The present Aquaculture Quarantine Facility (AQF) at Neelankarai, Chennai,

has been granted financial assistance by NFDB, which is aimed at expanding

the capacity of the industry. MPEDA’s efforts to this end had started since 2011.

By the end of this calendar year, the expanded AQF, together with the CARD

Hatchery belonging to TNFDC, will be converted by MPEDA/RGCA into

additional quarantine facilities, at the same place. Both facilities together can

accommodate about 1,00,000 SPF Brooders, before being given to the

hatcheries. At present, 81 hatcheries have been given permission to import

SPF Vannamei Brooders and to produce SPF Vannamei Seeds.

In addition to this, 4-5 private Quarantines will be coming through consortium of

hatcheries, by the beginning of 2013. These facilities also can quarantine about

1,00,000 SPF Brooders in a year.

With all these, SPF Vannamei Seed prices for farmers will be between 30 NP to

40 NP against 35 NP to 65 NP during 2010-2012. Hence, from the farmers’

perspective, seed prices will come down, and SPF seeds will be sufficiently

available. MPEDA has started registering the aquaculture farms to grow

Vannamei/Black Tiger, since the 1st of June 2012. It is expected that by the end

of 2012, 70% of the farms will be registered.

Exporters were being put to great difficulties earlier, for the farms not being

registered. The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) has so far registered about

8000 hectors for Vannamei culture in India. With more farm-registrations and

abundance of SPF Vannamei seeds, the Vannamei culture is poised for growth.

However, non-availability of SPF Monodon seeds will raise the threat of cross

contamination of Monodon seeds produced by wild-caught Monodon brooders,

with SPF Vannamei. Wild caught Monodon brooders are positive mostly

between October to March, due to the entry of creek waters into the sea, during

the rainy season. Unless 100% SPF Vannamei or Monodon seed is made

available to farmers, the possibility of disease outbreak and damage to

aquaculture is highly likely.

India has the potential to achieve 5,00,000 tonnes of aqua-production, by 2015.

Various agencies and the industry must work hand-in-hand, to bring 50,000

hectares of new area per year, into production. The need of the hour is to

increase the infrastructure, such as ice plants, insulated vehicles and

processing capacity. Right now, the major constraints are the lack of inputs such

as SPF seeds, power, finance from banks, and the absence of insurance. All

these can be solved if aquaculture is granted agricultural status, and by

supplying the farmers with 100% SPF seeds, whether Vannamei or Monodon.

from the PRESIDENT’S desk

International Seafood Industry News

RUSSIA: FISH AND SEAFOOD PRODUCTION AND TRADE

UPDATE

Russia’s wild catch has demonstrated steady growth for the

past few years as fish stocks have recovered. Despite this, fish

and seafood imports have continue to rise due to a

combination of factors, including a lack of investment in

domestic processing infrastructure and strong domestic

demand. In total, Russia's imports of fish and fish products

equalled $2.36 billion in 2011, an annual increase of nearly 20

percent. The demand for fish in Russia is projected to continue

to increase, both in lower-priced and higher-priced segments.

A recently adopted Strategy for Development of the Russian

Food Industry calls for Russia to expand its capacity to

process high-value fish products and, among other initiatives,

promotes a self-sufficiency target for Russia of 80-85 percent

as well as sets production targets.

The fish and seafood catch in Russia continues its recovery

after the sharp decline at the beginning of the century. Total

Production

Wild Catch in Russia, in MMT

Catch by Species in 2011, MMT

catch reached 1.4 million metric tons

(MMT) in the first quarter of 2012,

representing a 1 percent annual growth.

During this period, an increase in catch

was reported for crab, cod, far eastern

cod, herring, greenling, and rockfish, while

levels decreased for flounder, grenadier,

and pollock. Despite its lower number,

pollock still accounted for 60 percent of

Russia’s total fish and seafood catch

between January and March 2012,

followed by cod, herring, and flounder.

Total catch for 2011 reached 4.3 MMT, a

growth of almost 8 percent.

There are five harvesting basins in Russia,

with the Far Eastern basin accounting for

66 percent of total annual catch in 2011,

followed by the North Atlantic basin. In

general, stocks have been improving

steadily in the Far East over the course of

the last six to eight years. In Primorskiy

Kray, for example, harvest levels

bottomed out in 2002 due to massive

overfishing and poor regulations. Today,

however, stocks have now begun to

recover. According to Primorskiy Kray’s

Regional Statistics Committee, fishery

exports grew by 19 percent in the first

Catch Share by Basins, %

quarter for 2012 in comparison to 2011, with fresh and frozen

fish accounting for 71 percent of total exports ($139.2

million), followed by fish roe and livers, and crustaceans.

Currently, there are 680 small, medium, and large fishery

companies operating in Russia. The country’s most significant

fishery processing facility is found in the Far Eastern basin,

where 55 percent of Russia’s total processing capacity is

located. About 19 percent of the country’s fish processing

capacity is located in the Northern basin. The Eastern and

Caspian basins account for 12 percent of the sector’s

processing potential, while the Southern basin makes up only

2 percent. Processing facilities for canned production utilize

45 percent of Russia’s total processing capacity.

The Russian government sets the total allowable catch (TAC)

levels for fish and seafood. In general, the TAC for most species

has been relatively stable from year to year, although some

species have seen significant fluctuations. For example, the

TAC for pacific herring in the Bering Sea more than doubled

between 2010 and 2012. TAC growth has also been noted for

rockfish and far eastern cod from the Bering Sea, far eastern

Total Allowable Catch (TAC)

Fish and Seafood Harvested by Fishermen in

Primorskiy Kray, in 1,000 MT

Fish and Seafood Harvested in Kamchatka, in 1,000 MT

flounder from the Bering and Okhotsk

Seas, and pollock from the Sea of Japan.

The rise of these TAC levels is attributed

to recovering fish stocks, as well as more

detailed scientific research and fish

population forecasts.

Some TAC levels, however, have declined.

The TAC for cod from the Okhotsk Sea

was reduced from 28,112 MT in 2010 to

19,697 MT in 2012. In addition, the TACs

for different crab species have also

decreased, including for snow, opilio, and

tanner crab from the Sea of Japan. These

changes are said to be a result of

overfishing during the 1990s and early

2000s, and the Russian government’s

effort to create sustainable fisheries and

protect stocks from illegal fishing.

Strategy for the Development of the

Russian Food Industry

In April 2012, the Russian government

approved the “Strategy for the Develo-

pment of the Russian Food Industry

Through 2020,” which analyzes the

different sectors of the country’s food

industry, the problems they face, and sets

production targets for 2020. Further-

more, it identifies the level of investment

that will be necessary in order for these

objectives to be fulfilled. Addressing the

fishery sector in particular, the Strategy

calls for Russia to expand its capacity to

process high-value products and, among

other initiatives, promotes a self-suffici-

ency target for Russia of 80-85 percent as

well as sets production targets. The

document, however, remains fairly vague

when discussing how these targets will be

achieved. The government outlines the

following recommendations for the

fishery sector:

Government Policy:

• Modernize 40 percent of Russia’s total processing

facilities, of which 60 percent is to include canned fish facilities

and 30 percent cold storage

• Renovate old processing facilities and establish new

ones in the North Eastern Federal District, after which the

region will account for 34 percent of the country’s total

fishery production and 50 percent of canned fish products

• Develop new costal processing facilities in the Southern

Federal District.

Overall, the government places a high priority on modernizing

canned fish production and cold storage facilities. By 2020, the

Strategy envisions a four percent growth in Russia’s total fish

processing capacity, of which 13 percent is to include canned

fish production. In the short-term, between 2013 and 2016, it

calls for 400 processing facilities to be upgraded, with a special

focus on 150 facilities in the Far Eastern District. By the end of

2020, total investment in the industry is estimated at 36.9

billion rubles, including 28.3 billion from private corporations

and 8.5 billion from government subsidized loans. As a result,

the Strategy concludes that Russia’s share of high-value fish

products in the world market will total 0.83 percent by 2016

and 0.94 percent by 2020. Moreover, the industry’s annual

capital renewal is expected to grow from 5 percent to 6

percent during the same period.

Imports

Russia’s imports of fishery products have continued to rise in

recent years. Experts attribute this trend to a combination of

factors, including a lack of investment in the sector’s

processing infrastructure and strong domestic demand. As a

result of poor processing facilities, Russia continues to be at a

competitive disadvantage relative to other global producers.

The inadequate state of processing infrastructure is especially

detrimental to the sector, as a significant amount of fish

imported from China was actually caught in Russia and

shipped to China for processing. The government has tried to

curb this phenomenon by introducing legislation that requires

all fish and seafood caught within Russia’s territory to be

cleared by Russian customs. Processors in port cities such as

Vladivostok have reported that this law has helped increase

Trade:

the level of domestic processing and

reduced local prices. Moreover, local

governments in the Far East have also

increased funding support for costal

processing facilities.

According the Federal Custom

Committee, Russian imports of fish and

seafood (HTS code 03) has dropped 12

percent in January to May 2012 when

compared to the same five month period

in 2011. However, for 2011, Russia’s

imports of fish and fish products equaled

$2.36 billion, an annual increase of nearly

20 percent. At present, Norway remains

the largest supplier of fish products to

Russia, with exports totaling $935.4

million (39 percent market share),

followed by China at $244.8 million (10

percent), Iceland at $161.5 million (6.8

percent) and Canada at $114.7 million

(4.8 percent).

Between January and December 2011,

fish and seafood imports from the United

States decreased slightly, dropping by four

percent when compared to 2010 and

totaling $58.568 million. During this

period, imports of frozen roe (red caviar)

and fish liver remained strong and

accounted for more than 50 percent of

Russia’s total imports for this category.

However, higher levels of domestic catch

of salmon in 2011 caused the import of

these goods to fall 15 percent from 2010

to $18.120 million. Nevertheless, Russian

demand for salmon and salmon roe from

the United States will remain strong in the

coming years.

According to Rosstat, retail prices for fish

and seafood in Russia rose by 9 percent in

the first quarter of 2012 when compared

to the previous year. The projected

outlook suggests a higher domestic

demand for fish and an increase in per capita consumption,

both in lower-priced segments such as herring, hake, pollock,

and cod, as well as in more expensive fish and processed

products. Higher imports of chilled fish and ready to eat

products are due to changes in eating habits, increased

consumer demand, and economic recovery. Current annual

per capita fish and seafood consumption is estimated at 21

kilograms. Fish consumption patterns will continue to depend

heavily on household incomes, prices, and preferences within

the population. Consumption preferences of the Russian

population have been stable over the last years and include

herring, pollock, mackerel, salmon and trout. Frozen fish is also

traditionally popular in Russia.

Consumption Pattern of Fish and Seafood in Russia in 2011

Exports

The Federal Custom Committee reported that Russian

exports of fish and seafood (HTS code 03) for January

through May 2012 decreased 16 percent to $1.05 billion. Total

Russian exports of fish and seafood in 2011 is estimated at

$2.6 billion, an increase of 22 percent in comparison with

2010. In 2011, Russia’s primary seafood

export markets were concentrated in

East Asia, with exports to China totaling

$1.059 billion (40 percent of Russia’s total

seafood export), $1.016 billion to South

Korea (39 percent), and $197.4 million to

Japan (7.5 percent).

