18 Feed Mills Achieve ASC Certification So Far in 2025 

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Feed Certification program is gaining global momentum as key players within the seafood industry ramp up production of responsibly sourced aquafeed.  

Between January and mid-July 2025, 18 feed mills in 12 countries, including Norway, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, have achieved certification under the ASC Feed Standard.  

For the first time, feed mills (all operated by Skretting) in Australia, Japan, and Italy have earned ASC certification.

The ASC standard is made up of several aquafeed production factors, including the use of...

BioMar More Than Doubles Vitamin D Levels in All Salmon Feeds 

Aquaculture feed company BioMar has sgnifantly increased vitamin D3 levels across all salmon diets. The move follows regulatory changes in the European Union (EU), which raised the maximum permissible level of vitamin D3 in fish feed from 2,500IU/kg to 60,000 IU/kg. 

In response, BioMar’s R&D team in Denmark conducted a study to evaluate the impact of enhanced vitamin D3 supplementation in salmon diets.  

The 61-day trial, held between July and September 2022, tested ten dietary treatments containing increased levels of...

Skretting Leads Project to Boost New Zealand’s King Salmon Exports 

Global aquafeed company Skretting is partnering with the New Zealand government on a new initiative to boost King salmon exports.  

Trade Minister Todd McClay has announced a $455,000 investment to support the development of specialized feed tailored specifically for New Zealand’s King salmon. 

“This funding comes from the Primary Sector Growth Fund, announced in Budget 2025 to support forward-leaning, high-impact projects that will drive productivity, innovation and export growth across the sector,” said McClay. 

The $1.2 million project, led by Skretting, will focus on...

Innovasea Hires Andreas Mintsios to Oversee Mediterranean Operations

Aquaculture and fish tracking tech company Innovasea announced the hiring of Andreas Mintsios as the new Managing Director for the Mediterranean.

Mintsios will work out of Innovasea’s Greece office and play a role in developing its aquaculture operations across the Mediterranean region. He will be tasked with working closely with farms in the region to better understand challenges and see how Innovsea can help solve their issues.

“Mintsios’s vast background and wealth of leadership experience made him the ideal candidate for this role...

Cormorant Relief Act Passes House Panel, Aims to Shield Mississippi Aquaculture from Bird Predation

Mississippi Congressman Mike Ezell announced that his bill aimed at protecting the state’s aquaculture and fishing industries from the impact of cormorant overpopulation passed through the House Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support this week.

The Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 streamlines management of cormorant populations and provides flexibility to state and tribal wildlife agencies. The large fish-eating birds have become a significant threat to fish farms and other wild species across the Gulf Coast...

Mexico Aims to Boost Tilapia Self-Sufficiency by 2030  

Mexico is aiming to achieve full self-sufficiency in tilapia production by 2030, according to an announcement from Julio Berdegué, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

Berdegué shared the goal during “The Future of Tilapia in Mexico” forum, hosted by the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (Conapesca).  

Currently, Mexico’s aquaculture sector is made up of roughly 81,000 workers, with around 45,000 involved in tilapia production. Of those, 90% are small-scale operations. 

In 2024, tilapia production in Mexico exceeded 2.6 billion pesos. Looking ahead to 2025, the government plans to...

New Study Finds Minimal Impact of BC Net Pen Salmon Farms on Wild Populations

A new peer-reviewed study suggests net pen salmon farms in British Columbia have minimal impact on the region’s wild salmon populations.

The study, published earlier this week, was authored by six health experts from UC Davis, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Washington State University, and Oregon State University.

Findings from the study indicate that several articles written over the past two decades, linking the substantial impacts of pathogens transmitted from farmed salmon to wild salmon...

Atlantic Sapphire Showcases Bluehouse Salmon at Summer Fancy Food Show

Atlantic Sapphire debuted its Bluehouse Salmon at the Specialty Food Associations (SFA) Summer Fancy Food Show. 

The Florida-based aquaculture company says it raises its salmon in a land-based, controlled environment without hormones, antibiotics, GMO’s, or chemicals. 

