New Equipment Allows Mowi To Increase Fort William Capacity To Over 80,000 Tonnes A Year

Mowi’s salmon processing facility in Scotland has some new equipment, thanks to global seafood company Marel. Mowi contracted Marel to install a state-of-the-art food processing and packaging system at its Fort William facility.

The system — which is almost complete — will enable the facility to process and pack 200 fish per minute. This is expected to increase plant capacity to over 80,000 tonnes a year, compared to the 64,000 tonnes the facility produced in 2023. The upgrades also include two automatic...

SalMar Launches Salmon Living Lab, A New R&D Initiative 

SalMar announced the launch of its new R&D initiative, Salmon Living Lab, while at the North Atlantic Seafood Forum in Bergen this week.

“Our aquaculture industry is at a crossroads,” said Gustav Witzøe, founder and Chair of SalMar ASA. “We have celebrated significant achievements in the past. We have succeeded in bringing large quantity of much sought-after salmon to customers and consumers worldwide. Now, we must acknowledge that we face greater challenges than we have done before.” 

Challenges in the industry include things like increasing mortality and issues...

Fall-Run Chinook Salmon Fry Succumb to Gas Bubble Disease in Klamath River

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced recently that fall-run Chinook salmon fry released for the first time from its Fall Creek Fish Hatchery in Siskiyou County are presumed to have succumbed to gas bubble disease in the Klamath River.

On Monday, Feb. 26, CDFW released approximately 830,000 fall-run Chinook salmon fry into Fall Creek, a tributary of the Klamath River above Iron Gate Dam. The fish were hatched at CDFW’s new, $35 million =...

Wide Variety of Species Make Up The 2024 Seafood Excellence Award Finalists

From seaweed to shrimp and yellowtail snapper. This year’s finalists for the Seafood Excellence Awards are made up of a wide variety of species. 

The Seafood Excellence Awards Competition takes place during Seafood Expo North America and was created to recognize exciting new product releases based on their “uniqueness and appropriateness to the market, taste profile, packaging, market potential, convenience, nutritional value and originality.” There are two categories for products to compete in: Best New Foodservice Product and Best New Retail Product...

Japan: January Marine Product Imports Up 0.4% in Volume, But U.S. Sockeyes Fall 70%

According to customs clearance statistics for January released by the Ministry of Finance on February 28, imports of marine products (including non-edible products) increased slightly for the first time in eight months. The amount decreased slightly due to the significant increase in the same month last year.

The import record for January was 178,223 tons and 161.77 billion yen ($1.07 billion), an increase of 0.4% in quantity and a decrease of 0.9% in value compared to the same month last year. Although there...

Captain D's Names Hair Parra to Senior VP of Intl. Operations and Development Amid Global Expansion

Just one week after Captain D’s promoted Nan Ward to COO, the fast casual seafood restaurant has named Hair Parra to the newly created position of senior vice president of international operations and development. 

Parra spent more than 35 years leading international operations for well-known names like Papa Johns, Benihana and Domino's. Parra also oversaw international development for FAT Brands since 2021. Prior to that, he was chief operating officer of Wing Zone after spending over...

Lerøy Midt Sjø AS Reports Escape Incident In Gjemnes Municipality

Lerøy Midt Sjø AS alerted Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries on Tuesday to an escape incident at the Naustneset site in Tingvollfjorden in Gjemnes municipality, Møre og Romsdal.

Farmed salmon were caught near the facility, leading to an investigation that revealed a 3x1 meter hole in one of the cages. The company said that they have not yet determined the final number of escaped salmon, but have caught around 200 farmed fish in its own recapture fishery. Fifteen salmon linked to the escape have also been reported as captured...

Nordic Aqua Releases Q4 2023 Results As Company Works to Launch Atlantic Salmon Into Chinese Market

Nordic Aqua has released its Q4 2023 results. The Norwegian land-based salmon farming company saw another successful year with strong growth, a mortality rate below 1.6% and no signs of maturation. Biomass production for the fourth quarter reached 1,079 tonnes. 

