Scottish Sea Farms receives approval for expansion

Scottish Sea Farms salmon. (Photo Credit: Scottish Sea Farms)

UNITED KINGDOM
Monday, September 08, 2014, 01:50 (GMT + 9)
Scottish Sea Farms has been granted approval for the expansion of the site at Eday, north of Orkney. This will result in over GBP 1 million (EUR 1.25 million) in new investment and a significant increase production of the quality product farmed in Orkney waters.

This expansion will see the existing site increased from six cages to 12, which will more than double the site’s consent from 800 tonnes to 1900 tonnes, making it the largest Scottish Sea Farms site in Orkney.

Eday is located in the northern isles of Orkney, 15 miles from mainland Orkney and is one of Scottish Sea Farms’ most remote locations for farming salmon.

Local Area Manager, Richard Darbyshire of Scottish Sea Farms, said: “This is good news for both Scottish Sea Farms and the local community. Importantly, we have created some brand new jobs in a remote location. We want to continue to build relationships locally and will bring skilled employment with training packages for local people. This increased consent will allow us also to meet the increasing demand we have globally for Scottish Sea Farms Orkney salmon. Our Heart of the Community Trust is also there to support community initiatives that make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Scottish Sea Farms’ Orkney region currently produces approx 5000 tonnes of quality salmon per annum for some of the UK’s top restaurants and retailers, as well as for key export markets globally.

Destinan EUR 8,1 millones en ayudas para desguace de barcos merluceros

Embarcación usada para la pesca de merluza. (Foto: Magrama)

ESPAÑA
Monday, September 08, 2014, 03:20 (GMT + 9)
El Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente (Magrama) convocó a ayudas para el desguace de embarcaciones pesqueras destinadas a la paralización definitiva de su actividad, por el ajuste del esfuerzo pesquero de la merluza del norte.
Según la nueva normativa publicada en el Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE), la autoridad elaboró un plan de ajuste para facilitar la consecución de los objetivos fijados en el plan de recuperación de las poblaciones de merluza norte que se encuentra en aguas del Atlántico Norte, correspondientes a la Unión Europea (UE).
Las ayudas también cubrirán las medidas socioeconómicas de acompañamiento, para compensar a los pescadores de los barcos paralizados de manera definitiva.
De acuerdo con el Magrama, se prevé un presupuesto para la convocatoria de EUR 8.182.000. De ese total, EUR 7,3 millones se destinarán a concretar las paralizaciones definitivas de las unidades pesqueras y EUR 882.000 para las medidas socioeconómicas de acompañamiento, destinadas a los tripulantes de los barcos que vayan a desguazarse.
El Ministerio indicó que el importe máximo de la prima por embarcación se establece por tonelaje, en un baremo que parte de un mínimo de EUR 2.100 a un máximo de más de EUR 900.000.
Con respecto a las ayudas de compensación para los tripulantes, la Administración fijó una cantidad de EUR 10.500 por beneficiario.
Estas cantidades serán cofinanciadas por el Magrama y el Fondo Europeo de la Pesca.
Se pretende que estas ayudas contribuyan de manera significativa con la consecución del equilibrio entre la capacidad de pesca de la flota comunitaria y las posibilidades de capturas existentes en la zona, con el objetivo de garantizar la gestión pesquera sostenible.
Noticia relacionada:
- La UE aprueba aumento de cuota de merluza del norte

Australis Seafoods records lower sales

Salmon selection at a processing plant. (Photo: Australis Seafoods)

