Two giant seafood firms plan to join efforts

A trawler from Sealord's fleet. (Photo Credit: Sealord)

NEW ZEALAND
Thursday, August 14, 2014, 01:00 (GMT + 9)
Discussions are being carried out by two New Zealand's giant seafood companies in their effort to join forces.
Sealord and Sandford have revealed their intention to work together and “create a one fleet-type approach” in order to increase efficiencies.
"Why do we need three boats to go and catch a certain species of fish when we can just have two boats there and have some sort of cooperative arrangement? "What about processing facilities? Why do we need to have two factories, one on one side of the road, the other one on the other side?" asked Sanford inshore fisheries manager Shane Walsh at the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society's annual conference in reference to a recent meeting he had attended at Sealord, The Nelson Mail reported.
Walsh pointed out that competitors might work together to improve supply chain efficiencies and create value.
For his part, Sealord fishing general manager Doug Paulin endorsed Walsh's comments and added that both companies had excess fishing capacity, and consolidating their fleets would be "a huge opportunity to save costs in a pretty tough industry at the moment".
According to Paulin, while fishing was "as good as it's ever been", the industry was faced with an unfavourable exchange rate and commodity pricing of fish that was "not really going up", with margins being squeezed.
Walsh explained that they need to differentiate themselves and that they could do so by increasing efficiency by working with competitors, and by moving from sustainability to promoting the provenance of the product.
He also stressed that collaborations with science providers such as the Cawthron Institute, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (Niwa) and Plant & Food Research were taking the industry forward through innovations such as a new trawling method unveiled last year.
And he added the Ministry for Primary Industries and NZ Trade and Enterprise were very supportive in ensuring market access.
Paulin told The Nelson Mail that Sealord and Sanford had been in talks for about six months and it is expected there would be another six months of discussions before changes leading into the 2015-16 fishing year.

Fishing stoppage in Cape Verde is ‘unavoidable'

Cape Verde. The current fisheries agreement of the EU with the African country expires at the end of this month. (Map: Gringer)

SPAIN
Monday, August 11, 2014, 00:10 (GMT + 9)
The Fisheries General Secretariat of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAGRAMA) deems 'the suspension of fishing activity in Cape Verde fishery in late August 2014 is unavoidable.
Therefore, the Spanish government raises the possibility that the surface longline fishing industry in Galicia seeks other alternatives such as the Indian Ocean.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) and Cape Verde resumed contacts to complete the new fisheries agreement wording. The new agreement will replace the current one, which has been in force since 2011 and expires on 31 August this year, and which allows a total of 66 EU vessels to carry out fishing activities .
According to the Secretariat, "due to the subsequent need for ratification by the EU Council, the fishing activity interruption seems unavoidable from August 31."
MAGRAMA noted that to date, the parties have held three rounds of negotiations, the latest one took place in April.
In addition, the Ministry said that when the new agreement was considered practically settled, "at the last moment, Cape Verde demanded an increase in the financial contribution that the EU did not accept."
"It will have little impact on the Spanish longline fleet in the Atlantic, which does not often start their activity in this area prior the month of November," added MAGRAMA.
It explained that although the impact of this agreement is not "negligible" it is not so important on total catches because longline vessels fishing in the Atlantic obtain most of their catches in international waters.
"We'll keep on the lookout to see if in two or three months the agreement is renewed and on what conditions; some ships will look for fishing grounds in the North Atlantic and others, if the delay is too long, will seek solutions in the south or where they can," added sources from the harmed sector by the stoppage of the activity.
For these fishermen, the alternative to start fishing the Indian is not "appropriate" for a portion of the Atlantic fleet, reports La Opinión.
On the other hand, longliner organization manager of A Guarda (Orpagu) of Pontevedra, Juana María Parada, said that the renewal should not be carried out "under any conditions".
Orpagu has 14 longline vessels operating in Cape Verde, but only two also fish in inland waters, in addition to the international waters of the North Atlantic.
The Secretariat of Marine Affairs of Galicia, meanwhile, pointed out the fishing grounds of Cape Verde is "very important" and hoped that a "satisfactory agreement" is reached.

