EUROFISH Magazine 1 2020

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ISSN 1868-5943

February 1/2020 C 44346

Norway Making consumers eat seafood again

Hungary: Pond aquaculture benefits the environment in multiple ways Red king crab in the Arctic: A resource or a threat Cold water prawn event debates climate change impacts is a member of the FISH INFO network

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In this issue

European Space Agency

Petra Boic Petrac

Norwegian Seafood Council

Norway rises to the occasion, as seafood consumption falls Seafood consumption in Norway: Why, in a country producing vast quantities of high-quality fish and shellfish, and with a sophisticated system of seafood promotion, is the rate of seafood consumption declining? The negative trend in consumption has raised concerns among authorities, institutions, and industry, who feel that lower seafood consumption has implications for public health and for the health of the seafood industry and could have consequences for the environment as well, if consumers elect to replace their fish consumption with meat. There are several reasons behind Norwegians reduced interest in seafood including changes in lifestyle, cost, competition from other animal proteins, unfamiliarity, and perceived inconvenience of preparation. Convincing consumers to eat the recommended amounts of fish calls for efforts by all the stakeholders in the sector - industry, retailers, the authorities, research centres and, in particular, institutions dealing with children and young people. Read more from page 27 Joint Croatian Italian small-scale fisheries project: Small-scale fisheries, which in the EU are those where the vessel is less than 12 m and does not use towed gear, are a very important part of the fisheries sector. Of all the segments in the fishing fleet, small-scale fisheries provide the most employment and are therefore often closely linked to the economic wellbeing of coastal communities. A thriving small-scale fishing sector is beneficial not only for socioeconomic reasons but is also significant from an environmental point of view as its practitioners typically use low impact gear, have modest catch rates, and synchronise their work with the seasons and the biology of the species they target. These attributes make the sector a vital component of Blue Growth, the long-term strategy for the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector. With this in mind, Croatian and Italian regions in the northern Adriatic have got together with research institutions and the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, in a project to strengthen small scale fisheries in the area by adding more value to the catch and by fostering cross border collaboration. Read more from page 17 Algal blooms have been in the news as they have caused major losses to salmon farmers in Norway and Chile. These blooms are the result of algae, that appear naturally in the water, multiplying uncontrollably thanks to a combination of circumstances, natural or man-made, that create conditions for this growth.

In the past algal blooms were largely a result of natural phenomena, storms or currents carrying nutrients from the ocean depths to the surface, where high water temperatures and strong sunlight could trigger an algal bloom. Since the industrial age, industry effluents, run-off from agriculture, poorly treated municipal sewage, and other anthropogenic sources have released nutrients into the water causing algal blooms when other conditions (sunlight, water temperature) were also favourable. Apart from often being unsightly, blooms result in the depletion of oxygen from the water, threatening marine life and creating dead zones, as well as harmful secondary impacts such as increases in pH. Most dangerous of all is when the algal bloom is toxic, which can result in the death of fish or other organisms that cannot evade the algae and can even pose a threat to humans. Read Dr Manfred Klinkhardt’s article from page 21 Though a landlocked country Uzbekistan has an aquaculture industry that consists primarily of the culture of carps and other species in polyculture in earthen ponds. This mode of growing fish calls for huge volumes of water, which is an issue in a country with deficits both in water resources and in irrigated land.

Water conservation technologies that can be used in the production of farmed fish are therefore interesting in areas with water scarcity or with a lack of sites in irrigated areas to construct new ponds. Production from these systems has been climbing steadily since 2017 and is expected to exceed 10 in 2019. More than 20 projects are using this technology, which has been imported from China, to grow trout, salmon, and sturgeon. Some seven to eight species are farmed of which common carp and silver carp account for the biggest volumes. In addition to the aquaculture sector there is also a fishery for wild fish in reservoirs, and a small quantities of fish are also imported to make up the country’s total supply of fish. Read more about the aquaculture and fisheries sector in Uzbekistan from page 44

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Table of News 6 International News

Events 13 Urgent need for effective regional collaboration and ex-situ conservation measures Protecting the Danube sturgeon from extinction

FI 16 INFOFISH World Shrimp Trade Conference and Exposition, November 2019, Bangkok Sustainability hinges on main players’ convictions

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20 Russia prepares for a grand presentation at the Seafood Expo Global in Brussels Launch of new global marketing strategy for Russian fish

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Projects 17 Adri.SmArtFish, a joint Italian Croatian project to benefit small-scale fishermen in the northern Adriatic Helping small-scale fishers promotes Blue Growth

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Aquaculture 21 Climate change accelerates the development of algal blooms Growing threat to fisheries and aquaculture

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26 FIAP supplies incubation equipment for professional and recreational use High quality products for efficient operations

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Norway 27 A decline in Norwegian consumption of seafood is being fought at several levels Putting fish back on the menu

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32 High-tech and conventional methods for sea lice control Salmon industry fighting its most persistent problem 37 The Norwegian government provides incentives to boost the development of farming technology Novel cage systems can be deployed offshore

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Hungary 39 The judicious use of natural resources: Aquaculture in Hungary contributes to biodiversity, flood management and environmental sustainability Pond farming should be better acknowledged

Cover picture courtesy Norwegian Seafood Council

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Contents 41 Lillafüred Trout Farm has been producing since 1933 Recirculation systems could double output

42 Department of Aquaculture, Szent István University, Hungary Bringing research results to the field

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(CC BY-SA 3.0) Map based on https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Location_European_nation_states.svg

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44 European expertise in farming and processing could benefit the sector in Uzbekistan Ambitious strategy charts out aquaculture development

Species 47 Valuable commercial resource or ecological problem?

King crabs successfully hold their own in the Barents Sea

Trade and Markets 51 International Cold Water Prawn Forum, November 2019, Newfoundland and Labrador China, a huge and growing market for prawns

53 Sağdiçlar Group — Five brothers create a leader in the Turkish fish trade Expanding from fish wholesale and retail to new business ventures

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Guest Pages: Martyn Boyers

Worldwide Fish News Italy

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55 Grimsby Fish Market bids farewell to the EU but not to Europe A hub for trade in cod and haddock

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France

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Netherlands

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57 Diary Dates

Russia

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58 Imprint, List of Advertisers

UK

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Croatia

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Finland

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Malta

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Service

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ]

The world needs a new vision for fisheries in the 21st century, said Qu Dongyu, FAO Director General in his speech at the opening of the International Symposium on Fisheries Sustainability. The projected increase in global population to 10bn by 2050 will call for greater aquatic food production, he said, but without jeopardising the health of oceans and rivers, and while improving the social conditions of those dependent on fisheries, who are often the poorest in society.

Although millions depend on fisheries for food and livelihoods the state of the world’s oceans is one of grave concern from the impacts of plastic pollution, climate change, overfishing and habitat degradation. Globally

over one in ten people depend on fisheries to make a living and to feed their families, while one in three marine fish stocks is overfished. These challenges are not evenly distributed, however. In developed parts of the world stocks are being rebuilt, fisheries are becoming more sustainable and the conditions of those employed in the sector are improving, but progress in developing regions is slower. We need to reverse this trend if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, urged Dr Qu, as he proposed solutions to make fisheries more sustainable.

These include greater investments in marine and freshwater sustainability programmes such as the Blue Growth Initiative

FAO/Pier Paolo Cito

Italy: International symposium explores ways to increase sustainability of ďŹ sheries

The International Symposium on Fisheries Sustainability organised

by FAO considered ways of making fisheries more sustainable through efficient fisheries management, new technologies, and better protection.

which unites economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and adequate protective

measures combined with effective management of the world’s fisheries.

Spain: ICCAT adopts measures to rebuild bigeye tuna stocks ICCAT, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna, the regional fisheries management body responsible for the conservation of tuna and tuna-like species in the Atlantic and adjacent seas, concluded negotiations at its 26th regular session by adopting a 15-year rebuilding plan for bigeye tuna. Although an imperfect plan in the eyes of many, it’s adoption was significant progress compared to the session last year, when the 52 contracting parties failed to agree on measures to protect the stock despite clear advice from the commission’s own scientists on the need to significantly reduce catches. The adopted plan reduces the total allowable catch forcing countries to make significant cuts to their current catches, a stricter limit on the number of fish aggregating devices (FAD) permitted per

vessel, as well as an Atlantic-wide closure of FADs for two months in 2020 and three months in 2021. FAD closure was previously restricted to the Gulf of Guinea for two months. Other business conducted during the 8-day meeting included amending the 50-yearold ICCAT convention to provide the commission with a mandate to manage sharks and rays, which will help in the fight against IUU fishing, and the adoption of a measure to implement rebuilding efforts for Atlantic blue marlin and white marlin stocks.

The meeting also led to more stringent observer coverage of both purse seine and longline fleets. In the case of the former, coverage will increase to 100, year-round, on purse seine vessels targeting tropical tunas as opposed to only during the time/ area two-month FAD moratorium.

Observer coverage on longliners increases from 5 to 10 in 2022.

However, while delegates to the meeting took several steps in the right direction, no progress was made in reforming transshipment at sea, long demanded by NGOs, nor in protecting endangered and

threatened sea turtles that are incidentally caught in longlines, nor in defending Atlantic shortfin mako shark stocks that have been classified as “Endangered� by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and are considered highly depleted in the north Atlantic.

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] France: Bad oysters force international recalls In France a total of 1,033 people became ill and 21 needed hospital treatment in what seems to be a norovirus contamination of live oysters, according to Food Safety News. Sweden, Italy, and the Netherlands have all also reported outbreaks which can be traced back to France. Additionally, products have been recalled in Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Mats Lindblad, a communicable disease coordinator at the National Food Agency of Sweden states 31 people are sick linking the origin back to the French oysters through interviews. “Symptoms and incubation time indicate

norovirus. We have not issued any advice against eating oysters. We will, however, inform consumers about the unusually high number of food poisonings related to oysters in Sweden and other countries this winter,� he stated.

The number of incidents linked to consumption of raw shellfish in 2019 is higher than previous years and French authorities are tracing back contaminated items to production areas and testing the sites concerned. To date, a total of 23 shellfish growing zones in seven regions of France have been closed with more than 400 companies affected, according to the agency.

Uncooked shellfish though delicious can occasionally also be hazardous.

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Netherlands: Improved starter feeds An improved range of starter feeds for trout has been created following extensive research that provide key nutrients while improving water quality.

Alltech Coppens TOP fry feed has an optimised ratio between digestible protein and digestible energy. This results in better performance with higher protein utilisation and lower ammonia excretion, leading to improved feed efficiency and better water quality. Dr Philip Lyons, Global Aquaculture Research Manager at Alltech Coppens says the feed not only

improves performance during a critical phase but does so sustainably.

Trials conducted at the company’s testing facility have shown that by reducing the digestible protein and digestible energy ratio in every feed size in the TOP line, the protein utilisation by juvenile trout was markedly improved. In addition, the feed makes the bacteria in biofilters more efficient, as they convert less ammonia per kilogram of feed, which is especially beneficial for RAS systems.

An improved trout feed shows TOP results.

The brand “Russian Fish� will be the face of quality seafood from Russia The government and seafood industry are collaborating to create a brand, Russian Fish, under which fish and seafood from Russia will be marketed around the world. The idea is to promote Russia’s resources and boost the industry’s competitiveness in part by highlighting the sustainability of wild-caught fish. The campaign, which has been devised by Expo Solutions Group, the organiser of the Seafood Expo Russia event in

St. Petersburg, will also promote the brand as an indicator of quality of fish products from Russia. The brand was presented at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo at the end of October 2019 as China is the initial target market for seafood sold under the brand. Campaigns in European countries and the USA will follow.

Russian Fish will operate as an autonomous non-profit

organisation managed by a board of directors whose members will include major producers and traders from the fishing industry as well as representatives from organisations under the Federal Agency for Fisheries. Expo Solutions Group will become the organisations’s operational core. The idea is for the new organisation to emulate other well-known seafood promoting bodies such as the

Norwegian Seafood Council or the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute promoting the quality, sustainability, and reliability of supply of Russian seafood.

Access to EU market decided by UK willingness to align An estimated 33 of the European fishing fleet catches are fished in British waters. The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists on Britain “maintaining control of these UK fishing watersâ€? after it leaves the EU, he said in his his first meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who took office in December. The two are discussing

the negotiations after Brexit, on January 31, with Johnson wanting a trade deal with the EU completed by the end of 2020 without Britain aligning with EU rules.

He said the UK wanted “a broad free-trade agreement covering goods and services and co-operation in other areas�. With regards to fishing rights the two sides have committed to negotiating

a new framework in place by 1 July although EU spokespersons believe that talks will go deep into the year due to its complexities.

Ms von der Leyen later stressed the importance of a level playing field for social and environmental standards in addition to taxation, adding that free movement for goods, capitals and services also means free movement for people.

“So it’s the choice of the UK how far they want to align or diverge.

But this is decisive for how good the access to the single market will be or not. In short, You cannot have the cake and eat it at the same time.�

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Senegal: Produced pots provide protection Octopus is an important source of income for Senegalese fishermen and women due to its high value on international markets like Europe and Japan. Last year 15,000 clay pots were submerged in Senegalese local waters to form artificial reefs protecting and sheltering octopuses. The artificial breeding beds provided by the clay pots have increased the production of octopus considerably. This generates significant revenues at community level which benefit the local woman making the clay pots, the artisanal fishermen and fisherwomen who have an abundant and high value octopus stock to fish from, and the local fish merchants selling the octopus. The octopus pots not only preserve and

restore the ecosystem and increase the octopus biomass but they also support the local artisanal fisheries by maintaining an economically viable activity. The idea of octopus pots originates from Japan and the experience was passed on to the Senegalese. However, the idea of using clay instead of plastic pots is a Senegalese modification and allows for a non-polluting way of promoting an increase in octopus biomass and of managing the resource. Over time, the clay pots naturally dissolve and they have to be replaced annually. With the creation of a suitable habitat for octopus, other species such as squid, cuttlefish and their symbionts will also increase, which will have a positive effect on the entire

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Pots made by Senegalese women provide perfect breeding grounds for the valuable octopus.

ecosystem. The clay pots are produced by local women based on traditional knowledge passed on through generations. The work provides the women with a mean to support their families, while

playing a central part in revitalizing the beneficial octopus fisheries and is funded by EU’s Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) in partnership with the Republic of Senegal.

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Lack of labour forces Croatian processors to move abroad The Croatian fish processing industry has been facing a growing lack of skilled labour for its production, a problem which escalated in 2019. This has led to changes in business plans for the coming years. The high-intensity production with many workers

is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Automation and robotics are mentioned more often within the industry even though, in some sectors like small pelagic fish, there is still high demand for skilled workers, since automation is not an efficient enough substitute.

Some processing companies are looking for workers outside Croatia, and some are getting ready to relocate processing facilities to neighbouring countries. The company Žuvela, has opened a processing plant in Stolac, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Olasagasti

from Split has also recently opened a processing facility there. Another company that is looking at relocation due to lack of staff, is Conex Trade, one of Croatia’s largest fish processors, which is planning to build a facility in Pristina, Kosovo.

US: Fisheries management works

“There is a narrative that fish stocks are declining around the world, that fisheries management is failing and we need new solutions — and it’s totally wrong,� said Ray Hilborn, lead author and a professor in the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. “Fish stocks are not all declining around the world. They are increasing in many places, and we already

know how to solve problems through effective fisheries management.�

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The project builds on international fish stock estimates over the last 10 years from around the world. This information helps scientists and managers know where overfishing is occurring, or where some areas could support additional fishing. Currently the project includes data on nearly half of the world’s fish catch, up from about 20 represented in the last compilation in 2009. Although the data contain large gaps from unassessed stocks in India, Indonesia, and China, which represent between 30-40 of the world’s fish catch.

The researchers paired information about fish stocks with recently published data on fisheries management activities in

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Association. The publication covers the design, construction, and proper maintenance of marine aquaculture farms to reduce possible technical and operational failures and to avoid the possibility of escapes caused by accidental impacts during daily operations or by unexpected events. It lists good practices that

Since the mid-1990s, catch has generally declined in proportion to decreases in fishing pressure for the fish stocks assessed in the database. By 2005, average biomass of fish stocks had started to increase. Source: University of Washington

about 30 countries. This analysis found that more intense management led to healthy or improving fish stocks, while little to no management led to overfishing and poor stock status. These results

show that fisheries management works when applied, and the solution for sustaining fisheries around the world is implementing effective fisheries management.

Spain: Creating more secure marine ďŹ sh farms A new publication in Spanish, Acuicultura marina, Granjas marinas de peces, DiseĂąo y operaciĂłn (Marine aquaculture, Marine finfish farms, Design and operation), has been produced following a year’s work by the Spanish Association for Standardisation (UNE) and APROMAR, the Spanish Aquaculture Producers

Of all the fish caught worldwide nearly half are from scientifically monitored stocks and, on average, these stocks are increasing. An international project led by the University of Washington has compiled and analysed data from fisheries around the world and effective management seems to be the main reason why these stocks are at sustainable levels or successfully rebuilding.

fish farmers can implement to make Spanish marine aquaculture more sustainable.

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ]

A report by Oceana, an environmental NGO, documents a threeweek research expedition in the Quark, a narrow area in the northern part of the Baltic Sea between Finland and Sweden that separates the nearly freshwater Bothnian Bay from the more saline Bothnian Sea. The report calls for Finland and Sweden to establish a transboundary marine protected area (MPA) in the Quark in view of the area’s importance for biodiversity and the threats facing marine life present there.

According to the report, the area’s changing salinity, depth, and levels of exposure to light, contribute to variations in substrate, flora, and fauna so that it hosts a

unique mix of marine, brackish and freshwater species. Of these 71 are threatened or listed under the EU Habitats Directive or Birds Directive. The survey was conducted to obtain a more comprehensive picture of the biodiversity in the area’s marine life and of its unique features and to thereby strengthen the case for establishing an MPA. Almost a third of the Quark’s area is already protected by different MPAs, but many of these sites do not involve specific measures to conserve natural marine features. The threats facing the Quark include eutrophication, climate change, invasive species, overfishing, and marine litter, and while creating an MPA

©OCEANA / Carlos Minguell

Finland: Unique flora and fauna prompt Oceana to propose MPA in the Quark

A three-week survey of the Quark in the northern Baltic Sea by Oceana documented the flora, fauna, and substrates that make this area so unusual. Pictured, a straight-nosed pipefish (Nerophis ophidion) in Vapplan, Sweden.

will not directly address some of these challenges, such as climate change, it will contribute

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to increasing the resilience of marine life and reducing its vulnerability to these pressures.

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ]

C. Chivu

Malta’s International Ocean Institute holds its ďŹ fteenth course on ocean governance

Speakers, class faculty, and participants in the International Ocean Institute’s course on ocean governance.

The International Ocean Institute in Malta is an institution dedicated to managing human relations with the ocean to protect, conserve, and sustainably exploit its resources. Among the ways it does this is by promoting ocean governance — policy for planning and managing oceans at national, regional, and global levels. To this end the institute provides training and education creating a reservoir of capacity and knowledge about ocean governance in countries around the world. The need for enlightened management of oceans has rarely been more urgent than it is today. Social and cultural issues overlap with political and economic interests and environmental challenges making it imperative to have effective governance frameworks

if the ocean is to benefit future generations.

A five-week course organised by the institute at the end of 2019 focused on regional ocean governance in the Mediterranean, Black, Baltic and Caspian Seas. Course participants were introduced to the efforts of agencies and organisations such as the International Maritime Organisation to reduce emissions and to control garbage from ships. They also learned about regional efforts like those of the EU to achieve Good Environmental Status for its seas by 2020 through the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

Other topics with a bearing on oceans addressed by the programme included ABNJ’s (Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction), the

SDG’s (Sustainability Development Goals), the Blue Economy, and Blue Growth. The course also informed participants about tools that enable the development and implementation of policy, for example, maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management.

