UN approves extension of Uruguayan territorial sea

Extension of Uruguay's territorial sea. (MAP: Armada de Uruguay)

URUGUAY
Wednesday, August 20, 2014, 03:20 (GMT + 9)
The United Nations (UN) finally accepted the proposition of the Uruguayan Government to extend the Uruguayan territorial sea from 200 to 350 miles.
Thus, Uruguay has become the first South American nation to receive the approval of the UN.
The Convention on the Law of the Sea of the United Nations upheld the Uruguayan order, which involves the addition of 80,500 square kilometres where the country will have exclusive rights on marine reserves and fishing activity.
It is expected that the ruling in favor of Uruguay, which has recommendatory character, is in force from February 2015, La Red21 reported.
The new authorized area is equivalent to almost 50 per cent of the national land area.
The Uruguayan government had to seek technical and scientific information for years to prove, among other things, that its continental shelf extends effectively beyond 200 miles.
The Convention on the Law of the Sea regulates 12 miles of sovereignty, the 20 miles where there is limited sovereignty and the 200-mile exclusive economic use of coastal countries remains.
The former vice-chancellor and the socialist senator, Roberto Conde, stated the decision to recognize the extent of the Uruguayan continental shelf "is very important", the newspaper La República informed.
"It’s important not to forget that we are performing surveys in search of oil and gas across the territory, although so far it has only been possible to work within 200 miles," he pointed out.

Vacuum pumping improves fish survival, quality

Vacuum pumping used to get fish onboard. (Photo: NOFIMA)

NORWAY
Wednesday, August 20, 2014, 02:50 (GMT + 9)
Experiments carried out by Nofima in collaboration with Nergård Havfiske AS show that pumping from the trawl’s cod-end is gentler for the fish than lifting the complete catch onto the deck.

Trials onboard the trawler J. Bergvoll in May have shown that pumping is considerably more gentle than pulling up onto the ramp and survival rates of 80-100 per cent, depending on species, can be achieved.

Fish caught by trawling should be kept alive in tanks for 5-6 hours, long enough for blood to be removed from the white muscles.

“This is the first time vacuum pumping has been used to get the fish onboard from the cod-end on a trawler. Pumping ensures that the fish are in contact with water all the time, and they are not subject to gravity. Using this method means that the quality, and thus also the price, of trawl-caught fish are at least as good as those of line-caught fish,” says Kjell Midling from Nofima and head of the Norwegian Centre of Excellence for Capture-based Aquaculture.

The opportunities offered by new technology in the trawler industry are being studied in a project financed by the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF). Several shipowners are considering installing pumping facilities when refurbishing old boats or building new ones.

Nofima is taking the collaboration further with Nergård Havfiske AS, ship designers, equipment manufacturers, and pump suppliers to ensure that trawl-caught fish has as high a quality as possible.

“Knowledge about live fish is crucial for the future of the trawler industry. The new technology is based on 25 years of experience about what the fish can withstand, and the conditions necessary for survival. This will determine how the new technology is implemented,” says Midling.

The research is part of the extensive CRISP project, which is a project centred on research-based innovation in sustainable fish capture, quality and economics.

The goal of CRISP is to contribute to increased creation of value in the Norwegian seafood industry, and to reduce its impact on the environment.

Several of the projects on which the new technology is based have been financed also by FHF.

ASEAN intends to implement new shrimp standard

Shrimp processing plant in Vietnam. (Photo: Tran Viet)

INDONESIA
Wednesday, August 20, 2014, 03:50 (GMT + 9)
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has drafted a standard for the shrimp farmed in their region, which is expected can become effective early in early 2015, in line with the ASEAN Economic Integration.
The draft has been designed by a steering committee of 14 industry and non-government stakeholders. The idea is that the shrimp industry of the nations forming part of the organisation can use it as a workable tool to improve the sustainability, environmental and social performance of farming, especially at the small-scale, and receive recognition in key export markets, The Brunei Times informed.
According to the 16-page draft, “today more than 30 aquaculture standards exist, all with distinct scopes that address social and environmental issues through different methods and none of which were defined explicitly for the ASEAN region”.
“This makes it difficult and costly for farmers and processors to select a path to certification that will be rewarded in the market. As a result, each works on several different standards to meet buyer requirements adding significantly to costs,” it adds.
The ASEAN shrimp standard steering committee considers that the formation of an ASEAN Economic Community in 2015 will make it possible for the region to become one of the 10 largest global economies and a major player in the global seafood industry.
This steering committee includes two organizations from the Philippines, the Tambuyog Development Centre and the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing & Allied Industries, Inc. And the rest of the members are the FAIRAGRO, Kasetsart University, Network of Aquaculture Centres Asia Pacific, Thai Union Frozen Products (TUF) and Thai Farmers Council in Thailand; Indonesian Fishery Product Processing & Marketing Association, Surya University and Wetlands International in Indonesia; International Collaborating Centre for Aquaculture & Fisheries Sustainability and Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters & Producers (VASEP) in Vietnam; and Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® and Chicken of the Sea in the US.
The steering committee welcomes comments on the draft standards from farmers, experts and other stakeholders engaged in shrimp farming as well as from the public until 10 October, 2014.

