EUROFISH Magazine 1 2021 by Eurofish

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Estonia Cultivating rainbow trout in the Baltic Sea

BSAC, DTU AQUA, BALTFISH workshop on reducing cod bycatches Ukraine: Capture ﬁsheries production grows, aquaculture is stable Guest Pages: Renate Larsen, MD, Norwegian Seafood Council is a member of the FISH INFO network

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In this issue

Thriving small-scale coastal ﬁsheries support local communities The small-scale coastal fishery in Estonia makes a valuable contribution both economic and social to small coastal communities along the sea and the shores of Estonia’s largest lakes as it provides employment, healthful nutrition, and maintains culturally important traditions. There are thus sound reasons to ensure the viability of the sector, which is facing some challenges. Chief amongst them is a gradual increase in the average age of the fishers as younger people tend to follow other, more lucrative and less physically demanding, careers. If this trend is not arrested the coastal fishery will gradually fade away. A recent study co-authored by Jüri Sakkeus, a consultant, analyses the sector identifying its strengths and weaknesses and developing possible scenarios for its future. These vary depending on a mix of factors; some, such as the environment, cannot be influenced, while others, such as government policies, can be adjusted. Read more on page 26. The annual AlgaEurope conference is a forum attended primarily by European algae researchers and industry to discuss developments in the field of algae production and applications. In 2020 the event was held online over four days in December and featured 16 sessions and well over 60 presentations. Seaweed is an exciting product. Its cultivation not only has benefits that accrue to the environment (offering food and shelter to marine organisms, mitigating the impacts of eutrophication and marine acidification), but also provides several substances that are useful for humans including nutrients as well as pigments, gels, and thickeners that have wide commercial applications. Speakers at the conference presented ways to make algae production more cost effective and efficient, introduced high value-added products, demonstrated alternative harvesting techniques, and revealed new uses for algae. Read more on page 18.

Engbretson Eric, USFWS

As the environment in the Baltic Sea deteriorates, commercial fishing, an activity that supports thousands directly and indirectly, is under threat. As the condition of valuable fish stocks worsens, fish quotas are reduced, and fishing becomes less and less economically viable. The reasons behind the decline in fish resources are many and complex and range from the natural to the man-made. Oceanographic factors, climate change, poor exchange of water from the North Sea, lack of oxygen, the presence of predators and parasites, are among the former, while anthropogenic factors include the introduction of nutrients, the execution of large construction works including bridges, tunnels, wind farms, pipelines etc, shipping, and pressure from fishing among others. For fishers, repeated cuts in quotas suggest that they are being made scapegoats for a development brought about by different factors, of which fishing is only one. Read Dr Manfred Klinkhardt’s article on page 40. Human activities in the Baltic have also contributed to the introduction and spread of an invasive species, the round goby. Originating in the area of the Black, Caspian, and Azov seas this species is spreading rapidly in water systems in Central Europe threatening invertebrates, amphibians, and fish. The spread of the round goby is helped by its ability to tolerate low levels of oxygen, as well as a range of temperatures and salinities making it particularly adaptable to different environments. Biological factors such as high reproductive success also play a role in the fish’s effectiveness at spreading to new habitats as competition amongst the offspring is likely to push some to seek greener pastures. Round gobies are accused of being omnivorous and rapacious predators feeding on mussels and snails but also soft-bodied crustaceans, insect larvae, and other organisms found in the water column. However, in the Baltic the fish has also become a resource to be consumed and even exported. Read more on page 50.

Table of News 6 International News

Events 15 Workshop on technical solutions to reduce cod bycatches in the Baltic, 30 November 2020 Innovative modifications to existing gears

Aquaculture 18 AlgaEurope 2020 conference, 1-4 December 2020, online Algae offer promising solutions to many challenges

23 Long-time favourite continues to set standards in feed delivery A versatile and robust mechanical feeder

Projects

24 PRIZEFISH brings Italian and Croatian institutions together to improve fisheries sustainability in the Adriatic Technological innovation offers multiple benefits

Estonia 26 New report analyses small-scale fishing in Estonia and suggests ways to rejuvenate it Future-proofing the small-scale fishery 29 All stakeholders will play a role in a new fish and seafood promotion initiative Boosting Estonians’ interest in fish

30 New state initiatives to create opportunities for the development of marine aquaculture Giving companies the confidence to invest 31 Estonian Marine Institute scientists work with macroalgae to improve the Baltic Sea environment Innovative projects show promising results 34 Freshwater sector suffers more than the pelagics industry from the impact of Covid-19 Processors of high-value freshwater species seek relief 36 PRFoods is Estonia’s sole farmer of trout in the sea A quest to expand Baltic Sea farming operations 38 The Estonian Rural Development Foundation supports entrepreneurs in rural areas Combating the impacts of the coronavirus

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Cover photo credits Main image: PR Foods Small images: Thuenen Institute, State Agency for Fisheries of Ukraine, Norwegian Seafood Council

Contents Environment

(CC BY-SA 3.0) Map based on https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Location_European_nation_states.svg by Hayden120 and NuclearVacuum

40 A small sea with big problems Fishing in the Baltic Sea faces an uncertain future

Norway 44 Changes to the UK Norway relationship are inevitable but hardly insurmountable Brexit offers more opportunities than challenges

Ukraine 46 Resource-rich Ukraine expands fishing, farming, and its links to international markets Seafood consumption on the increase

Species 50 Uninvited guests: Invasion of the gobies Small invaders conquer our waters

Worldwide Fish News

Belgium

pages

Croatia

page

Denmark

pages

Estonia

page

France

page

Greece

page

Greenland

page

Iceland

page

Italy

page

Norway

page

Russia

page

Spain

page

Thailand

page

Turkey

page

USA

page

8, 14

Guest Pages: Renate Larsen 54 The Norwegian Seafood Council celebrates its 50th anniversary Boosting global demand for Norwegian seafood

6 7, 13

Service 57 Diary Dates 58 Imprint, List of Advertisers

Scan the QR code to access the Eurofish Magazine website (www.eurofishmagazine. com), where you can also sign up to receive the Eurofish Magazine newsletter.

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Sweeping digitisation of Croatian ﬁsheries data systems Over the last few years, Croatia has set a path to introduce electronic data delivery for the entire fisheries sector. The progress is evident and the introduction of electronic data delivery is very well accepted by the end-users - fishers, farmers, buyers and the administration itself. Commercial fishers can deliver catch and landings data on paper (logbooks or reports), electronically through e-logbooks, via an app, or by email. Up until now, nearly 40 of the fishing fleet delivers daily catch and landing data electronically/digitally or by mobile application. What is even more significant is that these data cover nearly 98 of the catch. Regarding freshwater and marine aquaculture, farmers deliver yearly production and sale data, electronically through the Commercial Fisheries Portal. The same portal is used by transporters and first buyers, and by beneficiaries of the support measures in fisheries and aquaculture. Documentation on transport, weighing and first sale is filled in on the portal enabling the cross checking of all documents in real time. In addition, the fisheries administration has established a traceability system for bluefin tuna (Thunnus

By scanning the bar code or entering it on the website stakeholders are provided with information about the species, area of catch, fishing gear, and about the fishers themselves.

thynnus) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius) that obliges every fisherman to mark the fish and introduce the barcode in the electronic system that will be passed to the first buyer and afterwards to any additional buyer in the distribution chain until the final consumer. By scanning the bar code or by entering the bar code on the web page https://ribarstvo. hr/hriba/, the consumer can trace the fish and get the information about the species, area of catch, fishing gear, and about the fisherman her- or himself.

Sports and recreational fishing are also accounted for. In addition to the already established online sale of permits for marine sport and recreational fishing, a new web application has been developed allowing fishermen to buy fishing permits/licence as well as to enter catch (caught and retained) data. Future plans for upgrading the system include cartographic presentation of all inland fishing areas, including on-site number of fishermen in real-time. In addition, new application for marine

sport and recreational fisheries is being planned for future development. The various electronic/ digital systems are simpler for users and provide more accurate and efficient reports and analyses for the decision makers as well as for the scientific community. In terms of surveillance and control, major advances are also visible, like fisheries inspectors’ use of drones and access to real time data. The benefits of using digital solutions are evident and encourages continued focus on this path.

The innovative wellboat Gåsø Høvding has been launched at the Sefine Shipyard in Turkey. The wellboat is 83.2 meters long and 30.9 meters wide and unlike any other. Møre Maritime designed the boat and Cflow delivers everything relating to fishing. They have both worked closely with Frøy on the innovative wellboat project for about a year when it was

commissioned. “Our customer needed a large boat. We worked on several different options, but eventually landed on this one. Design and flexibility are the way our customer wants it,” says project manager Einride Wingan from Frøy. It is a good feeling to finally get her to sea. On such projects, there will always be challenges, but they could be solved along the way.

