FISH FOCUS

MP and MSP see first-hand how salmon farming supports jobs, island communities and the wider economy in Scotland

CLIMATE CHANGE AND OVERFISHING THREATEN KEY NORTH ATLANTIC STOCKS Following years of political deadlock, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is calling on governments of nations that fish in the North East Atlantic to establish #quota sharing agreements for Atlantic #mackerel, Atlanto-Scandian (AS) #herring, and blue #whiting to safeguard these species into the future. Given the sensitivity of small #pelagic species to the environment, international cooperation is essential as climate-related impacts put pressure on marine resources. https://lnkd.in/eyW4UGfh

SCOTTISH FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2025 The Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey provides an annual picture of employment and production across Scotland’s farmed Atlantic #salmon, rainbow #trout and other #fish sectors, allowing trends in the industry to be monitored over time. Salmon Scotland Limited https://lnkd.in/es94Di7b

YOUNG MUSSELS STRUGGLE AS CONDITIONS CHANGE IN FIRTH OF FORTH Falling salt levels in seawater could be contributing to driving blue mussels from parts of the Firth of Forth, researchers say. Scientists at Heriot-Watt University found that baby #mussels are especially sensitive to fresher water, with their growth and development badly affected when the seawater becomes diluted. The lab-based study was sparked by the sharp drop in #musselbeds that were once common around #Musselburgh and #Cramond. Shellfish Association of Great Britain https://lnkd.in/euUg-d7Q

46-YEAR MYSTERY SOLVED AS LOST HOSANNA IDENTIFIED OFF DOVER Mutiny Diving - Dover helps confirm the identity of Belgian fishing vessel Z.592 Hosanna, which disappeared with five people aboard in February 1980. A 46-year maritime mystery has been brought closer to resolution after an unidentified wreck lying in the Dover Strait was positively identified as the Belgian fishing vessel Z.592 Hosanna, which disappeared with all five people aboard in February 1980. https://lnkd.in/eDBtxjfW

ISSF SUSPENDS ANEKA TUNA INDONESIA The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has announced that its Board voted on September 23, 2026, to suspend PT Aneka Tuna Indonesia (ATI) from ISSF participation following non-conformance with an ISSF conservation measure, effective immediately. #Tunafishing https://lnkd.in/eq9j_UEA

SCIENTISTS DEVELOP ‘FLOATING SCARECROW’ TO PROTECT THREATENED SEABIRDS New research has shown that a ‘floating scarecrow’ developed by UK-based scientists and a repurposed bird-scaring kite can help save threatened #seabirds from getting caught in #fishingnets. Every year an estimated 95,000 diving seabirds such as guillemots and razorbills are incidentally caught and drown in gillnets around the coast of Europe. The issue known as ‘#bycatch’, is a global problem that affects a range of seabird species. Fishtek Marine https://lnkd.in/ehpVBfgV

MP AND MSP SEE FIRST-HAND HOW SALMON FARMING SUPPORTS JOBS AND ISLAND COMMUNITIES Alistair Carmichael MP and Morven-May MacCallum MSP visited a Shetland salmon farm to see first-hand how Cooke Scotland is contributing to skilled employment, island communities and the wider economy. Cooke’s local site team welcomed the politicians on to the pens at Burrastow off Shetland’s west mainland to take a closer look at the day-to-day work involved in producing Scottish salmon in the Northern Isles. Salmon Scotland Limited https://lnkd.in/esv7cxUh

UK FISHERMEN AND PROCESSORS WELCOME INCREASE IN MACKEREL STOCK The UK #mackerel industry has welcomed an increase in the size of the north-east Atlantic mackerel stock following the recent scientific assessment by the ICES - International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, which provides a sound platform for further growth aided by pragmatic fishery management initiatives. #stockadvice #commercialfishing #pelagicfishing https://lnkd.in/e7c_3aSz

AQUASCOT FIRST SCOTTISH-BASED SEAFOOD PROCESSOR TO EARN B CORP CERTIFICATION Highland-based seafood processing business Aquascot has today announced its certification as a B Corporation (B Corp), becoming the first Scottish based #seafoodprocessor to achieve the globally recognised standard for social and environmental performance. https://lnkd.in/eYH_Z5jz