Nor-Fishing Innovation Award 2014 – Finalists Selected

Mustad Autoline, Marel and Inventas are the 3 finalists.

  (NORWAY, 7/30/2014)

The Chairman of the Board of the Nor-Fishing Foundation, Mrs. Liv Holmefjord, and Director Ola Eriksen are very happy with the broad interest in this year’s Innovation Award. The Jury had a difficult task selecting the three finalists among many well-qualified applicants.

The Jury consisted of Mr. Jan Birger Jørgensen (Assistant Secretary General of the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association), Mr. Oddvar Staulen (Senior Advisor, Innovation Norway), and Mr. Kjell Maroni (Head of Research, The Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Fund- FHF). The Jury selected three finalists:

Mustad Autoline AS with its SeaBird Saver, developed in cooperation with the Dutch company SeaWave. A laser unit keeps birds away from the fishing vessel by using visual laser beams during setting of the line.

The first effective laser solution, patented for the commercial fishing fleet, helping to prevent seabird by-catch and bait loss is on the market.

The equipment saves endangered species from being caught as unwanted by-catch on the line, as the hook and bait follow the line into the sea. As more baited hooks enter the sea, the catch rate is improved, and the environment is better protected.

FleXicut greatly improves product handling and overall yield.

Marel HF, Iceland. Their new Flexicut machine cuts away side bones in the fish fillet with a minimal loss of fish flesh by using a very thin water jet. This will give a higher yield for the processing industry, better product quality and boneless products by using high precision, automation and flexibility.

Inventas AS has made the conventional 20 kg fish box for frozen fish better, cheaper and more environment friendly, benefiting producer and customer alike, while ensuring a better use of resources. In Norway alone, it is estimated that the new box, with its lower lid and prints on brown cardboard, will save the industry about NOK 15 million (EUR 1.8 million) per year, and reduce the cardboard wastage by 3000 tonnes.

The Board of Directors of the Nor-Fishing Foundation will make the final decision on the day before the official opening of Nor-Fishing 2014. The winner will be announced the following day, and will receive the Innovation Award 2014, including a cheque for NOK 100,000 (EUR 12,000) and a diploma, during dinner at Rica Nidelven Hotel on Tuesday 19th August.

Nor-Fishing is a biennial event and is currently regarded as the leading international fisheries trade shows.

Abouth The Nor-Fishing Foundation

The Nor-Fishing Foundation was established in 1992 by the Royal Ministry of Fisheries and has the right and the responsibility to conduct the Norwegian international fisheries exhibition Nor-Fishing and aquaculture show Aqua Nor.

Trondheim Spektrum is the name of the exhibition center and Trondheim Spektrum AS has been the organizer for Aqua Nor 1993, and the Nor-Fishing since 1994. A dedicated and experienced staff will do their utmost to create a good professional and enjoyable exhibition event for exhibitors and visitors in Trondheim.


 Information of the company:

Address:	Stiftelsen Nor-Fishing - Klostergata. 90
City:	Trondheim
State/ZIP:	(NO-7030)
Country:	Norway
Phone:	+47 73 56 86 40
Fax:	+47 73 56 86 41
E-Mail:	mailbox@nor-fishing.no

SPF report identifies opportunities to improve tuna fisheries

Frozen tuna catch. (Photo Credit: Terje Engoe/Copyright: FIS)

WORLDWIDE
Tuesday, July 29, 2014, 22:50 (GMT + 9)
A new report on the state of the world’s main commercial tuna stocks released by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) identifies opportunities for improvement in the status of the resource and in regional management systems for tuna fisheries.

The report, Sustainability of Main Commercial Tuna Stocks, evaluated 22 stocks of major commercial tuna species based on available public data and criteria from SFP’s FishSource.com programme.

Based on an assessment against the FishSource criteria on governance and stock status, none of the 22 tuna stocks were both very well managed and in very good conservation status, meaning that all of the stocks are in need of some improvement. Half of the stocks were adequately managed and with acceptable conservation status, while the other half were poorly managed and/or with poor conservation status.