H-E-B strengthens its sustainable seafood programme

H-E.B Seafood Director Kyle Stevens. (Photo: H-E-B YouTube)

UNITED STATES
Tuesday, August 19, 2014, 22:30 (GMT + 9)
H-E-B is partnering with Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) as its primary sustainability advisor for seafood purchases to strengthen its compromise to offer responsibly sourced wild-caught and farm-raised seafood.

H-E-B’s existing sustainability policy covers all fresh, frozen, and prepared seafood items sold in its stores. As an enhancement to that programme, over the past year, H-E-B and EDF have worked closely with the retailer’s suppliers to improve sustainability in new fisheries and to source farmed seafood from domestic and international farms that meet international certification standards for environmental performance.

“A commitment to seafood sustainability has been a company-wide practice at H-E-B for many years,” said H-E-B Director of Seafood Procurement Kyle Stevens. “And now, we can draw upon EDF’s enormous expertise and experience to build on the sustainable sourcing work that we’ve done to date, while continuing to offer the highest product quality to our customers.”

As part of its ongoing relationship with EDF, H-E-B has launched a new, sustainable seafood website and trained its fish market partners on the new standards.

Besides, the supermarket chain continues its support of “catch shares” – a management tool used around the world that ensures commercial fishermen adhere to scientifically-set catch limits while lessening their impact on the marine environment and improving their businesses.
H-E-B works closely with catch share fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico that are an international model for responsible, science-based management and deliver high quality seafood year round to its customers. Gulf of Mexico red snapper, once on the brink of collapse, has begun to successfully rebuild its populations since catch shares management was implemented in 2007.

The company is committed to full traceability systems for its seafood supply chain and was the first major retailer in the Gulf region to offer Gulf Wild® red snapper at many of its stores. The Gulf Wild® programme provides real-time tracking of Gulf of Mexico fish beginning at the time it is caught, thereby ensuring the safety and authenticity of their wild-caught seafood. Traceability programmes like this one are critical to preventing mislabeling and seafood fraud, problems that undermine the entire seafood industry.

“Through their commitment, H-E-B has demonstrated that sustainability, traceability and engagement with local fishermen are good business for the retail food industry,” said Tim Fitzgerald, senior manager for seafood market strategy, Oceans, EDF.

Beyond the Gulf of Mexico, H-E-B is actively engaged in a number of other efforts to advance seafood sustainability. H-E-B is an active member with the Food Marketing Institute’s Seafood Sustainability Working Group and the Sustainable Executive Committee, where it works cooperatively with other retailers to create industry-wide standards for seafood sourcing and customer communication.

H-E-B’s new partnership with EDF will build on these engagements and solidify the retailer’s reputation as a sustainable seafood leader in the industry.

18 fisheries management plans launched

The plans would favour job conservation and marine environment and comercially-valued species protection. (Photo: Sagarpa)

MEXICO
Tuesday, August 19, 2014, 22:00 (GMT + 9)
The federal government has launched 18 Fisheries Management Plans (PMPs) to encourage sustainability, conservation and availability of fish, molluscs and crustaceans of commercial interest in the main producing areas of the country's coastlines.
The main objective is to guarantee consumers have the supply of high nutritional valued seafood.
The plans were prepared by the National Fisheries Institute (INAPESCA) and commissioned by the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA), both entities under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA).
It is expected that each plan contributes to the preservation of jobs and help protect the marine environment and species of commercial interest and high demand in the market.
Besides, the Mexican government promotes actions to improve social and economic conditions of the inhabitants of the fishing communities located in coastal areas.
The plans cover several species:

• Geoduck from Baja California Norte and Sonora;
• Gulf weakfish, red urchin and small pelagic -- sardine, mackerel, northern anchovy, mouthy, charrito and pineapple, among other resources of northwestern Mexico;
• Pacific yellowfin tuna;
• Blue crab from Sinaloa and Sonora;
• Giant Squid;
• Shrimp – brown, white, seabob, pink, red and rock species -- lobster, snail, reef cod, sea bass and octopus in the Gulf of Mexico.

The fisheries considered in the PMP to boost its production with ecosystem approach provide the food industry with around 750,000 tonnes, which ensures the supply of the domestic and international markets.
Each fishery management plan is a tool to support national fisheries and brings together a series of actions aimed at developing the same balanced, comprehensive and sustainable manner.
"Its development is based on the current knowledge of biological, fisheries, environmental, economic, cultural and social aspects that INAPESCA collects and analyzes, with the participation of the producers themselves, federal, state and municipal authorities, higher and research and academic institutions centres," reported SAGARPA.
The Secretariat also noted that through management plans surveys are conducted to gauge the fishing effort supporting the catch areas and the available biomass is evaluated, which could be exploited. Furthermore, studies are specified to establish the developmental stages of organisms and the feasibility of setting bans to protect their reproductive cycles.
Related articles:
- Management plan set for yellowfin tuna
- Management plan promotes white and brown shrimp sustainability

Seafood marketing activities boosted after Russian import ban

Norwegian salmon marketing. (Photo: Norwegian Export Council)

NORWAY
Tuesday, August 19, 2014, 23:20 (GMT + 9)
The Norwegian Seafood Council is boosting its marketing activities in other important markets for Norwegian seafood after the Russian import ban.

