NL legislature calls on DFO to reverse Atlantic halibut allocation decision

Halibut fishery. (Photo Credit: NOAA)

CANADA
Thursday, May 28, 2015, 22:30 (GMT + 9)

The Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly unanimously passed a private member’s motion condemning and seeking the immediate reversal of last week’s Atlantic halibut quota allocation decision by federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Gail Shea.

According to the Provincial Government, the Federal Government's decision ignores the established sharing arrangement for halibut quotas in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and continues to erode Newfoundland and Labrador's share.

The decision divides the 172.8-tonne increase in the halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) quota equally among eight groups instead of respecting this province’s established share of 29.1 per cent. This means the Newfoundland and Labrador inshore fixed-gear fleet will receive approximately 21 tonnes of the increase instead of the 50 tonnes it should receive based on the established sharing arrangement.

The Provincial Government stresses that this decision effectively takes away halibut from Newfoundland and Labrador harvesters to the benefit of Maritime Provinces.

“I am pleased the House of Assembly has unanimously supported this important motion. Minister Shea’s decision has ignored the established allocation formula for Atlantic halibut in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and can be added to an ever-growing list of Federal Government decisions that are negatively impacting our province," said Vaughn Granter, provincial Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

"The fact that members of all three parties in the provincial legislature have supported this motion speaks to the importance of this issue to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in all regions of our province.”

Minister Granter wrote a letter to Minister Shea on 21 May, the day her decision was announced, outlining the province’s deep concerns with this most recent Gulf halibut quota allocation.

The Provincial Government says it will continue to support the families and communities who rely on this resource and advocate on behalf of fish harvesters for a fair share of Gulf halibut in accordance with the established sharing arrangement. 

Court verifies Fisheries Act voting due to alleged bribery and corruption

Senator Jaime Orpis and former diputada Marta Isasi. (Photo: Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional/CC BY 3.0 CL)

CHILE
Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 23:40 (GMT + 9)

Fiscalía Oriente Court Prosecution will ex-officio request Parliament to provide the voting records related to the processing of the Fisheries Act, corresponding to the meetings held between 2010 and 2013. The purpose of this request is to determine whether there were irregular contributions to politicians made by the firm Corpesca as well as bribery and corruption cases.

In addition, prosecutors Carlos Gajardo and José Antonio Villalobos have already requested audio recordings of the meetings of the Fisheries committees of Congress.

Some of the investigated lawmakers are former deputy Marta Isasi and current senator Jaime Orpis, whose former collaborators and counselors were summoned to testify.

A few days ago, Corpesca former manager Francisco Mujica admitted that bills had been issued for not rendered services. He said the former deputy Carlos Recondo met with him to request funds for his campaign, without clarifying whether the money was granted or not.

"I do not remember if I requested the meeting, if I met me, I do not really remember," declared Mujica.

Sources consulted by FIS.com indicated that there are suspicions that before the Senate approved the Fisheries Act, on 19 December, 2012, Corpesca, which belongs to Angelini Group, had paid CLP 200 million (USD 326,000) to Orpis between 2009 and 2013.

The new act established that the resources belong to all Chileans and in the case of industrial fishing, it set two types of license for a period of 20 years:

• Class A, which considers the historic rights of companies, and is renewable;
• Class B, which will be for tenders, and is non-renewable.

Isasi has been linked to contributions to the campaign through his former Cabinet chief, Esteban Zavala.

Regarding Orpis, three of his advisors, who are in Corpesca accounting department that has been seized by prosecutors, are involved in issuing bills for services that would not have been rendered.

Orpis’ advisers -- Lorena Lara, Carolina Gazitúa and Daniel Ortega -- also appear in the rectification of taxes that the firm conducted a few weeks ago before the Internal Revenue Service (SII).

Among the testimonies gathered is Mujica’s, who ensured Orpis requested money from him to cover debts that have been left over from his latest Senate campaign in 2009, La Tercera reported.

Deputy Hugo Gutiérrez announced that he will require a report to review the possibility of canceling the Fisheries Act.

"I’m going to ask the Library of Congress to prepare a report on the possibility of annulling a law to see if there is a legal possibility of rescinding a legislation that has been obtained illegally through corruption," the legislator pointed out.

Lobster fee colletion plans go ahead

PEI lobster fisherman. (Photo Credit: Prince Edward Island Dept of Agriculture and Fisheries)

CANADA
Monday, May 25, 2015, 02:30 (GMT + 9)

Some stakeholders believe that getting Canada's largest lobster fishery to accept the levy is key to introducing the proposed marketing initiative.

According to media sources consulted by FIS.com, while in Prince Edward Island (PEI) the legislation intended to collect funds through a lobster levy is at the Marketing Council, in Nova Scotia consultations among fishermen and consumers are being conducted.

Prince Edward Island (PEI) government informed lobster fishermen that there is time for them to send their opinion on the best way to implement legislation intended to collect funds through lobster levy.

PEI Marketing Council secretary Ian McIsaac explained that the plan is for two cents — one from the fishermen and one from the buyers — to be deducted from every pound of lobster that crosses weighing stations’ scales and for that money to be applied to marketing, The Guardian reported.

