MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fisheries News.

Headlines:
Canners join call for EU to lift fishmeal ban; Chile invests in Patagonian grenadier plan; Strict SARS controls with Asian crews; EUR 42 million to improve Galicia ports; Namibia cuts hake quota; Chubut Fisheries Director-general resigns; Galicia, world leading turbo producer; EU reins in fishing subsidies; New research into red tide in Chile;

Canners join call for EU to lift fishmeal ban

European Union representatives from the canning industry have joined forces with the Chilean and Peruvian governments in presenting the case for an end to EU restrictions on using fishmeal in feed for ruminants. The EU restrictions have been in place since 29 December 2000 as part of the effort to stop the spread of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), or "mad cow disease" through cattle feed. Carlos Ruiz Blanco, of the Seafood Canners Association (Anfaco), told MEPs the restrictions were damaging the fishmeal and fish oil industry. He also pointed out that the measure lacked a sound scientific basis because these are safe and healthy products, he told La Voz de Galicia. The governments of Chile and Peru are also calling for permission to sell fishmeal on the European market. Peru's Production Minister, Eduardo Iriarte, told the European Parliament (EP) there was no way that Peruvian fishmeal could endanger health by transmitting BSE. He said fishmeal and fish oil production was a continuous process and it was impossible for other products of animal origin to be introduced. Chile's Fisheries undersecretary, Felipe Sandoval, also said there was no basis for the ban on using Chilean fishmeal in ruminant feed. He said Chilean and Peruvian fishmeal both "fulfil all EU safety requirements" and do not pose any risk to health. A joint delegation from Peru and Chile is travelling to Spain, France, Germany and Italy to spread the message that there is no risk at all of spreading BSE through fishmeal in feed. The European Commission has until 30 June to review the measure as requested by the Spanish canning industry and by Peruvian and Chilean fishmeal producers. (FIS/MP).-

Chile invests in Patagonian grenadier plan

Eight Chilean companies are investing almost USD 60 million to set up a Patagonian grenadier (Macruronus magellanicus) fishery for human consumption. They hope to provide jobs for 3,000 workers and describe it as the country's most exciting capture fishery project, reports El Diario. Domingo Jiménez, general manager of the Coloso Fishing Group ? one of the companies involved in the project ? said catches could begin early next year, if their licence applications are successful and stock assessments are favourable. Studies have been requested to fins out if Patagonian grenadier can be harvested in the same areas as South Pacific hake. Coloso Fishing Group is ploughing USD 12 million into the project, with other leading companies - including Alimentos Marinos (Alimar), Itata, Camanchaca and Landes - providing the rest of the capital. Jiménez said the project, which also involves building a processing plant to manufacture added value products, would generate significant revenue for the country. At present 10,000 tonnes of Patagonian grenadier are needed to make just 2,000 tonnes of fishmeal and fish oil, worth USD 1.2 million. If that same volume was processed for human consumption, the profits would be around 8 to10 million US dollars he said. In the past, Patagonian grenadier catches were mainly for reduction because the technology was not available for manufacturing other products. But several companies now have suitable on board cold storage facilities and have developed suitable freezing methods for human consumption products. Geographically, Patagonian grenadier is found from Valparaíso down to the country's southern tip, but mainly in the Straits of Magellan in the Southeastern Pacific. (FIS/MP).

Strict SARS controls with Asian crews

Uruguayan health authorities are concerned about the possible introduction of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) virus, with more than a hundred Chinese and Malaysian fishermen arriving in Montevideo. The first wave of workers arrived on Wednesday 23 April to join the crew of the Chinese flagged F/V Gwo Been. At Carrasco International Airport, crewmembers were immediately separated from the rest of the passengers and given thorough medial examinations to establish if they could have come into contact with the infectious disease. The vessel owner's representative, the Christophersen S.A. agency, was ordered to take the fishermen directly to the vessel and confine them there without allowing them to visit the city. Between April 25 and 30 a significant number of Malaysian fishermen are due to join the fleet operating in the South Atlantic out of Montevideo port. Uruguayan authorities have apparently asked shipping companies to ensure crewmembers arrive with medical certificates to prove they have been under observation for 10 days and do not show any symptoms. Until this certification is in force, Uruguayan Health officials will continue to carry out the present controls and restrict movements of fishing crews around the city. (FIS/MP).-

EUR 42 million to improve Galicia ports

The Spanish central government will invest EUR 42 million in the improvement of 26 ports in Galicia as part of the regional recovery plan for 2003/2007. Manuel Fraga, president of the regional government of Galicia announced the funding at the official opening of the Ortigueira port road in La Coruña. Mr. Fraga said the recovery plan ? launched in the wake of the Prestige oil spill disaster ? included general improvements to maritime frontage and port security as well as tackling any remaining oil. The plan is taking in 14 projects in 11 ports in northern Galicia and another 20 projects in 15 ports in the south. All of the projects are scheduled for completion during 2003-2006. Mr. Fraga said this recovery plan - Plan Galicia - represented an historical opportunity for the region, adding that central and regional governments had reacted to the aftermath of the Prestige disaster by ploughing EUR 14,102 million into the region. Among other projects, the cash would be used to improve port infrastructure, roads, and railway services, all aimed at getting Galicia back on track, he said. But Mr. Fraga also pointed out that the economic, environmental and social recovery plan was not restricted to areas directly affected by the oil spill, but was extensive to all sectors that had subsequently been affected. (FIS/MP).-