On 6 August Russia announced a ban on imports of Norwegian seafood, among other imported food products. Russia is one of Norway’s most important seafood markets, the largest one for the last two years.

”Producers, exporters and marketers of a global product such as salmon stay calm when getting such news. The Seafood Council had the proper tools at the ready when the news about the import ban came. Our country managers all over the world have analysed what marketing activities will have most effect in the short-term, for instance with which retail chains additional campaigns could be planned. In close dialogue with the exporters, we have planned alternative marketing activities for the year to come, aiming to keep the current global demand for Norwegian salmon at its current high level”, said Bjørn-Erik Stabell, marketing manager for salmon in the Norwegian Seafood Council.

The Norwegian Seafood Council has decided to put all planned investments in Russia on hold, and move the funds to other markets. In addition, it had already planned for extra investments this year, and will invest from the industry’s own reserve funds. All together, these extra investments sum up to almost NOK 60 million (USD 9.7 million), which the Seafood Council will invest in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Great Britain, Japan and Norway.

Exporters of Norwegian trout, that now have lost a very important market, will have to increase the demand for trout in other important markets the year to come. The Seafood Council will work closely with the industry to create synergies in the marketing of salmon and trout.

”The Norwegian seafood industry is known to be globally oriented, innovative and to have a great ability to see new opportunities and turn to them”, says Ragnhild Dahle Heen, marketing manager for trout in the Norwegian Seafood Council.

In addition to salmon and trout, Russia is also a very important marked for herring. Previously, the Seafood Council also prepared to invest reserve funds for the pelagic sector. However, the board and the advisory board for pelagic sector in the Norwegian Seafood Council decided to await the situation to get an even better understanding of the consequences of the import ban, and will not immediately invest the NOK 15 million (USD 2.4 million) reserved by the board.
Related articles:
- Russian ban on Norwegian seafood poses 'a challenging situation'
- Russia bans food imports to retaliate against sanctions 

EU lifts herring-related measures against the Faroe Islands

Herring fishery. (Photo: Odin Hjellestad)

EUROPEAN UNION
Monday, August 18, 2014, 22:40 (GMT + 9)
The European Commission (EC) has today repealed the measures adopted against the Faroe Islands in August 2013 following their unsustainable fishery on Atlanto-Scandian herring. The measures imposed at the time will now be lifted as of 20 August 2014.

The decision comes after it was agreed that the Faroe Islands would cease their unsustainable fishery and would adopt a catch limit for herring in 2014 at 40,000 tonnes. This level is considerably lower than the one the Faroes had adopted in 2013 and which, according to the current scientific assessments, does not put in jeopardy the conservation efforts of the coastal States sharing the stock.

However, the EC highlights that the lifting of the measures does not represent a tacit agreement by the EU that 40,000 tonnes is the legitimate share of the stock for the Faroe Islands. It is merely indicative of the fact that the sustainability of the stock is no longer in jeopardy. The decision is also without prejudice to the consultations that will take place in the autumn among the five coastal States (Norway, the Russian Federation, Iceland, Faroe Islands and the EU) on the future sharing of the stock.

The lifting of the measures represents a clean slate in the EU's relations with the Faroe Islands, a country viewed as a potential strategic partner on pelagic fisheries in the north-east Atlantic. Commissioner Damanaki intends to meet Mr Vestergaard, Minister of Fisheries of the Faroe Islands, to set the basis for a new era of cooperation.
Related articles:
- IN BRIEF - The Faroe Islands and the European Union agree to settle the dispute
- Mackerel deal reached with Norway and Faroe Islands
- Trilateral mackerel agreement deemed 'a significant breakthrough'

Salmon industry experiences 'relevant sanitary improvement’

José Miguel Burgos, SERNAPESCA national director. (Photo: Sernapesca)