Coasts are a good example of the need for proper governance as they are used intensively — globally supplying 90 of wild catches of fish and seafood and about 40 and 30 of oil and gas, respectively. Wind energy is also increasingly being supplied from turbines in coastal areas and coasts are an important source of the sand and gravel used in construction.

Add in pressure from human settlements including agricultural

runoff, sewage, industrial pollution, and plastic waste and it becomes clear how important it is to have a framework for governance that takes all these activities and impacts into account.

The 21 course participants came from 11 countries in Europe and North Africa and from China. The countries represented are at different stages of development and with varying capacities to develop and effectively implement the policies and solutions that address the particular challenges they face. This diversity of experiences and the resultant exchange of knowledge made the programme particularly rewarding for the participants. More information about the institute is available at https://www.ioinst.org/

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[ EVENTS ] Urgent need for effective regional collaboration and ex-situ conservation measures

Protecting the Danube sturgeon from extinction The sturgeon is an iconic and agship species of the Danube River with unique value for biodiversity, but sturgeon populations in the Danube and its tributaries are facing existential threats. Mitigating these calls for closer cross-border collaboration and much better implementation of existing measures.

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oth from a scientific perspective (as “living fossils� and as an indicator of good water and habitat quality) and from a socio-economic point of view the sturgeon is an important species in the Danube. These fish have contributed to the economy of the Danube River basin for decades, especially in Bulgaria and Romania from where caviar was sold to traders all over the world.

In addition, sturgeon meat was used for consumption.

To be effective a ban on fishing must include compensation to fishers Today, due to the risk of extinction, most if not all sturgeon species are listed by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Sturgeon fishing is banned in most countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine, but this has not been accompanied by appropriate compensation for the adverse social and economic impacts the ban has had on local fishing communities, which resulted in an increase in unregulated fisheries and over-exploitation. Fisheries managers have since realised that fishermen who rely on catching sturgeon need access to other income-generating opportunities, while sturgeon stocks recover.

Once these populations revive, a

more sustainable exploitation may be feasible.

There are six species of sturgeons native in the Danube River Basin and the Black Sea, but the survival of these ancient fish is threatened by a range of issues. Beluga (Huso huso) is the most famous due to its role in caviar trade and its impressive size (up to six metres). The other species are of the genus Acipenser, including A. gueldenstaedti, A. nudiventris, A. ruthenus, A. stellatus and A. sturio. According to the IUCN, all sturgeons are facing the verge of extinction, of which A. sturio is already extinct in the Danube River Basin. Many factors cause the decline of sturgeon populations, such as illegal fishing and caviar trade, overfishing, destruction of key habitats, blocking of migration routes, low water quality, water abstraction, predation by exotic species and changes in hydrological regime. Most sturgeons are anadromous, spawning in freshwater but spending most of their life in saltwater. The lack of integrated cross-border management of populations is therefore a major issue.

mechanisms by national and EU regulations, and by various conventions such as the Bern Convention, Convention of Migratory Species, CITES, and the Pan-European Sturgeon Action Plan. Implementation of these instruments is either not legally binding or not actively monitored and verified. Key steps towards remedying the problem are joint action by all stakeholders, and measures aimed at sturgeon conservation. In order to reach these objectives and to move a step forward, the “Dunarea de Jos�

University of Galati hosted the international conference “Conservation of Danube Sturgeons – a challenge or a burden?� in Galati, Romania towards the end of 2019.

With this conference, Romania, jointly with other Danube Basin

Iulian-Gabriel Birsan, Rector of “Dunarea de Jos� University of Galati, opened the conference expressing his full support for the action needed to save iconic species such as sturgeon. Among the speakers who addressed the audience were Adriana Petcu, State Secretary of Ministry of Water

Compliance with protection mechanisms is poorly policed and enforced

In theory, sturgeons are covered by various legal protection

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and Black Sea countries, hoped to draw attention to critically endangered sturgeon populations in the entire Danube. The event focused particularly on the status of Lower Danube/ Black Sea sturgeons. Sturgeon species upstream of the Iron Gate hydroelectric power station (the largest dam on the Danube river and located between Serbia and Romania), are restricted to sterlets (Acipenser ruthenus).

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and Forests, and Doina Cioaca, Ministry of Environment who both expressed their full support for sturgeon conservation and habitat protection, as well as more effective joint enforcement and control actions with neighbouring countries to protect sturgeon species and prevent the illegal trade in caviar. Paolo Bronzi, President of the World Sturgeon Conservation Society (WSCS) introduced the organisation which works for the conservation and restoration of sturgeon stocks world-wide.

Closer cooperation with Danube region stakeholders and joint projects on sturgeon conservation were among his priorities he said. Peter Gammeltoft, President of the Danube Sturgeon Task Force (DSTF) spoke about the task force’s aim to promote the conservation of highly endangered native sturgeon species in the Danube River Basin and the Black Sea by implementing Sturgeon 2020, a strategy and programme for the protection and rehabilitation of the Danube sturgeons.

“Coherent joint regional monitoring programmes� would contribute to sturgeon conservation On the first day, the status of wild sturgeon populations in the Danube and Black Sea and efforts to monitor them were introduced

by Thomas Friedrich, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna who spoke on the status of sturgeon populations in Danube upstream of the Iron Gate. He said that ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudivenstris) was one of the most endangered European sturgeons with very few left in European rivers. Data models suggest that this species is heading inexorably towards extinction in the near future, considering that the last recorded catch was in 2009. Erik Rochard, World

“Dunarea de Jos� University of Galati

[ EVENTS ]

Participants at the international conference “Conservation of Danube Sturgeons – a challenge or a burden?� took home the message that protecting the sturgeon called for improved policing of existing conservation measures and better collaboration between countries of the Danube basin and of the Black Sea.

Sturgeon Conservation Society, presented the theoretical requirements for a coherent lifecycle based population monitoring. Among the points he highlighted was the need for hydrological and hydrodynamic monitoring and modelling and fish monitoring using telemetry to facilitate up and downstream migration at major barriers. He also called upon national authorities to establish coherent joint regional monitoring programmes for all life stages of sturgeon. Opening the session on “Sustainable Management of Wild Populations of Sturgeons� Nicolae Dimulescu, President of the National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture, reviewed the management of wild sturgeon populations underlining the need for institutional coordination mechanisms for the management of inland fisheries, as well as the need to improve authorities’ competencies to manage and enforce measures, such as, ex-situ conservation to avoid the loss of autochthonous species.

In the session “Habitats and Migration� on the second day, Karl Schwaiger, International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR),

presented the Iron Gate Feasibility Study – State of play, which aims to identify ways to preserve fish stocks at the Romanian-Serbian border. The study is expected to conclude in 2020 and will be followed by two phases — technical design and implementation (from 2024). The activities will be implemented jointly with the ICPDR, Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (DDNI), Romania, and the Jaroslav Ă˝erni Institute for Water Resources Development (JCI), Serbia. In the session on “Active Support of Populationsâ€?

Paolo Bronzi reported on Adriatic sturgeon (A. naccarii) restocking programmes in Italy, saying that hatcheries benefit the surrounding local communities and the country they are located in, because they support aquatic biodiversity goals (through restocking) in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner.

The conference concluded that stocking is a temporary compensation measure to overcome adverse environmental conditions that cause recruitment failure or to initiate self-sustaining populations. In addition, protection and restoration of key habi-

tats for feeding and spawning were considered prerequisites for the survival of populations still living in the wild and for conservation measures to be effective.

Also, delegates agreed that high priority must be given to protection and restoration of migration corridors if conservation was to succeed. Sturgeon populations need protection from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and from being taken as by-catch, for effective conservation. Participants agreed on the need for effective fishing bans and conservation efforts that must be long-term to take into account the late maturity of sturgeons. And creating consumer awareness was critical to reduce demand for illegal caviar.

Galati Declaration to support sturgeon conservation in the Danube basin and Black Sea Delegates to the Conference unanimously adopted the Galati Declaration on Sturgeon Conservation in the Danube Basin and Black Sea, which from now on will guide the implementation of the Pan-European Sturgeon

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[ EVENTS ] Action Plan under the Bern Convention and EU Habitats Directive.

The declaration provides decision makers and other stakeholders with a basis for future actions

and shows how sturgeons can be saved from extinction. Tudor Ionescu, Director, Research and Development Centre for Sturgeon, noted that two days of intensive

Conference attracts broad European representation The conference was jointly organised by “Dunarea de Jos�

University of Galati (Research and Development Centre for Sturgeon, Aquatic Habitats and Biodiversity), the DSTF (Danube Sturgeon Task Force), the Romanian Ministry of Water and Forests, the Romanian Ministry of Environment, NAFA (Romanian National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture), WSCS (World Sturgeon Conservation Society) and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), and it took place under

the patronage of the Romanian Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region and the Romanian Academy. The 120 delegates to the Conference represented ďŹ sheries, water and environmental administrations, the scientiďŹ c community, European Commission, and civil society from Austria, Bulgaria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, France, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine.

work had born fruitful results. “I strongly believe that the “Gala‍܊‏i Declarationâ€? represents the beginning of new and much stronger collaborations between specialists and officials from the Danube and Black Sea countries. The conference motto “Together for Sturgeonsâ€? will be the guide for action because sturgeons don´t know borders, so their conservation and recovery require urgent cross-border efforts. This joint declaration provides the necessary context for treating causes rather than effects and will improve the Danube Sturgeons status in Danube and Black Sea Basinâ€? he said.

The declaration emphasises, “the need to have a sound and improved monitoring of sturgeon� and urges “all competent

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authorities to enhance the monitoring considerably to ensure more accurate cross-border assessment of sturgeons populations, including the establishment of joint monitoring working group�. It recommends anchoring sturgeon conservation in relevant macroregional strategies and the Black Sea Maritime Agenda� and called on “the European Commission and the competent authorities in EU candidate and Eastern Partnership countries to consider sturgeon conservation measures in their agreements on funding�.

The full Galati Declaration can be consulted at http://www. sturgeon.ugal.ro/images/2019/ Galati_Declaration.pdf Toni Bartulin, EUROFISH, toni.bartulin@eurofish.dk

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[ EVENTS ] INFOFISH World Shrimp Trade Conference and Exposition, November 2019, Bangkok

Sustainability hinges on main players’ convictions Sustainability is moving ever higher up the agenda of the global ďŹ sheries and aquaculture sector driven partly by NGOs in the major seafood markets of the world who are effective at shaping consumer opinion. Acknowledging this development, the INFOFISH World Shrimp Trade Conference and Exposition chose sustainability as the main theme of this event.

T

he event was opened by Mr Semi Koroilavesau, Minister for Fisheries of Fiji who likened aquaculture to a silver bullet that could solve many of the issues currently besetting countries. During the session, Mr Thaworn Jirasoponrak, Deputy Director General, Department of Fisheries, Thailand said that sustainability in the Thai shrimp sector was contingent upon better cooperation between all the sectors in the industry and upon traceability. Other speakers suggested that Asian shrimp aquaculture should emphasise farm protocols rather than intensification of culture to achieve meaningful sustainability. For example, India will launch its antibiotic-free farmed shrimp certification programme from 2020 which will be based on Best Management Practices (BMP).

Better farm management techniques can contribute to a more sustainable industry In Bangladesh, the National Action Plan aims to establish 20 specific pathogen free (SPF) P. monodon hatcheries and to promote improved culture practices. Saudi Arabia has established the world’s largest single bio secure recirculation aquaculture facility and is targeting a production of 200,000 tonnes by 2025. The Ecuadorian shrimp industry achieved

recognition for sustainability through its Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) launched in 2017 with the help of WWF, the Sustainable Trade Initiative from the Netherlands, and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. Speakers also reported that adapted rearing protocols, quality diets, the application of health enhancers and improved pathogen detection techniques like Shrimp Multipath, a technology from an Australian company, would increase production efficiency in the future.

In the second session, speakers focused on consumer demand, markets and trade. The value of retail-sold shrimp in the US has risen by 9 while volume has grown by 37 over 2018. China has emerged as the second largest shrimp importer, overtaking the US in the global shrimp trade in the first six months of 2019. In Europe, prices, transparency, and product integrity drive the market, while Latin American shrimp exports have doubled over the last five years, and Ecuador has become the world’s second largest shrimp exporter.

Technology is becoming critical to efficient operations all along the value chain Application of IoT (Internet of Things) technology in

Speakers at the opening session of SHRIMP 2019, an INFOFISH-organised conference focused on making the shrimp industry more sustainable.

sustainable shrimp farming, diagnostics and disease were highlighted in the trends in technology and culture session.

Functional diets, prophylaxis and fermented feed will have good potential in future disease management. New testing kits that can provide result within 2.5 hours (as opposed to days) are highly useful in pathogen detection. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will continue to add value to aquaculture as data can be collected in real time, and analysed to forecast diseases, reduce feed costs and predicts market prices.

Regarding shrimp broodstock, experts said that often shrimp broodstock marketed as specific pathogen resistant (SPR)

was actually specific pathogen tolerant (SPT) and that genuine SPF status guarantees freedom from pathogens. Disease experts forecast that shrimp farming in future will be science based, controlled, and sustainable. According to them efficient biosecurity is the most effective way to prevent pathogens entering into the system.

Shrimp 2019 concluded with the hope of that the shrimp industry would become increasingly sustainable, however, participants also recognised that this was an enormous task and one that would be impossible to achieve without the active participation of the key players.

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[ PROJECTS ] Adri.SmArtFish, a joint Italian Croatian project to beneďŹ t small-scale ďŹ shermen in the northern Adriatic

Helping small-scale fishers promotes Blue Growth The project Adri.SmArtFish unites Italian and Croatian regions of the northern Adriatic, together with two pre-eminent research centres and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia, in an effort to promote sustainability, innovation and co-creation (the collaborative development of value using customers, suppliers etc.) in small-scale ďŹ sheries (SSF) policy-making while preserving marine resources and local traditions and enhancing the competitiveness of small-scale ďŹ shermen through cross-border cooperation.

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to the decline of resources and the competition from industrial fisheries, as well as a lack of organisation and representation, and poor valorisation of the products.

12 m overall length (LOA) and without towed gear is termed small-scale. Worldwide, SSF are the most important segment of coastal fisheries as they are closely

Small-scale fisheries make a vital contribution to Blue Growth

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mall-scale fisheries in the countries facing the northern Adriatic have a tradition dating back many centuries.

Today, they offer a way of sustainably exploiting marine resources, thanks to the understanding of biological and climatic cycles the operators must develop, the selectivity of the gear used, and the low catch rate. This fragile fisheries segment is facing challenges due

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Small-scale fisheries play an important socio-economic role in coastal communities, but face challenges on several fronts — a lack of organisation, competition from industrial fleets, and limited opportunities to add value to their catches.

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marine environment, with which they have co-evolved, making their activities inherently sustainable. For these reasons, they are acknowledged by the EU and the FAO, among other institutions, for playing a major role in the pursuit of Blue Growth, the long-term strategy of sustainable economic development in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

The project area is in the northern Adriatic (FAO Geographic Subarea GSA 17), where the SSF sector represents about 50 of the Italian, and around 77 of the Croatian fleets. The cross-border cooperation has been established due to the exploitation of shared natural resources, common problems and challenges surrounding those resources, and also because of the joint interests among small-scale coastal fisherman of both countries. Some of the common challenges facing the sector include a lack of competitiveness in relation to industrial forms of fishing, difficulties in accessing the market, low prices, the lack of fishermen’s associations, which both reduces access to information and the ability to shape policy making These problems in turn lead ultimately to higher costs and lower incomes. In addition, in the project area, the SSF sector lacks adequate landing infrastructure and logistics.

Adding greater value to catches will increase incomes without affecting the resource The general objective of the project is to rapidly strengthen the role of the small-scale fisheries sector throughout the project area by encouraging, promoting, and stimulating its potential for innovation. Here, innovation refers primarily to regulation and/or management of natural

MiĹĄo PavicĚŒic’

[ PROJECTS ]

Adri.SmArtFish is a project designed to improve the prospects of Croatian and Italian fishermen in the northern Adriatic.

resources by implementing integrated management strategies for coastal areas; as well as to the valorisation of products to boost economic resilience and resource sustainability. The objectives of the project will be achieved by inviting all the different stakeholders responsible for the management of the coastal area, ranging from policy makers and scientists to fishermen and nongovernmental organisations, to jointly contribute to activities that improve long term production planning and the policy-making process.

SSF enterprises in the project area will benefit from the creation of a sustainability certification label, the launch of a market network to sell the labelled produce, and the promotion of direct-to-consumers sales via

dedicated platforms. The creation of a cross-border smallscale fishermen’s association will strengthen fishermen’s ability to contribute to the decision-making process and will also promote

the science-based management of marine resources. Fishermen will also gain from the harmonisation of regulations governing the sector, another outcome envisaged by the project.

The Adri.SmArtFish project Duration: 1/1/2019 – 30/6/2021 (30 months) Partners (ďŹ ve each from Italy and Croatia): - Regione del Veneto (lead partner) - UniversitĂ Ca’Foscari Venezia - Regione Friuli Venezia-Giulia - Regione Emilia-Romagna - Regione Marche - Istarska Ĺ˝upanija - Primorsko-Goranska Ĺ˝upanija - Zadarska Ĺ˝upanija

- Institut Za OceanograďŹ ju I Ribarstvo Split - Ministarstvo Poljoprivrede Total investment: EUR3,242,231 European Regional Development Fund contribution: EUR2,755,896 For more information visit: www.italy-croatia.eu/ adrismartďŹ sh

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[ ADVERTORIAL ] Russia prepares for a grand presentation at the Seafood Expo Global in Brussels

Launch of new global marketing strategy for Russian fish At the end of April, the Russian Federation will take part for the ďŹ fth time in the world’s largest industry exhibition in Belgium, Seafood Expo Global.

This year, the joint national stand of Russia will be 20% larger and will cover an area of more than 800 sq. meters. For the ďŹ rst time, the Russian pavilion will represent more than 40 leading domestic enterprises engaged in the capture, processing, import and export of ďŹ sh and seafood.

T

he Russian stand will mark this five-year anniversary with an exclusive culinary programme under the motto “Cuisine beyond politics�. Exhibition visitors will be treated by a tandem of famous chefs from Belgium and Russia who will combine their knowledge and tastes to emphasise all the advantages of Russian fish. For the first time, the stand will display an assortment of fish and seafood representing all of Russia’s regions from Kamchatka to Kaliningrad. Salmon, cod, haddock, wolffish, perch, halibut, flounder, herring, mackerel, sardines, toothfish, crab, shrimp, sea cucumber, scallop, oysters and, for the first time, freshwater fish from the south of the country will be exhibited.

Russian trawler sets new world record for harvests in 2019 A central position in the Russian pavilion will be occupied by one of the leading capture enterprises of the Far East, a major supplier of fresh-frozen cod, pollock, halibut, herring, mackerel, squid, sardine, and perch – the Sigma Marine Technology (SMT) Company. In 2019, the trawler, Peter I, owned by SMT, set a new world record for the capture volume by one vessel during the year by landing 87.3 thousand tonnes of fish. The main types of captured products are sardine,

pollock, mackerel, Pacific herring, and squid. The previous highest figure, 83.8 thousand tonnes in a year, was set by an American medium trawler, and it lasted for many years. A haul of 50-60 thousand tonnes is considered a good result for such fishermen.

