AGP Executive Report

Insect farming carbon push: Entosystem’s Drummondville plant can process 90,000 tonnes of food residues yearly into feed ingredients, and its ENVOL project has now been independently verified and registered for landfill-diversion emissions reductions. Fish health alarm: South Africa’s sardines are dying by the thousands along the coast, with authorities investigating a suspected virus linked to pilchard herpesvirus after similar mass die-offs in the 1990s. Water management and fish impacts: New Hampshire reduced the Wentworth Pond drawdown behind Alton Power Dam from 12 feet to 2.5 feet after public pushback, as staff weigh dam repair versus restoration or replacement. Community aquaculture support: Papua New Guinea’s Kairuku MP backed a BOSPO fish farming project, aiming to boost food security and youth livelihoods through local cooperatives. Marine plastic business model: In China, fishermen’s wives’ association members are tackling marine trash with a love-driven, sustainable cleanup-and-reuse approach. Seafood industry shake-up: City Roots Hospitality bought vegan seafood brand Fysh Foods, bringing its raw tuna alternative into more restaurant locations. Regulatory enforcement: New Zealand’s MPI reported a 100% non-compliance rate in Whananaki patrols, including undersized rock lobster and pāua. Policy and trade pressure: Tariff uncertainty is putting planned salmon farming in Millinocket on hold, highlighting how trade fights can hit aquaculture investment.

Aquaculture & Fisheries Policy: Namibia has extended African Aquaculture Company’s permit for its 51,000-metric-ton Atlantic salmon farm in Lüderitz Bay from 15 to 25 years, easing financing and keeping the project on track after importing 5,000 salmon eggs for early smolt work. Trade & Market Signals: A Nova Scotia lobster exporter says Canada’s brief 25% tariff proposal on U.S. seafood caught the industry off guard, but relief followed when Ottawa removed the move within 24 hours—highlighting how fast tariff swings can disrupt live-lobster trade. Infrastructure for Fishers: New Hampshire upgraded the commercial fishing pier on Peirce Island in Portsmouth with federal funding, adding refrigerated bait storage and catch unloading space to support local landings. Food Safety & Environment: Environmental groups sued the Trump administration over EPA approval of the PFAS-linked herbicide trifludimoxazin, arguing the agency didn’t fully assess cancer and wildlife risks. Skills for Marine Aquaculture: Malaysia’s Politeknik Jeli used a seabed Jalur Gemilang display to showcase aquaculture students’ scuba training and water-safety certification.

Ornamental Aquaculture Push: India’s VP CP Radhakrishnan will launch “Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031” in Lakshadweep, setting uniform rules for breeding, biosecurity, quality control and trade to boost the ornamental fish sector and exports. Fisheries Governance in Focus: Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy ministry says agency revenue jumped 160% to ₦1.83trn in 2025, citing digitisation and leak-closure efforts, while also moving to implement a technical committee plan to accelerate fish production amid feed, seed, health and cold-chain gaps. Food Security via Poultry: Iran hit chicken self-sufficiency, producing over 2m tonnes annually versus 1.6m tonnes consumption, under drought and sanctions pressure—an animal-protein supply win with wider household impact. Market Signals: Australia’s sharemarket week showed strength concentrated in materials/mining, a reminder that input-cost and commodity swings can ripple into aquaculture economics. Environmental Risk Watch: Oman faces a widening oil slick threat after a grounded tanker, raising concerns for coastal habitats and communities that rely on healthy waters.

AI in Shrimp Farming: Malaysia’s NEKMAT is weighing about RM300,000 to bring AI-assisted monitoring to its white shrimp ponds in Pahang, using sensors and smartphone apps to track water quality, oxygen and temperature, plus better feed amounts to cut waste and reduce pressure on shrimp. Export Finance Boost: Bangladesh Bank has set up a Tk 2,000 crore revolving pre-financing fund (up to 7% interest) for frozen food exporters, targeting shrimp and fish processors with support for production, cold storage, factory reopening and modernization. EU Referendum Fallout for Fisheries: Iceland narrowly voted 52.8% to 47.2% against restarting EU accession talks, with fishing rights and sovereignty concerns driving the result; Brussels says it will treat Iceland as a close partner despite the “no.” Marine Waste Reuse: Taiwan’s Ocean Conservation Administration is partnering to recycle discarded purse-seine nets into protective glasses for distant-water fishing crews, turning marine debris into gear. Shellfish Rules in NZ Politics: ACT is promising a fisheries management reset, including tighter shellfish gathering limits and changes to Hauraki Gulf management, aiming to rebuild stocks while keeping access.

