MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fisheries News.

Headlines:
Argentine Patagonian toothfish TAC, 4,800 tons; First half imports up 13 per cent; Norway seeks to boost codfish exports; New technique protects squid quality and colour; Mackerel dispute in Chile's EEZ borderline; Pirates threaten Chilean fishermen; more...

Argentine Patagonian toothfish TAC, 4,800 tons

The Argentine Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) has set a new total allowable catch for Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) of 4,800 tonnes, up to 31 December. The TAC was previously set at 3,600 tonnes to end of September. The decision was based on the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (Inidep) report, issued on 22 September. The report recommended continuing with the real-time fisheries management method of setting maximum allowable catches every three months. CFP Resolution No. 19, dated 25 September, lifts the ban on sea bottom trawling and catches of Patagonian toothfish as a target species in national waters between the following points: ? latitude 54º South and longitude 64º West ? latitude 54º South and longitude 62º West ? latitude 55° South and longitude 64º West ? latitude 55° South and longitude 62º West. It also specifies that all vessels operating in the authorised fishing areas must carry an inspector and observer on board at the expense of the vessel owners. Vessel owners must inform the National Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 96 hours in advance, of their landing date and port, specifying the species and total volumes caught. According to the new resolution, when catches of Patagonian toothfish in a single fishing trip reach more than 3% of total catch, it will be considered a serious offence if the number of juveniles constitutes more than 15% of the Patagonian toothfish caught. (FIS/MP).-

First half imports up 13 per cent

Spain's fresh, frozen and canned fish imports were up 13% in volume and up 9% in value during the first half of the year, according to official Customs figures. The category for fish that is "dried, salted, or in brine" showed the most significant increase. They were up 47% in volume, to 33,401 tonnes, and up 40% in value to EUR 136.9 million. Argentina and Iceland were the main suppliers of these products, exporting 7,000 and 6,000 tonnes respectively. Canned fish imports were up 34% in volume, to 33,500 tonnes, and up 19% in value to EUR 86.7 million. Imports of processed crustaceans, molluscs and other invertebrates were up by just 3% in volume, to 5,.875 tonnes, and up 15% in value. Imports of frozen fish were 17% in volume, to 213,000 tonnes. But they were down 2% in value to EUR 312.2 million. Imports of molluscs were up 13% in volume and up 20% in value. Live fish imports totalled 1,452 tonnes, an 11% increase, and fresh fish imports were up 4% to almost 123,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, crustacean imports were down 1% in volume, to 63,000 tonnes, and down 3% in value to EUR 386.8 million. The main supplier of fresh fish was France, which exported 21,434 tonnes. Frozen fish came mostly from the Dutch Antilles, which exported 19,993 tonnes, followed by Holland with 17,342 tonnes and Argentina with 13,362 tonnes. Fillets came mostly from Namibia, which exported 25,838 tonnes, while crustaceans and molluscs were supplied by Argentina, which exported 10,377 and 31,196 tonnes respectively. (FIS/MP).-

Norway seeks to boost codfish exports

Norwegian producers are working hard to increase their codfish exports to match the level achieved two years ago, when Brazil imported 23,000 tonnes of this highly valued product that is mainly consumed around Christmas. The dried salted cod due to reach the Brazilian market between November and December leaves Norway in October. But the latest figures are not encouraging - they show Brazilian imports were down to 18,500 tonnes in 2002. Brazil is the second largest consumer of Norwegian codfish, after Portugal, and Norwegian producers hope to increase their exports this year. Local consumption is predicted to reach last year's level. Norwegian producers are hoping the Brazilian economy will revitalise and people will consume more fish, vice consul Per Christian Enge told the newspaper O Globo. Arne Sperre, a shareholder in one of the main dried salted codfish processors, says local consumers are quite demanding but are also conscious of the price. Brazilians prefer the cod type, which has whiter meat and which they consider to be the genuine Norwegian codfish, but they have recently been buying the cheaper saithe variety, which has darker flesh and a stronger flavour. The main obstacle to lowering prices is the production time - because the drying and salting process takes more than 45 days. (FIS/MP).-

New technique protects squid quality and colour

The Chinese high-tech company, You Pu Holding Greenness Co. has developed a compound that prevents the dehydration and reddish discolouration of molluscs such as squid. Known as You Se Xian, it's now being manufactured in the company's laboratories in the city of Nantong, located in Jiangsu province. The company's scientists, together with scientists from Nantong, have been researching this product since last year and have been testing the technique in processing plants and factories. According to the company, the compound - synthesized in the laboratories - contains bio-enzymes that help maintain the humidity, freshness and firmness of processed squid and other molluscs. This discovery has been long awaited by the local fishing industry that has done its utmost to discover better techniques to maintain the freshness of marine products. Pacific squid has one of the highest production levels throughout the country and is processed in almost all fishery plants along the coast. Until now, however, experts had been unable to resolve the problem of the loss of humidity that affects product freshness and causes a change in its skin colour. This new breakthrough offers excellent prospects for the squid market and that of other molluscs. (FIS/MP).-