Further highlights of the report include:

• Increasing demand, overcapacity, poor compliance with existing management measures, and rudimentary governance systems call into question the long-term sustainability of some tuna fisheries.
• Eastern Pacific Ocean skipjack and yellowfin tuna stocks have been fully exploited while eastern Atlantic Ocean skipjack, western Atlantic Ocean skipjack, western and central Pacific Ocean skipjack, and western and central Pacific Ocean yellowfin have been moderately exploited.
• Five tuna stocks (Atlantic Ocean bigeye, east Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean bluefin, north Atlantic Ocean albacore, south Atlantic albacore, Indian Ocean yellowfin) have had long-term declining trends in biomass but with signs of recent improvements.  The report notes these as “climbers.”
• Four stocks (Indian Ocean bigeye and albacore, west Atlantic Ocean bluefin, Atlantic Ocean yellowfin) have had long-term declining temporal trends in biomass. The report notes these as “fallers.”
• Future changes in the status of these stocks of “climbers” and “fallers” should be monitored closely to determine if the current management system successfully maintains the stocks at levels consistent with precautionary management targets.
• Of 95 fisheries that supply tuna products to North American, European, Australian, and other markets, 28 (30 per cent) were either certified or under full assessment against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard or are in a fishery improvement project (FIP).

Given that all of these 95 fisheries supply tuna from stocks requiring improvements in management and fishing practices, the 70 per cent that are neither in the MSC programme nor in a FIP require attention: companies in the supply chains for these fisheries and other stakeholders are encouraged to establish appropriate FIPs to incentivize positive changes toward sustainability to a point where the fisheries would unconditionally pass an assessment against the MSC standard or equivalent.

Jim Cannon, CEO of SFP, noted, “The demand for tuna is always high but our report shows how fisheries are performing against the sustainability standards of the retail industry and there is a serious shortfall in tuna supplies that are managed sustainably. We encourage fisheries and suppliers in these tuna supply chains to establish and implement FIPs. Positive changes in management practices will help close the gap.”

Japanese inspectors evaluate sanitary control systems

The Japanese delegation during the visit to aquaculture facilities in Chile. (Photo: Sernapesca)

CHILE
Wednesday, July 30, 2014, 02:40 (GMT + 9)
Authorities from the Department of Food Safety of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (MHLW) last week visited the country in order to learn about the sanitary control systems on Chilean fishery and aquaculture products.
Apart from assessing the food control systems in field, the Japanese inspector delegation intended to strengthen ties and create trusts for the exchange of foodstuffs.
The visitors met with officials from the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA) of the Chilean Agency for Food Safety (ACHIPIA), the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) and the Ministry of Health.
The committee consisted of Sachiko Yamanaka, deputy director of the Office of Safety Inspection of Imported Foods, and Makoto Otsuka, a professional from the field, who along with officials from SERNAPESCA observed the implementation of control and traceability programmes.
SERNAPESCA Foreign Trade Deputy Director, Cecilia Solis, evaluated the meeting with the Asian delegates as positive.
"These instances allow us to share information on control systems in the field of food safety," she said, which "not only helps to strengthen the relations between the two countries, but also makes it possible to have easy access to this important market."
The Japanese committee will prepare a report on the visit to Chile and everything that has been observed in salmon farms and processing plants. The reports will then be sent to each of the services involved for their comments and to be finally published on the website of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.

Alaska fisheries at risk from ocean acidification, NOAA-led study shows

Alaska fishermen. (Photo Credit: ASMI)

UNITED STATES
Wednesday, July 30, 2014, 03:20 (GMT + 9)
Ocean acidification is driving changes in waters vital to Alaska’s valuable commercial fisheries and subsistence way of life, according to new NOAA-led research that will be published online in Progress in Oceanography.

Many of Alaska’s nutritionally and economically valuable marine fisheries are located in waters that are already experiencing ocean acidification, and will see more in the near future, the study shows. Communities in southeast and southwest Alaska face the highest risk from ocean acidification because they rely heavily on fisheries that are expected to be most affected by ocean acidification, and have underlying factors that make those communities more vulnerable, such as lower incomes and fewer employment opportunities.