“We believe that today’s buyers and culinary leaders are looking for products that not only deliver exceptional quality and taste but also align with evolving consumer values,” said Damien Claire, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Atlantic Sapphire. “Bluehouse Salmon is our answer — a responsibly raised, premium seafood solution...

Mori Trust Joins Pure Salmon's Land-Based Aquaculture Project

According to a June 25 press release, leading real estate developer Mori Trust Co., Ltd. of Minato-ku, Tokyo, will participate in a land-based salmon aquaculture project by investing in "8F Aquaculture Fund Japan I LP," an operating fund of Pure Salmon Japan Co., Ltd., which conducts Atlantic salmon aquaculture in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. 

Project overview and background of participation: emphasizing safety and stability 

This project aims to construct a facility in Mie Prefecture for the land-based farming and processing of Atlantic salmon, with shipments commencing in 2027...

New Report Finds Aquaculture Could Create More Than 20 Million Jobs By 2050 

Aquaculture could generate as many as 22 million jobs by 2050, according to a new report from the World Bank and the World Wildlife Fund.  

The report titled “Harnessing the Waters: A Trillion Dollar Investment Opportunity in Sustainable Aquaculture,” anticipates roughly $1.5 trillion in investments within the sector over the next 25 years.  

Based on the current state of the industry, business-as-usual (BAU) investments of even $0.5 trillion within this time frame could lead to a production increase of...

NAIA and Coast of Bays Communities Team up to Oppose N.L. Marine Conservation Area

On June 23, 2025, the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) launched its ‘Save South Coast Jobs’ campaign, which rejects the recently proposed National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) and focuses on the potential impact to local community leaders and workers along Newfoundland and Labrador’s (NL) South Coast.

The campaign calls on Premier Hogan’s government to reject the NMCA proposal, referring to the area designation as “ecologically unnecessary and economically harmful.”

The campaign’s digital elements include the website SaveSouthCoastJobs.com, which features testimonials from seafood workers...

Norcod Secures Approval for New 3500 MT Cod Farming Site

Norwegian cod farmer Norcod has landed permission to create a new production site in the Meløy municipality with a total MAB (maximum allowed biomass) of 3,599 metric tons.

The company said the new site will be its second in the municipality. Alongside its Frosvika site, it will now have a production cluster with a total capacity of 7,198 MT.

“We are pleased to have received this approval and value the good cooperation with Meløy municipality and Nordland County. The new site Snyen...

Sustainable Shrimp Partnership Develops Living Wage Program for Ecuadorian Shrimp Farms

The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) said its latest initiative would set “a new benchmark for social responsibility in shrimp aquaculture.”

The SSP has partnered with IDH for a project in Ecuador that will measure and validate that workers on SSP shrimp farms are receiving a living wage.

The program was inaugurated on June 11 in Guayaquil, Ecuador and aims to “ensure that the workforce of participating companies earns sufficient income,” per a release from the SSP. The program works through IDH’s Salary Matrix, a digital platform based...

Aquaticode Expands AI Sorting Tech with Major Chilean Salmon Farming Deals

Aquaticode, an AI-aquaculture firm focused on sorting technology, announced that major Chilean salmon producers, Australis and AquaChile have adopted its AI sorting products.

The company said the deals with the key salmon farmers would see 60 million fish sorted across both companies. Aquaticode said this will lead to both “improved operational efficiency and stronger biological performance.”

“Aquaticode’s AI-driven sorting technology allows us to make faster, more accurate decisions and to maximize the biological potential of every fish,” said Cristian Sauterel, Farming Manager at Australis...

SSP and CNA Host 2025 SustainED Event in Ecuador, Focused on Efficient, Sustainable Shrimp Farming

The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and Ecuador's National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) recently hosted a new edition of the SustainED shrimp aquaculture program in Guayaquil, Ecuador.  

This edition of the program was focused on nutritional innovation and upholding aquaculture standards in order to strengthen efficiency and sustainability within the world’s largest shrimp-producing nation, Ecuador.  

This year’s program was titled “Nutritional Innovation: How to Maximize Feed Efficiency at Every Stage of Shrimp Farming,” and took place on May 22, 2025, at the Hilton Colón Hotel...