Fisheries Policy Push (New Zealand): ACT says it would cap shellfish gathering at a nationwide daily limit of 10 and end scallop dredging in currently closed North Island fisheries, alongside tighter rules and higher fines, aiming to rebuild stocks and protect vulnerable marine areas. Marine Bycatch Tech (UK): Researchers recorded harbour porpoises near a static fishing net off Cornwall, hoping the detailed acoustic account can guide nets that are more noticeable and help reduce bycatch deaths. Trade & Biosecurity Talks (Australia–US): Australia’s agriculture minister will meet USDA officials in Melbourne to discuss market access, tariffs and biosecurity during a trade mission running Aug. 30–Sept. 3. Seafood Demand Spike (UK): Sardines are surging in price and sales after a social media “sardinemaxxing” trend boosts demand, raising concerns about supply pressure if the craze spreads. Legal Ruling (Alaska): A US Ninth Circuit panel dismissed Oceana’s appeal over essential fish habitat protections in the Gulf of Alaska, saying the group lacked standing. Coastal Resilience Planning (India): Odisha reviewed its ARISE coastal protection and climate resilience project, with ADB and state agencies assessing erosion and livelihood risks along a 573-km shoreline.

Invasive Species to Premium Seafood: A Maine operation is turning invasive European green crabs into a higher-value restaurant product, paying about $3 per crab at market versus pennies for hard-shells, while other New Englanders experiment with crab-based pet treats, fish sauce and even whiskey. Fisheries Market Signals: Scotland’s Scrabster port logged a 15% jump in fish landings value in July to £1.617m even as tonnage fell, with only a few ports seeing value gains. Aquaculture & Fisheries Finance: Malaysia’s DOF says 779 myAgropreneur Fisheries entrepreneurs have registered this year, with 34% reaching SME levels 3–4, supported by myCommunity Fisheries groups. Tuna Price Support: Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) raised skipjack tuna purchase prices by 1 MVR to MVR 21/kg, aiming to align with private traders and speed payments to fishermen. Tilapia Breeding Focus: A new look at tilapia highlights growing urgency to breed for disease resistance as therapeutic options tighten. Project Pipeline: Namibia’s N$4bn Luderitz salmon project is advancing, with plans to import eggs for smolt production and feed a continuous supply into the sea.

EU Referendum Watch (Iceland): Iceland votes Saturday on whether to restart EU accession talks, a knife-edge decision with fishing at the center of the debate and U.S. Greenland threats adding pressure to the campaign. Climate & Aquaculture Impacts (Europe): A new drought-driven strain is hitting rivers, lakes and fish farms across Europe, with heat and low water levels pushing fish survival and farm economics into trouble. Water Stress (B.C., Canada): Severe drought is prompting fresh irrigation water-restriction orders in British Columbia’s Interior, with salmon protection cited as a key goal. Trade & Seafood Policy (Canada/U.S.): Canada’s seafood tariff moves are shifting again after industry pushback, with some products removed from retaliatory lists—an outcome that matters for both wild fisheries and aquaculture supply chains. Disaster Response (Nepal): Nepal’s flood death toll is climbing and morgues are overwhelmed, forcing temporary body-management facilities—an indirect reminder of how extreme weather can disrupt food systems and rural livelihoods. Biosecurity Reminder: Regulators and public-health voices continue stressing safe handling and not releasing aquarium fish into waterways.

Aquaculture Science & Funding: The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster (SAIC) has launched a new 14-person international science board to independently review aquaculture research and innovation projects across finfish, shellfish and seaweed, with a fresh funding call now under way. Invasive Species Risk to Fisheries: Great Lakes advocates are urging the Trump administration to lift a stop work order on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project after several hundred juvenile invasive carp were found about 80 miles from Lake Michigan, warning the barrier is critical to protect the region’s ecosystem and economy. Commercial Fishing Infrastructure: Portsmouth, New Hampshire has opened a renovated Peirce Island commercial fishing pier, replacing a 1979 facility with upgraded unloading and bait storage, backed by $1.24M in federal and state support. Trade Policy Shockwaves for Seafood: Canada says it has removed seafood from its counter-tariff list after industry input, while also adding new counter-tariff items elsewhere—an ongoing signal that fish and aquaculture supply chains remain exposed to tariff swings. EU Fishing Politics: Cyprus fishermen are calling for a 10-year national plan to stabilize stocks and support small-scale fleets under EU rules, including better monitoring and easier market access.