CHILE
Monday, August 18, 2014, 23:30 (GMT + 9)
A "relevant sanitary improvement" has been experienced by the Chilean salmon industry so far this year, according to a new report from the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA).
"In the first place, from a production point of view, what we have is fewer stocked centres. However, the total biomass present in the sea is higher in the order of 10 per cent over the previous year," SERNAPESCA national director, José Miguel Burgos, stated when last week he presented the Marine Centre Health Report for the first half of 2014 in Puerto Montt.
At the event, which was attended by officials of the Secretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SUBPESCA) and representatives of the productive sector, Burgos announced that in terms of production, it is projected that this year similar results to those in 2013 will be obtained.
"With a change in the participation proportions by species, with a significant increase in Atlantic salmon and also a significant reduction in trout production," he added.
SERNAPESCA director ensured that the situation of the virus infectious salmon anemia (ISA) is "under absolute control". He said the last detected case in the centre of Traiguén 1 – belonging to the company Invertec Pesquera Mar de Chiloe (Invermar) -- "was properly controlled and with all the analysis performed around the focus and perifocus, we can now rule out the presence of new onset of this virus in the area."
Burgos also stressed that the Veterinary Service of the European Union considered the SERNAPESCA Specific Programme for ISA Virus Control and Monitoring as a programme of world standard and meets all requirements for disease control.
"This is a recognition of the working teams that have spent years on this line and places us today as the Chilean state’s State Veterinary Service globally," he stated.
However, he clarified that "ISA virus is present in Chile and therefore it is expected, compared to stressors, the appearance of new cases of the disease in the Atlantic salmon species in the regions of Los Lagos, Aysén and Magallanes."
Given this situation, he emphasized that "the key to success is the early notification by businesses and strengthen the early detection in farming centres."
Furthermore, SERNAPESCA report indicates that there have been significant reductions in parasite loads of sea lice or caligus in the regions of Magallanes, Los Lagos and Aysén.
This situation is reflected in fewer high spread centres (CAD), which is the indicator used by SERNAPESCA to measure this disease status.
Burgos attributed the decline to several factors, among which he mentioned: an improvement in environmental conditions, better management by the industry and the improvement of the control programme.
"Treatment rotation has also been prominent in parasite control and we hope they it can be maintained now that the difficult period (second half of the year) begins and we are starting it with lower loads than those we had in the same period last year," he pointed out.
Salmon Rickettsial Syndrome (SRS) is currently the leading cause of mortality in the salmon industry, particularly in trout farming.
While trout mortality associated with the disease has declined, SERNAPESCA believes that "this is far from being a good health status." To the authority, the challenge is to modify its control programme "to generate a greater impact in reducing this disease."
Moreover, SERNAPESCA director acknowledged that they are concerned about the onset of a syndrome affecting trout.
"We coined the name of the trout’s idiopathic syndrome (SIT) and we are still investigating this issue, but I want to be emphatic in reiterating that all analysis we have performed in Chile and Europe have been quite negative for the diseases offering the greatest risk," he said.
In his opinion, "it would be a different agent having quite milder epidemiological behavior and mortality rate than other diseases."
Related article:
- High-risk diseases discarded in farmed trout
- Salmon firms expect a good year
- ISA and sea lice prevalence in salmon on the rise

Data gaps affect pacific tuna assessment

Four Asian fishing powers were requested to supply proper data on its tuna catch. (Image: Stock File)

MARSHALL ISLANDS
Tuesday, August 19, 2014, 04:40 (GMT + 9)
Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) requests its members to properly report their fishing catches in Pacific waters to help prevent overfishing.
This request was made by the international organisation in the framework of the 10th Scientific Committee meeting of the WCPFC in the Marshall Islands, Solomon Star informed.
Tokelau chair of the FFA Science Working Group Tiga Galo recalled one of the obligations that all members signed up to when they joined the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) was to provide full catch and effort data on the operations of their fishing vessels in the Convention Area.
Galo challenged China, Chinese-Taipei, Japan and Republic of Korea to bring their domestic laws up to date so they can comply with their data obligations to the WCPFC.
She stated Asian countries should follow the lead of the United States, "which used to have domestic legal impediments, but is now in full compliance with their data obligations to WCPFC. Quite frankly, we think these other countries are just making excuses," she stressed.
“Yet, here we are 10 years down the track, and there are still four Asian Co-operating Country Members that are hiding behind the temporary deferment that allowed them time to amend their domestic regulations - laws that might have technically prevented them from supplying this operational data at the time of agreement,” Galo pointed out.
Galo explained FFA members have long debated the problem of monitoring high seas fishing activity on the borders of Pacific EEZs.
She explained that Pacific Island countries supply operational data to the commission on all the tuna fishing vessels that they licence to fish in their national waters, whether foreign or local. And she added that Pacific Island nations cannot collect data for Asian distant water vessels operating on the high seas if they are not licensed to fish in Pacific Island EEZs.
The resulting data gaps affect the accuracy and reliability of fisheries stock assessments and increases the risk of exceeding fisheries conservation and management limits as well as removing the ability to hold vessels and their flag States to account for their actions.
For his part Marshall Islands fisheries director Glen Joseph stressed: "We need to narrow the uncertainty (in stock assessments)."
The islands provide all data on catches within their 200-mile exclusive economic zones, but the four Asian nations are not providing detailed data for catches on the high seas, which Joseph and Galo said is a major problem.
"This creates an uncertainty about our own resources that affects food security, sustainable development, and our survival," Joseph said.
Fisheries scientist John Hampton of the New Caledonia-based Secretariat of the Pacific Community, which coordinates stock assessments for the WCPFC, said the lack of this data, mostly from longline fishing vessels that fish on the high seas, is a gap in the research.
Joseph ensured a big push will be made at the annual meeting of the WCPFC in December to resolve the problem of lack of tuna catch data by the four Asian nations.
The 11th regular session of the WCPFC has been schedules for 1-5 December in Apia, Samoa.
 