As mentioned previously, some of Russia’s

fish exports to China is re-imported to

Russia as processed product. Many fishing

companies prefer to supply Asian markets

rather than to try to sell their products

domestically, as Asia offers more

competitive prices, fewer logistical and

administrative obstacles, and large and

steady consumer demand. Whether fish is

supplied domestically or exported also

depends on the species, as for example,

most pollack and mollusks are exported,

while most herring is sold domestically.

Illegal, non-reported, and unregulated

catch (NNN) in Russia has resulted in

both short and long-term economic

losses and the sustainability of fish

populations. As a result, in recent years,

the Russian government has increased its

efforts to fight NNN using various

measures. Beginning in 2003, Russian

companies were allocated individual catch

quotas based on historical data for a

period of five years. However, in order to

increase efficiency within the sector and

encourage companies to raise their level

of long-term investment, in August 2008

the government allowed for quotas to be

distributed on a 10-year basis. These

longer term quotas mean that those

companies that have quota now have

much more to lose if they are caught in

Illegal Fishing and Trade:

TUNA MARKET REPORT: JULY 2012

Worldwide tuna catches did not improve in the first quarter

of 2012. During this time, Japanese and Taiwanese purse

seiners in the Western Pacific reported that 80% of their

catches consisted of smaller sized fish (2kg/pc).

The situation may improve in the coming months as the

Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)

have decided to lift the two fishing bans on pocket 1 and 2 of

the Pacific Ocean, thus reopening the high seas for

commercial tuna fishing in these zones. However, the

Commission maintains that entry to the WCPFC marine

reserves will be limited.

In the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, IATTC reported that in

2011 tuna catches reached 593 897 tonnes.

The catch composition was as follows:

• Skipjack landings made up 272 713 tonnes,

• Yellowfin 208 782 tonnes

• Bigeye tuna 44 090 tonnes.

Ecuador had the highest catches at 200 849 tonnes, followed

by Mexico at 125 319 tonnes, Panama at 57 166 tonnes,

Venezuela at 46 229 tonnes and Colombia at 43 809 tonnes.

In March, yellowfin and skipjack prices remained on the high

side to canneries in Ecuador at USD 2 650 and USD 2 050 per

tonne respectively, although fishing was

relatively good.

In West Africa (Abidjan), tuna prices

continued to be lower than other areas at

EUR 1 350/tonne for skipjack, ex fishing

vessel. The yellowfin price increased to

EUR 2 030/tonne, while in Mahe,

Seychelles, the price was EUR 1 950 for

yellowfin and EUR 1 350 for skipjack.

According to the Japan Fisheries Agency,

tuna farms in Japan harvested 9 049

tonnes of bluefin tuna in 2011. Global

production of farmed bluefin is estimated

to be 25 000 tonnes, with production

from the Mediterranean at about 7 000

tonnes, Mexico at 25 000 tonnes and

Australia producing 6 000 tonnes.

Japanese farmed bluefin fetches a higher

price than the others.

A Japanese government repor t

highlighted the declining per capita

consumption of sashimi tuna from 2000

to 2011; shrinking demand by the younger

generation was one of the main reasons

for this decline and the trend is expected

to continue.

Japanese tuna imports fell again in 2011 as

foreign supplies of fresh and frozen tuna

declined to 236 338 tonnes compared

with 278 023 tonnes in 2010. The only

category that showed positive growth

was the red-meat loin sector, for which

imports increased by 24%. The trend was

similar for frozen tuna.

In early April 2012 the tuna market was

Japan

still suffering from supply shortage but auction prices were

slowly firming up. Supplies of bigeye/yellowfin were low from

January to April, including yellowfin from South East Asia and

also from the Western Pacific. Spring demand for deep-sea

caught skipjack, popular for tataki, increased because of poor

landings of inshore pole/line skipjack in Japan.

Australian origin albacore was in good demand in the early

months of the year as the fish seemed to have high fat content.

It is popular with Kaiten sushi shops and also with

supermarkets.

2011 was another disappointing year for the non-canned tuna

market in the USA. As a result of high prices, imports fell by

14.25% compared with 2010. The product group is perceived

to be expensive under the current financial situation. There

was a 5% decline in air-flown tuna imports and the decline was

USA

greater (24%) for frozen loins/steaks for

which imports totalled 17 520 tonnes.

Notably, there was considerable interest

in frozen and fresh loin imports during the

Boston Seafood Show; this could be a

positive indication for 2012.

The US non-canned tuna market is

expected to improve during spring and

summer, while in Japan, limited supply and

good demand will keep tuna prices firm. In

the Spanish market, slight increases have

been seen already and the trend could

continue in the coming months.

Source: FAO GLOBEFISH

Outlook

WTO BACKS CHINA IN US ANTI-DUMPING DISAGREEMENT

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement

Body last month adopted a report, which supports China in its

claim against the anti-dumping measures taken by the United

States on Chinese shrimp and diamond sawblades exports.

The report was adopted without US appeal, a development

meaning its rulings are final, reports ‘China Daily’.

Sources close to the WTO said the United States has

announced its intention to implement the rulings, while both

parties informed the Dispute Settlement Body that they have

agreed that the "reasonable period of time" for compliance

will be eight months.

In February 2011, China requested consultations with the

United States regarding the latter's anti-dumping measures

on certain frozen warm-water shrimp from China,

complaining against the US Department of Commerce's use

of zeroing in the original investigation and several

administrative reviews to calculate

dumping margins for the subject imports.

After failed consultations, a panel was

established in October 2011 to look into

the case. Report of the panel, circulated to

WTO members on June 8, 2012, rules that

certain anti-dumping measures taken by

the United States on warm-water shrimp

and diamond sawblades from China have

violated relevant WTO rules.

The "zeroing" methodology in calculating

the margins of dumping used by the

United States in the investigations at issue

was inconsistent with the Anti-Dumping

Agreement, according to the ruling.

BRITISH FSA RELAXES FISH FREEZING REQUIREMENTS

The Food Standards Agency of Britain has announced that

from 30th July 2012, certain farmed fish destined to be eaten

raw in dishes like sushi no longer need to be frozen before use

to protect consumers against parasites.

Fish parasites are mainly a problem in certain species of wild

fish and can cause illness in humans if eaten. All fishery

products must be inspected to remove visible parasites

before being sold. Cooking will kill them, but freezing kills any

parasites that may remain undetected in fish products

intended to be consumed raw or almost raw.

After research commissioned by the Food Standards Agency

in Scotland showed there is a negligible risk of parasites from

farmed salmon, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

reviewed the available evidence on the presence of parasites

in wild and farmed fish.

Following the EFSA review, the European Commission and

member states reviewed the hygiene legislation and agreed

requirements in December 2011, which allow a risk-based

approach to be taken when applying the

freezing requirements for fishery

products. These requirements are being

implemented in all UK countries from

today.

Linden Jack, Head of the Food Hygiene

Policy Branch of the FSA said: ‘The

relaxation of these rules is good news for

responsible fish producers who are

making every effort to minimise the risk

of parasites in fish. It will mean less of a

regulatory burden on their business,

without compromising consumer safety.

‘The FSA’s research into this issue played

an important part in the review of the

controls. It is further evidence of our

commitment to apply the most

proportionate risk controls on food

businesses based on the best science.’

illegal fishing activities. Moreover, the Russian government

attempted to further reduce NNN through new legislation

that requires all fish caught within the country’s territory to

be cleared through customs at a Russian port. Although this

has added expense to fishermen and exporters since they can

no longer ship directly from fishing grounds to export

markets, it has significantly cut down on illegal trade (see chart

below). In addition, the government has also improving

monitoring capabilities and today all Russian vessels are

required to have GPS tracking devices so that their activities

can be easily monitored by the Federal Fishery Agency.

Internationally, Russia has also addressed NNN by ratifying

agreements with China and South Korea. Trade sources reveal

that similar negotiations are currently taking place with Japan.

Russia’s stricter monitoring policies are noticeably impacting

Russian Crab Exports

the fishery sector and especially crab.

Prior to 2008, Russian Customs reported

much lower crab export statistics when

compared to the official data released by

importing countries. Now that all Russian

crab must be cleared by customs, this

statistical gap has begun to narrow,

indicating that illegal crab trade has

diminished. In the near-term, experts

believe that the volume of crab export

registered with customs will continue to

rise, as crab export duties are set to

decrease from 10 to 5 percent with

Russia’s accession to the World Trade

Organization (WTO).

EUROPEAN COMMISSION DECIDES ON DEDUCTIONS OF

FISHING QUOTAS FOR 2012

The European Commission has announced deductions from

2012 fishing quotas of those Member States that had

exceeded their quotas in 2011.

Through deductions the Commission can immediately

address the damage done to the stocks overfished in the

previous year and ensure a sustainable use by all Member

States of a common fishing resource. This year, for the first

time, deductions were increased by 50 per cent for Member

States that had repeatedly (in 2009, 2010 and 2011)

overfished the same stock.

Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and

Fisheries, said: "Nobody should harbor illusions that

overfishing will be tolerated. The rules which exist should

apply to all in a systematic and professional manner. Indeed I

intend to use deductions to help achieve the main goal of the

Common Fisheries Policy: long-term sustainability of

Europe's fisheries."

Deductions are operated on the basis of

public guidelines applicable to all, on the

same stocks that were overfished, which

is the purpose of today's Regulation.

However, if a Member State has no quotas

available for the overfished stocks, the

amounts can be deducted from the

quotas available for other stocks in the

same geographical area, taking into

account the need to avoid discards

(throwing overboard of valuable fish) in

mixed fisheries. The Commission will

present the regulation for deductions

from other stocks later this year, after

consulting with the Member States

concerned.

YEMEN, FAO INK AGREEMENT TO DEVELOP FISH

PRODUCTS, EXPORTS

prepare efficient plans to develop the

bilateral cooperation.

Representative of FAO expressed

readiness to provide technical assistance

for Yemen's fisheries sector, saying this

sector is promising.

Many Yemeni people depend on fishing to

support their families, mainly those in the

coastal cities.

Yemen has a coastal line of 2400 km and

studies suggest improvements to the

fisheries sector at a time when the

country is battling a range of crises

including hunger.

Yemen and FAO signed on 30th July, an agreement to improve the

quality of fisheries products and increase the fish exports and

their added value.

Yemen was given $424.000 in initial aid from FAO which will be

spend through a project which aims to develop the skills of

fishermen and the skills of the workers who process and

manufacture fish products in line with international

requirements.

Fisheries cooperatives and the fish exports society will take

advantage of this project through processing and marketing their

products with the aim to ease their access to internal and

external markets.