Other traditional participants at the Russian stand will also offer their products to the European public — major holdings and corporations such as NOREBO, Russian Fishery Company, NBAMR, FOR GROUP, Collective Farm Fishery V.I. Lenin, as well as new participants — Karelian Fishery Fleet, Fishery Cooperative INYA, and Murman Seafood. Several companies will exhibit under the banners of their regions — these are fishing companies, processors and traders from Kamchatka, Arkhangelsk, Astrakhan, Kaliningrad, and Murmansk regions and the Republic of Karelia.

New trade body to promote Russian fish to the world Ivan Fetisov, Managing Director of the exhibition company Expo Solutions Group, the organiser of the Russian stand, said that the country was creating a marketing organisation, Russian Fish, which will promote domestic products to foreign markets and create a national brand

The Russian pavilion at Seafood Expo Global 2020 will be the venue for the launch of a fish marketing and promotion strategy.

with its own international certification, which will attest to the quality of Russian products. Russian companies will no longer have to spend years studying markets, analysing best practices and trends, searching for sales channels, and determining which product to sell and at what price. Russian Fish will do all this for them. The organisation will include fishing and processing enterprises, companies importing and exporting Russian seafood, as well as organisations and scientific institutes under the Federal Agency for Fisheries.

be engaged in brand management, as well as PR support for enterprises. Expo Solutions Group is the operational centre and developer of a comprehensive marketing strategy for Russian Fish, which will be presented to the international seafood industry at the exhibition in Brussels. During the exhibition, a round table will also be held at the Russian stand involving representatives of European retail chains, where ways to solve the challenges of interaction between foreign retailers and Russian suppliers will be found.

The main activities of the new organization will initially be, analytics, marketing research, and identification of promising markets. In the future, Russian Fish will

Seafood Expo Global & Seafood Processing Global will be held on April 21 to 23 in Brussels, Belgium.

The Russian national stand will be in hall no. 11.

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[ AQUACULTURE ] Climate change accelerates the development of algal blooms

Growing threat to ďŹ sheries and aquaculture Microalgae are of fundamental importance for life in the oceans. With their photosynthesis they are the ďŹ rst link in the marine food chains upon which the existence of life in the oceans is based. Under certain conditions, however, uncontrolled mass development of the tiny algae can occur. The resulting algal blooms often have serious ecological and economic consequences and can even be toxic.

M

yriads of differently shaped and microscopically small algae are to be found floating in the oceans and other waters on our planet.

They form the basis of aquatic life because, under the influence of high-energy solar radiation they have the ability to convert inorganic carbon dioxide through photosynthesis into organic, biologically usable biomass. This process releases oxygen, which is essential for the respiration of almost all living organisms. A rich microalgae flora is therefore desirable and beneficial, but sometimes the algae colonies get out of control and multiply suddenly on a massive scale. Their number then increases so rapidly that the water becomes cloudy and the algae form thick carpets on the surface. These can be green or brown, sometimes even bluish in colur, depending on the predominant species of algae. The most impressive, however, are algae blooms of a deep red colour, which led to the phenomenon being called “red tide�. The name has become so familiar that it is often used for all algae blooms, regardless of their actual colour.

Theoretically, all microalgae (phytoplankton) could “bloom�, but as a rule only relatively few plankton species actually do so. Microalgae of the genera Karenia, Euglena

and Oocystis, in particular, will bloom but also some blue algae (e.g. Microcystis, Oscillatoria, Anabaena), which strictly speaking are not algae but bacteria (cyanobacteria). Each algal bloom is unique with regard to its expansiveness, concentration, persistence and its effects on the environment and local communities. A small bloom with a high algae density can have more consequences than a large occurrence with a low algae concentration. Some plankton blooms can cause illness and even death because the algae release substances that are toxic to fish, shellfish, birds, marine mammals and humans. Such toxic algal blooms are also called “harmful algal blooms�, HAB for short. Unfortunately, the term is often used today for all algal blooms, including “normal�, non-toxic ones, thereby losing some of its linguistic force.

Algae blooms can be of either natural or anthropogenic origin, with human influence now clearly dominating. Natural blooms in the oceans can often be traced back to storm events or ocean currents that have carried nutrients from deeper water layers to the surface (upwelling effect). If the presence of such nutrients combines with other factors that favour the development of algae blooms, e.g. high water temperatures and strong solar radiation,

mass development of phytoplankton can occur in the area without human intervention. A 16th century Spanish report mentions Florida Indians describing poisonous “red water that kills fish and birds�. Today, humans play a major role in the development of algae blooms, because they introduce huge amounts of nutrients into the waters and thereby heavily over-fertilise them in many places (eutrophication). Poorly treated municipal wastewater and agricultural effluents flush so much nitrogen and phosphate into rivers, lakes, dammed lakes and shallow coastal areas that algae blooms occur quite regularly and in various degrees in warmer weather. Under these conditions even a small “initial spark� is often enough to set the development in motion. An increase in iron concentration in seawater, for example, which often triggers an explosive proliferation of cyanobacteria. Or standing water bodies with stagnant, thermally layered water, followed by persistent precipitation that lowers the salt content, and then several sunny days – scenarios like this almost inevitably lead to algae bloom in eutrophic waters.

Given the right conditions even dust from the Sahara can trigger a red tide. NASA satellites followed the path of a dust cloud which

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originated in Africa’s Sahara on 17 June 1999, drifted east and reached West Florida on 1 July. Because Sahara dust contains iron compounds the iron concentration in this area increased threefold, triggering a massive algae bloom covering almost 13,000 square kilometres.

Serious ecological and economic consequences A quantitative assessment of the direct and indirect effects of algal blooms is extremely difficult.

However, they can certainly have serious ecological, economic and often health consequences depending on the algae species concerned. In the overall balance, the recreation and tourism sectors are seen to suffer noticeably: hotels and restaurants located close to algal blooms are often affected by sudden reduction in guests. Who wants to go on holiday or for a walk on the beach when a thick, evil-smelling algae broth is spilling onto the shore? In addition, there is the cost of the routine checks that are necessary to warn of algal blooms. The algae’s presence in the water makes treatment of drinking water more expensive and many lake-side plots lose their value. In 2014, 500,000 people living in the area around Lake Erie (USA) were affected when drinking water supply had to be

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European Space Agency/Sentinel

[ AQUACULTURE ]

An algal bloom in the central Baltic Sea. The algae is concentrated in locations where the vertical and horizontal water movements in the Baltic Sea generate the best nutrient and light conditions for algal growth, which are then drawn out by the water circulation.

shut off completely for a few days due to a toxic algal bloom. The toxic substances from the algae in the water cannot be destroyed even by boiling.

In the case of toxic algae blooms, health effects are not rare. The alga Pseudo-nitzschia, for example, produces a toxin called domoic acid which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, cramps and loss of short-term memory and can even be fatal if consumed in very large quantities. Cyanobacteria of the genus Microcystis, which cause particularly frequent algal blooms, produce three groups of cyanotoxins: neurotoxins cause neurological damage, peptide hepatotoxins cause severe liver damage, and dermatotoxins cause skin irritation and respiratory diseases. Children, the elderly and people with low immunity are particularly sensitive to algal toxins.

A US study puts the cost of treating marine pathogens and algal toxins at USD 900 million per year. If possible long-term consequences are also taken into account the figure is likely to be quite a lot higher.

Toxic algal blooms also cause considerable damage and loss of income to commercial fisheries and aquaculture. One example iof this is Ciguatera fish poisoning which occurs epidemically in warmer sea areas and is caused by metabolic products (ciguatoxin) from microalgae. Mussel and oyster cultures are particularly at risk because they accumulate toxins naturally (“bioaccumulation�) when they filter algae out of the water. Consumption of such “poisoned� mussels or oysters can lead to severe illnesses, ranging from mild tingling in the limbs and various digestive problems to tachycardia, coordination problems and

even suffocation due to respiratory paralysis. These diseases include Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) and Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP). Because of these risks all the water bodies where mussel and oyster culture is carried out are strictly monitored by the authorities and, if algae concentrations exceed critical levels or toxins are detectable in the shellfish, the areas are closed for market supply. This guarantees consumer safety but doesn’t prevent the financial losses incurred by shellfish farmers.

In recent decades, global aquaculture has suffered considerable damage from algal blooms. In 1972, for example, a Chattonella antiqua algal bloom in the Seto Inland Sea (Japan) killed over 14 million farmed fish worth USD 60 million. On Norway’s

coast, over 500 tonnes of fish with a commercial value of USD 5 million were lost to Chrysochromulina algae in 1988. In 1998, hundreds of thousands of fish died in net enclosures off the coast of Guangdong, China, from toxic dinoflagellates (mainly Karenia mikimotoi and Karenia digitata). In the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, the dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides bloomed massively in 2009, damaging coral reefs, natural fish stocks and many fish farms, as well as causing considerable problems throughout the region in seawater desalination plants, thereby posing a serious threat to drinking water supply. However, this list of examples is by no means complete, especially as the frequency of such occurrences seems to be increasing. In May 2019, salmon farmers from northern Norway reported the loss of 11,600 tonnes of salmon with a market value of about EUR 102.5 million due to a persistent algal bloom. Chile’s salmon industry was even more severely affected in 2016, when 14 per cent of the biomass, a total of 40,000 tonnes of fish, was lost to toxic algal blooms. At that time, AquaChile alone estimated its losses at 38.8 million euros. At two Grieg Seafood farms in British Columbia (Canada), salmon worth 2.6 million euros died in 2018 as a result of unexpectedly strong and sudden algae blooms that could not have been predicted despite regular inspections at the site.

Problems could be even more severe in the future Some algal toxins do not only take effect in the water but can also cause severe damages via the atmosphere. Certain red tide algae emit neurotoxins which float above the red waves like a

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[ AQUACULTURE ]

Even non-toxic algal blooms can be a serious problem. The dense algae carpet on the surface of the water robs the macrophytes at the bottom of light and thus hinders their growth and existence. In the 1970s and 2000s large areas of seagrass meadows in Chesapeake Bay were destroyed. And even after the blooming period, when the dead algae sink to the bottom

of the water body, the situation is no less dire. The dead organic matter, which forms a thick layer that covers all underwater structures, is slowly decomposed by oxygen-consuming bacteria.

In some regions these bacteria consume so much oxygen that hypoxic “dead zones� are formed in the deep, emitting a horrible smell of hydrogen sulphide.

Organisms that cannot escape from the hostile areas suffocate and die.

There is a strong suspicion that climate change, global warming and the associated rise in water temperature could lead to stronger and more frequent algal blooms. This would set in motion a fatal cycle that would further boost the process. Because the thicker algae mats on the surface

NASA GSFC/ MODIS Rapid Response Team

military poison gas attack and endanger airbreathers such as dolphins, whales, sea cows (manatees and dugongs) and humans. Several million fish and hundreds of manatees died in such an algae plague off the coast of Florida. The toxic gas clouds that were carried ashore by the wind caused severe mucosal irritations and breathing problems in many people.

The brilliant shades of blue and green that fill the waters near the shore of the Norwegian Sea are likely phytoplankton, microscopic plant-like organisms that live in the surface waters of the ocean.

absorb more sunlight, the water heats up more locally and accelerates algae growth. In fact, the incidence of harmful algal blooms has increased worldwide

since the 1980s. This development is driven by the increase in longrange droughts that are often followed by heavy rainfall, which in turn leads to increased erosion

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[ AQUACULTURE ]

Microalgae could play a key role in the fight against global warming, however: they are, so to speak, a “secret weaponâ€? when it comes to reducing carbon in the atmosphere. Worldwide, algae bind more carbon dioxide than trees because they cover a larger surface area in the ocean and grow faster. Climate researchers have calculated that – based on the same biomass – microalgae convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere up to 400 times more efficiently than a tree. And, given the right know-how, many commercially sought-after products can be produced from the algae mass in a sustainable way‌ from biofuels, which offer an alternative to fossil fuels such as crude oil, to omega-3-rich algae oils, which can be used in fish feed for aquaculture, or plastics made from algae and even vegan burgers. Shampoo bottles, trash cans, dishes or sports shoes made from algae polymer would be an environmentally friendly alternative to products made from conventional raw materials, but algaebased production is often too expensive and is not yet profitable. Of course, the profitability calculations would look much better if the damages caused by algae blooms were to be taken into account.

Reduction of nutrient input is urgently needed The appearance and impact of red tides is a global phenomenon that causes considerable financial losses, threatens the stability of aquatic ecosystems, hinders the use of important water resources,

European Space Agency/Envisat

and washes even more nutrients from the fields and surrounding landscape into the waters. The interaction of all these factors creates optimal conditions for algal blooms.

The phytoplankton bloom stretches across the Barents Sea off the coast of mainland Europe’s most northern point, Cape Nordkinn. Although most types of phytoplankton are individually microscopic, the chlorophyll they use for photosynthesis collectively tints the colour of the surrounding ocean waters.

and often puts human health at risk. The enormous complexity of the causes of algal blooms makes it extremely difficult to predict such events with sufficient reliability. Another factor that contributes to the problem is the fact that experts have not yet been able to agree on an internationally binding threshold value above which algae concentrations are considered “blooms�. Are a few hundred or thousand cells per millilitre sufficient for this – depending on the species of algae – or must it perhaps be millions? As in the case of volcanic eruptions or earthquakes we know the triggering factors but it is still not possible

to predict exactly the time or the extent of devastation. Algae researchers have been searching for a long time for useful measurement methods and procedures to reliably detect and warn against the development of algae blooms.

They monitor temperature trends in the ocean over large areas, regularly record nutrient concentrations, and determine algae densities. These data are fed into computer models, the perfection of which is constantly increasing.

The researchers are even supported from space, because satellite images are particularly useful for estimating the extent of algae blooms.

But no matter how you look at it, predictions are only really reliable when the algae bloom is already in the making. At the Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health (WHCOHH), for example, a robotic system called the Environmental Sample Processor was developed that tests the water for toxic substances directly in the ocean as soon as an algae bloom develops. The results are transmitted by radio to a central computer. It would also make sense to upgrade existing water treatment plants with analysis techniques that detect algae toxins in the water. This would probably require the development

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[ AQUACULTURE ] of new detection methods. The willingness to do so is not very pronounced, especially as the current control systems are normally sufficient to issue timely warnings for the affected areas, block coastal sections for visitors, prohibit bathing in the sea or to prohibit the consumption of mussels and oysters from local farms.

More is hardly feasible at present.

Apart from the spraying of algaekilling chemicals, which are often more harmful to the environment than the algal bloom itself, there is hardly any technology available to lessen the extent and intensity of plankton blooms. It would be particularly useful to develop a method that would “neutralize� the toxins of toxic red tides.

The situation is not hopeless for we know the triggers of microalgae blooms and should at least tackle the root causes that we can influence through our own actions. The reduction of nutrient inputs into water bodies is of crucial importance.

This could be achieved through more effective sewage treatment plants, better agricultural

practices, improved protection of wetlands that act as natural nutrient filters, and measures to prevent soil erosion. Precipitation must be “captured� where it accumulates so that it does not immediately enter the aquatic environment enriched with nutrients. Admittedly, this is difficult and expensive, but it would be easible. mk

FIAP supplies incubation equipment for professional and recreational use

High quality products for efďŹ cient operations Professional equipment is indispensable to commercial ďŹ sh farmers, who want to ensure their operations are as efďŹ cient and productive as possible. FIAP, a German supplier of high-quality aquaculture equipment offers ambitious ďŹ sh farmers a wide range of professional solutions that caters to their every need from egg incubation to grow out, harvesting, processing, and marketing. All the equipment is of the highest quality as the company is fully aware of the importance of sturdy, reliable products for the smooth running, and thereby the proďŹ tability, of a ďŹ sh farm.

T

ake, for example, the incubation process. In December and January, trout breeders prepare their hatcheries for the upcoming breeding season. In this context, FIAP hatching troughs and their matching egg inserts have acquitted themselves very well in terms of the successful incubation of salmonid eggs and the subsequent feeding of fry. The company’s robust hatching troughs are made of high-quality glass fiber material with laminated reinforcements.

The inner walls of the trough have a smooth finish making it easy to keep them clean and hygienic, and the trough comes supplied with a tube drain (DN 50) and seal.

and outlet, Ă˜ 1.5 mm) are fixed firmly in place. An insert holds approx. 10,000 trout eggs or 6,000 to 8,000 salmon eggs, which are incubated in the water that flows continuously from one tray to the next. The hatching trays are available in two sizes, for four or seven egg inserts. To further facilitate hatchery operations, the FIAP profibreed range includes accessories such as egg tweezers, egg pipettes, and an egg counter.

These strong and easy-to-clean instruments greatly simplify processes such as counting and culling when hatching eggs thus making the entire workflow smoother.

The special nature of the hose ensures a pattern of extremely fine bubbles with a very low loss of pressure, which in turn enables the use of energy-saving aeration units, thereby reducing costs. Air distributed this way provides an efficient dispersal of oxygen in the water. Â The advantages of this system are obvious: the hose is

The egg inserts are fabricated from tough, easy-to-clean plastic.

The stainless steel sieves (base

FIAP now also offers a new profiair FlexLine hose that enables effective low-pressure aeration.

The hatching troughs are made of glass fibre with smooth inner walls to facilitate cleaning. They are available in two sizes to house either four or seven egg inserts.

extremely flexible (e.g. variable cable length, ring shape), very robust and highly effective. To match the hose, FIAP offers the most common connection parts as a set, so it can be used both by professional farmers and hobbyists.

For more information www.fiap.com

visit

Visit the archive of Eurofish Magazine articles on aquaculture at www.eurofishmagazine.com/sections/aquaculture XXX FVSPlTINBHB[JOF DPN

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A decline in Norwegian consumption of seafood is being fought at several levels

Putting ďŹ sh back on the menu Seafood is declining in popularity in Norway, a country with one of the world’s highest ďŹ gures for per capita consumption. Falling interest in seafood is prompting the authorities and institutions to ďŹ nd out the reasons behind this development and devise ways to counter it. a number of initiatives backed by a network of public and private institutions have been put in place to reverse this trend.

Among these is the Norwegian Directorate of Health, a body with a mandate to improve the general level of health among Norwegians. A recent report from the directorate analyses developments in the Norwegian diet.

What people eat is among the factors closely related to the risks of developing illnesses and of premature death and the directorate’s recommendations regarding diet, nutrition, and physical

activity are intended to reduce these risks. The sustainability of a diet is also an aspect that is taken into consideration when making national recommendations today and a healthy diet, meaning one with a high content of fruit, vegetables, and whole grain products and a low content of red and processed meats, is generally more sustainable. The report finds that the development in Norwegian eating habits between 2008 and 2018 has been mixed. Sugar and milk consumption declined, that of vegetables increased, consumption of meat decreased slightly, while that of

fish fell considerably. In 2018, Norwegians ate 2.6 times more meat than fish, a figure that was 2.2 in 2008.

Several factors behind the fall in seafood consumption The decline in seafood consumption in Norway is well documented. Studies commissioned by the Norwegian Seafood Council, a body owned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries to promote Norwegian seafood to the world, show that consumption in Norway has declined across

Andreas Lindlahr/Norwegian Seafood Council

N

orway is the world’s largest exporter of fish and seafood in terms of value after China. The country is however not only an impressive exporter but is also an avid consumer of fish and seafood products. Within Europe, it is only the Icelandics and the Portuguese who eat more seafood than the Norwegians. However, as in many countries, even those with a long tradition of eating seafood, consumption in Norway is declining. Seafood is associated with a number of health benefits both in children and adults. Falling fish consumption therefore can have repercussions on public health, so

Norwegian seafood consumption in terms of whole round weight

40.00

kg/captia/year

35.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00

2003

2005

2007

2008

Source: Utviklingen i norsk kosthold 2019

2009

2010

2011

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018 Őž

*Provisional

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2012

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Andreas Lindlahr/Norwegian Seafood Council

NORWAY

According to a joint FAO WHO consultation, among the general adult population, consumption of fish, particularly fatty fish (such as the pictured mackerel), lowers the risk of mortality from coronary heart disease.

species i.e. volumes consumed of all the main species (salmon, cod, shrimp, mackerel, saithe, herring, and trout) have fallen consistently between 2013 and 2017. Annual seafood consumption has also dropped across all age groups except for the elderly.