Mackerel dispute in Chile's EEZ borderline

Fishermen belonging to the Bío-Bío Fishing Industrialists Association (Asipes) have requested Chilean fishing authorities to stop lowering the jack mackerel quota for their sector, and to strengthen controls over the foreign fleets operating near the EEZ boundary. The request was presented this week to the Fisheries Undersecretary, Felipe Sandoval, in a meeting during which industrialists from the VIII Region expressed concerned regarding the presence of foreign vessels that catch jack mackerel at the edge of the 200 mile boundary. The Chilean fishing industry believes that the government has not taken into consideration "the seriousness" of foreign fleets, including Chinese, Russian, Korean and Greek vessels extracting the same resource as the domestic fleet without complying conservation measures. So far only the Chinese have admitted their fleet caught almost 76,000 tonnes of mackerel during 2002, but there are no records on the other fleets. Asipes members stated that Chilean authorities have not acted strongly enough to prevent this situation. According to a report in "El Mercurio", a meeting at the Chilean Foreign Affairs Ministry with a Chinese delegation to discuss the issue, "did not have good results", said association manager, Luis Felipe Moncada. "We thought it was important that the Chinese reduce their fishing effort or, at least, arrange a time scale on which to do it", he explained. However, the only thing China did agree to was not to increase the current eleven vessels that operate off the Chilean EEZ. Industrialists also protested because their sector had to reduce the jack mackerel fishing quota from 4 million to 1.6 million tons following a significant drop in biomass. "We are forced to comply with conservation rules such as the minimum size of fish and the compulsory use of satellite trackers, which other countries ignore", said Mr. Moncada. Asipes proposed that Chilean authorities cease reducing quotas for the domestic fleet and concentrate on what is happening in the high seas, when deciding 2004 quotas. The Association also suggested that Chilean ports should be closed to fleets from those governments that have made no efforts to reach an agreement with Chile. Only China would be the country excluded from this decision. (FIS/MP).- Pirates threaten Chilean fishermen

Fed up with attacks to vessels during navigation or when working in fishing grounds, businessmen from Chile's VII Region have joined forces with naval and civil authorities to put an end to poaching and armed piracy, activities which costs the industry USD 1 million a year. Poaching occurs when the vessels are entering the bays. The pirates, known as "gatos" (cats) board the boats, and use knives and guns to threaten the crew while robbing significant amounts of fish. Many guards, employed by the fishing companies have suffered both physical and psychological injuries. It is estimated that 30 to 40 people rely on piracy to earn a living. The activity began in the eighties during a period of deep economic crisis in Chile. At the beginning, the activity was concentrated in Talcahuano and San Vicente, but now operations have expanded to Coronel, with pirates able to empty a boat's load - 4 to 5 tonnes - within 40 minutes. In a bid to end this activity, authorities are creating a Fishing Safety Table, bringing together the Talcahuano Maritime Government, the Commander in Chief of the Second Naval Zone and the Provincial Government of Concepcion. Businessmen believe that the pirates are merely the tip of a vast organisation or mafia, which commercializes stolen products. Local industry is demanding a strong concerted police-civilian effort to eliminate the "black pirate" market. (FIS/MP).