After the signing, Fisheries Minister, Awadh Al-Soqotri, hailed the

aid, calling for more cooperation between Yemen and FAO. He

stressed the importance of providing fisheries data to help

US: NEW SEAFOOD FRAUD BILL WOULD STEP UP

TRACEABILITY

A comprehensive new seafood fraud bill introduced by US

representatives Edward Markey and Barney Frank last month

would make the fish industry publicly track fish from boat to

plate and fine violators, according to a report by ‘Fish Info &

Services’.

The Safety and Fraud Enforcement for Seafood Act, or SAFE

Seafood Act, is meant to prevent mislabelling.

A year ago, a Boston Globe report unveiled extensive seafood

mislabelling and substitution in Massachusetts restaurants.

The five-month investigation found nearly half of the fish

tested at 134 restaurants and supermarkets was mislabelled

and, often, less desirable and cheaper species replaced fresh

local fish.

Markey and Frank then urged the Federal Trade Commission

(FTC) to investigate whether the practice could be an unfair

or deceptive practice under Section 5 of the Federal Trade

Commission Act.

“When people walk into a restaurant and put down hard-

earned money for a favourite fish, they expect to get what

they ordered, especially in New England,” Markey said. “If

businesses are fraudulently serving a substitute, then it’s just

wrong and has to be stopped. This bill increases inspections, it

increases penalties, and it increases coordination at the

federal level and with state and local agencies.”

The bill would have fish packers, supermarkets and

restaurants provide details about all seafood -- including the

scientific name, the market name and where the fish was

caught. The legislation also would have the Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) and the National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) share more

information about seafood substitution, develop a public list

of mislabelling offenders and avoid conducting duplicate

inspections at seafood plants, ‘Boston Globe’ reports.

While the two agencies have been criticized for failing to do

enough to fight fish fraud and coordinate inspection efforts,

the bill does not allocate more funds for

enforcement. However, Markey said a

better working relationship between the

FDA and NOAA would have led to 29 per

cent more domestic inspections annually.

Beth Lowell, a campaign director for

Oceana, noted that inspections alone are

not enough – she referred to a report

Oceana released this week that found 31

per cent of seafood is mislabelled in South

Florida despite ongoing efforts by state

and local authorities to fight fish fraud.

The tracing requirements in the SAFE

Seafood Act, she said, would certainly

help.

“It’s clear that mislabelling is not a

regional, isolated problem. It’s a national

problem that needs federal attention to

impact the seafood supply chain,” Lowell

said.

The proposed law also allows the FDA to

reject seafood imports based on fraud.

Tom Dempsey, policy director for the

C ap e C o d C o m m e rc i a l H o o k

Fishermen’s Association, supports the

legislation and said the group also wants

state officials to boost enforcement on

fish fraud and offer more resources to

help the industry trace seafood.

“There is a growing consumer base that

really cares about where their seafood

comes from and it can have a really

sweeping impact on the business of fishing

in New England,” Dempsey said.

Source: Fish Info & Services

PAKISTANI SEAFOOD TRADERS EYE A QUANTUM LEAP IN

SHRIMP EXPORT

As the fishing season starts, Pakistan’s seafood exporters eye

a huge jump in shrimp exports to world markets during this

fiscal year, but they are worried by a slow down in trade with

China over the past two months, according to a report in

‘Business Recorder’. Fishing boats ventured out into the sea

on August 1, as exporters and fishermen hope that huge

landings of shrimps will mark the beginning of the new fishing

season.

Exporters are waiting for the next two months to resume

seafood export to China else, otherwise they will have to

explore new markets. They desire a huge increase in export to

China in the current financial year. "Seafood export to China

has slowed down in the last two months, but we are hoping

that the situation will improve in the next two months. If it

does not, we will have to search new venues," a leading

seafood exporter, Akhlaq Hussain Abedi, told Business

Recorder on Wednesday.

However, fishermen, boat owners and exporters are still

doubtful about the size of shrimp landing: their last year's

catch was poor. "Boats have just set sails. We will know about

the actual extent of the shrimp catch this year when they

return. It all depends on sea behaviour," Patron-in-Chief of

Sindh Trawler Owners and Fishermen Association Sarwar

Siddiqui said.

However, small boats, which return compulsorily by sundown,

might face navigational and landing problems at Karachi Fish

Harbour, as fishermen continue complaining about

congestion in dock channel created by hundreds of

abandoned fishing vessels. "How will our boats reach the dock

in the evening? The large number of abandoned fishing vessels

is blocking the passage of catch landing," President of Native

Islanders Fishermen Association (NIFA) Asif Bhatti told

Business Recorder. Akhlaq Hussain Abedi criticised the

government's decision to impose fishing ban for just one

month, instead of two months, saying such a trend "may

diminish marine resources". He said seafood export to China

had slowed down in the past two months, adding that the

trade decline could create difficulties for

exporters. He said exporters would wait

for next two months to see if full scale

exports resumed. Otherwise, they would

have to find new markets.

“Seafood stocks are likely to decline with

exploitation continuing throughout the

year without any let up. Even during the

ban in July, illegal fishing was continuing,"

he said. Between 100 and 200 tons of

shrimps would land every day, he said,

adding that with over-hunting of seafood,

the country was gradually going to lose its

marine resources.

"Such a big landing of shrimp in any season

in the future is now impossible," said

Abedi, adding that the government should

rigorously implement a two-month fishing

ban to save marine life. Sarwar Siddiqui

said in the first phase, around 70 large

vessels left for hunting on August 1. He

said rains may increase the yield of

shrimps, including varieties known as Jaira

and Kalari. "If shrimp yield increases this

season, seafood landing may grow," he

said.

Asif Bhatti said about 100 Hela (small

boats) sailed off Karachi coast in the

morning and would return to dock in the

evening, hoping that the first landing "will

be greater in size laden with Kalari

shrimp". However, crab hunting, he said,

would start in September. But it was not a

priority for the fishermen. "Fishermen will

go after shrimp this season," he added.

BANGLADESH SIGNS MoU FOR DEVELOPMENT OF

AQUACULTURE

industry more sustainable with practical

emphasis on reducing food safety risks

concern of national and international

consumers.

Addressing social and environmental

issues and increasing the economic and

trade benefits from the shrimp and prawn

production would be the other highlights

of the MoU.

Speaking on the occas ion, the

distinguished guests said, according to the

Bangladesh Fishery Sector Road Map,

there is a target of producing 3.54 million

tonnes of fish by 2021 as part of the

country's Millennium Development Goal

(MDG) and out of which 57 per cent is

estimated to come from aquaculture.

In this context, they said the MoU is very

important. They said that the current joint

venture of the WorldFish Center and the

BSFF would make very a positive

contribution to develop the sector in a

socially acceptable and environmentally

sustainable manner and in compliance

with the nationally and internationally

recommended rules, regulations and

practices.

“Bangladesh will have to go a long way to

achieve the much desired protein food

security, aquatic food safety, new

employment generation, poverty

reduction and overall economic

development of the country," they

observed.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between

the WorldFish Center and Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish

Foundation (BSFF) for persuasion of joint activities for the

growth of sustainable aquaculture, reports BSS.

Under this MoU, joint promotional activities including holding

meetings, dialogues, conferences, research, demonstrations

and advocacy initiatives, would be made to develop natural

fishes and shrimp seed conservation in Bangladesh, according

to a report in ‘The Financial Express’.

Detector general of WorldFish Center Dr Stephen J. Hall and

BSFF Chairman Syed Mahmudul Huq signed the MoU on

behalf of their respective sides.

Prime Minister's Economic Adviser Dr. Mashiur Rahman

attended the signing ceremony as the chief guest while

Principal Secretary Shaikh Md. Wahid-uz-Zaman, Fisheries and

Livestock Secretary Ujjwal Bikash Dutta,Director, Economic

Growth, USAID, Bangladesh Dr Ramona EL Hamzaoui,

WorldFish Center Deputy Director

General Dr Patrick Dugan were present as special guests. As

per the agreement, supports would be provided for joint

activities on making the shrimp and freshwater prawn

VIETNAM’S TRA EXPORTERS AGREE TO FLOOR PRICE

Vietnam’s leading tra fish exporters agreed to levy a minimum

price of US$2-2.2 per pound on shipments to the US for the

remaining months of the year in a move to ensure fair

competition and regain value for Vietnamese tra fish,

according to the Vietnamese Association of Seafood

Exporters and Processors (VASEP).

Tra fish export prices to the US have decreased during the

past several months as more domestic tra fish exporters have

focused on the US market, which is seen as more lucrative

than other markets. According to the US Customs, frozen

Vietnamese tra fillets were priced at $3,480 per tonne last

month, down 4 per cent over the previous month.

With some catfish exporters offering to sell products at

unusual cheap prices, other Vietnamese catfish processors

and exporters expected that the floor price regulation would

ensure that only capable and honest businesses could join the

US market and help reverse slumping prices.

VASEP said that many catfish exporters had been forced to

sell at lower prices as they were under pressure to pay back

bank loans. Some exporters offered to sell at only $2.2 a kg, a

rate other firms said was incredibly low, as

exporters could only make a profit from

$2.7 a kg.

To apply a floor price, Truong Dinh Hoe,

VASEP general secretary, said the

association had asked the Ministry of

Agriculture and Rural Development to

require tra fish exporters to register

export contracts with VASEP before

making shipments. This regulation is to

apply from August 1. Tra fish export

contracts to the US, therefore, would

need to be approved by VASEP for

supervision on prices and quality, Hoe

said, adding that exporters, whose export

prices are lower than the floor prices

would be fined.

The floor price regulations would be also

applied for other markets, said Hoe.

NORWAY: STABLE SEAFOOD EXPORTS IN JULY

Norway exported seafood worth NOK 3.5 billion in July. It is

the same value as for the month of July last year. So far this

year, seafood exports stand at 28.3 billion, a decrease of 1.3

billion or 4.3 per cent compared to same period last year.

"Despite the economic turmoil in the markets, the demand

for Norwegian seafood products good, even in countries

which are characterized by crisis. The first half of exports was

dominated by a much lower salmon prices than the year

before. In July, the price difference is smaller and larger

volumes, which in total gives a value growth of salmon

exports," says Egil Ove Sundheim, director of market

information at the Norwegian sjømatråd.

Increase in salmon exports

The export of salmon was 2.3 billion in

July, an increase of 58 million or 2.6 per

cent compared to July last year. So far this

year, exports of salmon are 16.3 billion

which is down at 932 million or five per

cent compared to same period last year.

Lower export prices are the reason for

the decline. The average price for whole

fresh Norwegian salmon in July is 27.05

million, compared with 31.14 million in

July 2011. France and Russia are the

biggest buyers of salmon from Norway. Trout exports were

on the same level as in July last year and amounted to 118

million. So far this year, exports of trout are 917 million

kroner, an increase of NOK 183 million compared to 2011.

The largest buyers of trout are Norway, Russia and Japan.

Exports of herring increased by 92 million or 73 per cent in

July to a total value of 219 million. So far this year, exports of

herring are 2.4 billion which is the same level as 2011. Russia

and Germany are the largest markets for herring.