The term “ocean acidification” describes the process of ocean water becoming more acidic as a result of absorbing nearly a third of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from human sources. This change in ocean chemistry is affecting marine life, particularly the ability of shellfish, corals and small creatures in the early stages of the food chain to build skeletons or shells.

Studies show that red king crab and tanner crab, two important Alaskan fisheries, grow more slowly and don’t survive as well in more acidic waters. Alaska’s coastal waters are particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification because of cold water that can absorb more carbon dioxide, and unique ocean circulation patterns which bring naturally acidic deep ocean waters to the surface.

“We went beyond the traditional approach of looking at dollars lost or species impacted; we know these fisheries are lifelines for native communities and what we’ve learned will help them adapt to a changing ocean environment,” said Jeremy Mathis, Ph.D., co-lead author of the study, an oceanographer at NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Seattle, and the director of the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences Ocean Acidification Research Centre.

The research presented in the new study examines the potential effects on a state where the fishing industry supports over 100,000 jobs and generates more than USD 5 billion in annual revenue and helps maintain the US balance of trade in the global economy. Additionally, approximately 120,000 people or roughly 17 per cent of Alaskans rely on subsistence fisheries for most, if not all of their dietary protein. Fishery-related tourism also brings in USD 300 million annually. 

“Ocean acidification is not just an ecological problem — it’s an economic problem,” said Steve Colt, Ph.D., co-author of the study and an economist at the University of Alaska Anchorage. “The people of coastal Alaska, who have always looked to the sea for sustenance and prosperity, will be most affected. But all Alaskans need to understand how and where ocean acidification threatens our marine resources so that we can work together to address the challenges and maintain healthy and productive coastal communities.”

The study recommends that residents and stakeholders in vulnerable regions prepare for this environmental challenge and develop response strategies that incorporate community values and needs. “This research allows planners to think creatively about ways to help coastal communities withstand environmental change,” said Sarah Cooley, Ph.D., co-lead author who was at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution while doing the research and is now science outreach manager at Ocean Conservancy, in Washington, D.C. “Adaptations can be tailored to address specific social and environmental weak points that exist in a community.”

While acknowledging that the most important way to address ocean acidification is by reducing carbon dioxide emissions globally, the research shows that by examining all the factors that contribute to risk, more opportunities can be found to prevent harm to human communities at a local level. Decision-makers can address socioeconomic factors that lower the ability of people and communities to adapt to environmental change, such as low incomes, poor nutrition, lack of educational attainment and lack of diverse employment opportunities. NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program and the state of Alaska are also developing tools to help industry adapt to increasing acidity.

The new study is the first published research by the Synthesis of Arctic Research (SOAR) programme, which is supported by an inter-agency agreement between NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Alaska Region.

Danish farm first to supply ASC-certified freshwater trout

Freshwater trout. (Photo Credit: Danforel/FIS)

DENMARK
Friday, July 18, 2014, 03:30 (GMT + 9)
Danforel’s Christiansminde Freshwater Farm in Denmark has become the first farm certified to the ASC Freshwater Trout Standard for responsible aquaculture.

“The certification of the first freshwater trout farm this week brings ASC a step closer to becoming a truly global programme. I am thrilled to get the trout programme off the ground, and I would like to extend my congratulations to Danforel for their tremendous achievement,” said Chris Ninnes, CEO of the ASC.

“This certification is a testament to the diversity of our programme and, since the launch in 2012, we have seen the number of ASC certified farms grow to nearly 80 across the globe throughout Asia, Scandinavia, Australia, Europe, and South, Central and North America. There are also over 50 farms under assessment”.

“Danforel prides itself in only supplying the best quality seafood that has been responsibly farmed to minimise potential environmental and social impacts. ASC certification fits perfectly with our strategy. It allows our farms to demonstrate that they comply with the most rigorous farming standards and shows our customers that we are a responsible organisation,” said Erik D. Hansen, Managing Director Danforel A/S.

Danforel’s Christianminde farm gained its certification following an independent, third party assessment against the global ASC Trout Standard conducted by the certification body Bureau Veritas Denmark.

