AGP Executive Report

M&A Watch: Cooke is set to acquire Mowi Canada East, expanding Atlantic salmon farming across New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador. Shellfish Policy: North Carolina’s Marine Fisheries division says 2026 shellfish lease and aquaculture applications close Aug. 1, with mandatory storm and gear plans and no resubmission after the deadline. Workforce & Regulation: U.S. Rep. GT Thompson’s Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act would reform the H-2A guest worker program, explicitly adding aquaculture to eligibility and redefining “temporary” work up to 350 days. Global Market Signals: FAO reports farmed aquatic animal production has topped 100 million metric tons, pushing seafood trade close to land-meat levels. Tech for Health: Researchers trained AI to spot salmon lice larvae faster and more accurately than human experts, aiming to improve parasite control. Protein Strategy: Indonesia is shifting from carbohydrate self-sufficiency to fish protein self-sufficiency, backed by village-level cold storage and freshwater fish farming plans. Regional Development: Khyber Group launched a $11.7M RAS Himalayan trout facility in Kashmir, targeting scale-up to 7,000 tonnes annually. Market Transparency: Oman issued rules linking retail fish prices to documented wholesale invoices, with a 30% retail markup cap when prices are regulated.

U.S. Farm Labor Policy: Rep. GT Thompson introduced the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act to reform the H-2A guest worker program, aiming to cut labor-cost pressure, expand access (including aquaculture), and streamline hiring through a single online platform. AI for Fish Health: Researchers trained AI models on 120,000+ images of salmon lice larvae, improving speed and accuracy in parasite identification—an effort to better control a major threat to salmon aquaculture. Climate Risk for Aquaculture: A tropical depression in the South China Sea is forecast to strengthen into a typhoon with heavy rain and strong winds across southern China, raising near-term disruption risks for coastal fisheries and farms. Genetics for Shellfish Farming: Benchmark Genetics helped develop a high-density genomic SNP array for Manila clams and grooved carpet shell clams, giving European breeding programs new tools for resilience against disease and climate stress. Blue Economy & Shrimp Regulation (India): Odisha approved a regulatory framework for scientific white-leg shrimp farming in inland saline waters, requiring registration, biosecurity, disease surveillance, water-quality monitoring, and effluent treatment—targeting major export growth. Community Support (Philippines): BFAR distributed P8M in fishing and cage-culture equipment (including milkfish fingerlings and feed) to fisherfolk in Aurora to rebuild livelihoods. Workforce Recognition (U.S.): UAPB aquaculture/fisheries leader Yathish Ramena was inducted as an Arkansas Research Fellow, highlighting continued research investment in aquaculture solutions.

Aquaculture Feed & Production: Zimbabwean fish farmers are being targeted with improved production cycles after FinFish Suppliers partnered with Aller Aqua to tackle poor feed quality and boost growth and productivity. Farmgate & Supply Chain: DSM Fresh Foods says it sees a ₹40 crore annual aquaculture sourcing opportunity by onboarding about 1,200 fish farmers, aiming for roughly 2,500 tonnes of procurement. Disease & Tech in the Water: Kenya’s Lake Victoria fish farmers report that an AI-based underwater monitoring system with SMS alerts helped prevent another mass tilapia die-off by detecting low dissolved oxygen early. Shellfish & Market Pressure: New Jersey oyster growers face a summer shortage blamed on a deep freeze and MSX parasite impacts on Canadian oysters. Policy & Permitting: Maine’s Department of Marine Resources scheduled a public hearing for the Pleasant Cove Oyster Farm lease application (Damariscotta River) on Aug. 11, 2026. Regional Support for Farmers: Malaysia allocated RM10 million for fishermen housing under the Special Fishermen Housing Project, while the Bangsamoro government distributed 50,000 tilapia fingerlings to Maguindanao municipalities to seed local aquaculture. Industry Consolidation: Cooke Aquaculture agreed to buy Mowi Canada East for CAD 225 million, aiming to stabilize Atlantic salmon operations in Atlantic Canada.

