The National Association of Bluefin Tuna Aquaculture (ANATUN), which represents more than 75% of the sector in Spain, has promoted the validation of a genetic method developed by AZTI to identify tuna species. It is a system, stand out from the association itself, that uses "the most advanced techniques" that, compared to the mitochondrial markings that were used until now, uses nuclear markers "which will allow obtaining more reliable results".

The objective of the project, led by AZTI, is to respond to the identification problems caused by the peculiar morphological similarity of some specimens of Atlantic bluefin tuna with other tuna species.

Source: iPac.acuicultura | Read the full article here

Global union federations the IUF and the ITF have welcomed the adoption of the Declaration for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture at the 34th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) Committee on Fisheries (COFI), which concluded earlier this month.

In particular, the unions welcome the commitment from states to ‘Promote the attainment of safe, healthy and fair working conditions for all in the sector, support efforts to prevent and halt forced labour, facilitate access to social protection programmes for fishers and aquaculture producers and their communities, support measures to improve safety at sea, and work towards enhancing the standards of living for all in the sector.

Author: Quetin Bates / FiskerForum | Read the full article here

Seafish, the public body that supports the UK seafood industry, has announced it will deliver additional Love Seafood campaign activity this spring, featuring UK fish and shellfish.  Love Seafood is a 20-year initiative to shift seafood consumption levels in the UK, and over time will feature many different species and product types as it seeks to change attitudes.

The past year has been challenging for many seafood businesses as they faced the impacts of the global Covid-19 pandemic. Despite significant setbacks in 2020, caused by the pandemic, retail continues to perform well.  

Source: The Fishing Daily | Read the full article here

It streamlines processes and has no cost for companies, reports Sanipes

Sanipes, an organization attached to the Ministry of Production of Peru, approved the "Sanitary Technical Procedure for the registration of fishing and aquaculture infrastructures and Production Areas in Official International Lists", in order to facilitate exports to countries that require prior registration of the productive spaces of origin of the goods.

The provision approved in Supreme Decree No. 017-2020-PRODUCE as a service provided exclusively by Sanipes and the approval of the sanitary technical procedure through Executive Presidency Resolution No. 010-2021-SANIPES / PE

Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here

The Good Fish Company and Kerry Fish to get government of Ireland/European Union co-funded boost.

In a statement on Friday, Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue announced EUR 4.9 million in new investment in nine seafood processing companies, two of which process salmon. The investment is topped up with the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme, which has provided a EUR 1 million grant.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Marine aquaculture has been developing rapidly in Turkey over the past decade, according to a new research paper.

A new 430-page report from the Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), “Marine Aquaculture in Turkey: Advancements and Management,” offers a thorough examination of the aquaculture sector, looking at lessons learned, how Turkey is embracing a “blue economy” model, and the challenges the country faces in improving the sustainability of its fish and shellfish farming sectors.

Turkey’s aquaculture industry is thriving due to the introduction of new technology, improved management, and production techniques, tighter environmental regulations, and international partnerships helping to open up new markets, according to the report.

Author: Nicki Holmyard / SEafoodSource | Read the full article here

The shrimp farm in Shirahama City, Wakayama Prefecture, will close at the end of March. Demand dropped dramatically due to the coronavirus.

The aquaculture business started in the city in April 2016. A total of approximately 4 tons was shipped annually to markets and suppliers across the country, but the impact of COVID since last spring had a direct impact. The more that was shipped, the more the deficit increased, so it was decided to close it.

Due to the closure, live shrimp will be sold at a bargain price starting March 1. One kilogram (about 100 animals) costs 6,000 yen and 500 grams costs 3,000 yen. The size of each animal is around 15 cm. Until the 6th, but it will end as soon as it runs out.

Source: AGARA (translated from original in Japanese)

We are so proud of our colleague Sanna Matsson who is now ready to defend her dissertation for the degree of Philosophiae doctor (PhD) at UiT Norway's Arctic University. The date for the dissertation and trial lecture is Thursday 4 March. Both trial lectures and disputations are conducted digitally and streamed so that the audience can follow the events.

The theme of Sanna's dissertation is kelp cultivation with a special focus on sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima). This species is considered the most suitable kelp species for farming along the Norwegian coast. A challenge related to kelp farming is that kelp hosts various growth organisms and this degrades the quality of kelp. To assist kelp growers in identifying the optimal time for sowing and harvesting, Matsson has investigated growth at different latitudes, seasons and sea depths as well as related to kelp's age and nutrient content. The work is part of the MACROSEA project led by SINTEF Ocean

Prøveforelesning kl. 10:15 – 11:00

Scottish Sea Farms enjoyed a far better year in 2020, producing an operating profit of NOK 308m (£26m), up from NOK 292m (£24.6m) in 2019, the company’s accounts show.

Revenues totalled NOK 1,699bn (£143.5m) against 1,834bn in Q4 2019, producing an EBIT per kg of NOK 12.9 (NOK 11.4).
The company is jointly owned by SalMar and the Lerøy Seafood Group, and is known in Norway as Norskott Havbruk.

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

As fishing businesses in the UK struggle to survive the combined effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the pst-Brexit fallout, according to the NFFO, things for the sector are getting worse rather than better.

The NFFO has again written to Secretary of State George Eustice and Fisheries Minister Victoria Prentis, seeking a second round of support for struggling fishing businesses.

‘I wrote to you on 1st February, 2021, making the case for a further tranche of financial support for the fleets in England who are facing multiple challenges. 

I am writing again to press you on this matter because things in our sector are getting worse rather than better,’ reads the letter signed by NFFO chief executive Barrie Deas.

Author: Quentin Bates / FiskerForum | Read the full article here