"The fourth quarter of 2023 was another eventful quarter for Nordic Aqua. Biological performance was good during the quarter with good fish health and strong growth,” said Nordic Aqua CEO Ragnar Joensen. “During the quarter, we also conducted a successful private...

Russia Wants to Reduce Exports of Salmon, Sardines This Year in Favor of Supplies to Domestic Market

Russia may reduce exports of salmon and sardines this year, with the aim to increase their supplies to the domestic market. This is mainly due to the provision of state subsidies for the exports from the Far East to the European part of the country.

So far Chile and Turkey, which primarily supply aquaculture fish, are among the major suppliers of salmon to Russia.

The provision of state subsidies will allow to significantly increase the supplies of various Pacific salmon species...

It's That Time of Year Already: Time to Think About Spring and Summer Ocean Salmon Seasons

The final fish counts are being tallied. Scientists are modeling salmon forecasts and seasons, and looking at ocean indicators. And fishermen and managers are talking about what this summer's ocean salmon seasons will look like.

First up: All three West Coast states hold public meetings to talk with recreational and commercial fishermen about last year's seasons, last year's returns and upcoming forecasts.

Next up: The Pacific Fishery Management Council meets in Fresno the first week of March to ...

ANALYSIS: Frozen Salmon Fillet Volume Retreats in 2023

Volumes of farmed Atlantic frozen salmon have retreated for the first time in recent memory on a year-over-year basis. 2023 ended 3.0 percent lower than 2022, stopping a 6-year record for increasing YTD levels.

Another note is the loss of market share for Chile, the category leader. Chile is down to a 60 percent market share in 2023 as compared to a 67 percent market share in 2022. Market share gains are being led by Norway and Poland...

BBRSDA Promotes Lilani Dunn To Executive Director After Andy Wink's Departure

The Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA) confirmed on Wednesday that they have promoted Lilani Dunn to Executive Director. Dunn, who joined the BBRSDA in 2020 as their Head of Marketing, replaces Andy Wink, who departed in December 2023 after six years. 

Dunn is a seafood veteran who headed up marketing at Orca Bay Seafoods before joining BBRSDA in March 2020. 

“We, the board, are looking forward to having Lilani in this new role in leading our organization into the future,” said Fritz Johnson...

Nova Sea to Acquire 33.4% Stake in Torghatten Aqua, Becoming the Company’s 2nd Largest Shareholder 

Norwegian farmed salmon producer Nova Sea will acquire a 33.4% stake in Torghatten Aqua. The purchase makes Nova Sea the company’s second-largest shareholder, behind Trøndelag Helgeland Invest, which owns a 39% stake. 

This new partnership means Nova Sea and Torghatten Aqua will eventually collaborate on farming operations. Nova Sea will provide investment and development company Torghatten Aqua with increased access to capital and expertise, while also contributing to sustainable growth and development in the Helgeland region of...

SalMar Releases Q4 2023 Results After Jellyfish Attacks and ISA Outbreak

Another record year for SalMar, despite some major challenges. The Norwegian salmon company confirmed in their latest Q4 results that they reached record-high harvest volumes in 2023. 

Operational EBIT ended at NOK 2,158 million for the fourth quarter. Harvest volume was 83,100 tonnes and operational EBIT per kg was NOK 26.0.

"Our team has again performed well and delivered impressive results, both in terms of operational performance, synergy realization and strategic achievements. I am proud of our dedicated and skilled employees and the strength that...

Alaska Politicians Applaud USDA’s Plan to Purchase Nearly $100 Million Worth of Salmon Products

Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, along with Representative Mary Peltola, are applauding the USDA’s latest seafood purchase request through Section 32 and the Commodity Credit Corporation.

As SeafoodNews reported earlier this week, the USDA’s agricultural marketing service issued a new solicitation for CCC fish, or Commodity Credit Corporation.

The latest bid for CCC opened on February 9 and is seeking 173,599.908 cases of 24/7.5 oz canned red salmon; 148,959.804 cases of 24/14.75 oz canned red salmon; 7,600,000 pounds of...