Heat Stress Hits Farms: South Korea’s southern coast is seeing mass farmed-fish deaths as high water temperatures and red tide compound losses, with authorities reporting 3.031 million fish and 570 sea-squirt strings dead and damage estimated at 6.14 billion won. Trade Signals for Salmon: China’s imports of Norwegian salmon hit a record monthly high of 12,464 tons, with the Norwegian Seafood Council projecting 30% market expansion in 2026 as China remains a key growth market. Labor Shortage Response: Japan’s Fukui crab fishery is leaning on foreign crew—an Indonesian trainee is helping keep bottom-trawl operations running as cooperatives report most vessels employing foreign workers. Aquaculture Tech for Water Quality: STEMart is expanding into high-precision dissolved oxygen meters aimed at lab, environmental, aquaculture, and hatchery monitoring. Policy Pressure on Seafood Tariffs: Canada’s seafood tariff moves are shifting again, with industry watching how changes could affect fish and aquaculture equipment and processing costs. Community & Resilience: Palau is preparing for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, with climate resilience, ocean stewardship, and the Blue Pacific on the agenda.

Canada–US Seafood Tariffs: Canada removed seafood and fish products from its retaliatory/counter-tariff lists after industry feedback, easing pressure on cross-border supply chains and key markets like Maine lobster. Seafood Expo Asia: Companies are lining up new ready-to-eat and value-added seafood plus processing and cold-chain tech for the Sept. 2–4 Singapore show. Vietnam Shrimp Finance: Vietnam shrimp processor VIEOS Foods is seeking an international investor to continue operations after its family firm Quoc Viet faced debt and collateral auctions. Restaurant Shrimp Mislabeling: A Baton Rouge genetic-testing probe found many shrimp dishes likely used imported farm-raised product despite “American wild-caught” claims, prompting calls for unannounced testing. Nigeria Fish Production Push: Nigeria’s marine ministry set up a technical committee to cut fish import dependence by tackling feed costs, seed access, biosecurity, post-harvest losses, and cold-chain gaps. Environmental/Marine Risk: Eskom took Koeberg Unit 1 offline after a turbine trip following earlier sardine mortality linked to pilchard herpesvirus, while Washington regulators cited Nippon Dynawave for major environmental and safety violations after a tank implosion. Climate Stress on Fisheries: New research and coral records suggest El Niño events are strengthening with climate change, raising the odds of harsher marine impacts.

Mangrove Recovery in Brazil: In Rio de Janeiro’s Guanabara Bay, local fishers and conservationists are pulling waste out and restoring mangroves through Projeto UÇÁ, with 18.2 hectares recovered, 64,500 seedlings planted, and 60+ species returning—showing habitat work can directly support coastal livelihoods. Food Prices Under Calamity Rules (Philippines): In Occidental Mindoro, Paluan and Sablayan imposed a DTI price freeze on basics including canned fish and other marine products, milk, coffee, noodles, and bottled water for up to 60 days while calamity conditions persist. Pelagic Shift for Guam Fishers: Guam’s Smart-FAD project is backing a tuna-focused derby and upgrading fish aggregating devices with satellite echosounder buoys to reduce pressure on declining reef species. Trade War Hits Seafood (Canada–US): Canada’s retaliatory tariffs starting Sept. 8 include 25% duties on fish and seafood, adding pressure to an already stressed sector. Climate Stress on Marine Life (Korea): South Korea reports marine heat waves are nearly four times more frequent over the past decade, raising risks for fisheries and food security. Feed Ingredient Watch: Fishmeal supply is tightening as El Niño disrupts fishing seasons, while aquaculture keeps expanding—pushing fishmeal market growth expectations toward $12.078B by 2034.

US Seafood Strategy: USDA’s Office of Seafood is shifting from launch mode to building an “America First Seafood Strategy,” gathering input from fishermen, aquaculturists, processors and policymakers to better plug seafood into USDA food policy and rural programs. CEO Shake-up in Aquaculture: Seafarms Group terminated CEO Peter Fraser “for cause,” naming Rob Dyer as interim CEO as the company continues work tied to Project Sea Dragon. Food Prices Under Disaster Rules: In the Philippines, DTI has frozen prices on key basics in Paluan and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro, including canned fish and other marine products, for up to 60 days while calamity conditions persist. Trade War Pressure on Seafood: Canada’s escalating U.S. tariff retaliation includes fish and seafood at 25%, adding uncertainty for food and beverage manufacturers. Fisheries Infrastructure Upgrade: Bequia officially launched EU-funded rehabilitation of the Bequia Fish Market, aiming to modernize infrastructure and support long-term fisheries sustainability.

