|
|
 NEW CALEDONIA
Saturday, May 10, 2014
New Caledonia's southern provincial government said on Friday the 9th
of May, 2014, it was starting legal proceedings against Vale over
environmental damaged caused by an effluent spill at the miner's nickel
operations.
Vale said in an earlier statement that the spill contained some acid,
but that subsequent test results carried out on a nearby river and the
sea showed conditions appeared to have returned to normal.
The mining giant said it had suspended 80 percent of its nickel
production in New Caledonia and planned a complete shutdown later on
Friday the 9th of May, helping to send nickel prices up nearly 6
percent. A spokesman for Vale could not immediately be reached for
further comment.
The southern province of New Caledonia was starting legal proceedings
under its environmental code after the spill had killed about 1,000
fish, and swimming and fishing had been suspended in the area, it said
in a statement.
The local government did not say when it might allow Vale to resume
operations, but said pollution had been contained to a river.
The stoppage had affected 3,500 workers, Vale said, of which 1,300 are employees and the rest subcontractors.
Source: Reuters
|
|
|
 UNITED KINGDOM
Saturday, May 10, 2014
There is growing pressure for
producers and retailers to determine the geographical origin of the
foods they distribute and sell, in response to new regulations around
the traceability of foodstuffs. To do this properly, we need new
analytical tools to track and trace what we eat.
European rules demand full traceability for all foods imported into
or exported from the European Union. How can this be achieved? I believe
that a new technique, known as biological barcoding, will do the trick.
Micro-organisms are always present on the surface of our food and a
good source of information about the origin of each product. Biological
barcoding allows us to link the organisms we find on our foods to the
geographical location of their production.
We've tested this out. A molecular technique using DNA profiling was
used to detect the variation of the microbial community present on the
surface of produce, including bacteria, yeasts and moulds. This method
allowed us to analyse and identify complex DNA structures from all the
bacteria, yeasts and fungi we found. All the micro-organisms are
visualised on a gel and the band on the gel can be photographed,
providing a fingerprint of the ecological origin.
This technique has been applied to fish from South Vietnam harvested
in different aquaculture farms, during rainy and dry seasons, and can
discriminate between the origins of different fruits from Africa, such
as physalis fruits from Egypt and mandarins from Morocco.
When the profiles were identified by multivariate analysis, distinct
microbial communities were detected. The band profiles of fish bacteria
or fruit yeasts and fungi from different farms were specific for each
location.
|
|
|
 WORLDWIDE
Saturday, May 10, 2014
McDonald’s announced its “2014 Best of Sustainable Supply” winners in
a report highlighting how suppliers achieved significant results by
identifying opportunities and applying sustainable solutions in diverse
places around the world.
McDonald’s leadership and industry experts recognized sustainable accomplishments across eight platforms:
-Climate Change and Energy
-Water
-Waste
-Land and Biodiversity
-Human Health and Welfare
-Animal Health and Welfare
-Community Impact
-Economics
“This year, we are delighted to honor 36 suppliers and 51 projects
that represent real innovation toward a more sustainable supply chain,”
said Jose Armario, executive vice president, McDonald’s Global Supply
Chain, Development & Franchising. "Innovation is key to our CSR and
sustainability journey, and McDonald’s suppliers have an impressive
track record of innovating for what we call sustainability’s three Es:
ethics, environment, and economics.”
Source: The Fish Site
|
|
|
 UNITED STATES
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Commercial harvest of gray triggerfish in South Atlantic waters will close at 12:01 a.m. (local time) May 12, 2014.
The 2014 commercial catch limit is 272,880 pounds whole weight.
Landing reports indicate the catch limit will be met by May 12, 2014.
Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1,
2015.
The operator of a vessel that has been issued a federal commercial
permit for snapper-grouper and who is landing gray triggerfish for sale
must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such gray triggerfish
prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, May 12, 2014.