Mackerel in July increased by 16 million to a total of 68 million.

So far this year, the growth of mackerel is by 353 million to a

total of 1.2 billion. For mackerel, Russia and China are the

main markets.

Clip fish exports fell by 12 million in July to a total value of 228

million. Exports divided by 118 million of cod, 92 million on

Up for herring and mackerel

Down dried fish, salted fish up

pollock, while the remainder is

distributed as ling, tusk and other

groundfish. The largest market for dried

cod is Portugal, while Brazil is the main

market for dried saithe.

Exports of salted fish, including fillets,

increased by 14 million in July and ended

on a total of 39 million. 32 million of this is

cod. Portugal is the largest market for

salted fish.

Exports of fresh cod fell by 23 million in

July to a total value of 34 million. In July,

falling exports of frozen cod fillets was by

26 million to a total of 89 million.

Source: The Fish Site

Decline of fresh and frozen cod

MALAYSIA’S FISH, SEAFOOD EXPORTS TO DOUBLE

Malaysia's export of fish and other seafood is expected to

double, given the steady annual growth of 15 per cent in the

aquaculture industry, according to the Fisheries Department.

Its director-general Datuk Ahamad Sabki Mahmood said

aquaculture, which is still relatively new in the country,

currently produces around 380,000 metric tonnes of fish and

other seafood, ‘The Sun Daily’ reported.

"At the rate this is going, we will soon be able to reach our

target of 800,000 metric tonnes annually. “This will enable us

to double our export quantity, which is around 300,000

metric tonnes today," he said at a press conference after

flagging off a media convoy heading to see the department's

projects throughout the country yesterday.

"Although we're relatively young in this area, we're advancing

and it is even growing faster than the population of the

country, so it is sustainable," he said. Ahamad Sabki further

said the department had found that the deep-sea fishing

industry was not growing fast enough to be profitable.

"We realise we cannot really depend on

deep-sea fishing because it's not growing

fast enough. Currently, it is producing

around 1.3 to 1.4 million metric tonnes of

fish and seafood. Our target is only 1.7

million metric tonnes, that is its maximum

productivity, so we are focusing on

aquaculture," he said.

Malaysia is currently the fifth-largest

producer of fish and seafood through

aquaculture in Asean, behind Thailand, the

Philippines, Indonesia and Viet Nam.

Seafood and fish are exported mainly to

Europe, the United States, China, Japan

and Singapore, while Malaysia imports

around 200,000 metric tonnes from

other countries.

CHILE’S SEAFOOD EXPORTS KEEP POSITIVE TREND

In the first five months of 2012 fishing and aquaculture

products from Chile reached a value of USD 2,070 million.

This figure represents a rise of 7.7 per cent over the same

period of 2011, when USD 1,922 million was obtained.

The volume of exports between January and May 2012 also

rose: there was a 15.1 per cent rise, changing from 465,700 --

in 2011 - to 536,180 tonnes this year, the Undersecretariat of

Fisheries (Subpesca) reported.

The structure of participation in relation to the volume of

exports was led by frozen products, which accounted for 53.4

per cent of the total. It was followed by fishmeal, fresh chilled

products and dried seaweed, according to the latest Subpesca

Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector Report.

According to statistics from Subpesca, the main export was

that of Atlantic salmon, which accounted for 27.2 per cent

(USD 564 million) of the total value of sales abroad. Further

behind were located the rainbow trout and Pacific salmon.

Chilean products were destined for 94 countries, of which the

nine main ones accounted for 83.6 per cent of the total

exported value. Among them, Japan, US, Brazil, China and

Spain stood out.

As to the catching sector, the accumulated value of fish

exports (253,500 tonnes) between January and May 2012

reached USD 485.6 million.

In the first five months about 115,000 tonnes of fishmeal were

sold abroad for USD 144.3 million while a year before

124,900 tonnes worth USD 201.7 million had been exported.

The most important destinations of fishmeal were China,

Japan and Spain.

Out of the total exported fishmeal, 58.1 per cent had prime

quality, 24.1 per cent had super prime quality and 16.3 per

cent was standard.

The sales of frozen products abroad totalled USD 210.8

million, which represented a rise of 24 per cent over the same

period in 2011.

These products were shipped mainly to

Nigeria, US and Spain, with shares in value

of 32.2 per cent, 17.4 per cent and 8.3 per

cent, respectively.

As for canned products, the sales in the

first five months of 2012 totalled USD

31.3 million, 9.5 per cent less than a year

earlier.

The main markets were Spain, Singapore

and Hong Kong, with shares of 23.8 per

cent, 16.2 per cent and 11.4 per cent,

respectively.

Aquaculture sector exports accounted

for 76.5 per cent of the total sales abroad

and 54.7 per cent of total exports in the

first five months of this year, with USD

1,584 million and about 283,000 tonnes.

The current assessment shows an

increase of 10.4 per cent compared to the

value recorded last year.

Source: Fish Info & Services

INDONESIA WARNS FISH EXPORTERS TO EVALUATE

PROCEDURES

The Indonesian government has called on fish exporting

companies to evaluate their export mechanisms to anticipate

tight regulations enforced by importing countries, according

to a report in ‘The Jakarta Times’.

Head of the provincial Agency of Fishery and Marine Affairs, I

Made Gunaja, said many importing countries applied

extremely tight regulations concerning quality, including the

implementation of the HACCP (Hazard Analyst Critical

Control Points) system.

“Fish processing units in Bali have also made some efforts to

comply with the system, but unfortunately, some of the

exported fish were still rejected due to decreasing quality

caused by contamination with heavy metals, chemicals and

microbiological substances,” he told some 50 representatives

from exporting companies.

However, some countries could reject products because they

had applied a new regulation, for example by lowering the

tolerance limit for a chemical substance.

Meanwhile, he said, a new regulation regarding shipping

procedures has been brought into effect, but had not been

disseminated yet as it would take a long time to change the

document template. He warned that even a slight difference in

signature on the document could be a problem.

A complaint about heavy metals was received three months

ago from Europe about a fish exporting company based in

Sulawesi. Many exporting companies catching fish in various

areas nationwide use Bali as their export gate. “It was quite

unusual for us to get a complaint from Europe, because the

exports had been going well before,” Gunaja said.

Jaya Wijaya, an official from the fish processing and marketing

division at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry,

highlighted some issues in fish exports, including quality and

safety, sustainability, bio-security, third party certification and

traceability, all of which are stipulated in the regulations

applied by the importing countries.

He said that challenges in fish importation

were rising, citing the implementation of

import safety by the US, as well as food

safety laws in Japan as examples.

Indonesia has to evaluate and improve its

procedures by ful f i l l ing a l l the

requirements or by negotiating through

diplomatic channels. Indonesia still has a

number of ongoing negotiations, including

with EFTA (Norway, Switzerland, Iceland

and Liechtenstein), Korea, the European

Union, India, Pakistan and Australia.

The country also cooperates with other

countries in marketing fish products,

including with Singapore Agribusiness,

ASEAN Tuna and with the D8 group

(Egypt, Turkey, Nigeria, Iran, Malaysia,

Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan). The

national export value of fish last year

reached US$ 3.52 billion with a total

volume of 214,793 tons.

The main products are shrimp at 37.2

percent, tuna with 14.2 percent, other fish

with 31.3 percent, crab at 7.4 percent, and

other seafood with 9.9 percent.

Worldwide Indonesia ranks 12th in

market share of fishery exports.

Bali exported 28,548 tons of fishery

products, with an estimated value in

excess of $124 million.

PAKISTAN’S FISH EXPORTS CROSS $300M

Pakistan’s fish exports crossed the barrier of $300 million for

the first time in the country’s history and fetched a higher

average unit price (AUP) in 2011-12, compared to the

previous year, despite a decline in the quantity exported, and a

continued ban on export of fish to the European countries,

reported ‘Dawn’.

A total of 124,489 tons of fish were exported in 2011-12,

earning $315 million, compared with 133,926 tons worth

$296 million in 2010-11.

Chairman Fisheries Exporters Association of Pakistan Faisal

Iftikhar linked the increase in the value of exports to a higher

AUP of $2.53 per kg in 2011-2012, as compared with $2.21

per kg in 2010-2011.

Pakistan is losing out on $50 million each year in fish exports

from EU’s market following a ban in April 2007 due to quality

issues.

However exporters have found new markets to nullify the

negative impact of the EU ban.

Iftikhar said that the fish exports to China remained brisk

during the year as exporters were able to get a better price

than what European countries may have offered for almost all

varieties. Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East were among

some of Pakistan’s main fish export

destinations.

An estimated 342,655 tons of fish and

other varieties came from Sindh and

Balochistan, with Sindh’s contribution of

207,540 tons.

The Chairman was of the view that the

landing of fish which was six to eight per

cent lower from the previous year caused

the shortage in raw material but an 8.8

per cent devaluation of the local currency

against the dollar helped boost exports.

He also added that there were reports

that an EU mission may allow two

exporters to resume exports to

European countries, when it visits in

September.

Pakistani fish was also being illegally

exported to Iran, Iftikhar said, which was

causing a loss of Rs10 to Rs20 daily during

peak fish eating season.

MYANMAR TO HOST LIVESTOCK TECHNOLOGY FAIR

An international fishery and livestock technology trade

fair will be held in Myanmar, the government said.

The fair, to be held during 7-8 December, will feature some

of the latest technologies of the sector, Xinhua reported.

Myanmar’s marine exports reached $125 million in April-

June period this year, up $12.59 million or 11 percent year-

on-year.

The figure for 2011-12 fiscal year stood

at $522 million.

There are over 70 fish cold storage

facilities in Yangon, of which 23 are in

operation.

BANGLADESH BANS EXPORTS OF WHITE FISH

The government of Bangladesh decided to ban exports of all

kinds of white fish indefinitely to maintain prices at acceptable

levels. According to media reports, the measure does not

affect prawns.

The Ministry of Commerce issued the notice imposing the

ban after the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of

Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) urged the government to

take the measure in hopes that it would thwart the price

spiral of white fish, including Hilsa, during Ramadan.

FBCCI's letter to the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) last

month called on the government to take immediate steps for

banning export of fish during Ramadan, considering the

people who have lower incomes and cannot afford highly

priced foods, ‘Financial Express’ reported.

Prices of white fish surged in the last month in Dhaka and

Chittagong, according to the Department of Agricultural

Marketing (DAM).

Hilsa was selling at a 10 per cent higher than a month ago and

at 50 per cent higher than they were a year ago, The Daily Star

reports.

Prices of pangash and ruhi climbed by 37 per cent and 15 per

cent, respectively, in the same period, DAM data shows.

Despite having imposed the ban, the government has not

clarified the situation for the exporters who have already

received orders to ship products to foreign buyers and moved

to ship their consignments.

On protests against the ban, the Bangladesh Frozen Foods

Exporters Association (BFFEA) said it would work against the

country's exports earnings.

BFEEA President Kazi Shahnewaz also complained that the

government had not consulted the association regarding the

ban.