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The wellboat has a total holding volume of 7,500 cubic meters and is equipped with systems for sorting and removal of all types of cleaning fish, reusable freshwater treatment, 12-line hydrolicers and an advanced and automated hygiene system. Frøy has an additional five more wellboats under construction, four of which should be completed this year.

Froygruppen.no

Turkey launches world’s largest wellboat

The wellboat Gåsø Høvding has just sailed out from the Sefine shipyard in Turkey and is with its 7,500 m3 holding tank currently the largest wellboat in the world.

[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Italians ﬁrst to market certiﬁed carbon neutral aquafeed Understanding that positive climate actions make both environmental and economic sense, Skretting Italy has had its ‘Carbon Footprint Systematic Approach’ certified to ISO 14067:2018, the international standard that provides globally agreed principles, requirements and guidelines for the quantification and reporting of the carbon footprint of a product. This means that the company is now able to provide certified carbon footprint figures on all of the aquaculture feed products in its portfolio, giving aquaculture operations of all sizes the means to calculate the carbon footprint of their products and a better understanding of ways in which these can be reduced. Skretting Italy is the first feed producer to attain this status,

with the certification covering the entire production process from material procurement, to final product shipment. Certification of the Carbon Footprint Systematic Approach is the latest step in Skretting Italy’s CarbonBalance set of supportive services for fish farmers and its carbon neutral feed concept Feed4Future, launched in 2020. This first-to-market offering has paired Skretting’s knowledge of the nutritional requirements of aquaculture species with sustainable, lower impact feed ingredients responsibly sourced from carefully selected suppliers. By finding innovative raw materials and high-quality by-products sourced from the food industry that do not compete with human consumption, Feed4Future diets have a

With the line of feeds under the Feed4Future label, customers are getting a carbon neutral feed, which in turn can help promote their environmentally friendly stance.

10 lower carbon footprint that standard diets, with the remaining CO2 emissions compensated for by carbon credits. Buyers

of the feed can make use of the company’s marketing support to promote share their carbon neutrality stories.

Denmark: Shrimp bites—from shrimp shells to pet food Three Danish companies Launis, Nordic Seaweed Feed and Mosegaarden have worked closely with the Danish Technological Institute and Aarhus University School of Engineering to demonstrate a profitable bio-processing method for the sustainable utilization of shrimp shells. The project has demonstrated the profitability of bio-processing shrimp shells with subsequent value addition to create new sustainable pet food products. Historically, residues such as shells and irregular shrimp meat have had limited value, and the majority of residues is not utilised today. Shrimp shells have a high content of protein with a favourable amino acid composition, good digestibility, low ash content, chitin, lime, and a favourable content of omega 3 fatty acids, all of which can be utilised in pet food. To exploit these

valuable ingredients, Nordic Seaweed Feed has added shrimp shells to their fermented seaweed-based “Pet Food” products. The project, which was funded by INBIOM (supported by the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science), has developed different bio-processing methods for shrimp shells and a concept for upscaling has been modelled with on-site pre-treatment of side streams. The project results include the complete characterization with selected biomarkers (protein and glucosamine) and the testing of fermented shrimp shells, fishmeal and seaweed in various mixtures. In addition, experiments have been performed with approx. 600 cats where certain mixtures seem to solve some of the virus

Residues from shrimp processing such as these shells are typically left unused. A Danish project, however, has discovered they can profitably be processed and added to pet food.

problems cats can have. The project concludes that there is a market potential for these products and that there is a demand for Danish produced pet food and

dog treats. For more information contact Bjarne Ottesen at +45 50 40 94 70 or bjarne@nordisktang. dk or Karin Loft Eybye, +45 72 20 28 38, klt@teknologisk.dk

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Improved bathymetry of the European seas EMODnet Bathymetry, an initiative of the European Commission, is pleased to announce the release of the latest version of the EMODnet Bathymetry Digital Terrain Model (DTM). With over 33,000 individual tiles downloaded in 2020, this bathymetric product is already widely used in a whole range of applications, from marine science to sustainable ocean governance and blue economy activities. The product benefited from significant developments and expert inputs in 2020, including new data gathering, reprocessed data, thorough selection of the best data source and use of innovative bathymetric sensors such as satellite derived bathymetry. It allows users to visualise bathymetric features with greater detail, in addition to providing a powerful 3D visualisation functionality covering all European seas, the Arctic and Barents Sea, and greater accuracy along European coastlines, thanks to the

integration of both in water and satellite datasets. It is available for free for viewing and downloading, from the EMODnet Bathymetry portal. This improved DTM provides users with even greater resolution and coverage of bathymetry which are used in real-life settings such as improving society’s ability to forecast storm surges, lowering the risks of damage to coastal and offshore installations and increasing public safety. EMODnet Bathymetry is now the place to go for oceanographers in providing a base geometry for hydrodynamic models, for marine geologists studying morphological processes, and for biologists and conservation managers who require trusted and high-quality seabed habitat maps, which rely on accurate and high-resolution bathymetry. It also supports a wide range of marine and maritime activities, including the Blue Economy,

The latest digital terrain model from EMODnet Bathymetry contains highly detailed information of the seabed.

from the marine dredging sector to the planning of pipeline trajectories, locations of offshore wind

farms and planning of harbour extensions. It is available here: www.emodnet-bathymetry.eu

Greenland and EU reach agreement Greenland concluded negotiations with the EU for a new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) that will strengthen cooperation between the two partners for the next four years with the possibility of a twoyear extension. The agreement is an important milestone in the long-standing bilateral cooperation between the two in fisheries and renews the commitment to promoting the sustainable use of marine resources. Financially, this is the third most important agreement in place for the EU and will allow the EU fleet (12 large-scale trawlers) to continue fishing in Greenland waters for at least the next 4 years while continuing to

contribute to the development of the fisheries sector in Greenland. Fishing opportunities have been negotiated for the same species as in the previous agreement (cod, redfish, Greenland halibut, northern prawn, capelin and grenadier). Fishing opportunities for mackerel have also been included in the agreement. Any mackerel quota transferred by Greenland in the future will be rely on Greenland signing the Coastal States Sharing Arrangement on the management of mackerel with the EU. All reference prices have been updated in agreement taking current market prices into account. Based on the fishing opportunities and the new

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The new agreement between Greenland and the EU is worth nearly EUR 100 million of which more than 17% is specifically allocated to the development of Greenland’s fisheries sector.

pricing scheme, the EU will provide Greenland with an annual financial contribution of EUR 16,500,000, of which EUR 2,900,000 per year, is specifically assigned to promote the development of the fisheries

sector in Greenland. If the duration is extended from 4 to 6 years, the total value amounts to EUR 99,000,000. EU ship-owners will, in addition, pay license fees for the fishing opportunities.

[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ]

Norway exported 2.7 million tonnes of seafood worth NOK 105.7 billion (~EUR 10.2 billion) in 2020. This is the second-highest value ever and is the equivalent to 37 million meals every day throughout the year or 25,000 meals per minute. The total volume of seafood exports increased by 2 per cent in 2020, while the value was reduced by 1 per cent, or NOK 1.5 billion, compared with the record year of 2019. Seafood exports for the second year in a row exceeded the ‘magical’ NOK 100 billion mark and that this was achieved during the corona pandemic in 2020 was fantastic, said Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, Minister of Fisheries and Seafood. 2020 began with high values and optimism for the year, but then the corona pandemic hit markets

worldwide and Norwegian seafood exports lost the important sales segment of restaurants and hotels. There were challenges in logistics, and sales of seafood were largely transferred to supermarkets, online sites and takeaway services. Exports varied with positive development for herring and mackerel products, while clipfish and stockfish showed declines. The Norwegian Seafood Council attributes the positive result to five factors: a weakened Norwegian krone, an adaptable seafood industry, strong growth in mackerel and herring exports, second-highest salmon exports ever, and that Norwegian seafood is highly sought-after globally. Measured in value, the top ten countries Norway exported

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Norwegian Seafood Council

Norway exported the second-highest value ever despite corona pandemic

For the second year in a row Norwegian Seafood exports hauled in more than the magical NOK 100 billion despite the pandemic.

seafood to in 2020 were: Poland, Denmark, France, the USA, the United Kingdom, the

Netherlands, Spain, Japan, Italy, and China. More information is available on www.seafood.no.

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ]

The US fishing and seafood sector has generated more than USD 200 billion (~EUR 165 billion) in yearly sales and supported 1.7 million jobs in recent years. The year 2020, however, saw broad declines due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, according to a new NOAA Fisheries analysis. The protective measures introduced in March across the United States and around the world had an almost immediate impact on seafood sector sales. 2020 started strong with a three percent increase in commercial fish landings revenue in January and February. Revenues, however, declined monthly from a 19 decrease in March to a 45 decrease by July, resulting in a 29 decrease for the first seven months compared to 5-year averages and adjusted for inflation.

restaurants in the warm months and a shift to direct delivery by some supermarkets provided an outlet for some aquaculture sales. NOAA Fisheries estimates that in the southeast, charter revenues relative to the preceding 3-year period fell 72 percent in March through April due to local and state COVID-related closures and protocols. In May-June, revenue was down 4.5 percent as businesses began to re-open. In contrast, charter operations in Alaska and Hawaii, which rely heavily on out-of-state tourism, continue to experience severely depressed sales due to the sharp decrease in tourism. Hawaii is estimated to have lost 99 percent of charter trips between April and July. In addition, many fishing tournaments have been postponed or cancelled.