Andfjord Salmon’s Q1 Results Reflect Low Production and Zero Revenue Amid Kvalnes Build-Out

Norwegian salmon producer Andfjord Salmon Group AS recently released its financial results for Q1 2025, indicating stalled profits amid the company’s ongoing construction at its facility in Kvalnes, Norway.

The five-stage construction plan has been in progress since 2023, with Phase 1 reaching 90% completion as of November 27, 2024.

As a result, Andfjord Salmon did not produce any salmon in the first quarter of this year, resulting in zero revenue for the period, as was the case for the same period last year...

Canada Aquaculture Industry Alliance Joins Effort to Elevate Agriculture as a Federal Priority 

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance has joined 31 national agricultural organizations in co-signing a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, urging the federal government to prioritize the agriculture industry.  

The letter, titled “Let’s Grow Canada: Staking a Claim for Agriculture in the Government Mandate,” argues that the sector is often overlooked in national policy and investment decisions, despite its contributions to the economy.  

Citing a decline in Canada’s global agricultural market share since 2000 and a projected drop in productivity to...

Bakkafrost's Preliminary Q2 Report Reflects Poor Results in Scottish Segments

Bakkafrost recently released preliminary financial results from its second quarter performance, reflecting poor outcomes for its Scottish freshwater and farming segments, which saw negative earnings of DKK 199 million during Q2 2025.

Per the company’s unaudited consolidated second quarter accounts, the Faroese salmon farmer pulled a total of DKK 65 million (USD $ 10.14 million) in earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), which was lower-than-expected for the quarter.

A significant contributing factor was the Scottish segments, which took a hit in Q2, earning a negative EBIT of...

US Seafood Groups Push for Federal Investigation Into Imported Seafood With Banned Antibiotics

The Oregon Trawl Commission (OTC), along with the Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) and the crawfish industry, sent a letter to the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) requesting a Section 301 Investigation on the use of antibiotics in farm-raised foreign seafood.

The OTC letter, addressed to USTR Jamieson Greer, requested that the USTR examine how the use of unapproved antibiotics and veterinary drugs constitutes an unfair trade practice that leads to downward pricing pressure on US seafood producers, who face stricter safety standards...

Kenyan Tilapia Farmer Victory Farms Joins ASC Improvement Program

Last week, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) announced that Kenyan tilapia farmer Victory Farms became the first tilapia farm in Kenya and across Africa to participate in an Aquaculture Improvement Project (AIP) under the ASC’s Improver Programme.

The vertically integrated farm spans 50 hectares in western Kenya’s Homa Bay and produces 18,000 tonnes of tilapia annually, from hatchery to table.

ASC explained the milestone as “a major step forward for responsible seafood farming on the continent,” underscoring the tilapia farmer’s...

TCRS’s Annual Shrimp Summit Underscores Industry Promise Amid Tariff Uncertainty

Around 500 shrimp experts and industry stakeholders recently gathered in-person and online to participate in The Center for Responsible Seafood’s (TCRS) annual Shrimp Summit, which was held in Bali from June 22-26.

During the event, attendees explored the latest trends and technologies and the potential for shrimp industry growth down the line.

A critical concern expressed by attendees was tariffs and their impact on global markets, as cited by 100% of respondents surveyed during the Summit’s first session.

“Challenging economic conditions and market uncertainty made it even more..."

Mexico Launches Global Center for Regenerative Aquaculture  

A new global hub dedicated to advancing regenerative aquaculture is opening in La Paz, Mexico. The Center for Applied Aquaculture Innovation (CAAI) — launched by Innovaciones Alumbra (iAlumbra) — aims to boost food security, restore ocean ecosystems, and improve coastal economic opportunities, all while focusing on sustainability. 

“Our oceans and their resources are significantly degraded. It is no longer enough to assume that sustainability alone will reverse the damage,” said Walmart heiress and iAlumbra founder Christy Walton in a statement.  “It’s time to invest significantly in advanced technologies and...

Nova Scotia: 22 Seafood Companies Receive $1.75 Million in Climate Change Funding 

The Government of Canada has announced that 22 seafood companies and organizations in Nova Scotia will receive $1.73 million in climate change funding through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund.  