“We’ve sent a memo downtown and we’ve made a recommendation ... to approve the regulations that were drawn up by the Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Association (PEIFA) and the lobster fishers. So that’s our responsibility,” the secretary stressed.

Local media sources informed that the final steps to approving the Lobster Commodity Board under the Natural Products Marketing Act is up to provincial cabinet, but the provincial election temporarily short-circuited that process.

For his part, Ian MacPherson, PEIFA manager, said he anticipates the process can be completed in time for the levy, or at least a portion of it, to be collected from this spring’s landings.

Meanwhile, Nova Scotia's Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell remarked that a significant part of his province's most lucrative lobster fishery could soon be on board with some sort of lobster marketing levy, The Canadian Press reported.

Colwell clarified that to date there has been resistance to the fee and that fishermen still haven't agreed to the idea but he stressed the fee could move ahead after consultations are concluded with the buyers.

As for the overall status of the initiative, Nova Scotia minister said fishing organizations in eastern Nova Scotia are in favour of a levy, while buyers in the western part of the province are interested in paying a fee as part of a licensing agreement.

All in all, Colwell forecasts that given the complexities involved in the issue, it is likely a new fee won't be in place until sometime next year.

Evalúan estado de recursos pesqueros del banco de Terranova

El buque de investigación Vizconde de Eza. (Foto: IEO)

ESPAÑA
Friday, May 22, 2015, 23:00 (GMT + 9)

Un equipo de investigadores del Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo del Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO) comenzará este sábado a evaluar el estado de explotación de los recursos pesqueros del Gran Banco de Terranova.

A lo largo de tres meses, se realizarán de manera consecutiva tres campañas de investigación -Platuxa, Flemish Cap y Fletán Negro 3L- en el Área de Regulación de laOrganización de Pesquerías del Atlántico Noroeste (NAFO) 3MLNO. Estas aguas internacionales son adyacentes a la zona económica exclusiva (ZEE) de Canadá.

Las tareas de investigación se llevarán a cabo a bordo del buque Vizconde de Eza, perteneciente a la Secretaría General de Pesca dependiente del Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente (Magrama), y estarán dirigidas por los científicos del Programa de Pesquerías Lejanas del Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo del IEO.

La edición de este año de la campaña Platuxa es la vigésimo primera. Su principal objetivo es la obtención de la información biológica necesaria para evaluar el estado de los recursos pesqueros de interés para la flota española: bacalao, fletán negro, camarón, gallinetas, limanda, platija, mendo y granaderos, entre otros.

Los científicos realizarán pescas de 30 minutos de duración, e identificarán todas las especies presentes en la captura y registrarán los datos de talla, sexo, peso y estado de madurez sexual. Además, conservarán muestras de gónadas y otolitos para estudios de madurez y crecimiento.

Esa información básica ayudará a realizar evaluaciones analíticas de los stocks, como son el estado de madurez sexual y la edad de los peces.

"Toda esta información es indispensable para la evaluación de los recursos pesqueros de la zona, especialmente aquellos que están bajo moratoria y para los que no hay información procedente de la pesca comercial", continúa explicando el IEO.

Todos los datos obtenidos durante esta campaña serán usados en la reunión del Consejo Científico de NAFO para evaluar los recursos pesqueros de interés comercial para la flota española en el Gran Banco de Terranova.

Oman closes its ports to pirate fishing

Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat. (Photo Credit: DXR/CC BY-SA 3.0)

OMAN
Friday, May 22, 2015, 23:40 (GMT + 9)

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) praises Oman government’s port measures intended to close its ports to vessels suspected of engaging in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Somalia.

The NGO reported that the step follows Oman’s ratification of the Port State Measures Agreement, an international measure designed to stop IUU fish reaching markets.

“Oman has taken an important step. Closing markets to fish that is not demonstrably legal is a critical part of the international fight against IUU, “pirate” fishing. By applying these port state measures, Oman is helping legitimate fishers, helping to protect the environment and fish stocks and helping coastal communities along the Somali coast,” pointed out Steve Trent, Executive Director of EJF.

For his part, Ahmed Al-Mazrouai, Director General of Fisheries Resources Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, from Oman, said: “Oman was one of the first countries to ratify and implement FAO Port State Measures Agreement in 2013, as Oman believed that this Agreement was a framework to facilitate efforts and enhance cooperation between different countries to deter and eliminate IUU fishing."

EJF recalled that during 2014 it observed four vessels flagged to Korea using satellite tracking technology, fishing in Somali waters close to shore. The vessels—named Ixthus 7, Ixthus 8, Ixthus 9 and Baek Yang 37—used modern port facilities in Salalah, Oman to periodically land their product.

Upon investigation by EJF and Korea, it was not possible to establish with certainty the legality of their activities. As a result, in late 2014 Korea proactively applied a ‘precautionary’ approach to the management of its fleet, barring its vessels from fishing in areas not governed by clear fisheries regulations. Korea also stopped certifying catch from the vessels, meaning they were unable to legally send their product to the lucrative EU market.

As a result, the vessels left the Korean registry, claimed to change ownership and gave themselves new names (Haysimo 1 and 2 and Butilayo 1 and 2).

