Seafood exports grow in value in the first five months

Container terminal. (Photo: Stock File)

CHILE
Wednesday, August 20, 2014, 21:50 (GMT + 9)
Fishery and aquaculture product exports from Chile during the first five months of 2014 amounted to USD 2,697.7 million, 24.2 per cent more than in the same period of 2013, when this figure was USD 2,172.1 million.
However, the volume of exports between January and May of 2014 dropped by 6.3 per cent, from 607,270 tonnes – in 2013 -- to 568,820 tonnes this year, the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SUBPESCA) reported.
Frozen products were those having higher participation in export volumes, as they constituted 51.3 per cent of the total.
They were followed by the products associated with the production industry, chilled fresh products and dried algae, according to the latest SUBPESCA Fisheries and Aquaculture Report.
According to statistics from SUBPESCA, the main export was Atlantic salmon, which accounted for 47.9 per cent (USD 1,292 million) in revenues from sales abroad.
Further back Pacific salmon (14 per cent of total) and rainbow trout (15.4 per cent) were located.
Chilean products were destined for 92 countries, of which the nine major ones concentrated 78.2 per cent of total exports. Among them those that stood out were United States, Japan, Brazil, China and Russia.
With respect to the capture sector, the accumulated value of fish exports (247,500 tonnes) between January and May 2014 amounted to USD 525.2 million.
In the first five months 107,505 tonnes of fishmeal were sold abroad for USD 159.9 million, while a year earlier 122,710 tonnes worth USD 227.4 million had been exported.
The most important destinations of fishmeal were China, Korea, Spain, Japan and Italy.
Out of the total exported fishmeal, 66.9 per cent had prime quality, 21.7 per cent was super prime and 10.2 per cent was standard.
Sales of frozen seafood products abroad totalled USD 191.6 million, which represented a decrease of 12.3 per cent compared to the same period of 2013. These products went mainly to Nigeria, United States and Korea, which accounted for 18.9 per cent, 15.4 per cent and 9.1 per cent, respectively.
As for canned products, the sales performed in the first five months of 2014 totalled USD 32.8 million, 18.2 per cent higher than a year earlier (USD 27.8 million).
The Aquaculture sector exports accounted for 80.5 per cent of the total value of sales abroad and 56.5 per cent of total exports in the first five months of this year, with USD 2,172 million and about 321,000 tonnes.
The current estimate shows an increase of 35.4 per cent compared to what was recorded last year.

Norway and Brazil develop aquaculture cooperation

Brazil and Norway strengthen mutual aquaculture cooperation. (Photo: BNCC)

BRAZIL
Thursday, August 21, 2014, 01:40 (GMT + 9)
The governments of Brazil and Norway continue to work on identifying areas for bilateral technical cooperation in order to develop joint actions towards the development of aquaculture in both nations.
The important fishing fair Nor-Fhishing, held this week in Trondheim, Norway, has provided a framework to develop this process.
The meeting was attended by consort Queen Sonja Haraldsen; the head of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministry (MPA) from Brazil, Eduardo Lopes; and Secretary of MPA Aquaculture Planning and Management, Maria Fernanda Nince.
The collaboration between the two countries foresees actions as to search areas, training and management of continental and marine aquaculture space.
The agreement also includes issues relating to technology transfer in aquaculture segments such as production and infrastructure, health and biosecurity, supply chain, bearing capacity, caged fish escape and fish feed.
Another objective of this bilateral cooperation is to develop an international legislation for the aquaculture sector.
In Norway, Lopes also met with the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Elisabeth Aspaker; and the Brazilian ambassador to that country, Flávio Macieira, among other officials.
Nince was planning to perform a technical visit to a fish farming centre located on the island Hitra, along with representatives of the aquaculture industry from over 20 countries, such as Vietnam and Angola.
For some time, Brazil has been developing different cooperation ways with other countries for the exchange of knowledge and to incorporate new technology in the aquaculture sector.
The MPA stressed that as part of Government’s efforts to increase the quality and safety of fish produced in the country, Brazil signed cooperation agreements with Israel and Portugal last year.

