AGP Executive Report

U.S. Seafood Push: The Trump administration announced a domestic seafood strategy and an American-made label aimed at boosting U.S. production and helping fishermen reach buyers. A separate $5 billion loan program is set to expand processing for ranchers and fishermen. Aquaculture Investment: India’s Madhya Pradesh is targeting 1 million tonnes of fish production in three years, including 100,000 cage-culture operations. The University of Maine has opened a sustainable aquaculture facility. Feed Innovation: Canadian salmon farmers say 80% of their feed is now non-fish-based, while FeedMatch is expanding its alternative-protein sourcing and an eel farm is testing growth without fishmeal. Trade and Losses: Namibia’s seafood exports rose more than 12% in the second quarter, and Sri Lanka is working with Japan’s JICA on a project to cut fish losses after harvest. Industry and Regulation: A U.S. judge has allowed most claims in a Clean Water Act lawsuit against salmon producer Cooke Aquaculture to proceed. The European Commission has also set out a Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture.

Oyster Harvest: Texas will open selected areas of four bays to commercial and recreational harvesting on Nov. 2. Officials used preseason sampling to set access while seeking to conserve oyster reefs and spread fishing activity. Aquaculture Feed: A Ghanaian farmer’s black soldier fly venture, launched to cut catfish feed costs, now turns organic waste into a potential income source. Meanwhile, salmon producers face rising fishmeal costs as a farm trial tests fishmeal-free feed for eels. Trade: Namibia’s seafood exports rose more than 12% year over year in the second quarter, led by horse mackerel and hake shipments to Spain, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Tariff Relief: Maine secured tariff exemptions for nine agricultural products, including seaweed, and some cross-border processing equipment and materials.

Coastal Pollution: An oil spill has reached Umm Al Quwain’s beaches, prompting a full shoreline closure as crews assess damage and clean affected areas. Salmon Farming: A new advocacy documentary alleges UK salmon farms face persistent sea-lice and disease problems, renewing scrutiny of production practices. Wild Fisheries: Russia’s salmon season closed with record-low catches. Off Cornwall, a study found spinning-eye buoys and bird-shaped kites may help cut seabird deaths in gillnets. Investment & Policy: New Zealand First proposed faster tax write-offs for equipment in export sectors including aquaculture, while Madhya Pradesh plans a fisheries investment and export conclave. The EU’s Vision 2040 has drawn criticism from industry groups over its direction for fisheries and aquaculture. Aquaculture Markets: Feed One is testing eel diets without fishmeal as producers face tighter supplies and rising costs. Tanzania’s fish exports rose 11.3% to $181.6 million, with quality improvements cited as a driver.

Shellfish Investment: New York added $6.5 million for Long Island’s regional hatchery, bringing state funding to $16.5 million. The expanded facility is projected to produce up to 200 million juvenile oysters and clams annually. BC Salmon Transition: Vancouver Island’s economic outlook flags uncertainty for aquaculture as open-net salmon farming faces a 2029 ban; industry leaders say a transition plan is still missing. Industry Shake-up: DSM-firmenich plans to create two companies from the sale of its animal nutrition business, with one focused on animal nutrition and health—a supplier to aquaculture. Shrimp Exports: Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached $3.7 billion in the first nine months of the year. Feed Alternatives: Feed One is trialling eel farming without fishmeal, as salmon producers brace for higher fishmeal costs. EU Policy: The European Commission’s Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture drew industry criticism, with fishing groups warning the plan could put the sector at risk.

Feed Innovation: Malaysian startup LettuBoost won a business pitch with fish feed made from invasive aquatic plants and other biomass, offering an alternative to conventional ingredients. Changing Demand: Korea’s seafood industry is being urged to shift toward smaller, nutrient-rich products as appetite-suppressing drugs reshape food spending; fish, shellfish and seaweed offer protein and other key nutrients. Climate Resilience: Bengal startup Essential Aquatech monitors more than 5,000 farmers across 8,000 acres, using technology to flag climate risks and help small-scale fish farmers access credit. Investment and Growth: Cameroon’s World Bank-backed AgriConnect plan names fisheries and aquaculture among eight priority value chains, targeting higher production, jobs and investment. Tanzania’s fish exports also rose 11.3% to US$181.6 million, with quality improvements credited for the gain. Feed Costs: Salmon producers face a fishmeal cost squeeze, while trials suggest eels can grow without fishmeal—two developments sharpening the industry’s focus on alternative feeds.