Namibia cuts hake quota

The Namibian government in the eastern south Atlantic is cutting the total allowable catch (TAC) for hake to 180,000 metric tonnes for 2003. This is 15,000 tonnes less than last year's quota. Both the juvenile and fishable stocks of hake are in good condition and studies show that the biomass has increased 7% compared with last year. The Marine Resources Advisory Council and scientists therefore recommended a TAC of 176,000 tonnes for hake, excluding by catches, but the Fisheries Minister, Dr Abraham Iyambo, set the TAC at 180,000 tonnes, including by catches. Although studies indicate that supplies of the orange roughy have increased, the minister has acted cautiously because levels can fluctuate from year to year, reports The Namibian. He did, however, agree with the Marine Resources Advisory Council and scientists that the TAC should be set at 2,650 tonnes, up from last year's 2,400 tonnes. Latest surveys also show that resources of monkfish are "in a healthy condition", although stock levels will be managed conservatively, according to the minister, to achieve a sustainable, long-term, yield. Thus, quotas for monkfish have been raised by 500 tonnes to 12,500 tonnes. The managing director of Etale Fishing and Acting Chairperson of the Walvis Bay Hake Association, Silvanus Kathindi, said he was not surprised by the decrease in the hake TAC, and that it should not affect the industry as the full TAC has not been caught for the past two to three years. "We were prepared for this announcement. It will not affect jobs or our business." According to another representative from the hake industry, there is a high level of cooperation between scientists and the industry to determine the TAC. "We told the scientists we were concerned over the stock. We suggested to them to decrease the TAC by 10,000 to 15,000 tonnes. The scientists shared our concern and agreed with our suggestion. I think everybody is comfortable with this announcement. It did not come as a shock or a surprise". Quota fees, by catches, research levies and licensing fees for hake, monk and orange roughy are expected to raise NAD 118.96 million in total towards government coffers. The fishing season in Namibia runs from 1 May through 30 April 2004. (FIS/MP).

Chubut Fisheries Director-general resigns

Gerardo Dietrich, Chubut Province Fisheries director-general, has resigned from office and there are no plans to replace him, says Production Minister Raúl Giacone. Although Dietrich has not issued an official statement, some sources link his decision to the announced lawsuit against the Production Minister earlier this year. Several politicians had initiated legal proceedings - that were later dropped - against the Production Minister, whom they accused of causing the drop in dock prices for shrimp that affected the province's revenue. They also questioned Mr. Dietrich, accusing him of "interests that did not coincide with the interests of the province." At around the same time, Mr. Dietrich was also accused of being involved with a private company called Alpesca. To avoid any conflict of interest, managers of private companies that could benefit from certain legislation are not allowed, by law, to hold public office. However, it was later revealed that this was not an issue because Mr. Dietrich was on a leave of absence from the company when he took office. Earlier this month, Minister Giacone said Mr. Dietrich had expressed his intention to leave public office and return to private activities, which he has now done. There are no immediate plans to appoint a replacement, because of the difficulty in finding a suitably qualified expert on the subject, Mr. Giacone told El Chubut. For the time being Fisheries Undersecretary Jorge Riobó would take over Mr. Dietrich's duties, with support from area Director Katy Olsen, he said. Mr. Dietrich had also represented Chubut province - one of the country's main seafood producers - in the Federal Fisheries Council, a body that formulates Argentina's national policy.

Galicia, world leading turbo producer

With more than 3,600 tonnes produced last year, Galicia is already the world's leading farmed turbot producer. And this year, the region's farmers aim to produce 4,000 tonnes reports El Correo Gallego. This will increase Galicia's share of the world's total production to 59%. Other European countries together provide the remaining 29%. According to Pesca Internacional, turbot farming has created more than 300 jobs along the region's coast, with a turnover of almost EUR 30 million. Ten companies are involved in turbot farming in Galicia. The main one is the multinational Stolt Sea Farm, which produces almost two thirds of the region's output. Through its subsidiary Prodemar, it operates two fingerling breeding centres and five growing out farms in Riveira, Carnota and Lira. Next is Insuiña, which belongs to the Pescanova group and has pioneered the development of turbot farming for over 20 years. This company owns a seabream and turbot farm in Santa María de Oia, a growing out farm in Chapela and another one in O Grove. Insuamar, headquartered in Viveiro, produces 350 tonnes per year, although it plans to expand its capacity to 500 tonnes with the expansion of its facilities on Lago beach. The cooperative Piscícola del Morrazo also produces around 350 tonnes, while Acuidoro produces 240 tonnes. The region's success in turbot farming demonstrates that the Galicia world class aquaculture is not restricted to its already internationally acclaimed shellfish. There are also plans to introduce octopus farming and scientists at Vigo's Oceanographic Institute have been studying the potential for more than eight years . So far, attempts to produce fingerlings and breed octopus in laboratories have not been 100% successful, but studies show that octopus farming could be profitable. If only 10% of fingerlings survive, from an initial 20,000 octopus larvae, that is enough to pass the break-even point. (FIS/MP).-

