Grabbing the headlines this week Canadian Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan's recent announcement the government would phase out salmon farming in British Columbia's Discovery Islands is continuing to draw harsh criticism from elected officials and residents who rely on salmon farming in the region.

In a Letter to the Editor sent by Ian Roberts, director of communications at Mowi Scotland Limited, the former director of public affairs at Marine Harvest Canada decried a "cyber-bullying attack on the aquaculture sector" through the questioning of the ethics, credibility and professionalism of one female aquaculture executive.

In a similar vein, IntraFish Editor Rachel Mutter highlighted examples of the kind of abuse widely published on social media channels in recent weeks in response to salmon industry workers speaking out in defense of their industry and their jobs.

In brighter news, land-based salmon farmer Atlantic Sapphire is opening a new research and development hub in Norway to attract more expertise in fish farming design and fish movement to the firm.

Following the UK's departure from the EU, the Scottish seafood sector is pointing the finger firmly at UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, accusing him of failing to respond to their concerns over trade-related issues expressed well ahead of the UK's exit from the Brexit transition period.

Aquaculture feed manufacturer BioMar managed to grow its business "despite the storm" in 2020, with new facilities, new lines and new markets. In an exclusive interview, CEO Carlos Diaz told IntraFish what he expects from the year to come.

Meanwhile, the son of a long-time anti-salmon farming activist who died after falling through ice has vowed that his campaign will be continued.

In another concerning development a large diesel, feed-filled barge belonging to Icelandic salmon farmer Laxar fiskeldi sank in Reydarfjordur, on the country's eastern coast, following a storm.

In another exclusive, IntraFish profiled the man taking Stavis Seafoods from a family-owned business to part of a global seafood conglomerate.

Finally this week, Japanese giant Maruha Nichiro, the world's largest seafood company by revenue, announced it reached an agreement to acquire a Vietnamese frozen and shelf-stable seafood and meal producer, and will use the group as a platform to access the "fast-growing" market.