Métodos Tradicionales Entregan Excelente Calidad

Pinhais & Co. ha optado por seguir métodos tradicionales en lugar de los utilizados por otras industrias conserveras.

  (PORTUGAL, 12/2/2014)

Pinhais  fue fundada en 1920, en Matosinhos, un pueblo de pescadores en las afueras de Oporto, en la costa oeste de Portugal.

En esos momentos, Pinhais & Co. Ltd era una pequeña empresa familiar, dedicada a la fabricación de conservas de pescado. Casi 100 años después, esta prestigiosa compañía se mantiene en la misma familia y es reconocida en el sector por la fabricación y la producción de las mejores conservas de pescado siguiendo métodos tradicionales.

Pinhais & Co. utiliza el pescado más fresco, así como aceite de oliva puro y otros ingredientes de alta calidad.

Pinhais & Co. ha optado por seguir métodos tradicionales en lugar de los utilizados por otras industrias conserveras. Lo que hace que este proceso sea único, es que muy poco de la innovación tecnológica de hoy se implementa en todo el proceso. De hecho, casi todo se hace a mano. A lo largo de todo el proceso de enlatado, sólo en la etapa de cocción, esterilización y sellado, la empresa utiliza maquinarias. Pinhais & Co. Ltd se enorgullece de ser una de las únicas fábricas que aún produce sardinas de esta manera.

Los productos de sardinas Nuri se encuentran certificados por el MSC.

El Sr. Antonio Pinhal, gerente de Pinhais & Co. dice que el éxito y la longevidad actual de la empresa se reduce al hecho de que siempre eligen la calidad por encima de la cantidad. Sólo usando pescado fresco y materias primas de calidad, y manteniendo el proceso tradicional de producción les ha dado el nombre que hace de Pinhais & Co. Ltd un ganador y líder en la industria conservera.

Pinhais & Co. realiza la mayor parte del proceso a mano.

Pinhais & Co. Ltd fabrica sardinas en aceite puro de oliva, aceite de oliva con especias y en salsa de tomate. También produce conservas de caballa en aceite de oliva.

La empresa exporta sus productos a los mercados más exigentes, como los EE.UU., Austria e Italia, entre otros países. Sus productos también se pueden encontrar en tiendas gourmet en todo Portugal.

Pinhais & Co. tiene varias certificaciones que demuestran su compromiso continuo con la calidad e inocuidad de los alimentos. En 2006, la empresa puso en marcha un sistema de gestión de calidad basado en la norma ISO 9001 y en ese mismo año obteniendo la certificación de acuerdo con esa norma. Cuatro años después, en 2010, la empresa implementó un sistema de calidad y seguridad de los alimentos de acuerdo a los requisitos IFS y obteniendo la certificación IFS Nivel Superior. En el mismo año, la compañía recibe la certificación MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) para la cadena sostenible de producción y comercialización de productos de sardinas portuguesas.

Pinhais & Co. exporta sus productos a los mercados más exigentes, como los EE.UU., Austria e Italia, entre otros países.

Acerca de Pinhais & Co. Ltd

Establecida en 1920, Pinhais & Co. Ltd produce una de las mejores conservas de pescado en el mundo. La empresa utiliza el pescado más fresco, así como el aceite de oliva puro y otros ingredientes de alta calidad.

A través de sus propios métodos tradicionales, Pinhais & Co. Ltd garantiza productos enlatados del mar excepcionales.

Lobster fishermen will not vote next season

Lobster capture. (Photo Credit: confluence.org)

CANADA 
Friday, October 31, 2014, 04:00 (GMT + 9)

Federal Fisheries Ministry head Gail Shea has accepted a facilitator’s recommendation for no lobster ballot industry vote to take place next fishing season in Nova Scotia.

This recommendation was made by former provincial deputy fisheries minister Greg Roach, who was appointed as a facilitator to help the industry wade through the issue of a ballot vote, The Vanguard reported.

This ballot vote has always been held before the commercial lobster fishery starts in Yarmouth and parts of Shelburne and Digby counties at the end of a debate to decide whether changes are needed in an attempt to control landings and better prices.

