AGP Executive Report

Legal & Policy: Kenya’s Lake Victoria Aquaculture Association has appealed to the Court of Appeal over new aquaculture charges, challenging a High Court ruling that upheld 2024 licensing fees and a 5% levy on fish landed by commercial operators. Industry Growth: Ecuador’s shrimp sector is scaling up fast, with farms evolving into industrial-scale outdoor operations and export volumes now tracking major benchmarks like Norwegian salmon. Food Safety Tech: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa won a $2M NSF award to lead AI-enabled tools that can flag environmental threats to aquaculture and other food systems before they trigger outbreaks. Governance & Accountability: Nigeria’s marine and blue economy ministry is moving from recommendations to action by inaugurating a technical committee to accelerate fish production, citing feed costs, seed access, health/biosecurity gaps, and cold-chain limits. Public Health & Seafood Risk: A Canary Islands survey reports widespread exposure to Kudoa fish parasites, raising new questions about how seafood consumption may affect human health. Training & Value-Add: The University of Guam is running a “tilapia to table” workshop linking raising, processing, and curing with lessons on turning fish waste into fertilizer. Marine Space Planning: Vietnam is pushing marine spatial planning changes to coordinate competing ocean uses, with updated law steps expected to reach the National Assembly in 2026.

Coastal Climate Signal: Global ocean temperatures hit a new record 70°F, with El Niño expected to add more heat—raising stakes for aquaculture health and coastal planning. Food Safety Tech: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa won a $2M NSF award (with partners) to build AI tools that flag environmental threats to aquaculture and other food systems before they become outbreaks. Seaweed Supply Chain: Australia’s Uluu is partnering with South Sulawesi seaweed farmers to create a traceable, certified Indonesian supply chain, aiming to meet global demand and support seaweed-based materials. Fish Welfare & Monitoring: UK firm Ace Aquatec is expanding globally with AI camera tech focused on improving fish welfare in farming (and eyeing wider use). Governance & Compliance: Philippines COA flagged Laguna Lake Development Authority lapses, including an unrecognized P218.8M land asset tied to aquaculture permit oversight. Local Aquaculture Permitting: Maine set a public scoping session for a proposed shellfish suspended-culture lease by Butterfield Shellfish, LLC in Casco Bay. Health Risk Watch: A Canary Islands survey found widespread exposure to Kudoa fish parasites, prompting new questions about human risk management. Industry Reform Push: Namibia’s fisheries stakeholders were told the National Fisheries Indaba must deliver action, not more talk.

Food Safety Tech: UH Manoa won a $2M NSF grant to build AI tools that flag environmental threats to aquaculture and other food systems before they become outbreaks. Climate Pressure: Global sea surface temperatures hit a new record 70°F, with scientists pointing to unusual timing and El Niño warming that could stress marine food production. Aquaculture Training & Value-Add: University of Guam’s “Tilapia to Table” workshop (Sept. 12) links raising tilapia in saltwater with salting/smoking and turning fish waste into fertilizer. Invasive Species Control: Work resumes on the Great Lakes’ Brandon Road carp barrier after a stop-work order was lifted, using electric, acoustic and bubble deterrents to protect the $5B fishery. Shellfish & Community Planning: Maine’s DMR opened a public scoping session for Butterfield Shellfish, LLC’s proposed suspended shellfish lease in Casco Bay. Policy & Governance: Namibia’s fisheries stakeholders urged the National Fisheries Indaba to deliver real reform, not more talk, with accountability and action. Human Health Risk Watch: A Canary Islands study found widespread exposure to Kudoa fish parasites, raising questions for seafood safety management. Education for Ag Futures: Malaysia’s Agrovator@Sekolah expands in October to bring AI and smart farming into schools, building talent for digital ag. Market Signals: Indonesia’s Indo Fisheries Expo & Forum highlights export opportunities, including tariff relief for seaweed and agar-agar.

