Jason Holland

The turnover achieved by the United Kingdom's fishing fleet reached GBP 1 billion (USD 1.2 billion, EUR 1.1 billion) for the second consecutive year in 2018, although external factors such as fuel cost, weather, and the political landscape have led to a fall in profits, new figures released by seafood public body Seafish showed.

Seafish’s report, “Economics of the UK Fishing Fleet 2018,” which analyzes the performance of the

Exports of Scottish seafood to Japan increased fourfold last year, according to new trade figures compiled ahead of a key trade visit to the Asian country. 

Industry body Seafood Scotland said that Japan sourced more than 2,630 metric tons (MT) of Scottish fisheries and aquaculture products in 2018, up from 598 MT in the previous year.

A group of 10 seafood companies from Scotland are attending the Japan International Seafood &

Norwegian-headquartered salmon farming company Mowi has set a new second-quarter earnings record thanks to significantly increased harvest volumes coupled with strong prices and high demand. 

Mowi achieved operational earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 211.2 million (USD 234.4 million) in the second-quarter of this year. This latest EBIT was EUR 36 million (USD 39.9 million), or 20 percent, more than that recorded in Q2 2018,

Bakkafrost CEO Regin Jacobsen said in the company’s second-quarter earnings report the company is on track for growth.

Bakkafrost Group delivered total operating earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of DKK 338.8 million (USD 50.4 million, EUR 45.4 million) for the second quarter of this year, down from DKK 407.9 million (USD 60.6 million, EUR 54.7 million) in the corresponding period of 2018. 

The Faroe Islands-based Atlantic

Aquaculture health, nutrition, and genetics company Benchmark has announced that its founder Malcolm Pye has decided to step down as CEO and that an external search for his successor is underway.

Pye will formally step down on 30 November, 2019, when he will become a non-executive director.  

Peter George, chairman of Benchmark, has stepped up with immediate effect to the position of executive chairman and will remain in this role

The seafood industry is being called upon to provide feedback on the draft standard criteria for the next iteration of the Responsible Fishing Scheme (RFS), to be called the “Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard (RFVS),” following the launch of a 60-day public consultation.

RFVS standard criteria have been released by U.K. public body Seafish and not-for-profit organization Global Seafood Assurances (GSA). Together, they are working

Grants Oak Smoked Ltd. has won a second three-star Great Taste award in this year’s contest, run by the Guild of Fine Food.

The Cumbria, United Kingdom-based company’s Grants’ Traditional longsliced smoked salmon was commended by judges for its “beautiful presentation… melting texture… delicate and complex taste…” 

Two years ago, Grants’ Traditionally Smoked Rope Hung Scottish Salmon

Young’s Seafood Ltd. achieved turnover of GBP 545.9 million (USD 659.2 million, EUR 587.9 million) for the financial year ending September 2018, which represented an increase of 4.3 percent year-on-year, with growth seen in its frozen, chilled, brand, and retailer-branded segments. 

The Grimsby, United Kingdom-based company's frozen sales increase resulted from growth in its market-leading brand in the United Kingdom and export

French fishermen have warned the United Kingdom that they will halt marine traffic from the United Kingdom inbound to France via the English Channel by denying access to the port of Calais if they are not permitted to fish in U.K. waters following a no-deal Brexit.

In the event of a no-deal Brexit, E.U. fisherman will be banned from British waters, unless the U.K. government decides to grant access. The U.K. press has reported that fishermen in

Norwegian seafood companies exported 164,000 metric tons (MT) of fisheries and aquaculture products worth NOK 7.8 billion (USD 876.2 million, EUR 782.5 million) last month. While this volume was 6 percent lower than in July 2018, the value was 11 percent or NOK 768 million (USD 86.3 million, EUR 77 million) more than a year previously.

So far this year, the Scandinavian country has exported 1.4 million MT of seafood worth NOK 59 billion (USD 6.6