“Fishermen are always welcome to bring forward proposals aiming at making their industry more profitable. However, over the next two years we don’t envision taking measures that would facilitate another vote in LFA 34,” pointed out Shea.

The latest ballot vote took place in the spring, when most licence holders voted against a trap reduction measure, which has been considered to be proposed for two seasons.

Roach explained that the intention was to avoid the anger and confusion over the wording of the ballot that took place last year. Therefore, the facilitator held consultation meetings with fishermen that formed the basis of a ballot that was voted on in late May and early June.

“From our end, we will continue to work on opening new markets for our world-class seafood as well as following up on the Lobster Panel (report) recommendations,” stressed Shea.

This year's lobster season begins on 24 November, which gives fishermen a full week of fishing at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, a vote to decide if Prince Edward Island lobster fishermen will participate in a levy to help pay for promoting their catch is expected later this week, The Canadian Press reported.

Ian MacPherson of the PEI Fishermen's Association (PEIFA) says he hopes fishermen will take the lead in a plan to invest more in their own industry.

Both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are considering a similar levy and the Lobster Council of Canada has advocated a Maritime joint campaign.

However, New Brunswick appears reluctant to participate in a joint project and Nova Scotia has delayed its levy plans.

The PEIFA supports the creation of a marketing board.

"The next step would be for us to go to the membership again and see if they would support forming a marketing board and we would have a business plan laid out and a set of bylaws and a very clear direction in terms of where the funds would be allocated," stressed PEIFA executive director Ian MacPherson, as it was reported by CBC News.

Reactivan proyecto de ley que bonifica el cultivo de algas

Algas chilenas. (Foto: Sernapesca)

CHILE 
Friday, October 17, 2014, 23:30 (GMT + 9)

La Subsecretaría de Pesca y Acuicultura (Subpesca) ingresó esta semana las modificaciones que han permitido reactivar el proyecto de ley para el cultivo y repoblamiento de algas, iniciativa que se encontraba sin movimiento desde su entrada, en agosto de 2013.

Las enmiendas fueron ingresadas a la Cámara de Diputados y presentadas por Subpesca a la Comisión de Pesca, Acuicultura e Intereses Marítimos de la Cámara el 15 de octubre.

El proyecto de ley contempla un presupuesto de CLP 1.000 millones (USD 1,6 millones) anuales para los tres primeros años. Además, amplía la cantidad de posibles beneficiados al incorporar a los pescadores artesanales que trabajen con planes de manejo.

El proyecto original solo consideraba a quienes desarrollaban acuicultura de pequeña escala o trabajaban en áreas de manejo.

Asimismo, Subpesca destacó que facilita el acceso al beneficio.

Según el subsecretario de Pesca, Raúl Súnico, el Gobierno resolvió modificar el proyecto por considerar que es necesario generar alternativas productivas, principalmente para el sector artesanal, dada la alta demanda de algas a nivel mundial.

"Vemos que es una oportunidad para dar impulso a la acuicultura de pequeña escala en nuestro país", señaló el titular de Subpesca.

En 2013, Chile exportó algas por alrededor de USD 300 millones, y este año se espera que el valor final se incremente.

De acuerdo con estadísticas del Instituto de Fomento Pesquero (IFOP), enero y mayo de 2014 el país exportó productos elaborados a partir de algas por USD 143 millones.

El Boletín de Exportaciones Pesqueras y de Acuicultura elaborado por Instituto, indica que esa cifra es superior en un 25,8 % a la obtenida en igual período del año anterior.

Nuevo revés para la pesquería de sardina portuguesa

Descargas de sardina. (Foto: Stock File)

PORTUGAL 
Tuesday, September 23, 2014, 01:00 (GMT + 9)

El Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) resolvió suspender la certificación otorgada a la pesquería de sardina en la que opera la flota de cerco portuguesa.

La decisión se tomó tras la realización de la cuarta auditoría de seguimiento de la pesquería del recurso pelágico en aguas de Portugal.

El MSC informó que la suspensión se hizo efectiva el 14 de agosto pasado, tras constatarse que la pesquería ya no cumple con los requisitos mínimos del Principio 1 del Estándar MSC -Estado de la Población de Peces-, que exige que la actividad pesquera esté en un nivel en el cual es sostenible para las poblaciones de la especie explotada.