CHILE


Australis Seafoods informed the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance (SVS) in the first half of this year, the total assets of the company and its subsidiaries recorded an increase of USD 110 million from 31 December, 2013, representing an increase of 37 per cent.
Meanwhile, current assets increased by USD 88.6 million, a result that implies an increase of 61 per cent in relation to the financial position at the end of last year.
According to the company, this variation "is mainly explained by the increase in inventories, which rose by USD 30.4 million due to increased volumes of the finished product in inventory and to the product on consignment in Japan."
Furthermore, Australis Seafoods reported an increase of USD 35.2 million in the current biological asset account and an increase in the cash account and equivalents in USD 34.1 million. These rises result from the net balance of funding activities and the capital increase reducing capital repayments of loan capital in transition, investment in working capital and fixed assets, the company added in the document.
With respect to sales, by 30 June, 2014, the subsidiary Australis Mar SA had sold 10,425 tonnes of raw material, compared to 18,062 tonnes (42 per cent less) in the same period of 2013. This decrease was attributed to the postponement of the harvest, in an attempt to harvest larger fish and reduce costs.
In addition, revenue from ordinary activities fell 18 per cent year on year, to USD 62.8 million. This result "is mainly explained by lower sales offset by an increase in prices of 28 per cent" in the same period last year," the company explained.
Meanwhile, the cost of sales to 30 June reached USD 56.3 million, 41 per cent less than in the same period in 2013 (USD 95.2 million).
Last June, Australis Seafoods agreed to sell its stake in True Salmon Pacific Holding (TSP) to the company True Pacific Holding Company in the amount of USD 1.5 million.
In a material fact sent to the SVS on 4 June, Australis stated the sale will mean an approximate net loss in income from the year 2014 amounting to USD 2.23 million, resulting from the difference between the book value and the price of sale.
The firm stated that "the costs associated with the sale will be paid in three annual installments due on 31 May in 2015, 2016 and 2017."
Related article:
- Australis sells stake in True Pacific Holding Salmon

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

Icicle Seafoods Inc. -Headquarter-

 

This seafood-processing company catches, processes, and distributes fresh, canned, and frozen fish products including pacific cod, herring, sablefish, pollock, halibut, salmon (wild & Farmed), crab, and trout. Its customers include retail, wholesale and foodservice operations worldwide. It maintains floating seafood processing plants, shore plants, and other facilities in Alaska, Oregon, Washington State and Chile. The company is owned by private investment firm Paine & Partners.

Address:	4019 21st Ave W
City:	Seattle
State:	Washington (98199-1299)
Telephone:	+1 206 282 0988
Fax:	+1 206 282 7222
Homepage:	Link to Homepage
Email:	sales@icicleseafoods.com

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

Maruha Nichiro Corporation

 

Maruha Nichiro Holdings, Inc. (Public, TYO:1334) is a Japan-based holding company principally engaged in the marine product business. The Company operates in four business segments.
The Marine Product segment encompasses the catching, farming, purchase, processing and the sale of fish.
The Food Product segment manufactures and sells canned foods, frozen foods, stock farm products and other processed foods.
The Storage and Distribution segment is engaged in the provision of frozen storage and distribution services for fish.
The Others segment is involved in the storage of feed, the marine transportation business, the leasing of real estate, the hotel business, the manufacture and sale of packaging machines, as well as the manufacture and sale of fur.

Address:	1-2 1-chome, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku
City:	Tokyo
State:	(100-8608)
Telephone:	+81 3 3216 0821
Fax:	+81 3 3216 0342
Homepage:	Link to Homepage
Email:	info@maruha-nichiro.co.jp

Sea Harvest Corporation (PTY) Ltd.

 

Sea Harvest Corporation is involved in deep-sea fishing, fresh and frozen fish and processing and marketing of fish products. Togehter with Oceana is part of Tiger Brands Limited Group wich is a branded food company that operates mainly in emerging markets and provides investors with the opportunity to participate in a balanced spread of African and selected international operations.
Oceana is involved in the fishing, processing, marketing and trading of a wide variety of marine species. It also has interests in cold storage operations.
Sea Harvest brands: Feasts of Flavour, Simply Delicious.

Address:	Boulevard Office Park, Searle Street - P.O. Box 761
City:	Woodstock
State:	(7925)
Telephone:	+27 21 468 7900
Fax:	+27 21 465 5883
Homepage:	Link to Homepage
Email:	info@seaharvest.co.za

BAADER - Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH (Head Office)

In the course of the years, the company Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud.Baader GmbH & Co. KG founded in 1919 by Rudolph M.J. Baader has developed into a worldwide leading manufacturer of machines and systems for food processing.