EFJ stressed that now claiming to have a Somali flag, the vessels turned off the mandatory technology that allows remote tracking and apparently continued to operate in Somalia and use Salalah to land their fish. They were joined by two other trawlers, Poseidon that had also recently left the Korean registry, and Al-Amal.

The organization also remarked that after correspondence between the Federal Government of Somalia and Oman, the latter has taken the decisive step of closing its ports to the three of these vessels while they were heading towards Salalah to offload their catch, Officials from Somalia had written to Oman that the vessels’ supposed Somali flag was invalid and that Poseidon did not have any license to fish in the country.

“In this particular case, upon reception of communications from Somalia stating that these vessels have been illegally fishing in Somali waters, Oman has taken the decision to close its ports to these suspected vessels, which we believe is an important step to support the efforts against IUU in the Somali waters, and in the Indian Ocean. Today we are looking at continuing working with Somalia which needs to further enhance its licensing procedures,” concluded Al-Mazrouai.

Mass farmed salmon deaths raises concerns in Tasmania

Salmon farm. (Photo Credit: Tassal)

AUSTRALIA
Friday, May 22, 2015, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

The deaths of hundreds of tonnes of salmon in a storm event that took place in Tasmania's west coast have reignited concerns about the environmental health of the Macquire harbour zone, which is home to large-scale fish farms owned by producersTassal, Huon Aquaculture and Petuna.

Tasmania's firm Petuna reported the loss of about 85,000 fish worth about AUD 1 million (USD 788,000) that suffocated when a seawater surge changed oxygen levels.

Referring to this issue, Petuna CEO Mark Porter said the event was the result of a one-off weather event and ensured that for the firm it represents just a fairly minor loss as only 3.7 per cent of Petuna's fish stocks is in the harbour, ABC News reported.

On the other hand, Green's Senator Peter Whish Wilson renewed his calls for greater scrutiny of the aquaculture industry.

In response to this concern, Petuna CEO welcomed the the Senate inquiry but insisted the “incident has been overstated.”

"But what I would say is that I would I like people like Senator Whish-Wilson coming and talking to us and seeing what we do rather than shooting from the hip with numbers and allegations,” Porter claimed.

Sources consulted by FIS.com informed that the Senate inquiry comes after leaked emails revealed Petuna and Huon Aquaculture had raised concerns directly with the Tasmanian government about plunging dissolved oxygen levels in Macquarie Harbour.

This issue led to an independent study into the health of the harbour which is currently being internationally peer reviewed.

For its part, the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies is monitoring dissolved oxygen levels in fish farming areas in Macquarie Harbour and reports to the State Government.

Referring to the harbour sanitary conditions, Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said appropriate action had been taken by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

The minister announced that a decision on a new biomass limit would be made soon by the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries along with a report on oxygen levels.

StarKist accepts to pay USD 12 million in class action settlement

Starkist tuna can. (Photo: Stock File)

UNITED STATES
Thursday, May 21, 2015, 04:30 (GMT + 9)

StarKist Co. has agreed to pay USD 12 million in a class action settlement over allegations presented in 2013 for breach of warranty, unjust enrichment, fraud and violations of California consumer protection laws.

Starkist would pay USD 8 million cash and USD 4 million in vouchers available to "tens of millions" of consumers who bought the 5 ounce cans of tuna from the company.

Federal law requires the cans to contain an average of 2.84 to 3.23 ounces of tuna. However, cans of StarKist tuna allegedly only contain an average of 2.81 to 3.11 ounces of tuna, which means the firm has underfilled cans of tuna.

Meanwhile, the company pointed out that it had petitioned the US Food and Drug Administration to amend the regulation, seeking permission to use a “drained weight fill standard” as opposed to the FDA’s “pressed cake standard.”

Plaintiffs informed that under the terms of the proposed class action settlement, Class Members who submit valid claims would be eligible to receive up to USD 25 in cash or USD 50 in product vouchers.

Tens of millions of consumers could be eligible for benefits from the class action settlement.

“This is an excellent result for class members compared to their likely recovery should they prevail at trial,” the plaintiffs argue in their motion for preliminary approval of their plan of allocation for the StarKist tuna class action settlement.

The plaintiffs indicate that the firm intended to have a sliding scale process based on the number of cans of StarKist tuna each Class Member purchased. However, the plaintiffs rejected this proposal during negotiations because it would be overly complex and “because we deemed it unreasonable to ask Class members to recall and report on a claim form the number of cans they had purchased over a 5 ½-year period.”

Besides, consumers do not usually retain grocery receipts for that length of time, so the plaintiffs argued against requiring proof of purchase during the claim filing process. Instead, claimants would be required to sign an affidavit under the penalty of perjury.

Federal court sources informed that a hearing has been scheduled for 28 May.

EC proposes further measures for sea bass

Sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. (Photo Credit: Citron/CC-BY-SA-3.0)

EUROPEAN UNION
Thursday, May 21, 2015, 21:30 (GMT + 9)

The European Commission (EC) has today announced a further proposal aimed at halting the decline of sea bass in the Celtic Sea, Irish Sea, Channel and North Sea.