The latter not only eat the most seafood but have also maintained their consumption over the years even as other age groups have reduced theirs. A cause of much concern is that the reduction in consumption is most marked among people between 18 and 34 years of age. Research has shown that eating habits tend to settle from around 30 years and if eating fish and seafood is not a habit by then, it may never become one. This is also the time when people start to have children, and if the parents are unused to eating

seafood themselves, it is unlikely they will inculcate a fish-eating habit in their offspring. The fear is that as the generation that eats the most fish (the elderly) gradually passes away, it will be replaced by another that is less interested in fish with potential consequences for public health as well as for the seafood industry. But why do young people turn away from fish? The reasons are manifold.

Increasingly busy lifestyles mean less time to spend preparing meals. Fish is considered more difficult to cook than other forms of animal protein and it offers less product variety compared, for example, with pork or chicken.

Seafood is more expensive than meat and its price increased by 14 between 2013 and 2017, while food in general increased 8 over the same period. For some, fish is

associated with negative experiences in childhood making them less inclined to eat it as adults.

Some consumers surveyed implied that they did not eat fish for pleasure, but because it was healthful. Eating fish was akin to carrying out a duty — virtuous, but not enjoyable. Meat, on the other hand, they ate because they wanted to. A few consumers also stated that fish was difficult to find in supermarkets in comparison to meat. A harried shopper could easily grab a packet of meat, pay, and leave, while finding the fish takes more time and effort.

Consumption of fish and seafood offers a range of benefits The benefits gained from eating fish and seafood have been

documented in multiple studies.

From infancy a diet rich in fish and seafood sets the stage for healthy development. Metabolic programming is the term used to describe the link between early diet and later health status, and studies have shown that the diet of expectant and nursing mothers as well as that of young children influences the risk of development of certain non-infectious diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes later in the child’s life.

Pregnant women can promote the development of their children and reduce the risk of the child contracting certain diseases as an adult by consuming a diet rich in fish and seafood while pregnant and during breast-feeding.

In addition, such a diet is considered to have a positive impact

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on a child’s health, neurological development, and the growth and function of the brain.

Seafood is also an important source of other nutrients and bioactive components such as phospholipids, proteins and peptides, taurine, fibre, and carotenoids among others. One carotenoid, Č•-carotene, forms vitamin A in the human body, others have been seen to cause reductions in biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and triglyceride levels and reduce the risk of stroke, and various cancers. High levels of fibre are contained in edible seaweed and have been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers and suppress gastrointestinal inflammation.

Polysaccharides extracted from various edible seaweeds have been seen to reduce cholesterol

and triglyceride levels in plasma in animal studies and they are also associated with anticoagulant, antiviral, and antioxidant activity. Taurine, an amino acid largely obtained through seafood, plays a role in several important biological processes in the human body, including calcium modulation, antioxidation, and immunity and may bring about a reduction in the risk of lifestylerelated diseases. Seafood is a very good source of protein that has excellent amino acid scores and digestibility. In addition, it may have a positive impact on lipid metabolism and on insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant individuals. Other studies have suggested that dietary protein from fish offers a significant reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. Certain fish proteins are associated with reduced serum and liver cholesterol levels, and with the inhibition of fat absorption in the small intestine

and thereby in suppressing an increase in body mass. Several human studies have shown that krill oil, which has phospholipid containing omega-3 fatty acids, cause desirable increases in plasma and cell membrane levels of omega-3 fatty acids. These phospholipids can also alleviate obesity-related disorders, and act as anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidating agents.

Collaboration necessary between all seafood industry players Since seafood is closely associated with better health outcomes, there are sound reasons to encourage its consumption. A number of initiatives are proposed in the action plan to boost the presence of fish and seafood in Norwegian diets.

These include promoting the links between seafood and health, disseminating information about seafood, researching further into Audun Aagre/Norwegian Seafood Council

A European Food Safety Authority panel tasked with addressing the risks and benefits of fish and seafood consumption concluded that seafood is a source of energy and essential nutrients such as vitamins A and D, iodine, selenium, and calcium, all of which have well-established health benefits. Seafood also provides certain fats, the omega-3 fatty acids, that are also associated with good health. Compared with mothers who ate no seafood, consumption of about 1-2 servings of seafood per week and up to 3-4 servings per week during pregnancy led to better functional outcomes of neurodevelopment among infants measured in terms of communication and motor skills, and social and visual development. This level of consumption is also linked with a lower incidence

of coronary heart disease among adults. Other studies have shown that fish consumption reduces the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease as well as the risk of contracting diabetes.

Fish cakes are an easy and tasty way of getting children and young people to increase their consumption of seafood.

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seafood’s content of nutrients, directing advice on seafood to vulnerable social groups including children, young people, pregnant women, and certain immigrant populations, and increasing collaboration between the administration, the food industry, and other stakeholders to augment seafood consumption. Institutional measures also play a key role in boosting seafood consumption.

The Norwegian national dietary action plan 2017-2021 is intended to contribute to diets that promote health and prevent diet-related illnesses in the population as a whole with emphasis on children and their families, young people, and the elderly. With regard to fish consumption the goal is to increase it by a fifth by 2021 in the population as a whole and the same increase in the number of children and young people who eat fish at least once a week and a fish-based sandwich topping at least three times a week.

Other goals include a reduction in the consumption of sweets, sugary drinks, saturated fats and salt, and an increase in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Currently roughly four tenths of men and three tenths of women eat the recommended quantity of fish, while only a quarter of men and a fifth of women eat the recommended quantity of fatty fish.

Consumers latent desire to eat more seafood can be realised Kantar, a market research organisation, has established that consumers desire to eat more fish, but find translating this desire into reality a challenge. This finding suggests there is considerable potential to boost seafood consumption, which is something that the Norwegian Seafood Council and other organisations promoting fish consumption can build on. However, consumer

Synøve Dreyer/Norwegian Seafood Council

NORWAY

Salmon is the most popular fish to be eaten in Norway, where it is sold in different ways including as sashimi.

wishes regarding fish and seafood will have to be accommodated if consumption is to increase. Families with small children for example want meals that are quick to find, buy, and prepare, and are inexpensive. People under 40 are looking for suggestions on how to prepare a meal that revolves around fish. They are also looking for more convenience products that are quick and easy to prepare. Consumers are also influenced by the reputation of farmed fish. Salmon is the most consumed seafood in Norway, but among some consumers farmed salmon has a poor reputation. This is mainly due to a lack of knowledge, or because of the spread of rumours, myths, or fake facts. Working to disseminate factual information about salmon farming and the salmon industry that can counter the negative stories about the sector, may in the long term boost the consumption of salmon. According to the Norwegian Seafood Council, initiatives to boost the consumption of seafood should endeavour to

increase consumers’ desire to eat more seafood and should make it easier to for them to choose seafood. The former can be achieved by focusing on attributes such as high quality, healthful, and sustainable, and by disabusing consumers of the idea that it is difficult to prepare or combine with other dishes.

Selecting seafood when at a supermarket can be stimulated, among other things by highlighting simple recipes, or offering fish-based meals that are ready to cook or heat, or placing fish together with foodstuffs (vegetables, pasta etc.) that it can be eaten with.

Eating more seafood scores points for the environment too Increasing fish consumption while reducing intake of red meat not only brings health benefits to the individual but also contributes to the health of the planet, an argument which may well resonate

with the young. Findings of the EAT-Lancet Commission, a multinational group of scientists tasked with defining targets for healthy diets and sustainable food production, found that global food production is the single largest driver of environmental degradation. At the same time, unhealthy diets are the leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases the incidence of which is growing. “Effectively, how we grow, process, transport, consume and waste food is hurting both people and the planet�, assert the authors.

While the positive influence of seafood consumption on human health is well documented, the discussion about its environmental impact is more recent. In a paper published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment in 2018, Ray Hilborn and colleagues showed how there were big differences in the environmental impact of fish production and consumption. The species of fish or seafood, whether it is farmed or wild, how it is farmed or caught, and how it is processed, stored, and transported

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all determine a product’s impact on the planet. Comparing four metrics of environmental impact (greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, release of nutrients, and acidifying compounds) for livestock production, aquaculture, and capture fisheries, as well as studying additional literature on antibiotic use, freshwater demand and pesticide use, the authors concluded that the lowest impact production methods were small pelagic fisheries and mollusc aquaculture, whereas the highest impact production methods were beef production and catfish aquaculture.

Fish, white meat and vegetables can replace red meat Substituting seafood for meat is thus likely to make sense from an environmental perspective depending on what the seafood is and how it is produced. But Nicole Darmon from INRA, the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, reported at a conference in Copenhagen in 2019 that reducing intake of meat, fish, poultry, and eggs, while increasing that of fruit and vegetables, could achieve a reduction in environmental impact of 30-40. Her findings suggest there is a tradeoff between a diet that is healthful (thanks to the seafood) and one that is environmentally-friendly.

Another paper by scientists from the Universities of Tasmania and of British Columbia published in the journal Nature Climate Change in 2018 estimates that carbon emissions from marine fisheries, and small pelagic fisheries in particular, are low compared with those from the production of red meat such as beef and lamb. More recently Greenpeace, an environmental NGO, in a criticism of the European Commission’s proposed European Green Deal said that climate and environmental targets could only

be met “with a substantial reduction in the production and consumption of livestock products, particularly meat.� The Norwegian dietary action plan emphasises the importance of health as well as of sustainability when making food choices. With a point of departure in the Brundtland Report’s (named after Gro Harlem Brundtland, a former prime minister of Norway) definition of sustainable development (development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs) the plan expects to contribute to sustainable development by encouraging people to make dietary choices that have a low impact on the environment. These choices should also promote a reduction in food waste as this will increase the supply of food without adding to the pressure on the environment.

At the end of 2016 the government presented a white paper to Parliament on the future of Norwegian agriculture which stated that a reduction in emissions from agriculture based on reduced demand for red meat would call for increased consumption of fish, as well as vegetables, and white meat.

Fiskesprell, a programme to encourage youth to eat fish

Catch ‘em young Started in 2007 as a consequence of a government action plan to improve the Norwegian diet, Fiskesprell is a programme aimed at increasing the consumption of ďŹ sh and seafood among children and young people. The programme was so successful it was continued after the action plan concluded in 2011. Two ministries, the Norwegian Seafood Council, and the Norwegian ďŹ sh sales organisations collaborate on Fiskesprell, and the Directorate of Health and the Marine Research Institute are both involved in designing the measures taken by the programme.

Fiskesprell targets employees in kindergartens, schools, and in other institutions for children and young people, as well as teachers instructing in the subjects food and health. The programme organises

The reduction in seafood consumption among Norwegians could, in the long term, have impacts on public health, the economy of the seafood sector, and potentially on the environment. By adopting a multipronged approach that draws on support from different stakeholders, authorities, institutions, trade bodies, research organisations etc., and that targets the general public with a special focus on certain groups, this negative trend can hopefully be reversed. A successful campaign will also have international repercussions as other countries facing similar challenges could learn from Norway’s experiences. The stakes are thus higher than they seem.

The Fiskesprell programme encourages children and young adults to eat more fish by making them aware of the health benefits and showing them how easily it can be prepared.

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courses for these target groups to increase their knowledge of seafood — including its health beneďŹ ts and how to prepare it. Educating these groups about ďŹ sh and seafood can have an impact on the diets of most children and young people in the country. Ultimately, the objectives of Fiskesprell are to get children and young people to eat more ďŹ sh and seafood and reduce social disparities in diets and in this the initiative has succeeded.

Assessments of the programme show that kindergartens that have been part of Fiskesprell show a higher consumption of ďŹ sh and seafood and a greater awareness of healthful food. Support from Fiskesprell has led to a greater focus on seafood in the subject “food and healthâ€? among both teachers and pupils.

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High-tech and conventional methods for sea lice control

Salmon industry ďŹ ghting its most persistent problem ScaleAQ

Parasitic sea lice or, to use the simpler and more common term “salmon lice�, are a problem for salmon farms all over the world.

Great efforts are being made to ďŹ nd a control method that meets the requirements of salmon farming, is environmentally friendly, and also suits consumer demands for food safety. The current strategies for sea lice control alleviate the problem but do not provide complete protection.

The Thermolicer makes use of the sea louse’s low tolerance of sudden changes in water temperature. Infested fish are placed in a lukewarm bath for a few seconds which eliminates between 75% and 100% of the parasites.

S

ea lice are a bane for salmon aquaculture and a real challenge for parasitologists. Salmon farms are in a constant struggle against the onslaught of naturally occurring

parasites. Anyone who slackens their controls for just a few days usually has a high price to pay because the invasive mobile ectoparasitic copepods can infest the fish population very

quickly. The sea lice settle on the fishes’ scales and feed on their tissue, mucus and blood, which endangers the well-being and health of the host. The salmon become chronically stressed,

they lose their appetites and no longer thrive, and the skin that is damaged by the lice can become inflamed. Bleeding and oedema often occur, the immune system of the fish is weakened, and

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It is in the salmon industry’s own interests to finally solve the persistent problems around salmon lice (in the North Atlantic mainly Lepeophtheirus salmonis, in the South Atlantic off Chile mostly Caligus rogercresseyi). At the same time, external pressure on the industry is also increasing. The announcement by the Canadian liberals around Justin Trudeau to abolish salmon farms in the sea by 2025 in order to protect wild fish stocks may have been influenced by the parasite problem.

In July 2019, Norway reduced the limit for salmon lice in organic farms (“green licences�) from 0.5 to 0.25 lice per salmon. In September 2019, the Chilean government announced tighter regulations for their sea lice control and eradication programme, and a farm belonging to the Icelandic salmon breeder Arnarlax failed to gain ASC certification in July 2018 due, among other things, to excessive infestation with salmon lice. According to the audit report, the auditors found 10.78 female salmon lice

per fish: the ASC standard permits only 0.1 parasites per fish.

Salmon lice are not only an ecological but also an economic problem. The marine research institute Nofima estimates that Norway’s salmon industry loses more than 560 million euros per year due to the cost of control and eradication measures for sea lice. A simple treatment for removing the lice can cost up to EUR25,000 (NOK200,000) per net enclosure. And losses have to be taken into account, too: in Ecotone

secondary pathogens can penetrate the body once the natural skin barrier is injured. In the case of extreme infestation mass mortality can even occur. The small lice are in fact to blame for huge losses, and it seems that the problem has continued to build up over the years since the start of salmon aquaculture. In Norway, the number of registered treatment measures increased 1.4 times between 2012 and 2017 according to the Food Authority, although salmon production hardly increased at all.

Ecotone's SpectraLice System counts and classifies sea lice according to their stage of growth. The system can evaluate between 300 and 2,000 salmon within 24 hours and is more accurate than manual counts.

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Akva Group

NORWAY

The Tubenet from Akva Group keeps the fish at a depth which sea lice do not inhabit. The fish can come to the surface to fill their swim bladders with air using a snorkel net that is impermeable to sea lice. The system can reduce infestation by up to 80%.

Norway, 20 per cent of salmon die before they reach harvesting weight and this is mainly due to sea lice and inefficient monitoring of fish welfare. These losses correspond to a billion salmon portions worth over 1.5 billion US dollars. In Chile’s salmon industry production costs have increased by about 1.23 euro/kg as a result of control measures against Caligus rogercresseyi salmon lice. In the face of such figures it is hardly surprising that the salmon farming industry is doing all it can to effectively combat sea lice infestation. At the same time, it is looking for innovative methods to tackle the problem proactively rather than reactively, i.e. when the fish have

already been infected by the parasites. That means guarding against or at best stopping sea louse invasion in advance.

The first step in any measure to combat sea lice is precise measurement of their number and distribution in the affected areas and on the affected fish. What previously necessitated manual counting is now performed by intelligent image recognition systems that use high-resolution cameras to photograph salmon in net enclosures and evaluate the images on the basis of sophisticated algorithms. This advanced technology not only counts the sea lice but can also detect their development stage

quite precisely. Salmon lice go through eight life stages before they become “adult� and sexually mature. The infectious larvae are smaller than one millimetre, and adult female lice measure about 12 millimetres. Ecotone’s SpectraLice System counts and classifies sea lice according to their size. The camera records a hyperspectral image of individual salmon and the intelligent software analyses the colour signature of each pixel. Based on the intensity of the colour spectrum the system recognizes the sea lice and also identifies their growth stage. SpectraLice can evaluate between 300 and 2,000 salmon within 24 hours and is more accurate than manual

counts. MSD Animal Health’s intelligent Falcon system also provides valuable snapshots of the salmon lice data within the salmon stock, and these are then transmitted directly from the net enclosure to the desk computer.

This makes it possible to plan treatments more precisely and efficiently.

Chemotherapeutants gradually losing importance Initially, the salmon industry relied mainly on chemical substances to control the sea lice problem. These are indeed effective but also have a negative impact on the fish and the

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environment. They curb salmon appetite, reduce growth and also damage marine ecosystems. It can take weeks before the fish can be sold after treatment. Another particular disadvantage is that over time the parasites develop resistance to the treatments. Chemotherapeutants against salmon lice can be in the form of bath treatments (e.g. organophosphates, pyrethroids, hydrogen peroxide) or as additives in fish feed (e.g. emamectin benzoate, diflubenzuron). For bath treatment, the net enclosure is either lined with a tarpaulin and the enclosure volume reduced, or the fish are transferred to a wellboat. Until 1995 more than 80 of all delousing operations in Norway were carried out with water-soluble organophosphates. When sea lice became resistant to dichlorvos, farmers switched to azamethiphos (which was ten times more effective) in the mid-1990s.

Sea lice are already developing resistance to emamectin benzoate (“SLICE�) which was introduced in 2000, which is why the dosage has had to be increased about fivefold since then in order to effectively repel the ectoparasites. Researchers at the Sea Lice Research Center (SLRC) of the University of Bergen warned as early as 2013 that some lice strains had become resistant to all available drugs. So there was an urgent need for new effective drugs.

One focus of current research is on substances that inhibit the moulting and thus the development of sea lice. (Like all crustaceans, parasitic copepods have to change their exoskeleton regularly in order to grow.) However, using these drugs involves the risk that the moulting phases of shrimps, lobsters and

other crustaceans in the vicinity will also be affected. Baths in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), on the other hand, are less risky with regard to the natural environment.

After use, H2O2 decomposes into water and oxygen and is therefore considered non-toxic and not environmentally persistent. Due to growing resistance to organophosphates and pyrethroids in some coastal regions, hydrogen peroxide has been increasingly used again for delousing since 2009. It is assumed that H2O2, as a strong oxidizing agent, leads to the formation of gas bubbles in the haemolymph, which paralyses the sea lice so that they ultimately fall off their host fish. Hydrogen peroxide is a registered drug and its use must be monitored and documented.

chemotheraputants towards thermal and mechanical treatment methods – has taken place in almost all salmon producing countries. In Norway, chemical agents dominated more than 80 of treatments between 2012 and 2015, while 74 of treatments in 2017 were thermal or mechanical. Non-chemical control methods are mainly based on three characteristics of sea lice. Firstly, the parasites – and particularly during the infectious young stages – prefer to stay in the upper water layers to a depth of about 10 metres.

Secondly, they do not tolerate freshwater: when wild salmon ascend into the rivers the lice separate from the host animal).

And thirdly, they are relatively sensitive to heat.

