IN BRIEF - Hokkaido kelp production predicted to fall below 10,000 tons for the first time
JAPAN
Tuesday, July 09, 2024
[Sapporo] On the 5th, the Hokkaido Fisheries Association announced that the expected kelp production volume for the fiscal year 2024 (as of the end of June) is 9,812 tons, about 20% lower than the previous fiscal year, or about 2,400 tons in terms of quantity.
This is about 70% of the average production volume over the past 10 years (13,967 tons). They plan to re-investigate at the end of August. Still, for now, it is expected to be the first time that the production volume will fall below the 10,000 tons mark, making for an unprecedentedly severe production situation.
The Hokkaido Fisheries Federation conducted interviews with each fishing cooperative through its branches in production areas as of the end of June, and the results were reported by Shimada Naoki, head of the cooperative sales department, at the general meeting of the Hokkaido Kelp Business Cooperative Association held on the 4th.
Looking at each production area, the Hakodate area in southern Hokkaido produced just under 4,000 tons, almost the same as the previous year (3,897 tons). Wild catches were about 400 tons, with farmed catches (mainly forced cultivation) accounting for 90% of the total. The main production area, JF Minami Kayabe Fisheries Cooperative, is expected to produce a slight increase. [....]
Source: Suisan Keizai (translated from original in Japanese)
INTERFISH-Spain has announced the continuation of the swordfish cutting 'ronqueo' competition after the success obtained at the Gourmets and Conxemar fairs. This event, which combines tradition and sustainability in the art of cutting, attracted a large audience, including representatives of local authorities. Matrice Tuna experts demonstrated the ancestral technique of cutting, highlighting the respect for the product and the commitment to the preservation of marine resources. Given the great reception, INTERFISH-Spain confirmed that this show will be repeated in future editions.
In parallel, the organization presented its campaign "Do you know our Protective Fish?", focused on promoting the consumption of species such as swordfish, blue shark and mako shark, known for their high nutritional benefits, highlighting their contribution of proteins, omega-3, vitamins and essential minerals. The campaign also underlines the importance of sustainable fishing, with the collaboration of several fishing organizations. These fish, in addition to being affordable, contribute to improving cardiovascular health, strengthening the immune system and supporting good brain function.
INTERFISH-Spain remains committed to responsible fishing practices and raising consumer awareness about the importance of choosing seafood products that promote sustainability.
Panaji: The Fisheries Department, in collaboration with coastal police and a local fishermen's representative, seized two fishing trawlers from Malpe, Karnataka, on Saturday for conducting illegal bull trawling in Goa’s territorial waters.
The enforcement operation, which began early in the morning, saw the team depart from Panaji jetty and head eight nautical miles offshore to monitor illegal fishing activity in Goan waters.
During the patrol, the team encountered four trawlers engaging in illegal bull trawling. While two of the vessels were successfully apprehended, the other two managed to evade capture by cutting their fishing nets and fleeing the scene.
The two seized trawlers, along with their 15 crew members, were escorted to the fisheries jetty in Panaji for further legal proceedings.
This operation is part of the department's ongoing efforts to combat illegal fishing and protect Goa’s marine resources.
Dutch plant-based seafood brand, Vegan Zeastar, has introduced an exciting new addition to its lineup: Plant-Based Sushi Rolls.
Unveiled at the prestigious CuliPerslunch event in De Kookfabriek, Amsterdam, the launch allowed food service professionals to sample the innovative offerings firsthand.
The sushi rolls come in three flavorful varieties: Oshi No Salmon, Spicy No Tuna, and No Salmon Asparagus. Created by Vegan Finest Foods, the company behind Vegan Zeastar, these pre-cut, frozen rolls are designed for ultimate convenience—simply defrost, top as desired, and serve. They cater to both restaurants and consumers seeking quick, easy-to-prepare, plant-based meals at home.