The ASC Freshwater Trout Standard was developed by a diverse group of stakeholders, including farmers, conservationists, scientists, seafood buyers, processors, government officials and other interested parties.

Farms certified against the ASC Freshwater Trout Standard must demonstrate that they use farming methods that minimise the environmental impacts. They deliver a cleaner seabed, cleaner water and healthier fish, preserve the diversity of the species and wild population, and follow strict feed requirements and ensuring social responsibility.

A further six trout farms are currently awaiting the outcome of their assessment against the ASC standard.

Other ASC standards species that are due to hit the market this year are bivalves and shrimp. Five scallop farms were audited in Peru in May this year. And, 14 shrimp farms in Vietnam and Ecuador have already entered the ASC certification programme.

ASC certified trout, scallop and shrimp products are expected to enter the market later in 2014.

Bluefin tuna fishing suspended

Bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis. (Photo: OpenCage/CC BY-SA 2.5)

MEXICO
Monday, July 14, 2014, 23:50 (GMT + 9)
The National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA) ordered the Pacific fleet to suspend bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) fishing for the rest of the year to prevent the catch quota of 5,000 tonnes set for Mexico from being exceeded.
CONAPESCA recalled that the quota for fishing bluefin tuna was set by an agreement published in the Official Gazette of the Federation published on 20 June, on the basis of the Resolution C-13-02 of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).
The resolution raises the need for precautionary management measures throughout the area of distribution of bluefin tuna in the Pacific Ocean to help ensure the sustainability of the resource. And Mexico, as a member country of the organization, has the obligation to take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with the established management measure.
The tuna fishery is really important to the country for its economic contribution, amounting to MXN 1,307 million (USD 100.5 million) as well as food production for domestic consumption and the generation of jobs, both in its catching phase as well as in processing and marketing.

Mozambique and EU start negotiations on fisheries protocol renewal

Spanish longliner. (Photo Credit: Mozambique Ministry of Fisheries)

EUROPEAN UNION
Monday, July 14, 2014, 22:50 (GMT + 9)
The EU and Mozambique met in Maputo, Mozambique, last week to launch negotiations on the renewal of the Protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement due to expire on 31 January, 2015.
According to the EU, the negotiations were conducted in an open and frank atmosphere with progress made on identifying the areas where there was agreement and those where further work is required.

The current Protocol, which came into force fully on 13 June 2012, secures access to the Mozambican fishing zone of a maximum of 43 purse seiners and 32 surface longliners flying the flag of an EU Member State for fishing of highly migratory species.
The financial contribution which the EU has to pay Mozambique for the opportunity to fish in its waters totals EUR 980,000 out of which EUR 460,000 has been earmarked for the support of the Mozambican sectoral fisheries policy in order to promote sustainability in its waters.
As with all of the EU's FPA agreements, partner countries are compensated for granting access to their fishing resources whilst financial support is provided to the partner countries for the implementation of a sustainable fisheries policy. EU's Fisheries Partnership Agreements (FPAs) seek to ensure that the exploitation of fishery resources takes place on the basis of sound scientific advice.

It was agreed that the next round of negotiations would be held in Brussels by September 2014.

SERNAPESCA would be granted further power to monitor salmon farming

Fisheries secretary Raúl Sunico intends to make Chilen salmon industry control stricter. (Photo: Raúl Sunico Twitter)

CHILE
Friday, July 04, 2014, 23:50 (GMT + 9)
The Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SUBPESCA) is working on a process that will have significant impact on the Chilean salmon industry.
The objective of this government agency is to tighten the control on salmon companies to avoid cases like Invertec Pesquera Mar de Chiloe (Invermar).
Recently, the firm refused to perform an early harvest of its Traiguén I farming centre, after the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA) detected the presence of infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus at the beginnings of 2014.
The central government is working on a small amendment to the act to grant further power to SERNAPESCA as to the sanitary field, for example, in the determination of the early harvest and the elimination of ISA-affected fish in the infected farms.
Chilean authorities are afraid that if businesses decide not to harvest in advance in their farms or remove diseased fish despite the identification of the presence of the ISA virus, it could spread to the surrounding area, affecting other sites and salmon, reported the newspaper Estrategia.
The idea is to clarify the power that SERNAPESCA has and improve the way the health control procedures are implemented.
Meanwhile, Sernapesca recently reported that the European Union (EU) had deemed Chile as one of the best countries in health control for the salmon industry.
The announcement follows the visit of officials from the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), under the Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection (SANCO) of the EU, made to Chile, to observe the implementation of disease control measures in the national salmon industry.
The audit team's visit was completed between November and December 2013 in order to analyze the export of live animals and animal products to the EU market.
The delegates assessed the disease monitoring programmes carried out by SERNAPESCA and the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), and stressed in particular the specific programme for Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus.
Related articles:
- EU stresses ISA control programme in Chile
- Salmon firms’ inspections to be tightened