Restaurant closures, social distancing protocols, and other safety measures contributed to losses in other seafood economy sectors and by the end June, 78 percent of aquaculture, aquaponics, and other related businesses reported being affected with 74 percent experiencing lost sales. Outdoor seating at

On the trade front, international markets were negatively affected by disruptions in harvesting, processing and shipping. US seafood exports declined 18 percent in value in the January to June period, when compared to the past five years. Fresh product exports experienced steeper declines than frozen

Wirestock–Freepik

US seafood hard hit by pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a 29% decrease in revenue for the fishing and seafood sector during the first seven months of 2020 compared to the average of the last five years’ first seven months.

product exports. The value of seafood imports into the United States declined 4 percent in value in this period. These declines were offset by US consumer demand for tuna imports (canned and in pouches), which increased 25 in this 6-month period, peaking to 49 in June. The report notes that some US industry losses may be offset by the infusion of emergency federal relief funding. In May, NOAA allocated $300 million in fisheries aid to states, territories, and tribes as

part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. They, with the help of interstate commissions, are distributing these much-needed funds to eligible fishery participants. Furthermore, in September, the Secretary of Agriculture made $530 million available through the Seafood Trade Relief Program to support fishermen and industries impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments. More information is available at www. fisheries.noaa.gov.

Thai Union Group PCL has invested in California-based BlueNalu through its venture fund, joining other industry-leading strategic and financial partners in backing the start-up. BlueNalu, is one of the leading cell-based seafood companies in the world, innovatively producing premium fish products from the cells of fish which equal conventional products in terms of texture, nutritional profile, and taste. The company plans to introduce a wide variety of cell-based seafood products, including mahi mahi and bluefin tuna. BlueNalu will leverage this financing to

complete the world’s first commercial pilot facility for producing cell-based seafood, and for market launch plans in late 2021. In 2019 Thai Union’s launched its venture fund with an initial commitment of USD 30 million (~EUR 25 million) to focus its investments on three strategic areas: alternative protein, functional nutrition and new technologies along the food value chain. Thai Union is investing in early-stage entrepreneurial companies that are active in these areas and will actively partner with these companies to support and accelerate their development.

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BlueNalu

Thai Union invests in cell-based seafood

Menu items that demonstrate BlueNalu’s whole-muscle, cell-based yellowtail prepared three ways.

[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Indonesian winner of the Women in Seafood video competition One in every two seafood workers is a woman, yet women are over-represented in the lowest paid and lowest valued positions and are seldom seen in leadership positions. Women are essential contributors to this important food industry, but they remain invisible. The need to increase awareness about women’s role in this industry and to recognize the value they bring is the objective behind the organisation Women in the Seafood Industry (WSI). Among its initiatives is an annual video competition started in 2017 inviting men and women to tell their story of women in the seafood industry. The goal is to bring attention to the gaps and challenges experienced by women in seafood and to cast light on positive stories.

The 2020 competition received 23 films from 15 countries and saw the introduction of a new category, ”Life under Covid” as the Covid-19 virus has severely affected seafood workers, especially women. The winning film ”Move Forward” from Indonesia portrays the uplifting story of a young girl using education and technology to help support her family. The strong stories from all over the world are highly individual yet reflect universal values. They describe struggles, discrimination, and opportunities that women face in the seafood industry. All the films emphasise the paramount role women play in the seafood supply chain. Without them, seafood would never

The Women in Seafood video competition was held for the fourth year running in 2020 and portrayed woman from all over the world. Arma Anti from Indonesia won with her compelling story “Move Forward.”

reach the consumer and it is time for the industry to include them in their policies, private and public, says Marie Christine Monfort, WSI Executive Director. The videos from 2020 can be found on

Youtube under Women in Seafood or on the www.womeninseafood.org website and WSI is already accepting entries for the 2021 video competition which is titled, ”Let it be known.”

Greek and Spanish companies unite to become the largest aquaculture producer in the Mediterranean A union of four companies from Greece and Spain have joined forces to start a new era in Mediterranean aquaculture, Europa Azul reports. Avramar is the result of the union of the aquaculture companies Andromeda Group, Nireus, Selonda, and Perseus, specializing in fish feed. With a total production volume of more than 70,000 tonnes and a presence in more than 30 countries and more than 2 300 employees, Avramar is a leading brand for seabass and sea bream and the largest fish producer in the Mediterranean. Each of the four has been a pioneer and leader in Mediterranean aquaculture for decades, farming Greek fish in the Aegean and Ionian Seas and Spanish fish along the Mediterranean coast and around

the Canary Islands. Innovation through value-added products that are easier to prepare and

cook will reinforce the company’s goal of becoming the preferred fresh fish supplier on the market. In terms of operations, the company plans to apply new technologies and methods to achieve more efficient and

competitive costs. Avramar’s commitment to sustainability, local communities, customers and partners is its top priority, alongside long-term investments in research and development.

With four companies joining forces AVRAMAR will be a leading brand for seabass and sea bream but will also offer additional species like croaker and pink snapper to consumers around the world.

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Spain’s IFAPA concludes work decoding the sole genome The Spanish Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA) under the Andalusian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development has concluded mapping the sole genome. This work could represent a qualitative leap in the farming of this commercially valuable species. IFAPA led the work that combined very long DNA sequences and genetic markers and will serve as the basis for mapping markers and their distribution throughout the genome. The integration of the physical and genetic map opens up new possibilities for farming sole, a species of high economic value in Europe. This research is of great interest, since it offers detailed information about genes that determine important traits

such as growth rate. In addition, tools for chromosome mapping and kinship assignment, which are essential for genetic selection programs, have been validated. The results of this work, which has been carried out in collaboration with national institutions including the National Center for Genomic Analysis (CNAG-CRG), the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences (INT), the University of Malaga and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, have been published in the prestigious Scientific Reports magazine. IFAPA has been working in the field of sole aquaculture for 20 years in the hope of optimising production, in technological developments, strategies for disease prevention, improvement of diet and growth, and

The mapping of the sole genome could benefit famers of this valuable species since it offers detailed information on genes that determine traits like growth rate.

morphological quality parameters. The work carried out so far has been in close collaboration

with the industry to help it optimise production and select the ideal fish for recirculation farms.

Russian ﬁsheries event will extend focus to aquaculture Russia has recently started to pay more attention to aquacultural issues. Over the last five years fish and shellfish farming has become an important part of the national development strategy for fisheries with particular focus on the Russian Far East. Early in 2020, for example, Russia simplified the rules for obtaining land to be used for fish farming. Since then, breeding volumes have increased and capacity in salmon farming has doubled. Growth, however, is still limited by administrative barriers and the sector is dependent on imported feeds and equipment. Unlike in Europe where there are many industry-oriented events, Russia lacks a united platform to maintain a dialog on aquaculture issues and international cooperation. In 2020, Expo Solutions Group, the organiser of Russia’s leading

fisheries event, Seafood Expo Russia, announced that it would devote a separate section of the exhibition to aquaculture. It will attract all parts of the supply chain including fish farmers, equipment producers and netmakers, feed, additives, and medicine producers, along with packaging and logistics services. Freshwater and marine aquaculture issues will be also highlighted in the business programme. An international conference on aqua- and mariculture will highlight the development of the sector in Russia and internationally. Experts and representatives from the administration will discuss the current state and prospects of aqua- and mariculture in Russia and speakers from China, Norway, Japan, Denmark and other countries will share their knowledge of the industry, measures for state

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With Russia’s increased focus on aquaculture, Seafood Expo Russia has decided to dedicate a section of the exhibition to fish farming to which all stakeholders are invited.

support, and best practices for working during the pandemic. Participants will also have an opportunity to discuss practical issues in the breakout sessions. Topics would include the challenges offered by fish farming, new technological products, fish

feeds, and success stories from selected fish farms. Seafood Expo Russia welcomes speakers, exhibitors and visitors to the event on 6-8 July 2021 at Expoforum in St. Petersburg, Russia.