BFEEA sent a letter to the Commerce Ministry this week

arguing that the negligible quantity of fish exports did not

affect prices in the local market to begin with, and instead

blamed the rise in prices of fish feed and

transport, extortion and high taxes on

commercial fish farming.

"The price of fish has risen due to a rise in

production cost as well as price

man i pu l a t i on by un s c rupu lou s

businessmen. Production costs of fish

increased due to fish feed price hike and

other items, land tax, fall in number of

water bodies," Bangladesh Aquaculture

Alliance (BAA) Chairperson Maksudur

Rahman said.

BFEEA also criticised the tendency of

certain fish traders to increase prices

during Ramadan.

“There is ample supply of fish in the

market now. Under these circumstances,

the ban on exports of low quantity of fish

will affect the export earnings," said the

letter.

Excluding shrimp, frozen fish exports rose

to 19,000 tonnes in the 2011-12 period

from 16,743 tonnes a year earlier, BFFEA

informed.

About 20,000 tonnes of white fish are

exported every year -- less than 1 per

cent of total annual production.

SPAIN WILL NOT ACCEPT EU-MAURITANIA FISHERIES

AGREEMENT

Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Food and Environment,

Miguel Arias Cañete expressed support for the Spanish fishing

sector affected by the renewal of the protocol to implement

the fisheries agreement between the EU and Mauritania, and

Spain's refusal to ratify it.

"Spain will ask you to review the conditions and to negotiate a

balanced agreement on the financial conditions conform to

the actual fishing possibilities," he explained.

Mr Arias Cañete stressed that the new agreement should take

into account "the true biological status of resources in line

with recent scientific studies and the views and interests of

Community vessels.

Mr Arias Cañete has rejected the European Commission's

new fisheries agreement with Mauritania, as he states it did

not take into account either the best available scientific

advice, nor the views and interests of Spanish vessels and the

rest of the EU fleet.

In this regard, the minister noted, as evidence of the

infeasibility of the Agreement, the fact that almost all of the

fleets concerned had not requested renewal of their licenses

to continue operating on 1 August.

The Minister has stressed, in the context of this negative

assessment, the fact that the European Commission has

negotiated a fishing agreement in which

the EU have two years not to fish in

Mauritania, in addition to the €80 million

intended to pay the industry.

Thus, to avoid further damage to the

fleets concerned and correct the

imbalance that has occurred between the

financial and fishing opportunities, Mr

Arias Cañete has indicated that the

Spanish Government can not give its

support to the ratification of the new

protocol. Instead, the General Secretariat

of Fisheries will work to desist from

continuing with the current proposal and

proceed to renegotiate the agreement on

terms more balanced for both parties.

In this vein, the Minister has considered

that it is still possible to rectify and

achieve a mutually beneficial agreement.

This would avoid causing unnecessary

damage to the European fishing industry,

especially in regard to job losses.

For this, the Ministry shall, in the coming

days, send a request to the European

Commission to arbitrate extraordinary

financial measures to alleviate the

situation of the cephalopod fleet while

maintaining their inactivity, which is

determined by setting a zero quota in

category nine and pending a review of the

availability of excess funds under the

agreement.

The Ministry is studying the possibility of

implementing different support lines and

crews of vessels regularly worked under

this agreement.

SKIN CANCER IDENTIFIED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WILD

FISH POPULATIONS

Widespread skin cancer has been identified for the first time

in wild marine fish populations, new research has shown.

A collaborative study between Newcastle University and the

Australian Institute of Marine Science published in the

academic journal PLoS ONE - reveals the incidence of

melanoma in the coral trout, a species found on the Great

Barrier Reef and directly beneath the world’s largest hole in

the ozone layer.

This is the first time skin cancer has been diagnosed in wild

fish populations and the team, led by Newcastle University’s

Dr Michael Sweet, say the appearance of the melanoma is

almost identical to that found in humans.

“Further work needs to be carried out to establish the exact

cause of the cancer but having eliminated other likely factors

such as microbial pathogens and marine pollution, UV

radiation appears to be the likely cause,” explains Dr Sweet.

“Studying disease in wild fish populations is very time-

consuming and costly so it’s hard to say how long the disease

has been around. However, what we do know is that it is now

widespread in the coral trout population effecting three

different species of this type of fish and we would not be

surprised to find it in other species as well.”

The study, which was funded by the Natural Environment

Research Council (NERC), UK, and the Australian Research

Council, involved experts from Newcastle University, the

Australian Institute of Marine Science and James Cook

University, Australia, and looked at Plectropomus leopardus,

otherwise known as the common coral trout.

The coral trout is an iconic and highly valued species that

occurs throughout the western Pacific and in Australia

supports a high-value fishery on the Great Barrier Reef.

Diseased fish were caught in two locations in the southern

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park – Heron Island and One Tree

Island – but its occurrence throughout the rest of its range is

currently unknown. Anecdotal evidence suggests minimal

occurrence in other regions of the GBR

and in other coral trout species, but

further research is required to confirm

this.

Of the 136 fish sampled, 20 (15 per cent)

showed dark lesions on the skin – the

lesions covered as little as five per cent of

the skin ranging to full coverage and an

almost entirely black appearance. Dr

Sweet said the numbers were significant.

“The individuals we looked at had

extensive – but only surface –

melanomas,” he explained. “This means

the cancer had not spread any deeper

than the skin so apart from the surface

lesions the fish were basically healthy.

“Once the cancer spreads further you

would expect the fish to become quite

sick, becoming less active and possibly

feeding less, hence less likely to be caught.

This suggests the actual percentage

affected by the cancer is likely to be higher

than observed in this study.”

UV-induced melanoma in fish has until

now only been seen under laboratory

conditions and has been used as a model

to study the progress of human skin

cancer due to the similarities in the

disease.

In the lab, hybridised fish were found to be

more susceptible to UV radiation due to

exposure of the so-called ‘Xmrk’ gene. In

the case of coral trout cross-breeding –

or hybridisation – may also be occurring

and play a role in the coral trout’s

FINDING AN ALTERNATIVE TO A FISH BASED FEED

Scientists at Liverpool University are developing a new plant-

based product that could replace fishmeal, reducing the need

for farmers to feed fish to other fish at a time when more than

90 per cent of EU waters are at risk from overfishing.

It is estimated that in order to satisfy consumer need for fish

in an expanding human population, the UK market would

need to increase supplies by more than 1.9 million tonnes by

2035.

Currently farmed fish, such as salmon, are fed food containing

fishmeal, which means that several kilograms of wild fish are

consumed to produce one kilogram of farmed fish. This has

fuelled concerns that there could be a global shortage of fish

in the next 20 years.

To help sustain fish stocks, the aquaculture industry is working

towards replacing fishmeal with plant proteins, such as soya.

The difficulty with this approach, however, is that many plants

contain anti-nutrients that prevent digestive enzymes from

working, resulting in poor digestion and failure to absorb

important nutrients.

Scientists at the University are now leading a consortium

including University of the Highlands and Islands; international

feed manufacturer, Skretting; the UK’s leading supplier of

farmed sea bass, Anglesey Aquaculture; and University of

Nottingham based company, Eminate, to resolve this issue by

fermenting plant protein sources, which will use ‘good

bacteria’ to predigest food and make nutrients more available

for absorption in the gut.

Dr Iain Young, from the University’s Institute of Integrative

Biology, explains: “Using fishmeal means that you are feeding

fish to fish. With the increasing demand for fish, in a human

population that is set to reach just over nine billion in the next

20 years, this approach will continue to deplete fish stocks.

Food based on soya and other beans has been tested as a

possible replacement for fishmeal, but unfortunately

carnivorous fish don’t maintain good overall health on a diet

of plant protein.

“Studies have shown that fish, such as salmon and sea bass, eat

less of the plant protein product and don’t

grow as fast. Their flesh does not receive

the necessary levels of Omega-3 fatty

acids, which are a key component of

human nutrition. The food also contains

anti-nutrients that cause difficulties with

digestion and absorption of nutrients, as

well as toxins that can build up in the fish.”

Solutions to this problem include

preheating the plant protein to break

down the toxins and anti-nutrients, but

this is a costly method to sustain.

Fermentation techniques, however, have

proved cost-effective in agriculture and

other industries and so the Liverpool

team aim to exploit this to replace up to

15 per cent of fishmeal, representing fish

sales of approximately £14 million.

Dr Young continued: “Fermentation

methods could predigest the toxins and

anti-nutrients in plant protein food,

making it easier for the fish to absorb and

maintain overall good health. It will help

resolve current technical limitations of

the product and address the concerns

about overfishing and food shortage in the

years to come.”

SRI LANKA'S GLOBAL AQUACULTURE PROPOSAL APPROVED

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's proposal of setting

up of a Global Aquaculture Fund was approved at the 30th

session of the FAO Committee in Fisheries (COFI) at FAO

Headquarters, Rome from July 9-13, Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

Participating as the Chief Guest at the Food and Agriculture

Organisation (FAO) Asian Regional Ministerial Meeting on

Aqua culture for Food Security, Nutrition and Economic

Development in Colombo on July 2011, President Mahinda

Rajapaksa moved this motion in his keynote address, reported

‘Daily News’.

Addressing a press briefing in Colombo, Minister Dr Rajitha

Senaratne said the fund would help to uplift freshwater fishing

in the country which is currently at an insufficient level.

"This is important, because limitations have arisen in the

ocean based fishing. Fisheries resources are decreasing in

world oceans. Fish are an important element of the human

food supply. Therefore, it is necessary to uplift the aquaculture

sector with the intention of averting any possible food crisis in

the future," he said.

The Sri Lankan delegation led by Minister Dr Rajitha

Senaratne was able to achieve many goals on behalf of the

fisheries sector in Sri Lanka. The Minister said that the meeting

inaugurated by the FAO new Director General Jose Graziano

da Silva was attended by 124 members states and 64 UN

bodies and IGOs.

"Sri Lanka also elaborated on its commitment to the FAO

Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and endorsed

what the country has done to ensure food security and to

manage its resources avoiding illegal, unreported and

unregulated (IUU) fishing," the Minister said.

"Sri Lanka was also elected unanimously to the Bureau of

Fisheries. Its function is to communicate with members and

make necessary preparations and advise FAO DG on COFI

arrangements, " he said.

In order to prepare the draft report in a

technically sound, factual manner as per

FAO documentation criteria through the

sessions, Sri Lanka has been selected to

serve as the 12th member of the COFI

document drafting committee.

“I also had bilateral discussions with the

Fisheries Ministers of Brazil and

Bangladesh with regard to the

implementation of planned cooperation

in tuna fishing in the Bay of Bengal. During

the visit, the team met International Fund

for Agricultural Development Country

Director to evaluate progress of ongoing

IFAD projects," the minister further said.

susceptibility to the disease.

Dr Michelle Heupel from the Australian

Institute of Marine Science stated: “This is

a crucial finding in an iconic and high value

reef species.

“Given climate change scenarios and

continuing alteration of coral reef

environments understanding the cause of

this disease is important to continued

conservation and management of reefs

and their inhabitants.”