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME 13TH INFOFISH WORLD TUNA TRADE CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION

21 – 23 May, 2014
Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

CHAIRPERSON
RENATO CURTO
PRESIDENT AND CEO OF TRI MARINE GROUP

CO-CHAIRPERSON
CHANINTR CHALISARAPONG
CHAIRMAN, THAI TUNA INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Tuesday, 20 May, 2014 17.00 – 21.00      Registration (Grand Ballroom) Wednesday, 21 May, 2014   -   Day 1 07.30 – 09.00  –  Registration (Grand Ballroom)                         –  Welcome address by Abdul Basir Kunhimohammed , Director, INFOFISH, Malaysia                         –  Special address by H.E Mohamed Shainee , Minister, Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, Maldives                         –  Special address by H.E Mao Zeming , Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Papua New Guinea.                         –  Opening address by Niwat Sutemechaikul, Director General, Department of Fisheries, Thailand                         –  INFOFISH Appreciation 09.45 – 10.00      Tour of Exhibition 10.00 – 10.30      Coffee break / Press conference 10.30 – 11.00      Keynote address by Conference Chairperson, Renato Curto, President and CEO of Tri Marine Group, USA Session I:   Global Supply and International Trade 11.00 – 11.20      Global review : Supply & trade trends and outlook, Audun Lem, Chief, Products, Trade and Marketing Branch, FIP, Food and                             Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy. Regional review on supply, stocks and effectiveness of the management measures 11.20 – 11.40      Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO),Glenn Hurry, Executive Director Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission                             WCPFC),Micronesia. 11.40 – 12.00      Indian Ocean, Rondolph Payet, Executive Secretary, (IOTC), Seychelles. 12.00 – 12.20      Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO), Michael Hinton, IATTC, USA. 12.20 – 12.45      Panel discussion. 12.45 – 14.00      Lunch Break Industry efforts towards sustainable tuna industry 14.00 – 14.20      The tuna industry’s initiatives towards sustainable tuna - Susan Jackson, President, International Seafood Sustainability Foundation                             (ISSF),USA. 14.20 – 14.40      Increased Demand for Sustainably and Equitably Caught Pole and Line Tuna – Emily Howgate, Programme Director, The International                             Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF), UK. 14.40 – 15.00      PNA’s efforts, achievement and challenges in developing sustainable tuna industry, Transform Aqorau, Chief Executive Officer, Parties to                             the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Office, Marshall Islands. 15.00 – 15.30      Panel discussion. 15.30 – 16.00      Cofee Break Session II:  Industry Status and Update 16.00 – 16.20      Japanese tuna purse seine fishing industry - new challenges and prospects, Akira Nakamae, President, Kaimaki, Japan. 16.20 – 16.40      Korean tuna industry – current status, new challenges and prospects, Kwang Se-Lee, Executive Director, Silla, Co. Ltd., South Korea. 16.40 – 17.00      European Tuna Fishing Industry - Current status, new challenges and prospects for international cooperation, Julio Moron, Managing                             Director, Opagac, Spain. 17.00 – 17.30      Panel discussion. 19.00 – 21.00      Cocktail Reception – Hosted by Thai Tuna Industry Association (Click here for more detail) Thursday, 22 May, 2014    (Day 2) Session III:   Global and regional tuna trade and markets 09.00 – 09.20      The US and North American canned tuna market, Dave F Melbourne, Senior Vice President, Bumble Bee, USA. 09.20 – 09.40      The US market for fresh and frozen tuna, Mike Walsh, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Orca Bay Seafoods                             Inc.,USA. 09.40 – 10.00      European Tuna Industry and market - Current status, new challenges and prospects, Juan M Vieites Baptista de Sousa,President of                             Eurothon and General Secretary, ANFACO-CECOPESCA, Spain. 