La suspensión de la certificación implica que las sardinas capturadas después del 14 de agosto no podrán ser identificadas ni vendidas como certificadas por el MSC, y no podrán llevar ecoetiqueta de pesca sostenible de este organismo.

No obstante, "las sardinas capturadas hasta el 14 de agosto podrán portar la ecoetiqueta MSC, siempre que cumplan con los requisitos de la Cadena de Custodia del MSC respecto a trazabilidad".

Esta es la segunda vez que el MSC suspende la certificación de esta pesquería de sardina. La primera suspensión ocurrió en enero de 2012, debido a que la población de sardina se encontraba por debajo del nivel mínimo de biomasa.

En ese momento, la Comisión de la Sardina presidida por la Dirección General de Recursos Naturales, Seguridad y Servicios Marítimos (DGRM) e integrada por los representantes de la Asociación Nacional de Organizaciones de Productores de Pesca de Cerco (Anopcerco), Docapesca, el Instituto Portugués del Mar y de la Atmósfera (IPMA) y la Asociación Nacional de las Industrias de Conservas de Pescado (ANICP), acordaron poner en marcha varias medidas reguladoras para la recuperación del certificado.

Una de las medidas propuestas fue la reducción drástica de las capturas y la elaboración de un plan de gestión junto con el Gobierno español.

Tiempo después, en enero de 2013, la auditora concluyó que el stock de sardina se había recuperado por encima de la biomasa límite y que el plan de gestión era lo suficientemente robusto, por lo que a la pesquería se le restituyó el certificado MSC.

Pero los informes elaborados por el Consejo Internacional para la Exploración del Mar(ICES/CIEM) en 2013 y 2014 indicaron que la biomasa de sardina se encontraba aún en niveles relativamente próximos al mínimo histórico alcanzado en 2012.

Y los resultados de la cuarta auditoría de seguimiento, llevada a cabo en febrero 2014, condujeron a una nueva suspensión de la pesquería.

A partir del 14 de agosto último, la pesquería tiene 90 días -hasta el 14 de noviembre de 2014- para presentar un Plan de Acción Correctivo que aborde las causas de la suspensión.

Si dicho plan no es presentado a tiempo, o la auditora considera que no es adecuado, a la pesquería se le retirará la certificación MSC.

En tanto, Anopcerco tendrá que decidir si inicia el proceso de recertificación que debería finalizar en 2015.

Esta entidad reiteró su compromiso de mantener la salud de la población de sardina, por lo que preparará un plan correctivo para revertir la disminución de este recurso y recuperar el certificado MSC.

"Todo el sector de la pesca de cerco se ha comprometido para encontrar las mejores soluciones que permitan la implementación de un Plan de Acción Correctivo que cumpla los requisitos del MSC", señaló Humberto Jorge, presidente de Anopcerco.

Por su parte, Laura Rodríguez, responsable del MSC para España y Portugal, hizo hincapié en que "la pesquería de sardina portuguesa es un ejemplo de cómo el programa MSC puede servir de incentivo para que las diferentes partes interesadas, productores, administración, empresas y científicos, trabajen estrechamente por la sostenibilidad de las pesquerías".

"Los esfuerzos realizados por la Comisión de la Sardina Portuguesa representan un referente de cómo responder a cambios preocupantes del estado del stock. Lamentablemente, la biomasa no está respondiendo como se esperaba y debemos seguir trabajando juntos para asegurar la sostenibilidad de la pesquería a largo plazo", agregó.

Noticia relacionada:

- Sardina portuguesa recupera certificado internacional 

Marine Harvest buys Acuinova assets

It is expected the purchase operation settlement takes place by the end of the third term this year. (Photo: Acuinova/FIS)

CHILE 
Monday, September 15, 2014, 23:20 (GMT + 9)

Norgwegian salmon farmer giant Marine Harvest has announced an agreement to purchase assets of the former Chilean farming company Acuinova Chile S.A., currently in bankruptcy, for USD 120 million.

The assets represent a capacity to produce about 40,000 tonnes HOG per annum and the biomass included in the deal is expected to generate a harvest volume of about 15,000 tonnes HOG in 2015.

