Data gaps affect pacific tuna assessment

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

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

Shrimp exports grow

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

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

Sardine and anchovy wider use for DHC assessed

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

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

Clean Seas considers resuming bluefin tuna programme

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

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

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.

Alf-Mare E.E.

Contact Name	Vatistas Theodoros
Company Position	Owner
Address	Ixthioskala Keratsiniou
Address Cont.	Office 63
City	Keratsini
State	Athens
Postal (Zip) Code	18875
Country	GREECE
Tel	+302130240902
Mobile (Cell) Phone	+306970016888
Fax	+302130240902
Skype	-
Email	alf-mare@hotmail.com
Website	-
ABOUT OUR COMPANY Our company has been in business since 1972, We produce and trade all types of fish throughout the Greek Market and Internationally. Fresh Product: Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), Swordfish(Xiphias gladius), Sardines(Sardina pilchardus)

IN BRIEF - Opportunities for boosting seafood exports to Australia

AUSTRALIA
Friday, August 15, 2014

More and more Australian seafood importers consider Vietnam as a seafood supplier of high quality and sustainability.

Vietnam is now one of the three major seafood suppliers for the Australia, after New Zealand and China. In recent years, Vietnam seafood, especially pangasius, is increasingly favored in the country. This is owing to efforts from government agencies such as the Embassy of Vietnam in Australia, Vietnam Trade Office in Australia, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), and Australian seafood importers represented by the Seafood Importers Association of Australia.
Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition -VIETFISH held by VASEP in Ho Chi Minh City is an important occasion for seafood importers around the world to understand more and more on fish production and processing capacity as well as seafood products of Vietnam. In the framework of VIETFISH 2014 (6 - 8 August 2014), a field trip was organized from 3rd to 10th August 2014 by Vietnam Trade Office in Australia collaborating with VASEP. Sydney Fish Market (SFM) Board of Management and Seafood Importers Association of Australia (SIAA) took the field trip and observed aquacultural activities in some provinces such as An Giang, Can Tho, Nha Trang.
Source: VASEP

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.

Bluefin tuna illegal fishing in Gibraltar reported to EC

Bluefin tuna. (Photo: FishBase)

SPAIN
Thursday, August 14, 2014, 22:00 (GMT + 9)
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAGRAMA), through the General Secretariat of Fisheries, complained to the European Commission (EC) about illegal fishing of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) performed by a recreational craft from Gibraltar at a mile south of Punta Carnero, on the western boundary of the Bay of Algeciras.
This activity was detected last weekend by personnel of the Maritime Service of the Guardia Civil. Gibraltar does not have a legislation regulating recreational fishing or a bluefin tuna catch quota and so the Spanish Government considers that this fact represents a serious breach of international fishing regulations and of the European Union (EU).
The bluefin tuna fishery is the most controlled one in the world and it is regulated by the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
In Spain, recreational and sport fishing is assigned a reservation quota that allowed the capture of this species with this mode from 15 June to 9 July, when a precautionary closure of the fishery was established.
Tuna fishing was finally closed on 24 July, following confirmation of the complete consumption of the allocated quota.
"That quota is used only in the event of accidental death of the bluefin tuna because Spanish law requires the release of the specimen if it is caught," said the MAGRAMA.
The Ministry notes that in in 2006 the ICCAT adopted the Bluefin Tuna Recovery Plan, whose launch helped to recover the resource and its biomass. Therefore, it is confident that the appropriate measures to prevent and punish such actions in the future are taken.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation sent a complaint verbal note to the British Embassy in Madrid. In it, it protests about the fact that the two ships of the Gibraltar police and a patrol of the Royal Navy prevented the Rio Cedena patrol from exercising its jurisdiction over a Gibraltarian vessel fishing illegally for bluefin tuna in the Bay of Algeciras.
For the Spanish government, the British troops that hampered the Guardia Civil’s monitoring activity helped to protect the development of illegal fishing.
"The Government of Spain has no doubt about the limits of its territory and, therefore, the Spanish ships will continue performing their duties in Spanish waters," ensured MAGRAMA.

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.

