MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fisheries News.-

Headlines: Poachers' job about to become tougher; Annual catch entitlement trading goes online; Chilean exporters concerned with US regulations; Spanish deep-sea fleet requests government aid; Spanish fleet reduced 3.4% in 2002; Spain wooing African countries for potential fisheries; Record catch of poachers in Australian waters.

Poachers' job about to become tougher

Satellite technology may be the next tool to be used in the war against illegal fishing on the Australian Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is reportedly testing satellite photography, which uses radar technology, for surveillance of the reef region. The technology could be in use as soon as Christmas, the Townsville Bulletin reports. Satellite detection will make life much harder for people intending to fish illegally, as those caught breaking the green zone fishing laws will have very little chance of appeal against hefty fines in the face of such revealing evidence. The technology is expected to provide the state with a watertight case. The use of aircraft and patrol boats to catch illegal fishermen has had limited success in the past, as the noise made by their approach is enough to warn anyone engaged in illegal activity to clear the area. But, with this new technology, people will be unaware that they are being monitored at any time. The eye-in-the-sky will be able to detect and provide photographic proof of any misconduct in the area, from zone breaking fishermen to vessels discharging oil slicks, as well as onshore plants guilty of not disposing of industrial waste in an approved manner. The Marine Park Authority would not comment on the testing of the new equipment, but spokesperson Bruce Kingston did say that satellite surveillance would be the "next logical step". "But even if such a system is introduced, our best source of information for policing the zoning system will always be the legal fishermen angered by those commercial and recreational operators who endanger future stocks by ignoring restrictions in reef waters," he said. (FIS/MP).-

Annual catch entitlement trading goes online

Since mid October members of the New Zealand fishing industry have been able to buy and sell their Annual Catch Entitlements (ACE) online. This is done through a customised website called www.acetrader.maori.nz. The idea behind this is that if you have extra quota entitlements to trade or you are looking to buy extra quota then you will be able to check out prices and availability on the website. A spokesperson from Te Ohu Kai Moana told FIS.com that anyone will be able to view the tenders and bids placed on the ACEtrader website but to trade you will have to register. This can be done on line using your Fish Serve number. This means that those who trade have to be members of the New Zealand fishing industry. The tendering process will give buyers and bidders anonymity, but new registrations and final settlements will go through a manual checking system for security purposes. Te Ohu Kai Moana who currently distributes a significant amount of ACE is sponsoring the new system. The site is however operated independently by eCentric who are specialists in building and running on line businesses. This site has been tested to make sure that it is both transparent and secure. Further details about the ACEtrader market place and its legal terms and conditions can be found on the website. As an incentive to get new traders on line ACEtrader is free for the start of the season. (FIS/MP).-

Chilean exporters concerned with US regulations

Chilean exporters are concerned about the new bio-terrorism legislation approved by President Bush that will affect exports to the US. Everyone involved in product manufacturing and international trade will now have to be registered at the US Food and Drugs Administration. Exporters here now have until 12 December to register and if the fail to do so, they will not be able to export, warns Eduardo Santos, Chile's agriculture attaché in the US. Owners, operators or agents that manufacture, process, pack or store food for human or animal consumption must register in the US. It is estimated that the process of tracking a product from catch to consumer, known as "traceability" will lead to a 5 to 8% rise in producers' costs. Some of the new requirements stipulated by the law include health requirements for salmon cages, obligatory internet connection and microbiological sampling of the products. According to the National Fisheries Society (Sonapesca), when new rulings such as this come into effect, there will be an initial trial period, during which specific requirements will be made clearer. Almost 27% of Chilean fishing and aquaculture products are sent to the US. In the first eight months of 2003, salmon exports reached USD 744.5 million. The new ruling has arrived just as Chile has begun to expand its commercial exports to the US, thanks to the free trade agreement that exempts 87% of Chilean products from tariffs. The US Federal Register published the final rulings on the 10 October. Names for the register must be submitted on a 3537 Form, which is available on the FDA website at www.fda.gov. (FIS/MP).-

Spanish deep-sea fleet requests government aid

The Federation of Fisheries Organisations (Feope) is calling on the Spanish government to help make the deep-sea fleet more competitive against the lower production costs and other advantages, of foreign fleets. Feope general secretary Javier Garat says the production costs for a Taiwanese freezer tuna purse seiner total USD 280/tonne, compared with USD 600/tonne for a Spanish vessel. Spanish industry players say they are making their outmost to compete with very low cost fleets in international waters but the situation is limited by the fact that they all sell their products to the same open market - often with reduced import duty rates in detriment of the domestic fleet. The industry is also calling on the ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Economy to include swordfish and fresh hake in their investigation into price evolution during each phase of production. Vessel owners are especially keen to find out why the price they are paid for swordfish has dropped sharply - from EUR 6/kg in February 2001 to the current EUR 3.9/kg - and yet the final price to consumers has remained more or less the same. They want to know what is going on at each stage of production to account for this anomaly. At its meeting on Monday October 27, Feope also decided to ask the Fisheries General Secretariat and the European Commission for two new Regional Advisory Councils (RACs). They want one RAC specifically for highly migratory species such as tuna and another for fisheries regulated by the Regional Fisheries Organisation (ORP). The vessel owners' aim is to "institutionalise" the consultation that normally takes place between the EC and the sector. Feope has now become the largest fisheries federation with the incorporation of two more vessel owners' associations. With 23 swordfish vessels, the incorporation of Espaderos Guardeses from La Guardia the number of Feope's surface longliners increased to 80. Feope now represents 70% of the Galician longline fleet. The incorporation of 41 trawlers from Sanlúcar of Barrameda is Feope's first step towards representing Andalusian vessel owners. The federation now hopes more Andalusion associations will become members. (FIS/MP).