The asset purchase includes a hatchery, a smolt facility, 36 sea water licences and a primary and secondary processing facility, all located in Chile's Region XI.

Closing of the transaction is expected during Q4 2014 and the deal is subject to confirmatory due diligence and approval from relevant competition authorities as well as other customary approvals for such transactions.

During the last years, Marine Harvest Chile has left its comprehensive portfolio of assets in Region XI dormant and focused all production in Region X. The acquired assets provide Marine Harvest with the necessary comfort on zone control and on-shore infrastructure to commence sustainable production in the region.

Marine Harvest views the deal as an important step in forming a lasting sustainable production framework in the Chilean farming industry.

Related articles: 

- The struggle for Acuinova about to be defined 
- Final bids for PescaChile and Acuinova to be received within two weeks

Comienza a zarpar la flota española con rumbo al caladero marroquí

Flota pesquera. (Foto: Allison Miller/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

ESPAÑA
Thursday, September 11, 2014, 00:50 (GMT + 9)
Ya están partiendo de Barbate con rumbo a Tánger, Marruecos, las primeras embarcaciones palangreras andaluzas que pescarán boquerón y pez sable en aguas marroquíes.
Tras tres años de parón por problemas políticos y económicos entre Marruecos, la Unión Europea (UE) y España, la flota pesquera de Andalucía puede retornar ahora al caladero del país africano.
"Llevamos tres años sin trabajar allí y desde luego la primera semana será de prueba, a ver cómo están las cosas, porque sí es verdad que en esos bancos hemos pescado mucho y la pesca es normalmente de mayor tamaño y calidad que en el estrecho, pero al principio será una aventura", dijo Domingo Pacheco, el patrón y armador de los palangreros Chipiona I y Sirena I.
"Es cierto que en teoría, tras tres años sin pescar, el banco debería estar mejor que nunca pero es que nos dicen que justo ahora no se está viendo pesca allí y la flota marroquí también es más grande, con más de 100 barcos", agregó el patrón de la Cofradía de Barbate, Alfonso Reyes, informó el diario El País.
En el marco de este protocolo pesquero, están autorizadas a pescar 126 embarcaciones de la UE, entre las cuales hay 99 españolas y específicamente, 45 de Andalucía.
Varias embarcaciones de la flota arrastrera gallega taambién zarparon esta semana, después de haber permanecido un mes a la espera de recibir el permiso final de las autoridades de Marruecos
Cuatro barcos de Marín y uno de Cangas trabajarán hasta fin de año, como mínimo, en el caladero africano capturando merluza negra.
El portavoz de CIG-Mar, Xabier Aboi, no se muestra muy optimista sobre la rentabilidad del caladero para los barcos marinenses, ya que "la merluza negra no es lo más rentable y no poder pescar cefalópodo les perjudica", informó el diario Faro de Vigo.
El actual convenio estará vigente durante cuatro años y supone el aporte de EUR 40 millones anuales por parte de la UE.
Este nuevo acuerdo permitirá capturar en el caladero marroquí unas 80.000 toneladas al año de seis tipos de pesca.

Pescadores vascos evalúan abandonar campaña del bonito y capturar anchoa

Flota del Cantábrico. (Foto: Stock File)

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

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

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

Evalúan mejora de selectividad de arrastreros del Mediterráneo

Barco de pesca de arrastre. (Foto: Pescanova)