IN BRIEF - Rough weather deters tuna poachers, but fishermen say harvest quality remains good

AUSTRALIA
Wednesday, August 06, 2014

The Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association says rough weather has held up harvesting of the fish in 2014, but it has also deterred poachers.

Association chief executive Brian Jeffriess says the fleet is about two-thirds of the way through harvest.
He says fishermen have lost four to five days out of 35, with bad weather keeping the boats docked.
But Mr Jeffriess says fish quality is high, and there hasn't been an issue this year with poachers.
"I think the weather's too rough for poachers, so there's some upsides to the bad weather as well. The poachers just can't get out there.
"The farms are further and further out, particularly one of them is 40 kilometres out through very rough seas and weather, and you just don't poach in that environment."
Source: ABC

IN BRIEF - Irish Sea mystery as fish stocks continue to decline

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Wednesday, August 06, 2014

Restrictions on cod and salmon fishing aimed to rejuvenate declining stocks in the Irish Sea and inland waterways.

However, after years of tight fishing quotas from Brussels and strict angling controls, there has been no population boost in the two species.
The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), which monitors numbers for the government, said global warming may hold the key to their decline.
It said this might also be affecting the eel population.
AFBI's research vessel, The Corystes, sets sail on the Irish Sea more than 200 days a year and uses the latest technology and research skills to monitor all types of marine life and its environment.
Its statistics are used by the European Commission to set fish quotas.
Source: BBC

IN BRIEF - Bass fish increasingly switching sex as hormone-disrupting chemicals pollute waterways

UNITED KINGDOM
Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Male fish are becoming part female at unusually high rates in three Pennsylvania rivers, sparking concerns the water is tainted with chemicals.
Male smallmouth bass and white sucker fish carrying eggs in their testes were found in the Delaware, Ohio and Susquehanna rivers, according to research from the US Geological Survey.
Researchers have linked the increasing number of intersex fish, or fish with two genders, to a 'complex mix of chemicals' flowing into waterways from nearby farms.

Source: Daily Mail

IN BRIEF - 82 MILLION STRONG - Salmon harvest tops 82 million fish

UNITED STATES
Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Commercial harvests of wild Alaska salmon reached some 82,335,000 fish through July 29 2014, including nearly 30 million fish from Prince William Sound.
The statewide preliminary count compiled by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, included 39,966,000 sockeye, 34,244,000 humpies, 6,702,000 chum, 1,032,000 silver and 392,000 Chinook salmon. That was an overall boost of more than 10 million salmon in one week.
The Copper River drift district's catch reached 2,099,000 fish, including 2,039,000 reds, 43,000 chum, 10,000 king, 6,000 pink and 1,000 silver salmon.
Prices for the famed Copper River reds continued to hold at USD 77.94 for one whole fish or $19.99 a pound for fillets at the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle. Online prices of frozen Copper River king fillets at FishEx in Anchorage were USD 33.71 a pound, while Copper River red fillets were USD 29.95 a pound.
Costco warehouse stores in Anchorage meanwhile offered customers fresh wild sockeye fillets from other Alaska fisheries for $9.95 a pound, while Fred Meyer stores advertised fresh wild Alaska sockeye salmon fillets for USD 11.99 a pound.
Source: The Cordova Times

Salmon size and weight drop cause raises controversy

krill. (Photo Credit: MAR-ECO/Oystein Paulsen/CC BY-SA 3.0)

