Organised gangs get huge profits from illegal shellfish trade

Razor clams. (Photo: Stock File)

UNITED KINGDOM 
Monday, September 15, 2014, 02:10 (GMT + 9)

Scotland Police warn that illegal fishing of shellfish is profiting eastern European offenders, who make up to GBP 65,000 (USD 105,434) a day.

According to police reports, divers working for organised crime gangs are electrifying the seabed off the coast of Argyll and selling the illegally harvested razor clams on the black market in Asia, The Scotsman reported.

A detective responsible for Argyll, Bute and West Dunbartonshire explained that the practice was difficult to stop as unlicensed boats destroyed evidence of electro-fishing, which has been illegal since 1998, over the side of the boat when police approached, Daily Mail informed.

The police had evidence that these offenders have a generator on the boat and deploy electrodes and probes on to the seabed and run them along the seabed, between 10 and 15 metres deep. The electricity stuns the razor clams and divers walk behind the boat scooping the clams up.

'Many of the divers are known to be of eastern European origin and there is concern that they are being exploited and their personal safety is in danger - because of the proximity of electricity in water. There is a major concern that we will be faced with fatalities in the waters off Argyll and Bute,' Police Scotland remarked.

It has been estimated that illegally active fishing boats are taking between 500-600 kg of razor clams a day, while a comparable fishing boat on a legitimate fishing trip might recover between one and two kilos a day.

As a measure to stop this illegal and dangerous practice for divers and consumers, a multi-agency operation run from Oban, involving Police Scotland, Marine Scotland, Argyll and Bute Council and the Health and Safety Executive, has been launched to clamp down on electro-fishing for razor clams off the coast, Herald Scotlandreported.

Besides, last month new measures were introduced to tackle the illegal fishing method, including new licensing means vessels inspections by Marine Scotland officers to ensure equipment capable of electro-fishing is not installed.

At the launch of the measures, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Electro-fishing for razor clams remains illegal and may endanger those working in the industry as well as stocks of razor clams and the wider environment.”

“We need strong scientific evidence on the impact of electrofishing on the wider marine environment before we will consider supporting any bid to relax European laws that prohibit it," Lochhead concluded.

Shellfish farmed in unclassified areas are deemed unfit for human consumption and cannot enter the food chain. Consumers who eat illegally harvested products may suffer nausea, blindness and in severe cases respiratory paralysis or death.

Innovative textiles may revolutionize seaweed farming

Seaweed harvest. (Photo Credit: www.sams.ac.uk)

EUROPEAN UNION
Thursday, September 11, 2014, 22:50 (GMT + 9)
Seaweed is an important but under-exploited resource for food and feed ingredients, biochemicals and the production of biofuels. But it has been difficult to harvest efficiently on a large scale. Until now. The EU-funded AT~SEA project has developed advanced textiles that give high yields from floating seaweed farms and allow easy, mechanised cultivation.

Project coordinator Bert Groenendaal of Belgium-based Sioen Industries said that farming seaweed on the scale made possible by the new textiles can help create a multi-billion euro industry in Europe – boosting growth and jobs. Sioen is one of seven companies involved in the project, along with four research centres.

“The economic potential for seaweed is huge. Businesses are interested in seaweed for many different applications such as food and food additives, animal feed, chemicals and even fuel,” Groenendaal said.
European Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn added: “AT~SEA is just one example among many of how EU funding helps researchers and businesses collaborate to innovate. This research will allow EU businesses to farm a valuable resource efficiently, helping them compete in global markets. Horizon 2020, the EU's new EUR 80 billion research programme supports companies and businesses in bringing new ideas from lab to market quickly and cost-effectively.”

Tests of AT~SEA’s textiles at trial sites in Solund, Norway, Oban, Scotland and Galway, Ireland have produced yields of up to 16 kg of wet seaweed per square metre – three to five times the yield of traditional seaweed farming.

Currently, seaweed is obtained by harvesting wild seaweed or by rope-based cultivation. Neither of these scale up easily as both methods are labour-intensive with relatively low yields.

The project team developed textiles that can support large numbers of seaweed plants without breaking up or attracting unwanted plants or molluscs. Bio-sourced coatings on the textiles protect young seaweed and boost growth.

The textiles are suitable for large, 1 mm-thin mats on which seaweed plants grow, held a couple of metres below the sea’s surface. When the seaweed is fully grown, ship-based machines cut the plants from the mats and direct them to flexible storage tanks made from AT~SEA’s advanced textiles.