Seychelles wants VMS coordination in Indian Ocean

Seychelles Islands' authorities are currently discussing the use of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) as an effective tool to stop illegal fishing. Fishing organizations from nearby island states are meeting their counterparts from mainland states bordering the western Indian Ocean to discuss the use of VMS, which with satellite technology help report vessels' location - and how best to use the information provided by such systems. A four-day workshop in Seychelles is part of a FAO initiative to help developing countries implement responsible fishing practices. Also present at the workshop was the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and the Indian Ocean Commission, reports The Nation. Currently VMS is only coordinated at national level and one of the propositions which was discussed at the workshop was the regional coordination of the VMS system. Several countries from the Indian Ocean basin already make use of VMS, including Madagascar, Mauritius, South Africa and Mozambique. Local industry is longing for multilateral agreements for closer cooperation and sharing of VMS data between regional countries. Assistant Manager of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance for the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA), Jude Talma, said that although Seychelles' VMS system is one of the best in the region, it would be much more effective if the monitoring of fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean was coordinated at a regional level. VMS not only tracks where a vessel is, but can also show when the vessel is in banned waters, depending on the speed and type of ship, explained Mr. Talma. The technology has also assisted the SFA in the management of resources since satellite tracking of fishing boats provides useful information about fish stocks in specific areas. FAO Fishery technology officer Andrew Smith, said that it is widely reported that illegal, unreported or unregulated fishing is on the increase worldwide, and VMS is a cost effective method of monitoring fishing vessels. It means that patrol boats do not have to waste time searching for vessels, and any boat that gets into trouble can be quickly assisted. Kielborn Gunnarson, who represents one of the four VMS companies invited to attend the workshop explained that VMS technology is continually being improved. Fishing authorities will soon be able to gather information about a vessel's activities in real time, which means fishing vessels will be forced to keep much more accurate catch reports. The workshop falls under the FAO's Fisheries Department's Management for Responsible Fisheries project. This project focuses on strengthening fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) to reduce illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which not only harms fish stocks but damage the livelihoods of poor fishing communities and sometimes place legitimate fishing in great danger. The project itself is part of FAO' Fish Code Programme to implement the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, adopted by the FAO Conference, the Organization's governing body, in 1995. (FIS/MP).-

"Three months to save Scottish fishing industry"

The rural affairs minister for Scotland, Ross Finnie, has been publicly warned by the Scottish fishing industry that he has just three months in which to save Scotland's fishing industry from total destruction. At an annual dinner on Thursday 2 October, in Edinburgh, the president of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF), Alex Smith, addressed the rural affairs minister of the task at hand, and spoke of the desperateness of the current situation for Scottish fishing. He described the minister's role as "the toughest job in government" as Mr Finnie strives to deliver a survival package for the industry to the meeting of the European Fisheries Council, scheduled for December. Mr Smith said: "Every fisherman in this room and every fisherman across the country is looking to you to save the Scottish fishing industry. The nightmare we are living in has got to stop." "It will be no easy task. Nevertheless, I do feel reassured that, in you minister, we have an experienced hand representing us in these December negotiations who does care about our industry. "You have been round the harbours; you've been on the markets; you know the carnage and despondency that has been inflicted on our industry. What a tragedy it would be if the deal in December resembles the deal done last year. Quite frankly, it just does not bear thinking about." Mr Smith also spoke of the ever widening gap between "scientific rhetoric and observable abundance", and between the European Fisheries Commission in Brussels and local catchers. European bureaucrats are determined to save the cod at all costs, Mr Smith said. "Talk to fishermen and they will tell you that the herring and mackerel are doing fine; that prawn and monk-fish abundance considerably exceeds quota opportunity. There are more haddock in the sea than we have seen for decades." The EU policy of constantly reducing white fish catch quotas in a bid to save cod being landed as a by-catch of haddock and whiting landings is not just counter-productive, Mr Smith said, it is ruining the Scottish industry. The contentious decommissioning scheme, another EU policy aimed at preserving cod stocks, will result in the Scottish white fish fleet being cut by as much as 50%, yet the species accounts for only 10% of the fleet's total catch. "If we are going to rebuild the cod stock then it can only be done by working together." The SFF is soon to publish its own cod-recovery plan which will argue that fishermen should be allowed to operate in so-called tolerance zones, identified by the SFF, where haddock, prawn and whiting can be caught with less than a 5% by-catch of cod. The plan would also exclude fishermen from "cod sensitive" areas. (FIS/MP).-

Spanish farmed marine fish production up 10.7%

Production of farmed marine species was up 10.7% last year - from 17,150 tonnes in 2001 to 19,000 tonnes, according to the industry association Apromar. Gilthead seabream, European seabass and turbot continued to be the most prominent species, accounting for 96 per cent of the total volume. Apromar estimates annual production of 23,000 tonnes by the end of this year and 40,000 tonnes by 2006. Spain is one of Europe's leading aquaculture producers. Last year's total production was 328,000 tonnes, worth EUR 450 million, which accounted for 20% of domestic seafood consumption. Spain's principle aquaculture product is mussel, with 250,000 tonnes produced in 2002. This is followed by trout, with 35,000 tonnes. According to Apromar, marine fish farming has experienced its highest growth rate in four years. The total 2002 production volumes of the main farmed marine species were as follows: ? Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): 11.000 tonnes ? Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus): 4.000 tonnes ? European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax): 3.200 tonnes ? European eel (Anguilla anguilla): 360 tonnes ? Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis): 38 tonnes ? Other species - mainly axillary seabream (Pagellus acarne): 402 tonnes In 2002, Spanish fish breeders produced 53 million Gilthead seabream juveniles, 12 million European seabass juveniles and 2 million turbot juveniles. The Spanish market is currently experiencing a supply crisis because fishing grounds are becoming depleted - as they are throughout the EU. However supplies of Gilthead seabream, European seabass, trout, turbot and Senegalese sole have increased and these come almost exclusively from fish farming. Apromar believes that fish farming will make it possible to meet the increasing demand for quality fish. (FIS/MP).-