ESPAÑA
Tuesday, September 09, 2014, 22:20 (GMT + 9)
La Confederación Española de Pesca (Cepesca) inició este lunes una campaña experimental para la mejora de la selectividad de la flota arrastrera del mar Mediterráneo español.
El objetivo de este estudio es comparar la selectividad y eficacia de las redes de arrastre con diferente diámetro de torzal -tres y cinco milímetros-, con el fin de proponer mejoras en el reglamento comunitario de Medidas Técnicas del Mediterráneo para que los buques arrastreros puedan avanzar hacia una pesca más selectiva y sostenible.
El Proyecto para la Mejora de la Selectividad del arrastre en el Mediterráneo español cuenta con un presupuesto de EUR 190.000, y es cofinanciado por el Fondo Europeo de la Pesca y la Fundación Biodiversidad.
Esta iniciativa es llevada a cabo por Cepesca gracias a la asistencia científica del grupo de investigación Ecosistemas, Recursos Demersales y Bentos (Erdeb) y del Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares del Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO).
Desde hace años, este grupo de investigación desarrolla junto al sector pesquero proyectos piloto para mejorar la selectividad y la eficiencia de la pesca de arrastre en las aguas del Mediterráneo.
Durante 20 días, un grupo de observadores que viaja a bordo del barco Quinto y Familia evaluará el impacto de un incremento en el grosor del material de los copos de las redes de arrastre del Mediterráneo.
Los científicos están usando una red de doble copo, que permite comparar de manera simultánea las capturas de dos copos de malla cuadrada de 40 mm de luz, pero con diferente grosor de torzal: 3 vs. 5 mm.
"Concretamente, en esta campaña se utilizará un copo de malla cuadrada de 45 mm de luz y 3 mm de torzal, el grosor máximo establecido por el Reglamento 1967/2006, y un copo de igual geometría (cuadrada) y luz (45 mm) de malla, pero de mayor grosor de torzal (5 mm)", señala Cepesca en un comunicado.
Durante el estudio se compararán los índices de captura, los rendimientos comerciales, el porcentaje de captura descartada, la distribución de tallas de las principales especies objetivo de la pesquería de arrastre mediterránea como salmonetes, merluza y gamba roja; la calidad de las capturas de estas especies, el deterioro de la red y el encogimiento de la malla con ambos copos.
Además, en octubre próximo se espera la participación de la embarcación arrastrera Antonio el Cometierra, para que repita la campaña experimental.
Los resultados se difundirán a fines de 2014, para intentar mejorar la gestión de la pesca de arrastre en el Mediterráneo.
"Se pretende contribuir a la sostenibilidad de esta pesquería, no sólo desde el punto de vista medioambiental sino también socioeconómico, y a hacerla más compatible con la conservación y de los ecosistemas marinos y sus recursos vivos", explicó la Confederación.
La flota de arrastre española representa el 12% del censo nacional con 1.038 buques arrastreros de las 8.795 embarcaciones en actividad. En la actualidad, esta flota emplea a 8.089 tripulantes, es decir, un 22% de los 35.629 trabajadores de los buques pesqueros de España.
Estos barcos capturan alrededor de 318.000 toneladas por más de EUR 1.000 millones en primera venta, es decir, el 33,4% de las capturas realizadas por todos los buques de bandera española.

Icicle Seafoods Inc. -Headquarter-

 

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

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

Maruha Nichiro Corporation

 

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

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

Ventisqueros - Productos del Mar Ventisqueros S.A

 

After an intense search in 1985, a group of Chilean pioneers found a wonderful place, of unimaginable beauty, surrounded by waters with the greatest purity and quality in the world.
A place where they could make their dream a reality; to cultivate salmon in the Patagonia of Chile.This dream is today Ventisqueros, a name that indicates the majestic origin of the water that gives life.
Today our company has consolidated in international markets with the highest standards of quality and continuous development.

Address:	Chinquihue km 14
City:	Puerto Montt
State:	Region X
Telephone:	+56 65 568 200
Fax:	+56 65 255 585
Homepage:	Link to Homepage
Email:	surrutia@ventisqueros.cl

Nova Austral acquired by Ewos

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

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

Salmon price status at week 33

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

NORWAY
Friday, August 15, 2014, 21:40 (GMT + 9)
Fresh salmon export volumes for week 32 are up 195 tonnes compared to week 31 and up 1,902 tonnes compared to week 32, 2013, reports Fish Pool ASA.
The Fish Pool Index reports that in the last four weeks salmon prices -- Spot Market Prices (for fresh salmon between 3 kg and 6 kg, FCA Oslo) and export volumes were as follows:

Fish Pool Forward Prices
The forward price reflects the expectations of the Fish Pool's members for the next 24 months. The prices are assessed by contracts made as well as interests to buy or sell at Fish Pool and are indications for information purposes only.

