AGP Executive Report

Aquaculture Tech & Water Quality: STEMart added high-precision dissolved oxygen meters aimed at lab and industrial monitoring, including fish hatcheries and aquaculture water-quality checks. Policy & Trade: Canada removed seafood and fish products from its retaliatory tariff list after industry feedback, though some aquaculture-related equipment could still be caught under broader “agricultural equipment” categories. Feed, Production & Imports: Nigeria’s marine ministry set up an eight-week technical committee to cut the country’s 2.2m-tonne fish production deficit, targeting feed costs, seed access, fish health, cold-chain gaps, and post-harvest losses. Biosecurity & Climate-Smart Farming: Japan’s JIRCAS and partners signed on to scale cultivation of methane-reducing seaweed (Kagikenori) for cattle-emissions cuts, moving beyond lab work toward real marine production. Invasive Species Pressure: Italy launched “Octo-Blu,” releasing about 130,000 young octopuses to curb invasive blue crabs that have damaged shellfish and coastal fisheries. Regional Capacity Building: UMaine opened a Sustainable Aquaculture Workforce Innovation Center to train students on commercial-scale aquaculture systems and applied research in fish health and nutrition. Disaster Risk for Aquaculture: China’s Zhejiang raised typhoon emergency response to Level I and evacuated aquaculture workers and fishing vessels ahead of Typhoon Saudel.

Trade Policy Shock: Canada abruptly removed seafood and fish products from its retaliatory tariff list, though some aquaculture equipment could still be caught under “agricultural equipment” HS-code categories. US Seafood Push: The Trump administration’s new “America First Seafood Strategy” is underway via USDA’s Office of Seafood, with a focus on folding seafood into rural and food-policy programs. Aquaculture Expansion: Nordic Aqua Partners says its China salmon RAS Stage 2 is fully up and running, targeting 8,000 MT annual capacity and starting Stage 3 engineering. Feed & Input Pressure: Fishmeal supply tightness tied to El Niño is squeezing inventories and margins, while China leans on domestic marine ingredients to offset weaker imports. Health & Sustainability Research: A new veterinary review highlights pomegranate’s antimicrobial and antiparasitic potential across species, while separate research warns climate warming could cut omega-3 levels in fish and the food web. Disaster Risk for Farms: Typhoon Saudel and Vietnam’s Narra flooding are already disrupting crops, livestock, and aquaculture operations across Asia. Policy Framework: Azerbaijan’s Law on Fisheries has entered into force, setting rules for fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic resource protection.

El Niño Pressure on Feed: Fishmeal prices are spiking as El Niño disrupts marine ingredient supply, with China leaning more on domestic marine inputs while global inventories tighten. Market Outlook: A fishmeal market forecast points to USD 12.078B by 2034 as feed innovation ramps up demand. Biosecurity & Farm Resilience: Indonesia’s shrimp sector is getting targeted training on feeding, water quality, disease prevention, and how to handle heavy rain and outbreaks. Invasive Species Response: Italy is releasing 130,000 baby octopuses in the Adriatic to curb invasive blue crabs that are damaging nets and shellfish beds. Policy & Trade Hits: Canada moves to impose 25% tariffs on U.S. fish roe and milt, while USDA’s Office of Seafood shifts toward an “America First Seafood Strategy.” Climate Risk for Aquaculture: Record ocean heat and major storms (including Typhoon Saudel) are raising the stakes for coastal operations and planning. Local Aquaculture Support: Tilapia pond culture is expanding in Abra, Philippines, helping fisherfolk stabilize protein access and income. Industry Moves: Seafarms Group removes its CEO “for cause,” and Hatch Blue joins as a Canadian aquaculture innovation member.