In September 2014, AT~SEA will start cultivating 200 square metres of mats at each of the three trial sites. The aim is to evaluate their potential for commercial use. Groenendaal estimated that yields could increase to 20-25 kg per square metre as the consortium refines its techniques.

The AT~SEA consortium has applied for a patent on the textiles. After the project ends in July 2015, the consortium plans to establish a 2 to 3 hectare cultivation site through a commercial company to be spun off from AT~SEA.

Project also sees commercial uses for the textiles beyond seaweed cultivation. These uses include other types of aquaculture and flexible containers for transporting fresh water by sea.

There are many potential uses for seaweed. Some are sources of biochemicals for medicines, natural cosmetics and organic fertilisers. Others show promise for sustainable biofuel production if harvested in the quantities needed for industrial production.

Food and food ingredients are yet another potential use. Some species are farmed extensively and eaten directly in Asian countries. Here in Europe, processed foods such as chocolate milk, yoghurts, health drinks and beers contain seaweed polysaccharides such as agars, carrageenans and alginates as binders or emulsifiers. High‐value lipids and proteins, antioxidants, gelling agents, vitamins and essential minerals can also be extracted from seaweed for food production.

Large-scale seaweed farming could also have a positive impact on the ocean’s ecosystem. Farmed seaweed can help absorb excess CO₂ in seawater and waste nutrients from nearby fish farms. It also provides safe habitats for wild fish and shellfish that might otherwise be threatened by fishing.

The AT~SEA project, supported with EUR 3.4 million in EU funding, brought together six SMEs, one large company and four research centres from Belgium, Ireland, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the UK.

The project received funding under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (2007-2013).

Pescadores vascos evalúan abandonar campaña del bonito y capturar anchoa

Flota del Cantábrico. (Foto: Stock File)

ESPAÑA
Wednesday, September 10, 2014, 03:30 (GMT + 9)
La flota vasca está evaluando abandonar la campaña del bonito, cuyos resultados hasta ahora han sido malos, y abocarse a pesca de anchoa.
Así lo anunció la secretaria de la Federación de Cofradías de Pescadores de Gipuzkoa, Miren Garmendia, después de que el Gobierno central resolvió reabrir la pesca de anchoa en el Cantábrico con una cuota de 2.000 toneladas.
Hace unos días, las cofradías de Cantabria, Bizkaia y Gipuzkoa manifestaron su oposición a la decisión del Ejecutivo, por considerar que esta reapertura podría impactar en la campaña de la primavera de 2015.
Por ello, solicitaron la destitución del titular de la Secretaría de Pesca, Andrés Hermida, a quien acusan de haber "cedido a las presiones" de Galicia, informó la agencia EFE.
Garmendia sostiene que "si la pesquería está abierta, lo está para todos", por lo que las embarcaciones del País Vasco consideran "dejar el bonito para ir a la anchoa".
La "mala campaña" de pesca que están experimentando los pescadores vascos los lleva a evaluar si tiene sentido afrontar los gastos que supone desplazarse hasta Irlanda "para buscar un bonito que está complicado de pescar, teniendo aquí 2.000 toneladas de anchoa y pudiendo pescarla a dos horas de distancia", explicó.
"Con lo cual, si toda la flota [vasca] va a la anchoa, que tiene el mismo derecho que los barcos gallegos, pensamos que las 2.000 toneladas se pueden agotar fácilmente", añadió Garmendia.
En su opinión, la decisión de reabrir la campaña de anchoa "lo que se hace es romper claramente, de una forma unilateral, las reglas de juego establecidas en beneficio de una flota determinada".
Para las futuras campañas de anchoa, Garmendia reclama un nuevo modelo que establezca las cuotas siguiendo el año natural, en vez del actual, que fija el total admisible de capturas (TAC) entre el 1 julio de un año y el 30 de junio del siguiente.
Por otro lado, el sector pesquero de cerco gallego aseguró que no desea entrar en una "guerra de la anchoa" y afirmó que apuesta por el diálogo y el buen entendimiento entre el sector de las distintas comunidades y la Administración, informó La Opinión.
Por su parte, el vocal de la mayoritaria Asociación de Cerco de Galicia (Acerga), Andrés García, recordó que durante la reunión de la comisión sectorial del cerco del Consejo Gallego de Pesca se rechazó por unanimidad el cierre de la pesquería en la zona VIIIc -de Fisterra al golfo de Vizcaya "por tratarse de una medida sobre la que una organización de productores carece de competencia, ya que versa sobre la gestión de un recurso y no sobre su comercialización".
En defensa de la decisión adoptada por la Secretaría General de Pesca, Hermida aseguró que la reapertura de la pesquería garantiza cuota suficiente para 2015 en el Cantábrico y censuró la actitud "poco solidaria" de los pescadores cántabros y vascos.