Livelihood Support: In Pangasinan, 186 fisherfolk from four towns are set to receive P3.732M in livelihood grants under the Sustainable Livelihood Program, with several groups focused on aquaculture like bangus, malaga, and mangrove crabs. Policy Push (Fiji): A Taveuni pearl farmer says Fiji’s new fisheries budget allocation is “business as usual,” calling for bolder reforms to drive innovation in pearl farming. Labor Reform (U.S.): The NASDA backs new House legislation to overhaul H-2A, including faster processing and expanded eligibility that could open the door for aquaculture processing and other roles. Tariff Relief (U.S.): New York opened a $30M Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program, with payments up to $25,000 for dairy, livestock, specialty crops, and aquaculture producers. Industry Deal (Canada): Cooke Aquaculture agreed to buy Mowi Canada East for CAD 225M (USD 158M), aiming to stabilize Atlantic salmon operations and keep Mowi’s 250 jobs. Offshore Expansion (China): China started operations at Xinhuan No. 1, a large semi-submersible aquaculture platform in Hainan, releasing 3M juveniles for premium species production. Conservation Hatchery (Bahamas): A mobile queen conch lab reached a hatch milestone, producing early juveniles for later release to restore seagrass habitats.

Tariff Relief for Aquaculture: New York opened a $30M Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program, with payments up to $25,000 for eligible producers including aquaculture, as higher input costs and unstable export markets squeeze margins. Feed & Tech Partnerships: Ecocean and INVE Aquaculture teamed up to supply specialized early-life feed for Ecocean’s BioRestore nursery and restocking work, aiming to boost survival during the most vulnerable stages. Conservation-Driven Shellfish & Marine Farming: The Bahamas’ FAU queen conch mobile lab hit key milestones, producing juvenile conch for seagrass restoration, while Palau launched its first community-managed satellite giant clam hatchery to reduce pressure on wild stocks and create local livelihoods. Capacity Building & Blue-Economy Jobs: Nigeria’s provisional coast guard roadmap targets unlocking 5M blue-economy jobs and tightening maritime security, and the AfDB signed an MoU with Shanghai Ocean University to expand training and AI-enabled capacity for African seafood sectors. Policy & Regulation Pressure: A new study says U.S. aquaculture faces about 170,000 regulatory restrictions, adding major compliance costs and limiting growth. Disease & Antibiotics Scrutiny: Tasmania’s salmon industry disclosed it used over 5,000 kg of florfenicol last summer, as regulators move to tighten antibiotic use and critics question the impact on outbreaks.

U.S. Policy Pressure on Farms: A new report says U.S. aquaculture faces about 170,000 regulatory restrictions, with compliance costs estimated at $196M and revenue losses tied to the maze of federal, state and local rules. Shrimp Industry Cost Squeeze: Vietnam’s shrimp farmers are getting squeezed by rising feed, fuel and input costs while farmgate prices keep sliding; officials are urging longer-term supply deals and production adjustments. Feed and Power Support in India: Andhra Pradesh is extending subsidised electricity at Rs 1.50 per unit to aquaculture farmers, alongside plans for quarantine and fisheries development support. Oman Expansion: Natural Shrimp Aquaculture in South A’Sharqiyah targets 3,200 tonnes of white shrimp in 2026, citing food-safety certifications and plans for new export markets. Climate and Ecosystem Watch: FAO warns habitat loss, pollution and climate change are pushing sustainable fish stocks down, even as aquaculture output keeps breaking records. Tech for Smarter Farming: Scotland’s Ace Aquatec wins innovation recognition for AI fish monitoring aimed at improving welfare and cutting costs. Education Pipeline: Mississippi’s Pascagoula-Gautier district secures $1.2M to launch an aquaculture CTE program and upgrade health sciences training. Renewables Meet Aquaculture: The Philippines is moving ahead with a 422 MWp floating solar plan designed to keep fish farming compatible with power generation.