Shrimp exports grow

Good prices in the internacional market benefit Ecuadorian shrimp sector. (Photo: Basc-El Universo-FIS)

ECUADOR
Tuesday, August 19, 2014, 03:20 (GMT + 9)
Ecuador exported 350 million pounds of shrimp in the first half of this year, 10 per cent more than in the same period in 2013, and projections suggest that 2014 will close with the shipment of about 500 million pounds.
This is a record figure that exceeds that achieved during the "shrimp boom," stressed the president of the National Aquaculture Chamber (CNA) Jose Antonio Camposano.
In terms of income generation, CNA statistics indicate that between January and April 2014, Ecuadorian shrimp exports reached a value exceeding USD 754 million.
The global context has proven beneficial for the Ecuadorian shrimp industry this year.
"Currently, the countries of Central America and Asia have lowered their productivity level due to the early mortality syndrome, which increases the costs of the product. However, this may change at any time," the leader explained.
However, Cristhian Fontaine, president of Pedernales Shrimp Association, is concerned about the lack of support received by the sector by the government.
In his opinion, if the shrimp sector got loans, it could grow even more.
"Most shrimp farms are run by concessions, which are not subject to credit and slows their development", Fontaine told El Diario.
The shrimp industry employs about 180,000 workers directly and indirectly nationwide, according to the CNA.
Now, after the recent settlement of the agreement between Ecuador and the European Union (EU), and in view of Russia's interest in increasing its imports from Latin America, shrimp sector is developing marketing strategies to promote its products, reported El Telégrafo.
The industry considers different ways to drive sales, such as the participation in trade fairs, the organization of guided missions; promotional events in restaurants and supermarkets and the creation of a national brand. This last idea, in particular, could be very effective, according to the Minister of Foreign Trade, Francisco Rivadeneira.
Meanwhile, the Commercial Office of Pro Ecuador in Seoul, in cooperation with the shrimp sector, coordinated the promotion of Ecuador shrimp in eight local supermarkets of the whosale chain Emart Traders.
The idea is to position the product in the Korean market, where sale and consumption increased in recent years.
"The results of the promotion were positive for Ecuadorian shrimp, given that several local consumers liked the taste as well as the texture and density, also highlighting its pleasant smell," reported Pro Ecuador.
Related articles:
- EU agreement will benefit shrimp and tuna exports
- Trade agreement negotiations with EU progress

Sardine and anchovy wider use for DHC assessed

Sardine and anchovy could become more profitable if used for value-added preducts. (Photo: Stock File)

CHILE
Tuesday, August 19, 2014, 01:00 (GMT + 9)
Several small fishing companies believe it would be beneficial to allocate a portion of their catch of sardine (Strangomera bentincki) and anchovy (Engraulis ringens) for direct human consumption (DHC) to obtain a higher return on these resources.
Traditionally, more than 95 per cent of the catches of both pelagic species has been allocated in Chile to fishmeal and fish oil production but the new Fisheries Act in 2013 set that a quota of sardine and anchovy must be reserved for smaller-sized companies for human consumption.
Five plants of the Bío Bío Region recently managed to gain the bid of 1 per cent of the global quota of these resources, a percentage that represents about 14,000 tonnes. One such company is Inversiones Caboma, which owns a processing plant in Tirúa, Aqua reported.
Francisca Rubio, commercial manager of the family business, explains that they are seeing "how to build this business based on complex resources to manage."
Companies that participated in the tender will have access to sardine and anchovy quotas for three years, a term during which products for markets will have to be developed for their trade.
According to the fisheries consultant Pablo Galilea, former head of the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SUBPESCA), entrepreneurs increasingly seek to use these resources as a direct human food source.
This redirection of the catch would have a positive impact in terms of employment and profitability, but it requires some structural improvements, such as the availability of refrigerated holds in artisanal vessels that supply the raw material.
From the sector, it is considered necessary to have the state support to assess ways for the product to reach the processing plants in good condition.
In addition, the artisanal ship owner Jose Luis Gallego, Verdemar’s partner, considers what is required is "public policies that encourage the consumption of products such as fish burgers and cakes, among others, that can make," are required.
Related article:
- Artisanal fishing advocates praise sardine and anchovy early ban

Clean Seas considers resuming bluefin tuna programme

Clean Seas is planning to refloat its bluefin tuna farming project. (Photo: Clean Seas/FIS)