Precisó que si se pescan las 2.000 toneladas autorizadas ahora, con las 2.000 ya capturadas se cubriría un 25% de la cuota hasta julio.

"Creo que con una reserva del 75% para 2015 es más que suficiente", señaló. Y si bien dijo que todos los cerqueros del Cantábrico podrían extraer este cupo, admitió que sería más lógico que lo desembarquen los gallegos porque el pescado apareció en sus costas.
 

Higher cod prices offset export volume drop

Cod salting. (Photo Credit: Per Eide Studio, NSEC)

NORWAY
Monday, September 08, 2014, 00:10 (GMT + 9)
The value of exports of Norwegian codfish in August was NOK 824 million (USD 132.2 million), an increase of NOK 67 million (USD 10.7 million) , or 9 per cent, compared to last August. According to figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council, this was accompanied by a decrease in the exported volume of 4 per cent.

 “An increase in the global demand for raw materials for the production of fillets and clipfish has contributed to pushing the price for cod upwards,” explains Ove Johansen, Branch Manager for Codfish at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

The value of exports of frozen fish from Norway in August was NOK 322 million, an increase of NOK 62 million compared to last August. The price for whole frozen cod was 21 per cent higher on average in August compared to the same month last year. The greatest growth was in exports to China, but Great Britain, Poland and Portugal have imported more whole frozen cod this year to date than during the same period last year.

The volume of exports of frozen fillets in August totalled NOK 43.2 million, up 12 per cent compared to last August. Exports to Great Britain, which is the largest market for frozen fillets, were down 3 per cent in August.

The value of exports of Norwegian clipfish in August was NOK 298 million. This is an increase of NOK 25 million compared to last August. Exports in August totalled 8,403 tonnes, down 349 tonnes compared to last August.

The value of exports of clipfish made from Atlantic cod was NOK 128 million, down NOK 17 million from last year. The value of exports of Norwegian clipfish made from saithe in August was NOK 130 million. This is an increase of NOK 31 million compared to last August.

The largest single market for clipfish in August was Brazil. Exports of clipfish to Brazil totalled NOK 96 million, up NOK 28 million from last August.

The value of exports of salted fish, both whole and fillet, in August totalled NOK 22 million, an increase of 25 per cent compared to last August. Measured in volume, exports totalled 690 tonnes, down 50 per cent. Measured in Norwegian crowns, the price increased by 49 per cent. Measured in euros, the price increased by 46 per cent. Portugal is the biggest market for salted fish and bought 67 per cent of all Norwegian salted fish in August.

The value of exports of Norwegian stockfish in August was NOK 47 million. This is a decrease of 13 per cent compared to last August. The exported volume dropped from 547 to 504 tonnes, a decrease of 8 per cent.

The value of exports of of Norwegian cod stockfish from Lofoten in August was NOK 31.2 million, down 21 per cent from last August. Measured in volumes, exports of Norwegian cod stockfish from Lofoten were down 16 per cent, to a total of 318 tonnes.

The value of exports of dried fish in August was NOK 19.6 million, down 27 per cent from last August. The average price in August increased by 0.5 per cent per kilo. Nigeria imported NOK 88.5 million of dried fish, a decrease of 1 per cent.  

The value of exports of fresh codfish products from fishing in August was NOK 128 million, down 3 per cent from last August.

Measured in volume, total exports of fresh whole cod in August totalled 1,090 tonnes, down 10 per cent from last August. Measured in Norwegian crowns, the price increased in August by 13 per cent, or NOK 2.88. Measured in euros, the increase was 8.6 per cent compared to last August.

The value of exports of fresh fillet products totalled NOK 24 million in August, a decrease of NOK 8 million. The price increased by an average of 23 per cent.
(1 NOK= USD 0.1604)

Lobster quality assurance booklet to support provincial industry

Lobster fisheries. (Photo: Stock File)

CANADA
Monday, August 18, 2014, 02:20 (GMT + 9)
With financing from the Provincial Government, a booklet will be developed by the Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador to provide the lobster industry with the most up-to-date information to help maintain quality, as well as to help harvesters receive the best price for their catch.

Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced CAD 24,550 (USD 22,500) through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Programme for the initiative.

“This quality standards booklet will help the provincial lobster sector continue to improve its regular handling practices that can be set across the industry. The Provincial Government is pleased to support this project with CAD 24,550, as this booklet will help our seafood industry maintain its strong reputation in global markets,” said Hutchings.

The informational booklet will outline best practices in the lobster industry regarding at-sea handling, holding, transporting and processing.

“We need to maintain quality control across the board to continue to be competitive in the global marketplace. This booklet contains the information to help our industry continue to produce top quality seafood product. We would like to thank the Provincial Government for their support with this endeavour,” said George Joyce, Executive Director, Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador.

With this funding, 1,000 copies of the booklet, as well as two lobster marketing banners will be produced. 

Marine Foods BV

Contact Name	Paul Linschooten
Company Position	Sales Manager
Address	Dr.Lelykade 18 A
Address Cont.	-
City	Scheveningen
State	-
Postal (Zip) Code	2593 CM
Country	NETHERLANDS
Tel	+31 70 416 8181
Mobile (Cell) Phone	-
Fax	+31 70 354 2639
Skype	Buy Skype Credit now to make cheap calls internationally
Email	Info@marinefoods.com
Website	www.marinefoods.com
ABOUT OUR COMPANY Marine Foods BV ( 1978 ) Involved in Fishing, production, Import & Export is a worldwide supplier of frozen seafood. Our main markets are Europe, Russia, North & West Africa,South East Asia and Australia Frozen Product: Main products ; Pelagics -> Mackerel, Horsemackerel, sardines, sardinella, Herring, Blue whiting. White fish ; -> Cod, haddock, Saithe, Whiting, Salmon -> farmed & Wild Salmon trout -> farmed Brand Names: Makimpex Certifications: ISO 9002

Gregg L. Friedman MD Fish Farm

Contact Name	Gregg L. Friedman MD
Company Position	Owner
Address	2500 East Hallandale Beach Blvd
Address Cont.	Suite 702
City	Hallandale Beach
State	Florida
Postal (Zip) Code	33009
Country	USA
Tel	+1 954-456-1996
Mobile (Cell) Phone	-
Fax	-
Skype	Buy Skype Credit now to make cheap calls internationally
Email	juliefrdmn@aol.com
Website	-
ABOUT OUR COMPANY Gregg L. Friedman MD Fish Farms since 1989 Fresh Product: Florida Lobster Frozen Product: Florida Lobster Certifications: HACCP

Rocmar Seafood S.A.

Contact Name	Roy Rivera
Company Position	General Manager
Address	Puerto Vacamonte, Arraiján,
Address Cont.	Apartado 6-9492
City	Panama
Postal (Zip) Code	6-9492
Country	REPUBLIC de PANAMA
Tel	+507 251 4389
Mobile (Cell) Phone	+507 6612 7369
Fax	+507 251 2400
Skype	Buy Skype Credit now to make cheap calls internationally
Email	info@rocmarseafood.com
Website	http://www.rocmarseafood.com
ABOUT OUR COMPANY   Rocmar Seafood is a leading wholesale frozen at sea fish supplier and exporter from Panama.  Our fish is only harvested by longliner boats with sea frozen capacity. We export to 12 countries (Europe, Asia and America) and our facilities are HACCP approved. Our products include Blue shark, black tip shark, mako shark, yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna, mahi mahi and wahoo.

Marine Stewardship Council - MSC Worldwide

 

 

 

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an independent non-profit organization with an ecolabel and fishery certification programme. Fisheries that are assessed and meet the standard can use the MSC blue ecolabel. The MSC mission is to 'reward sustainable fishing practises’. When fish is bought that has the blue MSC ecolabel, it should indicate that this fishery operates in an environmentally responsible way and does not contribute to the global environmental problem of overfishing.

 

The MSC environmental standard for sustainable fisheries was developed over two years through a consultative process. The three principles of the MSC standard consider:

• The condition of the fish stock(s) of the fishery
• The impact of the fishery on the marine ecosystem
• The fishery management system

The MSC standard is consistent with the ‘Guidelines for the Eco-labelling of Fish and Fishery Products from Marine Wild Capture Fisheries’ adopted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in 2005. Any fishery that wishes to become MSC certified and use the ecolabel is assessed against the MSC standard by a third party, independent certification body that has been independently accredited to perform MSC assessments by Accreditation Services International (ASI). Chain of custody certification along the supply chain from boat to point of sale ensures that seafood sold bearing the ecolabel originated from an MSC certified fishery.

