An international conference to discuss the management of bluefin tuna stocks in the Pacific Ocean came to a close on Tuesday. The participants agreed to a 50-percent increase in the catch quota for large bluefin tuna and a 10-percent increase in the quota for smaller ones in the western and central Pacific.

The international conference opened in Kushiro City in Hokkaido Prefecture on July 10, with delegates from 13 countries and regions, including Japan, the US, South Korea and Taiwan taking part.

Japan had proposed an expansion of the catch quota, but there was a gap in opinion among the participating countries and regions, and the focus was on whether they could agree.

As a result of the agreement, Japan's catch quota will increase by more than 2,800 tons for large tuna and 400 tons for small ones.

It's the first time for the small bluefin tuna quota to be raised since 2015 — when the current catch restrictions began.

The agreement is expected to be formalized later in the year.

Japan's Fisheries Agency has stated that it will continue to proceed with negotiations so that the agreed proposal will be formally adopted.

Source: nhkworld

Thai Union has claimed in a court filing that restaurant chain Red Lobster owes it, along with its subsidiary Tri-Union Frozen Products, which conducts business as Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods, nearly USD 3.7 million (EUR 3.4 million).

Thai Union, a longtime seafood supplier and former part-owner of Red Lobster, said in a filing to U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Orlando, Florida, that Red Lobster’s financial distress and “abrupt reductions of purchasing volumes caused Thai Union to accumulate a “high level” of excess inventory – valued at around USD 22.9 million (EUR 21 million).

Author: Christine Blank / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

BlueInvest Africa showcases the potential of the blue economy. Earlier this month, BlueInvest Africa returned for its second edition in Kenya. For two days, the little coastal city of Diani became home to Africa’s vibrant blue economy community. Organised by the European Union in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Kenya, the two days were full of inspiring stories, networking opportunities, and invigorating panel discussions.

Source: FishFocus | Read the full article here

A leading Scottish aquaculture support company has awarded a multi-million-pound contract for a new hybrid workboat to support the Scottish salmon sector.

Mull-based Inverlussa Marine Services has appointed Macduff Shipyards to design and build the 25-metre vessel, which will be equipped with the latest technology.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes welcomed the announcement as she witnessed the contract signing at Macduff Harbour today.

Source: Fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

The Supreme Court (TS) has rejected the appeal presented by the Platform in Defense of Fishing - promoted by brotherhoods and other organizations in the sector - against the Government's maritime space planning plans (POEM) for promoting the installation of windmills . The Platform in Defense of Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems considers that the regulation "violates the economic principles of the Constitution" by prioritizing the implementation of offshore wind energy.

The Contentious-Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court has rejected, in a ruling released this Tuesday

Source: EuropaAzul | Read the full article here

The Spanish industrial refrigeration sector is experiencing a moment of “robust growth” that demonstrates its capacity for “expansion and strengthening,” said Aldefe, the Association of Refrigeration, Logistics and Distribution Operations of Spain (Aldefe). The employers' association has positively assessed the results of the sector at the end of 2023, comparing it with the figures for the first quarter of 2022. In this interval, and comparatively, the sector's turnover grew by 58.6%, reaching 112.9 million euros . Aldefe highlights that billing per cubic meter showed constant growth throughout the quarters analyzed.

Source: IndustriasPesqueras | Read the full article here

Bangkok is battling an outbreak of black chin tilapia, an invasive species that poses a threat to local aquaculture. The situation has escalated to the point where local government officials, including Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, and MPs from various parties visited affected areas in Bang Khun Thian district to assess the impact and coordinate a response.

The situation has escalated to the point where local government officials, including Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, and MPs from various parties visited affected areas in Bang Khun Thian district to assess the impact and coordinate a response.

The invasive fish, known for its rapid breeding and resilience to environmental conditions, preys on smaller fish and fish eggs, disrupting the local aquatic ecosystem. Originating from Samut Songkhram province, the outbreak has now spread to several districts in Bangkok, including Bang Khun Thian, Thung Khru, and Bang Bon, affecting around 900 aquaculture farmers. 

Demands more balance in obligations on curbing overcapacity and overfishing subsidies

The subsidies identified for prohibition include those pertaining to the construction, acquisition and modernization of vessels; purchase of fishing gear and related machinery; fuel, ice, or bait; insurance and income support during seasonal closures. | Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B

India has made a strong pitch at the WTO for more effective carveouts for small-scale and artisanal fishers to protect their livelihood subsidies and has rejected the draft text circulated by the chair of the WTO negotiations on curbing overcapacity and overfishing (OCOF) subsidies arguing that the special and differential treatment (SDT) provisions for its fishing communities needed to be stronger.

The environmental and economic sustainability of freshwater aquaculture and the promotion of innovative and sustainable solutions were in the focus of the informal meeting of EU Directors-General and attachés for fisheries in Balatonfüred, Hungary.

Family photo at the informal meeting of EU Directors-General and attachés for fisheries  © Kormany.hu

The Hungarian presidency chose the improvement of the competitiveness of European aquaculture as the theme of the informal meeting held in Balatonfüred between 8 and 10 July, with the aim of developing an integrated and holistic approach to the development of both marine and freshwater aquaculture farms together with the Member States.

Fruitful debates took place both in plenary and in session meetings, offering a good basis for the continuation of the Presidency’s work to enhance the global role of European aquaculture.

The EU’s catches from marine fisheries are no longer sufficient to meet the growing demand for fisheries products, which is why it is vital to increase the competitiveness of the aquaculture sector.

Hungary is also aiming to bring about a shift in mindset that puts freshwater fish consumption in perspective alongside marine fish consumption. These efforts are in line with the recent Aquaculture 2030 Strategy of the Commission’s Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, which shows that the Commission is also clearly committed to strengthening the role of the sector.

Source: Hungarian Presidency Council EU 

The Fisheries Research and Education Agency Development and Investigation Center has published a preliminary report on the results of a 2023 survey project that examined the operational performance of electric automatic fishing machines on deep-sea skipjack pole-and-line fishing boats. 

The problem of lines getting tangled with the next machine, which was an issue when multiple machines were operated simultaneously, was resolved, and the time required for restarting the machine was also shortened. As a result, the skipjack catch ratio was about twice that of a human fisherman for a total of three fishing machines.

Verification of the simultaneous operation of three fishing machines began in fiscal year 2010. The machines are installed closer together to 1.2 meters in anticipation of actual operation. As a result, it is expected that the line of the adjacent machine will frequently become entangled with the rod, so the length of the line (main line) from the tip of the rod to the lure, which was 1.5 meters, was reduced to 0.6 meters, half the installation interval. [....]

Source: The Suisan Keizai (translated from original in Japanese)