Today BAADER is a group with prduction sites in Luebeck, the US, Iceland etc. as well as subsidiaries and offices in the US, Canada, Chile, UK, Denmark, Namibia, Norway, Russia etc.

Production program:
At present, BAADER's major competences comprise three product ranges:

• The traditional support of the group of companies is the extensive program of fish processing machines and systems, as well as engineering
• The versatile belt separators
• Machines for the poultry processing industry

The large centralized spare parts store in Lübeck, decentralized service centers and agencies in over 70 locations worldwide, efficient serial production and preassembly of the highly precise spare parts as well as the daily shipment of spare parts guarantee the customer a maximum of benefit and productivity of the BAADER machines.

Address:	Postfach 1102, Geniner Str. 249
City:	Lübeck
State:	(D-23560)
Telephone:	+49 451 5302 0
Fax:	+49 451 5302 492
Homepage:	Link to Homepage
Email:	baader@baader.com

IN BRIEF - Grieg Seafood ASA: Presentation of second quarter 2014

IN BRIEF - Grieg Seafood ASA: Presentation of second quarter 2014

NORWAY
Friday, August 15, 2014

Grieg Seafood ASA will present its second quarter 2014 report on Tuesday 19 August 2014 at 08.00 CEST.

The event will take place at Hotel Continental, Oslo.
Present: CEO Morten Vike and CFO Atle Harald Sandtorv.
Light meal.
The presentation will also be available on Norwegian webcast at 08.00 CEST here.
The report will be published 19 August 2014 at 06.00 CEST.
Grieg Seafood ASA: Presentation of second quarter 2014

IN BRIEF - Less crab, more cash

UNITED STATES
Saturday, August 16, 2014

COOS BAY — The commercial Dungeness crab fishing season officially closes at midnight on Thursday 14 of August 2014, but the numbers are not likely to change much at this point.

Hugh Link, executive director of the Oregon Dungeness crab commission, says it is proving to be a unique season, and that is a very good thing.
Over the past decade, Oregon commercial crab fishermen have averaged landing about 20 million pounds of crab. 2014’s numbers are expected to end below average at about 14.35 million pounds.
“That said,” Link said, over the phone on Tuesday 14, “our value to the fishery is over USD 49.7 million to the (Oregon) fishermen, which is the highest value I can find on record.”
He noted that even in a prior season, that was one of the best years for landings, with fishermen bringing in more than 33 million pounds of crab, the value to fishermen for that season was at USD 49.4 million.
Source: The World Link

The River Allen’s native white-clawed crayfish population, one of the few remaining in Dorset, has remained free from disease until now

Crayfish plague has been found on Dorset’s River Allen following an investigation by the Environment Agency and Dorset Wildlife Trust.
Until recently the river Allen’s native white-clawed crayfish population, one of the few remaining in Dorset, has managed to remain free from disease but dead and distressed crayfish were recently spotted in the river in July.
Samples were sent to the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science for disease analysis and they have now confirmed that the crayfish are infected with crayfish plague.
“The crayfish plague is carried by non-native American signal crayfish, which are not susceptible to it and are present in many of our Dorset Rivers.
It is transferred to new waters either through the movement of the signal crayfish or by water and/or damp equipment that has come from waters that contain signal crayfish. It is not clear yet how the disease reached the River Allen,” said Andy Martin for the Environment Agency.
American Signal Crayfish look similar to small lobsters, they are red-brown in appearance with large, smooth claws. They are far larger than the endangered native white-clawed crayfish.
They carry a fungal disease called crayfish plague, which can kill native crayfish. They are active during the summer and hibernate in winter, usually in burrows in riverbanks.
They out-compete our native white-clawed crayfish for food. They also cause damage to riverbanks by deep burrowing, impact on river fly populations and can reduce fish stocks by eating large amounts of fish eggs.
The Environment Agency is working closely with the Dorset Wildlife Trust and local landowners to monitor the situation and determine the extent of the outbreak.
Dorset Wildlife Trust Conservation Officer, Amanda Broom, said: “It is very sad that white clawed crayfish have been infected with the crayfish plague on the River Allen, as this was one of just three populations remaining in Dorset.
However, by remaining vigilant and observing biosecurity procedures such as cleaning and drying equipment and shoes that have been near the river, hopefully we can limit the amount of crayfish being affected by this disease.
“Whilst we can’t be sure of the fate of the surviving crayfish, the work we are doing on the River Allen with the Environment Agency, such as providing cover for crayfish to hide in, will provide any surviving white clawed crayfish a good habitat to thrive in.
“We are urging river users to ensure that any equipment they use in the River Allen is clean and dry before entering the river, when moving between locations and at the end of the day.
"This will hopefully limit the rate of spread of the disease through the river and reduce the risk of it being spread to other rivers that still have white-clawed crayfish populations,” added Andy Martin.