Address:	Marine House, 1 Snow Hill
City:	London
State:	(EC1A 2DH)
Telephone:	+44 (0)20 7246 8900
Fax:	+44 (0)20 7246 8901
Homepage:	Link to Homepage
Email:	info@msc.org

SMMI - Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Co., Ltd. - Headquarters

 

Sunderland Marine has become an established leader in the insurance of commercial fishing vessels, small passenger craft, tugs, barges and harbour service vessels as well as aquaculture risks by offering a comprehensive range of covers to protect Members interests.

Affirming our commitment to mutuality has allowed the Company to follow the ethos of providing exemplary service and protection, and first class security at an economic premium. Underwriting and claims staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year. 

Marine: Contact our marine hull underwriters for products and services, including cover for Hull & Machinery, Liability and associated risks.

Aquaculture: Contact our aquaculture department for products and services, including cover for stock, equipment and support craft.

Address:	Salvus House, Aykley Heads
City:	Durham
State:	England (DH1 5TS)
Telephone:	+44 1913 740 400
Fax:	+44 191 3740 484
Homepage:	Link to Homepage
Email:	mutual@smmi.co.uk

Salmon price status at week 33

Salmon displayed at a supermarket. (Photo Credit: Globefish)

NORWAY
Friday, August 15, 2014, 21:40 (GMT + 9)
Fresh salmon export volumes for week 32 are up 195 tonnes compared to week 31 and up 1,902 tonnes compared to week 32, 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.

The contracts for the fourth quarter of 2014 were traded several times this week, the last one was traded at NOK 40.00 (the seller price was at this level).
The sales for the year 2015 were traded at a buyer price of NOK 41.00 compared to a seller price at NOK 41.75.

About Greenpeace

Canada’s tuna huggers have gone high-tech.

New Greenpeace App for Choosing Better Canned Tuna

  (CANADA, 8/12/2014)

Greenpeace Canada has released an app for shoppers wanting to buy canned tuna which is ocean-friendly. The Sustainable Canned Tuna Guide allows consumers to search and get quick eco-advice on over 100 canned tuna products available in Canada.

For four years Greenpeace has been urging major canned tuna brands in Canada to switch to 100 per cent sustainable and equitable tuna, As a result, Greenpeace regularly receives questions from the public about which tuna they should buy and if their brand of choice is a responsible option.

Sustainable Canned Tuna Guide app will make it easier for tuna consumers to determine which products are ocean-friendly while in the canned seafood aisle of their supermarket.

This app answers those questions for tuna lovers and seeks to encourage companies that have yet to offer more sustainable tuna to do so.

The app has a photo catalogue, search function, and an easy to understand rating system allowing for quick recommendations while in the seafood aisle.

The app is the first guide to focus on particular tuna products.

Three simple icons are used to illustrate the fishing method, tuna type and green promise for each product listed.

By clicking on the icons, consumers can quickly discover what is really going on behind the label.

Additionally, the app allows consumers to send a message to Canada’s biggest tuna brand asking them to move towards 100 per cent sustainable tuna sourcing.

The rating system indicates whether a product is a better option (green), a work in progress (orange) or a bad option (red). The photo catalogue helps the shopper to recognize their go-to brand.

The app is free, available in English and French, and is downloadable for both iPhone and Android is coming very soon.
To download the app, (Android coming soon) click here.

Well-known brands are taking steps to offer their customers ocean-friendly tuna options.

Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organization that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace.

Greenpeace was founded in Vancouver in 1971, when a small boat of volunteers and journalists sailed into Amchitka, an area north of Alaska where the US Government was conducting underground nuclear tests. This tradition of 'bearing witness' in a non-violent manner continues, and its ships are an important part of all its campaign work.

Greenpeace today operates in more than 40 countries with headquarters in Amsterdam. It has more than 90,000 supporters in Canada and 2.9 millions members worldwide, and represent them at virtually every international environmental conference.