Mowi Reports Record Breaking Year for 2023

Another record-breaking year for Mowi. The Norwegian seafood company — formerly known as Marine Harvest — recorded high revenues of 1.43 billion euros in the fourth quarter of 2023. That’s compared to the 1.36 billion euros in the final quarter of 2022. 

Last year, revenues of 5.5 billion euros, operational profit of 1,028 million euros and harvest volumes of 475 000 tonnes also reached a record-high. That’s equivalent to growth of 2.4% vs global supply contraction of 2.5%.

"I am extremely grateful for the hard work and dedication of my...

Japan: Import Review and Outlook of Principal Seafood

Suisan Keizai Shimbun highlighted the review and outlook of principal Imported seafood.

Ikura: The history of Alaskan imports finally comes to an end.

The decline in salted ikura produced in North America has accelerated due to the coronavirus pandemic. Still, last year, the volume of salted ikura produced in the United States was only 2 tons, valued at 9 million yen ($59,941.66). However, most of this was produced in the previous year and delivered in January. The only new product for 2023 was 36 kg valued at 366,000 yen ($2,437.62)...

Lerøy Seafood Group Breaks Records in 2023 As Company Prepares For 2025

2023 was a successful year for Lerøy Seafood Group. For the first time in history, revenue for the Norwegian seafood company surpassed NOK 30 billion. In Q4 2023, Lerøy delivered an operating profit (before biomass adjustments) of NOK 765 million.

The company attributes lower prices in the second half of 2023 to a substantially higher harvest volume. This resulted in a revenue of NOK 8,229 million for Q4 — a 16% increase from the fourth quarter of 2022. This is also the highest quarterly revenue achieved in the...

New Zealand King Salmon Gains Government Approval For Open Ocean Salmon Farm

It’s official. On Friday, New Zealand King Salmon (NZKS) received final government approval to proceed with an open ocean salmon farm. The company has been working on its Blue Endeavor for the past four years. Now, following the approval, this open ocean aquaculture project will not only be a first for New Zealand, but the world’s first farm of its type for the King Salmon (chinook) fish species.

Located 7km off Cape Lambert in the Cook Strait, the open ocean farm will be comprised of...

Austevoll Seafood Faces Challenges in 2024 After Mixed Q4 2023 Financial Results

Austevoll Seafood has released its Q4 2023 financial results as the Norwegian seafood company tackles an array of challenges in the first quarter of 2024. 

One of the highlights for Q4 included a boost in revenue. Operating revenue for the fourth quarter totaled NOK 8,754 million; a 15% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 when the company brought in NOK 7,639 million. 

Austevoll Seafood — which is a majority owner of Lerøy Seafood Group — says the increase is mainly due to Lerøy having a...

Proximar Seafood Provides Update on Atlantic Salmon Production at Japan Facility

Proximar Seafood has released its Q4 2023 financial results, providing updates on its Atlantic salmon production at its Oyama facility in Japan. 

In October 2023, the company provided its first production update on the Japanese land-based facility. The fish were first brought into Proximar’s hatchery in 2022 where they performed well and saw a low mortality rate. 

In December 2023, Proximar Seafood announced that this first batch of Atlantic salmon had successfully transferred from the nursery department to the company’s...

BioMar Introduces New Product to Help Atlantic Salmon Manage Stress and Improve Performance

International fish feed producer BioMar has introduced a new product aimed at advancing the salmon industry. Calm — which is made from natural ingredients — is designed to help improve the performance of Atlantic Salmon during times of stress. The product is the latest addition to BioMar’s SmartCare line and can be used in addition to other products. 

The company’s SmartCare line includes a range of feed solutions for various aquaculture species. By adjusting nutritional and functional ingredients, SmartCare enables farmers to improve the...

Infectious Salmon Anemia Suspected at Lerøy Midt Farm in Norway

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has launched an inspection at Lerøy Midt’s salmon farm at 20559 Langskjæra in Frøya municipality in Trøndelag county following a suspicion of infectious salmon anemia (ILA). 