WCPFC must urgently address bigeye tuna mortality

Bigeye tuna specimens. (Photo: Stock File)

MARSHALL ISLANDS
Wednesday, August 20, 2014, 23:40 (GMT + 9)
Newly released stock assessment that shows bigeye tuna is being overfished underlines why the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) must take decisive action at its December annual meeting to reduce further reductions in bigeye mortality.

“PNA said that measures adopted last year by the WCPFC to protect bigeye were inadequate, and the results of the detailed stock assessment support this conclusion,” said Dr. Transform Aqorau, CEO of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), a bloc of eight nations that control waters where over 50 per cent of the world’s supply of skipjack tuna is caught. “Last year’s annual meeting did not do enough to stop overfishing of bigeye tuna and we had always known that it would not be enough.”

Scientists based at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) delivered a comprehensive stock assessment for bigeye, yellowfin, skipjack and albacore tuna during the WCPFC’s annual Scientific Committee meeting held earlier this month in Majuro. These reports show that stocks of bigeye have dropped below the WCPFC “limit reference point” of 20 per cent to just 16 per cent of the original biomass now present. For the first time, scientists stated clearly that bigeye is being overfished.

Yellowfin tuna stocks were pegged by scientists to be below 40 per cent of their original unfished population, while skipjack stocks were the healthiest at slightly over 50 per cent. Albacore is also a concern, with scientists reporting that “there is a notable risk of recent fishing effort levels reducing the adult biomass of south Pacific albacore below the Limit Reference Point (of 20 per cent) within the coming years.”

Aqorau cautions that conservation measures need to be stepped up by the WCPFC for all tuna species.

Aqorau said the WCPFC members, which include all the major fishing nations as well as Pacific island countries, have known for several years that bigeye was in danger of being overfished.

“Now the scientific evidence is on the table,” Aqorau. The eight-member PNA, he said, will be working with other countries to gain consensus on measures needed to significantly reduce bigeye catches that will be taken up by the WCPFC at its annual meeting in Auckland, New Zealand later this year.

“It is clear that fishing of bigeye tuna needs to be cut by about 40 per cent to return to sustainable levels,” Aqorau said.
But there is heavy pressure on western Pacific tuna stocks from record-setting catches over the past several years. A record 2.65 million tons of tuna was hauled from the western Pacific in 2012 valued at USD 7 billion, and last year’s catch was only marginally smaller.

“PNA has been a leader in enforcing conservation measures to ensure the tuna fishery remains sustainable in the long-term,” said Aqorau. “Since 2009, PNA has enforced moratoriums on the use of fish aggregation devices (FADs), closed two high seas pockets to fishing as a condition of in-zone licenses, and required 100 per cent observer coverage of all purse seiners and in-port transshipment of tuna by purse seiners.” These have all been essential elements for successful in-zone management of tuna resources.

"But these in-zone measures must be complemented with similarly clear requirements for fishing on the high seas, with a particular focus on reducing catches by longline fishing boats that target bigeye and yellowfin tunas for global sashimi markets," Aqorau said.

“FAD closures in PNA waters are protecting juvenile bigeye, but we have yet to see compatible measures by high seas longline fleets targeting mature bigeye,” Aqorau pointed out.
“Currently, PNA is shouldering the burden for bigeye conservation, but PNA waters are mainly a skipjack fishery,” he stressed. Tuna congregate under FADs, which are essentially platforms used to attract fish. Many FADs are outfitted with sophisticated sonar that tells fishing vessels the size of tuna schools under the FAD. Bigeye catches drop dramatically during the PNA FAD ban from July through October.

PNA currently bans use of FADs for tuna fishing four months of the year, but is prepared to increase this to six. “But we want to see the commitment from distant water fishing nations to address bigeye catch on the high seas and some consideration for PNA for losses PNA domestic vessels that fish only in-zone will sustain if the FAD ban is expanded,” Aqorau stressed.