The Commission’s proposal is the third of a series of proposals in relation to this stock this year.

This proposal is addressed to the Council of Fisheries Ministers and will enable the ministers to decide about catch limits for particular fishing gears in order to protect sea bass.

The Commission's proposal would also allow extending a prohibition, currently applied to Irish fishing vessels, to all Member State vessels in waters adjacent to Ireland.

Sea bass is a high value, iconic species for recreational and commercial fishermen and it is necessary to act to address the declining state of the stock, to protect jobs and livelihoods. If the EU does not act decisively now, the risk for greater and long term losses to this valuable fish stock and to coastal communities will be increasing.

Scientific advice has clearly identified the need to drastically reduce catches of this species, following an increase in the fishing pressure and a reduction in reproduction.

Previously the Commission has implemented a short term ban on pelagic trawling until 30 April, preventing the targeting of this species during spawning aggregations. A previous amendment of the fishing opportunities regulation has already introduced a 3 fish bag limit for recreational fishermen.

This latest proposal envisages a maximum catch per month by gear type, limiting the targeting of the vulnerable stock but allowing for incidental catches.

 In the 1990’s Ireland introduced a ban on commercial fishing for its flag vessels. This prohibition is proposed to be extended to other Member States in the Waters adjacent to Ireland outside of the UK 12 nm limit by the latest.

It is now up to the Council of Ministers to decide on the Commission's proposal.

SUBPESCA rejects flying jumbo squid fishers’ demonstrations

SUBPESCA head, Raúl Súnico. (Photo: Twitter)

CHILE
Wednesday, May 20, 2015, 03:20 (GMT + 9)

Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture Raul Súnico rejected the demonstrations staged by flying jumbo squid artisanal fishermen in some coves of the country.

"We have maintained fluent conversations during recent months and as members of the government, we have met each of the commitments we assumed with the sector after the division among sectors last year," stated Súnico.

The authority noted that in recent weeks they met with leaders of the regions of Coquimbo and Bio Bío "to analyze the complex pricing environment that as a country we are facing and to devise possible solutions in the medium and long term."

In that vein, Súnico said they agreed with the flying jumbo squid industry "that this year they would launch their own management committee and in this context they would discuss new management measures with the participation of all stakeholders in this important fishery, something that should be settled in the coming weeks".

The head of the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SUBPESCA) recalled that last year, after several weeks’ uncertainty, the portfolio managed to fraction the flying jumbo squid in 80 per cent participation of the catches for the artisanal sector and 20 per cent for the industry sector. This management measure will govern for five years and "is fully in force," he stressed.

Finally, the undersecretary informed that by Wednesday a meeting was scheduled with the flying jumbo squid national coordinator, "quote that following the incidents will be evaluated".

Meanwhile, the artisanal fishermen warned that they will continue their protests to demand a larger flying jumbo squid quota.

Crecen los desembarques pesqueros en marzo

Captura de merluza. (Foto: PromPeru)

PERÚ
Wednesday, May 20, 2015, 01:40 (GMT + 9)

En marzo pasado se desembarcaron 152.450 toneladas de recursos pesqueros en los puertos peruanos, volumen que representa una suba del 20,9 % en comparación con las 126.020 toneladas registradas en el mismo mes de 2014.

Este ascenso está asociado con las mayores descargas de recursos para el consumo humano directo (15,8 %) e indirecto (80,6 %), según indica el último Boletín Estadísticoelaborado por el Ministerio de la Producción (Produce).

Con todo, al evaluar el primer trimestre de 2015 se observa que los desembarques totales bajaron un 32,3 % con respecto a los del mismo período del año anterior, al pasar de 578.200 toneladas en 2014 a 391.030 toneladas.

Según el Produce, en marzo de 2015 se desembarcaron 18.150 toneladas de recursos pesqueros destinados a la industria de la harina y aceite de pescado, mientras que en el mismo mes de 2014 se descargaron 10.050 toneladas.

En tanto, el primer trimestre de este año se usaron 18.150 toneladas de recursos pesqueros para consumo indirecto, frente a 229.330 toneladas en el mismo período de 2014, es decir, un 92 % menos.

Para consumo humano directo se desembarcaron en marzo pasado 134.300 toneladas de recursos pesqueros, en comparación con 115.970 toneladas en el mismo mes de 2014.

Durante todo el primer trimestre de 2015 se utilizaron un total de 372.880 toneladas de recursos para consumo directo, un 6,8 % más que el año pasado (348.870 toneladas).

Para la elaboración de productos congelados se desembarcaron en marzo último 75.460 toneladas, mientras que en el mismo mes de 2014 se habían descargado 65.570 toneladas.

Y en el primer trimestre de este año, el desembarque acumulado para esta industria llegó a 211.390 toneladas, un 6,2 % más que en el mismo lapso de 2014, cuando se descargaron 199.050 toneladas.

Por otro lado, los recursos pesqueros utilizados por la industria de enlatados en marzo de 2015 totalizaron 11.090 toneladas, comparado con 9.690 toneladas en el mismo mes del año pasado.