Spanish fleet reduced 3.4% in 2002

Last year, Spain managed to reduce the size of its fleet by 521 vessels - or 3.4 per cent - to 14,887 registered vessels. Overall, the European Union (EU) fishing fleet has been reduced by just 2.3 per cent from 92,662 vessels in 2001 to 90,595 in 2002, according to the European Union (EU) statistics department Eurostat. During 1995 - 2002, a total of 9,490 vessels - 9.5 per cent - were withdrawn from the EU fleet, while the Spanish fleet was cut by 17.8 per cent with the loss of 3,596 vessels. Eurostat data shows that Denmark withdrew 176 vessels from service, cutting its fleet by 4.3 per cent. Portugal reduced its fishing fleet by 38 vessels so it now comprises 10,427 vessels. And Holland withdrew 994 vessels to cut its fishing fleet by 6.2 per cent. Greece withdrew 518 units to reduce its fleet by 2.5 per cent. In Italy, 554 vessels were withdrawn from service to achieve a 3.34 per cent cut. And in the UK, 191 vessels were decommissioned to achieve a 2.5 per cent cut in fleet size. France was the only EU member state to increase its fleet in 2002, reaching a total of 8,088 vessels - 129 more than during the previous year. On receiving the latest figures, the European Parliament expressed dismay that only Denmark, Spain, Finland and Portugal had met their individual fleet reduction targets. A report by Irish Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna highlighted the inefficiency of the European Commission's (EC) Multi-Annual Guidance Programme (MAGP), which aimed to guarantee a balance between fleet activity and resources. Ms. McKenna said a more efficient programme was needed because the current crisis over fish stocks in European waters was due to EC's continuing failure "to approve relevant fishing capacity management programmes". (FIS/MP).

Spain wooing African countries for potential fisheries

Negotiating agreements with third parties, the Common Fishing Policy, international commerce and the organization of the fishing administration, are just a few of the subjects that will be tackled at the second Advanced Fishing Management Seminar, organized by the Vigo Technological Sea Centre (Cetmar) in Vigo, Spain. Aquaculture and seafood gathering, the canning and processing industries and marine environment conservation are also among the most important issues for the six sub-Saharan African countries attending the event: Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya and the Seychelles. Cetmar's aim is to contribute to the economic and social development of these countries through its fishery training programmes. The delegations include technicians and representatives from national and regional fishery planning and management organisms. During the 12 day seminar, Cetmar will provide the 25 African delegates (chosen by Spanish embassies) with as much information as possible to enable them to develop their fishing sectors while establishing conservation measures that allow for the sustainable management of marine resources. Delegates will also have the opportunity to acquire a broader perspective of the structure and influence of the Spanish maritime sector through theoretical lectures and visits to local fishing associations and institutions, as well as companies and other training centres. Just like the first seminar, this was also supported by the Spanish International Cooperation Agency (AECI), and forms part of the Nauta cooperation programme for the sustainable development of the African fishing sector. The Galician government is also involved in the project, as well as other regional communities, and the ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), Labour and Social Affairs, and the Economy. However, Spain is not the only country which has training agreements with African countries. Just a few days ago, the European Commission and the Republic of Cape Verde - in the north-west of Africa - agreed to extend their ongoing fishing agreement for one more year. This document permits 80 Spanish vessels to fish in these waters. The agreement, which also benefits French and Portuguese vessels, will help to create ways to reinforce fishery control measures, established as a result of a study to be carried out by the African country and the EU, which will lead to the signing of a new fishing protocol. (FIS/MP)

Record catch of poachers in Australian waters

Last year's record of illegal foreign fishing vessels caught in northern Australian waters has been broken. In an address to the State Parliament, Queensland Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk said that illegal foreign fishing vessels are being apprehended in record numbers in local waters. The record of 111 boat apprehensions from last year has already been eclipsed, despite an assurance from the federal Government 12 months ago that it was "winning the war on illegal fishing". However, Mr Palaszczuk believes that the onslaught of illegal foreign vessels is not about to abate. "The seriousness of the situation is obvious at Thursday Island where seven apprehended vessels are moored and the Navy is towing another vessel to the Island today," Mr Palaszczuk said in a statement. "I fear the flotilla of illegal fishing vessels will continue to come." "At the start of September, the Federal Government said there were 84 vessels apprehended. There is now more than 111 boats." He paid tribute to officers from Customs, Navy and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and the officers of the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol in seizing illegal foreign fishing vessels. "The Patrol does a fantastic job. These apprehensions and the work required holding the crew and boats is onerous," he said. The Australian Government must be more proactive in the battle against poachers, Mr Palaszczuk said, and should work with the Indonesian authorities. The increasing number of illegal fishing vessels entering Australian territorial waters is putting local fish stocks and other marine life, such as dolphins, at risk. (FIS/MP).-