The Taiwanese fishing industry hosted a delegation led by U.S. Department of Labor Deputy Undersecretary Thea Lee to “gain more practical understanding” of Taiwan's efforts to enhance the rights of migrant crew members onboard its distant-water fishing vessels.

During a visit from 26 February to 1 March, Lee took part in workshops and meetings to address labor issues, and she met with Taiwan’s ministry of labor

Author: Mark Godfrey / SeafoodSource  l Read the full article here

New research gives a deep dive on how Scottish seafood Is performing across the UK

Key opportunities for Scottish producers lie in the youth market, and innovative snacking or convenience products
Consumers are more likely to buy a seafood product labelled as ‘from Scotland’
Salmon retains nearly half of the seafood market, despite being hit hardest by inflation

Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

Australia has sought details of India's fisheries programmes such as the policy objective, budget expenditure and coverage. At a meeting at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Tuesday, it also asked if there are performance requirements such as export or production-based targets attached to payments or loans under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

Besides the duration of the programme, it wants details on the background, authority, forms of subsidies, policy objective or purpose and a confirmation whether the PMMSY supersedes the Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries. The questions were raised after the WTO members failed to reach an agreement on fisheries subsidies at the 13th ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi last month.

Click photo to know about PMMSY

Australia sought confirmation on whether one of the objectives of PMMSY in relation to marine fishing is especially to harness tuna resources both in India's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the high seas. EEZs are areas up to 200 nautical miles from the shore and beyond that are the high seas. "Australia wants to know the coverage of this fisheries plan and if it covers aquaculture as well as marine capture fishing," said an official, who did not wish to be identified.

Another set of questions raised by Australia relates to India's programme on conversion of trawlers into resource specific deep-sea fishing vessels.[...]

Author/Source: Kirtika Suneja / ET Bureau

According to the unaudited consolidated reports for Q4 of 2023, Cromaris achieved a significant milestone, generating revenue of €105 million from the sales of goods and services, marking a remarkable 10% increase compared to the previous year, and our sales volume reached 13,610 tons of fresh fish equivalent.

Maintaining our strong presence in international markets, we continue to excel with 88% of our sales volume and revenue coming from overseas markets.

Diving into our diversified product portfolio, which accounted for 36% of our revenue in 2023, processed products, including packaged and gutted fish, saw the most significant surge in growth.

Despite facing challenges such as increased prices in key procurement categories, notably fish feed, our operational performance remains strong. Our EBITDA reached €12.6 million, showcasing a 15% increase and our net profit of €3.8 million in 2023, marked an impressive 57% growth.

Source: Cromaris PR

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has announced significant advancements in the country's fisheries sector.

NFA has set ambitious targets to increase export values across various seafood categories, including crab, prawn, lobster, reef fish, and seaweed. Notably, a focus is placed on enhancing the tuna fishery.

This involves increasing tuna landings, expanding downstream processing, establishing new processing plants, and investing in commercial-scale cold storage facilities to support exports.

NFA Managing Director Justin Ilakini expressed his enthusiasm stating, "These initiatives will not only drive economic growth but also ensure food security and support the livelihoods of our communities. We are excited to have our dedicated staff on board, committed to making these goals a reality through their hard work and tireless efforts."

Embarking on a transformative policy shift, NFA aims to boost competitiveness, diversification, and value addition in the industry.

Despite challenges, NFA has implemented cost management measures and expenditure controls for the fiscal year 2024, emphasizing financial responsibility and prudent decision-making at all levels.

In the spirit of Easter, NFA extends warm greetings to all its staff and everyone. "May this season of reflection and renewal bring you joy, peace, and blessings as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ," said Ilakini.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been used as a conservation measure for decades, but critics continue to argue that evidence of their economic benefits is weak, particularly with regard to fisheries.

Given the challenges in establishing MPAs, including objections from fisheries and the frequently small size and sub-optimal location of protected areas, one would expect their economic benefits to be hard to detect.

My new study reviews 81 publications about MPAs in 37 countries. It shows their establishment has resulted in benefits to commercial fisheries in 25 countries and to tourism in 24. These benefits covered a diversity of ecosystems, including coral reefs, kelp forests, mangroves, rocky reefs, salt marshes, mudflats and sandy seabed habitats.

There were 46 examples of economic benefits to fisheries adjacent to a marine protected area. These include increased fish stocks and catch volumes, higher reproduction and larval “spillover” to fisheries outside the MPA. Other studies also reported larger fish and lobsters close to existing MPAs.

Despite claims in the research literature of fishery displacement due to the establishment of an MPA, it seems the benefits outweigh any temporary disruption of fishing activities.[continue...]

Author: Mark John Costello

Professor, Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University | nationaltribune.com.au

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy, would like to thank all the stakeholders for their invaluable contributions to the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy received during the Biodiversity Economy and Investment Indaba.

Working together, stakeholders developed a programme of action to address the challenges in the biodiversity sector. They identified key interventions which include sourcing financial support, gaining access to land for biodiversity projects, sourcing human capital development and scientific support, research, and securing market access for their products.

“Participants emphasised that an effective biodiversity economy must be based on growing and sustaining conservation land and seascapes that can sustain both non-consumptive and consumptive uses,” said Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Ms Barbara Creecy.

“Participants also argued that there are diverse successful approaches and enterprises associated with the biodiversity economy, many of which leverage value from otherwise marginal production land- and seascapes, and this diversity enhances ecological resilience and offers further potential for growth” the Minister added.

In the South African context, many participants said that the Biodiversity Sector as a whole urgently requires transformation.[...]

Source: South African Government

Marine conservation NGO Blue Marine Foundation has taken legal action against the U.K. government, claiming it has breached its own laws by repeatedly setting fishing quotas for more than half of U.K. stocks at levels higher than those guided by scientific advice.

The London, U.K.-based NGO is arguing that the government’s mismanagement of fish stocks is an irresponsible use of national assets and runs counter to the interests of the nation’s fishermen. The organization is also warning this overfishing will lead to the depletion of key species such as mackerel, Celtic Sea cod, monkfish, and Irish Sea whiting.

Author: Jason Holland / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

Brexit has cost Scotland up to £100 million-a-year in ‘lost’ salmon exports, MSPs will hear from trade body Salmon Scotland’s chief executive Tavish Scott today.

Farming companies have faced increased red tape and costs triggered by the departure from the EU in January 2020. In 2019, there were more than 53,000 tonnes of Scottish salmon exported to the bloc, with the figure falling to 44,000 tonnes in 2023.

Source: fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has announced its decision to exit China following a review of its operations in the country.

“Over the last 18 months, ASC has undertaken a strategic business review of internal operations and of current and future operational regions and markets

As a result of this business review, ASC has decided to phase out programme operations and cease investment in China.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here