The prohibition on sale does not apply to sale or purchase of gray
triggerfish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01
a.m. (local time) May 12, 2014, and held in cold storage by a dealer or
processor.
During the closure:
Harvest or possession of gray triggerfish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits.
Sale and purchase of gray triggerfish in or from federal waters is prohibited.
The closure applies in both state and federal waters for a person onboard a vessel with a federal snapper-grouper permit.
This closure is necessary to protect the snapper-grouper resource.
Source: The Fish Site
|
|
|
UNITED STATES
Friday, May 09, 2014
On the 8th of May, 2014, the Lenfest Ocean Program and the University
of Washington introduced the Fishery Ecosystem Task Force, a group of
scientists who will work to create a practical ‘blueprint’ that managers
can use to make ecosystem-based fisheries management operational.
“Scientists have long recognized and supported the idea that fisheries
management should consider the relationships of the larger marine
environment, but there hasn’t been a clear path to implementation,” said
Tim Essington, a marine ecologist at the University of Washington and
chair of the new task force. “It’s not as simple as managing one fish at
time. If we want to continue catching, cooking, and eating fish, we
need to maintain the health of the entire system.”
Led by Essington, professor in the School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences
at the University of Washington, the task force will bring together
natural and social scientists from diverse locations on every coast.
Phil Levin, an ecologist and Senior Scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
will co-chair the task force and chair an advisory panel of members and
staff of fishery management councils and staff from NOAA Fisheries.
“This task force will provide scientific guidance to implement
ecosystem-based fisheries management and provide a path forward for
managing our fisheries in a more sustainable way,” said Charlotte
Hudson, director of the Lenfest Ocean Program. “The advisory panel is
critically important because it will help the experts make
recommendations that can be implemented using the management structures
and data we have today (8th of May, 2014)”.
|
|
|
 GERMANY
Friday, May 09, 2014
• Record Q1 revenue (EUR 951 million)
• Record Q1 operating result (operating EBITDA: EUR 85 million)
• Record Q1 operating margin (operating EBITDA margin: 9.0%)
Düsseldorf – In the first quarter of 2014, revenue generated by GEA GROUP
continuing operations increased by 2.9 percent to EUR 950.7 million
(previous year: EUR 924.2 million). Exchange rate developments impacted
this figure by –3.1 percent. Organic revenue thus increased
significantly by 6.0 percent year-on-year.
At EUR 85.1 million, the group’s operating EBITDA was up EUR 12.7
million, or 17.6 percent, as against the prior-year figure. As a result,
the operating EBITDA margin improved by around 110 basis points to 9.0
percent of revenue. Consolidated profit amounted to EUR 47.2 million, a
15.6 percent increase year-on-year. This corresponds to earnings per
share of EUR 0.25 (previous year: EUR 0.21).
Assuming that there is no unexpected slowdown in global economic
growth, GEA is reiterating its previous business outlook for 2014.
|
|
|
UNITED KINGDOM
Friday, May 09, 2014
The lily pond at Eaton Park has been fenced off for almost a month,
after members of the public reported that dead fish were floating in the
water.
In the middle of April (2014), Norwich City Council put up a blue
sign on the wire fencing, which stated: “The lily pond has been fenced
as a precaution while the health of the fish is investigated. No fish
are to be moved into or out of the pond unless authorised. We apologise
for any inconvenience caused.”
City Hall officers have now confirmed that some fish had died and
revealed a string of tests have been carried out to establish what was
causing them to perish.
An Environment Agency technical officer tested the water’s oxygen levels, which proved to be normal.
A spokesman for Norwich City Council confirmed tests of water samples for heavy metal contaminants also came back clear.
But, with the riddle remaining, the council has asked other experts to carry out further tests.
The spokesman said: “Following the tests we carried out for the
presence of heavy metals, we asked Cefas (the Centre for Environment,
Fisheries and Aquaculture Science) to carry out more tests for us.
