MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fisheries News

Headlines:
Chinese vessels predating claims Chile; Brazil promotes fresh water fish exports; Australia sinks toothfish pirate boat; EUR 27 million for fishing ports; Galician companies target Morocco; Brazilian Fisheries Department unveiled;

Chinese vessels predating claims Chile

The Chinese fleet is putting horse mackerel stocks at risk through uncontrolled and unregulated fishing and is creating unfair competition for the domestic fleet, claims the Chilean National Fisheries Society (Sonapesca). The Chinese vessels are currently fishing at the border of Chile's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). According to Sonapesca CEO Cristian Jara, they have caught 100,000 tonnes of horse mackerel in the last few months and they are disregarding the 26cm minimum size. Sonapesca insists the Chinese are using factory ships, which Chilean companies are not allowed to use, they receive subsidies from their government and they "do not respect social laws or pay for fishing permits," Jara told El Sur. And with the Chinese fleet operating irregularly in the area, as the Russian fleet did in the past, he fears other foreign-flagged vessels may follow suit. The situation is more serious than it appears, stressed Mr. Jara because Chilean ports are providing services for these vessels but produce is transferred directly to factory ships out at sea. This year the Chilean domestic fleet quota was cut from 4 million tonnes per year to just 1.3 million tonnes to allow stocks to recover, and the number of licences was drastically cut by 50%. Sonapesca is calling on the Chilean government to appeal to the International Tribunal to enforce the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which compels foreign flagged ships to observe marine resources conservation rules of neighbouring states. The Congressional Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commission has asked Foreign Affairs Minister Soledad Alvear, to investigate the issue and assess its impact on national interests. In the meantime, the sector is voicing its concerns over the long-term fisheries law which was passed at the end of last year to complement the short-term fisheries law. Mr. Jara said Sonapesca was still evaluating the extent of the law and hoped it would help to solve the irregular situation of some 4,000 "semi-industrialists" who have been operating as artisanal fishermen, without paying for permits to exploit scarce resources such as horse mackerel. (FIS/MP).

Brazil promotes fresh water fish exports

Brazilian authorities have asked French owned company Coinbra to become involved in fishery exports to help boost sales, reports Diario Caterinense. Fisheries secretary, José Fritsch says farmed catfish and tilapia, which are both much in demand on the international market, could be very profitable. Mr. Fritsch hopes that Coinbra (Brazilian Commerce and Industries), which belongs to the French multinational group Louis Dreyfus, can help farmers discover the market potential of these species in particular. Catfish fetches between USD 9 and 12 per kg, and United States has a potential market for 300,000 tonnes yearly. The market price for tilapia is USD 5 per kg. Catfish is currently farmed in Blumenau, but Mr. Fristch says rice producers from Santa Catarina state could also start farming this species. Mr. Fristch will discuss the potential for developing this complementary exploitation with local authorities during his next visit to Rio Grande do Sul state. He is also planning to discuss the issue with Agriculture Secretary Odacir Klein. Mr. Fritsch will be visiting Rio Grande do Sul and the fisheries research centre of the Catholic University (PUC). (FIS/MP).

Chilean fish exports up 23.6%

Chile's fishing industry's export revenue for the first two months of the year is up 23.59% from USD 306 million last year to USD 379 million this year, according to the National Fisheries Society (Sonapesca). However, the total export volume fell 11.9%, from 204,000 tonnes last year to 180,000 tonnes this year. Sonapesca General Manager Cristian Jara attributed the significant increase in export revenue to "the modernisation of fisheries legislation that was passed in December 2002" and to the recovery of salmon prices, reports El Diario. Mr. Jara said the amended regulations had boosted investment and employment in the fishing industry, which in turn had helped to improve export performance. According to Sonapesca's statistics, exports of fresh-chilled products increased 35.5%, canned fish and seafood 31.6% and frozen products 25.3%. Fishmeal and fish oil export earnings increased 9.5%. Only algae and related products registered a decrease in export revenue, with a 5.2% drop. (FIS/MP).-

Australia sinks toothfish pirate boat

The Australian Government's decision to sink another boat apprehended with an illegal toothfish catch has been applauded by fishing operators in the region who operate within the law. The South Tomi, a 58 metre longliner, left Fremantle on Monday 14 April on its way to Geraldton, where it is to be sunk as an artificial reef and dive site, according to a press release. This follows the apprehension of the South Tomi after it was sighted in March 2001 by a fisheries patrol vessel, and pursued for 14 days, and for more than 6,000 kms, before it was intercepted off the coast of Cape Town. The vessel was found to have more than 100 tonnes of illegally taken Patagonian toothfish on board. The Spanish skipper was charged and convicted of fishing illegally in Australian waters, and was fined AUD 136,000 - the largest amount imposed on an illegal fisher caught in the Commonwealth jurisdiction. The skipper was also held responsible for the crew's repatriation to their various countries of origin. The catch, worth AUD 1.4 million, and boat were forfeited to the Australian government. Various industry stakeholders welcomed Monday's event. The Managing Director of the New South Wales based Everfresh Seafoods, Joe Pirrello, said: "The sinking of this notorious pirate boat will send a powerful message to illegal toothfish operators around the world that Australia will not tolerate pirate operators who plunder our fisheries". Managing Director of the Tasmania based Petuna-Sealord Fisheries, Les Scott, commented: "The legal toothfish industry is committed to sustainable fisheries management practices which will conserve toothfish and its place in the ecosystem for future generations". Andrew Talley, CEO of Talley Fisheries, a New Zealand company, said: "All of us are keen to work with governments, conservation groups and the general public to continue to highlight the need for urgent action to combat illegal and unregulated toothfish pirates". The CEO of another legal operator, Austral Fisheries, David Carter, said: "Our objective is to stop any fish being taken illegally in Australian waters or New Zealand waters - in fact in all Antarctic regions - before these criminal activities put us out of business, destroy the unique Antarctic environment and decimate toothfish stocks. "It will take the combined efforts of all to fight these sophisticated poachers involved in organised crime." Late last year the global fish trading company, Pacific Andes, and its subsidiary, Sun Hope Investments, were both named as being involved in illegal toothfish fishing activities by an Australian television programme. This public naming followed the capture of the Lena and Volga. The officers and crew were interrogated on board. "All legal toothfish fishing operators agree it is not going to be enough to just halt the present poachers as there will be other companies or corporations that will move in." "It is an ongoing problem which requires a unique solution by governments, countries and legal operators working together to deal with this unprecedented threat", said Ross Tocker from New Zealand's Sealord Fisheries. "All of us congratulate the Australian Government for clearly signaling that it is committed to taking decisive action to protect the health of the toothfish fisheries, as well as the unique environment in the sub Antarctic and Australian sovereignty to prevent pirates plundering Australian resources. The Lena will follow the South Tomi later this year when she is scuttled off Bunbury. (FIS/MP).-