AUSTRALIA
Tuesday, August 19, 2014, 01:50 (GMT + 9)
Fish farmer Clean Seas has decided to offer new encouragement to its bluefin tuna breeding programme and trusts it can find the right partner to be able to produce commercial quantities of this resource.
After experiencing negative results for seven years, the Lincoln Port-located firm has turned in a AUD 11.145 million (USD 10.4 million) profit thanks to the fact that its hiramasa kingfish (Seriola lalandi) farming expansion starts to reap rewards, The Advertiser reported.
The firm suspended the bluefin tuna breeding programme in 2012 after racking up losses, since the fingerlings died soon after being transferred into cages in the chilly waters of the Spencer Gulf.
Chief executive Craig Foster said the bluefin tuna programme had more chance of success if the company harvested eggs at its brood stock facility in Port Lincoln and flew them to warmer waters in west or east Australia or even Indonesia to grow to maturity, the Sydney Morning Herald informed.
“Certainly, we’ll have to look at Indonesia as part of the possibility. They have got aquaculture facilities that have been built that have very little usage and could be quite suitable for this purpose," he pointed out.
And he added: “There is a good research station at Port Stephens [in NSW], Fremantle in WA and there’s a reasonable research station in Geraldton WA.”
All in all, Foster explained Clean Seas won’t be rushed and in the meantime will be focusing on its kingfish programme, the success of which has returned the company to profitability a year ahead of schedule.
“We hope next year that we will achieve close to 1500 tonnes of fish sales. That’s what we set out to do in our first objective,” he stressed.
With this aim getting close to reality, the firm is starting to think about their second target which was "to rebuild the business to about 3000 tonnes of sales."
The firm intends to grow kingfish sales in Asia and the Pacific as well as domestically.

Live storage of cod improves exports

Norwegian cod. (Photo: NOFIMA)

NORWAY
Tuesday, August 19, 2014, 02:50 (GMT + 9)
The value of exports of Norwegian codfish in July was NOK 733 million (USD 119.4 million). According to figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council, this is an increase of NOK 47 million (USD 7.6 million) or 7 per cent, compared to the same month last year.

“An increased focus on the live storage of cod has resulted in increased exports of fresh cod in an otherwise quiet summer period," says Ove Johansen, Branch Manager for Codfish at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Norway exported 41 per cent more fresh whole cod in July, to a total of 1,385 tonnes. The price rose by 12 per cent to NOK 2.85 per kilo. Measured in euros, this is an increase of 5.5 per cent.

The value of exports of fresh fillet products totalled NOK 24 million (USD 3.9 million) in July, an increase of NOK 7 million (USD 1.1 million). The price increased by an average of 18 per cent.

The value of exports of all fresh codfish products from fishing was close to NOK 123 million (USD 20 million) in July, 40 per cent more than last July.

Good July for clipfish exports

The value of exports of Norwegian clipfish in July was NOK 214 million  (USD 34.9 million), an increase of NOK 33 million (USD 5.4 million) compared to the same month last year. A total of 6,380 tonnes of clipfish was exported in July, 362 tonnes more than in the same month in 2013.

The value of exports of clipfish made from Atlantic cod was NOK 97 million (USD 18.8 million), up NOK 21 million (USD 3.4 million) from last year. The value of exports of clipfish made from saithe totalled NOK 101 million (USD 16.4 million), 13 per cent more than the same period last year.

The largest single market for clipfish is Portugal, with a total of NOK 60 million (USD 9.8 million) in exports in July. Brazil experienced the greatest growth, at 69 per cent, compared to NOK 27.1 million  (USD 4.4 million) in July last year, to a total of NOK 45.9 million  (USD 7.5 million) this July.

Less salted fish

The value of exports of salted fish, both whole and filleted, barely reached NOK 29 million  (USD 4.7 million) in July. This is 10 per cent lower than the same month last year. Total exports were down by 26 per cent to a total of 1,000 tonnes, while prices rose by 22 per cent, measured in Norwegian crowns. Measured in euros, the price increased by 20 per cent. Portugal purchased 61 per cent of all Norwegian salted fish in July.

Exports of stockfish down

Exports of stockfish in July totalled NOK 29.2 million  (USD 4.8 million), down 10 per cent compared to last July. The volume rose by 33 per cent, from 378 tonnes to 502 tonnes. Stockfish made from saithe increased most in export volume.

Exports of Norwegian cod stockfish from Lofoten totalled NOK 11.4 million (USD 1.9 million) in July, down 26 per cent compared to last year. The export volume of Norwegian cod stockfish from Lofoten in July was down 16 per cent to a total of 130 tonnes.

Exports of Norwegian cod stockfish from Lofoten to Italy totalled NOK 8 million (USD 1.3 million) in July, an increase of 7 per cent compared to last July. The average price also dropped by 6 per cent per kilo. Nigeria imported NOK 12.8 million (USD 2.1 million) of stockfish, a decrease of 30 per cent.

Frozen codfish exports down

Exports of frozen whole cod, saithe and haddock in July were down 9 per cent to a total of NOK 267.5 million (USD 43.5 million). The value of frozen fillet exports was up 13 per cent to NOK 55.8 million(USD 9 million) in July. Great Britain continue to be the largest market for frozen fillets and was up NOK 17.6 million (USD 2.9 million)  in July to a total of NOK 32.2 million (USD 5.2 million).

