The current crisis within the Asian shrimp industry, along with the exchange of experience and information were key topics of discussion at this year’s Aquaculture Roundtable Series, which focussed on the regeneration of the industry.

Held in Bali, Indonesia, The Aquaculture Roundtable Series (TARS) event reflected on the current situation in Asia’s shrimp aquaculture industry, mired by ten-year lows in shrimp prices due to a global oversupply situation.

Source: TheFishSite | read the full article here

The Platform in defense of fishing and marine ecosystems intends to request a series of meetings with the Minister of Fisheries as well as with the groups in Congress in order to request a moratorium on the implementation of offshore wind power in Spanish waters , "until the pending studies on the evaluation of impacts on marine ecosystems and socioeconomic impact are carried out and therefore we can know if the coexistence of these technologies in our seas with fishing activity and respect for our marine ecosystems is possible".

Source: EuropaAzul | Read the full article here

WWF has expressed disappointment and concern over Iceland's recent decision to resume commercial whaling after a temporary ban introduced earlier this year ended.

The ban stemmed from a report commissioned by the Icelandic government that claimed whales "take too long to die" after being harpooned, in violation of animal welfare law. In this way, the NGO denounces that the new measure to resume commercial whaling "undermines international efforts for the conservation of the species."

Source: IndustriasPesqueras | Read the full article here

Bangladesh’s seafood trade group is reporting a drastic decline in national shrimp production due to higher costs, drought, and disease.

Bangladesh’s main shrimp aquaculture region Khulna exported 19,900 metric tons (MT) of shrimp in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, which ended in March. That was down from 24,100 MT the previous year, and down from the record of 39,706 MT in 2016-2017, Seafood Network Bangladesh reported.

Author: Cliff White / SeafoodSource | read the full article here

The introduction of smart aquaculture will reduce human errors, farm labour and operational costs through sensor-based automation, writes Iftekhar Ahmed Fagun

WITH a burgeoning population and increasing pressure on aquatic resources, the sustainability of traditional aquaculture practices has become a cause for concern. Embracing smart aquaculture could pave the way for a more secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible future for fish farmers and the aquaculture sector.

In the 2020–21 financial year, the fisheries sector in Bangladesh witnessed significant growth, with fish production having reached an impressive milestone of 4.621 million tonnes. The achievement not only highlights the importance of aquaculture for the nation’s food security but also demonstrates the potential of the fisheries sector to drive economic prosperity and create sustainable livelihood.

The increasing contribution of the aquaculture sector to the economy cannot be overlooked. Recent statistics show that the fisheries industry now accounts for more than 3.65 per cent of the gross domestic product, underscoring its crucial role in supporting the economic growth and rural development.[...]

Source: NewAge

“Today, the 2023 lobster season begins, and while I understand and appreciate that in our culture, lobster dinners are a highly prized meal and an eagerly anticipated addition to restaurant menus during lobster season,” explained the Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban.

“The extended period of below-average catch rates in the lobster fishery indicates a need to take immediate action to enable the future sustainability of the fishery and so the Bermuda government is putting in place steps and a programme for the replenishment of the lobster fishery.”

A Government spokesperson said, “Bermuda’s local spiny lobster [Panulirus argus] fishery has been a cause for concern within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR] for several years. When recent catch rates are viewed against more than 20 years of fisheries data, the current extended period of below-average catch rates is concerning. The information supporting this position has been shared with all the key stakeholders in the fishing industry over many years. There has been overall agreement that attention needed to be given to the state of the lobster fishery..."[...]

Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister, promised to address the issues plaguing the fisheries industry in his visit to Samut Songkhram yesterday.

This move came after representatives from the industry called upon the newly formed government to revise laws to mitigate the effects of restrictions put in place to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Srettha stated that the industry’s struggles were among the Pheu Thai-led government’s top priorities. To address these challenges, the 61 year old PM proposed the formation of a working committee. It is anticipated that Thamanat Prompow, the secretary-general of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), who is expected to serve as the agriculture minister, will head this panel to strategise a comprehensive solution to the problems.

The Pheu Thai party’s Manaporn Charoensri and PPRP’s Phai Lik, who are tipped to become the deputy transport minister and deputy commerce minister respectively, were among the delegation that met with representatives from the fisheries sector.[...]

Author/Source: Mitch Connor /Thaiger

The Falkland Islands Fisheries Department (FIFD) conducted a pre-season survey for the winter Loligo ‘X’ licence season, working in close partnership with local companies. The survey results showed the lowest winter pre-season survey biomass estimates since 2008, a total of 19,859 tons.

On 30th July, 16 vessels commenced the fishing season, with catches regularly monitored by both local companies and the scientific team at FIFD.

The catches from the start of the season showed a consistent decline in the estimated available biomass. On 22nd August FIFD issued a 7 day notice to all vessels that the biomass was forecast to fall below the conservation threshold of 10,000 tons and that as a result, the season was closed early on 29 August to maintain the conservation threshold within the Loligo fishery, thereby ensuring the future sustainability of the fishery. Alongside the notice to vessels, a meeting with all local companies was held and daily updates to all local companies commenced.

FIFD, working in partnership with the fishing industry, are undertaking a 14 day scientific survey following the end of the season to monitor stock levels and collect further data about the fishery.[...]

Source: MercoPress

Rosselkhoznadzor (Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary), within the framework of enhanced radiological control, examined 443 batches of fish products harvested near the site of low-radioactive water discharge from the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant.

In the studied batches of fish, no excess of permissible norms for radiological indicators was found, the press service of the department said.

A total of 1,272 studies were conducted in August this year. They were carried out in the Primorsk Interregional Veterinary Laboratory, subordinate to Rosselkhoznadzor.

“No positive detections were found,” the department’s press service said in a statement.

Studies were carried out on basic radiological parameters. In particular, the specific activity of iodine-131, strontium-90, cesium-134, and cesium-137 was checked. “Their standards are determined by the requirements of technical regulations adopted in Russia and the requirements of regulatory documents of countries that import fish products,” the department added.[...]

Author: Yulia Likarchuk/vetandlife.ru (translated from original in russian)

Government appeals to Hong Kong to reconsider response

[Hong Kong Current Affairs] In response to the release of treated water from Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the Hong Kong government has banned the import of seafood from 10 prefectures, including Fukushima. It was revealed on August 30th that the Japanese side is requesting that marine products from other than the 10 designated prefectures be excluded from the embargo.

The Hong Kong government has banned the import of seafood products originating from 10 prefectures starting from the 24th. On the other hand, water from areas such as Hokkaido and Kyushu that is not originally covered...[...]

Source: Minato-Yamaguchi (translated from original in japanese)