IN BRIEF - 22.5% of European commercial fishing vessels accused of using forced labor
EUROPEAN UNION
Monday, February 12, 2024
Europe is second only to Asia, whose companies, especially those from China, own nearly two-thirds of the ships involved in forced labor. An estimated 128,000 fishermen suffer horrific abuses as a result of forced labor on board fishing vessels every year, a figure that likely significantly underestimates the full scale of this crisis.
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), abuses include physical violence, non-payment of wages and being required to spend more time in the workplace than allowed.
According to a recent report, 22.5% of commercial fishing vessels accused of forced labor are owned by European companies, led by Spain and the UK.
Most European countries - along with other fishing superpowers such as China, Indonesia and the US - have yet to ratify key treaties prohibiting forced labor on fishing vessels, such as ILO Labor Convention 188, while the relevant EU directive applies only to EU-flagged vessels or vessels operating in EU waters.
Even if countries comply with the ILO Convention and other key agreements, financial secrecy means that the ultimate owners of accused ships can continue to evade justice.
Crucially, ratification of these agreements will result in the proceeds of forced labor courts being consistent with the proceeds of crime under money laundering laws, making prosecution easier.
The maritime industry in Puerto Deseado is gearing up for a significant seasonal boost. The Argentine Jigger Vessels Owners’ Association (CAPA) has confirmed that, starting January 23, at least seven vessels will begin the first squid offloads of the season, revitalizing local logistics and employment.
Operations and Logistics
Following recent berth requests, the arrival of the following vessels has been confirmed:
Iberconsa Group: The Orion 3, Orion 5, Don Luis, and Don Francisco. Their catches will be stored in Pesquera Santa Cruz’s cold storage facilities to ensure seamless processing.
Pesquera Latina: At least three vessels from this firm will participate, reporting record-breaking catches and pre-committed export containers.
To support this operation, the container ship Varamo is scheduled to arrive this Saturday with 30 empty units. This ensures that the first export shipments of the cephalopod can be finalized by early February.
“Everything is ready for the vessels to dock. We have guaranteed all services and are working to optimize turnaround times. We expect more ships to join the list in the coming days, addressing the local demand for labor,” stated a port sector official.
The shipping company had suspended all transits along this route in early 2024, following a Houthi attack on one of its cargo ships.
The Danish shipping giant Maersk announced this Thursday the gradual resumption of its MECL (Middle East-India-US East Coast) service via the Trans-Suez route, citing the "continued stabilization of conditions in and around the Red Sea," as well as improved stability and reliability in the region.
The confirmation of the "structural" return of the Maersk MECL container shipping service to the Suez Canal route comes a month after one of the Danish company's vessels successfully completed the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden crossing for the first time in almost two years.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Decisions must be made about how more food will be produced in the coming decades and what unintended consequences for land use and biodiversity will result from these decisions. Well-managed fisheries do not depend on fundamental changes in ecosystems as agriculture does, and therefore would have less impact on biodiversity.
Among the key findings of this article, which IFFO emphasizes, is that the growing global population is driving increasing demand for food production, further accelerating land-use change; something widely accepted as the main driver of biodiversity loss worldwide.
Source: iPac.aquaculture | Read the full article here
New Global Aqua trade show to launch in Lillestrøm.
A new international aquaculture trade show, Global Aqua, is set to launch in Lillestrøm, Norway, with the inaugural event scheduled to take place at Nova Spektrum.
The exhibition is being developed by Norwegian Promotion Group AS (NPG) in partnership with Aqkva AS. The organisers said the show is intended to serve as a global meeting place for the aquaculture industry, bringing together producers, technology suppliers, researchers, investors and policymakers.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
The Icelandic fisheries and aquaculture supplier Hampidjan Group has launched a new umbrella company for its subsidiaries Vo´nin, Mørenot and Fiizk Protection.
All three subsidiaries came under the ELDI brand on 1 January.