 

Information of the company:

Address:	33 Cecil Street
City:	Ontario
State/ZIP:	(M5T 1N1)
Country:	Canada
Phone:	+1 416 597 8408
Fax:	+1 416 597 8422
More about:

Alaskans invited to review Magnuson-Stevens Act

Alaska fishermen. (Photo Credit: ASMI)

UNITED STATES
Monday, August 04, 2014, 10:10 (GMT + 9)
 The latest draft version of the Magnuson-Stevens Act has just been released by the US Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard for public review and comment.
This draft proposes changes to fisheries management including new fees, sustainability standards, and a possible national marketing effort, Alaska Journal of Commerce informed.
The act, which is up for reauthorization, and both the House and Senate have released amended versions, provides the framework for fisheries management in federal waters from three to 200 miles offshore.
Besides, it authorizes the regional fishery management councils, including the North Pacific Fishery Management Council that makes decisions for federal waters offshore from Alaska.
“This shorter, revised draft incorporates many comments from Alaskans and others around the nation who responded to our initial discussion draft in April,” Senate Committee on Oceans, Fisheries and Coast Guard chairperson Mark Begich pointed out.
And the senator added: “I hope the public will review these changes and get back to me soon so we can advance to the next step in the process. That’s why I posted the revised draft online — so everyone has the opportunity to review it and send their comments to my office or to the committee website.”
The act would include the following amendments, among others:

• Councils would be enabled to charge a fee for management programs that allocate a percentage of the total allowable catch (TAC) among sectors;
• A report on a North Pacific Observer fund and other funds supported by fishery fees;
• The use of money received from law enforcement by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA) to pay for stock assessments, surveys and other data collection efforts necessary for managing fisheries;
• Analysis of recreational fisheries and stock assessments to be completed at least every five years;
• The acknowledgement that some fisheries may be depleted from causes other than overfishing;
• More flexibility in the rebuilding timelines for depleted fisheries;
• Harvest reductions are not specifically allowed to be implemented over time to lessen the economic impact of the restrictions;
• More consideration of subsistence fisheries and their incorporation into management decisions, adding references to tribal governments throughout;
• A decision on disaster declarations to be made within 90 days after an economic impact estimate is received;
• The allocation of 10 per cent of any new Arctic fisheries to the Community Development Quota;
• A directive to the US Secretary of Commerce to consider a national seafood marketing programme, including possible funding mechanisms;
• Certain standards for information about fish, making it illegal to falsify fishing records and labels;
• Increase of the penalties for civil and criminal violations of the act.

Comments to NOAA Fisheries are accepted through 15 August and the public has until 19 September to comment to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its intent to protect salmon and habitat at Bristol Bay by imposing tough watershed restrictions on large mines in the region.
The EPA has scheduled a series of seven public hearings starting 12 August in Anchorage, followed by meetings throughout the Bristol Bay region.

Spain regrets exclusion of European fleet from Mauritania

Tuna capture. (Photo: Anfaco)

SPAIN
Monday, August 04, 2014, 03:10 (GMT + 9)
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAGRAMA) regretted the decision adopted by the European Union (EU) and Mauritania that forces 30 units of the EU fleet, including tuna vessels, pole and line vessel, longliners and trawlers, to go out of the African fishing ground.
For the Spanish government, the current situation is a result of the poor negotiation performed by the EU for the agreement currently in effect.
At the end of the meetings held between 29 and 31 July, the EU and Mauritania agreed to exclude the fleets which had been operating in this fishery since 1 August, 2012 (24 months) from the current fisheries agreement.
This requirement was the condition imposed by Mauritania to prevent the exclusion of the entire community fleet.
"The alternative would have implied a serious crisis between the EU and Mauritania, implying the indefinite suspension of the negotiations for concluding a new fisheries protocol," explained MAGRAMA.
As a result, demersal and tuna fleets had to leave the fishery on 1 August while the shellfish fleet (15 vessels have current license) will be able to continue fishing until 15 December, 2014, under the same current conditions.
The shellfish fleet had returned to the Mauritanian fishing ground in November 2013 after Spain managed to relax the conditions imposed on this fleet.
But the Spanish Government maintains that "it is not understandable that Mauritania takes such decisions as the community fleet does not represent competition for Mauritanian fishermen and the species that the boats are capturing from the fishery ground are currently under-exploited."
For Galicia, five bottom longliners based in Ribeira capturing Ray’s bream, two bottom trawlers from Marin that catch black hake and two surface longliners fishing for swordfish and sharks are the new "victims" of the agreement between Mauritania and the EU.
According to the Minister of Marine Affairs of Xunta de Galicia, Rosa Quintana, the African country was asking the European Commission (EC) for EUR 28 million as compensation so that the Community vessels could work until 15 December but that amount "has not been budgeted or intended to be so," the newspaper Faro de Vigo reported.
For his part, Secretary General of the Spanish Fisheries Confederation (CEPESCA), Javier Garat, lamented that "once again, the EU has given in to pressure from Mauritania and sacrifices a part of the Spanish fleet."
"Spain was opposing this solution but ultimately it was not possible," the leader pointed out.
Regarding the possibility of the return of the excluded Galician cephalopod vessels from the current agreement with Mauritania, Garat commented that it was not possible even to talk at the latest meeting, since "the renewal of the agreement was not discussed, all was focused on the current one validity."
The Socialist Group’s Fisheries spokesperson, José Ramón Val, accused the Galician government to remain "on holidays" while the vessels are still fishing in Mauritanian fishing ground were expelled "due to differences" between the EU and Mauritania on the interpretation of the agreement.

