Friend of the Sea has certified the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association (ASBTIA), a pioneer in tuna farming, for sustainable practices in seafood production.

The numerous brands associated with the association can now display the Friend of the Sea eco-label on their products.

‘ASBTIA has a long track record of innovation in fish farming and a commitment to environmentally sound practices,’ said Paolo Bray, Director of Friend of the Sea.

‘We are honoured that ASTBIA belongs to our family of certified companies.’

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

In April 2020, the import volume of frozen yellow croaker was about 474 tons, down 14% from 548 tons a year earlier.

In April, the cumulative import volume stood at about 1,262 tons, down 40 % from about 2,113 tons a year earlier.

The average imports from 2015 to 2020 averaged 881 tons in the April period, down about 46 % from 474 tons in April 2020.

Source: Union Forsea Corp

Tuna is obviously an important reference in Japan, not only as food but also for daily living.

Among the examples given to the population to respect the so-called "social distance" appears the drawing of a bluefin tuna between two people.

Source: nosigner.com/pandaid

The EAS Board of Directors have decided that AE2020 cannot go ahead as planned in Cork from September 29 to October 2. There will therefore be no Aquaculture Europe event this year.

However, to maintain our commitment to our chosen locations and to provide delegates, exhibitors and attendees with more scope for participation, EAS will organise two events in 2021. AE2020 in Cork, Ireland from April 12-15 and the official AE2021 event in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal 6 months later from October 5-8.

According to sources in the Greek sea bass and bream industry, which sells a large part of its production to the Horeca segment, they are currently facing very important challenges. As reported by EUMOFA in the trend analysis published weekly on the impact of COVID-19 on the fishing and fishing sectors. aquaculture, and with a practically non-existent Horeca channel, prices for large fish (over 600 grams) - a product that normally reaches high prices - have fallen. Furthermore, export markets (mainly the United States) are practically closed, with logistics costs of EUR 6.00 / kg or higher.

Source: iPac.acuicultura | Read the full article here

Applications are now open for an aquaculture accelerator programme run by Hatch and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s seafood development agency.

The two-week programme, which will be managed by aquaculture accelerator Hatch and funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, is taking place in the Research, Development, Innovation (RDI) Hub in Killorglin, Co Kerry this October.

Richard Donnelly, development and innovation manager at BIM, said: Last year’s aquaculture workshop, held in Dublin, resulted in three of the participating Irish businesses receiving significant capital investment and going on to join the Hatch Global Accelerator programme in Hawaii.

Author. Rob Fletcher / The Fish site | Read the full article here

Several major seafood companies in Japan have temporarily changed the ways they operate in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, turning to telework and other methods to keep employees safer.

Maruha Nichiro Co., Ltd.’s domestic and overseas food factories are operating normally, though its customer consultation office is not accepting phone calls. Inquiries are by e-mail only, and the company warns that it may take longer than usual to reply.

Some of the Tokyo-based company’s products are getting a boost from shifting consumer demand related to the novel coronavirus. A consumption style nicknamed "nesting," in which people refrain from unnecessary shopping trips, and eat at home, is increasing.

Author. Chris Loew / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here 

Deals brings tech closer to market.

In a press release, Scotland-based Pulcea, a company developing sound energy technology to improve the efficiency of existing sea lice treatments, writes that it has joined forces with aquaculture pharmaceutical company Aqua Pharma.

Under the “six-figure deal”, Aqua Pharma have bought a 50% stake in Pulcea, with the remaining 50% jointly owned by Pulcea managing director Ian Armstrong and technical director Ian Jamieson.

Pulcea, based at the Stirling University Innovation Park and the Roslin Innovation Centre near Edinburgh, explained its approach to the EUR 549 million issue of sea lice.

Source. SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Scotland’s salmon farmers have called for the UK and Scottish governments to help them reach export markets blocked by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Official figures this week showed that the amount of salmon exported in the first quarter of this year fell by 40% compared to Q1 2019, from 22,500 tonnes to 13,600 tonnes.

The value of the exports fell by 34%, from £151 million in Q1 2019 to £100m this year, according to the statistics from Her Majesty’s Customs and Revenue (HMRC).

Source. fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here 

‘This relief package will support America’s fishermen and our seafood sector’s recovery,’ said US Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, announcing allocation of $300 million in fisheries assistance funding provided by Sec. 12005 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also called the CARES Act, to states, Tribes, and territories with coastal and marine fishery participants who have been negatively affected by COVID–19.

As a next step, NOAA Fisheries will use these allocations to make awards to partners: the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.?They will disburse the funds to address direct or indirect fishery-related losses as well as subsistence, cultural, or ceremonial impacts related to COVID-19.

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