Tariff Relief for Aquaculture Producers: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul launched a $30M Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program, with applications now open for dairy, livestock, specialty crops and aquaculture; payments start at $1,000 to help offset higher input costs and market disruption tied to federal tariffs. Shrimp Trade Policy Push: U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz, Raphael Warnock, John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy introduced the Save Our Shrimpers Act to block international-financed funds from supporting foreign shrimp farming, processing or export projects that could undercut U.S. producers. Global Fisheries Warning: FAO flagged habitat loss, pollution and climate change as top threats to fisheries, even as aquaculture hit a record 103M tons in 2024 and surpassed capture fisheries as the main source of aquatic animal supply. Vietnam Shrimp Cost Squeeze: Vietnam’s shrimp sector faces rising feed and operating costs alongside falling farmgate prices; officials urged longer-term supply agreements and production adjustments to stabilize cash flow. Aquaculture Tech & Health Advances: Scotland’s Ace Aquatec won for AI fish monitoring, while Singapore researchers developed an oral vaccine to protect farmed fish larvae and fingerlings from nervous necrosis virus. Blue Economy & Investment Moves: Bangladesh is seeking FDI for deep-sea marine activity around Matarbari; Portugal issued its first offshore aquaculture permit; and Ho Chi Minh City approved seven high-tech ag zones including aquaculture.

Aquaculture Tech & Biosecurity: Singapore researchers at NUS developed an oral vaccine mixed into feed to protect farmed fish larvae and fingerlings from nervous necrosis virus, aiming to replace labor-heavy injections. Climate Stress on Farms: The Philippines’ BFAR reported massive milkfish (bangus) and tilapia kills in Magat Dam after extreme heat followed by sudden downpours, triggering oxygen depletion and fatal thermal shock. Shrimp Production Plans: Oman’s South Al Sharqiyah shrimp aquaculture firm Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan targets 3,200 tonnes of white shrimp in 2026, with BAP and ISO 22000 food-safety credentials and plans to expand exports. Policy & Industry Expansion: In Maine, Jonesport scheduled a hearing on a 30-month Shoreland Zoning extension for Kingfish Maine’s Chandler Bay kingfish project after court delays. Sector Performance Watch: A Philippines congressional study said fisheries output has slipped over five years as input costs rise and climate impacts intensify, while aquaculture remains the strongest output contributor. Seafood Safety Scrutiny: Scotland’s organic salmon supplier Cooke Aquaculture is under investigation over alleged formaldehyde use at a loch site, raising questions for organic compliance.

Oman Shrimp Expansion: Natural Shrimp Aquaculture in South Al Sharqiyah says it’s on track to produce 3,200 tonnes of white shrimp in 2026, reaching about 1,000 tonnes by late June, with BAP and ISO 22000 food-safety certifications and plans to lift output up to 175% while pushing value-added products for Europe, South Korea and China. Fisheries Budget Boost: Fiji’s 2026–2027 budget increases fisheries funding by about $3.5m to $28.4m, with fishers in Labasa pointing to better ice and storage as a direct fix for post-harvest losses and a way to keep young people in the sector. Seafood Safety & Regulation: St. Vincent and the Grenadines used World Bank-backed UBEC consultations to draft a five-year seafood sanitary and quality inspection plan and a fisheries and aquaculture action plan aimed at improving safety and EU market access. Aquaculture Disruption From Weather: The Philippines reports massive fish kills in northern reservoirs after extreme heat followed by downpours, triggering oxygen depletion and thermal shock that hit milkfish cage operators and livelihoods. Conservation Hatchery Milestone: Florida Atlantic University’s Queen Conch Mobile Lab in The Bahamas is now fully operational after first egg masses and hatch, producing hundreds of juveniles for restoration efforts.