Exports of codfish from aquaculture up

The value of exports of Norwegian cod, halibut and turbot from aquaculture in July totalled NOK 8.7 million (USD 1.4 million). This is an increase of NOK 1 million (USD 1.6 million) compared to the last July. Exports of cod from aquaculture increased from NOK 4.5 to NOK 6 million (USD 0.73 million to USD 0.98 million). A total of 232 tonnes of cod from aquaculture were exported in July, up by 204 tonnes from last July. The average price was NOK 26.15 (USD 4.2) per kilo, an increase of 19 per cent from last July.
Related article:
- Growth in seafood exports continues 

Cluster farming helps improve tilapia production

Tilapia farming. (Photo: Stock File)

FIJI
Monday, August 18, 2014, 03:40 (GMT + 9)
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has been working with the European Union (EU) and the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries and Forests (MFF) in assisting smallholder tilapia farmers to improve production by working together in cluster groups.

Experience in Africa and Asia shows that, by working in a cluster, farmers can improve economies of scale and increase their bargaining power for inputs, such as fish feed or hatchery seed supply.

Over a dozen farmers are part of two cluster groups that have been formed in the Western and Central Divisions of Fiji through the efforts of SPC’s Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) division and the European Union-funded Increasing Agricultural Commodity Trade (IACT) project, in consultation with relevant government departments and farmers.

These farmers were assisted through technical assessment of their farming methods and production output. Teams from SPC and MFF’s Farm Development Unit made recommendations to farmers about a range of improvements in their operations and equipment, covering aspects such as pond design, farm management practices, post-harvest handling of fish, and proper record keeping. By attending regular cluster meetings, farmers who previously did not know each other have been able to share knowledge, share vital equipment like harvest nets, and coordinate better to regularly supply fish to markets.

Since the formation of the clusters in 2013, SPC and MFF have been closely monitoring the production performance of the farmers involved, and so far the results have been positive.

'The production of tilapia by the participating farmers in the Central Division cluster in the 2013–2014 period has doubled, in comparison with the 2011–2012 period prior to the IACT project intervention. Production for the Western Division cluster is also expected to increase significantly,' said Jone Varawa, a member of the SPC aquaculture team working with the clusters.

He explained that, in a cluster model, some farmers may ultimately choose to specialise in one aspect of the fish custody chain, such as in hatchery production, fingerling nursery, or feed manufacture. Other farmers then 'cluster' around these nodes of aquaculture services and are able to concentrate their own efforts purely on fish grow-out.

Varawa, who is the Aquaculture Production Technician for the IACT project, presented a scientific paper about the success of the farm cluster strategy in improving tilapia production in Fiji at the World Aquaculture Conference in Adelaide, Australia last month.

"The farm cluster strategy helps commercial tilapia farmers in Fiji to take responsibility for their own aquaculture services and farm inputs, rather than relying heavily on government support which is better directed toward small-scale farms growing fish for food security. This is a welcome development for farmers who will be able to better respond to the market demand for fish and contribute towards improving food security in the country," he said.

He added that commercially-minded farmers can adopt the farm cluster strategy to build the industry to another level beyond what is possible through government support alone.

The IACT project is also assisting clusters of aquaculture producers in other Pacific countries, such as the cage culture tilapia farmers in Lake Sirinumu in Papua New Guinea, and the marine ornamental giant clam farmers in Palau. There are also plans to introduce this cluster strategy to seaweed farmers in Papua New Guinea, and to tilapia and prawn farmers in Vanuatu.

Lobster quality assurance booklet to support provincial industry

Lobster fisheries. (Photo: Stock File)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is the arapaima vanishing in Pará waters?

Pirarucu or paiche, Arapaima gigas. (Photo: Stock File)

BRAZIL
Monday, August 18, 2014, 03:10 (GMT + 9)
An international team of researchers found out that the arapaima, also known as paiche or pirarucu (Arapaima gigas), is no longer present in some communities in Pará as a result of the predatory activity that is affecting the species.
This resource, which has great commercial importance in the Amazon region due to its easy capture and high market value, has long been a victim of overfishing, a situation that could cause its extinction in the waters of this area.
The study, which was published in the journal Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, was coordinated by Professor Leandro Castello of the School of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech, United States.
According to the scientist, the classical bioeconomic theory suggests that when a fishery resource becomes scarce due to overfishing, the costs for fishermen increase. This makes the price "shoot", its demand lower and fishermen begin to seek alternative species.
But Castello says that the study "showed that in practice things are quite different," informed R7.
Thus, the conclusions drawn are more consistent with a lesser-known bio-economic theory, called 'fishing-down', which goes in the opposite direction: the big fish, which offer easy access and high commercial value, can be captured to total extinction.
The classical theory, however, provides that fishermen turn to other species when they begin to observe scarcity.
The Amazon is an area rich in resources but as these are mixed in rivers, when nets are used pirarucu specimens can accidentally be caught.
The research was based on the interviews conducted to 182 fishermen from 81 communities, and their results indicate that the species is extinct in 19 per cent of the communities, threatened with extinction in 57 per cent of them and overexploited in 17 per cent.