Not only do distant water fishing nations need to take action to reduce catches on the high seas, they need to begin providing operational catch data required by their membership in the WCPFC. Aqorau praised the United States for complying with this requirement by changing its domestic legislation, and said four Asian nations that have yet to comply must do so.
“PNA is providing the Commission with all catch data from fishing within our waters. The Asian fishing nations need to do the same for their catches on the high seas. The lack of data leaves gaps in the stock assessments and undermines the sustainability of the fishery for everyone because we are forced to make decisions based on incomplete information,” he concluded.

Related articles:
-Data gaps affect pacific tuna assessment
- Greenpeace demands urgent recovery plan for bigeye tuna
 

Red tide hits the Galician canning industry

Mussel rafts. (Photo: CSIC)

SPAIN
Wednesday, August 20, 2014, 02:00 (GMT + 9)
The presence of the lipophilic toxin in the Galician estuaries has caused the closure of almost all Galician mussel polygons and the stoppage of the local canning industry production.
The red tide at this time blocks the capture in 90 per cent of the rafts. Only two polygons located in Betanzos and four in Redondela are open, Atlantico reported.
"It's pretty much all stopped at the 67 plants in Galicia because here we focus on the product from here," Juan Manuel Vieites, general secretary of the National Association of Manufacturers of Canned Fish and Shellfish (ANFACO), explained.
Canners entrepreneurs expect the red tide does not last too long because its mussel best quality conditions are recorded between January and October, when the sector produces the most to market throughout the rest of the year, added the official.
Vieites states the canning firms no longer have mussel stock and alternatives are sought only in the foreign market because "the vast majority" focuses on the Galician product.
Meanwhile, the Technological Institute of Control of the Marine Environment of Galicia (INTECMAR) reported that the closures of the platforms have a weeks or months’ time scale
The latest sample of Galician waters indicates that the situation has improved a lot, and the north wind and good weather are helping to clean the areas. However, INTECMAR director, Covadonga Salgado, emphasizes that "we must be cautious."
The agency under the Secretariat of Marine Affairs reported that there are six polygons in which mussel capture is allowed and that "can supply the markets and the product can be safely consumed if sold through legal channels."
However, according to Francisco Alcalde, Chairman of the Regulatory Council of Galician Mussel, "the sector is demoralized."
"There are zones outside the estuaries where no kilo has been sold throughout the year, and 2013 was a bad year," he said.
Meanwhile, the Secretariat of Marine Affairs completed the application submission deadline for the mussel fishermen can receive aid for losses caused by the red tide last year.
The company received a total of 582 requests, the newspaper La Voz de Galicia reported.
The mussel is the second most important resource for the canning industry, after tuna.
Related article:
- Galicia closes a third of mussel polygons due to red tide

Sergipe becomes pioneer in regulating shrimp breeder’s job

Small-scale shrimp producers. (Photo: Stock File/FIS)

BRAZIL
Tuesday, August 19, 2014, 23:50 (GMT + 9)
After eight years’ effort, Sergipe has become the first state in the northeastern Brazil to regulate the shrimp breeder’s activity.
"From this regularization, we are counting on the support of the Brazilian Service of Support for Micro and Small Enterprises (SEBRAE) to help us improve our productivity and care of the environment," Alexsandro Monteiro dos Santos, president of Sergipe Association of Shrimp Breeders, pointed out.
The leader referred to this development as "a historic achievement." He explained that he will provide access to credit in public banks to improve the structure of the sector and enable farmers to have pension benefits.
According to the State Administration of Environment (ADEMA), smallholders comprise about 10,000 families providing 95 per cent of crustacean production in Segirpe -- the fourth largest producer state in the country -- with about 600 tonnes per year, Globo reported.
Family production is developed in 13 municipalities in Sergipe, in areas having less than 10 hectares where about 10 specimens are produced per square metre.
The large scale production manages to breed up to 100 crustaceans in the same space.
Wanderlê Correia, ADEMA president, said several aspects will be assessed to try to make an inventory of rural properties -- such as the Environmental Preservation Area (EPA) -- and the legal reserves in the state.
"This is a win-win conquest. Producers, who can improve production, benefit and the environment is favoured, as it preserves and ensures business continuity," Correia added, according to ASN.