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

Another extra anchovy quota thanks to agreement with Portugal

Anchovy catches. (Photo: Magrama)

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

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

Albacore value grows in Galicia

Albacore, Thunnus alalunga. (Photo: Stock File)

SPAIN
Friday, August 15, 2014, 22:10 (GMT + 9)
The Secretariat of Rural and Marine Affairs of Xunta de Galicia reported that between January and 13 August, 2014 the value of albacore (Thunnus alalunga) landings in Galicia was EUR 7.8 million, representing an increase of 5 per cent over 2013.
This value corresponds to landings of more than 2,200 tonnes of albacore, 9 per cent more than in the same period last year.
This year only in Burela around 1,300 tonnes of the resource were unloaded for more than EUR 4.6 million.
According to the head of the Rural and Marine Affairs, Rosa Quintana, albacore represents one of the most important seasonal catches for the fleet of Burela and for a large part of the Galician one.
Along with the Secretary General of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAGRAMA), Andres Hermida; and the Secretary General of marine Affairs, Juan Maneiro, Quintana visited the fish market in Burela to attend the auction, which took place at the same time as albacore survey.
The minister highlighted the advertising campaign Faino Bonito, which aims to promote the consumption of fresh albacore. As part of this campaign, single-use plastic tags that are put in each albacore specimen were distributed at Galician landing ports.
In 2013 the Galician government used over 200,000 seals, and this year it is expected to use more than 300,000 units.
These tags make it possible to secure the identification and artisanal origin of the caught albacore reaching the outlets.
Furthermore, Quintana and Maneiro also visited the facilities of Pescados Ruben in Foz to become aware of its operation. This company is engaged in processing and packaging frozen fish, and caters to large seafood commercial areas and central markets.
Last month, a team of researchers from the CEU San Pablo University reported on the existence of fraud due to the substitution of albacore with species having lower commercial value.
With the help of an immunoenzymatic technique known as ELISA, scientists determined that under the albacore label what is being sold is yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus), bullet tuna (Auxis rochei), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), bigeye (Thunnus obesus) and Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda).
This alternative method to the DNA testing is more effective for authentication of fishery resources due to its specificity, simplicity and sensitivity.

IN BRIEF - Can Murmansk cod feed the Russians?

RUSSIAN FEDERATION Thursday, August 14, 2014 As Russia imposes an import ban on fish products from Norway and other western countries, the Russian market looks towards alternative suppliers and domestic producers. As previously reported, the import ban could ultimately leave Russian shops without supplies and prices are likely to hike. Norway alone in 2013 exported a total of 295,000 tons of fish products to Russia, 81 percent of it salmon. Over July 2014 and previews months, an average of 134 trucks loaded with fresh Norwegian salmon and trout has crossed the Russian border. That trade has now come to a stop, and several Norwegian trucks fully loaded with fish products have already been rejected entry to Russia. Russian authorities consequently hectically look at ways how to vitalize supplies from domestic fish producers. Murmansk is a key part of that picture. The region has a powerful trawler fleet and a growing aquaculture industry. Despite years of crisis, the region also has a fish processing industry with substantial capacity. The nearby Barents Sea has some of the world’s richest marine resources and cod stocks have over the last years reached historical levels. Source: Barents Observer

IN BRIEF - Call for Fishcare Volunteers AUSTRALIA Thursday, August 14, 2014 If you are passionate about fishing, enjoy talking to people and looking to contribute to the future of our fish resources, PIRSA’s Fishcare Volunteer program wants you! Director, Operations at PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, Peter Dietman said the Fishcare Volunteers are looking for committed and passionate people to join the program, particularly those living in the Eyre Peninsula and Mid North regions. "This program of wonderful volunteers plays a critical and valuable role in raising the community’s education and awareness about sustainable fishing practices, and the importance of protecting our fish stocks," he said. Source: Government of South Australia

China Fishery Group achieved profit increase in Q3

China Fishery Group trawler. (Photo Credit: CFO)

