MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fishing News

Headlines:
Pescanova profits down 32%; Agreement to restore fisheries by 2015; Shrimp fishing fees increase postponed; Poached tooth fish caught in Boston; Computerised fish auctions in Vigo; Anchovy ban enforced in Chile; Closer monitoring of Patagonian fisheries; Chilean fish meal outlet in Galicia; Bull market for hake;

Pescanova profits down 32%

The fishing group Pescanova has registered an important drop on the Spanish stock market this week, with stock values falling 6.53 per cent. This seems to be consequence of the general drop in profits which the Galician company registered during the first six months of the year. Between January and June profits reached EUR 5.50 million, compared to EUR 8.10 million registered during the same period last year, representing a 32 per cent decline. This is the first big drop since 1998, but the company's directors remain optimistic. According to "Faro de Vigo" reports, company officials report the number of transactions carried out in the first half of 2002 confirm Pescanova and its subsidiaries dynamism and "positive evolution of all fish and shellfish activities". Pescanova with over 30 years experience in the business, has a staff of 3,365 and owns a fleet of more than 100 vessels. The group catches both fish and shellfish, farms various species, processes and markets all its production. Net profits in the first half reached EUR 13.71 million, compared to EUR 21.09 million a year ago. 2001. (FIS/MP).

Agreement to restore fisheries by 2015

Negotiators at the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development taking place in South Africa agreed this week on a provision calling for restoration of depleted fisheries by 2015. The agreement was the last in a series of provisions acknowledging that "the world's oceans and fisheries are in trouble and need urgent attention," organisers of the UN event said in a press release. "United Nations studies have shown that three-quarters of the world's fisheries are presently fished to their sustainable levels or beyond." The agreement "marks a major commitment that requires countries to marshal resources and political will to ensure the responsible management of fisheries," adds the summit statement. "This agreement provides us with the crucial underpinning for government action", said Johannesburg Summit Secretary-General Nitin Desai, adding that, "over-fishing cannot continue. The depletion of fisheries poses a major threat to the food supply of millions of people. This agreement recognises that we need coordinated action between governments on an urgent basis to manage the oceans responsibly, to meet the needs of people now and in the future." Desai added that it was absolutely essential that government commitments to implement sustainable fishing be complemented with partnerships by and between governments, fishermen, communities, and industry. "We have no choice but to work together on this," he said. "Fisheries provide direct and indirect livelihoods for some 400 million people", reads a UN report published in support of the conference. "More than a quarter of the world's fisheries are over-utilised and half are exploited at full capacity. Overall, 75 per cent of the world's fisheries require immediate steps to freeze or reduce fishing, to ensure a future sustainable supply of fish." The fact sheet also reports that "almost a quarter of the world's coral reefs have been completely destroyed, and another 20 to 30 per cent are threatened with destruction within the next 10 years. Coral reefs are a crucial element in the food chain of the oceans." Summit participants also called on countries to ratify the Convention on the Law of the Sea and other conventions that promote maritime safety and protect the environment from marine pollution and environmental damage by ships. "Agreement was also reached on a text that requests regional fisheries management organisations to consider the needs of developing countries, when allocating fish quotas," according to the statement from the organisers. "Developing countries have maintained that existing fisheries regimes do not reflect their interests". (FIS/MP).

Shrimp fishing fees increase postponed

The value of shrimp fishing licences in Argentine Patagonia will remain frozen for the next 90 days. A controversial increase recently approved by Chubut province Congress led to meetings between industry representatives and elected officials, and since no understanding was reached the issue will now be addressed in the framework of the Sea Resources Advisory Board, CARM. During the first meetings with legislators from all parties, the industry was represented by the Argentine Chamber of Fishing Companies, CAPIP, the Argentine Patagonian Shrimp Chamber and coastal fishermen according to reports from "El Chubut" local newspaper. Previously industry representatives were received by José Luis Lizzurume, Chubut's governor and the city's mayor Julio Aristarain. Industry representatives believe they have several options before them: appeal the proposed and now suspended increase in shrimp licences; begin legal action against Chubut's officials, or move to another province, possibly Santa Cruz. However Raul Giacone, Chubut's Minister of Production was reported saying that "the parties are interested in reaching an agreement between that includes all shrimp producing provinces". (FIS/MP).

Poached tooth fish caught in Boston

United States Federal agents in Boston report they have seized more than 60 tons of illegally imported Chilean sea bass during the past five months. Chilean sea bass was formerly identified as Patagonian toothfish and has become very popular in US restaurants during the last decade. "We are very concerned," said Todd Dubois, special agent from the National Marine Fisheries Service, NMFS, branch in the Northeast. "This is such a growing market in the US, and we are getting a lot of illegal fishing". "We have investigations going on all over the country," Dubois told the Boston Globe. According to the press report the largest ports for Chilean sea bass landings are New York, Los Angeles and Boston. Chilean sea bass is a very slow-growing Antarctic species, highly over-fished and takes eight years to reach sexual maturity, according to marine scientists. Although Antarctic species are strictly regulated, many nations fail to observe the rules, which are difficult to police. According to the "Boston Globe", many of the seizures resulted from warnings given to federal officials by other vessels in Antarctic waters whose crews observed suspicious fishing activity. NMFS officials say a June seizure was possible following information from Australian research vessels that spotted unmarked vessels off Antarctica. Reports indicated the vessels were from Ghana and Mauritania, but when stopped, they denied ownership of fishing gear nearby. However when the vessels arrived in Boston, sailing under the Uruguayan flag, federal officers seized the catch. In April, NMFS officers seized 57,500 pounds in New Bedford. The combined seizures had a wholesale value of half a million US dollars. A spokesperson for the Antarctic Project in Boston is reported calling the seizures "a drop in the bucket". Many of the illegal, frozen catches may are shipped through by several countries in different-sized batches, before arriving at the US market, making it difficult for officials to trace the origins. Legal fishing in Antarctica requires a licence and sales in the US require documentation from the vessel's country of origin plus proof the catch was legally caught. Environmental groups in the US have called on restaurants to boycott Chilean sea bass because of the poaching and the species' endangered status. (FIS/MP).