New species in NZ Quota Management System

New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) has just announced seven new fish species that, as of October 1, will be subject to the Quota Management System (QMS). The Fisheries Act of 1996 meant that the QMS could be expanded, and since 2001 MFish has designed a process that aims to introduce all fisheries requiring management into the QMS in the quickest time possible. MFish National Manager, Fisheries Management Mike Arbuckle said in a press release that this will bring the full potential of the QMS to bear in addressing the problems of fisheries management. "The transfer price of quota will become linked to the total value of mixed fisheries, and not just the value of individual stocks," he said. "Fishers will have increased incentives to minimise catch of these vulnerable stocks by adopting environmentally sensitive technologies. These incentives are weaker where fewer species are managed under the QMS. The introduction process now in effect is moving the QMS towards being a mixed species management tool rather than a single stock." The total number of species in the QMS in 2001 was 45, and the Ministry of Fisheries is targeting a further 50 species over the three year period ending 1 October 2004. This includes fisheries that are fully developed and those that have no or only partial development. To meet this target, 11 species were introduced into the QMS in 2002 and the remainder is to be considered for introduction into the QMS over the next two years. The seven new species that enter the QMS today include Longfin Eels (Chatham Islands), Shortfin Eels (Chatham Islands), Kina (North Island), Kingfish, Leatherjacket, Rough Skate and Smooth Skate. (FIS/MP).-

MSC in firing line for hoki accreditation

A British fishermen's grouping has attacked the impartiality of the Marine Stewardship Council as a set up to increase fish sales for food giant Unilever. According to the Fishermen's Association Ltd, the independence and credibility of the MSC have been brought into serious question by the decision to award the New Zealand hoki fishery with the MSC's "ocean friendly" label. Unilever, which sells NZ hoki through its subsidiary food brands, intends to take all its fish from sustainable sources by 2005, thus giving itself a competitive edge in the increasingly green-minded marketplace. But critics claim the MSC, which was set up by Unilever and the WWF in 1996, is now in the business of accrediting fisheries which supply the giant Anglo Dutch consumer products group. FAL says that Unilever is running a campaign against the consumption of traditional species. Unilever is alleging that British consumers' taste for threatened species like cod and haddock is threatening Unilever attempts to become more "ocean friendly". According to FAL, it is "totally untrue" that haddock is threatened, but such an allegation suits the tone of recent press articles which are "effectively promoting the sale of hoki by Unilever's subsidiaries." A FAL spokesman said: "So much for the independence of the MSC, and the sustainability and quality of the hoki fishery. This recent campaign by Unilever is a cynical attempt to improve Unilever's profits not only at the expense of the beleaguered UK fish catching industry but also the consumers who are being enticed to buy so called sustainable fish but which in reality is poor quality and from one of the most destructive of New Zealand fisheries." FAL quotes the New Scientist in May which states that environmentalists claimed that the "ocean friendly" label on supermarket fish was failing to protect fish stocks. They said that the eco-labels certified by the MSC, which identify the produce of sustainable fisheries, are simply a cover for industrial fishing methods that kill cetaceans, seals and seabirds, damage the seabed, and empty the seas of scarce fish stocks. The same month, The Guardian reported a "storm was brewing" over the running of the MSC. The group, chaired by former environment secretary John Gummer, started by approving small, politically non-contentious fisheries such as those for the Western Australia rock lobster and the Berry Inlet cockles of south Wales. But the MSC recently approved the New Zealand hoki, a fishery that, according to critics, is over fished and unnecessarily kills fur seals and sea birds. In December 2002 the New Zealand Forest and Bird Production Society said it was stunned that the MSC has upheld the certification of the New Zealand hoki fishery despite acknowledging that originally the fishery did not meet the sustainability criteria. "Trawling for hoki drowns a thousand fur seals and kills nearly that many albatross and petrels each year," Forest and Bird Senior Researcher, Barry Weeber, said. "The hoki fishery is one of New Zealand's most destructive fisheries and it is impossible to see how it might be regarded as sustainable." Furthermore, claims FAL, quality is a "serious problem" in the hoki industry and fishing companies need to do more to improve it, according to New Zealand fishing company Sealord chief executive Doug McKay. The problem had become so bad that the Netherlands now refused to take New Zealand hoki. (FIS/MP).-