There are very different and contradictory ambitions motivating the key players in the current World Trade Organization negotiations on a deal that would end harmful fisheries subsidies.

Those differences will have to be squared before any deal emerges out of the talks, which have been held over more than 20 years, and which are set to resume on 18 January, 2021.

While all member states at the WTO say they’re committed to a deal on ending capacity-enhancing subsidies, China and Russia are simultaneously ramping up fleet enhancement initiatives that stand in contrast to the goals of the negotiations.

Author: Mark Godfrey / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

The deal between the EU and the UK on fisheries falls very far short of the commitments and promises that were made to the industry by those at the highest level of government, according to Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive Elspeth Macdonald.

‘It does not restore sovereign UK control over fisheries, and does not permit us to determine who can catch what, where and when in our own waters. From 1st January 2021, the EU fleet has full access to the UK EEZ for what is essentially six years, as fisheries are managed on an annual basis,’ she said.

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

A case study from Louisiana suggests that most shrimp products that are imported into the US contain antibiotic residues and sulphites, violating the country’s labelling and regulatory standards.

A recent paper published in Aquaculture Reports suggests that shrimp imports to the US are falling short of consumer safety standards. Researchers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana went to multiple grocery stores in the region and purchased a variety of fresh and frozen shrimp products originating from Vietnam, Thailand, Ecuador, China, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh. They then screened the shrimp for sulphite exposure and veterinary antibiotics that have been banned in the US.

Author: Megan Howell / The Fish Site | Read the full article here

The first trade fair for fishing industry in France, Itechmer is a meeting of professionals working in sectors from ship design to final processing of seafood products, including catching, security, logistics, marketing, etc. A MEETING FOR DECISION-MAKERS Itechmer is not just an Exhibition where you need to be. It is above all a place for business, promotion and communication.

Itechmer will take place from OCT 5 to 7. 2021 PARC DES EXPOSITIONS LORIENT - FRANCE
 

B&I Overseas Trading Inc from Van Nuys, CA is recalling frozen “Veladis herring in oil with Italian spices” because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The recalled " Veladis herring in oil with Italian spices” were sold at select International retail stores in the State of Washington. All affected product has been removed from sale. There was approximately 400 units sold in the months of November and December of 2020.

The product comes in a 17.64 ounce (500 gram) plastic package and is stamped on top portion of the package with expiration date of 08/08/2021 and is considered as lot number. UPC No.: 4823097903896

The company has removed the affected lots from distribution as the FDA and the company continue to investigate the source of the problem.

Tokyo, Japan-based Nichirei Corporation’s second-quarter results show that the while the company did well overall, the company’s seafood segment took a hit from COVID-19.

For the six months ending 30 September, 2020, Nichirei’s overall sales were off by 3 percent, while operating profit rose by 12 percent. However the firm's marine products segment saw a sales drop of 11 percent – the largest in the company – due to slow restaurant demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The segment suffered an operating loss of JPY 28 million (USD 270,377, EUR 221,339). In the same period last year, it eked out an operating profit of JPY 49 million (USD 472,891, EUR 387,404).

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

Russian fishing vessel sank in the Barents Sea and 17 of its 19 crew members are missing, the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations reported on Monday.

Two people have been rescued, "said Emergency in a statement, which added that the search for the other crew members is being carried out.

The authorities indicated as a probable cause of the shipwreck the freezing of the boat, since the area in which it was sailing there are temperatures below 20 degrees below zero.

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

The 25% cut in the average value of the catches that Community fisheries catch in British waters and that the EU has given to continue having access to those Gran Sol fishing grounds for five years does not affect important species such as hake, monkfish and rooster that will keep the distribution key, like the xarda or verdel, horse mackerel and lily or blue whiting.

This is the main basis that the Minister of Fisheries Luis Planas maintains, to say that “it is a good agreement” and that he stated hours after the signing of the agreement, maintaining that “the Spanish fleet will continue its activity in British waters under conditions similar to the current ones »

Source: EuropaAzul | Read the full article here

Three days before the UK leaves the EU, Scotland’s salmon farmers, are demanding seafood consignments at the Channel crossings are given priority by the UK Government.

The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation, the trade body for Scotland’s salmon farmers, say it is imperative that the UK Government delivers on its commitment to prioritise perishable seafood. Channel crossings to France have been chaotic since Sunday 20th December.

The UK Department for Transport has plans to prioritise seafood and day-old chicks, allowing these products to be fast-tracked through the Channel crossing points, by-passing queues of lorries waiting to get into France.

Source: fishfaringexpert | Read the full article here

Relief at one end of the UK seafood and fishing spectrum – with dismay and accusations of a sell-out at the other. That is the contrasting reaction to the news on Christmas Eve that Britain had finally reached a trade deal with the EU.

The announcement was broadly welcomed (with reservations) by the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Association, whose members arguably had the most to lose under a no-deal scenario.

But the main UK fishing organisations have said they are deeply disappointed at the outcome, claiming they will only receive a fraction of what they were promised in the Leave campaign.