In October 2019, Pharmaq presented a new bath treatment for the control of sea lice in salmonids in Chile. It is based on the chemotherapeutic agent Alpha Flux with the active component hexaflumuron which inhibits the synthesis of chitin, the main component of the sea louse cuticle. The effectiveness of the treatment has been confirmed in trials. Since 2016, Chile has also been using the delousing agent Imvixa, which contains 10 of the active ingredient lufenuron, whose use is not permitted in some European countries, however. In addition, the first vaccine against sea lice was launched in Chile in November 2015, but little is known about its effectiveness in controlling the parasites.

A simple but effective protective measure against sea lice is therefore to place impermeable tarpaulins across the upper layers of the net enclosures. Although they cannot prevent salmon infestation completely, they reduce the number of invading parasites.

The same basic idea is followed by “snorkel nets�, in which a horizontal roof within the net enclosure keeps the salmon at greater depths, which is additionally supported by lighting and feeding in the lower part of the net. Lights and feeding systems lure the salmon into the deep water, which is avoided by the sea lice. The snorkel net allows the salmon to swim to the surface unharmed by sea lice. There they can absorb air and transfer it from the front intestine into the swim bladder via a special connecting duct (ductus pneumaticus).

Trials by the Norwegian Akva Group, which calls its snorkel

Alternative control methods are favoured More recently, a paradigm shift in sea lice control – away from

08_NORWAY (NO).indd 35

net “Tubenet�, have shown that this simple procedure can reduce lice infestation by about 80 per cent.

Thermal delousing makes use of the sea louse’s low tolerance of sudden changes in water temperature. Among the systems commonly used in practice are the Thermolicer and the Optilicer, which – apart from small technical details – work very similarly: the fish is put briefly into a lukewarm water bath (usually for about 20 to 30 seconds at 28°C in spring and 33 to 34°C in late summer) which eliminates between 75 and 100 per cent of the lice, depending on the conditions. Thermal delousing is thus very effective but can also pose a risk for the salmon because the upper limit of heat tolerance of the host and the parasite is almost identical.

The shorter survival time of the lice is mainly due to their smaller size but the salmon are at great risk in the case of application errors.

Delousing measures with freshwater are similarly effective. Sea lice react sensitively to freshwater and die quickly if the salinity of the water is too low. If salmon are temporarily exposed to freshwater the sea lice fall off and can be removed. However, this alternative treatment also poses certain risks for the salmon. The Norwegian salmon farmer Lerøy, for example, lost more than 150,000 salmon (633 tonnes) in a freshwater delousing operation in July 2016.

Another method is to use “flushers�, in which the lice are mechanically removed from the fish body as in a shower with lowpressure water jets (0.2-0.8 bar)

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or with rotating brushes (as used, for example, in Hydrolicer, SkaMik, Flatsetsund). For this treatment the salmon should not be too small (the recommended size is 4 kg), and with the brushing method scale losses and skin injuries are possible. Sea lice traps (e.g. Capture & Contain) are also used. They are usually placed outside the net enclosures around the salmon farm and attract mobile lice stages with flashing lights to keep them away from the salmon. Stingray’s Optical Delousing System, which combines stereo cameras, advanced image recognition software and precision lasers, is a high-tech solution. Lice are identified on the salmon as they swim by and killed by a precisely directed laser pulse without damaging the fish (the parasite coagulates in milliseconds, the salmon’s scales reflect the laser beam). Air bubble curtains that rise from the lower edge of the net enclosure to the water surface are also effective. Such bubble curtains act as a barrier that prevents a lot of sea lice from entering the interior of the enclosure.

Innovative ideas open up new possibilities An approach that the US company Prospective Research is pursuing is not yet ready for practice. Prospective Research hopes to use bacteria to combat the sea lice that are known to quickly become resistant to chemical agents. The idea is to enrich salmon feed with suitable bacteria that stimulate the formation of natural bioactive compounds in the fish intestines, which then have a paralyzing or repulsive effect on lice. Prospective Research

is currently searching for bacterial strains that meet these requirements. A successful method for the biological control of salmon lice is the use of “cleaner fish�, which eat the annoying parasites directly from the body surface of the salmon.

The number of such cleaner fish on Norwegian salmon farms has risen sharply since 2008.

According to the Norwegian Fisheries Directorate more than 50 million cleaner fish were used in two thirds of all salmon farms in 2017. The cleaner fish mainly consist of five species: Labrus bergylta, Symphodus melops, Ctenolabrus rupestris, Centrolabrus exoletus and Cyclopterus lumpus.

Demand for the species is in the meantime so great that it can no longer be met by wild catches from nature but requires regular reproduction. Because this needs special know-how, Mowi Scotland purchased Ocean Matters in April 2019, which produces around 4 million cleaner fish annually.

The management sector of the salmon aquaculture industry can also make a contribution to sea lice control. Since infestation rates increase with the spatial density of the salmon farms it would be possible to distribute the farms more widely across the sea. New, larger farms that are currently being built on land in Norway are also expected to alleviate the situation. They make it possible to keep salmon on land longer and shorten the time at sea when they are exposed to sea lice. Perhaps even the entire life cycle of salmon will soon be transferred to recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) on land. However, this would

increase rearing costs and make salmon more expensive.

Sea lice management and control is currently focusing on highly complex hydrodynamic computer models that can predict the probability and intensity of lice outbreaks in certain regions off the Norwegian coast, taking into account variable environmental conditions, in particular currents, temperatures, salinity and wind. This will enable companies located there to initiate countermeasures in good time. The “traffic light system� introduced a few years ago, for which the areas off the Norwegian coast were divided into 13 production zones, has also proved very successful. On the basis of environmental indicators, which include salmon lice infestation as an important criterion for the sustainability of farming, the production zones are classified as either “green� (further growth of farming is possible), “yellow� (freezing of production at current level) or “red� (production must be reduced).

In addition, there are some new ideas and approaches on how

to better manage the sea lice plague. Researchers at Tromsø University believe that control strategies must be more genetics-based because the lice adapt very quickly to their local environment. That is why salmon lice often develop a genetically different type in each net enclosure, and this then has to be taken into account when initiating control measures. The “environmental DNAâ€? method, in which tiny traces of DNA that enter the water for example with skin cells, excrement and blood, are analysed and compared with databases (“metabar codingâ€?), also opens up interesting possibilities.

Researchers are currently working on a database containing DNA sequences of all parasites, diseases and microalgae that can be dangerous for salmon.

This would provide an early warning system that would enable identification of emerging risks through water analysis.

Other considerations are based on the use of ultrasound, which repels or kills sea lice at certain frequencies without disturbing the salmon. mk

Strict monitoring of salmon production and sea lice infestation The 2008 Norwegian Regulation on the Operation of Aquaculture Production Sites makes it compulsory for ďŹ sh farmers to report the number and age of their ďŹ sh, mortality-related losses and any ďŹ sh removals and feed consumption to the Fisheries Directorate every month. This information is stored in a database together with the IDs of the farms and net enclosures.

In addition, the Ordinance on the

Prevention of Salmon Lice in Aquaculture requires farmers to regularly report the number of sea lice (broken down into sessile and mobile stages as well as egg-bearing females). Any sea lice treatment carried out must be reported to the Norwegian Food Authority stating the method and substance used.

Between 2012 and 2017 the database covered an average of 807 (788 to 828) marine farm locations.

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The Norwegian government provides incentives to boost the development of farming technology

Novel cage systems can be deployed offshore

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orway’s story with salmonids started in the 50s, when entrepreneurs introduced rainbow trout into primitive cages in the sea. Two decades later, salmon overtook rainbow trout as the most popular fish to farm. Development was rapid as more and more companies entered the industry, the number of permits rose, and the volumes produced increased exponentially. In the 20 years to 1990 production increased 340 times to 170,000 tonnes. By 2006 farmed fish exports accounted for more than half the value of total seafood exports. Three years later the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs launched a new strategy in support of a competitive and environmentally sustainable aquaculture industry. By 2015 Norway’s output was more than half the global production of Atlantic salmon. That year the authorities offered the first so-called development licences. These are provisional licences intended to encourage the development of innovative technical solutions that would address some of the environmental and spatial challenges facing the aquaculture industry.

wild salmon stocks. Farmed and wild Atlantic salmon are genetically the same species (Salmo salar) and can interbreed. However, farmed salmon are selected for traits that make them suitable for life in a cage rather than in the wild. By breeding with wild salmon the farmed fish may induce genetic changes in the wild stock that could have an impact on population dynamics and viability. The fish farming industry takes these threats seriously and therefore funds the monitoring of rivers for escaped salmon, and commissions research into ways to prevent or reduce the problem. The salmon farming industry is also beleaguered with the issue of sea lice. These marine parasitic crustaceans attach themselves to the salmon and feed on its mucus, skin, and blood, weakening the fish and making it prone to secondary infections. A measure of the extent of the problem is given by the number of lice per fish, which has declined from 1.34 to 0.96 in the decade to 2018, though in 2019 it increased to 1.04, according to Lusedata.no, a website based on data supplied to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.

The twin challenge of escapes and sea lice are not yet fully overcome

As in other countries, such as Turkey, with big marine farming industries, Norway too must confront the issue of space. Coastal areas, where most fish farming is located, are also used for fishing, shipping, energy generation, recreation, and a host of other activities. This can give rise to conflicts among the

Among the challenges faced by the industry is that of fish escaping from their cages. These fish represent both a financial loss for the company that owns the fish and a threat to

Salmar

The Norwegian seafood industry crossed another milestone earlier this year when exports in 2019 exceeded NOK100bn, according to the Norwegian Seafood Council. Over seven tenths of this value comes from the export of aquaculture products, a category which is comprehensively dominated by exports of salmon.

Salmar’s Ocean Farm can be raised and lowered in the water column and is highly automated to reduce the number of staff needed to operate it.

different users. In Turkey, the authorities pushed the industry offshore in the mid-2000s to defuse such conflicts and while the industry grumbled at first, some advantages of the move became rapidly apparent. The deeper water and stronger currents were better both for the fish and the environment as it prevented a build-up of organic matter beneath the cages, the industry could no longer be accused of stepping on the toes of other users of the coast, and although producing offshore meant higher initial costs for the individual companies, it also laid a foundation of experience, knowledge, and technical competence from which the entire sector stood to gain.

Offshore farming may solve several issues In Norway, aquaculture systems using new technology that

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allows them to be sited offshore is considered one of the ways of expanding farmed fish production in a way that is environmentally sustainable — something that the government wants to encourage. According to a report (Havbruk til havs, 2018) from an inter-ministerial working group tasked with creating a legal framework for the sustainable development of offshore aquaculture, interest in offshore cultivation has been driven by a need for space unconstrained by other users’ claims, and by challenges in the form of environmental (impact of sea lice on wild stocks, build-up of organic matter, fish escapes) and fish health issues (for example, sea lice) experienced at traditional production sites. The release of provisional development licences (Utviklingstillatelser) in 2015 also contributed to the evolution of fish farming &VSPl TI

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solutions that could be deployed offshore. Allotted exclusively to projects that are innovative, contribute to solving one or more of the challenges currently facing the industry, and that call for significant investment, these licences enable companies to mitigate the risk of investing in promising fish farming technologies.

In the two-year window (November 2015 to November 2017) during which applications for development licences were accepted over 100 bids were submitted.

Semi-submersible structures are among the ideas being tested Ocean Farming, part of the SalMar Group, was the first company to be granted a development licence for its Ocean Farm project. The structure draws heavily on the technology and principles that underpin the aquaculture industry as well as the offshore oil sector and consists of a semi-submersible cage that can be raised and lowered on pillars. The base and the sides of the cage will be covered with two layers of nets made with highly durable material. The outer layer is intended to protect the inner one from floating debris in the water or from other threats that could damage the inner net. All operations with the fish can be carried out within the structure itself, which, with the help of bulkheads, can be divided into three zones for different processes. Fish will be harvested by connecting a well boat to the cage with a hose. The system is largely automated and calls for just 3-4 people to carry out the daily operations and monitor the system. Research into improving fish welfare and reducing aquaculture’s environmental footprint will also be carried out on the Ocean Farm and the structure is expected to provide a basis for systems that reduce the risk of escapes.

Cages can be mobile too Companies that have sought development licences are using different designs for their fish farming structures which also have different capabilities. Another company, Nordlaks Oppdrett, has proposed a long and narrow steel structure comprising a bow end with living quarters, a centre section with six 40-60 m deep net cages for the fish, and the stern with generators and an ensilage system. The structure will have two variations, one stationery and the other dynamic. The stationery version will be anchored at the bow allowing the direction of the structure to be influenced by currents, winds, and waves. In contrast, the dynamic version will use dynamic positioning and propulsion systems to maintain position without being moored but will also have the ability to move between areas depending on weather and environmental conditions. This flexibility will enable the utilisation of far more exposed (and hitherto unused) areas when the weather is benign with the structure moving to more sheltered sites when conditions get rough. The sides of the centre section will be covered by a steel skirt that extends 10 m down from the surface and is intended to limit the impact of sea lice and protect the nets against floating debris. Other systems on board the structure will be used to load feed, load and unload fish, and process dead fish, among other operations.

Innovative ideas to deal with sea lice and escapes Midt-Norsk Havbruk AS (MNH) has teamed up with Seafarming Systems AS to produce the Aquatraz.

Named to evoke a legendary prison on Alcatraz island in the San Francisco bay from which few got away, the Aquatraz too is designed to

reduce the risk of escapes. It will also improve fish health and extend fish farming to new areas such as offshore, according to the companies behind the structure. The Aquatraz is a rigid net pen that can be raised out of the water for maintenance or to disinfect the nets, which can be done by drying or freezing them in winter — both methods are environmentally friendly without the use of chemicals, and low cost.

The upper part of the net pen is sealed from the surface to a depth of 8 m, a feature designed to reduce infestation with sea lice as these parasites are typically found in the upper part of the water column.

Freshwater from deep in the sea will be pumped into the cage and circulated to ensure the fish are continuously supplied with oxygen-rich water at a constant temperature. A healthy environment has been created not only for the fish, but also for the workers on the structure as much of the heavy manual work has been automated. This also reduces the risk of human failure, one of the main reasons behind fish escapes.

Another factor contributing to escapes is equipment damage, but as the Aquatraz’ rigid steel construction is built to standards used in ocean-going vessels and offshore installations, it is more robust than typical net cages used today.

The first generation Aquatraz has already proved the viability of the concept with more rapid growth, lower mortality, reduced incidence of sea lice, and no fish escapes. The next generation of the cage has broader gangways and a new electrical system to raise and lower the cage, among other improvements.

A design that replaces the net altogether Cages with nets are the most widespread way of producing salmon in Norway today. The challenge to develop the most environmentallyfriendly salmon farming system,

however, has led AkvaDesign a company based in Brønnøysund on the west coast of central Norway, to design a structure that uses a bag rather than a net in which to grow the fish. This construction will enable the structure to be used in areas where farming fish using conventional net cages would not be permitted. The advantage of using a bag is that it reduces the impact of fish farming on the environment (nutrients from the fish production are removed from the bag and do not accumulate on the seabed) and the bag is filled with water pumped from a depth of about 20 m which reduces the problem of sea lice. The water inlet are at the top of the bag just under the water surface, while the outlet is at the base of the cage creating a downward flowing current. The bag is attached to a floating plastic ring which is in turn fixed to a surrounding concrete ring.

The concrete structure is made of eight sections that are curved on the inside and flat on the outside. When connected the inner surface forms a circle while the outer one forms an octagon. This allows several concrete rings to be attached together to create a complete system with multiple production units. To reduce the risk of escapes a net is fastened to each concrete ring. The net surrounds the bag providing a second layer of protection against escapes and contributing to the company’s claim of environmentally friendly salmon farming.

The structures portrayed here are just a fraction of the 20 or so designs that have been accepted by the authorities. They reveal how the salmon farming industry is deploying technology to combat the most persistent issues that are affecting the sector. If successful, these technologies may have an impact on other cultivation methods such as rearing fish on land. In any case, the spirit that has driven the industry since the 50s seems to be alive and well and just as committed to finding solutions as it was 70 years ago.

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The judicious use of natural resources: Aquaculture in Hungary contributes to biodiversity, flood management and environmental sustainability

Pond farming should be better acknowledged Modern pond aquaculture production originates in the Danube basin, and in the European Union about 60% of it is still connected with this catchment area. The biogeographic features of pond aquaculture production define the spectrum of produced species and applied technologies.

Hosting carps and predatory species in polyculture The production cycle typically takes three years. In the first year the product is 60-150 g fingerlings, while in the second year it is 500800 g juveniles. Market size carp of 2-3 kg are produced in the third year. The area requirements of the age classes are different, thus in those farms which produce all three age classes yearly, 5% of their net water surface area is used for fingerling rearing, 20% is used for juvenile rearing and 75% is used for market size fish. Fish pond production is typically managed in polyculture, where common carp is produced in combination with other fish species of the same age class. Common carp is the most widely produced species

accounting for 80% of the total pond based fish production in 2018 (AKI 2019). Besides common carp typical pond fish species are silver carp, grass carp, and predatory fish species including catfish, pikeperch and pike.

Fish pond production is a semiintensive farming technology.

Organic manure is used to augment the natural feed present in the pond. In addition, the natural feed — zooplankton mostly — can be complemented with the use of cereals and plant based feeds of high protein content (e.g. oil-extracted sun flower seeds, lupine, pea). The ratio of the yields received from naturally available feed and from feeding are typically similar, 50-50%, however this varies significantly between farms, based on the way they are managed. Over the last 10 years, pond production has become more extensive in Hungary as farmers seek to minimise costs and increase profitability.

Ponds and natural wetlands have many similarities Pond fish farming, besides producing common carp, creates a fish pond ecosystem that is closely related to natural wetland habitats. Although this is

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ishpond production dominates Hungarian aquaculture with an output of 81% of the total in 2018, according to the Research Institute of Agricultural Economics (AKI). Fishponds are defined as artificial structures which can be fully filled and drained through their monks.

The average fish pond is 30-40 ha in Hungary and there are mainly two types: barrage ponds in hilly areas and paddy ponds mainly on the plains.

Fish grow-out ponds are 30-40 ha on average, but can also be considerably larger.

an artificial system, the nature of nutrient cycling is identical to that of natural wetlands. The fish pond ecosystem is similar to the natural aquatic ecological systems in complexity. The larger homogeneous habitat patches (e.g. open water, dry pond bottom, reeds) allow specific taxa to be more diverse than in natural habitats, however, on the whole the biodiversity of fishponds is lower than that of natural wetlands.

An attribute of the fish pond ecosystem is the dominance of planktonic organisms which feed on the dissolved nutrients in the water. Unless the proper amount of common carp juveniles are added to the system the pond will be converted into a shallow aquatic habitat with

homogeneous marshy vegetation (reed communities, willow-shrub vegetation) in only three-four years. The increased nutrient input enhances the population sizes at all levels of the food web, so that fish ponds maintain notably higher quantity of organisms compared to natural ecosystems.

With a shift to a more extensive technology, the nutrient input decreases or ceases completely, the nutrient sources in the pond diminish, and there is a decrease in the population sizes of all the organisms in the pond. The appropriate strategies for farming fish are vital for production levels and for the health of the pond itself. Another unique attribute of fish ponds is the seasonality of water coverage. Due to the technological processes, the different

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Besides contributing to the sustainability of aquatic and wetland habitats, fishponds sustain wildlife of European importance.

Their most significant impact is the support of waterfowls connected to wetland habitats; they provide nesting, resting and feeding habitats for these bird species. Fish ponds also support the populations of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). The natural fauna of fishponds includes various amphibian and reptile species, as well as protected and endangered fish species in ponds and canals.