EUR 27 million for fishing ports

The Galician Xunta in north-eastern Spain is investing EUR 27 million in equipping local ports to guarantee product quality and food safety, to optimise conditions in fish markets and to streamline the sales process. The investment is part of the Xunta's Revitalisation Plan, implemented in the wake of the Prestige disaster. More than half of the total amount, EUR 14 million, is earmarked for the development of fisheries and markets in Galician ports. Coruña will recieve EUR 7.63 million; Pontevedra 2.76 million; and Lugo EUR 573,000. Fisheries Councillor Enrique López Veiga presented a report to the Xunta detailing the main infrastructure to be built using these funds. They include warehouses, cold storage, mini stock ponds, and equipment for automating the auction process. Authorities are also planning to invest in improvements to fish markets to comply with existing regulations relating to the storage, handling and labelling of seafood and fish. All fish markets will be equipped with an appropriate surface for boxes, so they are not placed on the floor. Other changes include foot-operated pipes and waste pipes to keep the premises clean, as well as a labelling system for products to be auctioned. A digital platform to facilitate the reception of produce at market places is also being financed. A public company will be formed to manage this process and will include producers, haulage contractors, finance institutions and members of the Galician Administration. Some 35 fishermen's unions will benefit from the provision of cleaning machines, cold storage and containers, among other facilities to improve their working conditions. (FIS/MP).

Galician companies target Morocco

Spanish fishing companies may enter into joint ventures with Moroccan partners following discussions at last week's Sixth International Marine Exhibition Sea Mer 2003 in Casablanca. According to sector sources, delegates received a number of proposals from their Moroccan counterparts eager to seal commercial relationships between the two countries and, more specifically, to create partnerships to take advantage of some fishing licences that are still up for grabs. The Moroccan companies are keen to exploit species that are commercially valuable on the Spanish market and abundant in African fishing grounds. At the same time, they are looking for partners who can provide the necessary technology to help them develop their finished product manufacturing, Javier Garat, General Secretary of the Spanish Federation of Fisheries Organisations (Feope), told La Voz de Galicia. But differences between unions are holding up any possible deals, according to Garat. He said manufacturers, canners and exporters ? represented by FENIP ? want to make up for the domestic fleet's shortcomings through alliances with foreign companies. But the union representing vessel owners and other marine interests is reluctant to accept foreign investment and wants fleet modernisation to boost sector development. According to some analysts, the joint venture solution is gaining more support. They cite the return of 13 vessels to the fishing ground between the Canaries and the Sahara, thanks to alliances with Moroccan partners, and another seven boats that await the official green light. Fishery Structures Director-General Alberto López reflected on the role of the Sea Mer Exhibition in providing opportunities for the companies to form strategic alliances. He said the Spanish and Moroccan industries complement each other and domestic companies were now eager to push forward with their plans. Spanish vessel owners have joined forces to call on the European Union to take advantage of the current situation to negotiate an agreement with Morocco, similar to the one that expired in November 1999. But Fisheries Director-General Jorgen Holmquist summed up the EU's more cautious approach when he said earlier this month that Europe would work in partnership with Morocco, rather than strike deals to pay for fishing rights. He said the EU was willing to resume a relationship with Morocco to collaborate in projects for assessing fishery resources and marketing, and to support cooperation agreements. (FIS/MP).

Brazilian Fisheries Department unveiled

Brazilian President Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva signed a decree on 10 April formalising the structure and scope of the new Fisheries and Aquaculture department created when he took office. One of the main functions of the Department ? headed by José Fritsch ? is to provide timely advice to the President on all fisheries and aquaculture development and policies. The Fisheries Department has direct responsibility for developing and implementing support programmes for artisanal and industrial fishing, for creating fish production and trade infrastructure, and for aquaculture development. It is also responsible for monitoring production and sustainable exploitation of fishery resources. According to the decree, Department's officials are in charge of issuing fishing and aquaculture licences for inshore and offshore fisheries as well as authorising foreign vessels to catch highly migratory species under the terms of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The presidential decree requires the department to hand 50% of its income from fees and services to the environmental agency Ibama, to help fund fisheries and aquaculture inspections and monitoring. The Fisheries Department will also participate in negotiations over fishing rights issues plus advise the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in protecting the industry's interests at national and international level. Another responsibility is the establishment of regional and state commissions, associations and inter-institutional and interdisciplinary work groups, and resolving issues arising from capture fisheries and aquaculture. (FIS/MP).