[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Denmark: Cod stock in the eastern Baltic Sea imperilled The largest study to date of the cod stock in the eastern Baltic Sea shows that the fish has never had it worse. Behind the study are, among others, researchers from DTU Aqua, and according to senior researcher at the Department of Aquatic Resources, Stefan Neuenfeldt, the situation looks bleak. “I do not think we can save the stock as it looks now. But we can help the cod to survive, so that in 10-15 years it will have a second chance in a Baltic Sea, which hopefully is easier to live in by then.” Twice a year, researchers in Denmark and its neighbouring countries catch cod in the Baltic Sea to investigate how the stock is doing. Less than 20 years ago, the largest cod were up to 80 centimeters long, and healthy and strong fish were generally caught. But today the reality is harshly different, says Stefan Neuenfeldt—there are no more large cod in the eastern Baltic Sea. They are a maximum of 40-50 centimeters long, and most of them are in a bad shape. In general, there is also much less cod. Lack of oxygen makes it impossible to survive—there is simply not enough oxygen along the seabed, where the cod live. There are two different layers of water in the Baltic. A top layer of fresh water and a lower layer of more saline water. Between the two layers there is a kind of invisible barrier, which means that oxygen cannot pass from the water surface and all the way down to the seabed. Therefore, the Baltic Sea needs to be oxidized by ocean currents, which bring in new, oxygen-rich and salty water and remove some of the old water. But that process has almost come to a standstill in the last ten years, says Dr Neuenfeldt. The oxygen in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea is

essentially not replaced. It creates a lack of oxygen in many places on the seabed, and therefore it becomes virtually impossible to survive. On top of this nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are flushed into the Baltic Sea from, for instance, agriculture and wastewater. Large amounts of rain typically increase the amount of nitrogen in the Baltic Sea, making the seabed even less inhabitable because the nutrients deplete the oxygen. Without oxygen, the seabed is neither habitable for cod nor its prey. Worms from seals make a bad situation worse. Liverworms from Baltic seals weaken the already struggling cod. Together, the circumstances are pushing the cod so much that they have lost their place at the top of the food chain, says Stefan Neuenfeldt. Cod has dominated the Baltic Sea as a top predator, but in most areas its importance in the food chain is now gone. There are far too few cod and those that are left are small and weak. This can also be seen through their thriving prey. Fishing on the seabed also plays a negative role for cod, but it is a very difficult matter because it also provides many people with food on the table, he says. Stefan Neuenfeldt does not believe that the current cod stock in the eastern Baltic Sea can be saved. But we can help the species not disappear completely from the area, he assesses. Emissions of nitrogen and other nutrients need to be reduced to a much lower level and areas where cod can live undisturbed with zero trawling and angling need to be created. That way, the cod can survive and hopefully be ready to move and spread to the rest of the Baltic Sea when conditions have improved.

A lack of oxygen in the water, parasitic worms, and fishing pressure are among the factors threatening the very survival of the cod stock in the eastern Baltic. The priority should be to ensure that it does not disappear completely.

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ]

The latest Annual Economic Report on the EU Fishing Fleet has been released showing a profitable fishing fleet in 2020, despite the effects of COVID19. In 2008, the EU fishing fleet was barely breaking even and ten years later it registered a net profit of EUR 800 million. This significant progress was the result of higher average fish prices, lower fuel costs, and improved stocks of important species. This trend continued into 2019. The COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 interrupted the trend with estimates suggesting that the economic performance of the EU fleets decreased by 17 in landed value, 19 in employment and 29 in net profits compared to 2019. Despite the impact of COVID19, projections indicate that the EU fleet is resilient and would end 2020 with a reasonable level of profitability as a result of the

efforts made by the sector in the previous years. This includes fishing to the maximum sustainability yield combined with low fuel prices. The large-scale and distant-water fleets performed economically better than the small-scale coastal fleet segments and the fleets operating in the North Eastern Atlantic, where most fished stocks are sustainable managed, registered higher profits than fleets operating in the Mediterranean, where numerous stocks still face overexploitation. The Annual Economic Reports on the EU Fishing Fleet is produced by economic experts from the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee of Fisheries (STECF) and the European Commission. The report is available here: https://stecf. jrc.ec.europa.eu/reports/economic/-/asset_publisher/d7Ie/ document/id/2788167

New minister is old hand Kaja Kallas, Estonia’s first female prime minister, formed a new government at the end of January 2021. Included in her cabinet is Urmas Kruuse, who returns as Minister of Rural Affairs to work for the sustainable development of rural Estonia with responsibilities extending

to agriculture and fisheries. Mr Kruuse, a member of the Estonian Reform Party, was Minister of Rural Affairs in 2015-2016 and before that was Minister of Health and Labour for a two-year period following twelve years as mayor of first Elva and then Tartu.

agri.ee

EU ﬂeet remained proﬁtable in 2020

Urmas Kruuse, Minister of Rural Affairs, returns to the office he held from 2015 to 2016. His responsibilities include the fisheries portfolio.

Icelandic seafood exporters bypass UK Icelandic shipping companies, Eimskip and Samskip, now transport fresh fish to Rotterdam rather than Immingham, close to Grimsby, in the UK, Fiskifrettir reports. Icelandic seafood exporters have had to adapt to the changed situation in the UK following Brexit, where there have been considerable delays and disruptions in the transport of seafood from the UK to the European Union following the UK exit from the European Union at the turn of the year. The Icelandic freight companies have not been spared this and have had to adapt to changing circumstances, especially with regard to seafood that

previously has been transported through the UK on its way to the European Union. Until now, fresh fish has been regularly transported to Immingham in the UK, where it was loaded onto trucks and driven to France. According to Björn Einarsson, Eimskip’s Director of Sales and Trade Management, customers have stopped using the UK as a transit port for mainland Europe due to delays in the Channel Tunnel and also due to delays in customs matters on the border with France. So fresh fish is going straight to Rotterdam now instead of going through the UK. He stresses that this has not had any effect on intra-UK

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Due to delays and customs issues following the UK’s exit from the EU much of the fresh fish from Iceland destined for the Europe has be channelled around the UK to ensure timely delivery.

deliveries, all of which have proceeded normally. Þórunn Inga Ingjaldsdóttir, director of Samskip’s Marketing and Communications department, says it is too early to draw long term conclusions so early in the year. “We had

changed our system some time ago to be able to continue serving our customers who are sending to the fish market in Europe,” she says. Samskip is emphasizing that the situation is temporary. At least for now.

[ EVENTS ] Workshop on technical solutions to reduce cod bycatches in the Baltic, 30 November 2020

Innovative modiﬁcations to existing gears Thuenen Institute

Thuenen Institute

Cod is one of the most commercially important species in the Baltic Sea providing a livelihood to ﬁshers from countries across the region. Arresting the steady deterioration in the state of cod stocks calls for a slate of measures. Adapting ﬁshing gear is one of them.

The Bacoma codend has a standard mesh with a square mesh panel on the top section of the codend and is a standard fishing gear in the Baltic.

here are two cod stocks in the Baltic the eastern Baltic cod and the western Baltic stock. For several reasons, many of them related to the environment, the eastern Baltic stock is in particularly poor condition and ICES, the international body that assesses these stocks, has estimated that the stock is below safe biological limits and that it will remain so in the medium term even if it is not fished at all. According to ICES, the stock has further declined since last year and the organisation therefore advised zero catches in 2021. This however would choke fisheries where cod is caught as a bycatch. Based on an updated ICES assessment of levels of cod bycatches in other fisheries, the Commission elected to limit the TAC for eastern Baltic cod to unavoidable bycatches. The TAC for bycatch which was reduced by 92 to 2,000 tonnes in 2020 has been further reduced to 600 tonnes in 2021.

Baltic Sea Advisory Council, Baltfish, and DTU Aqua collaborate on fishing gear workshop The state of the cod stock thus impacts cod fishers as well as fishers targeting species where cod is a bycatch. At the end of November, the Baltic Sea Advisory Council, Baltfish, and DTU Aqua jointly hosted a virtual workshop to discuss technical solutions to reduce unwanted catches of cod in the Baltic Sea fisheries. The results of the discussion would feed into a Baltfish joint recommendation for more selective gear that would target flatfish and minimise bycatches of cod, said Estonia’s Kaire Märtin, the chairperson of Baltfish. She also expressed the hope that the meeting would result in suggestions to streamline the process of developing and implementing new or improved gear solutions. Scientists studying the eastern Baltic cod stock have noted that today natural mortality is six times

higher than fishing mortality, a highly unusual condition as most cod stocks exhibit the reverse. The fish since about 1990 have become smaller, skinnier, and also mature when they are smaller, meaning that the volume of roe (the number of eggs) is also less compared with fish that mature when they are larger. Marie Storr-Paulsen, a researcher at DTU-Aqua attributes these developments to a lack of oxygen, less prey for the fish to feed on, and an increased seal population. Studies of the oxygen levels in the Baltic Sea show that the area with little or no oxygen has increased over the years. Part of this is due to the inflow of the nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus respectively from agriculture and from municipalities. Although this has declined significantly since peaking in the 80s, it may not be reflected in higher oxygen levels in the water as oxygen depletion is measured at the sea floor. Another complication is the climate change influenced rise in water temperature which increases the fish’s demand for oxygen.