Shellfish Safety Alert (Philippines): BFAR issued a red-tide advisory for Leyte, warning people not to gather, sell, or eat shellfish and Acetes/alamang after saxitoxin tested positive, with bans also maintained in parts of Eastern Samar and Biliran while confirmatory lab results are pending. Offshore Aquaculture Push (New Zealand): New Zealand plans to ease consent rules for open-ocean aquaculture beyond three nautical miles, removing some landscape and “high natural character” checks to cut barriers and support a NZ$3bn revenue target by 2035. Heat Impacts Oysters (Japan): Hiroshima oyster farmers will delay harvest for a third straight year as heatwaves slow growth and raise mortality risk, with officials taking steps to reduce losses. Illegal Fishing Crackdown (Australia): Queensland officers fined two men $14,016 after a tip led to discovery of oversized commercial nets and protected/undersized catch. Trade War Ripple (Canada–US): The US floated renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America” amid escalating tariffs, while Canada announced retaliatory duties that include fish and seafood among targeted goods. Intensive Shrimp Tech (China): A supplier roundup highlights variable-frequency paddlewheel aerators and energy-saving aquaculture equipment aimed at high-density shrimp farming.

Aquaculture Policy & Capacity: The Maldives is moving ahead with a major fisheries upgrade at Lh. Felivaru, backed by an Indian line of credit, including a 4,000-metric-tonne cold storage facility plus brine-freezing and refrigerated seawater systems to boost fish purchase, freezing, storage and processing. Fish Health Tech: WellFish Tech says it has completed an oversubscribed interim financing round for non-lethal blood sampling in Atlantic salmon, aiming to help farmers forecast mortality and health risks using physiological data. Industry Expansion Meets Backlash: Vietnam’s Navico plans a more cautious Brazil tilapia expansion after rapid growth triggered pushback from local farmers and calls for stronger import protection. Shellfish Regulation: Maryland updated its oyster aquaculture enforcement and compliance rules, including a new permit-suspension/revocation regime effective Oct. 1, 2026, alongside sanitation regulation updates tied to the NSSP guide. Trade Pressure: Canada announced retaliatory tariffs that include fish and seafood, adding uncertainty for cross-border seafood supply chains. Legal Watch: A California judge preliminarily approved a $2.25M settlement in a crab price-fixing class action involving Dungeness crab.

Aquaculture Welfare Standards: A new Rainbow Trout Operational Welfare Indicator (OWI) protocol for seawater ongrowing rolls out 33 threshold-based checks (from sea lice and fin damage to dissolved oxygen and stocking density), aiming to support routine welfare monitoring and certification schemes like RSPCA Assured and ASC. Marine Policy & Conservation: Scotland signals an inshore MPA consultation “in the coming weeks,” with a planned 16-week process covering 160+ sites and Priority Marine Features, built with long-running fishing-sector input. Food Safety & Trade Disruption: Kerala exporters say Hormuz-linked shipping disruptions have left crores in seafood and other perishable cargo stranded, with uncertainty also hitting fresh export plans. Environmental Risk to Seafood Chains: A study warns Antarctica’s warming is remobilizing legacy mercury, doubling accumulation near the Antarctic Peninsula and raising concerns for marine wildlife and the commercial fish industry. Aquaculture Business Support: Henan Chenyuan Biotech highlights overseas technical training for carp farmers, focusing on field-based guidance to cut costs and lift productivity. Illegal Fishing Crackdown: Australia’s Border Force seized a suspected illegal foreign fishing vessel in the Torres Strait, detaining the crew and finding salt used to preserve fish.

Baltic Fisheries Policy: The EU Commission has set out 2027 fishing quota proposals for the Baltic Sea, including total allowable catches and quotas for ten EU-managed fish stocks. Aquaculture & Training: New Zealand’s aquaculture skills push continues as Khyber Aquaculture partners with India’s government to train local trout farmers, while a separate report highlights aquaculture training in Cambodia that helped trainees move into paid fish-farming work. Seafood Trade & Industry Events: Seafood Expo Asia 2026 opens Sept. 2–4 in Singapore, spotlighting fresh, frozen and processed seafood innovations and new exhibitor pavilions. Invasive Species Control: Italy is releasing thousands of common octopuses in the Adriatic to help curb the blue crab invasion that’s been damaging fisheries and aquaculture livelihoods. Fishery Health & Management: Sri Lanka is strengthening shark-fishery management, focusing on better monitoring and regulation as sharks are often caught as by-catch. Workplace in Seafood: A UK fish packer won £11k after an employment tribunal found her dismissal by a fish processor was unfair, citing a lack of proper investigation.