Surveys of Hortobágy Fishponds, the largest fish farm in Hungary with ca. 5,500 ha, have identified more than 300 bird species, nine amphibian, three reptilian and eight protected fish species. A detailed assessment of the wildlife associated with fish ponds has not yet been made at a European level.

Some attempts have been made to monetise the ecosystem services of fishponds. The value of the habitat service of the Hortobágy Fishponds in Hungary, based solely on the occurrence of bird species, was calculated at 32,000 euro/ha.

Regarding Polish fish ponds the total non-productive value was estimated at 52,858 euro/ha.

Farmers pay a price for their support to wildlife Supporting protected animal species — mainly birds and the otter — reduces yields and increases costs for farmers. Species depending on fishponds can be grouped according to their economic impact: into species with direct economic impact, consisting of fish consumers (great cormorant, pygmy cormorant, Eurasian otter), and fish feed consumers (mallard, common pochard, Eurasian coot).

Then there are species which indirectly cause yield loss or increased costs. This category includes all the protected species that inhibit fish pond operations. Fish farming activities that are affected are usually the filling, draining, fishing, waterweed control, and reed cutting processes and the constraints are due to the nesting, breeding, migrating or simple presence of these protected species. These indirect effects reduce the efficiency of farming and result in lower yields. The most important species with direct economic impact is the great cormorant which is responsible for losses of 10-20% of the fish production value. The intensity of the damage differs between barrage and paddy ponds, and between smaller and larger ponds.

A good indicator of the importance of fishponds for nature

The monk (behind the aerator) in a fish pond is a structure through which the pond can be filled and drained.

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(aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial) stages of ponds are simultaneously present in a relatively small area, thus allowing different habitat complexes to coexist.

Over four-fifths of the fish production in Hungary is common carp.

protection is that 49% of used fish pond area is protected as National Parks and 66% are in NATURA 2000 areas. Nature protection legislation contributed to making fish farming operations more extensive. The results of the AQUASPACE project highlighted that the impact on production caused by nature protection regulations is the most marked in larger ponds located in protected areas.

Mitigating the effects of flooding and drought Besides providing habitat for natural fauna and flora, pond aquaculture has an important role in water management. Pond production is well adapted to the natural seasonal fluctuation of surface water resources and the rate of consumption is tailored to these hydrological conditions.

Fish ponds can retain substantial amount of water. Climate change is causing the occurrence of extreme water levels (both low and high) to increase. Fish ponds act as buffers to a certain degree functioning as reservoirs when there is excess water, and returning it to the source, when water levels fall.

Water quality at the inlet, outlet, and in the pond is an important factor in pond production.

According to the measurements, the quality of surface waters is

good and does not limit production. The artificially increased nutrient levels in ponds used for fish production means that these levels are typically higher than in natural wetland habitats. However in the ponds nutrients are transformed into fish biomass.

After the production period the used water is discharged seasonally to natural surface waters again. The quality of the discharged water is defined by environmental legislation. Besides the fish production, the discharged water is affected by the inflow water quality, which can be quite diverse, especially considering that ground water can also enter the pond system. The nutrient content of the inlet water is also recycled during fish production.

The discharged water from a fish production pond usually has higher concentrations of organic material (COD) and a higher content of suspended solids, while nitrogen and phosphorus compounds are at similar or lower levels, compared to the inflow water.

In conclusion, fishponds often act as biological filters rather than polluters in the natural surface water network.

Béla Halasi-Kovács, PhD Director NAIK Research Institute for Fisheries and Aquaculture Anna-liget 35, HU-5540 Szarvas hkb@haki.naik.hu

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Lillafüred Trout Farm has been producing since 1933

Recirculation systems could double output

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oday, brown trout (Salmo trutta m. fario), rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) are produced on the farm, which has a complete cycle of operations from hatchery to grow-out, processing, sales and marketing. The company sells fish at all stages to the market, including eggs, larvae, fry and fingerlings, but the main product is market-sized fish which, thanks to the very good rearing conditions including high quality spring water, is very tasty and with flesh of excellent consistency.

An attractive destination for tourists

In recent years the services offered by the farm have been developed further. This has been done partly Lillafüred Trout Farm

The farm is situated in the Garadna valley, a popular hiking destination

close to the resort town of Lillafüred, so tourists represent an important segment of the customers. Visitors can taste the freshly caught fish seasoned with eight different spices, coated in two kinds of flour and fried, or kept overnight in a marinade containing twelve spices and cold-smoked on beechwood. This service has been available at the farm each year from 1 May to 30 September since 1991. The season concludes with a five-day festival held traditionally in the first week of October which attracts many visitors. They can taste fish dishes, attend cultural programmes and learn about fish and aquaculture.

At the Lillafüred hatchery eggs, fingerlings and fry are produced for sale as well as for on-growing on the farm.

Lillafüred Trout Farm

The oldest trout breeding farm in Hungary, that of Lillafüred, has existed for over 85 years. Currently it is operated by a family-owned company, Hoitsy & Rieger Ltd. The farm raises several species of trout, including brown trout, which is produced mostly for restocking and rainbow trout which dominates food fish production. The history of the Lillafüred Trout Farm dates back to 1933 when eggs were imported first from Austria and then from Czechoslovakia. Production has not been interrupted since then.

At the farm’s processing facility located in a nearby village the fish are smoked or processed into ready-to-cook products.

to diversify income streams to reduce the potential risks of relying on a single source of revenue.

In 2018 the company launched a fish restaurant some 500 metres from the farm, where visitors can dine throughout the year on fish dishes made from boneless fillets of not only of trout but also of common carp, sterlet, and catfish. At the processing factory located in a nearby village a range of kitchenready gutted and cleaned, marinated and smoked fish products, as well as pâtés are manufactured for sale to tourists visiting the farm.

New items are introduced each year and products have won the award for best ready-made fish product at the National Agriculture and Food Exhibition and Fair in 2011, 2015 and 2017, an acknowledgement of the company’s philosophy that quality raw material and ingredients,

modern equipment, professional knowledge, conscientious work, and good management are key to manufacturing excellent-quality products, the reputation of which has drawn customers from across the country. In the future the plan is to supplement the existing products with a new range of refrigerated items.

One of the first recirculation systems in Hungary The investment in technology is not restricted to the processing plant but also includes the farm where, because of frequent droughts, the company decided to build a recirculation system in 2012, one of the first in Hungary to do so. This significantly reduces the need for fresh water

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In 2012 the company invested in a recirculation aquaculture system, one of the first fish farms in Hungary to do so.

and, according to the company, the filtration systems work so well that recycled water has the same quality as drinking water. Production today is 58-60 tonnes, which is 40 times more than in 1983, when the present manager, Mr. György Hoitsy, took it over. The introduction of recycling technology has also allowed the company to consider expanding in the future as calculations show that with the technology current production

can be doubled with the existing water supply.

Commercial activities coexist with research The farm is more than just a production unit as it is also conducting research in several fields alongside the commercial activities. Fish health is one topic being studied and, in addition, investigations are carried out on fish fauna and

ecology of natural waters. The farm has agreements with several universities for which it serves as a practical training ground for students, while specialists from the farm also lecture in undergraduate and fishery engineer courses. Additionally, a brown trout gene bank has been established and it serves as a base for serious research into crossbreeding. All breeders are tagged with microchips and their DNA is kept on record.

The objective of the crossbreeding is to restore the pure Danube line of the species and significant progress has been achieved. A broodstock of this pure Danube brown trout line is expected to be established within the next few years.

Lillafüred Trout Farm

Lillafüred Trout Farm

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The main species produced on the farm is brown trout which is used for both consumption and restocking.

Sagdiclar Manager: Mr. György Hoitsy (since 1983) Farm area: 1 ha No. of ponds: 18 Total water surface: 3,700 sq. m Species produced: Brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout

Volumes produced: 58-60 tonnes (mainly brown trout) Activities: Fish for consumption, fish for restocking Products: Smoked fish, ready-tocook products

Department of Aquaculture, Szent István University, Hungary

Bringing research results to the field Szent István University, formerly known as the Agricultural University of Gödöllö, is the largest institution in Hungary for education and research in agriculture and environmental sciences.

The Department of Aquaculture was founded on 1 January 2001 under the leadership of Professor László Horváth and was the only one in the country at the time.

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he activities of the department can be classified into education, researchdevelopment-innovation (RDI), and consultancy. While education is a relatively stable and well-planned task, the RDI activities depend highly on the staff ’s success at applying for research funding. The results of these research projects form the basis 42

of the consultancy services and the knowledge and technology transfer activities.

Research and development grants fuel all activities Everyday activities at the department are carried out by professional staff who vary in number

from 40 to 55 people. Of this group, only four people have statefunded salaries (so called normative funding), while the remainder receive their salaries from projects. On average, over 90% of the total remuneration (basic salary and salary supplements) of the staff is funded through research grants. RDI activities are, therefore, of exceptional importance.

The department offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD degrees, in addition to providing adult education. The indicators of the past five years are shown in the table overleaf.

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Indicator

Number

Number of courses taught

67

Number of specialisations

34

Number of students

2,684

Ratio of foreign students

11,34%

Number of BSc and MSc theses

115

Number of PhD theses

12

Number of participants in adult education programmes

1,388

Education performance of the Department of Aquaculture 2015-2019

Aquaculture, fisheries and toxicology are the main fields taught at BSc and MSc levels. In addition, the department offers a programme in innovation management. Course work for PhD students takes into account the motivations and interests of the individuals. A special challenge in recent years has been that more and more foreign students enrol at all three main levels of education thanks to national (Stipendium Hungaricum) and international (Visegrad and FAO) scholarships. Therefore, teaching must be both in Hungarian and English at all three degree levels.

Six research teams work at the department, supported by administrative and financial units. Department facilities are modern, recently constructed or renovated buildings with stateof-the-art equipment appropriate to current research requirements and eminently capable of supporting the services provided by the department. This infrastructure is financed by RDI grants received by the department. The main measures are shown in Figure 1.

High level of academic achievements One of the measures of successful scientific activity is participation at international

11.2m euro

42

The strategic focus of the department includes anticipating and meeting the future educational requirements of the aquaculture and angling sectors, the practical implementation of new developments and the technology transfer of RDI results. Improving international cooperation and networking by fostering the admission of foreign students and supporting sectoral cooperation both

RDI projects the department has participated in over the past 5 years.

25

RDI projects where the department acted as consortium partner

12

RDI projects where the department acted as a subcontractor

5

individual researchers’ grants

Funded research activities 2015-2019

and national conferences. The department’s staff regularly presents the results of RDI work as oral presentations or posters Furthermore, scientific publications are a useful indicator of the academic standing of the department.

The department’s RDI activity has resulted in several practical achievements including: r A spin-off company that carries out innovative research and development activities in the field of water toxicology. r Patents on seven processes of which two are already partly exploited in the field. r The department has developed 21 technology descriptions in RDI projects last year in joint work with the companies involved, and these technologies have been built into the everyday practices of these companies.

awarded research funding.

conferences

Conference participation by the department 2015-2019

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

23 4 3 8 2

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

18 6 5 4 0

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

33 7 12 6 0

25 11 5 2 1

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

20 12 4 2 1

Publication activities of the department 2015-2019

nationally and internationally are also among the department’s priorities.

BĂŠla UrbĂĄnyi, Ă dĂĄm Staszny, ZsĂłfia Tarnai-KirĂĄly Department of Aquaculture

Institute for Aquaculture and Environmental Safety Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Szent IstvĂĄn University GĂśdĂśllĘ, Hungary http://mkk.sziu.hu/

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UZBEKISTAN

European expertise in farming and processing could benefit the sector in Uzbekistan

Ambitious strategy charts out aquaculture development Fish production in the Republic of Uzbekistan comes primarily from inland capture fishing and fish farming. The latter is mainly the extensive pond production of silver carp and common carp, but plans are afoot to expand this to other species using waterconserving technologies.

U

zbekistan is a landlocked country situated in the middle of Central Asia and has an area of about 450,000 sq. km.

The country has a typical inland climate with marked seasonal temperature fluctuations, i.e. hot summers and cold winters. The average temperature in summer is about 27 °C often rising to more than 40 °C in the daytime, while the average temperature in February is -6 to -8 °C.

Better care of water resources would increase sector potential There are more than 500 rivers in Uzbekistan, most of them in the mountainous part of the country. The most water-abundant is the Amu Darya, 1,140 km long, with a flow of 78 km3/year; the Syr Darya is 2,140 km long and has a flow of 36 km3/year. There is a well-developed network of irrigation (150,000 km) and drainage (100,000 km) canals and collectors. Irrigation has regulated all the rivers in the basin and changed all the natural reservoirs, especially in the plains; a network of water storage lakes has been formed, some of which have become major fishery basins.

However, natural basins tend to accumulate polluted water containing salts, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, and free carbon 44

Ponds in Kuyi Chirchik Region of Tashkent Oblast (region).

dioxide, from agriculture runoff and industrial discharges. This causes an oxygen deficiency preventing development of the natural food supply which interferes with normal fish growth.

The total salt content of the water from these sources varies from 0.6 to 6.3 grams/litre, and it is many times higher in drainage water reservoirs (lakes). Together with an acute shortage of water during the growing season (summer), it slows down the growth rate of the fish and leads to a decrease in commercial catches of valuable fish species. While the mountainous part of the country is rich in streams, there are only 4 rivers in

the plains – the Amy Darya and Syr Darya and the less water-bearing Zarafshan and Kashka Darya. The flow of all these rivers has been fully regulated for irrigation purposes. Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector is based almost entirely on irrigation. It is the largest water consumer in the Aral Sea basin, where agriculture has driven the development of irrigation systems.

Association represents companies all along the value chain Uzbekbaliksanoat Association was established in 2017 in response to legislation enacted to develop fishery management systems, improve

fish breeding, and increase fishing companies’ productivity. As of today, more than 1,200 companies are members of the association.

They specialise in fish culture, harvesting, processing, production of pelletized fish feed, and sale of fish products. The association has been working on scaling up fish production, which grew from 65,300 tonnes in 2016 to 84,000 tonnes in 2017, 94,100 tonnes in 2018, and in 2019 is expected to exceed 100,000 tonnes.

However, annual fish consumption in Uzbekistan is under 3 kg of fish per capita while the recommended figures are 10-11 kg and the consumption potential in the country is 16-18 kg.

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OOO DB FISH Group

UZBEKISTAN

Trout ponds in Namangan District.

Until recently, the only type of aquaculture in Uzbekistan was carp polyculture in large earthen ponds, where productivity reaches 1,500 to 2,000 kilograms per hectare and 2,000 – 3,000 kg if optimised.

However, this extensive technology has serious disadvantages: first the ponds must be filled with water in spring, the water level has to be maintained during summer, and then the ponds must be drained for harvesting in autumn. Water is thus removed from the source for the whole season and never used for any other purpose. More than 22,000 cubic meters of water are removed to fill one hectare of a 1.5-meterdeep pond — while there is a severe deficit of both water resources and irrigated land in Uzbekistan. One of the main requirements of both the agriculture and fishery sectors is an assessment of their needs for water.

This information will lay the foundation for the development of new water-saving technologies.

Low water consuming production systems increase in popularity Among water-saving production systems, intensive carp culture using Chinese technology has

been introduced with good results.

Using this method 20 to 30 tonnes per hectare are being produced at a private fish farm, Valley Fish, in Andizhan Oblast. More than 20 similar systems are also operating in Tashkent, Navoiy, Xorazm, Surkhandarya and Andizhan Oblasts, and there are plans to

further expand the use of this technology. The share of production in intensive systems (tanks, recirculation aquaculture systems, net cages) has grown from 1,545 tonnes (1.8 of the total aquaculture production) in 2017 to 7,600 tonnes (8.1) in 2018 and is expected to exceed 15,000 tonnes (10) in 2019.

Water scarcity and the lack of sites to construct new ponds in irrigated areas make water-saving projects attractive. More than 20 projects have been chosen throughout the country to build capacities (8,000 tonnes) for growing trout, salmon and sturgeon in foothill areas.

These projects will be implemented over the next five years using the experience of Golden Fish Group Ltd, a company with expertise in cold water fish culture based in Tashkent Oblast.

Fish cultured in man-made ponds (38,000 ha) amounts to 64 of the total production; the share of production from natural reservoirs (565,000 ha) is 25-26 including 8-10 of trash fish used for nonfood processing; finally 8-10 of fish is cultured in intensive systems. Diversity of fish species is comparatively poor in Uzbekistan with under 100 species in natural reservoirs and only 20 to 22 of them of commercial interest. Aquaculture provides 7 to 8 fish species.

Resources for fish cultivation in Uzbekistan Water bodies

Location

Area (ha)

Natural fishery basins total

565,000

Artificial earth ponds total Aydar-Arnasay

38,000 Lower Syr Darya river

370,000

Zheltyrbas Largest lake systems

17,200

Sudochye Mezdurechye-Kuksu

19,000 Lower Amu Darya and Zarafshan rivers

Karakir

12,300 12,000

Ayak Agitma

8,000

Main sources of Uzbekistan's imports of fish and seafood Country

Value (USD)

Viet Nam

1,542,200

Proportion of total value (%) 21

Product Pangasius fillets, shrimp

Norway

1,525,100

20

Atlantic salmon fillets

Lithuania

1,361,000

18

Canned fish

Russia

1,164,500

15

Alaska pollock fillets Canned fish, trout fillets

Latvia

870,000

11

Other

1,237,200

15

Total

7,700,000

100

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UZBEKISTAN

Cold-water fish farm, Golden Fish Group Ltd in Tashkent Oblast.

Feeding sturgeons at the Fishery Research Institute in Tashkent Oblast.

The volume of aquaculture production of some fish species, like silver carp, is 1.5 to 2 times the demand.

There is strong competition among carp producers, which results a plentiful supply of common carp and silver carp weighing 700 g to 2 kg at very reasonable prices.

Common carp and silver carp production in extensive ponds systems and the introduction of common carp and African catfish culture in tanks and net cages keep prices for these species at a stable level. Local consumers prefer fish of 1.5 kg or more, but it takes 1.5 to 2 years to grow fish to this size.

establishment of the laboratory, which is fully supplied with modern equipment. Here, researchers implement projects on the acclimatisation of promising fish species in Uzbekistan; study reproductive behaviour of local fish species; develop artificial breeding methods; and experiment with feeding technologies using recipes containing local ingredients.

Range of locally produced fish products is limited The assortment of species caught in natural reservoirs include roach, bream, snakehead, zander, common carp, Georgian shemaya (Alburnus derjugini), goldfish among others. While common carp, silver carp, African catfish and some lake species are supplied both live and chilled in sufficient volume, valuable species like tilapia, sturgeon, trout, and salmon are scarce on the market. Fish imports in 2018 amounted to 4,090 tonnes worth USD7.7 million and the main imported products were salmon, Alaska pollock and pangasius fillets, canned fish, and small volumes of smoked fish. Fish exports 46

in 2018 were worth USD2.1 million and comprised mainly zander fillets. Fish processing in Uzbekistan is a relatively recent activity. The company, Xorazm Balik Sanoat Agro started producing canned fish (2 million pcs) in Xorazm Oblast and is building another factory with a capacity of 9 million pcs in Muynak Region of the Republic of Karakalpakstan (an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan).

Much work has been done in the country to improve education in the fisheries sector. Seven higher educational establishments (Tashkent Agrarian University, Nukus Branch of the Agrarian Institute, Samarkand Veterinary Institute, Uzbek National University, Bukhara, Namangan, and Fergana State Universities) educate personnel for the industry. Twenty-six masters, 98 full-time bachelors and 115 distant education bachelors will soon join the ranks of fish breeding specialists and researchers at fishery research institutes. The Fishery Research Institute under the State Committee for Veterinary and Livestock Development conducts research in the field of intensive aquaculture development. Uzbekbaliksanoat Association funded the laboratory for new aquaculture technologies hosted by the institute. Easy Fish, a domestic company producing aquaculture equipment, also contributed to the

Comprehensive ten-year strategy includes rearing of cold water species The association has developed a strategy for the development of the fishery industry by the year of 2030.