Nova Austral acquired by Ewos

Feed bags for fish belonging to Ewos. (Photo: Ewos)

CHILE
Friday, August 15, 2014, 23:00 (GMT + 9)
The salmon firm Nova Austral, which forms part of the PescaChile subsidiary of the Galician multinational firm Pescanova, is owned by the Norwegian firm Ewos.
The sale was settled with the payment of EUR 7.4 million, having been authorized by the insolvency administrator and creditor banks -- BCI, Banco do Brasil and DNB.
Several sources related to the operation that were consulted by the Galician newspaper La Voz de Galicia said the Norwegian firm presented an offer for Nova Austral worth EUR 134.6 million, equivalent to the value of assets. The accrued liabilities amounting to around EUR 128 million, was deducted from that amount.
The plant is expected to produce about 15,000 tonnes of salmon annually.
Later, the sale of the firm Acuinova, another subsidiary of PescaChile engaged in salmon farming, is expected. This sale would have to take place before the end of September.
In May last year, Chilean assets failed to compute in Pescanova’s balance, just a month after the multinational firm filed for creditors’ meeting.
In recent months, the multinational was trying to prevent the Chilean receivers from selling their most prized subsidiary.
Currently, PescaChile owes EUR 89 million with major creditors: Banco de Credito e Inversiones (BCI), DNB, Itaú, Banco do Brasil and HSBC.
Nova Austral has about 28 concessions for salmon farming, all in the region of Magallanes. This aspect is considered very important because it is "isolated" from the rest of the Chilean salmon industry and also this area has special incentives.

Salmon sector welcomes trade ban changes

Salmon smolt. (Photo: Stock File)

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Friday, August 15, 2014, 23:50 (GMT + 9)
The Ministry of Agriculture of Russia together with Rosrybolovstvo federal fishery agency are devising proposals on the changes in the list of food from the European Union, the US, Canada, Australia and Norway, whose import has been banned due to the sanctions imposed on Moscow over the conflict with Ukrania.
The list of sanctions will likely be shrunk shortly. Along with smolt, Russia will restart imports of lactose-free milk, nutritional supplements, seeds and diabetes supplies, Barentsnova reported.
This decision was welcomed by two major farm fish producers in the country -- Russian Sea-Aquaculture and Russian salmon -- which depend on the smolts imported from Norway to perform their operations.
Before the ban was set, the two firms had voiced their plans to have their own smolt supplies.
"In this situation, to have our own facilities is a necessity, but the construction will take at least two years, and the planting season will end in August", says Russian Sea – Aquaculture CEO Dmitry Dangauer. "Besides, the smolt was ordered before the embargo."
The local salmon farming sector has been facing hardships after the ban.
"We have informed the Government of Russia about the urgent need to make the relevant decisions. Should it be postponed, from 2016 Russian consumers will be left without domestic salmon. Thus, the implementation of the program of import substitution for our companies in 2016 depends on today's decision", the Russian Fishery Union expressed in a statement.
Fishery Union representative Leonov Konstantin explained that the imports of Atlantic salmon smolt for breeding farms in the Murmansk region have been stopped on the border,
"Under transportation conditions smolt’s life cycle is limited. So we have less than 72 hours to carry out all customs procedures and transfer this planting material from the ship to fish ponds in the region," Leonov stated.
Meanwhile, Aquaculture Director at the Norwegian Seafood Federation Trond Davidsen told the newspaper Barents Observer that his organization had heard nothing about the possible lifting of the smolt embago.
According to the Fishery Union, in 2014 aquaculture in Russia will meet consumers needs of chilled salmon by 10 per cent. But in 4 or 5 years aquaculture farms in North-West Russia will reach the level of 70,000 tonnes of salmon annually, which is about one-third of the present consumption.
Related articles:
- Russia bans food imports to retaliate against sanctions
- Russian ban on Norwegian seafood poses 'a challenging situation'