Considerando los tres primeros meses del año, se registró un ascenso del 21,8 % en los recursos usados por la industria de enlatados: 26.140 toneladas, frente a 33.460 toneladas en el mismo lapso de 2014.

Los desembarques destinados al consumo humano directo en estado fresco alcanzaron en marzo último unas 44.390 toneladas, un 15,3 % más que durante el mismo mes del año pasado (38.480 toneladas).

En el primer trimestre de 2015 se descargaron 126.060 toneladas de recursos para consumo en estado fresco, un 15,6 % más que en el mismo período de 2014 (109.030 toneladas).

Oceana expands international operations through Daybrook Fisheries purchase

Fishing operations performed by Oceana Group. (Photo: Oceana Group)

SOUTH AFRICA
Wednesday, May 20, 2015, 02:20 (GMT + 9)

Oceana Group has announced the settlement of the deal to indirectly acquire Louisiana-based (US) Daybrook Fisheries Inc. by a combination of a merger and stock purchase, which will contribute to expand the Group’s international operations.

In a release sent to FIS.com, the Group informed that through the USD 382.3 million stock purchase it will hold a 100 per cent indirect ownership in Daybrook Fisheries and an effective 25 per cent indirect ownership in Westbank.

Through the purchase of the firm engaged in harvesting and processing gulf menhaden into fishmeal and fish oil, which is sold for aquaculture feeds and for further refining into dietary supplements, Oceana will manage to increase diversification of its targeted fish species, operational geography, product profile and currency exposure.

Last year Daybrook Fisheries sold 76,862 tonnes of fishmeal and fish oil and achieved a revenue amounting to USD 124 million. For the 2014 financial year ended 31 December the firm’s EBITDA reached USD 43 million.

Through its subsidiary Westbank, the purchased firm owns and operates 11 refrigerated tender vessels and ten single Cessna aircraft used to aid in spotting menhaden schools.

As part of the deal, Tiger Brands Ltd., which owns 43.8 percent of Oceana and is South Africa’s largest consumer-goods producer, will follow its rights in the share sale, the Johannesburg-based company said.

"This acquisition represents an opportunity for Oceana to undertake a truly transformative transaction and acquire access to a sustainable and well managed fishing resource," the Group concluded. 

Horse mackerel fishery negatively affects Oceana's results

Fish cannery factory. (Photo Credit: Oceana Group Ltd.)

SOUTH AFRICA
Monday, May 18, 2015, 03:30 (GMT + 9)

Oceana Group Limited reported a 'satisfactory' revenue growth for the six months ended 31 March 2015, which was 9 per cent. This result was primarily due to an increase of 13 per cent in the canned fish and fishmeal division and the positive effect of a weaker exchange rate.

However, the Group reported operating profit before abnormal items decreased by 9 per cent over the same period last year.

The Group´s result in these six months were affected by increased horse mackerel quota costs and adverse conditions, offsetting the positive performance of the remaining divisions.

Catch rates in Namibia improved over the period resulting in increased revenue. The Group highlighted it achieved this growth despite the fact that the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of the country continued to allocate further quota to the new right holders, which resulted in a reduction of the quota held by the group.

In South Africa, in turn, horse mackerel catch rates were significantly reduced due to the continued scarcity of the pelagic resource in the traditional fishing zones of Oceana.

During the analysed period, there was a decrease in South African total allowable catch for pilchard as well as in the Namibian pilchard TAC but pilchard landings at the St Helena Bay cannery were good.

In Angola and Mauritania, hake operations improved as a consequence of stable prices, increased sales volumes and operating efficiencies.

In addition, during this period improved west coast lobster sales volumes aided by higher sales prices and a favourable exchange rate resulted in an increase in profits.

On the other hand, in the canned fish and fishmeal division, there was a revenue growth achieved mainly through inflationary price adjustments, offset by a 4 per cent reduction in volumes for the six month period.

The Group also reported the current season landings of industrial fish to the group’s fishmeal plants were higher than the previous season, resulting in improved production efficiencies and lower cost of manufactured product.

Profit from fishmeal operations was above that for the same period last year due to the combined effect of increased volumes, weaker exchange rate and strong global pricing.

During the first half of 2015, the acquisition of the fishing interests of Foodcorp Proprietary Limited -- intended to enhance the groups’ hake, pelagic and lobster footprint -- became effective after having been approved by the Competition Appeal Court.

First shrimp harvested in sea cages in Manabi

Experimental shrimp farming in sea cages. (Photo: Instituto Nacional de Pesca)

ECUADOR
Friday, May 15, 2015, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

The experimental shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming project in sea cages installed in the province of Manabi is taking its first results obtained with the first harvest after two months’ culture.

The project, promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries (MAGAP), through the National Fisheries Institute (INP), is funded by the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (SENESCYT) and INP.

In this first stocking trial about 10,000 juvenile shrimp were placed in a 22 cubic metre cage, equivalent to the number stocked in 1,000 square metres of traditionally farmed on land, said the INP.

Shrimp specimens weighing 3.5 grams were used, which reached 12 grams and a survival rate of 20 per cent at 60 days.

This project is aligned to the work carried out by the national government to diversify the productive matrix and favour the artisanal and industrial fisheries.