UNITED KINGDOM
Thursday, August 07, 2014, 03:00 (GMT + 9)
In response to concerns expressed in a British newspaper as to the future of salmon stocks, an important international organization addressed certain issues considered the most likely cause of the decrease in size and weight of the returning salmon to British waters.
According to an article published in The Telepgraph newspaper, overfishing sandeels and krill might be the cause for the salmon not to have sufficient food at sea but The Marine Ingredients Organisation (IFFO) does not agree on this conclusion.
“The only significant fishing for krill is conducted in the Southern Hemisphere (Antarctica) far away from the feeding grounds for the Atlantic salmon. Secondly, the fishing for sandeels (which are only found in the North Sea) is carefully monitored by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES),” explains Andrew Jackson, IFFO Technical Director, in a letter sent to the editor of the British newspaper.
Another issue he clarifies is the fact that the article suggests that sandeels are being caught for the production of fertilizers but Jackson stresses it is “totally erroneous,” since these species are intended for the production of marine ingredients for human and animal nutrition.
IFFO supports the research conducted by Professor Chris Todd of St Andrew’s University, concluding that the primary cause of the low weight of returning salmon to Scotland is due to the warming of the seas in the North Atlantic.
“My research, in collaboration with Marine Scotland Science, has focused not on mortality rates and population decline, but on the changes in size and quality of salmon returning to Scottish rivers over the past 50 years. This variation seems to stem from the effects of climate change on the ocean, and the anomalously high temperatures salmon find in the North Atlantic,” Todd points out.
This research has been developed with funding from the European Commission, the Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST), the Association of Salmon Fishery Boards for Scotland (ASFB), and the Fishmongers Company.
The researcher explains that a returning salmon, known as a grilse, will have grown 100-fold in size from the rich feeding to be found at sea but between 80-90 per cent of grilse, and fewer still multi-winter fish, will not survive their journey due to the risks experienced.
Todd states that over millions of years salmon have survived ice ages and eras of global warming and that helping salmon populations recover naturally is clearly a better strategy than rearing them artificially. 

Concern over US tuna fleet losing access to Pacific fisheries

Tuna longlining. (Photo Credit: NOAA)

UNITED STATES
Friday, July 18, 2014, 23:30 (GMT + 9)
American treaty negotiations with the Pacific Island Nations came to an end on Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand, with a “No Deal” conclusion, leaving the US tuna Fleet without fishing access to the Pacific Ocean in 2015, warns AFT Holdings.

The investment and management group highlights that proposed closure in US territories in the Pacific currently under review by the Administration to check the status to "Protected Monument Marine Parks," without consultation with industry or science, has created an environment of increased pressure to secure fishing access within the remaining ocean.

AFT Holdings, Inc. is a shareholder of Ocean Global and Sea Global, the largest US tuna fleet, which operates 12 purse seine vessels navigating the Pacific. The vessels provide more than 100,000 tonnes of fish per year serving the US canned market.

Representatives of Ocean Global and Sea Global participated in the recent treaty negotiations, along with other tuna industry members, US State and National Marine Fisheries representatives, and noted their extreme disappointment in the outcome.

“The value offered for 2015 access represented a 38 per cent increase over 2014 with 100 per cent of the proposed increase coming from industry,” said J. Douglas Hines, chairman and general partner of AFT Holdings, Inc.
And he added: “With an unprecedented 57 per cent increase alone from the US fleet over 2014 levels, the value for access considering the price of tuna collapsed from 2013 to 2014 makes economics difficult to bare."

Hines also explained that although they expect to have an agreement in the next couple weeks, it will not be without extreme apprehension and real cost.

Hines further commented that there is a real concern by stakeholders representing US commercial interest that the federal government is not showing a commitment to the country’s distant water fisheries in the Pacific region. One feared consequence is that China and other nations will further expand their influence through fishing and other commercial interest in the region.

AFT Holdings and its stakeholders are now contacting US Government agencies and Congressional leadership—specifically Hawaiian Senators Schatz and Hirono—in an effort to update and search for bipartisan support that will ensure a future for the US fleet in the Pacific region.

“The loss of our country’s influence in the Pacific fisheries has a direct impact on thousands of Americans—from Samoa to Hawaii onto the Mainland in California and even Georgia—who rely on raw tuna material for jobs, as well as a consistent supply for the American consumer,” Hines said.

“Over the past 30 years, from oceans to shore, many have worked tirelessly to preserve the development and expansion of the US-Pacific interest by working closely with great Americans leaders such as the late Hawaiian Senator Daniel Inouye, and Alaska Senator Stevens. Over the years, through bipartisan efforts we were successful in maintaining this country’s presence in the Pacific. Now, to see our hard earned effort ceded to other nations is difficult to accept, which is why our industry remains committed to this fight,” he concluded.

Salmon price status at week 27

Fresh salmon. (Photo Credit: Tom Haga/Norwegian Seafood Council)

NORWAY
Friday, July 04, 2014, 21:40 (GMT + 9)
Fresh salmon export volumes for week 26 are down 163 tonnes compared to week 25 but up 3,836 tonnes compared to week 26, 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.