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.

Another extra anchovy quota thanks to agreement with Portugal

Anchovy catches. (Photo: Magrama)

PORTUGAL
Friday, August 15, 2014, 04:10 (GMT + 9)
After a new agreement with Portugal, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAGRAMA) has managed to get another extra anchovy quota to be caught in IXa zone of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES/CIEM), including the Spanish waters between Finisterre and the border with Portugal, as well as the fishing grounds of the Gulf of Cadiz.
This quota increase complements the one achieved in May and strengthens the framework of full cooperation with the neighbouring country in fisheries.
Thus, the purse seine fleet in the Gulf of Cadiz, which has 98.86 per cent availability of the Spanish quota for this species, may dispose of 6,530 tonnes for fishing in 2014, representing 530 additional tonnes to the ones it had.
The rest of the Spanish quota is available for the Galician purse seine fleet, which operates in the waters between Finisterre and the border with Portugal so that the quota available for this year will rise.
With this second agreement reached with Portugal it is expected the fleet activity can be developed smoothly this year, especially in the summer months when the activity is greater. Thus, it would be possible to avoid having to resort to precautionary closures of the fishery to a ship for exceeding its quota.
Furthermore, these additional tonnes may have a small relief for the purse seine fleet in the Gulf of Cadiz, which is affected by poor sardine biological status. These vessels individually assign themselves the anchovy quota for this year.

Related article:
- Agreement with Portugal favours horse mackerel quota increase

Bluefin tuna illegal fishing in Gibraltar reported to EC

Bluefin tuna. (Photo: FishBase)

SPAIN
Thursday, August 14, 2014, 22:00 (GMT + 9)
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAGRAMA), through the General Secretariat of Fisheries, complained to the European Commission (EC) about illegal fishing of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) performed by a recreational craft from Gibraltar at a mile south of Punta Carnero, on the western boundary of the Bay of Algeciras.
This activity was detected last weekend by personnel of the Maritime Service of the Guardia Civil. Gibraltar does not have a legislation regulating recreational fishing or a bluefin tuna catch quota and so the Spanish Government considers that this fact represents a serious breach of international fishing regulations and of the European Union (EU).
The bluefin tuna fishery is the most controlled one in the world and it is regulated by the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
In Spain, recreational and sport fishing is assigned a reservation quota that allowed the capture of this species with this mode from 15 June to 9 July, when a precautionary closure of the fishery was established.
Tuna fishing was finally closed on 24 July, following confirmation of the complete consumption of the allocated quota.
"That quota is used only in the event of accidental death of the bluefin tuna because Spanish law requires the release of the specimen if it is caught," said the MAGRAMA.
The Ministry notes that in in 2006 the ICCAT adopted the Bluefin Tuna Recovery Plan, whose launch helped to recover the resource and its biomass. Therefore, it is confident that the appropriate measures to prevent and punish such actions in the future are taken.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation sent a complaint verbal note to the British Embassy in Madrid. In it, it protests about the fact that the two ships of the Gibraltar police and a patrol of the Royal Navy prevented the Rio Cedena patrol from exercising its jurisdiction over a Gibraltarian vessel fishing illegally for bluefin tuna in the Bay of Algeciras.
For the Spanish government, the British troops that hampered the Guardia Civil’s monitoring activity helped to protect the development of illegal fishing.
"The Government of Spain has no doubt about the limits of its territory and, therefore, the Spanish ships will continue performing their duties in Spanish waters," ensured MAGRAMA.