Lerøy notified the Norwegian Food Safety Authority on February 21 of the suspected ILA, which is “based on the results of PCR analysis carried out after sampling at the site.” The Norwegian Food Safety Authority provided an update on February 23 stating that they would be taking follow-up samples to possibly confirm the ILA...

Captain D's Promotes Nan Ward to COO Amid Several Franchise Development Agreements

Fast casual seafood restaurant Captain D's announced Wednesday that Nan Ward has been promoted to chief operating officer. Ward has been with the Nashville-based company since 2012, when she first joined as a human resources manager.

"Over the past 12 years with Captain D's, Nan has made a defining impact on the company across many disciplines. She has a vast, hands-on background in operations and pairs it with savvy business acumen. It's a powerful combination that ensures Nan will excel as...

Grieg Seafood Looks To Process More Of Its Own Fish In Norway

Grieg Seafood is looking to expand its presence in Norway with a new value added processing facility at Gardermoen.

The aquaculture company has fish farms in Rogaland and Finnmark in Norway. Now it is setting its sights on a facility that will process salmon from production in both the North (Finnmark) and South (Rogaland) of Norway. This new processing facility will be housed at Oslo Airport City at Gardermoen, with a processing capacity of 10,000-12,000 tonnes (HOG equivalent). If needed the company also has the...

Bakkafrost Releases Q4 2023 Results After Challenging Year 

Bakkafrost — which produces farmed salmon from multiple locations in the Faroe Islands and Scotland — has released its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2023. 

Revenue during Q4 2023 varied drastically per region. The Faroe Islands ended at DKK 1,478 million (1,641 million in Q4 2022), with farming operations performing well in the fourth quarter. Bakkafrost attributes a majority of this success to the new wellboat Bakkafossur. It’s equipped with dual freshwater treatment systems, which has resulted in historically low levels of sea lice.

Scotland, however, saw a sharp...

Import Ban on Russian Seafood Into U.S. Receives Extension To May

In the final days of 2023, President Joseph R. Biden signed an Executive Order on “taking additional steps with respect to the Russian Federation’s harmful actions.” The U.S. had already banned imports of Russian seafood, but the latest Executive Order closed a loophole that allowed Russian-caught seafood, processed in China, to enter the country. The government gave U.S. importers a deadline of February 21 to bring in any Russian-origin seafood that was already under contract or written agreement prior to December 22...

Entrevientos S.A. Fire Update: Blumar and Multi X Compensating Displaced Workers, Plan to Rebuild

The Entrevientos S.A. Board of Directors have plans to rebuild after the fire that destroyed the processing plant in Punta Arenas last Sunday. But until then, the company, which is owned by Blumar and Multi X, will be compensating their displaced workers.

According to reports, approximately 750 workers are impacted by the fire. Cristián Swett, the president of the Board of Directors, said that maintaining continuity for current employees is impossible, and that the workers will be “dismissed for the reason contemplated in...

AquaBounty Selling Indiana Farm In Effort To Restart Construction On Ohio Facility

AquaBounty is focusing all its efforts on the Ohio farm project. The company announced this week that it has decided to sell its Indiana farm operation as the proceeds from the sale are “expected to provide needed liquidity to AquaBounty’s balance sheet.”

AquaBounty’s financial troubles have been well documented. In the company’s third quarter financial report, released this past November, the company revealed that they did increase revenue by 12% compared to the third quarter of 2022. However, net loss in the third quarter of...

Icelandic Salmon Releases Q4 2023 Results After Sea Lice Outbreak in Tálknafjörður 

Icelandic Salmon has released its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2023. The group harvested 7,219 tonnes of salmon during that time. That’s up from 6,008 tonnes in the final quarter of 2022 — a 20 percent increase. 

Icelandic Salmon CEO Bjørn Hembre attributed the high harvest volume in part to the sea lice outbreak in Tálknafjörður last November. At least one million salmon either perished or were discarded due to the outbreak. This took a major toll on local aquaculture firms, prompting the procurement of...