MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fisheries News.

Headlines:
Toothfish poaching drops 75% from 2003; Brazil builds first oceanic fishing vessel; Fish produce labeling mandatory in Spain; Galicia aids Chilean Region fisheries.

Toothfish poaching drops 75% from 2003

New data released in Hobart, Australia during the annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) revealed a welcome 75% decrease in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU) for Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish from 2003. Commonly known in the United States as Chilean sea bass, the volume of Patagonian toothfish landed illegally in the CCAMLR-regulated zone dropped drastically from 10,070 tonnes in 2003 to 2,622 tonnes in 2004, reports a National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) press release. As the world's third largest toothfish importer, the US began clamping down on illegal toothfishers following reports pointing to high volumes of unlawful harvesting in recent years. The US worked within the CCAMLR framework and through tailored domestic policies aimed at curbing financial incentives for poachers. The director of the National Marine Fisheries Service, or NMFS/NOAA Fisheries, Bill Hogarth, said that CCAMLR's catch documentation programme was "working to ensure long-term sustainable fisheries." Moreover, a number of high profile prosecutions against illegal importers in the US have further discouraged IUU fishing. The NMFS release proposed one regulatory change that would mandate the use of CCAMLR's web-based electronic version of the catch documents for all toothfish imports. At present, CCAMLR requires every toothfish targeting vessel operating within its management area to carry satellite-tracking equipment. The NMFS is considering adding a further requirement which would force vessels importing toothfish into the US to use the equipment from the moment they leave the homeport to the time they return. In addition to ensuring law enforcers and importers that the toothfish resource is being properly managed and monitored for its long-term health, it will enhance consumer confidence in toothfish sold in the US. (FIS/MP).-

Brazil builds first oceanic fishing vessel.

Brazil is preparing for the launching in the coming weeks of its first high seas fishing vessel. The ceremony will take place in the port of Navegantes, Santa Catarina State. Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries minister Jose Fritsch (SEAP) will be present for the inauguration together with other federal and state officials. "The launching of this vessel marks a new era for the Brazilian fishing sector. Shipyards and the federal government together with SEAP are committed to the development of Brazilian fisheries and taking full advantage of our exclusive economic zone (EEZ)", said Mr. Fritsch adding that for years "our local companies have chartered foreign vessels, but we are determined to explore and exploit all of our EEZ resources". The vessel belongs to Rio Pesca company has a hold with a 150 tons capacity, can remain at sea for 30 days and will begin catching tuna in Atlantic ocean waters. Brazil is currently involved in a Pro Fishing Fleet Program which aims constructing 200 new vessels in the coming years. The federal government will contribute with 532 million US dollars in financing. SEAP is also planning a program that will include soft loans for purchasing gas oil, building fishing terminals and a strict monitoring of the country's EEZ with the purpose of scaring poachers. "The recovery of our "fishing sovereignty" will mean creating jobs not only for the fisheries sector, the canning industry but also the shipbuilding industry", underlined Mr. Fritsch who revealed that SEAP is working closely with the Brazilian Foreign Affairs Ministry. (FIS/MP).-

Fish produce labeling mandatory in Spain

The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has launched a labeling campaign under the slogan "Labeled Fish, Quality Fish." The campaign will be carried out in several Spanish cities until the end of November with funds from the Organization of Fisheries and Marine Farmed Product Market (FROM). The initiative follows national and community legislation which establishes labeling for all fisheries, aquaculture and shellfish products -live, fresh, frozen and cooked- chiefly aimed at offering further and more adequate information and transparence at the time of trading these products. The campaign will concentrate in the municipal markets in Spain's main cities, Madrid, Valencia, Malaga, Zaragoza, Sevilla, Santander, Albacete, Valladolid, Vigo and Pontevedra, where stands will be installed and promoters will deliver information, brochures and a "scrap-and-win" cards prize, directly targeting 60,000 consumers during the first week. In accordance with rules in force, in Spain it's mandatory to identify fisheries, aquaculture, and shellfish products -alive, fresh, frozen or cooked- sold in bulk, whatever its origin may be, with a label. These labels must accompany the product throughout the trading process, including transport and distribution. Labels must include: ? information related to the species' commercial name; ? production method (extractive fishing or fish, freshwater-fished, farmed or aquaculture or shell-fishing); ? name of the extraction or farming area (Northwest Atlantic, Northeast Atlantic, Baltic Sea, Central-West Atlantic, Central-East Atlantic, Southwest Atlantic, Southeast Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Southern Ocean); ? presentation (gutted, with/without head, filleted, cooked, defrosted, other); ? identification of the first distributor or distribution centre; and ? net weight on the corresponding package. Also, the label for frozen and quick frozen products must include information on the commercial name, the extraction or farming area, the production method and the type of market presentation. In the case of defrosted products, before putting them on sale at the market as fresh products, they must have a label with the indispensable requirements mentioned above, as well as the expiration date, also indicating that it is a defrosted product. To increase awareness of the importance of labeling and in support of the traceability and quality of products, FROM will distribute during the next days 100,000 labels and 100,000 information brochures among stakeholders and staff.(FIS/MP).-

Galicia aids Chilean Region fisheries

A 15 member team of representatives from the public and private fisheries sector of the Chilean Region of Los Lagos led by Mayor Patricio Vallespín, is currently visiting Galicia to promote ties and make inroads into the development of fisheries and aquaculture in the region. Mr. Vallespín and the Galician Xunta president Manuel Fraga signed a "Memorandum of Understanding on fisheries and aquaculture cooperation" aimed at implementing a set of joint measures to enhance efficiency in production, according to an official release. Both understandings contemplate commercial and technological exchanges, training, debates and seminars, encouraging fishing enterprises to participate in events, expos and shows, plus carrying out joint research, development and production projects. (FIS/MP).-