Mark Godfrey is an Irish journalist covering the agriculture and fisheries sectors in Asia, with a focus on China. Proficient in Mandarin, he has frequently traveled across China's fisheries and aquaculture regions and learned the inner workings of China's corporate world during a nearly three-year stint at the Financial Times' “China Confidential” publication. He has also reported widely across Southeast Asia and the former Soviet Union. He has educational certificates in agriculture and food science, as well as Mandarin.
Author Archive
A Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) fishery in China that has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council has come under criticism from a marine biologist who claims the clams are raised via aquaculture.
The launch in Chinese Sam’s Club outlets of a range of products made with the clams, packaged by Dandong Taihong Food Co., part of the Taihong Food Group, has been hailed by both MSC and the China Aquatic Products Processing and
… Read More
Climate change is reducing fishery stocks internationally, but the situation is reversible with better governance, according to a spokesman for the Taiwanese tuna-fishing industry.
“The catch is decreasing [globally], a phenomenon that can be seen continuously in recent years, including Taiwan. There are many reasons, but I think the climate change factor is starting to become apparent.” Taiwan Tuna Association Manager Tony Lin told
… Read More
Chinese seafood processors remain under pressure due to COVID-19 lockdowns and higher raw material rates, even though freight rates have eased slightly.
“The situation is still challenging as the COVID control measures are still restricting the raw material imports as well as the factory’s production capacity,” a processor in northern China told SeafoodSource ...
Photo courtesy of Bartosz
… Read More
Negotiations on a treaty to create a system of management and protection of biodiversity on the high seas have fallen short again.
United Nations member-states have been trying and failing for the past 15 years to reach an ocean conservation agreement that would create a regulatory framework to oversee commercial use of the high seas. Howeveer, attempts at creating an agreement have foundered in part because it would have implications for the
… Read More
Canada’s live lobster exports to China have been improving, with volumes and sales at about 75 percent of 2021 levels year to-date thus far in 2022, according to Lobster Council of Canada Executive Director Geoff Irvine.
The lifting of lockdowns in Shanghai and Beijing have helped buoy demand from China for Canadian lobster, according to Irvine. But Canada’s exports of frozen lobster have not yet returned to the strong
… Read More
A European Union-sponsored study is seeking rapid-response solutions for eutrophication, which is threatening fish populations globally.
The Rapid Reduction of Nutrients in Transitional Waters (RaNTrans) project, which is being led by a consortium of universities and research agencies in Great Britain and France, is looking at methods for the reintroduction of European oysters (Ostrea edulis) as a “bioremediatory,” or water filterer.
… Read More
With both Chengdu and Shenzhen enduring COVID-19 lockdowns, China’s seafood industry expected subdued sales over China’s upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival on 10 September.
There are now 30 Chinese cities in various states of COVID-related movement controls, causing further harm to China’s restaurant scene, which has been struggling to cope with China’s zero-COVID policy as more consumers stay home ...
Photo courtesy of
… Read More
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet in Uzbekistan on 15 and 16 September to discuss political, economic, and security issues, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine has deepened ties between the two countries.
China's government has expressed tacit approval of the Ukranian invasion, while also positioning itself to avoid possible repercussions from supporting the Russian economy amid
… Read More
Overall seafood exports from Norway to China between January and July 2022 were up 44 percent year-on-year in value to NOK 4.2 billion (USD 430 million, EUR 420 million), achieving a new record, though Norway’s export volumes to China remained static at approximately 96,000 metric tons ...
Photo courtesy of Norwegian Seafood
… Read More
The Solomon Islands has refused to allow a U.S. Coast Guard vessel and U.K. navy vessel on illegal fishing patrols to enter its ports to refuel.
The U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Oliver Henry was diverted to Papua New Guinea after failing to obtain entry to refuel at Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, an official from the U.S. Coast Guard said.
The incident “is significant in terms of signaling a shift towards China and away from the
… Read MoreRecent Articles
