Russia Plans to Ramp up Fight Against Poaching This Year

This year, Russia plans to ramp up its fight against poaching by increasing its use of advanced technologies such as drones.

So far, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia has put forth a proposal to amend the country’s existing legislation, which will allow the use of drones to combat ongoing, and prevent future, poaching activities within Russia’s borders.

Currently, the legislation does not make any direct mentions to drone usage as a means of combatting poaching activity, which, at present, complicates the legitimate use of drones in the...

Japanese Shipments of Farmed Bluefin Tuna Increased by 11% in 2024

According to a March 24 announcement by the Fisheries Agency of Japan, based on preliminary figures, farmed bluefin tuna shipments in 2024 increased 11% from the previous year, totaling 18,687 tons.

In addition, shipments derived from wild seedlings (including short-term farming) increased by 14% to 18,282 tons. Shipments derived from artificial seedlings decreased by 46% to 405 tons. With the recovery of wild resources, major trading companies have shifted from complete farming to short-term farming to raise larger wild seedlings, which is thought to have led to...

Decline of Russian Pollock and Cod Catches Leads to Increased Export Prices in Foreign Markets

Export prices for Russian pollock and cod are steadily growing due to the reduction of catch and deliveries. According to data from Natsiabresurs, the Russian Federal State Unitary Enterprise, the sale price of Russian cod on the foreign market in February 2025 was $7.20 per kg, increasing by 24.1% from the previous month and 65.9% year-on-year (y-o-y). In the meantime, a sharp growth of prices has also been observed in the case of other Russian white fish species including pollock...

Blue Star Foods Adds Asian Food Division

Blue Star Foods announced it has added an Asian Food Division to its business, focusing on sushi categories.

The company launched the new division on February 1 under the Blue Star brand, looking to capitalize on popular Japanese cuisine, health-conscious dining preferences, and the growing demand for authentic sushi experiences, which are driving the market expansion.

High value sushi categories such as Hamachi, responsibly raised & harvest in Japan’s Kagawa prefecture, Seto Inland Sea and Kagoshima Bay are the primary farming areas, the company shared in a press release...

Russia Hopes to Significantly Increase its Fish and Seafood Exports in 2025

Russia is hoping for a significant increase in its fish and seafood exports this year after seeing a decline in both areas in 2024.

According to recent statements by Ilya Shestakov, head of Rosrybolovstvo, the Russian agency hopes for export increases in terms of both value and volume.

In value terms, the growth of exports may be equivalent to US$5.7 billion.

Shestakov said, “Based on the results of last year, exports amounted to 1.9 million tons. This is slightly less than in 2023. In terms of value..."

Ukraine to Export Wild-Caught Seafood to China Following New Trade Deal

China and Ukraine inked a deal earlier this month that will pave the way for Ukraine to export its wild-caught seafood products to China, per an announcement from China’s Embassy in Ukraine.

The deal was struck during a meeting between Chinese Ambassador Ma Shengkun, Ukrainian Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food Vitalii Koval, and Serhii Tkachuk, Director of the Food Safety and Consumer Protection Agency.

The Chinese embassy noted that the deal showcases further expansion of agricultural trade between the two countries...

Leading Russian Fish Producers and Processors Expect Further Revenue Decline in 2025

As a result of the unfavorable market environment and the improved strength of the ruble, Russia’s leading fish producers and processors are anticipating a further revenue decline this year.

According to recent statements made by Herman Zverev, head of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), in an interview with the Russian Vedomosti business paper, there is a high possibility that negative trends that appeared in the Russian fish sector in 2022–2024 will intensify later this year. Zverev stated that, in the case of pollock fishing...

Hokkaido's Herring Fishery Season is Open, but Supply Remains Uncertain

Ishikari Bay’s coastal fishery may fall below 2,000 tons for the first time in four years. While Hokkaido herring catches have been stable at around 20,000 tons in recent years, dark clouds are hanging over the future of this fishing season, Minato Shimbun reported.

Gillnet fishing in the Sea of Japan, which began in mid-January, is nearing the end of its season. According to the Hokkaido government’s summary, the total catch as of March 10—mainly in the Shiribeshi, Ishikari, and Rumoi areas—was 1,446 tons, down 61% from...

Maruha Nichiro Debuts New Company Name, Unveils New Long-term, Mid-term Strategies

Maruha Nichiro unveiled a new company name along with a new long-term vision and mid-term management plan. The Japanese seafood giant will be now known as Umios Corporation The company said ‘Umios’ is a word that combines “umi,” “one” and “solutions.”

“Our corporate identity has been changed to "Making people and the earth healthy through food, with value creation power originating from the ocean." We aim to become one with our bodies and the earth, and to find solutions to global social issues through food...

Sapporo Company Sells Fall Chum and Sockeye Salmon After Aging it 50 Days in Snow

Japanese company Sato Suisan of Sapporo, Hokkaido, began selling "snow matured salmon" on March 15 at eight directly managed stores in Sapporo and New Chitose Airport, as well as online.

Snow matured salmon (SMS) is a seasonal product that has been sold by Sato Suisan every year since 2011. This year’s SMS was made from salted Hokkaido fall chum salmon that was caught last fall, salted, and then buried in snow that had accumulated on the roof of the company's factory in Ishikari City on...

Russia Planning to Increase Total Fish Catch to 5 Million Tons in 2025

Russian fishermen plan to catch 5 million tons of fish in 2025. However, according to recent statements made by the head of Rosrybolovstvo, Ilya Shestakov, that will largely depend on the results of this year's salmon fishing season.

The planned catch will be higher than that in 2024, which was at the level of 4.9 million tons. Compared to 2023 (5.3 million tons), the decline in catch last year was mainly due to a significant drop in salmon catch (to 235,000 tons from 609,000 tons in 2023 and 272,000 tons in 2022).

As Shestakov has also added, there are currently some problems with pollock catch in the Russian Far East due to the poor ice conditions in the region; however, such a situation may soon stabilize.