Carp Biosecurity: Work on the $1.15B Brandon Road invasive-carp barrier in Illinois is set to resume after a stop-work order was lifted, using electric, acoustic and bubble deterrents to protect the Great Lakes fishery. Training & Value-Add: The University of Guam will run a “Tilapia to Table” workshop (Sept. 12) covering saltwater tilapia raising, salting/smoking for shelf-stable products, and turning fish waste into fertilizer. Local Aquaculture Permitting: Maine’s DMR opened a public scoping path for Butterfield Shellfish, LLC’s proposed 20-year suspended shellfish lease in Casco Bay (Yarmouth), with feedback before any final hearing. Feed & Farm Economics: A new feed cost calculator targets livestock, poultry and fish producers with quick estimates of daily, monthly and annual feed expenses—aimed at better budgeting. Tech for Aquaculture: Malaysia’s MDEC was named validator and implementing agency for the Digital AgTech Programme, pushing AI and smart-farming tools that can support aquaculture decision-making. Industry Finance: Sea Harvest reported stronger interim earnings and a maiden cash dividend despite lower volumes, highlighting how pricing and supply variability continue to shape seafood and aquaculture margins.

Invasive Species Response: The Trump administration lifted a stop-work order on Illinois’ $1.15B Brandon Road carp barrier, clearing the way to resume electric, acoustic and bubble deterrents to protect the Great Lakes fishery. Training & Value-Add: University of Guam Land Grant launched “Tilapia to Table,” a Sept. 12 workshop linking tilapia raising with salting/smoking and turning fish waste into fertilizer. Permitting Watch: Maine DMR set an aquaculture public scoping session for Butterfield Shellfish, LLC’s 20-year, 25-acre suspended shellfish lease proposal in Casco Bay (Yarmouth), with an alternate date if needed. Shellfish & Community Tensions: A preserved Mattituck farmland fight is heating up over a proposed oyster-processing operation by West Robins Oyster Company. Animal Health Policy: New Brunswick will keep vet lab services public but transition large-animal care to the private sector, backed by a travel-assistance program starting April 1, 2027. Industry Economics: Spain’s fishing sector pressed Agriculture Minister Luis Planas for “extraordinary measures” as profitability and diesel costs squeeze fleets, while EU quota talks loom. Tech for Aquaculture: Malaysia’s MDEC was named validator and implementing agency for its Digital AgTech Programme, aiming to scale AI and smart farming tools for agri-food.

EU Quotas & Mediterranean Pressure: Spain’s agriculture minister Luis Planas met fishing and aquaculture groups to prep for EU TAC and 2027 quota talks, with focus on mackerel negotiations and stability hopes for key Atlantic stocks. Industry Profitability: Spain’s Cepesca urged “extraordinary measures” as diesel costs and aid gaps squeeze fleet margins. Science-Based Management: FAO inaugurated a new Adriatic Sea technical unit in Split to strengthen shared, science-led fisheries and aquaculture decisions. Sea Lice Control R&D: University of Stirling researchers developed a method to collect and analyze salmon lice secretions, aiming to find new vaccine and control targets. El Niño Risk for Fisheries: Vietnam warned El Niño could bring major rainfall deficits and water stress, with knock-on effects for agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Aquaculture Tech & Talent: Malaysia’s MDEC was named digital tech validator and implementing agency for its Digital AgTech Programme, scaling AI/IoT smart farming training. Ghana Aquaculture Partnerships: Ghana’s aquaculture chamber brokered talks with Aquamet Technologies and the fisheries ministry on water-quality monitoring and data tools. Feed Cost Planning Tool: A new feed cost calculator targets livestock, poultry and fish producers to estimate daily, monthly and annual feed expenses. Sea Cucumber Farming Surprise: Chinese research found solar panels over sea cucumber ponds cut light and cooled water, shifting aestivation timing—raising new questions for pond design. Gulf of Food Security Debate: Experts warned that meeting FAO aquaculture growth goals must avoid feed choices that compete with small, nutritious wild fish for local diets.

Digital AgTech Push (Malaysia): Malaysia’s MDEC was named the National Strategic Digital Technology Validator for the Digital AgTech Programme, aiming to scale AI and digital tools across agri-food to boost productivity and food security. Aquaculture Policy & Standards (Nigeria): LASCAFAN praised Nigeria’s new aquaculture technical committee but urged standardisation, reliable feed supply, and research that fits on-the-ground farm needs. Ocean & Fisheries Diplomacy (Pacific): Pacific Islands Forum leaders backed stronger regional action on ocean sovereignty, fisheries, deep-sea minerals, and pollution, including preparations for the 2027 BBNJ talks. Marine Heat & Risk Forecasting (Australia): CSIRO and partners won the Eureka Prize for long-range marine heatwave forecasts, offering up to four months’ warning to help fisheries and coastal communities prepare. Food-Safety Tech (US/HI): UH Mānoa received a $2M NSF award to build AI-enabled tools to detect threats to aquaculture and other food production systems earlier. Shellfish Closures (Mexico): Baja California Sur began seasonal closures for abalone and chocolate clam to protect spawning and recovery ahead of next seasons. Environmental Pressure (Baja/Struma): Reports of dead fish and dark water in Bulgaria’s Struma River are under investigation, with no nearby industrial pollution source found so far.