HCB in feed and farmed fish data released

HCB content in feed is transferred to salmon, NIFES studies revealed. (Photo: Stock File)

NORWAY
Monday, August 18, 2014, 00:20 (GMT + 9)
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was first used as a pesticide in 1945, and was banned in the EU in 1981. HCB is volatile, lipophilic and bioaccumulates in the food chain. The human exposure through food is low, but HCB is found in fatty foods such a dairy products, meat and fatty fish.

HCB is readily absorbed in humans, however the acute toxicity is low. Animal studies have shown that HCB causes cancer in a wide range of organs, and affects the immune system. HCB is classified as a possible human carcinogen.

HCB in fish feed and fish meal
Fish feed contains in average 1.6 to 2.3 µg HCB/kg. The mean concentrations are below the current EU upper level of 10 µg HCB/kg feed. Also, the highest measured concentrations (9.3 µg/kg in 2012 and 7.2 µg/kg in 2006) are below the upper level. This data set is from the official monitoring programme for fish feed, feed ingredients and premixes, which NIFES conduct on behalf of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. In the years 2006 to 2012 20-25 samples were analysed annually.

In this monitoring programme there is limited data on the levels of HCB in feed ingredients, e.g. fish meal. Analyses from 2006 and 2007 show that the average concentration of HCB in fish meal is 1.4 µg/kg. In comparison, the current upper level is 10 µg/kg for HCB in fish meal.

HCB in salmon
In 2013 the average concentration of HCB in Norwegian farmed salmon was 1.0 µg/kg. Over the last 10 years, the mean concentrations for HCB is 1.3 µg/kg fillet, and the highest measured concentration was 4.8 µg/kg. In this period 546 samples (polled samples of five fish) were analysed for their content of HCB. There is no upper level for HCB in salmon.

Human exposure through food
Despite its presence in the environment, data indicate a considerable decline of up to 90 per cent in human HCB exposure over the last twenty years. In Europe, human dietary HCB exposure ranges up to a few ng/kg body weight per day which is far below the suggested tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.17 µg/kg body weight. The contribution of HCB from salmon to the TDI is low. If a person weighing 70 kg eats one meal of 300 gram of today’s salmon with an average concentration of 1.0 µg/kg, the exposure to HCB will be 2.4 per cent of the TDI.

Carry-over from feed to salmon
Research at NIFES shows that HCB is transferred from feed to fillets of salmon. In a long term feeding trial with Atlantic salmon growing from 0.3 to 4 kg, estimated 35 per cent of the HCB in the feed was transferred to the fillet. The feed contained 10 µg HCB/kg, corresponding to the current upper level, and the final concentration in the fillet was 2.9 ± 0.4 µg HCB/kg. If a person eats one meal (300 g) of this salmon the exposure would be 7.1 per cent of the TDI.

Marine Foods BV

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

Richey Fishing Co. Pty Ltd

Contact Name	Stuart Richey
Company Position	Managing Director
Address	{\P.O. Box 69
Address Cont.	-
City	Shearwater
State	Tasmania
Postal (Zip) Code	7307
Country	AUSTRALIA
Tel	+61 3 6428 7917
Mobile (Cell) Phone	+61 (0)408 142 337
Fax	+61 3 6428 7755
Skype	Buy Skype Credit now to make cheap calls internationally
Email	richeyfishing@bigpond.com
Website	-
ABOUT OUR COMPANY Operating in several wild catch fisheries in SE Australia. Product for export or domestic markets Fresh Product: Australian salmon.      arripis trutta Scallops (Tasmanian).   pecten fumatus Arrow squid.            nototodarus gouldi Gummy shark.            mustelus antarcticus Frozen Product Australian salmon      arripis trutta Scallops(Tasmanian)    pecten fumatus Arrow squid            nototodarus gouldi

Grupo Recho - Congelados Illa de Salvora S.L.

Contact Name	ANA
Company Position	SALES
Address	PUERTO PESQUERO
Address Cont.	-
City	RIBEIRA
State	A CORUÑA
Postal (Zip) Code	15960
Country	SPAIN
Tel	+34 9 8183 5655
Mobile (Cell) Phone	+34 696 008 604
Fax	+34 9 8183 5655
Skype	ana-recho
Email	info@cisalvora.es
Website	http://www.gruporecho.es
ABOUT OUR COMPANY Grupo Recho is a group of companies placed in the North of Spain dedicated to fisheries with own fleet and distribution of fresh and frozen fish. We export frozen pelagic fish: atlantic mackerel (scomber scombrus), horse mackerel (trachurus trachurus), sardine (sardina pilchardus) and chub mackerel (scomber japonicus). Frozen Product: Atlantic Mackerel - scomber scombrus Horse mackerel - trachurus trachurus Chub mackerel - scomber japonicus Sardine - sardina pilchardus Certifications: HACCP