As part of this initiative, INP technicians perform trials to evaluate parameters such as food, population density, and adaptability of juvenile shrimp to the environment and farming system.

In the ceremony during which the results of the first harvest of the project were presented, INP director, Edwin Moncayo Calderero, said the Institute is working so that the mariculture project is the first one in the world to operate sustainably.

"This farming process is in experimental stage and with the results procedures manuals will be created so that they are helpful to the artisanal sector, as guidelines for farming this resource," he pointed out.

For his part, the President of the Autonomous Decentralized Government of Cojimíes, Luis Gallardo Zambrano, highlighted the importance of this initiative, since the initial benefit for fishermen in the regional Fisheries Cooperative.

Sanford rejects liability in wage dispute with Indonesian crew

Sanford chief operating officer Greg Johansson. (Photo Credit: NZ Innovation Council)

NEW ZEALAND
Friday, May 15, 2015, 23:20 (GMT + 9)
One of New Zealand's largest fishing companies, Sanford, denies being legally responsible for NZD 2.6 million (USD 1.9 million) unpaid wages to 53 Indonesian fishermen working on a vessel chartered by the firm.
The attorney representing the crew members – working on the Pacinui vessel -- stated that the fishing firm could become the legal guarantor of the crew's wages if the court ruled in the workers' favour, The Timaru Herald reported.
However, sources consulted by FIS.com pointed out Sanford disputes that view and considers those responsible are the ones who had hired them -- South Korean boat owners Juahm Industries.
"Sanford isn't the employer of the crew, we are the company which charters the vessels they worked on. The crew claims are between Juahm Industries and the crew members," the firm’s chief operating officer Greg Johansson claimed.
Meanwhile, a court ruling determined Juahm Industries had to produce employment and wage documents for the workers.
Referring to the vessel owners, the workers’ attorney accused them of offering bribes to the fishermen in exchange for agreeing to drop the case.
This is not the first time, Sanford is involved in such a case.
In 2013, the firm admitted that crew on another of its foreign charter vessels, owned by Korean Company Dong Won, had been underpaid.

"From investigations it became apparent to Sanford that not all monies remitted by Dong Won to Indonesian agents in the past for crew wages was passed on to the crew's families," Greg Johansson, then general manager operations at Sanford wrote.
In its 2014 annual report Sanford pointed out that: "There remain some outstanding concerns by ex-crew over wage claims, which our Charter partners are currently in mediation over. Sanford is keeping a watching brief on these and we expect their merits to be determined through the Employment Relations Authority processes."

Sanford welcomes toothfish seizure from allegedly pirate vessel

Fishing vessel Perlon, whose fish load was confiscated by Malasyan authorities. (Photo Credit: Australian Customs)

NEW ZEALAND
Friday, May 15, 2015, 03:00 (GMT + 9)

New Zealand fishing company Sanford has welcomed the Malasyan Government's decision to seize the cuttlefish load from a fishing vessel that is suspected of having been involved in illegal fishing activity for a long time.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has performed the biggest seizure of poached seafood this year amounting to be over MYR 23 million (USD 6.4 million).

The fish load, made up of 330 tonnes of Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni), was aboard the Perlon -- a Nigeria-registered vessel that was detained by Malasyan authorities, The Nation reported.

MMEA District Seven commander Maritime Captain Amran Daud informed that other two vessels -- Kiribati-registered tugboat and a barge – were also detained about 3.5 nautical miles south-east of Tanjung Penyusup.

MMEA sources declared that investigations showed that the Nigerian ship had been used frequently for fishing in the Indian Ocean near Antarctica since 1997. Besides, it had changed its name and port of registration several times to confuse the authorities.

The official entity claimed having detained 30 Indonesians, seven Senegalese, four Spaniards, two Chileans, two Indian nationals, a Bangladeshi and a Singaporean in the seizure.

The measure adopted by Malasya was applauded by Sanford, which is one of the two firms in New Zealand having permit to catch toothfish in the Ross Sea. 

The firm’s chief operations officer, Greg Johansson, pointed out that the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) fisheries are carefully managed for a reason, and illegal fishing of this species is a threat to conservation efforts.

“This is an excellent example of the concerted effort that is needed to stomp out the last few remaining IUU, or illegal, unreported or unregulated vessels operating in Antarctic waters. We need more work like this to stop the landing and selling of illegally caught fish irrespective of the species, and the reflagging of pirate vessels almost at will,” Johansson stated.

Sanford sources informed that the firm’s vessels operating in Antarctic waters are constantly on the look out for evidence of pirate vessel activity and are grateful for the help of the Royal New Zealand Navy and vessels like those from Sea Shepherd, in trying to track the activities of any pirate vessel. Pirate vessels have never been found operating in the Ross Sea.

“It is part of the CCAMLR licence agreement for the Ross Sea that Sanford vessels will monitor and report any illegal activity they come across. But it takes a collective international effort by all port and flag states to drive these pirate vessels out of business,” explained Johansson.

