The Instituto de Fomento Pesquero (IFOP) organized a workshop in Valparaíso to promote the digitalization of its historical zooplankton samples, collected since the 1960s. This project, part of the program "Strengthening the Climate Change Monitoring System (SAPO)", seeks to create a "Digital Plankton Library".

The event brought together leading researchers from Latin America and other countries to share experiences and establish collaboration networks. The importance of digitalizing these samples to study changes in zooplankton communities over time, in the context of climate change, was highlighted.

The participants presented their advances in the automated analysis of zooplankton samples and discussed the future projections of this research. The potential of these historical samples to carry out academic theses and better understand fishing processes was highlighted.

The workshop was a success and collaborations between IFOP and academia are expected to continue to advance the digitalization of zooplankton and thus contribute to knowledge about the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.

AquaBounty Technologies, a Massachusetts-based biotech company that introduced the world’s first genetically modified (GM) animal approved for human consumption, has ceased operations. 

The company, which touted its fast-growing AquaAdvantage salmon as “a better way to feed the world,” succumbed to financial troubles amid fierce opposition and funding challenges.

Photo: AquaBounty

Despite its groundbreaking technology, AquaBounty faced relentless resistance from anti-biotech activists and politicians like Senator Lisa Murkowski, who derisively labeled the product "Frankenfish" and cast doubts on its safety. This stigma, amplified by some environmental organizations, undermined public confidence and hampered the company's efforts to secure the capital necessary to complete a state-of-the-art recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) farm in Ohio, where the GM salmon was to be raised.

Although AquaBounty has collapsed, its patented AquaAdvantage technology may not vanish entirely. The possibility remains for the company to sell or license its intellectual property to another aquaculture business, potentially allowing the genetically modified salmon to make a comeback.

A Russian oil tanker has sunk after breaking in half and another of the same flag is adrift after being damaged this Sunday by a violent storm in the Kerch Strait, off the coast of Crimea. There is at least one dead sailor and it is feared that thousands of tons of fuel oil will end up in the sea, which has led to the activation of an emergency rescue operation, according to Kremlin authorities.

The Russian Federal Maritime Transport Agency has confirmed a fuel spill, of a scope yet to be determined, as a result of an accident that has affected two oil tankers in the middle of a storm in these waters. 

Author: J. Gómez Peña / La Voz de Galicia l Read the full article here

Price jump for final week of fresh deliveries before Christmas.

“NOK 60.00 ($5.40/€5.10) for 1-2 kg, NOK 70.00 ($6.30/€5.95) for 2-3 kg, NOK 80.00 ($7.20/€6.80) for 3-4 kg, and NOK 84.00 ($7.56/€7.14) for 4-5 kg,” lists one trader, describing the prices he is offering for salmon in the coming week.

“I’m trying those prices, but I don’t know if I’ll succeed,” he adds. “The final week before Christmas is known for price increases, but there are significant variations in delivery—when the fish actually enters the market.”

Author: Aslak Berge / SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

A leading German consumer campaign organisation wants to ban almost all salmon imports from Norway.

In an extraordinary attack, Foodwatch Germany is urging consumers and the country’s supermarkets to avoid Norwegian salmon.

It is claiming that up to one in six larger salmon from Norwegian farms die before they reach slaughter age.

According to the report from Foodwatch Germany, 100 million salmon died in Norway last year - the highest number ever. The main reason for the high mortality rate is infectious diseases, which also pose a threat to the wild salmon population.

Author: Vince McDonag / Fish Farmer l Read the full article here

DEN HELDER/IJMUIDEN – At long last, the green light was given for the first test run of the Z 575 Janneke, the new Belgian stern trawler owned by Jelle Hakvoort of BVBA Rederij De Toekomst. On Monday evening, all approvals were finalized, and on Tuesday morning, around 9:30, the state-of-the-art vessel set sail from Den Helder. By dusk, it arrived in IJmuiden, marking a significant milestone for this innovative ship, reports Visserij Nieuws.

During the voyage, the crew briefly tested the fishing rigging overboard with official permission. The vessel has been ready for operation since mid-October, equipped with its multifunctional matting rigging and gleaming in pristine condition. However, final approval was delayed while waiting for the inspection of the lighting plan, windage, stability, anchor winch, and radio systems.

The 28-meter-long Janneke is a testament to the craftsmanship of Werft Shipbuilding, a young shipyard based in Urk, Netherlands. This new cutter replaces the Z 575 Hein Senior, which was built in 2000. Last summer, the older vessel was renumbered Z 57.

The debut of the Z 575 marks a pivotal moment not only for Hakvoort and his crew but also for Werft Shipbuilding, as this is their first new-build cutter. All eyes are now on the vessel’s performance as it prepares to take on its official technical sea trial and begin operations.

• Avoid overfishing through control measures.
• Minimize the discarding of unwanted species.
• Develop technologies that reduce impacts on megafauna and vulnerable species.

Tilapia prices in Brazil continued their downward trend in November across all regions monitored by Cepea (Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics).

The decline is attributed to an abundant supply combined with weak demand, creating significant pressure on market prices.

Export Performance

Brazilian tilapia exports, including fillets and secondary products, experienced a decrease from October to November. However, export levels remain significantly higher compared to the same period in 2023.

In November, the country exported 1.5 thousand tons of tilapia products—a monthly decline of 11% but a remarkable annual increase of 134.2%, according to data from Secex analyzed by Cepea.

Market Outlook

The contrasting trends of increased exports on an annual basis and falling domestic prices highlight the challenges facing Brazil’s tilapia market. While international demand shows promise, weak local demand and oversupply continue to weigh heavily on domestic pricing.

Under Heat and Acid Treatment: Rheological and Calorimetric Analysis

Jumbo squid mantle muscle gels were prepared by using the one-step (90 °C/30 min) and the two-step (30 °C/1 h + 90 °C/30 min) heat treatments (HTs) with and without the addition of d-isoascorbic acid (IAA). Reactive sulfhydryl (-RSH) content, SDS-PAGE protein profiles, gel-forming ability in terms of their texture profile analysis (TPA), folding test (FT), and water holding capacity (WHC) were evaluated on experimental gels.

© 2024 American Chemical Society

Additionally, the rheological and calorimetric behaviors of previously prepared sols were monitored. The –RSH content of gels showed no statistical differences (p = 0.05) due to the effect of HT; however, their content was reduced by 18.4% by the addition of IAA. 

The TPA showed changes only in cohesiveness (p < 0.05). The FT evaluation indicated that all gels were A–B grade. The WHC of gels increased with the two steps of HT but decreased with the addition of IAA. The rheology and calorimetry of sols remained without major variations.

Source: ACS Publications - American Chemical Society