The strategy aims to strengthen food security by increasing fish production using water-saving industrial technologies. In addition, the strategy envisages the: r development of pond breeding technology for local fish species, their reproduction, genetic selection, and restocking; r introduction of new species (salmon, trout, sturgeons, various catfish species, tilapia, etc.); r prevention and treatment of fish diseases; improvement in quality of water and fish products; r assessment of the state of fish resources; protection of commercial fish stock; fishery forecasting; stocking with herbivorous fish species; increase

in catch and processing of fish from natural reservoirs; r the development of processing capacities for other types of products (canned fish, preserves, pate, fillet, fish cakes) as regards the main cultivated species (silver carp); r saturation of the market with fish products from domestic producers; increase in proportion of fish in people’s diet and reduction in prices for fish products.

The fisheries sector in Uzbekistan still has scope to grow and develop.

Close ties have been established with many countries to attract investment on mutually beneficial terms, among them China, Russia, Turkey, Vietnam, Germany, and Hungary. One of the sector’s priorities is the culture of cold water species like trout, salmon and sturgeon. European countries have decades of experience in the production, processing, and packaging of these fish and their products, and in the manufacture of fish feeds. The Uzbekbaliksanoat Association would like to explore ways of collaborating with European companies to bring some of this knowhow and experience to the sector in Uzbekistan.

Rukhulla Kurbanov First Deputy Chairman, Uzbekbaliksanoat Association

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[ SPECIES ] Valuable commercial resource or ecological problem?

King crabs successfully hold their own in the Barents Sea Red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) is one of the best crustaceans that the cold northern seas have to offer. The species was originally only found in the north PaciďŹ c but in the 1960s Russian scientists introduced it to the Northeast Atlantic. The conditions in the new habitat suit the crab’s biological requirements and so their number has in the meantime spread there extensively.

R

ed king crab is one of three species of the genus Paralithodes that are found in the subarctic areas of the North Pacific and the Bering Sea. Red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus), blue king crab (P. platypus) and Hanasaki king crab (P. brevipes) are quite similar in size, biology and way of life and differ mainly in shape and number of spines on the carapace. What makes red king crab special is its relative frequency: it accounts for over 90 per cent of the total annual catch of king crabs in Alaska. The scientific name “camtschaticus� already points to the fact that this crab is native to the marine waters off the Kamchatka peninsula. However, its range extends far beyond that.

On the Asian side of the Pacific it stretches from Korea via the east coast of Siberia and the Kamchatka peninsula to the Bering Sea, and on the North American Pacific side along the Aleutian chain via Norton Sound in Alaska to Great Bay on Vancouver Island (British Columbia).

King crab‘s body shape is typical of crab: the rear of the male is triangular and pointed, that of the female fan-shaped and folded beneath the body. The shell is heavily calcified with several pointed thorny spines. A further feature that makes the species

unmistakable is its three pairs of walking legs which distinguish it clearly from snow crabs and sea spiders with four pairs. King crabs are decapods), but the two front limbs are equipped with claws (Chelipeds) of unequal size. Usually, the right claw which is used to hold and break open hardshelled food like mussels is much larger and stronger. The smaller left claw is then used to rip apart the prey and carry individual pieces to the mouth parts at the front of the carapace. King crabs are quite variable in their body colouring: they can be reddish, brownish or bluish.

As is the case with all crustaceans, the king crab’s growth is influenced by two factors: the frequency with which they change their shell and the increase in size achieved with each moult. During adolescence, king crabs moult several times a year but this frequency decreases significantly with age. After the onset of sexual maturity they moult about once a year. Females always moult before they spawn.

Adult male crabs moult less regularly. In this way, the crabs can reach leg spans of 1.80 metres and weights of around 10 kg, although the crab’s body rarely grows wider than 28 cm or longer than 22 cm. The maximum age is said to be 20 years.

The body structure of king crab with the spines and strongly calcified shell as well as the three pairs of walking legs clearly distinguishes the species from snow crabs and sea spiders.

Pacific stocks weak but not overfished The considerable size of the animals and their excellent taste make king crab a sought-after and valuable fishing resource which has been commercially exploited in the Bering Sea and North Pacific by the USA, Russia and Japan since the 1930s. It was a lucrative business, but one that didn’t last long. After annual catches had risen to around 65,000 tonnes by 1980, yields fell sharply so that fishing in some regions even had to be closed for several years.

And today, catches still fluctuate considerably, although according to the latest stock estimates the four king crab stocks in Bristol Bay, the Pribilof Islands, Norton

11_SPECIES (SP).indd 47

Sound and the Western Aleutian Islands are not overfished.

A workshop at which US crab fishermen, scientists and fisheries managers discussed concrete measures to improve stocks in 2006 probably contributed to this.

An important aspect here is the rearing of crab larvae in hatcheries to support wild crab populations. These efforts are backed up by a number of research projects aimed, among other things, at increasing our knowledge of crab migration, nutrition and substrate preferences. Another contributing factor is better fisheries management. This is the joint responsibility of NOAA Fisheries, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

06/02/20 9:32 AM

[ SPECIES ] King crab fisheries are regulated under the Bering Sea Management Plan and must comply with the national standards of the Magnuson Stevens Act and other applicable federal laws.

Although king crab’s natural home is the North Pacific the giant crabs are today also found in the Barents Sea and the European Arctic. The idea of introducing them to that area was born in the Soviet Union as early as the 1930s.

Stalin’s forced collectivisation of agriculture had plunged large parts of the country into famine, with the result that some committed biologists were looking for alternative sources of food. They thought that the nutritious and protein-rich giant crabs could perhaps help out here. At that time, however, attempts to settle the crustaceans failed because transport connections between Kamchatka in the Far East and the Barents Sea in the far north were too slow and too unreliable and the young crabs died on the journey. It was not until the 1960s that it was possible to settle the crabs in Kola Fjord near Murmansk.

The responsible fishery scientists were convinced that the living conditions in this region of the eastern Barents Sea would largely

correspond to those in the Pacific making it possible to build up a lucrative fishery resource that would in addition be limited to the stocking area because the king crabs would have reached the limit of their western distribution due to the prevailing temperature.

This was to be a mistake, as soon became apparent.

Between 1961 and 1969, 1.5 million zoea I larvae, 10,000 one- to three-year-old juvenile (almost half males and females) and 2,609 adult king crabs aged 5 to 15 years (1,655 females, 954 males) were released in the Kola Fjord. The new settlers were clearly quite happy with the living conditions in the far north. They hardly have any natural enemies there and their number increased rapidly.

Although king crabs are generally relatively faithful to their habitat they moved further west from year to year – contrary to all scientific expectations. Round about 1977 king crabs were found for the first time in Norwegian border waters, in 1992 larger numbers appeared in the south of the Varanger Fjord, and by 1995 breeding populations were discovered in the coastal waters between Vardø and Tana.

In 2000 they reached the Lakse and Porsanger fjords and in 2001

Identifiably undersized or female crabs are thrown back into the sea immediately after the catch.

In Norway, king crab fishing is restricted to small boats fishing with baskets in coastal waters within the allocated catch quotas.

several adult crabs were caught west of the North Cape near Sørøya, a year later even near Hammerfest. We can only guess at what drives the animals further and further west but it is probably the increasing population density and the resulting lack of food in the original stocking area. It is difficult to predict where the invaders’ advance might end. Research into the temperature tolerance of king crab larvae suggests that they could reach the Lofoten Islands.

Isolated catches in this area and near Tromsø already show that this is indeed possible.

Crab population spread further west The living conditions in the Barents Sea are very similar to those in the North Pacific and the Bering Sea, which is why half a century after the initial stocking hardly any differences are recognizable in the biology and way of life of the crabs in the two areas.

Furthermore, although the founding population near Murmansk was relatively small, no reduction in genetic variation, including genetic diversity and allelic richness, can be found between king crabs from Pacific and Barents Sea areas. At present, however,

there are only few observations of king crabs further away from the coast in the Northeast Atlantic.

A further spread in this area cannot be ruled out because the larvae survive higher temperatures than previously assumed.

It would be conceivable, for example, that the larvae might advance further north towards Spitsbergen, the first signs of which are already visible off the Russian Kola Peninsula.

An important driver of this development is the available food supply.

King crabs will eat almost anything they can find as long as they can prepare “bite-sized� pieces with their claws: Algae, small worms, mussels and barnacles, fish, starfish and smaller species. Since they mainly eat bottom-dwelling organisms, their behaviour has a strong influence on benthic flora and fauna. In areas with a lot of crabs the typical invertebrate species are often absent, especially mussels, echinoderms and bottom-dwelling worms. King crabs themselves are hardly at risk because they have few predators. Occasionally, young king crabs are attacked by demersal fish species, squids, eelpouts, seals or sea otters, but such losses are hardly noticeable in the crab stock with its high reproductive potential.

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[ SPECIES ]

The females need the wide tail fan to protect the fertilized eggs that they carry beneath it for approximately 11 months.

If there is any doubt as to whether the minimum length has been observed the length of the carapace is checked more closely by measuring the length from the eyes to the rear edge of the body.

King crab can apparently adapt to very different environments without major problems. It has a broad food spectrum, is mobile, fast growing, highly fertile and for most of the year lives sociably in groups divided by size and sex. In summer and autumn adult animals move further away from the coast and spend the winter at depths below 200 m.

While king crabs in the Pacific have been firmly integrated into natural ecosystems for thousands of years, in the Barents Sea they have been intruders who have only been able to conquer their ecological niche by displacing other species. This has a profound impact on regional ecosystems. Initially, the appearance of the first “monster crabs�, as they were called in some media, was greeted with a pleasant frisson and even considered a “welcome blessing� for the fishing industry, but with the further spread of the species concerns grew, especially in Norway. The crab is now considered an invasive marine species in the Arctic. At the beginning of the

Life cycle furthers the spread of crabs In spring the sexually mature crabs migrate towards the coast into shallower waters to mate, spawn or give birth to larvae. The newly hatched larvae are better protected there where they have greater chances of survival in the algae and seaweed forests of the shallow water.

King crabs in the Barents Sea are on average slightly larger than their Pacific counterparts when they reach sexual maturity, with shell lengths of about 110 mm. In the course of their lives, female crabs can spawn about 10 to 15 times, with fertility varying between 15,000 and 500,000 eggs depending on body size. This high reproductive potential is an important success factor for adaptation to the ecosystems of the Barents Sea. After hatching, the

offspring first pass through a short protozoan stage, followed by four pelagic larval stages (zoea). In this phase of life, which lasts about 60 days during which the larvae feed on plankton, the offspring is carried over long distances by the currents and distributed over large areas.

This expansion phase allows the crabs to colonise new habitats relatively quickly. Ultimately, however, the young will only survive where the conditions are favourable.

Towards the end of their larval development the young king crabs give up their pelagic existence and move into a “weaning stage� (megalopa) with which life on the seabed begins. Initially (for about two years) they remain in shallow water at a depth of less than 20 metres which offers them more hiding places from predators. Their shells do not yet provide effective protection, especially as they undergo numerous moults during this phase, after which their bodies are always soft and vulnerable.

Even adult animals seek sheltered places for moulting in order to escape possible attacks. Only after two years have the adolescent crabs become so large and robust that they can slowly migrate to deeper water areas.

Use and limitation of the resource go hand in hand The phase of joint management ended in 2007 and since then

In the head and mouth area the king crab has numerous “feelers� and different mouthparts (mandibles, maxillae and maxillipeds).

11_SPECIES (SP).indd 49

1990s king crabs were already so frequent in some areas of the Barents Sea that their commercial use came to the fore. In 1994 Norway and Russia agreed on an experimental fishery, the annual catch quotas of which were set by the NorwegianRussian Joint Fisheries Commission for the Barents Sea. Since the king crabs form a coherent stock in the area they were managed like cod and other fish species by Norway and Russia together.

06/02/20 9:32 AM

[ SPECIES ]

Ideally the muscle meat fills the shell completely (top) while in poorly fed animals or after moulting there are sometimes still “growth reserves� (bottom).

The white, rather fibrous leg meat of the crab is highly appreciated by gourmets all over the world. Complete leg sections are a particularly popular product.

both states have set the permitted withdrawal quantities under national responsibility. The management strategy of the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs pursues two core objectives. In order to safeguard the long-term economic exploitation of this valuable fishery resource quota-regulated fishing in a limited area is geared to the conservation of the stock.

This mainly concerns the Varanger Fjord and the waters of the Finnmark, which are particularly

This is important because the invasive king crabs not only affect biodiversity in the newly populated areas but also cause serious damage to fisheries. They eat bait from the longlines and often nibble on the caught fish, making them unsaleable. In addition, crabs’ prickly bodies get entangled in gillnets, making them unusable.

In some areas, king crabs have already decimated the banks of the Icelandic scallop Chlamys islandica, and the coastal population of sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus) has also declined significantly.

The accusation that the crabs also feed on the eggs of bottom spawning fish has been partially refuted, since relatively few fish eggs have been found in studies investigating the stomach contents of crabs.

It is possible, however, that king crabs are indirectly responsible for the transmission of trypanosomes to cod and other marine fish. The leech (Johanssonia arctica) likes to lay its eggs on the crab shell and this leech is a vector for trypanosomes that parasitize in the blood of many fish species. Studies show that the level of trypanosome infection in cod is significantly higher in

high-yielding in terms of fishing.

Equally important is the second objective, which aims to limit the further spread of crabs beyond the fisheries-relevant area. A “free fishery� has therefore been introduced outside the quota regulated area. There the crabs can be caught without a quota and it is forbidden to put viable animals back into the sea. This management strategy seems to be paying off: the crab population in areas outside the quota zone remains at a low level.

With a little practice and skill and despite the tight joints, the muscle flesh can be removed completely from the shell.

areas with the highest densities of king crabs.

In Norway, king crab fishing is restricted to small boats fishing exclusively with baskets in coastal waters and within the allocated catch quotas. In addition, a 3-S regime (Sex, Size and Season) must be observed which primarily permits the capture of males of a certain minimum size during the approved period. Fishing is not permitted during the mating and moulting season.

The allocation of quotas follows the development of the stock. For 2019, for example, the responsible ministry reduced the catch quota for male king crabs by 20 (350 t).

This meant that only 1,400 tonnes of male king crabs could be fished, compared with 1,750 tonnes in the previous year. At the same time, the minimum size was raised to 130 millimetres. These allocations apply to the area under quota in the Finnmark east of the 26th degree of longitude which is approximately that of the North Cape. The management measures are intended to limit the currently discernible decline in the king crab population. mk

Visit the archive of Eurofish Magazine articles on species at www.eurofishmagazine.com/sections/species XXX FVSPlTINBHB[JOF DPN

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[ TRADE AND MARKETS ] International Cold Water Prawn Forum, November 2019, Newfoundland and Labrador

China, a huge and growing market for prawns The International Cold Water Prawn Forum brings together companies, institutions, researchers, and others, with an interest in cold water prawns. Every two years the forum holds a cold water prawn conference to discuss the state of stocks, harvesting, processing, and markets.

S

hrimp can be either wildcaught or farmed and according to the FAO, while production from the wild has shown a faintly growing trend, since about 2003 volumes have been more or less stable, while farmed shrimp production over the same period has increased exponentially and is likely to continue increasing.

Developing countries increase their shrimp consumption Aquaculture offers several advantages, Felix Dent, FAO, told delegates. It is easier to control production levels, and there is greater potential for vertical integration.

It is also easier to monitor size, colour, nutrition, and exposure to health hazards resulting in a highly uniform product. Most farmed shrimp production is in the developing world where it can contribute to food security through direct consumption and income generation. Globalisation and trade liberalisation has driven rapid growth in exports from developing countries to markets in the developed world but is now slowing due to a backlash against globalisation and more protectionist trade policies. Developing countries are increasingly finding national and regional markets for their products: developing countries’ share of shrimp imports, though still significantly lower than developed countries’, has been growing rapidly since 2008.

Several factors can explain the growth in markets in developing countries including the emergence of a rapidly expanding middle class, particularly in China, increased urbanisation, greater prosperity, a lack of time to spend in the kitchen, growing awareness of health and lifestyle issues. These factors in turn have had an impact on distribution (more retail chain sales), product innovation (emphasis on processed foods, ready to cook, and ready to eat meals), and consumption (more out-of-home meals). Health awareness has also lead to greater consumer interest in species such as salmon and tuna which are perceived to have health benefits, and has contributed to the proliferation of standards and labels that certify all kinds of attributes that consumers claim to be concerned about. For example, between 2003 and 2018 the number of EU ecolabel licences went from 149 to 2,167, though they fell to 1,575 in 2019.

Overall, data from the FAO show that per capita consumption of animal protein is increasing with seafood, pork, and poultry leading the way. Within the seafood category salmonids have a growing share of global import value while that of shrimp has fallen, but at 15 (2016) is still significantly higher than tuna (10), whitefish (10), or bivalves (3).

Climate change is likely to have unexpected impacts on resources Per capita fish consumption is projected to rise in all parts of the

Resources, markets, and the impact of climate change on cold water prawns were analysed at the recently concluded International Cold Water Prawn Forum conference held once every two years.

world according to the OECDFAO Agricultural Outlook 20192028 with China showing by far the most impressive growth. In Europe consumption is estimated to rise by between one and two kilos by 2028, while in China it is predicted to increase by five kg.

Catering to this expected increase in demand for fish and seafood calls for strengthening governance, combating IUU fishing, and putting in place robust traceability and catch documentation systems, and encouraging the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry. All the stakeholders from producers, to governments, consumers, regional fisheries management organisations and international organisations have a role to play. However, another factor, climate change, could complicate efforts to increase seafood

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production. Carbon dioxide emissions are heating and acidifying the oceans and even if emissions were to fall the heat and acidification will take a long time to reduce, said Eric Bjorkstedt, NOAA Fisheries. He pointed to changes in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans such as an intensification of coastal upwelling in the Pacific northeast and a warming and deoxygenation of water along the continental shelf and slope in the northwest Atlantic due to the weakening of the Labrador current. Warming, retreating sea ice, and altered currents can also be seen in the northeast Atlantic, while the north Pacific shows warmer conditions and reduced upwelling. These changes are likely to give rise to rapid shifts and unanticipated climate events such as marine heat waves, which will have an impact on marine life.

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[ TRADE AND MARKETS ] Biomass may increase in some areas and decrease in others Some of the effects of these changes on shrimp stocks were described in a presentation by Brian MacKenzie, DTU Aqua, who said that currently most stocks were at or above biomass limits, meaning that if exploitation continues at sustainable levels, then stocks can be expected to remain ecologically and economically viable in the short term. Over a longer timescale, however, climate change will influence shrimp fisheries as it alters the animal’s habitat.

As water warms, for example, shrimp are likely to move north into cooler or deeper waters, though the rate of this move (how far, how fast) is uncertain. These developments will in turn have an impact on the biomass and fishery yields. How other species, in particular those that feed on, or provide feed for, shrimp, react to changes in the environment will also have a bearing on future shrimp abundance. The overall effect is likely to be that some areas will show increased productivity and fishable biomass, while others will show a decline.

Knowledge is currently too fragmentary and limited to predict in detail when, where, and how fast shrimp biomass and distribution will change.

For shrimp catching and processing companies this is hardly reassuring.

Uncertainty makes it difficult to plan especially if it involves decisions about highly capital-intensive investments, such as in vessels.