Seafood & Aquaculture Policy: Cyprus removed 100+ tonnes of toxic pufferfish under a subsidy scheme, as Greece weighs similar incentives to curb the invasive, gear-damaging species. Aquaculture Operations & Risk: The Philippines reported massive fish kills at major reservoirs after extreme heat and sudden rains triggered oxygen depletion and thermal shock, hitting cage operators and livelihoods. Local Aquaculture Expansion: Jonesport, Maine set a public hearing on extending Shoreland Zoning for a Kingfish aquaculture project by 30 months after court delays. Conservation Hatchery Milestone: Florida Atlantic University’s Queen Conch Mobile Lab reached full operation in The Bahamas, producing juvenile conchs for restoration. Industry Costs & Competitiveness: A Philippines agribusiness forum warned that high tariffs and price caps can squeeze profits and slow investment—an issue that can spill into aquaculture input costs. Training & Jobs: Zimbabwe rolled out entrepreneurship coaching for women and youth tied to aquaculture and other livelihoods, supported by ILO and AfDB. Market Outlook: FAO’s latest fisheries and aquaculture snapshot shows record global production in 2024, with inland waters increasingly driven by aquaculture.

Entrepreneurship & jobs in aquaculture: Zimbabwe rolled out a nine-day ILO/AfDB-backed SYWEP training for accredited entrepreneurship coaches, targeting women and youth with skills for aquaculture alongside horticulture and goat production. EU coastal policy push: The EU unveiled its first Islands Strategy and a parallel strategy for resilient coastal communities, aiming to turn long-standing island and maritime-region needs into action. Organic salmon probe: Scotland’s SEPA opened an investigation into Cooke Aquaculture after complaints alleging formaldehyde use at an organic salmon site, raising questions about compliance and fish health practices. Disaster risk for fish farms: The Philippines reported massive fish kills at reservoirs after extreme heat and sudden downpours triggered oxygen depletion and thermal shock in milkfish and other species. Aquaculture finance access: The U.S. SBA reminded Wisconsin businesses that low-interest disaster loans can cover working capital losses from 2025 storms, with limited eligibility for small aquaculture enterprises. Invasive species control: Cyprus removed 100+ tonnes of toxic pufferfish under a subsidy scheme, as Greece weighs similar incentives to curb the spread. Conservation hatchery milestone: Florida Atlantic University’s Queen Conch Mobile Lab reached full operation in The Bahamas, producing juvenile conch for restoration. Regulatory headwinds: Maine’s Jonesport scheduled a hearing on a 30-month Shoreland Zoning extension for a Kingfish aquaculture project after court delays.

Aquaculture Project Delays in Maine: Jonesport’s planning board will hold a July 8 hearing on Shoreland Zoning changes that would grant Kingfish Maine a 30-month extension for its Chandler Bay kingfish facility after court challenges pushed the project back. Shellfish Expansion in Rhode Island: Warren restarted its municipal oyster spat program, placing 100,000+ oyster spat in its upweller for later cultivation in a designated special area. New Oyster Farm Approved in Florida: Florida’s cabinet approved a 4-acre lease for the first oyster farm on the Choctawhatchee Bay, aiming to bring local oysters to restaurants and markets. Conservation Hatchery Milestone in The Bahamas: FAU’s Queen Conch Mobile Lab is now fully operational, producing juvenile queen conch for restoration on Eleuthera after first egg masses and hatch success. Policy & Finance Watch: The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee released draft 2026 Farm Bill text, while SBA disaster loans (including eligibility for aquaculture enterprises) are available for Talbot County businesses after frost and freeze. Global Seafood Trade & Governance: FAO reports record 2024 fisheries and aquaculture output, and the EU unveiled its first strategy focused on coastal communities—covering fishing and aquaculture among key priorities.

Inland fisheries & aquaculture outlook: Bangladesh kept its top-tier standing in inland fisheries and remains a major aquaculture producer, as FAO’s latest “State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026” flags record global output and shifting production shares. Shrimp economics under pressure: In India’s Andhra Pradesh, rising shrimp feed prices are squeezing margins and pushing farmers into uncertainty. Energy meets aquaculture: VinEnergo and SunAsia Energy are partnering on Philippines “solar-on-water” projects integrated with aquaculture, with 422MWp planned and major panel and grid buildouts. Coastal protection & planning: The EU unveiled its first strategy for islands and coastal communities, aiming to align policies affecting fishing and aquaculture regions. Community oyster growth: Warren, Rhode Island kicked off another season of municipal upweller-based oyster spat seeding to rebuild local stocks. Conservation & illegal fishing focus: At Kenya’s Our Ocean Conference, countries backed new commitments to tackle illegal fishing and expand marine protections. Training for cage fish farming: Tanzania identified 107 cage-farming sites on Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika and is rolling out more training to expand jobs and production. Data tools for farms: Manolin launched new aquaculture reporting in Watershed to help farm teams analyze health, treatment, mortality and environmental data in one place.