The next step in the study is to look at a

much larger sample and determine the

extent of disease presence and causation

within the populations.

SEAFOOD EXPORTS BOOM FOR NZ

Primary industry statistics for the March 2012 quarter show

what a boom of a production year it was for most. Total

seafood export revenue was up by 9.4% in the March quarter,

due to increasing prices and a volume increase of 3.4 per cent.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has released a new

combined primary industry quarterly report, comprising

production and trade statistics for the Dairy, Meat and Wool,

Forestry and Seafood industries. It replaces separate

quarterly reports for forestry and seafood that were

previously released by the Ministry.

The primary sector continued to be an economic driver, with

total primary sector exports accounting for 71% of all

merchandise exports in the year to March 2012.

Total seafood export earnings increased from $354.5 million

in the March 2011 quarter to $388.0 million in the March

2012 quarter (an increase of 9.4 per cent). All major seafood

product groups contributed to this increase.

Total seafood export volumes increased 3.4 per cent to 80

267 tonnes in the March 2012 quarter. Export volumes were

up for deepwater, inshore shellfish and

pelagic species, but down for aquaculture

and inshore finfish species compared to

the March 2011 quarter.

The fact that the export revenue

increased for aquaculture and inshore

finfish species while export volumes

decreased indicates that prices in our

export markets have increased enough to

offset any loss of export revenue from

lower export volumes. This was achieved

despite the high exchange rate with the

United States dollar. The majority of

seafood is traded internationally using the

United States dollar. Inshore shellfish and

pelagic species saw export revenue

increase at a rate greater than export

volumes. This would also indicate that

prices in New Zealand’s export markets

for these species have increased slightly.

OMAN BANS EXPORT OF SOME SPECIES OF FISH

Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has imposed

a ban on export of some species of fish until 15

September.

The decision has been issued to ensure the local market

has enough fish, according to ‘Gulf News’.

The banned varieties include gaithar (tuna), kanad

(kingfish), sahwa, washran, sal, khayit, hamam, kafdar, talah,

ghazal, debs, habs, kofdar talah, Ggazal and kofar.

This also requires the companies to market equal

quantities of the types of fish known

as shari, bayah, iqam, dalaa, ashkhali,

sarif, andaq and hamoor (excluding

disco) during the said period.

When the companies comply with

this target quota, each will be granted

a licence to export a quantity of fish

equal to the quantity marketed

locally.

CHINESE FISHING INDUSTRY FACING DWINDLING

RESOURCES

A severe decline resources nearly paralysed the fishing

industry in eastern China earlier this year, leaving many boats

anchored during the prime fishing season. Dwindling stocks

brought on by years of over-fishing has become a challenge for

many countries around the world. With this in mind, China

and other nations are starting to exploit the resources of the

South Pole, according to a report in ‘CRI English’.

Cao Yonglei has been a crewman for many years. Currently, he

is preparing for a fishing trip 600 to 700 nautical miles away

that will take around five months. He says that ten years ago

they traveled only a few dozen miles for fishing, but nowadays,

they travel further, they get less.

"Previously, by spreading just one fishing net we could get

dozens of tons, even hundreds of tons, of fish. The best record

was as high as 600 tons. However, nowadays the best harvest

is only at about 100 or 200 tons."

Department head of the Dalian Ocean Fishery Group of

Corporations, Wang Jianlu, says 600 to 700 nautical miles for

today's fishing vessels is not very far compared with other

vessels who have to travel thousands of nautical miles.

Sometimes one trip takes them two or three years.

Mr Wang added that due to a severe decline in resources, the

number of fishing vessels has sharply decreased from 180

vessels to the current 18 vessels. And the output also ends in

disappointment. Taking last year as an example, they invested

more than 70 million yuan in the remaining 18 vessels, but the

profit was only about 10 million yuan. “The total cost was at

about 65 million yuan last year, but the

output was only at 70 to 80 million at

most."

Business insiders say China has seen a

serious deterioration in offshore fishing

resources. And the recent low output at

sea is the result of excessive fishing, over

exploitation and pollution, factors that

have damaged fishery resources over the

years. Facing the severe decline in

resources, many countries, including

China, have started to turn their sights on

places like the South Pole.

Xu Yucheng, department head of a fishing

company in Liaoning Province, says the

South Pole is very rich in resources,

especially Antarctic krill. It's estimated

that billions of tons of Antarctic krill are

harvestable in the South Pole.

Dalian Ocean Fishery Group of

Corporations organized a fishing team to

the South Pole in December 2010.

"It was the first time for a Chinese vessel

to fish at the South Pole, so there is a lot of

room for improvement, including fishing

tools, fish processing and how to choose

fishing sites. That's why we didn't get the

harvest we expected."

Xu adds that the nutrition from the

shrimp-like crustacean is much higher

than other shrimp. Countries like Japan,

Russia, South Korea and Norway have

realized the importance of winning a spot

at the South Pole.

Indian Seafood Industry News

INDIAN MARINE PRODUCTS EXPORTS CROSSED 3.5 BILLION

MARK IN 2011-12

During the financial year 2011-12, for the first time in the

history of Marine product exports, the export earnings have

crossed USD 3.5 billion, MPEDA said in a press release. This is

also first time export has crossed all previous records in

quantity, rupee value and US $ terms. Exports aggregated to

862021 tonnes valued at Rs. 16597.23 crores and USD

Exports during 2011-12 compared to 2010-11

MARINE PRODUCTS EXPORT GROWTH IN US$ TERMS

3508.45 million. Compared to the

previous year, seafood exports recorded a

growth of 6.02% in quantity, 28.65% in

rupee and 22.81% growth in US$ earnings

respectively.

The figures must be viewed in the light of

the scenario of continuing recession in

the international markets, debt crisis in

EU economies, continuing antidumping

duty in US, sluggish growth in US economy

and the political instability in the Arab

world. The increased production of

Vannamei shrimp, increased productivity

of Black tiger shrimp and better price

realization of major items like Shrimp,

Squid and Cuttlefish helped us to gain

such a higher export turnover.

Major items of export

Frozen Shrimp continued to be the major

export value item accounting for 49.63%

of the total US $ earnings. Shrimp

exports during the period increased by

24.86%, 42.97% and 37.99% in quantity,

rupee value and US$ value respectively.

Fish, has retained its position as the

principal export item in quantity terms

and the second largest export item in

MAJOR ITEM WISE EXPORTS

Export of Fr. Shrimp to South East Asia has

registered a growth of about 222.43% in

volume and 356.36% in US$ terms.

Export of Fr. Shrimp to USA has also

showed a growth of about 47.68% in

volume and 47.55% in US$ terms. Export

of Vannamei shrimp had also picked up. We

have exported about 40787 MT of

Vannamei shrimp during this period.

Export to Middle East countries showed

an increase of 25.98% in US$ realization

but declined in quantity by 13.25%. The

details are given in the following table.

MPEDA envisages an ambitious target of

USD 4.5 Billion for the year 2012-13.

Increased production of L.vannamei

shrimp and increase in infrastructure

facilities for production of Value added

items are the helping factors to achieve

this target.

Outlook for 2012-13

value terms, accounted for a share of about 40.27% in quantity

and 19.48% in US$ earnings.

Fr. Cuttlefish recorded a growth of 21.92% in rupee value and

15.58% in USD terms. Unit value also increased by 25.06%,

however, there is a decline in quantity (7.59%). Export of Fr.

Squid showed an increase of 21.53% in rupee value and

17.46% in US$ realization. Unit value also increased by

32.95%. However, there is a decrease of 11.65% in terms of

quantity.

Live items also showed a growth of 8.76% in terms of rupee

value and 3.18 % in terms of US$ realization compared to the

previous year.

Dried items showed a drastic decline in quantity, value and

US$ terms by 32.05%. 41.08%, and 44.56% respectively. The

details are given in the following table

South East Asia became the largest buyer of Indian marine

products with a share of 39.90 % in volume and 25.09 % in US

$ realization. European Union (EU) got into the second place

with a share of 22.96% followed by USA 18.17%, Japan

13.01%, China 7.51%, Middle East 5.33% and Other Countries

by 7.95%.

Exports to South East Asia registered a growth of 87.51 % in

US$ realization and 47.01% in terms of volume. Increase in

export of Fr. Shrimp, Fr. Fish and Chilled items contributed to

the growth. Exports to US had registered a positive growth of

36.45% in quantity and 45.39% in US$ realization and is mainly

attributed by the export of Fr. Shrimp and cephalopods. .

Exports of Vannamei shrimp showed a tremendous increase

in US market by 212 % in quantity and 209% in US $

realization.

Export to Japan also registered a positive growth of 21.33% in

quantity and 22.35% in US $ terms. Exports of chilled items

showed a tremendous increase in Japanese market by

120.12% in quantity and 220.34% in US $ realization.

Exports to China showed a drastic decline of 46.89% in

quantity and 40.17% in US$ terms. The marine products

exports have strengthened India’s presence in South East Asia.

There is a significant increase in exports to South East Asian

Countries compared to the previous year.

Major export markets

MAJOR MARKET WISE EXPORTS

A one-day training programme on ‘Safe Handling of Ammonia

in Seafood Industries’, organised by the Department of

Factories and Boilers, Government of Kerala, in association

with National Safety Council and Seafood Exporters

Association of India, was conducted in Kochi at Seafood

House, the headquarters of SEAI, on 25th July.

Mr. Jimmy Jose, Joint Secretary of the Kerala Chapter of

National Safety Council (NSC) welcomed the gathering. Mr.

V.J. Francis Xavier, Chairman of the Kerala Chapter of NSC

delivered the presidential address. The function was formally

inaugurated by Mr. Anil Kuriakose, Inspector of Factories and

Boilers, Palluruthy. Mr. Norbert Karikkassery, President of the

Kerala Region of Seafood Exporters Association of India

delivered the felicitation address.

Sixty-three technicians from leading Seafood companies

attended the training. The training included practical exercises

and case studies. Printed reference materials and hand-outs

were distributed to the participants. Certificates of

participation were awarded at the end of

the programme.

ENHANCING ENERGY EFFICIENCY “CRUCIAL” FOR INDIA’S

MSME SECTOR: EXPERTS

The first-ever National Summit on Energy Efficiency in Micro,

Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)--organised by

SAMEEEKSHA, a joint forum comprisingThe Energy and

Resources Institute (TERI), Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE),

Embassy of Switzerland, India and Ministry of Micro, Small and

Medium Enterprises-- commenced with fanfare in New Delhi

on 30th July.

The inaugural session of the Summit featured eminent

luminaries and veteran experts including Director General,

TERI, Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Ambassador of Switzerland in India, Dr.

Linus von Castelmur, Director General, BEE, Dr. Ajay Mathur

and Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium

Enterprises, Mr. R.K. Mathur.