US Seafood Strategy: USDA’s Office of Seafood is shifting from launch mode to building an “America First Seafood Strategy,” using industry feedback to better plug seafood into food policy, rural programs, processing, and exports. Fisheries Transparency: FiTI and the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency back new international vessel-data disclosure efforts like the Mombasa Declaration, but warn implementation must be verifiable and stakeholder-led. Aquaculture Leadership & Risk: Seafarms Group terminated CEO Peter Fraser “for cause,” while in Australia police investigate the theft of about 400,000 juvenile oysters from NSW leases. Markets & Compliance: The EU says talks with Brazil on antimicrobial rules are ongoing as an export-access deadline looms; EU inspectors have started a Brazil audit ahead of new requirements. Research & Tech: NOAA is tracking a harmful algal bloom in Virginia’s lower Chesapeake Bay with potential impacts on fish, shellfish, and aquaculture; dsm-firmenich updated its Digital SalmoFan for more objective trout fillet color measurement. Trade & Cooperation: India and Seychelles agreed to deepen fisheries and aquaculture ties, including digital systems, hatcheries, stock assessment, and training. Sustainability in Practice: Italy is releasing 130,000 baby octopuses to curb invasive blue crabs, while Wisconsin’s Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility joined the 100% Great Lakes Fish pledge to fully use fish parts.

Offshore rules shift: New Zealand plans to ease consent requirements for offshore aquaculture beyond three nautical miles, aiming to cut regulatory barriers while keeping environmental protections as it targets NZ$3bn in annual aquaculture revenue by 2035. Bilateral push: India and Seychelles agreed to deepen cooperation across fisheries, marine aquaculture, tuna management, AI for harvest oversight, and capacity building. Theft hits shellfish supply: NSW police are investigating the alleged theft of 400,000 juvenile oysters (about $350,000) from Scotts Creek, with growers warning of major Christmas impacts. Climate pressure on farms: Flooding in Odisha’s shrimp-growing districts washed out pond crops and forced farmers to sell undersized shrimp at lower prices, adding to heavy pre-harvest costs. Market and policy ripple effects: Canada will impose 25% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. fish and seafood from Sept. 8, potentially affecting both wild and farmed imports and even some aquaculture-related equipment. Health and biosecurity: A study reports the first confirmed case of tenacibaculosis in wild chinook salmon near Vancouver Island, a disease known from farm outbreaks. Industry standards: France’s Gloria Maris Côte d’Opale becomes the first sea bass/sea bream farm in France to earn ASC certification.

US Policy Shift: USDA’s new Office of Seafood is moving from launch mode to building an “America First Seafood Strategy,” using industry feedback to reshape how existing programs support fishermen, aquaculture, processors, and rural seafood economies. Certification Milestone: France’s Gloria Maris Côte d’Opale becomes the first French sea bass/sea bream farm to earn ASC certification, citing stronger discharge, ecosystem, resource, and animal-health practices. Financing & Fish Health Tech: WellFish Tech, which enables non-lethal salmon blood sampling and health forecasting, completes an oversubscribed interim financing round after regulatory approval in Norway. Trade Tensions: Vietnam’s Navico plans a more cautious Brazil tilapia expansion as local producers push for tighter import protection over price and quality concerns. Oyster Rule Tightening (Maryland): Maryland updates shellfish enforcement with a new permit-suspension/revocation regime from Oct. 1, 2026, plus sanitation rule alignment and added compliance/traceability steps. Climate Pressure: Copernicus reports a new August global ocean sea-surface temperature record (21.1°C), warning of rising risks to marine ecosystems and fisheries/aquaculture. Disease Watch: UBC-linked research finds the first confirmed tenacibaculosis case in wild chinook salmon near Vancouver Island, raising attention on marine bacterial threats. Welfare Standards: A new Rainbow Trout seawater OWI welfare protocol rolls out threshold-based scoring for routine farm monitoring, aligned with major certification needs. Invasive Control: Italy releases 130,000 lab-born octopuses to help curb invasive blue crabs in the Adriatic. Heat Wave Losses (Korea): South Gyeongsang issues province-wide high-water-temperature alerts as farmed fish deaths rise during a sustained heat wave. Aquaculture Expansion Abroad: Maldives reviews progress on India-financed Felivaru cold storage and freezing upgrades to boost fish processing capacity.