EU Strategy: The European Commission’s Vision 2040 sets a 15-year course for fisheries and aquaculture, targeting stronger supply chains, investment and food security while protecting ecosystems. Fishing groups in Galicia say the plan risks sacrificing their sector. Industry Investment: DNV is buying a majority stake in Chilean consultancy Aquabench, aiming to expand digital tools and services for fish health, biosecurity and sustainability. Shellfish Farming: New York is adding $6.5 million for Islip’s shellfish hatchery, bringing funding for the new facility to $16.5 million; it supplies seed to farmers and supports oyster production and bay restoration. Trade and Exports: A Vietnam-EFTA trade deal will remove tariffs on Norwegian salmon when it takes effect and phase out mackerel duties over three years. Tanzania’s fish exports rose 11.3% to $181.6 million, with quality improvements cited as a driver. Cost Pressure: Salmon producers are bracing for a squeeze from rising fishmeal costs.

Climate Resilience: The Philippines’ fisheries bureau is developing solar-powered aerators for fish cages and ponds to help farmers cope with super El Niño and low oxygen levels. The paddle wheels are still in pilot testing, with support likely distributed by cluster. Milkfish Markets: Pangasinan producers face falling farm-gate prices and rising costs after a fish kill in Dagupan reportedly wiped out about 70% of local stocks. Prices briefly dropped from 200 to 125 pesos per kilogram, while producers also report weaker sales. Farm Production: Tilapia businesses in China’s Hainan province are expanding fry production through selective breeding, controlled cultivation and digital farm management. Research and Investment: Mississippi State University will lead a five-year Fish Innovation Lab, while green-hydrogen trials are planned for Atlantic aquaculture. Research is also exploring enzymes made from pineapple waste for aquafeed.

Chile’s Fisheries Oversight: The government has asked Sernapesca director María Soledad Tapia to resign, amid broader policy shifts affecting salmon farming and a proposed budget that would cut environmental inspections. Illegal Lobster Trade: Two Nova Scotia seafood companies face charges for allegedly buying illegally harvested lobster, following a two-year investigation. Aquaculture Planning: NOAA’s new Gulf of Alaska atlas maps 77 potential aquaculture areas, while a planned Aquaculture Explorer tool aims to help growers assess sites. Market Access: Egypt’s farmed fish has been cleared for the EU market, creating a new export opportunity. Sector Strategy: EU fisheries ministers are working on a long-term plan to safeguard the industry, as aquaculture also draws interest in planned green-hydrogen trials in the Atlantic.

Shrimp Hatchery Supply: INVE Aquaculture and Ecuador’s Santa Priscila will supply Artemia paste to local shrimp hatcheries, offering a convenient, biosecure feed option. Climate Preparedness: The Philippines’ agriculture department has proposed a ₱61.99-billion El Niño response plan, including fuel and fertilizer subsidies to help farmers and fishers protect production and livelihoods. Aquaculture Investment: India plans its first multi-species fish-seed production centre in Sindhudurg, while Johor has channelled RM903,670 in aquaculture incentives. Market Access: Egypt’s farmed fish products have been cleared for export to the European Union, opening access to its 27 member countries. Feed Debate: New attention is on poultry-derived ingredients in salmon feed, with supporters arguing they could improve on current practices and critics questioning the approach.

Aquaculture Investment: Johor has allocated RM903,670 to support 21 aquaculture operations, with cockle farms set to expand and a pilot milkfish project producing 500 tonnes a year. Research: Scientists are exploring whether fish cells can replace live fish in aquaculture disease studies. Seafood Trade: Egypt’s farmed fish has been cleared for export to the European Union, opening access to 27 member countries. Industry Support: Canada renewed its Atlantic Fisheries Fund with $300 million over five years, including a stronger focus on reaching new markets. Food Safety: India’s FSSAI is tightening temperature-control requirements for transporting and storing fish and other perishable foods.