The need to organise this first-of-its-kind

event stemmed from the extensive work

carried out by TERI in the MSME sector

since 1994, with the support of the Swiss

Agency fo r Deve lopmen t a nd

Cooperation (SDC), the BEE, the French

Development Agency (AfD), the German

Development Agency (GIZ), UNIDO, the

World Bank and other donors. Through

this platform, the goal has been to obtain

energy savings of 20 to 30 percent in

SEAFOOD HOUSE HOSTS TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR

TECHNICIANS

MSMEs, thereby reducing CO2 emissions in select energy

intensive small scale industry sectors.

Over the years, the cumulative impact of SAMEEEKSHA’s

joint efforts has been tangible and visible both at the national

as well as local scale. Nearly 582,000 tonnes of cumulative

reduction of CO2 levels in the MSME sector has been

achieved till date. The goal is to reduce 1,000,000 tonnes of

CO2 in energy-intensive MSMEs by the end of 2014.

Addressing the gathering, Director General of TERI, Dr. R.K.

Pachauri, said, “The MSME sector offers enormous potential

for initiatives aimed at improving energy efficiency and overall

development. Yet, this potential has till recently been matched

“in the reverse” by the low levels of attention to this

important sector. The government can play an enabling role in

facilitating changes.”

There are an estimated 26 million MSME units providing

employment to nearly 70 million people in India and the

sector accounts for about 45% of India’s industrial production

and 40% of exports.

However, a large number of these MSME units are energy

intensive, with energy accounting for up to 40% of their

production costs. In many of these units, the adoption of

energy efficient (EE) technology and best operating practices

offer enormous potential for energy savings, reduction in

CO2 emissions as well as profitability enhancement.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the National Summit, the

Ambassador of Switzerland to India, H.E Dr Linus von

Castelmur said, “Switzerland is proud to be working with

MSME sector in India for over 18 years,

with innovative partner networks to

design technologies, demonstrate and

disseminate energy efficient technologies

and by creating enabling environment.”

He further added that these technology

interventions had resulted in “co-benefits

for climate through avoided emissions

and for development in terms of local jobs

and energy security in the MSME

clusters.”

Lauding the initiative, Director General,

Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Dr. Ajay

Mathur, said, “The government has

enabled capacity building and pushed

enterprises towards energy efficiency.

Our challenge is replication of

technologies. We look for stronger

collaboration with our partners and

stakeholders.”

The official website of SAMEEEKSHA

initiative was also launched at the event,

followed by the release of a French

Development Agency (AfD) report on

benchmarking and mapping energy

consumption in Indian MSMEs. The study

was conducted by TERI under the overall

support and guidance of AfD, BEE and

French Env i ronment & Energ y

Management Agency (ADEME).

A p p r e c i a t i n g t h e e f f o r t s o f

SAMEEEKSHA, Secretary, Ministry of

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Dr.

R.K. Mathur, said, “Climate change and

global economic slowdown need to be

factored in by the MSMEs in their

endeavour to achieve energy efficiency.

The MSMEs have to be competitive while

introducing eco-friendly initiatives. We

look forward for the outcome of the

GOA EXTENDS FISHING BAN SO FISH STAYS ON PLATE

losses,” it adds.

A leading marine biologist has already

warned of a fish famine and flight of fish in

the seas off Goa.

Leading marine biologist Baban Ingole, a

chief scientist at the Goa-based National

Institute of Oceanography (NIO), has

warned that a combination of the state’s

burgeoning fishing trawler industry,

pollution and climate change was resulting

in the fish being driven off the Goa coast,

resulting in a fish famine in the region.

“It is both, due to natural causes like

climate change, decreased dissolved

oxygen (in the seas) as well man-made.

Like in the case of overfishing, increased

level of pollutants, etc.,” Dr. Ingole said.

Popular fish varieties like mackerel,

sardines and prawns would be the first to

exit the marine habitat off the state, which

has the Arabian sea to the west.

Goa has a 105-km long coastline, along

which nearly 1,400 trawlers hunt for fish,

mainly prawns, sardines, mackerels, king

fish, tuna, among other marine products.

In order to ensure that fish continues to be available in the

quintessential Goan thali (plate), it has now been decided to

extend the ban on fishing in Goa’s sea waters to 70-75 days, as

the government steps up effort to stave off a fish famine,

reported IANS.

Goa Chief Minister Parrikar said that fishermen, who use

traditional means to harvest fish, could be compensated by

the state government for not being allowed to enter into the

sea during the proposed extended ban period, which

currently is 45 days.

“To maintain the fish catch, a minimum of 70-75 days total

fishing ban will have to be maintained. We can also give the

traditional fishermen compensation in order not to go out to

sea,” Parrikar said, adding that it was imperative to maintain

the carrying capacity of the seas off Goa and stave off fish

famine.

Parrikar has also warned that the unit of the Indian Coast

Guard (ICG) stationed in Goa would be used to ensure that

trawlers from the neighbouring states of Karnataka and

Maharashtra do not fish in the state’s already fish-depleted

waters.

Currently, Goa bans fishing from June 15 to July 31 for a period

of 45 days. But the ban applies only to heavy duty mechanised

fishing, while traditional fishermen are still allowed to venture

out into the sea.

According to the state government’s Economic Survey (ES)

report, the state’s fish haul has reduced drastically from 1.03

lakh tonnes in 2005 to 80,680 tonnes in 2009 from a peak of a

whopping 9.9 lakh tonnes in 2004-05.

“With the total fish production in the state crossing

maximum sustainable yield (MSY), there is a need to restrict

the fishing efforts in the coastal waters of the state,” the

report stated.

“With the fish and fishing product decreasing day by day, all

efforts are being made to provide the infrastructure needed

at the landing centres so as to minimise the port harvest

FOUR FISH SEED REARING FARMS TO BE SET UP IN SALEM

The district administration of Salem in Tamil Nadu has

decided to set up four fish seed rearing farms in the district

under the Integrated Agricultural Modernization and Water

Resources Management (IAMWARM) project.

It would cost Rs 4 lakh to set up one farm, of which the

government has decided to give a subsidy of Rs 3 lakh and the

remaining will be borne by the beneficiaries. Salem district

authorities have invited applications for the fish seed rearing

farms.

IAMWARM project was implemented in 2007 in the state

except the Cauvery basin with the help of World Bank for the

benefit of the farming community.

"The departments of agricultural engineering, agricultural

marketing and agribusiness, animal husbandry, horticulture,

fisheries, forest, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University and

environmental cell were made part of this project," said B

Thennavan Brammarayan, inspector of fisheries (Salem).

"In Salem, the project has been implemented in the upper

Vellar (Vasistanadhi) basin and Swetanadhi that covers

Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, Perambalur, Trichy, Villupuram

and Cuddalore districts," said Brammarayan.

According to him, 51 fish farming ponds have been set up in

the upper Vellar basin and 18 have been set up in Swetanadhi

basin in Salem district under this project in the last five years.

Fish rearing takes place in these ponds. It also takes place in

the lakes, ponds, tanks owned by Public Works Department

and local bodies like municipalities,

panchayats etc.

The existing two fish seed rearing centres

in Mettur and Anaimaduvu Dams near

Vazhaipady, are not able to cater to the

district's requirements of fish seeds,

prompting the purchase of fish seeds from

other districts and states.

"Fish farming fetches good money. Due to

the low availability of fish seeds in the

district, people in the business purchase

fish seeds every year worth Rs 3 crore to

Rs 4 crore from Thanjavur district, Kattu

Mannar Koil in the Cuddalore district,

Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal,"

inspector of fisheries said. The fish seed

rearing farms are being set up to bridge

the gap.Hence, the Salem district

authority has planned to set up four fish

seed rearing farms in the district under

the IAMWARM project. In this regard, the

authority has invited applications from the

beneficiaries. The cost of one farm is

Rs4lakh. Out of which, subsidy to the tune

of Rs3lakh will be given to the beneficiary.

The remaining Rs1lakh should be borne

by the beneficiary", said, the inspector of

fisheries.

He also said the farms will help meet the

present requirements. Presently, the

district needs 5lakh to 6lakh fish seeds.

Interested persons should submit the

application before August 8 to the

assistant director of fisheries, Kolatur

road in Mettur, the inspector of fisheries

said.

Source: The Times of India

KERALA FISH BRAND TO BENEFIT TOURISM, COASTAL

DEVELOPMENT

A line of branded fish products from Kerala, Fish Maid, is

promising to harvest benefits for the Kerala State Coastal

Area Development Corporation (KSCADC) and the Kerala

Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), while

simultaneously netting better incomes for traditional fisher

folk, according to a report in ‘The Economic Times’.

The business model primarily aims to address one of the

critical challenges in post-harvest management of fish, namely

fish wastage to the tune of 20-30 per cent of the catch as trash

and spoilage, the report says.

By cutting on the wastage of fish as trash and spoilage,

KSCADC is hoping to increase incomes of fisher folk, provide

employment to self-help groups and augment nutritional

value of food products for consumers.

The value-added fish products under the Fish Maid brand

were developed by KSCADC and the Central Institute of

Fisheries Technology under the National Agricultural

Innovative Project.

"The concept offers more value per effort of catch for the

fisher folk by cutting down on fish wastage, and a healthy fast

food option for consumers because a fish diet is considered

brain and heart-friendly", KSCADC

managing director K Ampady told ET.

KTDC will support the venture, and has

entered into an understanding with

KSCADC to market the Fish Maid

products through its outlets. KTDC has

the largest network of tourism properties

in Kerala.

KTDC managing director Prasanth N said

the corporation would establish a special

outlet at its premium property, Mascot

Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram and also

distribute Fish Maid products through a

network of kiosks across the state.

KSCADC hopes to establish the brand in

Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts

in the first phase before a state-wide roll

out. Franchises for Fish Maid kiosks are

expected to be established all over Kerala,

and the 2012-13 state budget had

announced 100 such kiosks to be set up in

the state.

deliberations, and have great hopes from this Summit.”

Nearly 200 representatives from over 100 MSME clusters

across India converged at the two-day Summit to discuss

sectoral issues of policy, technology and finance while

attempting to define new directions for further action

towards the cause.

The National Summit had been supported by French

Development Agency (AfD), Energy Efficiency Services

Limited (EESL), and German Development Agency (GIZ).

The Small and Medium Enterprises Energy Efficiency

About SAMEEEKSHA

Knowledge Sharing--‘SAMEEEKSHA’-

aims to synergise the efforts of various

institutions working for the development

of MSME sector in India through the

promot ion o f energ y e f f i c i en t

technologies and practices.

The forum provides a unique interface

between industry experts, technology

development specialists, R&D institutions,

government bodies, training institutes,

funding agencies and academia.

NO HILSA ON PLATTER? BLAME SCANTY RAINS

The market price West Bengal’s popular fish species, the Hilsa,

shot to unusually high levels, last month-end.

The deficiency in rainfall has led to a sharp rise in salinity of the

Hooghly and the Bhagirathi, spoiling the favourite breeding

ground of hilsa and reducing the catch. This has led to a sharp

rise in hilsa prices. During the last week of July, the price

hovered around the Rs 800 per kg mark in markets across

Kolkata.