Barcelona Affirms Its Position as a Strategic Destination for the Seafood Industry

Barcelona is an ideal location for the exposition.

  (SPAIN, 7/31/2014) The third edition of Seafood Expo Southern Europe, formerly named Seafood Barcelona, has surpassed its exhibit space when compared to the same period last year and is expected to continue to grow and increase the presence of new companies. Confirmed exhibiting companies currently represent more than 24 countries, and seafood professionals from over 40 countries have already pre-registered to attend the exposition.

Seafood Expo Southern Europe attracts thousands of top level seafood buyers from major purchasing categories.

Seafood Expo Southern Europe, which will take place 22-24 September 2014 at the Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via fairground in Barcelona, Spain, continues to strengthen its position as the seafood marketplace for the Mediterranean bringing together the main purchasing decision-makers of fish and seafood from the market. The exposition will once again connect seafood buyers with suppliers of live, fresh, frozen, value-added, processed and packaged seafood, as well as processing and packaging equipment, looking to access the valuable Mediterranean seafood market.

Companies from all over the world are present at the exhibition.

Exhibiting companies from all over the world, including Argentina, Canada, China, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States, among others, have confirmed their participation in the event, giving this year’s edition a strong international representation.

Buyers from Australia, China, Egypt, France, Italy, Kuwait, Morocco, Portugal, Peru, Spain, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United States and Uruguay, to name a few, have pre-registered to attend, as well as high-volume seafood buyers from other major producing and consuming countries of seafood products from the Mediterranean markets.

“Barcelona is an ideal location for the exposition as it is a centrally-located major port and trade hub,” according to Liz Plizga, Show Director for Diversified Communications, the company that produces the exposition. The city’s economic, social and cultural influence extends throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. “Its convenient access and business opportunities are some of the appealing factors for attendees.”

The event features exhibiting companies offering a wide selection of seafood products from around the world.

Mar Santarrufina, Event Director for Alimentaria Exhibitions, remarked on the importance of having this event for the seafood industry, which will once again provide attendees with an opportunity to grow their business. “Each year, the fair brings thousands of professionals from over 75 countries, including importers, exporters, distributors, processors, wholesalers and hospitality and foodservice professionals, who are looking to do business in the important Mediterranean market.”

Business opportunities are boundless at Seafood Expo Southern Europe with hundreds of seafood product and processing companies.

The event will feature a complete schedule of activities, including a master class series on specific seafood species, culinary demonstrations, a new product showcase, a fish market tour, a conference program, and business matchmaking and hosted buyer programs designed to enhance visitors’ experience at the exposition.

Returning this year is the Hosted Buyer program, an exclusive program that specifically targets top-level buyers with high-volume seafood purchasing power in multi-unit retail, hospitality and foodservice establishments.

At Seafood Expo Southern Europe you will find top suppliers with the most innovative seafood products and services to hit the markets.

About Seafood Expo Southern Europe

Seafood Expo Southern Europe, formerly called Seafood Barcelona, is a three-day seafood specific event serving all seafood categories in the Mediterranean market. Thousands of buyers and suppliers from around the world attend this annual event to meet, network and do business.

Attending buyers represent importers, exporters, distributors, wholesalers, foodservice, hotel, catering, processors, and other retail and foodservice companies. Exhibiting suppliers offer the newest seafood products, processing and packaging equipment, and services available in the seafood market. 

SeafoodSource.com is the exposition’s official media. The exposition is produced by Diversified Communications in partnership with Alimentaria Exhibitions providing outstanding expertise in the trade fair industry and experience in the industries they serve.