Maine proposes new rules for scallop season

Maine scallop. (Photo Credit: Dept. of Marine Resources State of Maine)

UNITED STATES
Thursday, August 14, 2014, 02:40 (GMT + 9)
To balance the success of efforts that are rebuilding Maine’s scallop fishery with industry’s desire for reliable income, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has put forward a proposal for the 2014-2015 season that emphasizes emergency rulemaking.

Despite the proposal from the Maine DMR to continue the resource rebuilding efforts of recent years by reducing the number of days draggers and divers can fish by 22 days in zones 1 and 2, and 18 days in zone 3, the Scallop Advisory Council voted during its 30 June meeting to keep the number of days the same as last season.

The Department has chosen to move forward with the SAC recommendation after a series of listening sessions with industry.
“This proposal by DMR reflects the firm commitment by Commissioner Keliher and the Department of Marine Resources not only to the health of the resource, but also to the economic wellbeing of Maine’s hard-working scallop harvesters,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “This is a balancing act. The Department must act swiftly with targeted closures if they detect any impacts to the rebuilding plan, while at the same time continuing to allow for sustainable harvest in other areas.”

“We are putting forth a recommendation that considers industry interest and input,” said DMR Commissioner Patrick Keliher. “However this decision runs counter to the advice of our science staff. So we anticipate having to cut days from the season with area closures enacted through emergency rulemaking as we detect depletion of the resource beyond what can be regenerated in a season.”

The number of harvesters between 2008 and 2013 tripled, jumping from 131 to 421, which has increased pressure on the fishery in recent years. “As latent licenses become active in this fishery it places more pressure not just on the resource but also on the resource managers to ensure that industry does not over-harvest areas and jeopardize the future of a fishery on the rebound,” said Commissioner Keliher.

In 2005 an all-time low of just over 33,000 pounds of scallop meats (276,000 pounds of whole scallops including the shell and viscera) were landed from Maine waters. In 2009, 20 per cent of Maine waters were closed to scallop fishing to begin restoring the fishery.

After three years of the rebuilding, the closed areas were reopened in 2012 for fishing as limited access areas and Maine harvesters landed over 280,000 pounds of scallop meats (2.4 million pounds of whole scallops). Also in 2012, three scallop zones were established along the coast to ensure a targeted management approach. Limited access areas, in which harvesting is allowed one day per week and closed when a percentage of the available resource is removed, were also implemented. Rotational closures, an approach similar to crop rotations in agriculture, were also made part of the management regimen.

In 2013 the management efforts continued to pay off with an increase over 2012 in scallop landings of 138,136 meat pounds (without the shell), from 286,411 to 424,547. The growth in landings resulted in more than USD 2 million in additional landed value, which climbed from USD 3,191,147 to USD 5,194,553.

The 2014-2015 proposal calls for a 70-day season in Zones 1 and 2 and a 15 gallon daily limit with separate calendars for divers and draggers as well as one day per week in the Zone 1 Limited Access Areas starting in January. For Zone 3, a 50-day season and 10 gallon daily limit is proposed with separate calendars for divers and draggers and one day per week in the Whiting & Dennys Bays Limited Access Area starting at the beginning of December.

DMR will hold public hearings scheduled for 2-4 September in Brunswick, at the University of Maine-Machias, and in Ellsworth to review all public comment and present a final proposal for the season to the DMR Advisory Council during its fall meeting.

The DMR Advisory Council will review the proposal and provide input to the Commissioner who will then set the season through rulemaking.

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.