Jadavpur University oceanography department director

Sugata Hazra said the lack of heavy showers in south Bengal

had driven hilsa shoals towards Bangladesh, leading to a

massive drop in catch in Bengal. "The drop in fresh water

supply due to failure of monsoon has led to migration of hilsa

towards the Meghna-Padma estuary. That is because the

salinity has increased from 13-15 parts per million (ppm) at

this time of the year to 30 ppm this year," he said.

The hilsa shad spends most of its life in the inshore areas of

the sea and undertakes extensive migrations ascending

estuaries and rivers for breeding. The life cycle of most marine

and estuarine species involves complex migrations between

spawning and nursery grounds. Older hilsa spawn for the

second and the third time in the higher reaches, while younger

hilsa making their first spawning migration are more

susceptible to changes in salinity and spawn in the lower

stretches of the river.

According to statistics available with the Central Inland

Fisheries Research Institute (Cifri), hilsa catch has nosedived

from 60,000 tonne in 2010-11 to 18,000 tonne in 2011-12.

"This year, the catch may go down to as low as 7,000-8,000

tonne," Cifri riverine ecology and fisheries division head Utpal

Bhaumik said.

While lack of rainfall has hit hilsa catch particularly hard this

year, Bhaumik said the situation had also turned precarious

due to unsustainable fishing practices. "Unless we stop

unsustainable fishing and regulate the quantity of catch as well

as the type of net that is used for fishing, hilsa will soon

disappear from the average Bengali's plate in India," Mondal

said.

The situation is very different in

Bangladesh with the country taking a

series of measures a decade ago to

protect what is essentially more of a

Bengali obsession than just a cuisine. "In

the hilsa action plan developed in 2001-02,

five spawning grounds were identified and

named sanctuaries. Also, a ban on fishing is

in force between full moon and new

moon in October-November to ensure

that the breeding is not disturbed," said

University of Dhaka zoology department

professor Niamul Naser.

The measures yielded results. In 2011-12,

Bangladesh recorded hilsa catch of 2.6

lakh tonne. This year, the catch is expected

to rise to 3 lakh tonne. "If there is proper

trans-boundary management of hilsa, the

sustainable catch can easily increase to 15

lakh tonne," said Dhaka University

fisheries department professor and

chairman Dewan Ali Ahsan.

The study also revealed that several

migration routes that the hilsa

traditionally undertook are now blocked

by siltation in the Hooghly, Bhagirathi,

Meghna, Padma, Garai and other rivers.

Several stretches of these rivers need to

be desilted.

Ahsan, along with Naser, Bhaumik and

Hazra, has concluded a year-long study on

the importance of migratory and

spawning patterns for the conservation of

hilsa in Bangladesh and India. The study is

part of a larger dialogue initiated by

International Union for Conservation of

Nature ( IUCN) for susta inable

management of trans-boundary water

regimes in South Asia. The four got together to present their

report at an Indo-Bangla Hilsa conference in the city.

Among those who were present at the meet were Bangladesh

MPs Md Mokbul Hossain and Zafar Iqbal Siddique, both

members of the parliamentary standing committee for the

ministry of fisheries and livestock in that country, and state

fisheries department minister of state Subrata Saha.

1. Declare stretches of river between Gatkhali to Diamond

Harbour; Hooghly Ghat to Kalna; and Lalbagh to Farakka as

Hilsa sanctuaries.

2. Ban fishing in 10 km radius of sanctuaries during the peak

spawning period (October-November). Compensate riverine

Hilsa fishermen through alternative livelihood.

3. Stringent ban on capture of juveniles and destruction of

Hilsa fisheries. During March-May, most juveniles (80-150

mm) start downstream migration. Restrict use of bag and

scoop nets for catching Hilsa below 230 mm.

4. Prohibit fishing within 5 km of barrage to protect species

Proposals to Protect the Bengali Plate

and faciiltate brooders for spawning in the

area.

5. Surveillance by territorial coast guards

to stop operation of foreign vessels in the

fishing areas of marine zone.

6. Introduction of the Marine Fishing Act

of West Bengal to allow demarcation and

regulation of fishing zones according to

gear and craft.

7. Take measures to restrict number of

boats plying in the fishing zone. Introduce

a system of fishing quotas for each boat

and proper recording of landing data to

maintain fish catch at a sustainable level.

8. Declare submerged sand bars within

estuaries of Matla, Thakuran and

Raimongal rivers as 'protected areas' for

Hilsa.

Source: The Times of India

HILSA MAY GO FOR GOOD

Hilsa fishes might stop coming to the river systems of

Bangladesh and India and shift their spawning grounds to

Myanmar rivers permanently, if the river ecosystem is not

conserved in the two countries, according to a report in ‘The

Daily Star’.

To safeguard the ecosystem, Bangladesh and India must

increase waterflow, maintain navigation, control pollution and

stop catching jatkas in their rivers, researchers said here

yesterday while releasing a joint study on conservation of

hilsa fish.

Hilsa breeding and migration grounds have been shrinking in

both Bangladesh and India over the years, noted the experts.

They, howerver, did not elaborate on why the situation is

better in Myanmar as the study did not cover that country.

They made the assumption as river health

is better there and the disturbance to

hilsa is also less.

“We don't get any hilsa in the Padma,

though Poba, Godagari, Charghat and

even Chapainawabganj were famous for it.

In fact, hilsa doesn't migrate to the upper

waters in Shariatpur,” said Prof Dewan Ali

Ahsan, chairman of the Department of

Fisheries at Dhaka University.

If the salinity increases in the river water

due to low flow of water from the upper

stream and a rise in sea level, hilsa will not

spawn in the Padma. Hilsa eggs and small

fries cannot survive in salty water because

their chloride cell does not develop during that time,

mentioned Ahsan, a member of the Bangladesh-India joint

study committee on “Migratory and Spawning Patterns for

the Conservation of Hilsa in Bangladesh and India.”

Hilsa at present contributes one percent to Bangladesh's

GDP and meets 10 percent of its total fish demands, said the

study. It stressed “the importance of migratory and spawning

patterns for the conservation of hilsa in Bangladesh and India.”

The hilsa spawn at Kalirchar of Sandwip, Dhalerchar and

Moulavichar of Hatia, Monpura and Charfashion in Bhola of

Bangladesh. Besides, there are five nursery grounds where

jatka grows before going back to the sea, it was noted in the

research.

The study was released at a policy dialogue jointly organised

by the International Union for Conservation of Nature

(IUCN) and the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute,

India (CIFRI) at a local hotel. The dialogue is a part of IUCN's

project, “Ecosystems for Life: A Bangladesh-India Initiative.”

The meeting emphasized the need to maintain the flow of

fresh water in estuaries and associated mangrove ecosystems

for sustainable hilsa fisheries.

Presenting the Indian part of the joint study, Dr Utpal

Bhowmik, head of riverine ecology at CIFRI, said hilsa used to

migrate upto Allahabad around 2,000 kilometres from the sea

estuary.

But the Hoogly-Bhagiroti migratory route of the hilsa has

been completely interrupted, mentioned the expert, due to

construciton of the Farakka barrage.

Besides, less rainfall and temperature variations have also

been preventing the hilsa species from

migrating to Indian rivers for the last few

years, he added.

Addressing the event as a guest of honour,

Subrata Saha, minister of state,

department of fisheries, warned that if no

changes were made to current fishing

practices, the hilsa stocks would be on the

brink of collapse.

He explained that increased protection

was now urgently needed to conserve

Hilsa.

The study also revealed that most of the

hilsa caught in Bangaldesh weigh around

750 grams to one kilogram, while the

Indian variety weighs around 300 grams as

the jatkas are not conserved here.

T h e d i a l o g u e m a d e a s e t o f

recommendations to conserve hilsa

fishes.

In Bangladesh, there is a restriction

(during March-May) on the use of scoop

nets for catching hilsa below 230mm. The

experts suggested the Indian government

adopt a similar policy to allow migration

of jatkas to the sea.

They also recommended dredging the

rivers at appropriate points along the

Padma-Meghna and Hooghly-Bhagirathi

river systems to maintain a proper flow of

water to ensure hilsa migration.

Mokbul Hossain and Zafar Iqbal Siddique,

members of the parliamentary standing

committee on the fisheries and livestock

ministry of Bangladesh, spoke as guests of

honour.

R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f ro m f i s h i n g

communities and private sectors in

Bangladesh and India also joined the

dialogue.

TRAWLING BAN ENDS AS SHORT RAINFALL CAUSES CONCERN

Worried that the drastic shortfall in monsoon rainfall might

cut into fish catch, the fishing community returned to the sea

at predawn on 1st August, after a gap of 47 days.

Over 2,000 mechanised boats owned by Keralites and over

500 from Tamil Nadu went to the outer sea after the

monsoon ban on trawling that has forced them ashore all

these days ended on Tuesday midnight, ‘The Hindu’ reported.

During this enforced vacation, most of the boats received a

fresh coat of paint, annual maintenance work and repairs.

Workers at fishing harbours and fish-landing centres along

Kerala’s shoreline are giving final touches to the boats in order

to make them sea-worthy. Nets are being mended, fishing

gears are being tended and the shore is poised to become

lively once again.

However, the fish workers and boat owners are worried—the

southwest monsoon has let them down. Two months into the

monsoon, rainfall has been only a little over a third of its

normal self. Good rainfall is important for spawning and

regeneration of fish, particularly for pelagic fish such as oil

sardine and mackerel as well as prawns.

The rain water, it is pointed out, washes the nutrients in the

top soil down to the sea. These nutrients help the growth of

planktons on which the fish feed. The

phenomenon of ‘chaakara’ along Kerala’s

shoreline is directly linked to this. The

rainfall also causes disturbances in the sea

and adds to the undercurrents, thus

driving up fish upwards to the water

surface. But, seafood such as squid and

cuttlefish are not affected by the rainfall.

Various studies have found that the

monsoon ban on trawling is an effective

means of fish resources management as

the month-and-a-half-long fishing holiday

helps regeneration of fish species.

However, this year, the operation of

foreign fishing vessels in India’s waters on

a large scale during the ban period must

have harmed the resources, fish workers’

leaders and boat owners say. These huge

fishing vessels with sophisticated

technology were sweeping the sea and

hurting the gains made by the trawling

ban, Charles George, a fishing-sector

trade union leader, alleged.

TN TO SET UP FISHERIES TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE

The Tamil Nadu Government is to set up an institute of

fisheries technology in Tiruvallur district, which will offer

diploma courses in various disciplines related to fishing.

The Chief Minister, Dr. J. Jayalalithaa, has sanctioned

administrative approval for the Rs 34.08 crore project at

Ponneri, according to media reports.

The institute will offer diploma courses in various

disciplines such as prawn rearing, fish breeding and fishery

equipment management, among others. Furthermore,

20.78 acres has been earmarked for the institute, according

to an official release.

The Chief Minister, who had last year

announced setting up of a Fisheries

University in Nagapattinam, has

allocated an initial sum of Rs 7 crore

towards the latest initiative taken as

part of her government’s efforts for

the development of the fishing

community.

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