IFOP researchers’ strike halts USD 2 million worth survey cruises

Research vessel Abate Molina. (Photo: Subpesca)

CHILE
Thursday, May 14, 2015, 23:40 (GMT + 9)

The extension of the strike by members of the IFOP Workers’ Union Associated to Research (SETAI) has had immediate impact on the halt and suspension of research cruises for taking data from three projects.

Those that have been stopped are sardine and anchovy hydroacoustic assessment cruise in Regions V -X, whose worth amounts to CLP 400 million (USD 664,885), the small pelagic fish hydroacoustic assessment cruise in inland waters (regions X and XI), whose worth totals CLP 280 million (USD 465,419) and horse mackerel hydroacoustic assessment cruise in southern-central are (CLP 500 million - USD 831,106), scheduled for 22 May. Together, these projects total USD 1,180 million, equivalent to USD 1.96 million.

To the above, the scientists’ stoppage in their bases is added, leading to the interruption of 58 projects that are under their management, linked to the main national fisheries (reporting, information processing, result analysis, creation of newsletters on resource status, calls for tenders).

In view of their responsibility for technical advice on the management of fishery resources, SETAI managers express their concern "due to the unilateral decision of IFOPas to modifying the original work plan of the common sardine and anchovy hydroacoustic assessment project between Regions V and X, decreasing the acoustic, oceanographic and biological sampling effort in Regions IX, X and XIV, placing a major question mark regarding the representativeness of the results. This may lead to the failure of the study".

Under this scenario, they make a call to the Undersecretary of Fisheries to keep this situation in mind, "given his responsibility in the management of resources and the use of this information as well as the industrial and artisanal sectors, whose activity is subject to fishing quotas, as the results of the above mentioned project are relevant. as they make it possible to know the status of the resource and to provide the background for management actions (quota variation), which is why we believe that these agents can not be oblivious to the situation in which the research currently carried out by IFOP is undergoing, whose responsibility is on the researchers holding the strike."

From SETAI they expressed hope that a meeting with IFOP will make them resume their activities.

Court ruling allows Leardini Pescados to avoid bankruptcy

Seafood products traded by Leardini Pescados. (Photo: Leardini Pescados)

BRAZIL
Thursday, May 14, 2015, 02:20 (GMT + 9)

The First Civil Court of Navegantes granted Leardini Pescados a Court Recovery in order to allow it to renegotiate its debts and avoid a bankruptcy decree.

This company, located in Santa Catarina, is one of the largest in the country dedicated to fish processing. It was opened in 1988 and has about 400 employees in Navegantes.

According to the company president, Attilio Sergio Leardini, the rise in the dollar and interests, the informality in the fishing industry and investment of BRL 20 million (USD 6.5 million), which they performed in the last three years were some of the reasons that led them to file a request for tax recovery last week.

The increase in the dollar was "the main factor" affecting the financial position of the company, since imports account for 65 per cent of the fish processed by the industry while exports account for 15 per cent of production.

"In the last 12 months, the dollar rose 50 per cent, which made our debt almost double," said the entrepreneur.

The decision taken last Friday by Judge Adrian Perozzo Daltoé Tanit granted the firm a 60 day deadline to submit a recovery plan and temporarily suspends a part of the claims against it, related to labour and tax issues.

Leardini Pescados is one of the largest suppliers of fish stocks in Brazil and exports its products to Europe, Asia and North America, Zero Hora reported.

João Lacê Kuhn, an attorney specializing in Commercial Law and Civil Process, explains that the Judicial Recovery is a legal measure to prevent the breakdown of a company.

With it, the entrepreneur gets time to manage the firm’s debts and avoid bankruptcy, while for consumers, the recovery keeps the firm active.

"Our experience is that over 50 per cent of companies are successful with the judicial recovery -- stressed the attorney. Those that do not are considered not to have devised a good plan or not to have the necessary conditions for their restructuring."

Leardini Pescados annually produces about 24,000 tonnes of fish and in 2014 a turnover of BRL 210 million (USD 68.7 million).

The company has subsidiaries in Fortaleza, Sao Paulo, Rio Grande, Belem and Recife, and has about 4,000 domestic and foreign customers, Diario Catarinense reported.

The creditor banks of the company are Banrisul, Banco do Brasil, Votorantim, BNDS, Safra and Itaú.

Cod, haddock and saithe fishery gets MSC certification

A fishing vessel. (Photo Credit: Royal Greenland)

GREENLAND
Wednesday, May 13, 2015, 23:40 (GMT + 9)

The first Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified Greenland cod, haddock and saithe will soon be on their way to the UK after the fishery won the country's first MSC certificates for finfish. This means it is recognized as a sustainable and well-managed fishery.

Eighty per cent of Greenland's 12,000 tonnes annual cod, haddock and saithe catch from the Barents Sea is sold in the UK almost all of it as fillets. The fish are targeted by three demersal trawler vessels – Sisimiut, Polar Princess and Ilivileq over four months of the year. These large, freezer trawlers are equipped with sorting grids to reduce catches of small fish and the fish are processed within hours on board.

The Northeast Atlantic cod stock is the largest cod stock in the world and the fishery’s MSC assessment reported the stock is currently in a very good condition. The fishery passed its assessment against the MSC environmental standard with high scores and only one condition placed on it for any of the species.