Studying cod prey revealed that the number of a certain crustacean (Saduria entomon) in stomachs of large cod had declined drastically since 1994 compared with before the 90s, probably because the crustacean could not tolerate the low oxygen conditions at the sea bottom. The distribution of sprat, a fish on which cod feed, has also changed so that there is now little overlap between the two species. Grey seal abundance in the Baltic Sea has increased steadily since 2003. The seals prey on the cod, but another more serious impact comes from playing host to a parasite that attacks cod livers which in turn influences the growth of the fish. Studies have shown that the number of parasites per fish in the eastern Baltic is considerably higher than in the western Baltic. As a result of these factors, conditions for cod have become less favourable over time contributing to the phenomenon we see today of undersized fish and unhealthy stocks. Various measures have been taken to reduce pressure on

Thuenen Institute

[ EVENTS ]

A T90 codend using a 125 mm mesh proved to be the most efficient at allowing the cod to escape while retaining the flatfish.

the stock including spatial and temporal restrictions, the use of selective gears, changes to the minimum landing size, and bans on targeted fisheries, but as Ms Storr-Paulsen suggested, perhaps something else needs to be done.

Modifications to existing gears could reduce cod bycatches in flatfish fisheries

all three. The researchers modified the codend by replacing the square mesh Bacoma window with a large diamond shaped opening. This allowed all the cod to escape (rather than just the undersized specimens) yet retained the flatfish. Trials with the modified gear showed that retention rates for cod were low (25) while those for flatfish were high (75) and that the addition of a piece of netting attached along the top and halfway down the sides of the codend at the back of the opening slightly improved the retention rates, increasing them for flatfish and decreasing them for cod. The low cost and simplicity of these modifi-

cations make them potentially very useful to reduce bycatches of cod in flatfish fisheries. Mr Feekings added that the data shown came from trials in the Nephrops fisheries using a 90 mm diamond mesh and that selectivity is likely to increase with a T90 codend using a larger mesh. Trawls can also be modified for greater selectivity by stagnating the headline so that it is behind the ground gear. Normally, the headline is ahead of the ground gear so that when the fish swim up to avoid the ground gear they are guided into the trawl by the headline. By stagnating the headline, upward moving fish will swim over the trawl rather than into it. An alternative to Thuenen Institute

Various kinds of selective gear have been deployed in the Baltic fisheries to reduce the capture of unwanted species or sizes. Among the two options currently available is the T90 (a diamond mesh

rotated 90 degrees) codend which has been used for the last decade in the Baltic. Jordan Feekings, a gear expert from DTU-Aqua explained that the T90 mesh is designed to allow smaller cod to escape. The other option is the Bacoma panel which is a window of square mesh in the upper half of the codend through which the smaller cod can escape. However, as a targeted fishery for cod in the eastern Baltic is no longer permitted, the emphasis has switched to preventing a bycatch of cod in the flatfish fishery. This can potentially be accomplished by changing the codend, the design of the trawl, the behaviour of the fleet, or some combination of

The topless trawl was found to be a less than optimal solution as it was expensive, complex, and hard for the authorities to control. XXX FVSPl TINBHB[JOF DPN

[ EVENTS ] cutting away the top panel (to stagnate the headline) is to replace the front section of the top panel with a large mesh through which the fish can escape. This has the added benefit of maintaining the geometry of the trawl making it easier to use than if the headline is stagnated. A further possibility to potentially reduce bycatches of cod could be to target flatfish at night when cod are higher up in the water column and therefore less vulnerable to being caught.

Trials show a less than 4% retention of cod and an 87% retention of flatfish The increasing seriousness of the state of the eastern Baltic cod stock can not only be gauged from the decline in the stock and the actions introduced to protect it, but also from a letter from the Commissioner to Member States warning of additional measures if solutions were not identified and implemented. Daniel Stepputtis with his colleagues from the Thünen Institute in Rostock, Germany has been working on the issue of avoiding cod catches in Baltic trawl fisheries by modifying the codend and/or changing the trawl design. To find the best way of avoiding cod yet retaining flatfish, different codends were studied: Bacoma, which has a standard mesh with a square mesh panel on the top section of the codend; a full square mesh codend; and several codends with a T90 mesh. A T90 codend using a 125 mm mesh and equipped with Lastridge ropes (which keep the mesh stable and open) proved to be the most efficient at allowing the cod to escape while retaining the flatfish. In general, modifying codends is simple, effective in terms of bycatch reduction, cost efficient, and easy for the authorities to control, however their efficiency is influenced by the

population structure—large cod, for example, do not get sorted out. Modifying the trawl design by changing the extension, the part between the codend and the front section of the trawl, showed that removing the roof altogether was the best way of allowing the cod to escape. The presence of even a very large-meshed net through which they could easily swim deterred the cod. One variation of the roofless extension in particular allowed about three quarters of the cod to escape while retaining a high (87) proportion of the flatfish. Another advantage was that unlike with the codend modification, cod escapes were independent of size. In addition, the roofless extension was cost efficient, easy to control by the authorities and effective at allowing cod to escape. In contrast, modifying the front section of the trawl, by cutting away the top was not found to be an optimal solution as it was expensive, complex, of varying efficiency, and hard for the authorities to control. Finally, combining the most effective codend (T90, 125 mm, Lastridge ropes) with a roofless extension resulted in the retention of less than 4 of the cod. The use of this combination, Dr Stepputtis pointed out, would reduce the bycatch of cod by 90 compared to the Bacoma trawl currently being used in the Baltic. And while the combination is more complex it is still cost efficient, easy to control, and most effective at reducing the bycatch of cod.

large diamond mesh. Hans Nilsson from the Department of Marine Resources, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), considered the escape behaviour of the fish and the shape. From tests conducted in 2016 and 2017 in Skagerrak and Kattegat he showed that compared to the control (120 mm diamond mesh codend) the catches of flatfish in the upper codend were very low compared with the control. Using a topless trawl also reduced catches of cod by half compared with the control and catches of whiting and saithe even more significantly without impacting catches of plaice, witch, or nephrops. A trawl that was divided by a horizontal panel running from the extension section to the codend showed haddock, whiting and saithe caught almost exclusively in the upper codend, Cod, on the other hand,

was caught in both the lower and the upper codends. Both codends had an identical mesh, so the purpose of the experiment was to see where the fish was ending up. In trials in the Baltic Sea a flatfish trawl was used with a frame in the front section. The frame had horizontal bars at 50 mm intervals and the trawl had a 105 mm diamond mesh with a 130 mm square mesh at the codend. Cod bycatches were on average 5 of the catch which was mainly flounder. A standard T90 codend that was also used to fish at the same time and in the same area caught cod and flatfish in more or less equal proportions. The results from the research presented at the meeting should contribute to the recovery of Baltic cod stocks and ultimately of the economies of the fleets that depend on this resource.

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Twin codends also show promising results Studies on reducing the bycatch of cod have also been conducted in the Skagerrak with a trawl featuring two codends, an upper for roundfish and a lower for flatfish. The lower codend was equipped with a grid and a square mesh while the upper had an open frame and a

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[ AQUACULTURE ] AlgaEurope 2020 conference, 1-4 December 2020, online

Algae offer promising solutions to many challenges On a global scale European production of algae is very modest, but companies and research bodies ﬁnd that algae can contribute to addressing important issues faced in Europe including sustainability, human and animal health, and plastic pollution. The positive role algae can play in these and other ﬁelds were among the topics discussed at the AlgaEurope conference.

he AlgaEuropeconference is an annual event that brings together industry and academia involved in algae research, cultivation, and application to discuss the further development of the sector in Europe and beyond. The forum provides companies, established academics, budding scientists, and regional, national, and European policy-makers with an opportunity to network while exchanging knowledge and experience about algae. The conference is organised by the European Algae Biomass Association and DLG Benelux, part of the German Agriculture Society, DLG. The term algae refers to a large group of mainly photosynthetic organisms that range in size from unicellular microalgae to vast multicellular macroalgae that can grow up to 70 m in length. Some 11,000 species of red, brown, and green seaweed are distributed across the planet and their diversity helps explain the lack of a conclusive definition for algae. Algae have been used as a source of food for centuries in Asia, while in Europe algae have historically been used mainly as animal feed, fertilizer for crops, and biomass for fuel, but interest in algae for human nutrition is increasing. About 200 species are used for human consumption, most of which are grown wild—less than 20 species are cultivated—

and just six species are responsible for 90 of production. In her keynote address on the opening day of the conference, Pi Nyvall Collen from the Olmix Group, pointed to some of the positive impacts of seaweed production. In the sea these include mitigating the impact of eutrophication, global warming, and marine acidification, as well as providing habitat, food and shelter for marine organisms. Seaweeds are used in several industrial sectors including feed, fertiliser, food, nutraceutical, and cosmetics. Seaweed production leads to the creation of jobs and to improvements in human diets and health thanks to the large amounts of minerals, trace elements, vitamins, and small quantities of healthful omega-3 fatty acids, that algae contain. Despite these advantages few species are authorised for human consumption, production competes with other coastal activities, the market is underdeveloped, and the initial investment in cultivation technologies can be substantial, all of which prevent the seaweed sector from reaching its full potential.