SINGAPORE
Tuesday, August 12, 2014, 03:30 (GMT + 9)
China Fishery Group Limited reported revenue amounting to USD 155 million and a net profit of USD 19.6 million for the April-June quarter, figures that account for year-on-year increases of 1.7 per cent and 26.6 per cent, respectively.
And for the nine months that ended in June this year, the firm reported an inter-annual increase in gross profit of 30.9 per cent.
“We have been transforming the Group so that it is strongly positioned to meet the increasing demand for fishmeal and fish oil from the growing aquaculture and animal farming sectors,” pointed out Ng Joo Siang, Group Managing Director.
And he added: “We are pleased with our performance for the quarter which reflects our commitment to this strategy. Looking ahead to the next quarter, the Group will maintain its focus on consolidating the enlarged Peruvian Fishmeal Operations, realising maximum value from the synergies and efficiencies generated and focusing on cash conversion and net debt reduction.”
The Group highlighted the revenue from the Peruvian Fishmeal Operations in Peru, accounting for 67.6 per cent of the total, represented an increase by 2.9 times from USD 83.3 million to USD 324.6 million, and reflected increased contribution from the enlarged Peruvian Fishmeal Operations incorporating Copeinca AS.
Furthermore, the revenue from the Contract Supply Business accounted for 27.1 per cent of total revenue, a decrease by 59.5 per cent from USD 320.8 million to USD 130.1 million, due primarily to the termination and non-renewal of the Long Term Supply Agreements.
Besides, the revenue from the CF Fleet operations accounted for 5.3 per cent of total revenue, an increase by 33 per cent, from USD 19.1 million to USD 25.4 million, mainly as a result of higher catch and sales volume recorded from the fishing operations in Namibia.
Despite a 57 per cent increase in overall sales volume, cost of sales and vessel operating costs increased by only 6 per cent, changing from USD 296.2 million to USD 313.8 million, which was mainly attributable to the increase in productivity and broader economies of scale achieved in the enlarged Peruvian Fishmeal Operations.
The firm revealed a gross profit increased by 30.9 per cent, changing from USD 127 million to USD 166.2 million, and a gross profit margin that improved from 30 per cent to 34.6 per cent.
The EBITDA increased by 16.7 per cent, changing from USD 182.9 million to USD 213.4 million, while EBITDA margin increased slightly from 43.2 per cent to 44.5 per cent.
China Fishery also stressed that, all in all, the net profit decreased by 24.7 per cent, changing from USD 70.2 million to USD 52.9 million, due primarily to higher finance costs and income tax expenses in Peru.
As to the fourth quarter this year, despite the Group’s lower catch volume in Peru largely due to El Niño effect, the Group is confident that the higher average selling prices of fishmeal and fish oil will be able to partially compensate for the reduction in sales volume.

Management plan seeks to reverse sardine 'worrying' situation

Sardine catch. (Photo: Juan Murias/Copyright: FIS)

SPAIN
Friday, August 15, 2014, 23:30 (GMT + 9)
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAGRAMA) approved a management plan for Iberian sardine (Sardina pilchardus) catches in the waters of zones VIIIc and IXa of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
These areas correspond to the Cantabrian northwest, from the Basque Country in the estuary of Bidasoa, to Finisterre; and the Spanish part of Finisterre to the border with Portugal, waters from that country and the Gulf of Cádiz, respectively.
The Iberian sardine is caught in Spanish and Portuguese waters by the fleets of both nations.
Under the new order published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), the affected fleet can fish for sardine until exhausting the total catch provided by the operating rule for Iberian waters.
No distribution or maximum catch quotas are considered by the autonomous regions (Andalusia, Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country) or by boats.
The ministry explains that the current stock status of the Iberian sardine is worrying because in recent years there has been a marked decline in the spawning stock biomass, which could jeopardize the viability and sustainability of this resource. He notes that for this reason, all the scientific information available to date recommends measures that could lead to a recovery of the stock.
The Spanish Government submits that the new three-year plan is more advantageous, and it will help to address the plight of the sardine stock and lay the foundation for recovery.
The plan sets 48-hour weekly rest in the North Cantabrian fishing grounds and 58-hour breaks in the Gulf of Cadiz.
The maximum annual catch of sardines will be fixed in a pattern, considering the stock biomass as the estimated biomass of the specimens that are older than one year, obtained from the assessment model of ICES working group last year:

• When the stock biomass is below 135,000 tonnes, the TAC shall be zero, that is to say, no catches are permitted;
• When stock biomass is between 135,000 and 368,400 tonnes, the TAC shall be determined by the formula TAC=0.36 * (BIOMASS -135,000);
• When the stock biomass exceeds 368,400 tonnes, the TAC shall be equal to 86,000 tonnes.