Industry Investment: Oman has awarded a contract for roads, utilities and other infrastructure at Duqm’s Fisheries Industries Zone, aimed at attracting investment and expanding seafood processing. Climate Risk: A rapidly strengthening El Niño could bring major marine-ecology risks into spring and summer 2027, raising concerns for fisheries and aquaculture. Food Safety: India’s food regulator has ordered businesses to maintain controlled temperatures when storing and transporting fish, meat and other perishables throughout the supply chain. Aquaculture Research: Researchers are exploring fish-cell methods to study disease and vaccines, potentially reducing reliance on live-fish trials. Production Concerns: Nearly 918 tonnes of salmon have died in Chile’s Magallanes region, prompting alarms for the local industry. Market Access: Egypt’s farmed fish has been cleared for sale in the European Union, while Indonesia is pursuing European partnerships in tilapia and seaweed. Sector Support: Canada and Atlantic provinces have renewed a $300 million fisheries fund to help seafood businesses reach new markets.

Food Safety: India’s FSSAI has ordered food businesses to keep fish and other perishables under controlled temperatures through storage and transport, with inspections and enforcement to follow. Market Access: From Nov. 4, Egypt’s farmed fish and crustaceans can enter the EU market, subject to approved facilities, hygiene rules, shipment certification and border checks. Aquaculture Business: Khyber Aquaculture has secured Indian food-safety approval ahead of a packaged Himalayan trout launch; Indonesia is also seeking European partnerships in tilapia and seaweed. Fish Health: Nearly 918 tonnes of salmon have reportedly died in Chile’s Magallanes region, raising concerns in Tierra del Fuego. Trade: Vietnam and EFTA countries signed a deal to reduce or remove tariffs on fish and other products, potentially widening seafood trade.

Aquaculture Research: Malaysia’s Universiti Malaysia Terengganu ranked 90th worldwide in marine and freshwater biology, and first nationally, highlighting its research strength. Ecosystem Recovery: Restoration has brought fish back to China’s Huangqihai Lake, which dried up in 2006 and now spans 85 square kilometres, providing habitat for migratory birds. Trade: Vietnam signed a free-trade deal with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland that lowers or removes duties on fish and other goods, as it seeks to diversify export markets. Fishers’ Livelihoods: A study of 100 fisherwomen in Kashmir reported widespread educational deprivation and long working days; the paper was published in 2014. Seafood Investment: Canada and Atlantic provinces pledged CAD 300 million to support the seafood sector, with renewed funding focused on export markets. Marine Impacts: A study of a South China Sea mining trial found rapid disruption to seafloor microbes involved in nutrient cycling, raising concerns for ocean ecosystems that support fisheries.

Aquaculture Risks: Researchers in Oman are tracking the conditions that drive harmful algal blooms, which can disrupt fisheries, fish farms and desalination plants. In the Philippines, officials urged bangus farmers to prepare for El Niño, while warming seas are also raising concerns for the salmon industry. Seafood Investment: Canada renewed its Atlantic Fisheries Fund with more than C$300 million over five years, with a new focus on export markets. Feed and Innovation: A new US-backed Fish Innovation Lab aims to boost seafood production, while a microalgae facility in Europe is scaling up alternatives to fish oil. Wild Stocks: A sharp decline in baby lobsters along Maine’s Midcoast is a warning for the fishery; Pacific tuna fisheries also face climate-related disruption into 2027.

Uganda’s Aquaculture Push: The government sees fish farming as a way to offset declining wild stocks and build jobs in feed, hatcheries and processing, but farmers still face structural challenges. El Niño Risks: Philippine bangus farms are being urged to prepare for the dry spell, while Peru has cancelled its second anchovy season of 2026. Seafood Investment: Canada and Atlantic provinces renewed a $300 million fund to help seafood businesses reach export markets; a new US-backed innovation lab also aims to lift seafood production. Shrimp and Salmon: Floods are worsening Thailand’s shrimp crisis amid disease and export setbacks, while warming seas threaten the salmon industry.

El Niño Risks: Milkfish farmers in the Philippines are preparing for hotter, drier conditions that can slow feeding and spawning and worsen pond water quality. Officials advise harvesting market-ready fish and cutting stocking density by up to half. Coastal Health: Pollution and weak marine rehabilitation threaten fisheries in the Verde Island Passage. A new assessment found oil-and-grease levels above limits at all six sampled protected areas; seagrass cover fell sharply at several sites. Catch and Supply: Peru has canceled its second 2026 anchovy season, citing lower biomass and a high share of juvenile fish. Floods are also worsening Thailand’s shrimp crisis amid disease and export setbacks. Salmon Sustainability: Hannaford faces a proposed class action alleging its “sustainable” farmed-salmon claims mislead customers about environmental harm. Seafood Investment: Canada and Atlantic provinces renewed a CAD 300 million fisheries fund, with a stronger focus on opening export markets.