A project exploring how sea cucumbers could help minimise the environmental impact of fish farming - and in turn allow the aquaculture sector to grow - has received vital investment.

Blue Remediation has secured a £46,449 funding package from the UK Seafood Innovation Fund, with additional support from the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), to conduct a three-month feasibility study that will assess the efficiency of sea cucumbers in absorbing aquaculture waste.

Bioremediation – the process of using living organisms to remove pollutants and toxins – is commonly used in agriculture to restore polluted soil. 

Source: The Fish Site | Read the full article here

A huge floating enclosed salmon farm concept is to be looked at again by Norwegian authorities following an appeal.

Salmon farmer Eidsfjord Sjøfarm had applied for permission to build and grow fish in its “Eidsfjord Giant” concept under the Norwegian Fisheries Directorate’s develop permit scheme but was turned down because the concept did meet the scheme’s requirement for significant innovation.

Aource: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

Horizon Fisheries, Blueyou Trading, and Fair Trade USA, the partners behind the world’s first ever dual-certified seafood product, are in the process of rolling out an expansion plan with Maldivian fishing communities and global retailers, according to a 3 February press release.

The dual certification involving the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Fair Trade labels, which was achieved in 2017, signifies that the tuna caught using pole-and-line gear by the fishing communities from five islands in the Maldives is sustainably managed, and that fishers are treated in socially equitable ways.

Author: Madelyn Kearns / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

The UK’s only remaining distant waters fishing vessel is left with few fishing opportunities following the turmoil of Britain’s departure from the European Union, and UK Fisheries’ Advisory Board Chairman Sir Barney White-Spunner wants to see more fishing diplomacy, now that fishing access and trade are clearly linked.

He pointed out that up to the end of 2020, Hull-registered factory trawler Kirkella was able to fish in Greenland, Norway and Svalbard for cod and haddock.

Author: Quentin Bates / FiskerForum | Read the full article here

Until now, the Canarian fishermen had to endure a month without directing their gear to the bluefin tuna because, despite the fact that the species was already passing by its coasts in February, the season did not begin until March. But this year things have changed. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries published two resolutions yesterday in the Official State Gazette (BOE) that aim to "substantially improve the conditions of the bluefin tuna fishery with respect to previous years."

The decision to advance the campaign for this highly migratory species by one month and open it on February 8 is one of those improvements. 

Source: The Voice of Galicia | Read the full article here

Sonapesca analysis shows that, although there are products that have had an increase in sales abroad, there are other markets in which there is a decrease due to the consequences of Covid-19.

After the close of 2020, industrial fishing managed to achieve a positive result in terms of exports, this because an analysis carried out by the National Fisheries Society (Sonapesca FG) reflected that last year, sales abroad registered US $ 1,763 million, 7.8% more if compared to 2019 and 17.7% higher in terms of tons exported (875,013).

Source: MundoAcuicola | Read the full article here

European fishing industry body Europêche sees the amendments voted on by the European Parliament Committee on Fisheries to revise the Union Fisheries Control System as a step in the right direction.

‘Crucial decisions have been taken to make decisive progress towards a new EU control system,’ Europêche stated.

‘The European Parliament has enhanced traceability of seafood products, digitised tracking and catch reporting across the value chain and harmonised sanctions and enforcement measures across Member States. 

Author: Quentin Bates / FiskerForum | Read the full article here

Mara Media, the organiser of Irish Skipper Expo 2021 in Limerick and Scottish Skipper Expo 2021 in Aberdeen, has decided to postpone this year’s fishing shows and carry them forward to 2022, given the continuing uncertainty over Covid-19.  

Hugh Bonner, managing director, said: “We are extremely disappointed at having to make this difficult decision, but there are still too many issues surrounding mass gatherings and travel. The safety of exhibitors, visitors and the wider public is our first priority.


 

A new £7.75 million funding package will offer support to fishermen, seafood businesses and ports and harbours threatened by the ongoing effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU Exit.

The package includes:

£6.45 million for the Seafood Producers Resilience Fund which will provide support to eligible shellfish catchers and producers, in addition to trout farmers who have faced issues exporting to the EU and have lost access to domestic food markets as a result of COVID-19;
£1 million to be made available to support the investment plans of ports and harbours faced with a loss of income through landing fees;
up to £300,000 to assist the welfare and emergency support activities of the Fishermen’s Mission in recognition of the hardship facing people working in the sector at this time.

Source: The Fishing Daily | Read the full article here

The value of Norwegian seafood exports dropped by 16% last month, with salmon taking the biggest hit.

Figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council show that the country’s fish farmers and fishing vessel owners earned NOK 8.1bn (£689m) during January.
Salmon exports totalled 95,600 tonnes, a volume increase of 11 %, but the revenue was down by 23 per cent or NOK 1.5bn to NOK 5.2bn (£442m).

Tom-Jorgen Gangs, director of market insight at the Seafood Council, said the overall decline was primarily due to a significant drop in the export value of salmon

Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here