Computerised fish auctions in Vigo

Galician Fisheries and Marine Affaire Council, GFMAC, will computerise a further ten markets with an investment of over EUR 1.2 million, bringing the total number of automated auction system markets to thirty. Buyers will have complete access to all the auctions information. Besides Vigo other markets to benefit from the improved system are Guarda, Aguiño, Arcade, Cedeira, Muxía, Noia, A Pobra, Porto do Son, Vilanova, and Vilaxoán. The new system means buyers and sellers don't even have to be physically present at the market but they can still follow the auction in real time via radio. Another advantage for fishermen is increased competition, which could mean higher prices and better profits. The technology developed by the Telecommunications School of Vigo University also includes an unloading catches prediction program. The system was first used in Portonovo and Redondela in 1999. (FIS/MP).

Anchovy ban enforced in Chile

A new biological ban on anchovy came into force last August 19th., the aim of which is to allow undisturbed spawning during the critical reproduction period, according to Chile's National Fisheries Service, Sernapesca. The ban applies to a ten miles strip that extends along the Chilean coast of Regions I and II, according to La Prensa de Tocopilla and El Mercurio de Antofagasta, and prohibits catching, landing, commercialisation, transport, processing and storage of anchovy and anchovy products. Anyone caught fishing during the ban can be fined up to the equivalent of 7,500 US dollars. Mario Muñoz, Sernapesca regional director added that during the biological ban period that expires next September 8, in-depth research into the available anchovy biomass will be carried out by the Chilean Fisheries Promotion Institute. (FIS/MP).

Closer monitoring of Patagonian fisheries

Argentina is introducing new management measures to closely monitor Patagonia fisheries. Shrimp fishing grounds will experience changes; anchovy is be promoted and Patagonian toothfish catches will be restricted. Chubut Province Marine Affairs and Continental Fisheries Department confirmed that a new shrimp fishing ground has been created in the Gulf of San Jorge. The area will extend from 44º56'South and the coast, 44º56'South and 45º30' and the provincial limit, 45º30'South and 66º30', and finally 66º30'West and the coast. But at the same time a biological shrimp ban has been established in the area extending between 45º30 South and the provincial limit; 45º30' South and 66º55' West; 46º00' South and 67º20'West; and 46º00' South and the provincial limit. Regarding anchovy, the National Research and Fisheries Development Institute, INIDEP, is proposing a research program in Chubut province waters to promote the fishery, with catches ranging between one and six thousand tons during the first season. Iberpesca belonging to Iberconsa Group and Poseidón have signed in with a combined maximum annual quota of 8,000 tonnes plus a 5%, (400 tonnes) by-catch. Finally, the Argentine Federal Fisheries Council, CFP, is cracking down on Patagonian toothfish catches. So far this year over 3,900 tonnes of Patagonian toothfish have already been caught, that is over 50 per cent of the total allowable catch, TAC. Argentine CFP officials are scheduled to meet with the Patagonian Toothfish Monitoring Commission and are expected to impose further restrictions to the toothfish fishery. (FIS/MP).-

Chilean fish meal outlet in Galicia

Corpesca Chile's Corporación de Pesca is setting up a subsidiary in Spain to market fishmeal from different origins on European markets. With an initial investment of EUR 600,000, the venture is aiming specifically to sell products in Spain, Portugal, and France. Dedicated to manufacturing fishmeal and fish oil, Corpesca has become well established in Chile following its creation in 1998 through the merger of several Chilean companies from the Angelini group and the Duncan Fox Company. The company represents 8.5 to 9 per cent of the world supply and trade in fishmeal and fish oil. Corpesca also participates in 73.3 per cent of fishery products manufactured in northern Chile and 16.7 per cent of fish processed in the south. The company is now hoping to make its mark in Europe, the main market for its exports, by investing USD 353,000 through the subsidiary Nutrition Trade Corp. It is joining forces with Spanish investors and will hold an indirect 60 per cent share in the new subsidiary, reports Santiago's daily "El Diario". Exports from Regions I and II represented EUR 1,101 billion in 2001 with Corpesca alone more than EUR 177 million in sales.

Bull market for hake

Markets in Galicia, Spain, are reporting very high prices for hake, similar to those at peak season. According to La Voz de Galicia, prices began to increase in May and June and have not returned to their usual levels since then. This was evident in Burlea and Celeiro markets, with the latter reporting that a shipment was sold for as much as EUR 23.50 per kilogram. During the last Christmas holiday period, hake was selling for EUR 6.60 but prices last week soared to EUR 7.23. Some traders said the Celeiro market price reached EUR 9.04 last week. At Burlea market the price per kilo was EUR 6.79 in July, although it is already reaching an average of EUR 7.84. But Javier Martínez, President of the Vigo Fish Traders Organization, said hake was being traded at normal prices in Vigo Markets. Mr. Martínez said that smaller size pieces of hake are currently being sold at EUR 6, while pieces between one and two kilos reach EUR 7.50 and 3 to 4 kilos fetch between EUR 10.50 and 11.20 per kg. These are considered normal prices during periods when there's no hake shortage.