ASMFC Votes to Delay Lobster Gauge Change
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has voted to delay a decision to increase the minimum carapace size of lobsters caught in lobster management area one.
The decision to increase the minimum catch size was originally scheduled for June 1, 2025, but due to the vote, the change will go into effect on July 1, 2025.
ASMFC listened to the Maine lobster industry about the serious unintended consequences of a U.S.-only gauge increase,” said Kristan Porter, President of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. “Delaying the gauge increase until July 2025 is a big win for lobstermen, allowing Maritime Canada to consider increasing its gauge and the U.S. fishery to prepare for reduced landings and market disruptions.”
Nils Duus Kinnerup Moves on from Role as Royal Greenland CFO
Effective January 1, 2025, Nils Duus Kinnerup is leaving his position as the Chief Financial Officer of seafood processor Royal Greenland.
The move comes in the wake of the company consolidating its leadership team within Greenland, which the company claimed did not line up with Kinnerup’s personal circumstances.
We recognize and greatly appreciate Nils’ significant contributions to driving financial growth and profitability, as well as his deep commitment and leadership throughout the organization,” said Royal Greenland CEO Susanne Arfelt Rajamand.
Kinnerup will continue to be associated with the company for a period of time to ensure a smooth transition for the incoming CFO, which Royal Greenland is currently in the process of recruiting. The new CFO will be based out of the company’s headquarters in Nuuk, Greenland.
Baltic Coastal States Call for Culling of Seals and Cormorants
Countries that border the Baltic Sea have come together in a bid to see the European Union relax laws that limit the shooting of seals and cormorants.
“Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen a huge increase in their numbers in the Baltic Sea… and this, of course, is hindering the recovery of some of our fish stocks,” said Swedish Agriculture Minister Peter Kullgren. “We’ve seen two to three times more losses when it comes to landings.”
Industry members have gone so far as to note that seals and cormorants are a threat to fishing and aquaculture, with harvesters purportedly seeing three times more losses when it comes to landings. The E.U. has not budged on protections around cormorants, but left the seal discussion open until the completion of a review, which is expected to be complete in January 2025.
Canadian Fisheries Minister Meets with N.S. Counterpart
Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, has met with Kent Smith, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture to discuss protecting local economies of coastal communities.
During the meeting, the two discussed concerns around illegal activity and violence in the N.S. lobster fishery. Lebouthillier highlighted Canada’s commitment to working with the province, industry and Indigenous communities, as well as allocating additional resources to enforcement of the Fisheries Act in the province.
The two ministers also spoke on curtailing unreported cash sales of in the fisheries, which are claimed to contribute to criminal activity.
DFO Launches Operation North Pacific Guard to Deter Illegal Fishing in Pacific
In Yokohama, Japan, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced the creation of Operation North Pacific Guard (Op.NPG) to deter illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Pacific Ocean, which has been found to be a driver in the decline of Pacific salmon.
The mission will see fishery officers patrol 7,500 kilometres of water aboard the CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier to conduct boarding and inspection operations to ensure compliance and detect IUU fishing.
“I have the greatest respect for the work of Canada’s fishery officers, who protect fish stocks, carry out important scientific research, and safeguard global marine ecosystems. Canada and its fishery officers will always stand-up for law-abiding harvesters, whose livelihoods are threatened by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” said Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. “I wish the fishery officers, Canadian Coast Guard personnel and all our partners a safe and successful journey and thank them for their efforts under Operation North Pacific Guard.”
Canada Expands Personal Use Seal Licenses in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island
In response to growing interest in the seal harvest, Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Minister Diane Lebouthillier announced that personal use seal licenses will be available in N.B. and P.E.I.
Under the conditions of the license, each harvester will be able to harvest up to six grey seals or harp seals.
“The seal harvest is of great importance and value to many communities, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, as it meets fundamental needs such as food, culture, warmth and economic independence,” said Lebouthillier. “This is why I have always prioritized the issue of seals. It is essential to emphasize that this harvest is strictly regulated and monitored. With today’s announcement, the Government of Canada reaffirms its support for the seal harvest and for management decisions that are based on scientific advice, both in terms of conservation and on humane harvest practices.”
Feds and Québec Invest $830,000 Through QFF
The governments of Canada and Québec have invested a further $830,000 through the Québec Fisheries Fund (QFF) for five projects in the Gaspé Peninsula and Lower St. Lawrence.
To date, the QFF has funded 175 projects to the tune of $26.5 million in the province.
“I am pleased with this financial support, which will enable businesses in the Gaspé Peninsula and Lower St. Lawrence to modernize their facilities and adopt technologies that will promote greater competitiveness,” said André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region. “It is a priority for your government to contribute to the vitality of the maritime regions, particularly by supporting the fisheries and aquaculture sector. I wish all the projects the best of success.”