Source: Diversified Communications

Address:	Fira de Barcelona
City:	Barcelona
State/ZIP:	Catalunia
Country:	Spain
E-Mail:	info@seafoodbarcelona.com
More about:

Nor-Fishing Innovation Award 2014 – Finalists Selected

Mustad Autoline, Marel and Inventas are the 3 finalists.

  (NORWAY, 7/30/2014)

The Chairman of the Board of the Nor-Fishing Foundation, Mrs. Liv Holmefjord, and Director Ola Eriksen are very happy with the broad interest in this year’s Innovation Award. The Jury had a difficult task selecting the three finalists among many well-qualified applicants.

The Jury consisted of Mr. Jan Birger Jørgensen (Assistant Secretary General of the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association), Mr. Oddvar Staulen (Senior Advisor, Innovation Norway), and Mr. Kjell Maroni (Head of Research, The Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Fund- FHF). The Jury selected three finalists:

Mustad Autoline AS with its SeaBird Saver, developed in cooperation with the Dutch company SeaWave. A laser unit keeps birds away from the fishing vessel by using visual laser beams during setting of the line.

The first effective laser solution, patented for the commercial fishing fleet, helping to prevent seabird by-catch and bait loss is on the market.

The equipment saves endangered species from being caught as unwanted by-catch on the line, as the hook and bait follow the line into the sea. As more baited hooks enter the sea, the catch rate is improved, and the environment is better protected.

FleXicut greatly improves product handling and overall yield.

Marel HF, Iceland. Their new Flexicut machine cuts away side bones in the fish fillet with a minimal loss of fish flesh by using a very thin water jet. This will give a higher yield for the processing industry, better product quality and boneless products by using high precision, automation and flexibility.

Inventas AS has made the conventional 20 kg fish box for frozen fish better, cheaper and more environment friendly, benefiting producer and customer alike, while ensuring a better use of resources. In Norway alone, it is estimated that the new box, with its lower lid and prints on brown cardboard, will save the industry about NOK 15 million (EUR 1.8 million) per year, and reduce the cardboard wastage by 3000 tonnes.

The Board of Directors of the Nor-Fishing Foundation will make the final decision on the day before the official opening of Nor-Fishing 2014. The winner will be announced the following day, and will receive the Innovation Award 2014, including a cheque for NOK 100,000 (EUR 12,000) and a diploma, during dinner at Rica Nidelven Hotel on Tuesday 19th August.

Nor-Fishing is a biennial event and is currently regarded as the leading international fisheries trade shows.

Abouth The Nor-Fishing Foundation

The Nor-Fishing Foundation was established in 1992 by the Royal Ministry of Fisheries and has the right and the responsibility to conduct the Norwegian international fisheries exhibition Nor-Fishing and aquaculture show Aqua Nor.

Trondheim Spektrum is the name of the exhibition center and Trondheim Spektrum AS has been the organizer for Aqua Nor 1993, and the Nor-Fishing since 1994. A dedicated and experienced staff will do their utmost to create a good professional and enjoyable exhibition event for exhibitors and visitors in Trondheim.


 Information of the company:

Address:	Stiftelsen Nor-Fishing - Klostergata. 90
City:	Trondheim
State/ZIP:	(NO-7030)
Country:	Norway
Phone:	+47 73 56 86 40
Fax:	+47 73 56 86 41
E-Mail:	mailbox@nor-fishing.no

Trackwell invided to speak at Google Workshop on Maritime Domain Awareness

1. June 2014

Google hosted a workshop on Maritime Domain Awareness in its headquarters in California on April 23-24th. The workshop aimed at developing solutions and a concrete plan to address Maritime Domain Awareness. The workshop focused on the best technology solutions, specifically with a mind to setting a legal precedent for using new technology to successfully enforce protection of fish and whales, in particulary within the Marine Protected Areas.
Trackwell´s Role at Google Workshop
Kolbeinn Gunnarsson, head of Trackwell Maritime solutions gave a speech on how Trackwell has played an important role in monitoring, control and surveillance of the North Atlantic from 1996 and went through the technical challanges that are there.
The President of Iceland was among Speakers
Among other speakers at the workshop were the President of Iceland, Mr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, representatives from the US Navy, US Coastguard, Standford University, UCLA, NASA, various environmental bodies and as well as leading persons within Google.
For further information, please contact Kolbeinn Gunnarsson, Head of Trackwell Maritime, kolbeinn@trackwell.com, mobile: 860 0604.