Welfare Standards: A new Rainbow Trout Operational Welfare Indicator (OWI) protocol for seawater ongrowing rolls out 33 threshold-based checks (individual, group and environmental) scored 0–3 to guide routine monitoring and support schemes like RSPCA Assured and ASC. Renewables for Salmon Farming: Mowi’s floating solar cage at its Chile Isla Huar site now supplies about 57% of power, cutting diesel use by roughly 139,200 litres a year. Feed & Biosecurity Tech: AquaNab is developing alpaca-derived nanoantibodies delivered via feed to prevent sea lice, aiming to reduce the costly treatment-loss cycle. Disease & Mortality Pressure: High water temperatures are blamed for mass fish kills at Korea’s largest fish farms, underscoring climate-driven production risk. Policy & Community Resilience: Ghana’s fisheries ministry is pushing insurance, pensions and responsible fishing to protect artisanal fishers’ livelihoods. Market & Supply Chain: GenoMar Genetics Vietnam expects tilapia fingerling sales to rise 25–30% as Vietnam’s tilapia sector expands. Climate Watch: Copernicus reports a new record global sea surface temperature of 21.1°C, with El Niño adding extra heat. Regulatory/Enforcement: Hyderabad police seized nearly 100 tonnes of chicken waste allegedly destined as fish feed for ponds in Andhra Pradesh.

Value-Add Push in Andhra Pradesh: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu urged farmers to move beyond raw sales toward processing, branding and exports, pointing to Andhra’s push to scale aquaculture processing from about 10% of output toward 50–70%. Feed Safety Crackdown: Cyberabad police seized nearly 100 tonnes of chicken waste allegedly sold as fish feed to pond operators in Andhra Pradesh, raising food-safety and public-health concerns. Climate Stress on Marine Life: The EU Copernicus service reported a new global ocean surface temperature record of 21.1°C (Aug. 22), with El Niño expected to intensify—bad news for marine ecosystems and coastal fisheries. Invasive Species Control: Italy began releasing thousands of octopuses into the Adriatic to curb blue crab numbers after major reported damage to fishing and aquaculture livelihoods. Southern Ocean Management: The Antarctic krill fishery closed more than three months early after hitting its annual catch limit, as scientists warn about concentrated fishing pressure and climate impacts. Training for Cold-Water Aquaculture: Khyber Aquaculture and J&K fisheries launched trout-farmer training on biosecurity, water quality, disease prevention and recirculating systems. EU Support for Fuel Costs: The European Commission cleared Germany to offer EUR 4.5 million in fuel aid to commercial fishing and aquaculture firms under a temporary state-aid framework. Social Seafood Program in Venezuela: Corpesca rolled out the “Venezuela Eat Fish” plan to 10 communities in Puerto Cabello to boost access to locally sourced fish protein.

Heat Stress Hits Farms: South Korea’s fish farms in South Gyeongsang Province reported 1.083 million fish deaths from high water temperatures, with losses concentrated in Namhae, Hadong and Tongyeong as cold-water upwelling faded. Salmon Mortality Watch: Icelandic salmon farming saw over 745,000 deaths in June (about 3% of fish at sea), blamed on incidents during fish transfers and release; July mortality eased to around 1%. Policy & Data for Fisheries: Sri Lanka rolled out fisheries and plantation Decision Support Systems under the IDAT program, bundling data from multiple agencies to improve planning, monitoring and market intelligence. Tech for Smarter Aquaculture: Bangladesh won a global robotics title with “Hydraz,” an AI-powered smart aquaculture platform using IoT and computer vision to monitor water and fish behavior. Investment in Land-Based Marine Farming: Oceanloop secured up to €38.5m to scale giant grouper RAS production in Europe, including a 250-tonne expansion in Kiel and a 2,000-tonne facility planned for Gran Canaria. Training & Quality Push: Bangladesh’s fisheries minister urged higher production without compromising food quality and safety, while India’s Khyber Aquaculture launched trout training to strengthen biosecurity and fish health management.

Salmon Health Watch: Icelandic authorities reported farmed salmon mortality hit about 3% in June, with most losses tied to fish-transfer and release incidents—mortality later eased to around 1% in July. Quality-First Policy: Bangladesh’s fisheries minister urged producers to boost output without compromising food safety and quality, pushing farmers, researchers and entrepreneurs to work together. Cold-Water Training: Khyber Aquaculture and J&K’s fisheries department launched a trout cluster training program focused on biosecurity, water-quality management, disease prevention and RAS-style systems. Tech Investment in RAS: Germany’s Oceanloop secured up to €38.5m to scale Europe’s land-based giant grouper farming, including a 250-tonne Kiel expansion and a larger Gran Canaria facility. Local Production Gains: Rajbari, Bangladesh, is seeing renewed prospects for native fish farming, supported by fish sanctuaries and surplus production over local demand. Market Outlook: FAO says global demand for aquatic products is set to rise 11% over the next decade, driven by aquaculture growth and rising consumption in developing markets. Storm Disruption Risk: Typhoon Narra’s shifting path threatens Vietnam’s Gulf of Tonkin, with warnings that rough seas could disrupt fishing and aquaculture facilities.