As of October 4, 2024, South Korea has imported a cumulative total of 18,968 tons of fresh salmon, which is similar to the 18,903 tons imported during the same period last year.
However, the import value has dropped by nearly 10%, from USD 297,650 in 2023 to USD 267,989 in 2024.
Most of the imports came from Norway, accounting for 18,315 tons, followed by Chile with 445 tons and Canada with 90 tons. The import prices per kilogram were highest for Norway at USD 14.19, followed by Chile at USD 12.61, and Canada at USD 12.23, the lowest.
Those attending the event receive recipe books and promotional gifts, thus contributing to a complete culinary experience that goes beyond simple tasting..
With this initiative, Opmega reinforces its commitment to innovation in the sector and its goal of making a fresh, healthy and easy-to-prepare product available to all homes.
Valladolid - From October 3 to 5, the Val de Valladolid Market is the epicentre of the 'OPMEGA Gastronomic Days', where not only the quality of Galician mussels is celebrated, but also one of its main innovations: the new fresh mussel packaging, developed by the Galician Mussel Producers' Organisation (OPMEGA).
These packages, designed to improve the conservation and facilitate the consumption of mussels, are available to the public of Valladolid in the fishmongers of the market. The key to this innovation lies in the controlled atmosphere of the packaging, which allows the mussel to remain alive and perfectly clean, extending its useful life by 40%.
This represents a great advance both for consumers, who can enjoy the fresh product for longer, and for the fishing sector, which sees how the distribution chain is optimized without losing the characteristic quality of the Galician mussel.
Conxemar closed after a week full of contacts, but uncomfortable due to the rain that fell and the difficult access to the premises. The International Fair of Seafood and Frozen Products has noted the low and high prices due to the absence of raw materials due to the closure of the Malvinas fishing ground. Among the conclusions. "We have had a large number of buyers," revealed Eloy García, president of the Fair a few hours after the doors of the exhibition closed.
The number of exhibitors was 767, because in 2023 all the available exhibition space at Ifevi had already been reserved. So this year these figures were simply consolidated.
Muchos de ellos quedaron fuera existiendo una gran lista de espera. Conxdemar lleva años defendiendo la necesidad de ampliar el recinto ferial que acoge la feria más importante de Galicia.
The Court of Justice of the European Union has rejected the appeals filed by the Council of the EU and the European Commission against the 2021 ruling that annulled the fisheries and agricultural agreements between the EU and Morocco, following a complaint by the Polisario Front for not having taken into account the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara and, in the specific case of fisheries, for not treating the territory of Western Sahara and adjacent waters as separate and distinct from the Kingdom of Morocco.
The new ruling, with a definitive character, generates more uncertainties about the future of fisheries relations with Morocco.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras l Read the full article here
Proximar Seafood has harvested and sold the first Atlantic salmon to the Japanese market under the brand Fuji Atlantic Salmon.
Proximar has, from its salmon facility at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan, over the past two years prepared for the company’s first harvest– and the first harvest ever in Japan of domestically produced Atlantic salmon. The completion of the first commercial harvest is marking an operational and commercial pivotal milestone.
How Ecuador’s shrimp industry has established itself as a global model of sustainability is set to be the key theme of an event taking place on 22 October during AquaExpo Guayaquil.
Organised by the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA), it will be the first edition of the new sustainability forum, Race to the Top.
The event, held at the Guayaquil Convention Center, is set to contain four sections – focused on governance, environmental, social and economic topics – and will feature 15 lectures, panels and success stories from Ecuador’s shrimp industry, with more than 35 internationally and nationally renowned speakers.
Source: The Fish Site l Read the full article here
The UK Government has begun rolling out Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) systems on fishing vessels, marking a significant step towards modernising the monitoring of fishing activities and promoting sustainability.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), in collaboration with key partners, is implementing this technology to collect real-time data on fishing activities and catches, supporting both the industry and environmental conservation efforts.
Author: Oliver McBride / The Fishing Daily l Read the full article here