Source: Evening News
|
|
|
 CANADA
Friday, May 09, 2014
LUNENBURG, NS, May 8, 2014 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) --- First
quarter of 2014 produces USD 13.8 million in Adjusted Net Income, a 41%
increase over 2013, and the quarterly dividend increases 11% -
High Liner Foods Incorporated ("High
Liner Foods" or "the Company"), the leading North American value-added
frozen seafood company, today reported financial results for the
thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014.
High Liner Foods' common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange
and are quoted in Canadian dollars ("CAD"). Yesterday, HLF common shares
closed at CAD 44.14(1). The Company reports its financial results in
USD and the average USD/CAD exchange rate during the first quarter of
2014 was USD 1.1020.
Today, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a quarterly
dividend of CAD 0.21 per share on the Company's common shares payable on
June 16, 2014 to holders of record on June 2, 2014 and will be adjusted
pro rata in the event shareholders approve the 2-for-1 stock split
being recommended by the Board at the Company's annual general meeting
being held later today in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The quarterly dividend
of CAD 0.21 per share represents an 11% increase from the CAD 0.19 per
share quarterly dividend paid on March 17, 2014, reflecting the fourth
dividend increase over the last six quarters and the Board's continued
confidence in the Company's operations.
Source: High Liner Foods
|
|
|
UNITED STATES
Friday, May 09, 2014
Greenpeace
has just slapped several U.S. fishing vessels with a blacklisting after
they were caught setting nets around marine mammals in violation of
international marine protections. Five of the vessels in question are
managed by South Pacific Tuna Corporation, which was set up as "a
high-seas tuna joint venture project between 4 of the world's largest
seafood companies, Bumble Bee (USA), Chicken of the Sea (USA), Thai Union (Thailand) and FCF Fisheries (Taiwan).
The blacklisting by Greenpeace come on the heels of fines by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) for these violations. These stern rebukes stand in stark
contrast to the silence of Earth Island Institute, the financially
self-interested organization that has set itself up as responsible for
maintaining (and profiting off of) the "dolphin-safe" consumer label.
The Campaign for Eco-Safe Tuna calls on Earth Island Institute to
issue an immediate recall of the 8 million pounds of tuna caught during
these fishing trips. According to Earth Island Institute's own so-called
"standards" the tuna caught during these sets is not dolphin-safe and
should not be labeled as such.
For more information click here
|
|
|
UNITED KINGDOM
Friday, May 09, 2014
The third instalment of Raymond Blanc’s series of private eye films
hits the screens today. Since January (2014), ‘Inspector Blanc’ has
investigated the curious cases of the Fish in the Canteen and Seafood
Sabotage! Over 20,000 people saw the films online with students from 22 MSC
certified universities among them. The latest film see the intrepid
inspector investigate the Curious Case of the Fish out of Water.
Behind the Inspector Clouseau-style silliness, is a serious message.
Since he first arrived in the UK, Raymond has campaigned for sustainable
fishing and his restaurant, the Michelin-starred Belmond Le Manoir Aux
Quat’ Saisons is the only two starred restaurant that is Marine
Stewardship Council (MSC) certified. By making the films, Raymond hopes
to highlight the importance of sustainable fishing and a simple way to
choose sustainable fish.
Raymond explained: “Fish is a subject close to my heart. Many of the
great dishes are based around fish and it is essential that we source
them sustainably. I want to encourage other chefs, whether they are in
top restaurants or the family chef making some dinner, to choose
sustainable fish. To choose MSC certified, because that way, you know
the fish is sustainable.”
MSC’s Toby Middleton said: “Anyone who has seen Raymond on TV will know
he has great comic timing, he’s a natural to play Inspector Clouseau.
‘Inspector Blanc’, private investigator takes a light hearted look at a
serious topic and helps illustrate the importance of sustainable
sourcing. I hope these films will prove inspirational for the food
industry, encouraging others to follow his lead and consider how they
source their seafood to protect the future of our oceans.”
|
|
PHILIPPINES