Antibiotics & lice cuts: The Global Salmon Initiative says salmon farmers in Canada, Chile, Norway and Tasmania cut antibiotic use 68% since 2013, medicinal sea-lice treatments 79%, and fishmeal/fish-oil use sharply—while mortality remains a key challenge. Shrimp rebound with a scar: Indonesia’s shrimp exports are starting to recover after the “radioactive shrimp” FDA-linked crisis, but 2026 totals are still expected to sit at a multi-year low. Feed pressure & sourcing risk: A new analysis warns FAO’s push to expand aquaculture could pull tens of millions of tonnes of wild fish into feed systems, raising alarms for overfished fisheries and coastal communities. Policy & compliance: Nigeria’s aquaculture sector groups are urging standardisation as the federal government sets up a technical committee on feed, value addition and research; Malaysia also rolled out new Good Aquaculture Practice codes plus an AMR awareness kit. Climate hit on farms: South Gyeongsang, South Korea reports millions of farmed fish, abalone and sea squirts lost to high water temperatures. Regulatory access: Maine held a public hearing on a proposed marine algae lease, showing how aquaculture expansion keeps running through local permitting.

Heat Stress Fallout: South Gyeongsang, South Korea reports 5.73 million farmed fish, 440,000 abalone and 1,538 sea-squirt strings dead as high water temperatures persist, with damage now put at 14.34 billion won. Regulatory Moves: Maine’s Department of Marine Resources is holding a public hearing on Nautical Farms LLC’s 12.24-acre suspended marine algae lease proposal in Jonesport (Sept. 14). Input Subsidy Crackdown: Ghana’s fisheries minister warns Landing Beach Committees not to sell premix fuel above approved prices or hoard/divert it, threatening sanctions to protect fishers’ subsidy benefits. EU Support for Producers: Portugal secured €30m in EU-approved state aid to help agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture firms absorb higher fuel and fertiliser costs. Infrastructure Upgrade: Fiji’s Naduruloulou Research Fisheries Station will receive $548,000 for a prawn hatchery upgrade and rehabilitation of 15 commercial ponds to boost research and production capacity. Feed and Seed Pressure Relief: Nigeria’s marine and blue economy minister has launched a technical committee aimed at turning fish-production recommendations into coordinated action, targeting gaps in feed costs, quality seed, and biosecurity. Community Spotlight: An oyster-focused “Raising Shell Oyster Social” highlights growers and regional shellfish supply chains, with a new oyster boat on display. Practice Standards: Malaysia’s fisheries department rolled out three Good Aquaculture Practice codes covering giant freshwater prawn ponds, marine fish ponds and freshwater fish cages, plus an antimicrobial resistance awareness kit. Technology Push: Indonesia plans to deploy 40,000 mini recirculating aquaculture systems, starting with tilapia and catfish, after observing results in Tasmania. Market and Policy Context: Iceland voters rejected restarting EU membership talks, with the seafood industry pushing for fisheries sovereignty and potential aquaculture exemptions.

Invasive Species Response: Italy is releasing tens of thousands of lab-hatched baby octopuses to curb a fast-growing blue crab invasion in the Adriatic, after the crabs damaged ecosystems and fishing worth an estimated $116 million in 2024. Regulatory & Farm Management: Malaysia’s Fisheries Department rolled out three Good Aquaculture Practice codes (giant freshwater prawns, marine fish ponds, and freshwater fish cages) and launched an antimicrobial resistance awareness kit, while also introducing eSPeKS and AquaTrack to digitize assistance applications and farm record-keeping. Offshore Aquaculture Push: Senegal began installing its first offshore aquaculture pilot, with marine cages off Diakhanor, aiming to expand marine fish farming, jobs, and food security. Climate Pressure on Production: Zimbabwe fish farmers are being urged to cut stocking densities ahead of an El Niño-linked dry season that could strain pond water supplies. Industry Economics & Trade: Atlantic Sapphire reported improved H1 2026 harvests and revenue as it nears de-listing, and Oman set its shrimp season dates (Sept 1–Nov 30) with rules to protect stocks. Policy & Supply Chain: A U.S. lawmaker is pushing to bar Chinese seafood from congressional dining over forced-labor and traceability concerns.