Marine algae could become an important part of the blue bioeconomy Acknowledging these bottlenecks, the European Commission launched in 2018 the Blue Bioeconomy Forum, a platform

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for a platform for entrepreneurs, researchers, government officials and other stakeholders to identify drivers and obstacles and to chart a way forward for the blue bioeconomy including the marine algae sector. Maris Stulgis from DG MARE sees multiple roles for algae—as a source of environmental services, a path towards sustainable food systems, and a means to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The Blue Bioeconomy report from 2018, the Blue Bioeconomy Forum, and the annual Blue Economy Report, are some of the initiatives launched by the Commission with a bearing on algae, he told the audience. In addition, the European Green Deal is intended to make the EU economy more sustainable and has several initiatives, among others clean energy, circular economy, and preserving ecosystems and biodiversity, towards all of which algae production can contribute. As part of its Farm to Fork strategy the Commission envisages targeted support for the algae industry as it has the potential to become a sustainable protein source and contribute to global food security. The Commission’s guidelines for sustainable aquaculture are also being revised to focus more on sustainability, diversification (of species, production methods, and products), and innovation and thereby contribute to European Green Deal initiatives. An EU algae initiative is in the pipeline that will

cover algae’s contribution to sustainable aquaculture, climate mitigation and adaptation, and the circular economy. New standards on algae and algae products have been adopted which help to define algae and remove some of the ambiguity that has surrounded them. The Horizon 2020 is an EU programme for funding research and innovation activities. For the algae sector the programme is particularly interesting for its support for sustainable production and products, biofuels, and for research related to climate change. The programme is currently funding close to 100 algae-related projects, reported Zoi Konstantinou from DG MARE. Support for projects that are ready to go is also available through Blue Invest, a fund supporting blue economy priorities and which seven algae projects have made use of. For the programming period 2021 to 2027 Horizon Europe is the main funding programme for research and innovation and for the algae sector areas of particular interest are renewable energy, ecosystem services, new and innovative products, and production control.

Recycling water to reduce algae production costs Many of the presentations focused on ways to reduce the cost of

[ AQUACULTURE ] production. Leen Bastiaens from Vito, a Belgian research organisation, showed how algae production could be made more efficient by reusing the medium the algae are grown in. Recycling reduces water consumption and saves on the cost of salts (added when freshwater replaces seawater as the medium). A computer controlled submerged membrane-based technology (Membrane Algae Filtration, MAF) developed at Vito enables preharvesting of microalgae and medium reuse. It produces a permeate comprising water and almost all the salts which can be reused after adding some nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). The other output is a preconcentrated algae biomass that can be further concentrated if necessary. Trials linking a MAF to 1,500 l bioreactors revealed that water reuse and salt reuse were both between 90 and 95, while algae concentrations of up to 60 g of organic matter per litre were obtained. Reusing the medium did not show any negative impact on algae growth. Dr Bastiaens said the technology was being developed in two directions: upscaling the membrane surface to 10 sq. m for daily harvesting of up to 3,000 l; and testing it with different algae species. While all the algae tested were successfully harvested using MAF, one of them, Rhodomonas, a microalgae lacking a cell wall, also demonstrated the technology was safe even for fragile cells at high volumes. With Rhodomonas, high concentration factors (above 100) were achieved using MAF and the technology could also be used to desalt the biomass, which is relevant when the product is intended as food or feed.

Achieving the economies of scale necessary for commercialisation The algae sector has the potential to contribute significantly to

several worthy goals including food security, sustainable energy, and climate change mitigation, but it is hampered by unfavourable economics that constrain it to niche markets in the case of microalgae and by a lack of space to expand in the case of macroalgae. Prof. Gabriel Acien from the University of Almeria together with colleagues in the Sabana project worked on ways to reduce the cost and increase the scale of algae production to make it more economically viable. The project was funded under the Horizon 2020 programme and led to the construction of R & D and production facilities at the university. Trials were carried out to integrate treatment of wastewater from urban and livestock sources with an algae biorefinery to synthesise valuable products for agriculture and aquaculture in a bid to increase the sustainability of the entire food production system. Technologies were evaluated that would deliver high value products such as biostimulants, biopesticides, and feed additives. The analysis of biomass production showed that recycling seawater or using sewage, getting nutrients from manure or sewage, and using flue gases as a carbon source were necessary for environmental sustainability. The data from the trials confirmed that raceway and harvesting technology could be optimised to keep costs below EUR5/kg. And below EUR2/kg was achievable if production was coupled with the treatment of wastewater. Crops treated with the biostimulants and biopesticides produced from the microalgae responded with larger root development, a 20 improvement in production of first quality fruits, and a 40 reduction in adverse effects from fungi. The aquaculture feed additive had a positive impact on fillet texture and on fillet lipid

A tubular photobioreactor being used to grow microalgae at a fish farm in Turkey. Rotifers feed on the algae and are themselves consumed by fish larvae.

degradation under storage with the addition of just 4 of the additive to the aqua feed. However, the latest data from the project suggest that the market for the agriculture products is more lucrative than that for the aquaculture feed additives. Not only is the value of the biomass much higher, but even with small production capacities it is possible to enter this market. On the other hand, returns from the wastewater treatment are much lower than the value of the biomass. The knowledge generated by the Sabana project can be used to design commercial-scale production systems with harvesting and processing systems tailored to the target products. A potential area of interest for algae farmers is offshore farming. This would get around the challenge of space in coastal areas and allow large scale production. Bernardete Castro from Algaemech said that mechanisation and modern technology could lower the cost of production. She presented a business case for offshore seaweed farming based on a 500 ha farm established at

a wind farming site using lines and nets to grow algae. The model showed that line-based systems were viable in 2020 and that there was a significant reduction in costs over two decades. For netbased systems further cost reductions and increases in yields were necessary to make them economically feasible.

Biofilms have some advantages over suspended cultivation The quest to increase environmental and economic sustainability of algae biomass production was the subject of several interventions at the conference. Algae production is mainly based on suspended cultures that require large volumes of water. Extracting the biomass requires the use of energy to concentrate, harvest, and dry the production. Freddy Guihéneuf presented a rotating algal biofilm that was developed at Inalve, the company at which he works. A biofilm is a collection of microorganisms growing on a surface and embedded in a matrix they secrete that holds them together. Biofilms have advantages over suspended

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[ AQUACULTURE ] 4 degrees. The live feed was tested on oysters to see if it could improve their quality, which tends to deteriorate during the depuration process. The experiments showed a 70 decrease in mortality and a 1-2 point increase in the flesh index compared with oysters that were not fed. Moreover, an analysis of the nutritional value of the oysters that received the live feed showed an increase in the lipids, glycogen and the omega-3 fatty acid content compared with the control.

Biomass producers have different drying techniques to choose from After harvesting microalgae, the moisture content of the biomass can be as high as 80 necessitating dehydration to commercialise the product. Drying is expensive and can have an impact on the quality of the product, so the method chosen influences the economics of the production.

Ioannis Tzovenis from the University of Athens presented the results from laboratory tests of four ways of drying spirulina, a planktonic blue-green alga found in the tropics. The objective of the tests was to obtain the highest product quality in terms of nutritional content and functionality, and bring moisture content down to under 7 at a reasonable cost. Greenhouse drying uses solar energy which keeps costs low, however there is a risk of impaired product quality, Hot air drying has the advantage of low cost but energy efficiency is low, nutrients are degraded and taste is affected negatively. Vacuum drying preserves the nutritive value and has a high drying rate, but the costs are high. Finally, freeze drying results in the highest quality of all the methods, but the drying rate is slow and the costs are high. The scientists carried out a lifecycle assessment of producing dry Spirulina biomass using the different drying techniques. This showed

that freeze drying produced the greatest environmental burden due to high energy consumption although the quality of the final product was relatively high. The other three methods showed no difference regarding environmental impact, so the choice would depend on the trade offs that a commercial operation is ready to accept.