The three-year-fund, administered by Efficiency One Nova Scotia, is designed to help chart a path for the commercial fisheries and aquaculture sectors to reduce climate change impacts in the province to at least 53% below 2005 levels by 2030.  

Ranging from installing solar systems to implementing...

Center for Food Safety Sues to Shut Down Nine Shellfish Aquaculture Sites in Washington 

The Center for Food Safety (CFS) and a local Washington organization against shellfish farming, have filed a motion in federal court to shut down nine coastal shellfish operations in Washington.

The lawsuit — which challenges permits obtained by the Army Corps of Engineers — alleges that the federal government failed to notify the public or conduct an environmental assessment prior to beginning operations.

Instead, CFS and local partner Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat, claim the Army Corps used permit review procedures known as...

Ace Aquatec and Aquascot Partner for AI-Fish Processing Project

Aquaculture tech company Ace Aquatec and seafood processor Aquascot recently announced a 12-month strategic partnership to integrate Ace Aquatec’s non-intrusive AI monitoring cameras into Aquascot’s modern food processing line.

Ben Perry, Head of Sales at Ace Aquatec, commented on how exciting the collaboration is for both Scottish companies, allowing them to work together to unlock “the full potential of data in aquaculture.”

Combining AI with fish processing

The partnership will leverage Ace Aquatec’s collection of real-time morphometric fish data—including measurements of individual fish weights, condition factor...

Aquaticode Brings on Therese Log Bergjord as Strategic Advisor

AI-aquaculture firm Aquaticode recently appointed Therese Log Bergjord as its new Strategic Advisor.

Her appointment coincides with Aquaticode’s announcement earlier this month about major Chilean salmon producers Australis and AquaChile adopting Aquaticode's AI sorting products, resulting in commercial agreements that impact more than 60 million fish.

Log Bergjord is the former CEO of Skretting and current board member of companies Kverva and Nordic Aqua Partners.

According to Aquaticode, the timing of this appointment reflects both industry momentum and strategic intent, given the growing adoption of AI phenotyping in hatcheries...

Andfjord Salmon Completes $39 Million Sale-Leaseback of Harbor Area Near Kvalnes Site

The Andfjord Salmon Group AS (Andfjord Salmon) recently announced the completed sale-leaseback of the harbor area proximate to its Kvalnes production site in Andøya, Norway, which is currently undergoing a five-stage build-out.

This comes after the stock exchange announcement on February 26 regarding the potential sale- and leaseback of the Kvalnes site.   

Per the salmon farmer’s June 19 announcement, all sale and leaseback agreements for the harbor property have been executed, including an 80-year contract at 7.5% yield, adjusted for CPI, making...

ASC and Korea’s National Institute of Fisheries Science Sign MOU to Drive Sustainable Aquaculture

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) to drive seafood sustainability and responsibility within Korea’s aquaculture sector.

Per the MOU, the ASC and NIFS—South Korea’s leading aquaculture and marine environmental research institute—will work together to achieve the following:

* Develop innovative aquaculture technologies for seaweed, shellfish, and fish;
* Facilitate an exchange of information between international and Korean experts;
* Create ecosystem-based certification technologies; and...

Japan: Fisheries and Aquaculture Production Hit New Low in 2024, Fourth Consecutive Year of Decline 

According to a May 27 announcement by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the production volume of fishery and aquaculture in 2024 was 3,634,800 tons - a 5.1% decrease of 195,000 tons from 2023. This is the lowest figure since the survey began in 1951.  

The catch volume of marine fisheries was 2,787,100 tons. While there was an increase in skipjack, there was a decrease in herring, which resulted in a 4.8% decrease of 139,300 tons. The harvest volume of marine aquaculture was...

New Report Shows Upward Trajectory for European Union's Blue Economy

On May 22, 2025, the European Commission (EC) published its annual Blue Economy Report, detailing the current economic performance of the European Union’s (EU) blue economy sectors and providing estimates of the sectors’ future economic performance.

The EC defines “blue economy” as all economic activities based on or related to the ocean, seas and coasts, including economic sectors like fisheries and aquaculture, coastal tourism, shipping, ports, and marine renewable energy.

According to the recent report, the EU blue economy has been on an upward trajectory since the COVID-19 crisis...