Omega-3 & carotenoid science: A new study highlights a harmless microbe, Caledochytrium aldermaii, that reproduces in a “bursting” way and could be harnessed to boost omega-3 production and natural carotenoids for aquaculture and feed. Climate risk to nutrition: Another report warns ocean warming could cut omega-3 levels in some fish by as much as half, raising stakes for seafood quality as waters heat. Malaysia digital push: Malaysia’s fisheries department rolled out eSPeKS and AquaTrack to digitize aquaculture assistance applications and give farmers a farm-performance logbook with tools like feed conversion tracking. Shrimp sector shocks: Bangladesh shrimp farms in Batiaghata saw disease wipeouts across hundreds of enclosures, with farmers reporting losses of more than Tk 15 crore. Policy & trade pressure: The U.S. Congress is considering a bill to ban Chinese-origin seafood from congressional dining halls, citing forced-labor concerns. Regional market moves: Malaysia and Thailand are in final talks over Malaysia’s shrimp import controls, after virtual inspections of farms and facilities. EU funding for fisheries: Andalusia says it will intensify support for fishing and aquaculture with €29.15m in Fempa-backed calls for 2026 and planning for 2027. Operations & oversight: Malaysia’s new systems and the disease outbreak both underscore how quickly aquaculture performance can swing—between better data tools and sudden biosecurity failures.

Digital Farming Tools: Malaysia’s Department of Fisheries rolled out eSPeKS for online aquaculture assistance applications and AquaTrack as a digital logbook to track stocking, feed use, harvests, and calculate FCR plus costs. Shrimp Disease Shock: Bangladesh shrimp farmers in Batiaghata reported losses affecting 250 of 324 enclosures, with damage estimated at over Tk 15 crore after a disease outbreak hit bagda farms. Trade & Policy Pressure: A U.S. lawmaker introduced a bill to ban Chinese-origin seafood in Congress dining halls, citing forced-labor concerns; meanwhile North Carolina backed federal bills including a “SHRIMP Act” using portable testing to verify seafood origin. Heat Stress Mortality: South Korea’s southern coast saw unusually warm water kill 5.21 million farmed fish plus abalone and sea squirt lines, with damage topping 11.9 billion won. Industry Moves: Grieg Seafood ownership is set for a reshuffle, with Ackermans & van Haaren taking a 37.5% stake in the Grieg Aqua holding entity. Feed & Circular Economy: Entosystem’s ENVOL insect-farming project gained independent verification for greenhouse-gas reductions and is now eligible to generate and sell certified carbon credits.

Heat Stress Losses: South Gyeongsang, South Korea reports 5.21 million farmed fish dead after prolonged unusually warm water, with damage topping 11.947 billion won and new deaths including abalone and sea squirts. Marine Hatchery Boost: Kuwait opened its first advanced state marine hatchery at KISR’s Salmiya station, aiming to scale breeding, larval production, quarantine, and seawater treatment to cut reliance on imported fingerlings. Aquaculture Expansion & Feed Costs: EW Nutrition named Dr. Benedict Standen to expand its aqua additives portfolio, targeting pathogen control and production performance as global aquaculture demand rises. Feed Supply Pressure: India’s soybean meal shortage is squeezing poultry, dairy and aquaculture feed margins; the debate centers on whether imports can help without creating long-term dependence. Ornamental Fish Push: India launched “Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031” from Lakshadweep to standardize breeding, biosecurity and trade for ornamental fish. Regional Resilience: CRFM and Jamaica’s fisheries authority plan a forum on climate-smart technologies and resilience during Caribbean Week of Agriculture. Food Waste to Feed: Entosystem secured independent carbon credit verification for its insect-farming and food-residue processing model that diverts organics from landfill. Project Permits: Namibia extended African Aquaculture Company’s Atlantic salmon farm permit in Lüderitz Bay to 25 years to support financing and operations.