Blaine Sullivan, Ocean Choice, a Canadian company fishing and processing several species at six plants in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, spoke of a drop in shrimp landings from 106 thousand tonnes in 2006 to 45 thousand tonnes in

2018 caused largely by environmental factors. This decline makes it difficult to maintain harvesting and processing capacity and the company has had to adapt by converting one of its vessels from shrimp to groundfish and by processing more offshore industrial shrimp.

The company has also taken several mitigation measures such as waste and emission reductions, maximising the use of resources, and investing in energy efficient solutions.

Since climate change affects whole industries the company has partnered with other ocean-dependent firms to solve common challenges.

Such initiatives, together with others to mitigate climate change, and investments in research and innovation are among Ocean Choice’s responses to the trends it is facing.

Fishery Improvement Projects have been working with both inshore and offshore fisheries for the last years and progress has been significant.

Outstanding issues include by-catch (inshore it is low, but offshore it is high), a management plan that is weak, and a lack of commitment from industry and the government.

More and more processors are having their operations audited for compliance with international food quality standards like BRC and ISF, but progress on social certification has been slow. Catch quality needs to improve so that the product can convincingly carry a brand that positions Argentine red shrimp as a premium item. Renewing the fleet would contribute to better catch quality but is expensive and companies lack the necessary credit lines.

Shrimp processors in Argentina need to focus on value addition, certification

The Chinese market is huge but competitive and complex

However, on another part of the American continent where another shrimp species is being fished, the picture looks different. Argentine red shrimp is the only crustacean fishery where captures and values have been increasing, reported Federico Angeleri, Grupo Varez. The shrimp is caught on the southern coast of Argentina by both artisanal and industrial fleets in inshore and offshore waters. The product is sold both fresh and frozen and exports are primarily to Spain and China.

The fishery is managed by spatial and temporal closures (there are no quotas) and vessels need a valid permit and must meet legal requirements. Captures are monitored by observers and data on by-catch, size, maturity etc. reported to the authorities. Now, says Mr Angeleri, the fishery needs to evolve further in response to changes in the market by focusing more on sustainability, certification, added-value products, brand creation, and fleet renewal.

Argentine red shrimp is just one of many species that feeds the vast Chinese market. With 1.4bn increasingly affluent consumers and a per capita consumption of seafood predicted to rise to 4 kg in 2022 from 3.8 kg in 2018, China sucks in huge and growing quantities of seafood from across the world. In terms of shrimp alone the country is a very important player as a producer, exporter, and importer. According to Darrel Roche, Whitecap International Seafood Exporters, improvements in the seafood cold chain enable consumers to order seafood online and have it delivered the same day or the next. Direct retail too has grown, and the ease with which consumers can get seafood, including shrimp, has increased their awareness making it popular also when dining out.

For international seafood traders, other factors of interest, that influence the Chinese seafood market, include greater trust in products imported from the west and those that stem from the deep sea, and

a preference for seafood compared with pork due to the spread of swine influenza. The Chinese import market for shrimp is, at 8, the world’s third largest after the US and Japan and growth in import values have averaged 40 per year since 2014, while import volumes have grown on average by 35 a year since 2014. The main suppliers in 2018 were Ecuador, Argentina, and Thailand which accounted for 58 of Chinese imports by value.

The imported products are overwhelmingly frozen shrimps and prawns which accounted for 75 of the value followed by frozen cold water shrimps and prawns at 16.

The rest comprised fresh or chilled and prepared/preserved. Shrimp products launched on the Chinese market between 2014 and 2018 were promoted for their time saving attributes, suitability for microwaves, flexible packaging, and lack of additives. With Russian biomass increasing and strong growth in the Greenlandic resource, Mr Roche considered the Chinese market critical to increasing consumption of cold water prawns. His strategy to penetrating the Chinese market include focusing on e-commerce companies, traditional hypermarkets, large retailers, and the Horeca sector in cities approaching the top tier cities, as the former are growing rapidly. The existing four top tier cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan), although massive consumer markets, are saturated, he said. In second tier cities, some 30 in number, the strategy is to target e-commerce companies, retailers and restaurants with whole cooked good value products. He also pointed to the importance of social media in marketing and promotion campaigns.

The presentations from the event are available at: https://icwpf.com/2019-icwpf-stjohns-nl-canada/presentationsfrom-icwpf19/

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[ TRADE AND MARKETS ] Sağdiçlar Group — Five brothers create a leader in the Turkish ďŹ sh trade

Expanding from ďŹ sh wholesale and retail to new business ventures Almost 40 years ago the ďŹ ve Sağdiç brothers started a small company trading locally sourced ďŹ sh. Initially focusing on wholesale, the company subsequently opened a fresh ďŹ sh section in a wholesale ďŹ sh market and has since branched out in several different directions.

F

ounded in 1981, Sağdiçlar’s trading business passed a milestone when it started exporting products to Germany in 2004. Then later the company opened its own supermarket chain “Idealâ€?, which now operates in two locations. In 2006 a chain of fish restaurants, “Balik Yeâ€?, was established that exclusively serve fish from the company’s production. In 2011 the company expanded into software development, as the need to improve the systems to manage their different activities grew. The company “Save Asâ€? today accommodates about 70 of the group’s IT needs.

depicting seafood playing musical instruments as if in a band.

That year also saw the launch of its e-commerce business, for which the software company developed a mobile application for both Apple and Android phones along with the www.balikye.com online sales channel. Consumers can order multiple of kinds of seafood to be delivered to their homes. The e-commerce business has also been extended to their Ideal supermarket chain www. ideal.com.tr so that daily groceries can be purchased in addition to the fish.

Opportunities in HoReCa

Sağdiçlar is the exclusive authorised Turkish distributor of Pinar Balik, one of Turkey’s largest producers of seabass and sea bream. It also has an exclusive trade agreement with Mowi, a Norwegian salmon producer, covering the Marmara region.

Last year the company started rearing rainbow trout and seabass at a farm in Artvin, in eastern Turkey, close to the Black Sea.

Some years later Sağdiçlar saw an opportunity in supplying Istanbul’s HoReCa segment with high-margin, value-added products. To produce these the group opened its own 1,200m2 production facility in 2016. Here around 600 tonnes of seafood are processed into added-value products including fish soups, smoked fish, fishmeat balls and fish burgers, seafood salads, marinated fish products, and other varieties of frozen and fresh fish products.

In 2018 the group established the Bando Food brand with packaging

Exclusive distributorships

Ms GĂśknur GezkĂśy, Export and Import Manager, stands with Mr Veysel Sagdic, Chairman of the Board.

products are sold in over 40 locations with shop in shops in domestic and international supermarket chains like Migros, carrefour, Macrocenter and etc. Internationally the company exports its range of

products to Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the North America, markets. The growing success of Sagdiclar’s symphony of products has allowed the company to support the local community.

Sağdiçlar Balikçilik Madenler Mah. Alemdağ Cad. Arafat Sk No:2 Ăœmraniye Istanbul Turkey Tel:+90 216 364 24 37 info@sagdiclar.com www.sagdiclar.com

The fisheries and seafood part of the group today consists of the processing facility, the fish farm for seabass and rainbow trout, and three sales outlets at the Istanbul wholesale fish market, the Izmir main fish market, and in Kavacik/Istanbul. Fresh

Chairman of the Board: Mr Veysel Sağdiç Export and Import Manager: Ms GÜknur GezkÜy

Turnover 2019: EUR 25 million Employees: 310 Activities: Wholesale and retail trade, supermarkets, software development, processing, and aquaculture.

Markets: Turkey, Germany, Kuwait, Dubai, Hong Kong, Russia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Holland, Bulgaria, Canada and USA USA.

Visit the archive of Eurofish Magazine articles on trade-and-markets at www.eurofishmagazine.com/sections/trade-and-markets

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[

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News

Romania to chair EUROFISH Governing Council The 19th session of the EUROFISH Governing Council will be held on 6 and 7 February 2020.

This is the annual meeting that brings together representatives from the organisation’s member countries (Albania, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, and Turkey), observer countries, and institutions (FAO, Baltic Sea Advisory Council, GFCM, Nordic Council of Ministers) to review the activities conducted by the organisation in 2019 and to approve the work programme proposed for 2020. This year, chairmanship of the Governing Council, which rotates between the member countries every two years, will move from

The EUROFISH Governing Council on 6 and 7 February will gather representatives from the organisation’s member countries, observer countries, and institutions.

Italy to Romania. The chairperson will be assisted by the vice chairperson (Estonia) and the rapporteur (Poland). The Governing Council will also discuss

financial and budgetary issues.

Interspersed with the administrative matters will be presentations on recent trade agreements and market access by the FAO

expert, on the implementation of a traceability system in Latvia, and on Croatian experiences with the digitalisation of systems for fisheries control and traceability.

TUNA 2020 promises to live up to its billing as world’s leading tuna event Tuna is among the world’s most highly traded fish with over 100 countries importing (and some 75 exporting) at least 1,000 tonnes. The term tuna refers to several different species, of which the most important (in volumes) are skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, and bluefin. Landings of tuna are however dominated by the first two which together account for over four fifths of the total. The main tuna fishing grounds are in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, of which the Western Central Pacific alone is responsible for half the total landings and almost 65 of the landings of skipjack, the main species used by the tuna canning

industry. Tuna fisheries are managed by regional fisheries management organisations which study the status of stocks and provide advice regarding quotas to their members.

The tuna is big, complex and globe-spanning with thousands of stakeholders. At TUNA 2020, the 16th INFOFISH World Tuna Trade Conference & Exhibition, all the issues surrounding the tuna industry such as stock status, fishing gear, sustainability, markets, products, processing, certification, technology, and trade, to name a few, will be addressed by experts from around the world. Held every two years, the event is organized

by INFOFISH in collaboration

with the Department of Fisheries (DOF), Thailand, Thai Tuna Industry Association (TTIA), FAOGlobefish, Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and is the leading tuna conference in the world. In 2018 almost 600 delegates from close to

70 countries attended, representing private industry, government authorities, NGOs, research institutions, and others, and this year the number is expected to be even higher. The conference and exhibition will be held in the Shangri La hotel in Bangkok on 27-29 May 2020. For more information visit http://tuna.infofish.org/ or write to info@infofish.org.

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GUEST PAGES

Grimsby Fish Market bids farewell to the EU but not to Europe

A hub for trade in cod and haddock The Grimsby Fish Market, one of the most important ďŹ sh markets in the UK, trades mainly in cod and haddock (two of the most consumed species in the UK) that arrives primarily from Iceland and Norway. Grimsby and its surroundings have a well-established processing industry which is a magnet for ďŹ shermen and ďŹ sh traders. Martyn Boyers, the Chief Executive of the Grimsby Fish Market, explains the role of the market and the auction in the UK ďŹ sh trade and outlines his vision for the future of the enterprise.

What are the trends you can see in relation to the market in terms of products, product forms, national, and international trade? Is most of the seafood sold on the market intended for the UK? Are there many foreign buyers of seafood that arrives at the market?

In the case of Grimsby Fish Market, historically we have only dealt with whole fresh fish, predominately cod and haddock. The main source of these supplies, approximately 75, is Iceland. Grimsby used to have a major fishing fleet and in the late 1950s and early 1960s Grimsby was the biggest fishing port in the world! In those days the deep sea trawlers caught fish around Icelandic waters which was mainly cod and haddock. They have always been the most abundant species which is why the trend has continued to this day.

What has changed has been the route to market. The ‘Cod Wars’ of the late 70s and early 80s resulted in the Grimsby deep-water fleet being diminished to the point of extinction. However, the fish kept coming as Grimsby Fish Market and its processors adapted to the new conditions. That change was fresh caught fish from Iceland being dispatched to Grimsby in containers on regular routes facilitated by Eimskip and Samskip.

Although the volumes are not what they used to be, we receive containerised fish to this day on a weekly basis.

According to Seafish, seafood consumption in the UK has been declining over the last 10 years for reasons including austerity, price inflation, and reduced spending power. Can the Grimsby Fish Market, as one of the biggest fish markets in the UK, contribute to reversing this trend?

Grimsby Fish Market has been part of the British Ports Association Fishing Ports Group and, as it happens, I am the Chairman. As a result, I was invited to be part of an initiative formalised by ‘DEFRA’ the Government department that covers fisheries, facilitated by Seafish, to develop and promote ‘Seafood 2040’ which is a strategic framework and vision with an objective to increase consumption of seafood to two portions a week.

What role do auctions play at the Grimsby Fish Market?

The auction is fundamental to the Fish Market in Grimsby and the main reason for being operational.

There is a misconception about the role of fish auctions, but they all play a critical role in the wheels of the seafood industry. Fish auctions like ours, are sat fairly between fishermen and processors to determine the price of fresh fish on any given day. They also act as a barometer for those traders and FAS (frozen at sea) dealers to establish price. If there were no auctions who would determine

Martyn Boyers, Chief Executive, Grimsby Fish Market

the price of fish? Probably the supermarkets of Europe would set prices like they have done with other commodities! Fresh fish supplies fluctuate naturally so prices can do the same, the natural place for that to happen is a fresh fish auction.

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What happens to fish that does not find buyers?

In the last few years we have not had any fish unsold which is testament to the depth of the processing industry around Grimsby.

It seems there is a home here for everything!

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GUEST PAGES

Who vouches for the quality of the fish that goes through an auction?

Quality is subjective within the Industry, everyone trades good quality and no one sells poor fish.

On the auction it is the same, it is up to the buyer to decide if the quality of what they see, is suitable for their customer.

Does the market manage the auctions or are they independent?

We manage and control the fish market operation and auction since Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd started in 1996. In those days there were a number of fish selling agencies working independently while today there are four including our own selling agency, Grimsby Fish Market Ltd. What incentives can you offer fish traders to attract them to the Grimsby Fish Market?

We think to preserve the status and integrity of the fish market and its auction we have to create a level playing field for buyers to make it easy for them to buy. To do this they need advance information about supplies and the quality.

Are prices or services better than those offered in Billingsgate (in London), for instance?

Grimsby is not comparable to Billingsgate, completely different!

A large number of buyers and sellers is a prerequisite for a successful auction. Do you see any scope for increasing the number of traders?

The Humber region is the strongest area in the UK for fish processing and Grimsby Fish Market has nearly all the processors from Grimsby and Hull attend as well as some from Bridlington and

Scarborough. What attracts them is a supply of fresh fish at auction and the opportunity to buy. We see an opportunity to increase the number of buyers through the increased deployment of technology which is widely used in the industry.

The Grimsby Fish Market has been supplying data to the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EUMOFA). What benefits does the Grimsby Market get from this arrangement? Do you see ways to better align EUMOFA products with your expectations and interests?

EUMOFA is a great source of information and it is important for us to look at trends and prices in other countries as we are in a much more globalised market place. We see our contribution as supporting for the sharing of information which ultimately helps decision makers shape the industry.

Sustainability is becoming ever more important along the entire value chain from the resource to the final point of sale. What efforts is the Grimsby market making in this regard?

Are there initiatives to use sustainable energy, reduce energy consumption, substitute plastics with recyclable materials, or implement other solutions that would contribute to greater sustainability? Sustainability has been on the agenda for some time and we see it as a prerequisite for any trading now. We have had MSC accreditation for some time at the Fish Market and also for our fish selling agency GFM Ltd. Customers expect a reasonable approach to sustainability.

Through our port operations we

are heavily involved with offshore renewables so already utilise some local expertise on reducing energy consumption.

I do think there needs to be a reduction in the use of polystyrene boxes for transporting bulk fresh fish particularly from Norway. I’m surprised that it hasn’t happened already as it is possible to put fish in skips which is what we have been doing with Iceland for years.

Climate change and its potential impact on fish stocks could have a significant bearing on the Grimsby Fish Market with unusual fluctuations in catch sizes and compositions. Has this been an issue for the market to date and how can challenges like this be addressed, so that the market continues to be a focal point for the UK fisheries sector in the future?

Climate change is a real issue that needs attention on a global basis. Fish stocks in our North East Atlantic fishing areas have been impacted and we have seen migration north to colder waters.

This isn’t the same as there is no fish, it has just moved.

I think the scientists need to adapt their calculations when negotiating quotas to embrace the movement of species. This has been extremely notable with mackerel but less so for cod and haddock. There will be movement of species therefore fluctuations in quotas manifesting itself in friction between countries. However, there will still be fish caught which will need to be bought, sold and traded.

What is your vision for the Grimsby Fish Market? Do you see it expanding into areas outside of those in which it is currently active? What are the

factors that could influence your plans for the market?

We see plenty of opportunity for the future as we can adapt to the changing structure of the seafood industry and its requirements. We see Grimsby as a massive hub for fresh seafood and know that we can be a big part of the continuing story. Through our selling agency we can expand into other seafood commodities and through the Fish Market we can improve the services and facilities.

What potential impacts will the UK’s exit from the EU have on the Grimsby Fish Market? How is the market and the companies that operate on it preparing for this increasingly likely eventuality?

It was significant that Boris Johnson chose to visit Grimsby Fish Market three days before the election! The election result means we know we will leave the EU. It will impact the UK seafood industry and of course our European colleagues, but as we are predominately dealing with Iceland and Norway, both outside the EU, we expect little or no disruption to supplies. Many businesses in Grimsby export to the EU so it is a concern for them and their customers to have the new paperwork and processes agreed.

For some time I was involved in EAFPA (European Association of Fishing Ports and Auctions) as Vice President and President which was constructive and informative and gave ports and auctions a voice in Europe. It was rewarding meeting people and has always been a privilege to be involved with European colleagues as it follows my mantra ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know’!

We will all survive this upheaval as the fish industry and its people are resilient.

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05/02/20 1:06 PM

DIARY DATES 5 February 2020 Marel Salmon ShowHow Copenahgen, Denmark salmondivision@marel.com https://marel.com/events/salmon-showhow-2020/

20-23 April 2020 Alimentaria Barcelona, Spain prensa@alimentaria.com www.alimentaria.com

21-23 September 2020 Seafood Expo Russia St. Petersburg, Rusia Tel.: +7 499 922 44 17 info@rusfishexpo.com www.rusfishexpo.com

19-20 February 2020 Aqua Farm Pordenone, Italy Tel.: +39 0434 232233 www.aquafarm.show

25-26 February 2020 2020 International Forum on the Effects of Climate Change on Fisheries and Aquaculture Rome, Italy climefish@uit.no https://climefish.eu/events/final-climefish-conference/

3-5 March 2020 North Atlantic Seafood Forum Bergen, Norway Tel.: +47 908 26 111 jk@nor-seafood.no www.nor-seafood.com

21-23 April 2020 Seafood Expo Global / Seafood Processing Global Brussels, Belgium Tel.: +1 207 842 5590 sales-global@seafoodexpo.com www.seafoodexpo.com

19-21 May 2020 Aquaculture UK Aviemore, Scotland Tel.: +44 7823 374568 info@aquacultureuk.com www.aquacultureuk.com

23-25 September 2020 Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition Reykjavik, Iceland Tel. +44 1329 825 335 jmiller@mercatormedia.com www.icefish.is

15-17 June 2020 AquaVision Stavanger, Noway Tel.: +47 913 77 825 post@blueplanet.no www.aquavision.org

15-17 March 2020 Seafood Expo North America Boston, USA Tel.: +1 207 842 5590 sales-na@seafoodexpo.com www.seafoodexpo.com

27-29 May 2020 World Tuna 2020 Bangkok, Thailand Tel.: +603 8066 8112 info@infofish.org tuna.infofish.org

15-17 October 2020 Future Fish Eurasia Izmir, Turkey Tel.: +90 212 347 10 54 info@eurasiafairs.com www.eurasiafairs.com

A d d y o u r e v e n t t o w w w. E u r o f i s h M a g a z i n e . c o m

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05/02/20 1:07 PM

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