The General Secretariat of Fisheries explained that based on the "operation rule agreed between Spain and Portugal it would be possible to capture up to 20,500 tonnes of sardines this year compared to 17,100 tonnes proposed by the ICES."
"The reduction thus would be 55 per cent compared to 46,000 tonnes captured last year by the fleets of Spain and Portugal," he added.
The new plan was not welcomed by Acerga purse seine majority partnership. According to the statement expressed by its spokesperson, Andrés García, the sector was "misplaced and disappointed" with the Order because it feels that "the meetings and hours spent working were not worth to agree on the quality and protect the species with TAC alternatives."
However, the fisheries authorities reported that, in addition to the Order, they are working to "reach a consensus on the various proposals made by the sector, such as the implementation of technical measures that contribute to a sustainable management of the resource stock."

Tuna vessels. (Photo: La Moncloa) The European fleet will resume fishing in Morocco in September

SPAIN
Wednesday, August 06, 2014, 03:40 (GMT + 9)
Community fishing vessels may resume fishing in Moroccan waters in September, after the European Union (EU) and Morocco have met to celebrate the joint fisheries commission.
Sources close to the bilateral negotiations pointed out the meeting is scheduled for 10 September, in Rabat, and stated that "in all probability" the fleet will return to Moroccan waters that month, EFE agency reports.
During the latest visit of King Philip VI of Spain to the African country, Morocco's King Mohammed VI told him that he had finally signed the fisheries agreement that had been ratified since February 2014 by the parliaments of both parties.
At that time it was interpreted that the return of the community vessels to Moroccan waters was imminent. Morocco, however, clarified that due to the complexity of the process and to the coincidence of the holiday period in the country, the return of the boats could not be completed in August, but a month later.
This delay does not affect the purse seine fleet of Barbate so much as tuna vessels (mostly from the Canary Islands), as well as large pelagic vessels and longliners.
Under the fisheries agreement, about 126 EU vessels are authorized to fish in Moroccan waters. Out of these, one hundred boats are Spanish, mostly artisanal ones and with more than 700 crew members, especially from the Canary Islands and Andalusia.
Morocco is to receive a financial compensation of about EUR 40 million per year in exchange for higher catch quotas for the EU fleet and the extension of the fishing area.
Although some ship owners had begun to pay for the fishing licenses, the Moroccan government warned that this stoppage month will not be considered or that in some way or other, the amount paid "will be discounted," the newspaper El Pais reported.
According to the president of the fishermen’s association of Barbate (Cádiz), Alfonso Reyes, the purse seine sector does not have plans to pay for the licenses to fish in Moroccan waters until the pending issues of the covenant are solved.

Galicia closes a third of mussel polygons due to red tide

SPAIN
Friday, August 08, 2014, 23:40 (GMT + 9)
Xunta de Galicia decided to prohibit the capture of mussels in 18 of the 55 floating nurseries of the autonomous region, that is to say, in 32 per cent of the total, due to the presence of lipophilic biotoxin.
The red tide had diminished last July, but it came forward again in recent days.
During last week, 12 of the 18 mussel polygons affected with the biotoxin were closed, reported the newspaper La Voz de Galicia.
On Thursday, the Galician authorities banned the sale of bivalves that are farmed in four aquaculture parks: three in O Grove (C1, C2 and C4) and one in Cangas (Cangas C); and last Tuesday six centres located in Cangas (Cangas F, Cangas G, Cangas H) and in Bueu closed.
At this time, the red tide is in the estuaries of Sada, O Grove, Baiona, Corme-Laxe, Pontevedra and Vigo.
The lipophilic toxin is safe for seafood, but in humans it can cause digestive issues and diarrhea.
According to the Secretariat of the Sea of Galicia, it would be premature to decide how much the red tide progress will reach and whether or not it will be worse than the one that hit the sector in 2013.
At present, the local government decided to distribute EUR 1.5 million among the mussel producers, and provided that the beneficiaries will receive 60 per cent of the money they lost.