10.00 – 10.30      Panel Discussion 10.30 – 11.00      Coffee Break 11.00 – 11.20      The Two Latin Americas - Pacific vs Atlantic : Potential impacts on the dynamics & challenges of the tuna industry, Dario Chemerinski,                             Country Manager Brazil & Emerging Markets Exports Manager, Costa d'Oro S.p.A, Brazil. 11.20 – 11.40      Japanese Tuna Industry Market: Hidenao Watanabe, Director, Overseas Fisheries Cooperation Office, Japan. 11.40 – 12.00      Asian Tuna Trade, Fatima Ferdouse, Chief, Trade Promotion Division, INFOFISH, Malaysia. 12.00 – 12.20      The impacts of sustainability factors on the marketing of tuna products in Europe, Luciano Pirovano, International Marketing and CSR                             Director, Bolton Alimentari, Italy. 12.20 – 12.40      The Middle East and North African Markets for Canned Tuna, Adel Fahmy, General Manager & Arnab Seguptra, Trading Director,                             Gulf Food Industries, UAE. 12.40 – 13.00      Panel Discussion 13.00 – 14.00      Lunch Break                             Market Access 14.00 – 14.25      Why does development of MSC certified tuna still lacks behind other wild seafood segments?, Henk Brus, Managing Director,                             Pacifical C V, The Netherlands. 14.25 – 14.50      Regulatory market access issues in the tuna trade and the value of data, Francisco Blaha, International Fisheries Advisor, New Zealand. 14.50 – 15.15      The New EU GSP and tuna trade: Jerome Broche, Fish Team Leader, DG Trade, EU Commission, Belgium. 15.15 – 15.35      Thai tuna industry – The new challenges,Chanintr Chalisarapong, President, Thai Tuna Industry Association (TTIA), Thailand. 15.35 – 15.55      Mexico - Luis Fletcher, representative of the National Commission for Fisheries and Aquaculture (CONAPESCA) at the Mexican embassy in                             Washington, USA. 15.55 – 16.30      Panel Discussion 16.30 – 17.00      Screening of "Saving our Tuna" film produced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Arrowhead Films for Discovery                             Channel Asia.                             Introduction remark by Gordon Johnson, Regional Practice Leader for Environment and Energy for UNDP.        17.00            Cofee break Friday, 23 May, 2014 (Day 3) Session IV:   Sustainability, environment and Eco-labeling in the tuna industry 09.00 – 09.20      Cost and benefits of the MSC certification programme in the tuna industry, Bill Holden, MSC Pacific Fisheries Manager, Australia. 09.20 – 09.40      Cost and benefits of the FOS’s certification programme in the tuna industry, Paolo Bray, Director, Friend of the Sea, Italy 09.40 – 10.00      Cost and benefits of the Earth Islands Institute Dolphin Safe Tuna Certification Programme, David Phillips, Executive Director,                             Earth Island Institute (EII), USA. 10.00 – 10.20      Cost and benefits of Marine Eco-label Japan (MEL), Masashi Nishimura, Chief, Resources Management Office, Japan Fisheries                             Association, Japan 10.20 – 10.45      Panel Discussion 10.45 – 11.15      Coffee Break 11.15 – 11.35      WWF’s views on eco-labelling and sustainability of the tuna industry, William Fox, Vice President, Fisheries, WWF, USA/p> 11.35 – 12.00      The impact of Ecolabelling to fish stocks, fishermen and consumers, by Eugene Lapointe, President, IWMC, World Conservation                             Trust, USA. 12.00 – 12.20      PEW’s view on Eco-labelling and sustainability of the tuna industry, Amanda Nickson, Director, Global Tuna Conservation, The Pew                             Environment Group, USA. 12.20 – 12.40      Greenpeace (Casson Trenor, Senior Ocean Campaigner, Greenpeace USA) 12.40 – 13.00      Panel Discussion 13.00 – 13.15      Wrap up and closing 13.15 – 14.00      Lunch Break

Million-Dollar Fish

Sushinomics: How Bluefin Tuna Became a

Once used for cat food, the endangered fish is now one of the most prized delicacies in the world.