Nova Scotia — Maine Ferry Sees 28 Per Cent Passenger Increase
Bay Ferries Limited (BFL) has completed its last voyage of the 2024 season, with a grand total of 42,299 passengers and 19,935 vehicles taking advantage of their round trips between Nova Scotia and Maine.
These numbers represent an increase of 28 per cent in passengers and 30 per cent in vehicles since the 2023 season. The ship made 123 round trips, with 11 cancelled due to weather or technical issues.
With the fate of the ferry service’s future hanging in the balance, the government of Nova Scotia announced the service benefits to the region are more economical than comparable services.
“Our job with the ferry service is making sure it delivers good value for all Nova Scotians, and we continue to do the work to understand its impact,” said Public Works Minister Kim Masland. “This progress report shows us ferry passengers stay longer, spend more and travel throughout the province. It also illustrates the importance of maintaining consistency with the service.”
Scientists Recommend Capelin Fishing Cease in Barents Sea
For the first time since 2001, scientists from Norway’s Institute of Marine Research have recommended a quota of zero for the capelin fishery in the Barents Sea.
The institute said this year is the third time in the last decade where populations have fallen below harvestable levels. They have taken these recommendations to the Norwegian-Russian fisheries commission, which took place from October 25–27.
“This year’s measurements show that survival has been very poor for capelin — both for the age group one to two years and for the age group two to three years,” said Georg Skaret, marine researcher and population manager for capelin. “What we say is that marine scientists recommend a fishing stop to give the stock better opportunities to recover as quickly as possible. The last time there was a zero advisory for capelin in the Barents Sea was for the 2021 fishing season.”
SFP and SAGE Partner to Advance Gender Equity in Seafood Sector
Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE) to advance the cause of gender equity in the global seafood sector.
The partnership will focus on engaging with SFP’s “Supply Chain Roundtables” (SRs) to address gender inequality through the combined knowledge, expertise and resources of the buyers and importers of seafood that attend these roundtables.
“The SRs have a singular purpose — to drive significant and measurable change to fisheries sustainability. We are excited to work with SFP and the SRs to explore the incorporation of a gender component to this work, as it has been shown that, by empowering women and historically excluded groups, we can achieve our goals around environmental improvements faster and at scale,” said Julie Kuchepatov, founder of SAGE.
MSC Annual Report Shows Consumers Value Sustainable Seafood, Despite Budget Crunch
In the face of an unstable economy, consumers are still seeking out sustainable seafood options according to Celebrating Leadership in Sustainable Fisheries, an annual report by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
According to the MSC, 1.2 million tonnes of their certified sustainable seafood has been sold in the year up to March 2024, amounting to a retail value of $13.4 billion. The strongest market growth was seen in the U.S.A., France, Italy, Poland and Central Europe as well as Asia, where sales in South Korea grew by 35 per cent and in China by 20 per cent.
“Despite the difficult economic conditions of the last year, we’ve seen remarkable resilience and stability in the sustainable seafood sector,” said MSC Chief Executive Robert Howes. “This would not have been the case in the absence of the continued leadership and engagement of the fishing industry and the determination of the market to continue to meet the growing consumer demand for sustainable seafood choices.
NOAA Invests $1.8 Million in Arctic Research Program
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced $1.8 million in funding for the development, procurement and deployment of ocean monitoring technologies in its Arctic Research Program.
The funding, according to NOAA, will allow for better understanding of changing sea ice and ocean conditions in the Arctic marine environment.
“This award will improve NOAA’s access to climate information in the Arctic, helping us better understand and address the impacts of climate change in the region,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This investment, made possible thanks to the Investing in America agenda, demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to national scientific research, development, and discovery, which are vital to the livelihoods and the economic well-being of communities in the Arctic and across the globe.”
U.S. Allocates $39.5 Million to Address Bering Sea Snow Crab “Disaster”
The United States has invested $39.5 million in disaster assistance funding to harvesters in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery after the crab population bottomed out between 2023 and 2024.
The funds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will allow the fishery in the area to remain economically viable into the future, as well as supporting the prevention of future disasters.
“As climate change continues to have severe impacts on the fisheries and ecosystems that are vital to Alaska’s economy, the Department of Commerce remains committed to providing disaster relief across the state,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This funding will help Alaskans recover from the Bering Sea snow crab fishery disaster, support the community’s efforts to prevent future disasters, and keep jobs, recreation and cultural connections thriving.
Some fisheries affected by the disaster will also be eligible for assistance from the Small Business Administration.