Thomas Myrvold, the CEO of Mørenot Aquaculture, has been appointed CEO.
Author: Robert Outram / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
With the goal of promoting initiatives that contribute to the conservation of priority ecosystems in South America, a growing number of companies, cargo clients, charter flights, and passengers have joined the LATAM Group's emissions offsetting programs. Among them is the LATAM Group's "1+1: Offset to Conserve" program, an initiative that doubles the offsetting efforts of those who choose to offset the emissions generated by their air travel or cargo shipments.
Launched in 2022, the 1+1 program is based on a collaborative model: for every ton of CO2 offset by a client, LATAM contributes an additional ton, multiplying the impact of the joint action.
Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here
In 2020, Namibia's hake trawl and longline fishery targeting two hake species, Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus, became the first fishery in Namibia, and the second in Africa, to meet the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard. Today, the fishery achieved its second MSC certification following a rigorous and independent assessment conducted by Control Union (UK) Limited, which examined hake stocks, fishery management processes, and ecosystem impacts.
Matti Amukwa, president of the Namibian Hake Association, explains that “since the country’s independence, the government, scientists, and industry have worked hand in hand to rebuild the hake stock and create a profitable fishing industry that gives back to the people and the environment.”
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
In collaboration with Vietnamese shrimp firm Minh Phu, U.S. frozen seafood importer and distributor CenSea has debuted a new premium shrimp brand targeting restaurant chefs and other high-end buyers.
The range, called CenSea Reserve and using Minh Phu-produced shrimp products, includes raw, easy-peel vannamei shrimp in 8/12, 13/15, and 16/20 counts, as well as raw, easy-peel black tiger prawns in 13/15 and 16/20 counts, all of which is Best Aquaculture Practices-certified, CenSea said in a release.
According to CenSea Co-President Jeff Stern, the launch of CenSea Reserve is a strategic move to disrupt the premium segment.
Author: Christine Blank / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
ULMA Packaging UK supports Orkney Crab’s move to high-performance thermoforming. Leading packaging machinery manufacturer ULMA Packaging UK has successfully supported premium seafood producer, Orkney Crab, in upgrading its packaging operation by installing a TFS 500 thermoforming machine. The move has helped the business improve efficiency, consistency and pack presentation for whole crab and lobster.
The value of farmed salmon imported into Canada has more than doubled during a 10-year period in which production in British Columbia has fallen by 40%, the BC Salmon Farmers Association has revealed.
Canada’s salmon imports are now worth approximately CAD 700 million (£375m) annually. Much of this growth has come from countries such as Chile and Norway, as Canada turns to international suppliers to meet demand that could be fulfilled locally if farmers were allowed to produce more fish.The increased value of imports comes as BC’s salmon farmers fight a race against time to persuade the Liberal-led federal government
Author: Gareth Moore / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
EUROPEAN UNION.png)
According to a recent report, 22.5% of commercial fishing vessels accused of forced labor are owned by European companies, led by Spain and the UK.
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The Danish shipping giant 
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NORWAY
New Global Aqua trade show to launch in Lillestrøm.
ICELAND
The Icelandic fisheries and aquaculture supplier 
CHILE
With the goal of promoting initiatives that contribute to the conservation of priority ecosystems in South America, a growing number of companies, cargo clients, charter flights, and passengers have joined the LATAM Group's emissions offsetting programs. Among them is the LATAM Group's "1+1: Offset to Conserve" program, an initiative that doubles the offsetting efforts of those who choose to offset the emissions generated by their air travel or cargo shipments.
NAMIBIA.png)
In 2020, Namibia's hake trawl and longline fishery targeting two hake species, Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus, became the first fishery in Namibia, and the second in Africa, to meet the 
UNITED STATES
In collaboration with Vietnamese shrimp firm 
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ULMA Packaging
CANADA
The value of farmed salmon imported into Canada has more than doubled during a 10-year period in which production in British Columbia has fallen by 40%, the BC Salmon Farmers Association has revealed.