Algae can also counter some health impacts caused by poor lifestyles Among the apparent benefits of spirulina is its effect against NASH, a disease of the liver correlated with an excessive intake of calories and a sedentary lifestyle. A French company, Algosource, manufactures a product based on spirulina that is effective in preventing NASH. In a study of three groups of mice fed on three diets—normal; western (highly calorific); and western plus the spirulina derivative—Olivier Lepine, the managAlgoSource

cultivation in that they require less water, harvesting costs are lower, and biomass productivity, in this case of Tetraselmis suecica, is higher. The gentle harvesting method (by scraping) also prolongs the shelf life of the microalgae paste. The company has upscaled the production system from 0.1 sq. m to 25 sq. m and explored the impact of system shape and rotation speed on productivity. The result has been an increase from 3-4 g/sq. m/day to more than 6 g/ sq. m/day using a cylindrically shaped system and a speed of 0.174 to 0.263 m/s. Studying the periodicity of harvesting suggested a period of 12 days gave the maximum yield of 60 t/ha/year. In addition, the biochemical composition of the biomass remained stable for harvesting periods between 7 and 14 days. Since the company targets the market for live feed for aquaculture it was necessary to test cell viability. Experiments showed that after 14-21 days 50-60 of the cells were viable when stored at

Spirulina cultivation by the French company, AlgoSource. The spirulina is used to extract phycocyanin, a pigment protein. XXX FVSPlTINBHB[JOF DPN

[ AQUACULTURE ] ing director, showed that after 25 weeks, the group receiving the spirulina extract put on less weight and showed less tissue fat than the other two groups, despite having a higher intake of food. Liver parameters were also much better for this group compared to the other two. In addition, all the genes involved in liver functioning were also affected by the spirulina extract. Further trials involved human subjects, where the researchers looked at antioxidation parameters and liver parameters. The results harmonised with the animal trials: an increase in food intake for the spirulina extract group without an increase in weight. There was also less oxidative stress damage in this group. Similar though statistically insignificant changes were

recorded with the liver parameters, BMI, and fatty liver index. The results suggest that the spirulina extract, the first extract to be clinically tested, protects against NASH, but other studies are ongoing.

heterotrophic conditions. The latter two showed lower protein and higher carbohydrate levels than the former. All three microalgae were incorporated into wheat bread doughs and Ms Nunes and her colleagues found that water increased with the level of microalgae added due to the higher protein content, and that dough stability declined, however the elasticity of the dough remained unaffected. The baked bread showed an increase in firmness which was attributed to the protein content. In addition, when 6 microalgae was added (as opposed to 4) there was a decline in the volume of the bread. In the sensory analysis bread with the organic Chlorella scored lower than bread with the other two. In terms of col-

The high content of valuable nutrients in microalgae means that small quantities can be used to enrich staple foods, however, the nutritional benefits need to be weighed against changes in texture and taste. Cristiana Nunes from the University of Lisbon tested the potential of adding microalgae to bread using three microalgae, organic Chlorella vulgaris produced under autotrophic conditions, and blond and smooth Chlorella both produced under

ouration the change was most dramatic again with bread mixed with organic Chlorella. She concluded that both the heterotrophically produced smooth and blond Chlorella could be used to enrich bread without putting off consumers.

Putting metabolic engineering to use in the production of astaxanthin Prof. Matteo Ballottari from the University of Verona is exploiting Nannochloropsis gaditana, a microalgae, for its content of astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant, and EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid. Astaxanthin is used as an additive to fish and poultry feeds and as a colouring agent, but also has potential

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[ AQUACULTURE ] between the food industry and the bioplastic sector. A potential alternative is to produce starch from microalgae such as Chlorella which when stressed can exhibit a starch content of 60. CEA is currently involved two projects: Nenu2phar, where microalgae starch will be used to produce PHA; and Sealive (funded by the European Horizon 2020 programme) where starch, PHA, and PLA will be produced. The two projects plan to develop several commonly used plastic products including fish crates and fishing nets, thermoformed plastic trays for food packaging, and packaging film. Both projects will start with microalgae to produce starch which will be further processed to PHA.

The valuable nutrients in microalgae can be exploited by adding the microalgae to staples such as bread. However, the benefits must be weighed against changes in the bread’s taste and texture, reported Cristiana Nunes from the University of Lisbon.

uses as a supplement to improve human health. Natural astaxanthin is produced mainly from a green alga, Haematococcus pluvialis that generates it under conditions of stress, but the growth rate is slow, it is difficult to cultivate, and extraction is expensive. One alternative is to produce it synthetically, but this raises issue of sustainability as the source is usually petrochemical, the synthetically produced variety has much less antioxidant activity compared to the natural product, and it is not approved for human consumption. Prof. Ballottari and his colleagues looked at N. gaditana which only produces traces of astaxanthin, if at all. Using metabolic engineering they produced a number of strains of which one was characterised by higher carotenoid content. The increased content of

astaxanthin, production in a single cultivation step, and lower extraction costs potentially allow a large increase in production efficiency compared with current methods. The team also discovered that the same strain of N. gaditana also accumulated EPA, an important fatty acid for human and animal nutrition. Productivity of both ketocarotenoids and EPA was stable nor did the accumulation of the two compounds interfere with each other. Among the advantages of using N. gaditana compared with H. pluvialis was that it could be used to manufacture two products, astaxanthin and EPA, it is faster growing, it is compatible with current recovery systems for these two products, and it makes redundant the stage, where H. pluvialis must be stressed to trigger it

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to produce astaxanthin, leading to cost savings.

A source of biodegradeable bioplastic Microalgae also have the potential to address another important issue, that of plastic pollution. Pablo Alvarez from CEA Tech, a French company, is using microalgae to produce bioplastics. Bioplastics that are biodegradeable and made from bio sources include PHA (produced from bacteria), PLA (from polymerisation of lactic acid), PBS (from polymerisation of succinic acid), and starch (from crops). Bioplastics from starch blends have about a fifth of the total bioplastics market, but since starch is produced from crops it can lead to friction

Microalgae could also play a role in removing nutrients from agriculture effluents. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus contribute to eutrophication in the Baltic Sea, algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and turbidity of the water. Joao Salazar from the University of Turku in Finland used effluents from a cucumber greenhouse that were loaded with nitrogen in the form of nitrates and phosphorus. The effluent also had low turbidity so it would not block photosynthetic activity, and a pH close to neutral which is ideal to support algae. In the first trial, algae were grown in a photobioreactor with an overhead light source. Here more than 50 of the nitrogen and close to 100 of the phosphorus was removed from the effluent. In the second trial red and blue LEDs were used to illuminate the photobioreactor from the side. This time by the third day phosphorus removal was 100 and by the 15th day nitrogen removal was 100. The dry weight of the algae biomass was 4.8 g/litre and it has now been preserved for further study. The results show the potential for using algae for sustainable water treatments.

[ AQUACULTURE ] Long-time favourite continues to set standards in feed delivery

A versatile and robust mechanical feeder A German company, FIAP offers a range of equipment for the aquaculture sector from sophisticated recirculation systems to hand-held nets. therefore highly durable. Both models can be fitted with 3 kg or 5 kg cases to accommodate the medium. Although very sturdy pieces of equipment, regular and long-term usage does lead to wear and tear over time. This is normal and is easily remedied as every single part of the two belt feeders can be quickly and easily

Developing the most suitable ﬁsh feed for each stage of life.

FIAP’s Profifeed BeltFeeder (the green boxes) are hardy pieces of equipment that are suitable for many different fish farming operations.

n aquaculture farm whether on land or at sea is a rough environment and the equipment used needs to be tough and reliable if the farm is to operate successfully. FIAP’s Profifeed BeltFeeder is a mechanically driven automatic feeder that can be used in the most demanding environments to deliver feed or other inputs, such as medicines or additives, to the water. The material can take any form from dust to large pellets. The feeder is started manually and can be set to run for 4, 12, or 24 hours during which time it will steadily dispense the medium enabling extremely efficient workflows.

replaced with a spare allowing them to continue to operate reliably and economically. These feeders make an important contribution to the day-today operations on a fish farm and offer the best conditions for excellent growth rates. For more information, contact FIAP GmbH, +49 96 2892130, info@fiap.de

A PRO model of the standard belt feeder offers further advantages Many thousands of customers worldwide, from private users, to scientific institutes, to large fish farms have relied on FIAP Profifeed BeltFeeders for many years to achieve the best results. The popularity of the original model has led to the design of a professional version, the FIAP Profifeed BeltFeeder PRO, which, in addition to all the features of the standard model, offers an easy-to-remove drive shaft for maintenance and cleaning purposes. This is made of seawater resistant aluminium and is

Dedicated to your performance

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[ PROJECTS ] PRIZEFISH brings Italian and Croatian institutions together to improve ﬁsheries sustainability in the Adriatic

Technological innovation offers multiple benefits The objective of the PRIZEFISH project is two-fold: to assist local ﬁshing communities in the Adriatic develop value-added products that are innovative and sustainable; and to develop the cross-border trade in these products. The hope is that this will lead ultimately to an increase in the long-term economic, environmental, and social sustainability of communities in Adriatic coastal areas.

eaded by Alessia Cariani, Associate Professor at the University of Bologna, Interdepartmental Research Centre for Environmental Sciences (CIRSA) of Ravenna, PRIZEFISH is a project under the EU’s Interreg Italy - Croatia CBC Programme that is being implemented by a consortium including university and research institutes, small and medium fishing enterprises (SME), producer organisations (PO), territorial development bodies and non-profit organisations/NGOs from the Adriatic coastal regions of Italy and Croatia. The project has three specific objectives (SO), each associated with a work package (WP): SO1. To improve the framework conditions for Adriatic fisheries and to develop technologies that enable them to be environmentally and economically sustainable. WP3 (piloting of sustainable and eco-certified fishery production) targets this specific objective. SO2. To enable SMEs to produce eco-labelled added-value Adriatic seafood and to enhance the competitiveness of the sector by making it more sustainable, better managed, and more efficient than today. SO2 is achieved through WP4 (innovating tools and processes for added-value Adriatic fishery products).

