Other Media | EuropaAzul: Vulnerable marine ecosystems (VME) are subject to public participation
EUROPEAN UNION
Thursday, November 30, 2023
The European Commission is seeking views on measures to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems (VME) from the negative effects of bottom gear in the high seas.
A call for ideas and a public consultation are open until February 5, 2024.
EMVs are fragile and sensitive areas that support a wide variety of marine life, including slow-growing, long-lived deep-sea species.
The EU Commission has initiated an arbitration case against the UK over its ban on sandeel fishing in British waters, which Danish fishing organizations argue breaches the Brexit agreement.
This ban, imposed under the pretext of protecting seabird food sources, disproportionately impacts EU fishermen, particularly Danish fishers who hold 96% of the EU's sandeel quota in the North Sea. The restriction has led to significant financial losses, estimated at over DKK 150 million for Danish fishers and over DKK 600 million for the fishing and processing industry.
Sandeels are crucial for producing fish oil and fishmeal, which are vital for aquaculture. Reduced access could negatively impact the EU and UK aquaculture sectors. Danish fishing leaders applaud the EU Commission’s efforts, highlighting the importance of upholding international agreements and promoting sustainable, evidence-based management. They hope for a collaborative resolution that respects shared resources and scientific guidance from ICES.
The Fisheries Society of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to establish the Fisheries Institute of Nigeria to strengthen the country’s fisheries resources and blue economy.
The President of FISON, Dr Ebinimi Ansa, said this in Abuja while delivering her address at the 39th Annual National Conference and Meeting/20th Fellowship Investiture Ceremony of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria.
“A key priority of FISON is the urgent need for the formal establishment of the Fisheries Institute of Nigeria. As we all know, professionalizing the fisheries and aquaculture sectors will not only enhance capacity but will ensure that we operate within globally accepted standards.
“Therefore, I use this platform to call on the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to sponsor the FIN Bill as an Executive Bill to be presented to the National Assembly,” Ansa in a statement from the society.
She said establishing the institute would provide a structured framework for capacity building, certification, and professional development.
“It will promote knowledge transfer and the adoption of best practices in fisheries management, aquaculture operations, and marine resource sustainability, as well as ensure a cohesive national strategy that aligns with international fisheries and aquaculture regulations, making Nigeria competitive both regionally and internationally,” she stated.
September 2024 marked a significant decrease in South Korea’s frozen octopus imports, which fell by 43% compared to the previous year.
The import volume for the month totaled 145 tons, a sharp decline from 253 tons recorded in September 2023. For the year-to-date, cumulative imports reached 1,672 tons, a 30% decrease from 2,392 tons in the same period of 2023, constituting just 0.26% of South Korea's total seafood imports of 651,137 tons.
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The majority of the frozen octopus imports came from Mauritania, which contributed 77% of the total volume (1,282 tons). Other notable suppliers included Venezuela (120 tons), China (111 tons), the Philippines (76 tons), and Indonesia (26 tons). Import prices varied among suppliers, with Mauritania leading at USD 9.43/kg, followed by Venezuela at USD 5.68/kg. Indonesia offered the lowest average price at USD 5.35/kg.
In September, the total import value for frozen octopus was USD 1.04 million, reflecting a 33% drop from USD 1.55 million in September 2023. The cumulative import value for 2024 stood at USD 14.32 million, a 28% decline compared to USD 19.85 million during the same period last year. Despite the reduction in import volume, the average price per kilogram increased by 3%, from USD 8.30 in 2023 to USD 8.57 in 2024.
This significant decline in both the volume and value of frozen octopus imports may influence the domestic seafood market, potentially impacting supply and pricing dynamics.
Aquaculture biotechnology company Benchmark has published results of what is says is breakthrough research on the genetic basis of resistance to co-infection of the microsporidian parasite Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) and White Faeces Syndrome (WFS) in white-leg shrimp.
Benchmark Genetics said the discovery opens the door to sustainable disease management solutions for shrimp farmers, offering the potential for enhanced productivity, profitability, and environmental stewardship across the industry.
Source: fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here
The population of this iconic fish increased from a low point of 2% spawning biomass in 2010 to 10% in 2020 and continues to move in the right direction. This turnaround owes much to science and collaboration, explains leading researcher and International Scientific Committee (ISC) member Dr Michel Dreyfus.
Unfortunately, we didn’t realise the amount of reduction in the Pacific bluefin population until 2013. There were some signs that there was overexploitation, especially in the Western Pacific, with Japan in particular seeing that even with higher regulatory efforts, they weren’t catching the amounts they used to.
Brussels proposes to increase the TAC for five stocks, to stabilize two and to suspend directed fishing for western Baltic sole.
The European Commission has just unveiled its proposal for TACs and quotas for ten fish stocks in EU waters in the Atlantic Ocean, the Kattegat and the Skagerrak for 2025. Following available scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the Commission proposes catch limits for eight stocks, in line with the objective of maximum sustainable yield (MSY). The number of TACs proposed for 2025 is lower than last year, due to the introduction of multiannual TACs. For certain stocks, TACs for 2025 were already set by Member States at the end of 2023.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras l Read the full article here
Icelandic fish farming company Laxey and Baader in Iceland have entered into an agreement for the delivery of processing equipment for Laxey’s land-based farmed salmon plant, currently under construction.
Laxey is building a new fish farm in the Westfjords region which is planned to have a production capacity of 32,000 tonnes by 2031.
For Laxey, the partnership with German-based Baader is important in securing equipment and production technology, which the fish farmer said will support its plans for high-quality products for the global market.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer l Read the full article here
A third of French people declare themselves flexitarians.
To attract them, the first sushi box based on a plant-based alternative to salmon has been created.
This unique offer on the shelves is 100% plant-based and made in France, in Loir-et-Cher. It is the result of a collaboration between Foodiz, whose Freshmood brand is dedicated to sushi and "Asian snacking" (hot dishes and poke bowls with flavors from elsewhere), and Ocean Kiss, a Bordeaux start-up that invented "solmon", a salmon substitute based on seaweed.
The box of 12 includes 6 solmon/avocado makis, 3 mango makis and 3 cucumber makis.
Revo Foods & Paleo partnership receives European funding for a €2.2 million project. Belgian company Paleo and Revo Foods, the Vienna-based FoodTech start-up, announce a new project partnership. The project has been funded with a total project volume of 2.2 million EUR by the European Union. This funding enables the development of innovative myoglobin for vegan salmon alternatives using Paleo’s precision fermentation technology and Revo Foods 3D Structuring technology.
Myoglobin, a heme protein, is crucial for the authentic taste and nutritional value of meat.
Galician companies from the seafood sector are participating until Friday in what is considered the most important fair in Asia in the sector: the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo 2024, which is being held in Qingdao. These companies have attended the event with the support of the Chamber of Commerce of Pontevedra, Vigo and Vilagarcía de Arousa, which has organized the mission within the Plan for the Promotion of Galician Exports (Foexga) for SMEs and large companies, financed by the Galician Institute for Economic Promotion (Igape) and FEDER Funds.
Source: La Voz de Galicia l Read the full article here