Microplastic contamination can alter the sexual maturation of Atlantic cod due to an increase in gene expression of two genes, which could lead to long-term reproductive problems. This is clear from the results of a study led by researchers from the Marine Research Center of the University of Vigo, CIM-UVigo, María Fernández and Pablo Presa, from the Marine Genetic Resources Laboratory, together with researchers from the Norwegian Food Research Institute, Nofima, and the Universities of Aarhus (Denmark) and Tromsø (Norway).

To reach this conclusion, the researchers evaluated the effects of the inclusion of microplastics in the diet on the reproductive physiology of cod.

Source: Industrias Pesqueras l Read the full article here

Thousands of Japanese food processors, including Shizuoka-based tuna canner Hagoromo Foods Co., plan to raise prices in 2023.

In response to soaring prices of bonito and tuna, Hagoromo Foods already raised the prices of its products containing bonito as a main ingredient in July 2022, and its  products with tuna as a main ingredient in September 2022.

Since then, however, the yen has depreciated significantly, and prices of secondary materials such as cans and edible oil have soared, resulting in a significant increase in manufacturing costs.

Author: Chris Loew / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

There are many potential paths to achieve the EU’s ambition of reducing the fishing sector’s contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% by 2030 and of becoming climate neutral by 2050, according to a new report by conservation organisation Oceana.

The report, “A pathway to decarbonise the EU fisheries sector by 2050”, has been released by Oceana ahead of the European Commission’s preparations to publish a strategy to accelerate the energy transition in the EU fisheries sector.

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

Norwegian seafood exports got off to their best ever January start, with the United States emerging as the largest market for the first time in more than 30 years.

The country’s seafood exports for the month totalled NOK 12.7 billion (just over £1bn), a rise of 23% on a year ago.

As usual salmon was the main species, with sales worth NOK 8.9bn (£724,000), 25% higher compared with the same month in 2022.

Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer l Read the full article here

Thus, the firm adds these facilities, located in Galicia, to the four that the company has in Yesa (Navarra), Peramola (Lérida) and Biescas and El Grado (Huesca).

Caviar Pirinea announced on Tuesday the acquisition of the Grupo Tres Mares and Truchas del Umia fish farms. The purchase of these fish farms, located respectively in Lires (CEE, La Coruña) and Moraña (Pontevedra), will allow the group to "meet the growing demand for rainbow trout both in Spain and in the European market."

Source: Navarra Capital l Read the complete article here

According to the industry monitoring system, by January 31, 2023, the total pollock catch in the Far Eastern Basin reached 222 thousand tons, which is 24.5 thousand tons or 12.4% more than in 2022.

The main catch falls on the Sea of ??Okhotsk, where pollock and herring are actively fished. By January 31, almost 182,000 tons of pollock were harvest, which is 4% higher than last year.

Since the beginning of the year, 49 thousand tons of Pacific herring have been harvested in the Far Eastern Basin, which is 4.3% more than in 2022.

Currently, 93 vessels are operating in the Sea of ??Okhotsk for pollock and herring. Periodically, up to 6 vessels leave Severo-Kurilsk to fish for bottom-food items with pollock by-catch in the Kamchatka-Kuril subzone and in the Northern Kuriles area.

Two receiving and processing vessels and four snurrevods are working on bottom-food facilities off the coast of Western Kamchatka. Pollock catches are still as by-catch. 20 fishing vessels and two floating bases are engaged in the extraction of herring in the North Sea of ??Okhotsk subzone. Specialized pollock trawling in the Sea of ??Okhotsk is carried out by 69 vessels. 14 observers from VNIRO work in the region.

According to the data of the Primorsky Territorial Administration of the Federal Agency for Fishery, the region's refrigerators in sea fishing ports are loaded on average by 42%. There are 27 vessels with fresh catches on board - more than 38.3 thousand tons, including 12 vessels - with 23 thousand tons of pollock and 22 vessels - with 9 thousand tons of herring. Fresh fish products are regularly sent to the domestic market.

Source: United Press Service of the Federal Agency for Fishery

The Biden administration has blocked a controversial proposed gold and copper mine in Alaska in order to protect the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) blocked construction for the Pebble Mine, citing its potential impact on Bristol Bay — a southwestern Alaska watershed that’s home to numerous animal species including the salmon.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan told reporters that the agency had determined that discharges that would come from the proposed mining would have “unacceptable adverse effects” on salmon fishery areas.

Specifically, the EPA’s action prohibits the certain waters from being used as disposal sites for mine waste and prohibits future proposals to mine the Pebble deposit that would have similar environmental impacts.

by: Rachel Frazin/myhighplains

Approximately 90% of all fish landings into Ireland come through these facilities.

€37.3m has been allocated for capital projects in 2023 in Ireland’s six state-owned fishery harbour centres.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue said that these six centres - at Killybegs, Rossaveal, Dingle, Castletownbere, Dunmore East, and Howth - are "critical infrastructure" for the seafood industry. 

Mr McConalogue said that Ireland's 200-mile exclusive economic zone provides "rich nursery and fishing grounds" for its own fleet, and other EU fleets.

In 2021, approximately 88% of the sea fish landed into the state was landed into the six fishery harbour centres. 

For 2021, Bord Iascaigh Mhara reported that the Irish seafood industry contributed €1.26bn to the Irish economy.

Source: Irish Examiner

Crews from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) have spent the past week collecting illegal traps and fishing gear near White Rock, B.C.

According to officials, around 60 illegal traps have been seized each day over the course of the five-day operation in Boundary Bay.

Crews collect the traps using a line and grapple hook, which is thrown over the side of a patrol boat, then dragged across the ocean floor.

They’re looking for both traps that were intentionally placed in the ocean illegally as well as traps that have been abandoned but are still active, which is referred to as “ghost gear.”

Author: Darrian Matassa-Fung / GlobalNews (read the full article here)

The 2023 edition of Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America will feature over 25 percent more exhibit space than 2022, according to Diversified Communications, the event’s organizer.

The trade show, taking place 12 to 14 March, 2023 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., will see significant year-over-year growth, Diversified Event Director Wynter Courmont said.

Author: Cliff White / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here