OTTAWA — After months of negotiations, Canada and France have reached an agreement allowing fishers from the French archipelago of St-Pierre-Miquelon to access a portion of the annual Atlantic halibut catch, officials announced Monday.

The deal grants French fishers 3% of the total allowable catch, which is set annually by Canada, according to the federal Fisheries Department. Negotiations had been ongoing since 2016.

Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier stated, “This agreement ensures the long-term sustainability of Atlantic halibut stocks, while supporting both Canadian and French coastal communities.”

Photo: Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck/FIS

Most Atlantic halibut are found in Canadian waters, though a smaller portion lives within the maritime zone of St-Pierre-Miquelon, located about 25 km off Newfoundland’s Burin Peninsula.

Under the new deal, French fishers can operate in French waters and international waters, but not in Canadian zones. The agreement is also expected to foster collaboration on scientific research.

In 2022, Canadian Atlantic halibut landings were valued at approximately $70 million.

Neither the union representing Newfoundland and Labrador harvesters nor other fishing organizations offered immediate comment on the agreement.

The head of the European employers' association Europêche, Javier Garat, asked the European Commission to help fishermen regain hope, instead of continuing to "hit" the sector, after the EU's position this week in relation to the cut in anchovy quotas in the Gulf of Cadiz.

Garat held meetings in Brussels with the Community vice president Maros Sefcovic and with advisers from the permanent delegations of different Member States.

Source: Faro de Vigo l Read the full article here

Anfaco-Cecopesca has called on the European Union to take measures to reactivate fishing trade with Brazil after the “loss of commercial opportunities” resulting from the sanitary blockade imposed in 2017, originating in the livestock sector. The association, in what concerns its competences, has shown its “commitment” to recover “trade normality” with the Latin American power and has called on the EU to lift the blockade, as Roberto Alonso, secretary general of Anfaco-Cecopesca, Roberto Alonso, conveyed to the delegation of the Brazilian Government that visited the headquarters of Anfaco in Vigo within the complete agenda of cooperation with the government of Spain in the fight against IUU fishing (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) and the improvement of traceability.

Source: Fishing Industries l Read the full article here

Three Iceland seafood ready meals have enjoyed a 15% lift in sales after a relaunch introducing the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification labels on their packs.

The retailer’s trio of products are the only ready meal products currently available in the UK to carry both labels and the sales boost comes at the end of Sustainable Seafood September – the MSC’s month-long campaign to encourage more people to eat sustainable seafood.

Source: Fish Focus  l Read the full article here

Japan and China might be among the leading nations in terms of developing blue carbon markets, but there are still many unknowns and uncertainties in this space - something a forthcoming innovation studio aims to help solve.

Some concerns have been raised regarding China’s attitude to blue carbon credits. Critics point to examples such as a case in March 2024 when a court in Xiangshan, Zhejiang province, convicted two individuals for illegal fishing. Part of their penalty - $2,600 - was paid using "blue carbon credits" generated by a seaweed farming operation.

Author: Peter Green l The Fish Site l Read the full article here

Salmon farmer Bakkafrost Scotland has been granted a licence for a treatment system to turn fish waste into fertiliser.

The pyrolysis unit, which turns organic sludge into inert biochar, will be based at Bakkafrost’s hatchery at Applecross (pictured, photo: Euan Myles).

The company said it was an important step in establishing its “circular economy” credentials.

Source: Fish Farmer l Read the full article here

Charlie McConalogue has welcomed the publication of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority’s (SFPA) Statement of Strategy 2024-2026.

The fisheries minister said; “The long-term development and reputation of the fisheries sector requires a strong and effective regulatory authority.

"This Plan presents an ambitious work programme for the SFPA, that will underpin this vital sector over the next three years.

"It will ensure effective regulation of the Irish sea-fisheries and seafood production sectors, including fishing activity in Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

"The Authority has gone through a period of significant change, I am satisfied that this Plan maps a positive vision for operational excellence that will serve the sector well over the next three years.”

Paschal Hayes, Executive Chairperson of the SFPA said: “Our new strategy provides an opportunity to express our Vision, Mission and Values as a Public Body and the competent Authority responsible for a wide range of important activities underpinning the sustainability of fish stocks and providing assurance to seafood consumers.

"In line with wider Government and Public Service Strategy we will advance organisational efficiency through best-in-class support for staff, and the development of processes, systems and data management and data utilisation"

This barge, which is now being towed to Scotland, has been commissioned by Mowi Scotland for one of its more exposed sites on the west coast of Scotland.

A new feed barge ordered by salmon harvesting company Mowi Scotland from UK manufacturer the Gael Force Group (GFG) has been launched at the facilities of GFG affiliate shipyard Nauplius Workboats in the Netherlands.

The 31.52- by 12-metre steel barge will soon be towed to Scotland, where it will be deployed at Mowi's salmon farms at exposed sites along the country's western coast.

Constructed to Lloyd's accredited designs, the barge will be completed at GFG's premises in Inverness with the addition of the company's proprietary feeding system. A rounded bow ensures improved seakeeping even in rough waters while the hold can store up to 500 tonnes of feed.

Added safety features include watertight void spaces all round and watertight doors and hatches fitted with alarms.

The barge will be delivered to Mowi’s site before the end of the year, and it will be ready to feed fish as soon as it arrives.

ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia and the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS) of South Korea have agreed to collaborate in efforts to strengthen the quality assurance system for upstream and downstream fisheries in the region.

The collaboration between the two institutions is an implementation of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) which has been in place since 2016.

“As part of the MRA, we agreed to carry out a joint inspection of the upstream-downstream quality and safety assurance system for fishery products,” said Head of the Marine and Fishery Products Quality Monitoring and Control Agency, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia, Ishartini in Jakarta, quoted on Wednesday.