Three new salmon farms approved

Marlborough Sounds, where the three new salmon farms will be installed. (Photo: marlboroughtravel.co.nz)

NEW ZEALAND
Wednesday, August 20, 2014, 01:00 (GMT + 9)
Three new salmon farms have been approved in the Marlborough Sounds by Conservation Minister Nick Smith, putting an end to a legal struggle that started three years ago.
The authorisation of these ventures arises after the approval of Plan Change 24 by the minister. The settlement took place at the Marlborough District Council, where Mayor Alistair Sowman and representatives from NZ King Salmon were also present.
“These three new salmon farms at Waitata and Richmond in Pelorus Sound and Ngamahau in Tory Chanel are hugely important to Nelson and Marlborough’s aquaculture industry and wider economy. They will enable NZ King Salmon to grow its products from the current 6000 tonnes per year to 9000 tonnes per year in 2015 and 13,000 tonnes per year by 2033. These new farms will grow our GDP by NZD 120 million (USD 101.8 million) per year, our exports by NZD 50 million (USD 42.4 million) and employment by 150 new jobs,” Minister Smith pointed out.
The Minister’s approval of Plan Change 24 is the final stage of the legal process following the application in 2011 by NZ King Salmon for a plan change to make salmon farming a discretionary activity in eight locations. The proposed plan change was referred to the Environmental Protection Authority Board of Inquiry that received 1272 submission of which 722 opposed, 358 supported and 118 indicated mixed positions.
The Minister also approved Plan Change 26, a technical change to the Marlborough Sounds Coastal Plan arising from the Government’s aquaculture reforms.
Smith explained he is considering options for a more collaborative approach to Marlborough Sounds coastal planning in the future and that salmon is a superb product to sit aside the region’s world class wine and mussels.
“I am confident that with goodwill and balance we can grow Nelson and Marlborough’s salmon industry while also protecting the conservation and recreation values of the Sounds,” Smith concluded.
Related articles:
- King Salmon develops further expansion plans
- Aquaculture industry welcomes supreme court decision

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

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.

New fish vaccine to protect tilapia

The new vaccine developed by Merck protects tilapia from one of the dearest diseases affecting its farming. (Photo: Merck/FIS)

NETHERLANDS
Tuesday, August 19, 2014, 03:50 (GMT + 9)
 MSD Animal Health (known as Merck Animal Health in the US and Canada) launched a new fish vaccine as a promising measure to help protect tilapia and other fish against the biotype 1 strain of Streptococcus agalactiae.
This disease is the biotype specific to Thailand and other key tilapia-producing regions in Asia, including Malaysia.
“We are pleased to introduce a new fish vaccine to help producers protect their fish from one of the most costly diseases affecting the species,” said Norman Lim, Regional Technical Manager for aquaculture in Asia, MSD Animal Health.
“The vaccine is backed by MSD Animal Health’s ‘Strep Control: Your Tilapia Health’ program, which provides producers with the support they need to implement an effective vaccination and control program,” Lim added.
Animal health specialised firm conducted extensive sampling of farms in the world’s most important tilapia-producing regions and found that Streptococcus accounted for 70 per cent of all pathogens collected, making it the most prevalent disease affecting tilapia. Of the two Streptococcus strains that have been identified, S. agalactiae is the most economically damaging, causing widespread mortality and morbidity in larger fish.
In a laboratory test, fish experienced full onset of immunity one week after vaccination with this vaccine and protection was demonstrated to last for at least 12 weeks. In a large-scale field trial in an environment challenged by S. agalactiaebiotype 1, the fish vaccine increased survival by 17 per cent, increased biomass by 11.2 per cent, and improved feed conversion efficiency by nine per cent. Protection was demonstrated for the entire grow-out period.
The fish vaccine provides specific protection against the biotype 1 strain of S. agalactiae, the main cause of Streptococcosis in tilapia in Thailand. Fish vaccinated with the vaccine are safe for human consumption.
As part of the ‘Strep Control: Your Tilapia Health’ program, MSD Animal Health can help producers confirm the strain and biotype present on their farm, implement a surveillance and vaccination program, and train staff on appropriate control strategies.

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.