artificial reef habitat, part of a broader push to support marine life. Regulatory & Compliance: Chicago prosecutors asked a court to halt operations at a plant making animal feed ingredients over odor and environmental permit violations.

Food security policy: Malaysia is urging states to gazette padi-growing areas after rice self-sufficiency fell to 54.3% in 2025, with reliance on imports still high. Aquaculture & fisheries support: South Korea’s Shinan County asked for central help to stabilize its laver (seaweed) industry as fuel and electricity costs squeeze farms and processors. Supply gap pressure: Nigeria’s fish production is still below one quarter of national needs (300,000 mt), pushing prices up and keeping imports central—industry leaders want stronger support and farmer cooperatives. Trade & protein markets: Argentina’s agro-industrial exports to the EU jumped 21% after the Mercosur-EU deal, with tariff-reduced products up 44% versus the recent average. Marine infrastructure jobs: Indonesia says expanding Bali’s Pengambengan Fishing Port could create up to 25,000 jobs and boost tuna-vessel docking, cold storage and tourism links. Industry finance risk: Namibia’s Agribank faces a N$151m annual funding gap between lending and treasury support, threatening its ability to sustain agricultural finance.

Shrimp Health Boost: Phileo by Lesaffre says shrimp gut health is strongly linked to welfare and faster growth, based on a study of 110 farms and thousands of data points, pointing to more practical gut-health monitoring for yield gains. Feed Supply Pressure: With fishmeal shortages looming, insect protein backers are pushing harder, but FarmInsect’s collapse renews doubts about whether insect feed can hit the price and demand needed to scale. Catfish Protection: Alabama’s catfish sector gets federal help via Sen. Katie Britt’s Cormorant Relief Act, aiming to restore farmers’ ability to protect ponds from predatory birds that drive major losses. Fishing Costs Bite: Delaware commercial fishermen report diesel prices jumping from about $3.65 to $6.43 per gallon, forcing more selective trips and squeezing margins. Policy Update for Crab Fishers: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs Dungeness crab reforms allowing vessels to transit closed areas with crab and traps onboard, with advance notice requirements. Cold-Store Power Restored: In Ghana’s Mumford landing, Captaine Smart pays GH¢39,000 in utility arrears to restart power and restore ice production for fishers.

Conservation & Fisheries Management: Vermont’s Fish & Wildlife is closing a 20-by-100-foot fishing corridor at Hatchery Cove on Lake Champlain from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon as they move into Hatchery Brook to spawn. Community Fisheries Support: Haiti’s agriculture ministry, backed by IDB funding, distributed 14 fiberglass boats, 40 outboard motors, solar freezers, repair kits, fishing gear and life jackets to fishermen’s groups in Grand’Anse and the South to boost sea operations and fish-aggregation device training. Ocean Health & Livelihoods: Palau President Surangel Whipps says Pacific nations must balance marine protection with economic development, pointing to conservation measures alongside “investment in production.” Aquaculture & Seafood Supply: A study reports at least 20 endangered Ganges river dolphins still survive in Bangladesh’s Buriganga River despite extreme pollution that has wiped out most native fish. Policy & Industry: Zanzibar says it’s ready to deepen cooperation with Russia across energy, ports, fisheries and the Blue Economy, including work on the Mangapwani Integrated Port.

Conservation & Fisheries Management: Vermont’s Fish & Wildlife Department will close a 20-by-100-foot corridor at Hatchery Cove on Lake Champlain from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon as they move into Hatchery Brook to spawn. EU Fisheries Funding: The EU Council backed a negotiating position that would steer future Common Fisheries Policy, maritime and aquaculture support through national partnership plans, aiming to simplify funding and boost modernization. Aquaculture Policy Pushback: WildFish’s “Off the table” campaign adds more than 120 chefs pledging to stop serving ocean-farmed Atlantic salmon, arguing for major impacts on wild salmon, sea lice, disease and marine ecosystems. Aquaculture Industry Watch: A new report says South Africa’s lion-bone export policy lacked a retrospective review of whether it drove demand, enabled laundering, or increased risks to wild lions—highlighting how captive breeding policies can create unintended market effects. Food & Nutrition Innovation: Bangladesh is exploring whey water from dairy processing as a way to cut waste and create new products, including drinks, fermented foods, whey powder/protein, bakery inputs and animal feed.

Aquaculture Policy & Trade: India’s shrimp fishers in Kerala are urging authorities to reconsider a U.S. turtle-excluder device (TED) requirement, saying it could cut shrimp catches and add compliance burdens, and they want Indian research bodies like CMFRI to certify products under a “Bharat Branding” system. Aquaculture Governance: Vermont is tightening winter lake rules, warning shoreland residents to avoid dock aerators that can create open-water hazards and requiring a Lake Encroachment Permit for approved bubblers/ice eaters. Fishery Management: Vermont’s Fish & Wildlife Department will close a 20-by-100-foot Hatchery Cove corridor on Lake Champlain from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 to protect landlocked Atlantic salmon passage into Hatchery Brook during the fall run. Agri-Food Markets: Malaysia’s Pahang FAMA is running a three-day Mega Agro MADANI Sales event (Oct 2–4) with discounts up to 30% and a fishing competition, aiming to move agri-food directly to consumers.