Salmon size and weight drop cause raises controversy

krill. (Photo Credit: MAR-ECO/Oystein Paulsen/CC BY-SA 3.0)

UNITED KINGDOM
Thursday, August 07, 2014, 03:00 (GMT + 9)
In response to concerns expressed in a British newspaper as to the future of salmon stocks, an important international organization addressed certain issues considered the most likely cause of the decrease in size and weight of the returning salmon to British waters.
According to an article published in The Telepgraph newspaper, overfishing sandeels and krill might be the cause for the salmon not to have sufficient food at sea but The Marine Ingredients Organisation (IFFO) does not agree on this conclusion.
“The only significant fishing for krill is conducted in the Southern Hemisphere (Antarctica) far away from the feeding grounds for the Atlantic salmon. Secondly, the fishing for sandeels (which are only found in the North Sea) is carefully monitored by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES),” explains Andrew Jackson, IFFO Technical Director, in a letter sent to the editor of the British newspaper.
Another issue he clarifies is the fact that the article suggests that sandeels are being caught for the production of fertilizers but Jackson stresses it is “totally erroneous,” since these species are intended for the production of marine ingredients for human and animal nutrition.
IFFO supports the research conducted by Professor Chris Todd of St Andrew’s University, concluding that the primary cause of the low weight of returning salmon to Scotland is due to the warming of the seas in the North Atlantic.
“My research, in collaboration with Marine Scotland Science, has focused not on mortality rates and population decline, but on the changes in size and quality of salmon returning to Scottish rivers over the past 50 years. This variation seems to stem from the effects of climate change on the ocean, and the anomalously high temperatures salmon find in the North Atlantic,” Todd points out.
This research has been developed with funding from the European Commission, the Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST), the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards for Scotland (ASFB), and the Fishmongers Company.
The researcher explains that a returning salmon, known as a grilse, will have grown 100-fold in size from the rich feeding to be found at sea but between 80-90 per cent of grilse, and fewer still multi-winter fish, will not survive their journey due to the risks experienced.
Todd states that over millions of years salmon have survived ice ages and eras of global warming and that helping salmon populations recover naturally is clearly a better strategy than rearing them artificially. 

Concern over US tuna fleet losing access to Pacific fisheries

Tuna longlining. (Photo Credit: NOAA)

UNITED STATES
Friday, July 18, 2014, 23:30 (GMT + 9)
American treaty negotiations with the Pacific Island Nations came to an end on Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand, with a “No Deal” conclusion, leaving the US tuna Fleet without fishing access to the Pacific Ocean in 2015, warns AFT Holdings.

The investment and management group highlights that proposed closure in US territories in the Pacific currently under review by the Administration to check the status to "Protected Monument Marine Parks," without consultation with industry or science, has created an environment of increased pressure to secure fishing access within the remaining ocean.

AFT Holdings, Inc. is a shareholder of Ocean Global and Sea Global, the largest US tuna fleet, which operates 12 purse seine vessels navigating the Pacific. The vessels provide more than 100,000 tonnes of fish per year serving the US canned market.

Representatives of Ocean Global and Sea Global participated in the recent treaty negotiations, along with other tuna industry members, US State and National Marine Fisheries representatives, and noted their extreme disappointment in the outcome.

“The value offered for 2015 access represented a 38 per cent increase over 2014 with 100 per cent of the proposed increase coming from industry,” said J. Douglas Hines, chairman and general partner of AFT Holdings, Inc.
And he added: “With an unprecedented 57 per cent increase alone from the US fleet over 2014 levels, the value for access considering the price of tuna collapsed from 2013 to 2014 makes economics difficult to bare."

Hines also explained that although they expect to have an agreement in the next couple weeks, it will not be without extreme apprehension and real cost.

Hines further commented that there is a real concern by stakeholders representing US commercial interest that the federal government is not showing a commitment to the country’s distant water fisheries in the Pacific region. One feared consequence is that China and other nations will further expand their influence through fishing and other commercial interest in the region.

AFT Holdings and its stakeholders are now contacting US Government agencies and Congressional leadership—specifically Hawaiian Senators Schatz and Hirono—in an effort to update and search for bipartisan support that will ensure a future for the US fleet in the Pacific region.

“The loss of our country’s influence in the Pacific fisheries has a direct impact on thousands of Americans—from Samoa to Hawaii onto the Mainland in California and even Georgia—who rely on raw tuna material for jobs, as well as a consistent supply for the American consumer,” Hines said.

“Over the past 30 years, from oceans to shore, many have worked tirelessly to preserve the development and expansion of the US-Pacific interest by working closely with great Americans leaders such as the late Hawaiian Senator Daniel Inouye, and Alaska Senator Stevens. Over the years, through bipartisan efforts we were successful in maintaining this country’s presence in the Pacific. Now, to see our hard earned effort ceded to other nations is difficult to accept, which is why our industry remains committed to this fight,” he concluded.