Onshore aquaculture push (Scotland): Otter Ferry Seafish is operating Scotland’s first onshore fish farm, raising halibut in saltwater tanks with filtration to cut parasites and medicine use, and is now seeking partnerships to keep more of the sea-to-plate process in Scotland. EU market rules (Brazil): The EU will tighten from Sept. 3 entry conditions for several categories of Brazilian animal products, including aquaculture products, tied to antimicrobial compliance. Blue Economy funding (Sabah): Sabah industry players are urging Budget 2027 support for aquaculture and other Blue Economy priorities, including low-interest financing, longer tax exemptions, and seed and diesel subsidies. Aquaculture compliance (Malaysia): Malaysia’s LKIM says it will crack down on fishermen associations misusing subsidised diesel, including shutting down fuel centres that break rules. Seafood demand outlook: FAO projects global aquatic product demand to rise 11% over the next decade, driven by expanding aquaculture and growth in developing markets. Permitting friction (Maine): Maine modernised its aquaculture application process, while a separate Bay of Fundy underwater AI data center proposal advanced in federal permitting—raising local concerns. Shellfish disease hit (P.E.I.): Prince Edward Island oyster farmers face catastrophic losses from MSX disease, putting the industry under severe strain. Storm impacts (Vietnam/China): Storm Narra damaged homes and crops in northern Vietnam, while China issued a blue typhoon alert for Nara, urging precautions for aquaculture and maritime operations.

Regulatory Pressure on Aquaculture Imports: The EU will tighten from Sept. 3 entry rules for several Brazil categories, including aquaculture products, citing antimicrobial requirements. Blue Economy Budget Push: Sabah industry players are urging Budget 2027 support for blue economy growth, with calls for low-interest financing, longer tax breaks, and diesel and seed procurement help for aquaculture operators. Maine Aquaculture Permitting Upgrade: Maine’s Department of Marine Resources launched an electronic aquaculture application system to streamline aquaculture lease paperwork. Diesel Subsidy Crackdown: Malaysia’s LKIM says it will act against fishermen associations misusing subsidised diesel, including shutting down non-compliant fuel sales centres. Industry Expansion & Training: A Norwegian-funded East Africa project (Samaki Poa) set up training and distribution hubs to help aquaculture entrepreneurs scale sustainable production. Market Outlook: FAO projects global aquatic product demand to rise 11% over the next decade, driven by aquaculture growth and rising consumption. Operational Risk From Weather: Storm Narra brought heavy rain and flooding damage across Vietnam’s northern localities, threatening crops and livelihoods tied to coastal areas.

Inshore Pressure: Fishermen at Leenan Pier in Donegal say margins are tightening as diesel, bait, and shellfish prices rise while shellfish prices fall, leaving family boats “tight on the line.” Salmon Farming Debate: An Israeli startup’s approach to salmon farming is framed as potentially disruptive, while a separate report highlights growing consumer pushback against farmed salmon over welfare and environmental concerns. Market Outlook: FAO projects global aquatic product demand to rise 11% over the next decade, driven by aquaculture growth and demand in developing markets. Policy & Permits: Maine launched an electronic aquaculture lease application system to streamline approvals, and Maine’s Aquaculture Research Institute is surveying stakeholders to guide land-based RAS site planning. Funding & Costs: The EU approved €4.5m German state aid for fishing and aquaculture firms hit by higher fuel prices. Training & Capacity: Norway-funded Samaki Poa hubs in East Africa are training aquaculture entrepreneurs and improving access to fingerlings. Disaster Risk: Zambales (Philippines) declared a province-wide state of calamity after flooding and landslides, threatening coastal livelihoods including aquaculture. Biosecurity & Feed: Florida’s federal conservation programs include support for bivalve aquaculture gear and biofouling control.

