Saving Seafood

OREGON: Oregon seafood industry feels economic hit from Russia’s continued war against Ukraine

March 1, 2023 —  The economic ripple effects of Russia’s war against Ukraine have been felt for more than a year. This includes Oregon’s seafood industry.

Before Russian forces invaded in February 2022, American exports of Pacific hake — or whiting — to Ukraine came to nearly $95 million worth of fish. But that market’s been gutted in wake of the ongoing hostilities.

“The war in Ukraine — compounded with various trade restrictions that we’ve been dealing with Russia — have just really put into jeopardy our biggest market for Pacific Hake,” said Lori Steele, executive director of the West Coast Seafood Processors Association. “Which is really the bread and butter for a lot of seafood processors here on the West Coast.”

Read the full article at Herald and News

MAC: EU’s Ukraine war response requires more top-level fisheries, aquaculture action

February 7, 2023 — When Russia first invaded Ukraine almost 12 months ago, the European Commission quickly provided appropriate measures and gave E.U. member-states new tools to mitigate the impacts of the conflict and the sanctions that were adopted across the bloc, according to the Market Advisory Council (MAC). However, E.U. member-states haven’t been as prompt in their implementations, it found in a newly-issued report.

Composed of organizations representing the entire value chain and other interested groups, and co-funded by the E.U., MAC provides advice to the E.C. and E.U. member-states on the global seafood market.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Ukraine’s seafood industry beginning to recover from worst of war’s impact

December 1, 2022 — The Association of Ukrainian Fish and Seafood Importers was established in 2013 as a non-governmental organization with the purpose of protect the rights and interests of seafood importers. It currently has 27 member-companies

In an interview with independent journalist Viktor Sagaydak, the organization’s head, Dmitry Zagumenny, discussed how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has affected the country’s seafood industry and the biggest challenges the industry currently faces.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Russian seafood firms finding workarounds to Western sanctions

October 27, 2022 — Despite facing a slew of international sanctions, Russian seafood exports increased year-over-year first seven months of 2022 in both value and volume.

However, a slowing of its seafood trade in recent months could be a warning sign trouble lies ahead.

During the first half of 2022, Russia sold 1.1 million metric tons (MT) of seafood in overseas markets, up 18 percent compared to the corresponding period of 2021. In sum, Russia’s exports were worth USD 2.9 billion (EUR 3.16 billion), an increase of 21 percent, the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries said.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Norway restricting Russian fishing fleet access to ports

October 12, 2022 — New measures restricting Russian fishing boats’ access to Norway to just three ports are being introduced by the Norwegian government.

Norway said it plans to swiftly implement the move to prevent Russian vessels from circumventing sanctions implemented in response to the invasion of Ukraine, according to Norway Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Russia rethinks fishery strategy as trading realities set in

September 28, 2022 — Russia has adopted a new Agriculture and Fishery Development Strategy, after its previous strategy was rendered obsolete by the geopolitical upheaval caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February.

The new strategy is part of a larger economic plan geared toward achieving higher domestic growth rates following sanctions leived by European Union, United Kingdom, and the U.S levied against Russia. Another key part of the new plan, according to the note, is enhancing the nation’s food security and increasing its food exports.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Ukraine war compensation coming for EU fisheries, aquaculture

July 7, 2022 — The European Parliament will provide financial help to European Union fisheries and aquaculture sectors struggling with the economic consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including giving compensation to those who have had to stop operating or whose economic viability is threatened.

On Wednesday, 6 July, 2022, Members of European Parliament (MEPs) adopted a measure to support fishers who have had to cease their activities due to the war in Ukraine as well as producers and fishing and aquaculture operators whose activities have been disrupted as a consequence of the conflict.

Read the full story at SeafoodSource

 

Russian government considering relief measures as seafood industry struggles

June 15, 2022 — The Russian government has amended several fisheries-related regulations, including postponing for two years a vessel-construction requirement contained in its investment-quota program.

Russia has also abolished the mandatory conversion of revenue earned by exporters via foreign trade into rubles, and has allocated RUB 153 billion (USD 2.7 billion, EUR 2.5 billion) in direct aid to its agricultural and fisheries sectors to fortify them as they cope with the tightening financial vise of global sanctions put in place following the country’s February invasion of Ukraine.

Read the full story at SeafoodSource