Gisli Gislason, MSC Manager for Greenland, Iceland and Faroes, said: “This is the second Greenlandic fishery to achieve MSC certification after the West Greenland prawn fishery. Both fisheries’ certificates are managed under the umbrella of Sustainable Fisheries Greenland (SFG), who are also working towards MSC certification on the nation’s lumpfish fishery. This demonstrates commitments from the Greenland fishery to sustainable fishing practices and the aspiration of the industry to deliver that message to the market.”

The client group in this fishery are Royal Greenland, Polar Seafood Greenland, and Arctic Prime Fisheries. All Greenlandic certification efforts are coordinated through SFG.

SFG Project Coordinator, Peder Munk Pedersen, commented on the certification: “Although several fisheries for these three species in the Barents Sea have already been certified, certain challenges occurred during the process. Now, however, we are ready to meet an increasing demand for certified products. The actors in the fishery have their chain of custody-certification in place so that the main outcome of this year’s fishery will hit the market blue-labelled.”

The reported catch of the fishery in 2013 was 12,075 tonnes, split into each species as follows: 

• Cod: 9,403 tonnes;
• Haddock: 1,578 tonnes;
• Saithe: 972 tonnes.

Lower Peruvian anchovy capture hits China Fishery's results

Fishing vessel belonging to China Fishery. (Photo Credit: CFO)

HONG KONG
Thursday, May 14, 2015, 00:50 (GMT + 9)

Leading global industrial fishing company, China Fishery Group reported a 38.3 per cent decrease in the Group’s revenue for the six-months ended 28 March, 2015, result that was mainly impacted by the lack of fishmeal or fish oil production during this period.

This situation was due to Peruvian Government’s closure of the 2014 B season fishing in the North Centre Anchovy fishery, which led to a drop in revenue from USD 325.1 million obtained a year earlier to USD 200.6 million as well as a net profit reduction of 44 per cent from USD 33.3 million to USD 18.6 million.

China Fishery also reported a 26.5 per cent reduction in the Group’s revenue from the frozen fish division mainly due to lower sales volume.

The decline in revenue led to a 53.4 per cent decrease in EBITDA, changing from USD 79.2 million in the same period of the previous financial year to USD 36.9 million. 

Despite these challenges, the Group ensures it is well ahead of target in reducing its net-debt-to-equity ratio.

“In March 2014, we announced that we were targeting to reduce our net-debt-to-equity ratio to 75 per cent within 3 years. I am pleased to report that our net-debt-to-equity ratio has improved from 102 per cent in March 2014 to 73 per cent as of 28 March, 2015, well ahead of that target,” pointed out Ng Joo Siang, Group Managing Director.

“We are very pleased that our tight focus on improved efficiency, reduction in borrowings and reduction in interest expense is delivering early results. Net-debt-to-equity ratio will be further reduced as the Group will today make full payment to discharge all its obligations under the Copeinca Senior Notes,” Ng added

On the other hand, operations in Namibia achieved higher sales volume and selling prices during the analysed period, contributing 11.1 per cent of total revenue. The business benefited from lower fuel costs and the appreciation of the US Dollar against local currencies. There was abundance of jack mackerel, delivering higher catch volumes compared to the same time last year.

The Group expressed there are positive indicators for the second half of the year, since there has been a strong start to the important A season fishing in the North Centre anchovy fishery in Peru. Besides, the Group caught 50 per cent of its quota in the first month after the official start of the season.

China Fishery also remarked that during this period, the fish were also well located geographically, which allowed the Group to achieve a high level of efficiency in fishing operations and optimize the use of production facilities.

“China Fishery has successfully transformed from a Group heavily dependent on the Russian LSAs to one receiving most of its revenue and profit from Peruvian fishmeal operations. As we emerge from this important transition, our core strategies for FY2015 are to continue to realise synergies from the further integration of the Peruvian fishmeal operations and to become a world leader in the production of fishmeal and fish oil, reducing borrowings and strengthening our balance sheet,” the Group concluded.

Yellowtail kingfish industry gets funding boost

Yellowtail kingfish harvesting. (Photo Credit: Stan Gorton/Copyright: FIS)

AUSTRALIA
Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 22:30 (GMT + 9)

Research into the development of the yellowtail kingfish industry has received a AUD 6 million (USD 4.7 million) funding boost.

South Australia Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell said yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi)farming had been identified nationally as a major opportunity to increase productivity and exports.

The Federal Government, through its Rural Research and Development for Profit Programme, contributed AUD 3 million to the project.

Industry and research groups, including the State Government’s South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) would also contribute funding.

“We want to change the focus from the small volume, high price sashimi market currently dominating the sector, to the larger volume, lower price Australian white fish market,” Minister Bignell said.

And the minister added: “This will result in growth for regional economies and more jobs. Knowledge of yellowtail kingfish nutrition, health and their interaction is currently in very early stages."

Bignell also explained that the focus of the project is on developing more cost effective, sustainable feeds and feeding strategies to enhance fish growth and health.

The project will be led by the Fisheries and Research Development Corporation (FRDC), and developed with SARDI, Clean Seas Tuna and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

The project will commence next financial year.