Policy & Permitting: Maine’s Department of Marine Resources rolled out an electronic aquaculture lease application system to replace paper submissions, aiming to streamline approvals for the state’s growing aquaculture sector. Funding & Trade: Canada and British Columbia announced a $106.5M, five-year push to restore wild Pacific salmon habitat and support B.C. seafood competitiveness through a new provincial-federal fisheries fund. Regulation & Compliance: Uganda unveiled tougher fisheries rules targeting illegal fishing, gear, capacity, and habitat damage as fish stocks decline. Climate & Risk: China issued a blue alert for a 19th typhoon, warning of gale and heavy-rain impacts that include aquaculture and maritime operations. Industry Support: The EU approved €4.5M in German state aid for fishing and aquaculture firms hit by higher fuel prices. Capacity Building: A Norwegian-funded East Africa project set up training and distribution hubs to help aquaculture entrepreneurs access fingerlings and value-chain know-how. Local Impacts: Zambales in the Philippines declared a provincewide state of calamity after flooding and landslides, with reported damage including aquaculture losses. Training & Skills: India’s Khyber Aquaculture and Jammu & Kashmir Fisheries launched a trout training program focused on biosecurity, water quality, and proactive disease prevention. Research & Sustainability: Antarctic krill fishing closed early for a second straight year after harvest hit trigger limits, raising concerns about how concentrated catches are becoming.

Microplastics in fish: CSIR-WRI research in Ghana’s Lower Volta Basin and Gulf of Guinea found microplastics in both cage-farmed and wild fish, with possible links to boats, cage materials and contaminated fishmeal—raising fresh food-safety and aquaculture-health concerns. Climate shocks hit farms: In the Philippines’ Zambales, flooding and landslides tied to the enhanced southwest monsoon and cyclones “Luis” and “Maymay” pushed agricultural damage to P2.54 million, including rice and aquaculture losses. Policy push for growth: Pakistan’s maritime minister says a National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy is in the works to unlock up to $10 billion, with a new one-window service model. Salmon recovery funding: Canada’s federal and B.C. governments will provide $106.5M over five years to restore wild Pacific salmon and support the fishing industry. Feed and feedstock pressure: India’s shrimp sector faces squeezed margins as feed costs rise and farm gate prices fall, while IFFO flags weak fishmeal and fish oil output from El Niño impacts. Research for resilience: NOAA Sea Grant-backed work is developing standardized breeding and rearing methods for 20+ marine fish species using modular larval systems, aiming to expand capacity beyond centralized facilities. Shellfish operations: Florida’s West Bay Shellfish Harvest Area closes at sunset for oyster, clam and mussel harvest, while Maine continues scaling aquaculture training and apprenticeship pathways.

Fishmeal & Feed Supply: IFFO flags weak fishmeal and fish oil output as El Niño disrupts fisheries, with Peru’s anchovy quota largely uncaught and production running far below normal—raising pressure for aquafeed alternatives. Salmon Farming Watch: Public meetings are set for Aug. 25–26 on a proposed Pontiac salmon farm on the Ottawa River in Quebec, with recycling plans and a BAPE consultation process underway. Maine Shellfish Momentum: Bombazine Oysters highlights ongoing oyster farming and sustainability practices, while MAIC expands bivalve education and workforce training through programs like Aquaculture in Shared Waters. Water Quality Research: Mississippi State leads an EPA-funded edge-of-field study using slag bioreactors to cut nutrient runoff and curb algal blooms that can harm aquatic systems. Disease & Nutrition Innovation: AquaNab pushes nanoantibody feed-based approaches to target sea lice, and feed makers continue exploring low-fishmeal diets—though taurine gaps remain a key concern. Tech Adoption: Scottish Sea Farms expands autonomous feeding with Tidal’s AI system after a successful trial, aiming for better feeding decisions and welfare. Policy & Transparency: Ghana earns Fisheries Transparency Initiative implementing-country status, while Pakistan advances a national fisheries and aquaculture policy with a one-window service model. Biosecurity & Invasives: Italy releases thousands of octopuses in the Adriatic to curb invasive blue crabs, as sightings expand and damage estimates climb. Local Impacts: Zambales, Philippines reports flood damage including aquaculture losses alongside crop and livestock impacts.