IN BRIEF - Maryport fish smoking plant faces closure over £4m losses

UNITED KINGDOM Thursday, August 14, 2014 A fish smoking company in Cumbria could close, with the loss of more than 60 jobs. Owners of Brookside Products Ltd said it had met with staff to begin a consultation process, which may result in the closure of the factory. Director Doug Aitchison said the plant had lost about GBP 4m over the last three years and it was not "sustainable". The plant in Maryport, which employs 64 people, smokes, prepares and packages salmon for the retail market. 'Continued struggle': The plant was started as a family business in 1987, before moving to the current site in 1995. Mr Aitchison said the 30-day consultation process could ultimately lead to the closure of the plant. He said: "We are very sorry that we are having to consider this...consumers rightly demand rigorous and ever increasing standards and this requires significant ongoing investment to maintain compliance. "We have invested almost GBP 400,000 over the last three years but the plant continues to struggle. Source: BBC

IN BRIEF - Call for Fishcare Volunteers AUSTRALIA Thursday, August 14, 2014 If you are passionate about fishing, enjoy talking to people and looking to contribute to the future of our fish resources, PIRSA’s Fishcare Volunteer program wants you! Director, Operations at PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, Peter Dietman said the Fishcare Volunteers are looking for committed and passionate people to join the program, particularly those living in the Eyre Peninsula and Mid North regions. "This program of wonderful volunteers plays a critical and valuable role in raising the community’s education and awareness about sustainable fishing practices, and the importance of protecting our fish stocks," he said. Source: Government of South Australia IN BRIEF - Can Murmansk cod feed the Russians? RUSSIAN FEDERATION Thursday, August 14, 2014 As Russia imposes an import ban on fish products from Norway and other western countries, the Russian market looks towards alternative suppliers and domestic producers. As previously reported, the import ban could ultimately leave Russian shops without supplies and prices are likely to hike. Norway alone in 2013 exported a total of 295,000 tons of fish products to Russia, 81 percent of it salmon. Over July 2014 and previews months, an average of 134 trucks loaded with fresh Norwegian salmon and trout has crossed the Russian border. That trade has now come to a stop, and several Norwegian trucks fully loaded with fish products have already been rejected entry to Russia. Russian authorities consequently hectically look at ways how to vitalize supplies from domestic fish producers. Murmansk is a key part of that picture. The region has a powerful trawler fleet and a growing aquaculture industry. Despite years of crisis, the region also has a fish processing industry with substantial capacity. The nearby Barents Sea has some of the world’s richest marine resources and cod stocks have over the last years reached historical levels. Source: Barents Observer IN BRIEF - Norway joins EU in sanctions against Russia RUSSIAN FEDERATION Thursday, August 14, 2014 MOSCOW - Norway, which is not part of the EU, decided to join sanctions that the European Union has imposed on Russia, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Monday 11 of August 2014. The ministry cited its Minister Berge Brende as saying that the country is imposing restrictions on Russia similar to the EU sanctions imposed on July 31 that year, under which state-owned banks are banned from taking long-and mid-term loans, arms exports are prohibited and supplies of equipment, technology and know-hows to the Russian oil sector are stopped. The ministry said it has always supported EU’s attitude towards the Russian violations of international regulations, and the sanctions come as an answer to the country destabilizing the situation in the Ukrainian east. Source: ITAR TASS IN BRIEF - Pacific tuna industry calls for 'drastic' action to avoid bigeye stock collapse AUSTRALIA Thursday, August 14, 2014 The Pacific tuna industry has joined environmental organisations and scientists calling for serious action to save bigeye tuna. More than 60 per cent of the world's tuna is caught in the Pacific, much of it by powerful distant water fishing nations from Asia, Europe and North America. Scientists meeting at the region's tuna management body, the Central and Western Pacific Fisheries Commission, have heard bigeye tuna stocks are down to just 16 per of the original population. Source: Radio Austalia IN BRIEF - FIACUI14 & LACQUA14 MEXICO Thursday, August 14, 2014 The Second Latin American and Caribbean Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society, LACQUA 14 meeting in Guadalajara, Mexico is being organized in 2014 together with FIACUI. This event will show high quality conference and a updated producer program. Over 100 booths are expected at the FIACUI14 & LACQUA14 trade show. November 5-7, 2014. This event will bring together aquaculture farmers, entrepreneurs and experts of the entire Latin American region and the World. The main language of the conference is Spanish and Portuguese. Some session