EU reins in fishing subsidies

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has welcomed the news that the EU is to support proposals to rein in fishing subsidies. The government here has long advocated that the subsidies lead to over-exploitation of fishery resources. The Prime Minister met European trade commissioner Pascal Lamy in Brussels today to discuss this and other issues, reports the New Zealand Herald. "It is great news from Europe," the Prime Minister said in response to Mr Lamy's announcement, after their first meeting during a nine-day visit. "New Zealand has been something of a pioneer in fisheries management to make sure quotas are sustainable, and we've been campaigning to get rid of subsidies on fisheries." Mrs Clark hopes that the new stance on subsidies by the EU will assist in creating a more sustainable management of fisheries in New Zealand, and increase profits for the industry. European fishers have depleted resources in the northern Atlantic Ocean, and have now moved on to fisheries off Africa. According to Mr Lamy, the decision led the EU "a long way in the direction of our New Zealand friends, and it just happened that it was today". It is to be tabled in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations. "The philosophy is quite simple -- there are today lots of subsidisation of fishing activities," Mr Lamy said. "We all know we have a resource conservation problem, and we want ... to reduce subsidies that incur capacity increases that can lead to resource deficiencies." New Zealand is not the only country to oppose fishing subsidies. Only last month the US questioned WTO subsidies for the fisheries industry because of over fishing, and called for tougher global trade rules to govern such subsidies. This is the first visit to the EU by a New Zealand prime minister in ten years. Europe is New Zealand's second largest trading partner. (FIS/MP).-

New research into red tide in Chile

New research in Chile aims to reveal the causes and cycles of harmful algal blooms - known as red tides - which can have devastating socio-economic consequences for coastal communities that depend on the bivalve molluscs affected by the toxins. In accordance with an announcement made last year by Chilean President Ricardo Lagos, in response to shellfish harvesters requests, the Production Development Corporation (Corfo) and the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (Conicyt) will finance five research projects. The total budget is USD 1 million for the following projects: ? Research and monitoring of marine toxins and phytoplankton in the Region of Los Lagos. This project, sponsored by the regional government, will be carried out by the Fisheries Promotion Institute (IFOP) together with Southern University of Chile (UACH). ? Development of immunological tools for the detection and quick quantification of the toxic micro-seaweed Alexandrium catenella. This project is to be carried out by the University of Los Lagos (ULA) and the UACH. ? Bio-geo-chemical precursors of harmful algae blooms (HAB) and recent history reconstruction of HAB episodes in Chiloé and the southern part of Chile. This study will be carried out by the University of Concepción. ? Genomic studies on the dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella. This will be carried out by the foundation Science for Life. ? Research, IT and local training to support the health decision making on Red Tide. This will be carried out by the University of Chile. The research programme begins in May and will last 12 to 18 months. With the first project, sponsored by the X Region government, Mayor Patricio Vallespín said the aim was to introduce more frequent, and more specific, monitoring to improve understanding of the characteristics of harmful algal blooms. The results will be made available for use in other affected areas, mainly in Los Lagos, Aysén and Magallanes. (FIS/MP).

Fishmeal price stability

Corpesca, Chile's largest fishing consortium, is hoping the average value of fishmeal will remain at the current level of around USD 570, although this is about USD 40 less than last year's average. General manager Francisco Javier Mujica says the company is aiming to achieve similar profits to last year's USD 33.4 million. He told Reuters Investor that prices should be stable because demand is expected to remain steady. Chile is the world's second largest fishmeal exporter with production reaching 878,000 tonnes last year. Peru is the leading exporter with 1,819,000 tonnes. Corpesca exports around 250,000 tonnes of fishmeal annually - almost one third of the country's entire production. It sells another 50,000 tonnes to the domestic market, mainly to salmon farmers. During the next two years, the company plans to invest about USD 20 million in improving quality and environmental control procedures, in line with government regulations. Mujica said the company's fixed costs have risen to more than USD 3 million a year because of various changes in fisheries and tax laws. The passing of the short-term fisheries law alone has cost the company an extra USD1 million, mainly through the increase in fishing licence fees. But he defended the short-term law, saying it had succeeded in bringing order to the sector. He is due to meet government representatives to discuss the proposed long-term fisheries law, and hopes to persuade them to extend the short-term law for a further five years, to bring "stability and calm to the sector". (FIS/MP).