Salmon price status at week 27

Fresh salmon. (Photo Credit: Tom Haga/Norwegian Seafood Council)

NORWAY
Friday, July 04, 2014, 21:40 (GMT + 9)
Fresh salmon export volumes for week 26 are down 163 tonnes compared to week 25 but up 3,836 tonnes compared to week 26, 2013, reports Fish Pool ASA.
The Fish Pool Index reports that in the last four weeks salmon prices -- Spot Market Prices (for fresh salmon between 3 kg and 6 kg, FCA Oslo) and export volumes were as follows:

Fish Pool Forward Prices
The forward price reflects the expectations of the Fish Pool's members for the next 24 months. The prices are assessed by contracts made as well as interests to buy or sell at Fish Pool and are indications for information purposes only.

July 2014 contracts were traded several times, and the last one was at NOK 36.75. The sales for August 2014 were also traded several times, and the last one was at NOK 36.75.
The contracts for the fourth quarter of 2014 were settled at NOK 42.50 and now they are now NOK 42.00 versus NOK 42.75.

The sales for the year 2015 were traded several times, the last one was at NOK 41.75, and now they are settled at NOK 41.00 versus NOK 41.75.

Hake maximum catch set

Hake fishing. (Photo: Produce)

PERU
Wednesday, June 25, 2014, 22:00 (GMT + 9)
The Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) set a maximum total allowable catch limit for hake (Merluccius gayi peruanus) for the period from 1 July, 2014 to 30 June, 2015 at 47,129 tonnes.
Fishing operations may take place in the maritime area from the northern tip of the country's maritime domain and 06°00' south latitude.
The holders of fishing permits being allocated a maximum catch limit per vessel to catch this species may carry out their activities until reaching the total limit.
Meanwhile, the participation of artisanal vessels will not be subject to the allocation of a catch limit, unless compliance with fisheries management measures enacted to protect the reproductive process and the fishing effort regulation, the Ministerial Resolution 214 -2014 sets.
PRODUCE will be in charge of setting management fisheries measures to protect hake spawning processes on the recommendation of the experts from Instituto del Mar del Peru (IMARPE).
If a by-catch of hake having less than 28 cm is recorded of over 20 per cent of the total catch for three consecutive days or five alternate days over a period of seven days, PRODUCE may suspend fishing operations in the occurrence area for at least seven consecutive days. In case of recurrence, the duration of the closure will be doubled and if the situation continues, the definitive suspension will be implemented until IMARPE deems it appropriate to reopen the area.
During reproductive fishing ban periods, trawlers and artisanal boats will be banned.
Last April, PRODUCE authorized the catch of 5,000 tonnes of hake in the same area.

Squid record catches registered

Illex squid capture. (Photo: NOAA)

FALKLAND ISLANDS
Wednesday, June 25, 2014, 03:50 (GMT + 9)
The enthusiasm of the fishing industry in the Falkland Islands about squid Illex and Loligo record catches being obtained this year is overshadowed in part by complaints from the local government about Argentina’s lack of cooperation in the performance of an overall assessment of these fisheries in the South Atlantic.
Dr. Sasha Arkhipkin, chief scientist of the Fisheries Department of the Falkland Islands, explained the Fisheries Committee of the Falkland Islands Government that as it is not possible to perform an exchange of scientific information with the Argentineans over these resources, it can not thoroughly predict the volumes of local water capture.
The expert noted that precisely because of the lack of cooperation from Argentina, nowadays it is not possible to know "how many fish there are in the whole region" of the South Atlantic, the local newspaper Penguin News reported.
However, although he admitted that this situation affects the accuracy of the forecasts and predictions of Illex squid fishery, Dr. Arkhipkin said "there are other ways to predict data."
Meanwhile, Director of Fisheries John Barton informed the harvest this year has been "exceptional."
The first Loligo season ended up with a catch of 28,000 tonnes, making it the third most voluminous after 2010 and 2012 harvests.
In addition, until 10 June there had been an absolute record of 300,000 tonnes of Illex squid.
Over 500 jiggers fished in Berkeley Sound this season and 20 other Korean jiggers are still operating in waters off the Falklands.
It has also been a great year for the transhipment of those spectacular squid harvests and a record profit from permits, Barton stressed.
According to what Dr. Arkhipkin told the Fisheries Committee, one of the most successful scientific studies of these last two years was performed on mesh size of nets to address by-catch, considered one of the most serious problems faced.
"Creating a Marine Protected Area like we did for toothfish and whiting may be worthwhile," the expert stated.
At the request of the secretariat of the Association of Fishermen’s Societies of the Falkland Islands, Cheryl Roberts, to have more observers on fishing vessels, the Fisheries Director indicated that the number of observers on board is "fair", given the difficulties caused by weather conditions and logistics.
In addition, he also explained the Commission that the cost of changing from about six or seven observers to about 15 "would be potentially a big problem for the budget."