will be translated. The organizing team, headed by Panorama Acuicola and the Latin American and Caribbean Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (LACC-WAS) expects more than 1000 professionals of the aquaculture sector to be present in the meeting in Guadalajara. The participants will be able to attend several key note lectures offered by well-known experts from around the world, as well as exchange research ideas and analyze business options of an important array of worldwide companies that will be present. In this opportunity LACC-WAS will participate in the event presenting the event LACQUA. The World Aquaculture Society (WAS) organizes several events worldwide. LACQUA ´14 will be the second event of its type in the Latin American and the Caribbean region. IN BRIEF - Conversion ratio interim stock dividend Nutreco 1 share for 99 NETHERLANDS Thursday, August 14, 2014 Nutreco announces that the conversion ratio of the interim stock dividend has been determined. This will amount to 1 new ordinary share for every 99 existing ordinary shares. Based on the average weighted price of 8, 11 and 12 August 2014 of EUR 29.7561, 1/99th share represents a value of EUR 0.3006, which is approximately equal to the gross dividend in cash of € 0.30 per ordinary share. Both the cash dividend and stock dividend will be made payable to shareholders on 18 August 2014. Nutreco: Conversion ratio interim stock dividend Nutreco 1 share for 99 IN BRIEF - Vietnam first tuna batch auctioned in Japan VIET NAM Wednesday, August 13, 2014 The first tuna batch of Binh Dinh fishermen with cut-the edge technology is auctioned today (8th August 2014). In the early April that year, Binh Dinh province started a model of cooperation in chain of oceanic tuna fishing, purchasing and exporting to Japan. Five pilot boats in Binh Dinh were provided with Japanese fishing tool sets which valued 200 million VND each along with 50 million VND for upgrading their freezing chambers. They also had the chance to learn tuna catching and handling techniques from Japanese. High quality tuna caught will be bought at premium price to export to Japan within 10 days from August the 12 2014. In the afternoon of 6th August 2014, the first 37 tunas caught with new technology at Truong Sa fishing-ground (Vietnam) were tested by Japanese experts. Nine tunas with the total weight of 44kg satisfied the standards will be exported to Japan via air in the day. On the morning of 8th August, these tunas are auctioned in Japan. Source: Vasep IN BRIEF - Massive shrimp farming investment for TCI UNITED STATES Wednesday, August 13, 2014 The Government has given the go-ahead to two shrimp farming operations to open in the Turks and Caicos Islands with a combined capital investment value of USD 125 million over a four year period. It is projected that the two operations will employ a minimum of 500 skilled and semi-skilled workers on a full-time, year-round basis and create more than 4,000 indirect jobs. The two operations are also expected to generate annual export earnings exceeding USD 200 million. Minister of Finance Washington Misick made this disclosure during the presentation of the budget before the House of Assembly in July 2014. He stated that the two investments will make the TCI the largest aquaculture producer by value in the Caribbean and the only all natural, organic producer according to the sponsors of Global Blue Technologies - one of the investors. "In keeping with our emphasis on the environment, the proposed projects will be sustainable, bio-secure, high intensity aquaculture complexes," Misick said. Source: Turks and Caicos Weekly News IN BRIEF - Foreign Minister Brende: ‘Regrettable Russian import ban’ NORWAY Wednesday, August 13, 2014 'Russia’s import ban is completely unreasonable. The fact that Russia is implementing these measures shows how important it is that we stand together with our allies and partners in responding to Russia’s destabilisation of Ukraine. I agree with the EU’s assessment that the trade restrictions are politically motivated,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende. Russia announced today that it will ban imports of fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and dairy products from the EU countries, the US, Canada, Australia and Norway. ‘We are taking the news of the Russian trade restrictions seriously, but it is too early to say what the consequences will be for Norwegian companies. We are now examining the measures together with the EU and other affected parties, and we will jointly consider how we can best deal with the situation,’ said Mr Brende. Despite strong international pressure, not least since the shooting down of Malaysian Airlines passenger flight MH17, which resulted in the deaths of 298 people, Russia has so far made no attempt to help disarm the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. As of 1 August 2014, the EU introduced new and more stringent restrictive measures against Russia, in response to Russia’s continued illegal annexation of Crimea and destabilisation of Ukraine. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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.

 

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