Svati Kirsten Narula Jan 5 2014, 9:31 PM ET

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Kiyoshi Kimura paid a lot of money for this bluefin tuna, the first one auctioned off at the Tsukiji fish market in 2013. (Toru Hanai/Reuters)

Every year, on the first Saturday in January, Japan makes a grand statement to the global fishing community by putting an exorbitant price on the head of a single bluefin tuna. At the famous Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo, the first bluefin auction of the year represents many things: growing consumer demand for bluefin sashimi, the exploitation of natural resources, the collapse of a species, shortsightedness in the face of impending doom to the entire ocean, a depraved publicity stunt.
In 2013, Kiyoshi Kimura, the owner of a Japanese sushi restaurant chain, paid $1.76 million for the first bluefin at Tsukiji, which weighed 489 pounds. Kimura had paid $736,000—a world-record price at the time—for the first tuna of 2012. That fish weighed 593 pounds.
It's no surprise, then, that journalists were steeling themselves for what was sure to come on January 4, 2014: If the past decade's trend in pricing continued, this year's first tuna would surely fetch more than a million dollars. But the Tsukiji fish market bucked tradition this weekend and sold its first tuna to Kimura, yet again, for a mere $70,000. That's still way more money than most bluefin go for in Japan. But compared to what everyone was expecting—an extravagant sum to start off the new year and remind us that these are the most prized fish in the sea—that's one crazy cheap tuna.

Although the significance of the almost-$2 million tuna in 2013 was recognized worldwide, not everyone agreed on what that said about the actual value of global tuna stocks. It was tempting to see the price surge as a function of the fish's rarity, but then why weren't restaurants raising the prices of the bluefin dishes on their menus?
Andrew David Thaler, who writes about the ocean on his blog Southern Fried Science, had this to say about the many factors at play in the Tsukiji auction last January:

I’m certain that we’ll see this number presented as an argument against bluefin tuna fishing, as an example of an industry out-of-control, and as a symbol of how ruthlessly we'll hunt the last few members of a species to put on our dinner plates. These issues are reflected in the tuna market, but I want to urge caution in drawing too many conclusions from this record breaking number.
There are several issues in play at the first tuna auction of the year, and only some of them relate to the tuna fishery. Among the patrons of the Tsukiji fish auction, it is considered an honor to buy the first bluefin of the new years, and bidding wars reflect this fight for status. The massive international headlines that follow the purchase of such a fish is free advertising for the winner. As many auction-goers know, landing a high, early win is a way of marking your territory and letting your competitors know that you have the bankroll to push them out of a bidding war.
If $1.8 million is actually what this fish is worth to the consumer, it would sell for a hefty $345 at the dinner table, minimum. The owner, Kiyoshi Kimura, reports that the tuna will be sold at a huge loss–about $4.60 per serving.
All three species of bluefin tuna are currently overfished, and over the last few years attempts to protect bluefin tuna have been thwarted by fishing interests in Japan, New Zealand, the United States, and Mediterranean countries, among others. While this record breaking sale should serve a clarion call for increased scrutiny of the global tuna trade, it does not accurately reflect the market value of the fish.

What should we make of the dramatic nosedive in bluefin bidding at this year's auction? To answer that, we need to understand how this species rose to such prestige in the first place.

Issei Kato/Reuters

In the 1960s, no one wanted bluefin. In the United States, the fish sold for pennies per pound, and it was usually ground up for cat food. Japan fished for it, but few people there liked the bluefin's bloody, fatty meat. Then sushi bars started cropping up in America, and Americans developed a taste for toro—the prime meat of the bluefin's belly. By the 1970s, the Japanese had also developed a taste for bluefin.