Conservation Gaps: A new Asia-wide assessment mapped 122 important shark and ray areas, but only 5.4% overlap with marine protected areas and just 2.8% sit in fully protected no-take zones—Sri Lanka’s ISRAs show the same pattern, with most still active fishing grounds. Seafood Trade Outlook: FAO’s SOFIA reports global seafood trade hit $186B in 2024 and should keep growing modestly, even as production and sustainable stock pressures persist. Policy & Licensing: Nova Scotia launched a 3-year seafood strategy (2026-2029) to tackle costs, labor shortages, and market uncertainty, while Ireland’s Kinsale mussel farm licence was withdrawn after missing required screening and impact documents. Shrimp & Labeling Pressure: U.S. senators introduced the Save Our Shrimps Act to block international finance from backing foreign shrimp projects, and Louisiana restaurant testing found imported shrimp often sold as “American wild-caught.” Farm Profitability: Nigeria’s fish farmers are pushing for more investment in value addition, cold-chain, and better seed/feed and disease control. Tech for Aquaculture: Nereida Energy agreed to acquire Haf Power’s Aegir maritime battery platform, which has already been used in aquaculture service vessels. Regional Support: Washington State expanded compost reimbursement for commercial farms (including aquaculture) and is accepting seafood processor safety grant applications.

Kinsale Mussel Setback: A Waterford firm’s mussel farm licence in Kinsale Harbour was withdrawn after it missed deadlines to submit required screening and impact documents to Ireland’s Aquaculture Licences Appeal Board. Shrimp Trade Politics: U.S. senators introduced the Save Our Shrimpers Act to block taxpayer-backed international financing from supporting foreign shrimp farming, processing, or exports—aimed at protecting Texas, Georgia and Louisiana producers. Seafood Cost Pressure Plan: Nova Scotia unveiled a three-year seafood strategy to tackle rising aquaculture costs and labor shortages, including a seafood sector innovation hub, aquaculture expansion support, and up to $4M for market diversification. Regulatory Fight in Washington: A federal court ruled Washington state industrial shellfish aquaculture approvals were unlawful because the Army Corps of Engineers improperly used a streamlined “minor” process without adequate environmental review. Aquaculture Resilience After Floods: In Pakistan’s Swat Valley, trout farmers are still rebuilding after 2022 floods, with only about 15 of roughly 300 destroyed farms back in limited operation. Seaweed & Climate Angle: New research from Alaska suggests kelp farms can remove dissolved CO2, but results vary by site conditions—important for how seaweed aquaculture is framed in climate strategies.

Court Ruling: A U.S. federal court said Washington state’s nine large-scale industrial shellfish aquaculture operations were unlawfully approved because the Army Corps of Engineers misclassified them as “minor” and skipped proper environmental review and public notice. Policy & Growth: Nova Scotia unveiled a three-year seafood sector strategy for its $2.2B industry, aiming to cut barriers and delays, launch an innovation hub, expand aquaculture, and support diversification and market expansion. Shrimp Trade Pressure: Thailand’s shrimp industry is moving to direct purchases from farmers to stabilize prices after Malaysia suspended Thai shrimp imports, with the chamber-backed plan buying over 100 tonnes per day under antibiotic testing rules. Health & Biosecurity: Research highlights autogenous vaccine potential for tilapia as disease pressure and antibiotic concerns push farms toward more targeted prevention. Tech for Sea Lice: AKVA is bringing deep-farming salmon technology to Chile to push fish deeper and cut caligus treatments, while adapting for local predator pressure. Funding Boost: Moldova approved talks on a €150M EIB loan (“Livada Moldovei II”) that includes aquaculture modernization and post-harvest upgrades.