July 2014 contracts were traded several times, and the last one was at NOK 36.75. The sales for August 2014 were also traded several times, and the last one was at NOK 36.75.
The contracts for the fourth quarter of 2014 were settled at NOK 42.50 and now they are now NOK 42.00 versus NOK 42.75.

The sales for the year 2015 were traded several times, the last one was at NOK 41.75, and now they are settled at NOK 41.00 versus NOK 41.75.

Hake maximum catch set

Hake fishing. (Photo: Produce)

PERU
Wednesday, June 25, 2014, 22:00 (GMT + 9)
The Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) set a maximum total allowable catch limit for hake (Merluccius gayi peruanus) for the period from 1 July, 2014 to 30 June, 2015 at 47,129 tonnes.
Fishing operations may take place in the maritime area from the northern tip of the country's maritime domain and 06°00' south latitude.
The holders of fishing permits being allocated a maximum catch limit per vessel to catch this species may carry out their activities until reaching the total limit.
Meanwhile, the participation of artisanal vessels will not be subject to the allocation of a catch limit, unless compliance with fisheries management measures enacted to protect the reproductive process and the fishing effort regulation, the Ministerial Resolution 214 -2014 sets.
PRODUCE will be in charge of setting management fisheries measures to protect hake spawning processes on the recommendation of the experts from Instituto del Mar del Peru (IMARPE).
If a by-catch of hake having less than 28 cm is recorded of over 20 per cent of the total catch for three consecutive days or five alternate days over a period of seven days, PRODUCE may suspend fishing operations in the occurrence area for at least seven consecutive days. In case of recurrence, the duration of the closure will be doubled and if the situation continues, the definitive suspension will be implemented until IMARPE deems it appropriate to reopen the area.
During reproductive fishing ban periods, trawlers and artisanal boats will be banned.
Last April, PRODUCE authorized the catch of 5,000 tonnes of hake in the same area.

Squid record catches registered

Illex squid capture. (Photo: NOAA)

FALKLAND ISLANDS
Wednesday, June 25, 2014, 03:50 (GMT + 9)
The enthusiasm of the fishing industry in the Falkland Islands about squid Illex and Loligo record catches being obtained this year is overshadowed in part by complaints from the local government about Argentina’s lack of cooperation in the performance of an overall assessment of these fisheries in the South Atlantic.
Dr. Sasha Arkhipkin, chief scientist of the Fisheries Department of the Falkland Islands, explained the Fisheries Committee of the Falkland Islands Government that as it is not possible to perform an exchange of scientific information with the Argentineans over these resources, it can not thoroughly predict the volumes of local water capture.
The expert noted that precisely because of the lack of cooperation from Argentina, nowadays it is not possible to know "how many fish there are in the whole region" of the South Atlantic, the local newspaper Penguin News reported.
However, although he admitted that this situation affects the accuracy of the forecasts and predictions of Illex squid fishery, Dr. Arkhipkin said "there are other ways to predict data."
Meanwhile, Director of Fisheries John Barton informed the harvest this year has been "exceptional."
The first Loligo season ended up with a catch of 28,000 tonnes, making it the third most voluminous after 2010 and 2012 harvests.
In addition, until 10 June there had been an absolute record of 300,000 tonnes of Illex squid.
Over 500 jiggers fished in Berkeley Sound this season and 20 other Korean jiggers are still operating in waters off the Falklands.
It has also been a great year for the transhipment of those spectacular squid harvests and a record profit from permits, Barton stressed.
According to what Dr. Arkhipkin told the Fisheries Committee, one of the most successful scientific studies of these last two years was performed on mesh size of nets to address by-catch, considered one of the most serious problems faced.
"Creating a Marine Protected Area like we did for toothfish and whiting may be worthwhile," the expert stated.
At the request of the secretariat of the Association of Fishermen’s Societies of the Falkland Islands, Cheryl Roberts, to have more observers on fishing vessels, the Fisheries Director indicated that the number of observers on board is "fair", given the difficulties caused by weather conditions and logistics.
In addition, he also explained the Commission that the cost of changing from about six or seven observers to about 15 "would be potentially a big problem for the budget."

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