Aquaculture Permits & Expansion: Namibia approved a 25-year extension for African Aquaculture Company’s planned 51,000-metric-ton Atlantic salmon farm in Lüderitz Bay, with the project citing easier financing and progress on importing eggs and smolt production. Local Aquaculture Growth: Cebu’s provincial government will rehabilitate an idle 10-hectare fishpond in Pinamungajan to produce bangus fingerlings for a planned 130 fish cages, pairing production with training and market support. Breeding & Training: A Maine hatchery leader exited Great Northern Salmon as the company pauses a land-based project, while an APEC dialogue highlighted genome tech applications in fish breeding to improve traits like bone structure and processing efficiency. Policy & Trade Pressure: Maine wild-salmon advocates renewed calls to protect wild stocks from open-net farm impacts, and the FDA updated seafood import screens tied to salmonella and farmed shrimp drug concerns. Feed & Byproducts Circularity: A Great Lakes “100% Great Lakes Fish” report says 24.3 million pounds of fish byproducts are now used productively, generating $3.4 million in value and cutting emissions. Fuel Cost Relief: The EU approved €4.5 million in German state aid for fishing and aquaculture firms facing higher fuel costs. Risk & Resilience: Heavy rains in Zambales pushed agriculture losses to P37.55 million, underscoring how weather disruptions can ripple into fisheries and aquaculture supply.

Nigeria Fisheries Push: Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy ministry has set up a technical committee to accelerate fish production, targeting gaps like costly feed, weak seed supply, and cold-chain limits. IUU Crackdown: The Nigerian Navy’s Operation Abo Eja intercepted trawlers and arrested crews over suspected illegal fishing as Nigeria imports over 70% of its fish needs. Disease & Survival: Barramundi Group says better net cleaning and parasite control cut mortality costs sharply, but an endemic virus still drags survival in Brunei pens. Feed & Tech Uptake: Malaysia’s NEKMAT is exploring about RM300,000 in AI for white shrimp farming to monitor water and oxygen and reduce waste. Groundwater Risk: Egypt researchers warn that water used in Nile Delta fish farms could drive long-term groundwater contamination risks through slow accumulation. Climate Pressure on Farms: Europe’s drought is stressing rivers, lakes, and fish farms, with Serbia and Hungary reporting fish losses and shrinking water supplies. Sustainability Scrutiny: A report finds Scottish “green tick” salmon farms repeatedly breached environmental rules without losing accreditation. Trade-Tariff Shock: Maine’s Great Northern Salmon paused a major land-based salmon project, citing uncertainty and imported equipment costs tied to the US-Canada tariff fight. Aquaculture Expansion: Namibia’s N$4 billion Luderitz salmon project is advancing, with plans to import salmon eggs for smolt production. Coral Farming Exports: Indonesia shipped live cultivated ornamental corals to the US, highlighting growth in marine ornamentals. Food Trend Watch: Australia’s “sardinemaxxing” craze is sparking concern that social media demand could pressure wild fish stocks.

Automation Push in Shrimp Farming (Malaysia): NEKMAT plans about RM300,000 to bring AI and sensor-based monitoring to its white shrimp ponds in Pahang, aiming to track water quality, oxygen and temperature and to calculate feed needs more precisely, while also expanding with nine new ponds. Tariff Shock to Land-Based Salmon (US): Great Northern Salmon has paused a roughly $300 million Millinocket project, blaming uncertainty from the US-Canada trade fight and the higher cost of importing steel-heavy equipment for its recirculating aquaculture system. Sustainability Certification Under Fire (Scotland): An investigation into ASC “green tick” salmon farms found three-quarters breached environmental rules, including lice and chemical overuse, yet accreditation was not removed. Ornamental Fisheries Plan (India): India’s VP will launch “Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031” to boost ornamental fisheries development in Lakshadweep. Parasite Linked to Kingfish Texture (Australia): Researchers report a parasite tied to mushy kingfish flesh is present in NSW samples, often without obvious symptoms until cooking. Blue Economy Trade (India–Seychelles): India and Seychelles agreed to deepen cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture and the blue economy, focusing on sustainable marine resource management.