Under the framework of the PRIZEFISH project fishers test an innovative clam harvesting tool.

SO3. To increase Adriatic SMEs and POs competitiveness to penetrate EU/ non-EU seafood markets by filling the gap between fishery production and marketing of eco-labelled products. SO3 is targeted by WP5 (building up value chain and marketing of Adriatic eco-innovative fishery products).

Adriatic fisheries can apply for “responsible” certification WP3 developed a set of standards and procedures for the

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assessment and certification of Adriatic fishery products from a ‘responsible fishery’ under the environmental, social, and economic axes. Italian and Croatian fisheries (as combination of species/gears) were identified and selected based on their potential interest in a certification process and considering the selectivity of the fishing technique as well as the commercial value of the catch. Several consultation meetings with the relevant fishing operators were organised in both Italy

and Croatia to verify this potential with stakeholders. The WP3 leader CNR-IRBIM developed the core of the certification process by setting three “key principles” (governance; environment; socioeconomic) for evaluating fisheries. The newly developed Adriatic Responsible Fisheries Management (ARFM) scoring system will be used to assess the full, partial, or non-compliance of a fishery with responsible management rules. WP3 will perform a preassessment of selected fisheries to

[ PROJECTS ] gain a first overview of their consistency with the ARFM standards as well to develop action plans to ameliorate their performance and fill the gaps evidenced in the preassessment. Specific surveys will be carried out among the fishery operators to verify the appeal of eco-labelled fisheries and products and to train the operators in the promotion, commercialisation, and marketing of sustainable products. As and when the standards are formally registered in the region, the ARFM certification programme will become operational in the Adriatic Sea. This will offer to Adriatic fishing SMEs the opportunity to add value to their products and, potentially, penetrate new markets and reach new consumers.

as supported the welfare of target species by returning juveniles to sea. Moreover, new seafood products were created using advanced processing techniques to extend shelf life. These achievements will support logistic operations, bringing distant markets within reach while maintaining the products’ nutritional properties. Omega3 prolonged chilled sardine fillets’ shelf life by 4 days using ozone and MAP (argon and CO2 mixture), while Istra has prolonged the shelf life of chilled shrimpburgers to 15 days by treating them with high pressure processing (HPP). Bivalvia is innovating with clam products, testing the shelf life of ready-to-cook clams with tomato sauce also treated with HPP.

Using innovative technology to increase added value

Studying consumer preferences and trends for better marketing

Within WP4 three private producer organizations (POs), the Croatian Omega3 and Istra and the Italian Bivalvia, are applying innovative technologies to catch and process fish and shellfish species for the creation of innovative value-added products. Technologically innovative processes are also disseminated to Italian and Croatian fishermen through specifically designed trainings and workshops for SMEs. To reach the goal of fishing better (i.e. fishing less but selling at higher price!), the POs have conducted different pilot activities such as developing sea pumps for improved catching and handling of small pelagic fish (Omega3), innovative equipment for shrimp peeling (Istra), an innovative clam harvesting tool and cold chain process improvement (Bivalvia). These innovative approaches increased quality of the catches, positively affected the fishermen socially, improved fishing safety, as well

WP5 aims to analyse both the supply chain of Adriatic fishery products and consumer attitudes to traditional and innovative seafood. The supply and the demand side of the market will be analysed using secondary data (i.e. official time series of prices and quantities at production, trade, and retail level) and ad hoc surveys will be conducted with supply-chain actors and consumers. Consumers are consulted through online virtual rooms (a new approach replacing traditional focus groups in the Covid-19 era) and web interviews. Particular interest will be directed at the triangular trade network comprising Croatia, Italy, and Spain, the last being the main EU market for seafood products. Based on this preliminary data collection and analysis, and building on the results obtained in WP3 and WP4, ecoinnovative business models will be designed for at least three

The shelf life of these chilled shrimp burgers was prolonged to 15 days with the use of high pressure processing.

products (sardine fillets under an innovative modified atmosphere; clams and burgers/tartare of fish and crustaceans treated with high hydrostatic pressure technology), to identify new valori-

sation paths for local resources. Emphasis will be put on: innovative chain organisation and networks; branding and labelling strategies; processing and preparation; and distribution channels.

PRIZEFISH Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna Via Zamboni 33 Bologna, Italy

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ESTONIA

New report analyses small-scale ﬁshing in Estonia and suggests ways to rejuvenate it

Future-proofing the small-scale fishery The coastal fishery in Estonia is defined by fishing at a depth of up to 20 m. The small-scale fishery is specified as professional fishing on vessels below 12 m and using only passive gears, trawling is forbidden. The two categories overlap—the coastal fishery includes small-scale fishers as does the inland water fishery on Estonia’s largest lakes.

Fishing vessels used on the Peipsi lake, where pikeperch and perch are important species for their value on export markets.

he most important fish species targeted by the coastal fishing sector are perch and herring in coastal waters with marginal volumes of smelt, flounder, round goby, and vimba bream. The small-scale coastal fishery has been fairly stable over the last 10 years according to some indicators—the number of fishers (about 2,300) and the landings of fish (13-14 thousand tonnes)—however, the catch value

has increased over the last decade by 27 to just over EUR10m, and the average age of the fishers has been increasing and now stands at 53.

Stationery gears of different kinds characterise coastal fishing In Estonia coastal fishery catches are regulated by gears, mainly

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trap nets, gill nets, seine nets, and to a limited extent, longlines. Fishers have permits for a certain number of gears which determines how much they can catch, and the number of gears is based on historical fishing rights. However, the number of gears is not commensurate with the resource (the number is too high) according to Toomas Armulik, the head of the Fisheries Information

Centre in Estonian Fishery 2018, however, attempts to reduce the number of gears is resisted by the fishermen. One way forward he suggests may be for the state to buy historical fishing rights (analogous to decommissioning vessels) or to link subsidies to a reduction in effort. The marine areas where the fishers operate include the Pärnu

ESTONIA

Bay, Gulf of Finland, Gulf of Riga, the Väinameri Sea and the Central Baltic near the Saaremaa and Hiiumaa islands. The catch structure and volumes caught vary in the different areas with Pärnu Bay responsible for the overwhelming majority of the catch (over 70) followed by the Gulfs of Finland and Riga at about 10 each. Catches in the Central Baltic amount to some 2. There are also slight differences in the gears deployed with all four gear types used in Pärnu Bay and predominantly gill nets and trap nets being used in the Gulf of Finland, the Väinameri Sea, and the Gulf of Riga. In the Gulf of Riga seine nets and longlines are also used to some extent. While a large number of species are caught in all the five areas, it is largely the same three or four species that dominate the catch in all areas, herring, perch, flounder, and smelt.

Perch and pikeperch are important target species for inland fishers In Lake Võrtsjärv catches have been fairly stable for the last couple of decades. Over the eight years to 2018 they averaged 204 tonnes, while for the eight years before that the average was 206 tonnes. Pikeperch, bream, and pike are the dominant target species while gill nets and trap nets are the main fishing gears used. Lake Peipsi is shared with Russia and is Estonia’s largest lake. Catches over the eight years to 2018 have averaged some 2,500 tonnes of which pikeperch, perch, and bream account for the lion’s share (over 80 in 2018). Trap nets, gill nets, and seine net are the main fishing gears of which different kinds of trap nets take the majority of the total catch. Both the number of companies that sought fishing permits and the number of fishermen have

A trap net left to dry and be repaired if necessary. Trap nets are a stationery gear used in the coastal fishery.

shown declining trends over the eight years to 2018. In the case of the companies the reduction has been gradual from 71 to 66 companies, while the number of fishers has fallen 35 to 264.

to buy fresh fish over a longer period. Fishing companies feel that individual quotas will be economically viable and will strike a balance between capacity and opportunities.

In Peipsi lake the fishing follows an “Olympic” system, where quota is not given to each user, but the fishing is terminated when daily reports and logbook records indicate that the quota is fulfilled. Currently the system encourages fishers to fish all they can until the quota is exhausted. However, this can lead to fulfilled quotas on one species choking the fishing for others as the gears are not species specific. In addition, this system can flood the market with fish thus depressing prices. Discussions were therefore initiated in 2019 between the stakeholders to replace the Olympic fishery with one of individual quotas. ITQs will stagger the fishery benefiting both the fishers by smoothening the income stream and consumers who will be able

Very few full-time commercial fishers Today just 10-15 of the coastal fishers are fully dependent on their profession, for most it is a part time occupation supplemented by other work usually unrelated to fishing. Fishers are still primarily catching and selling the untreated fish though valueadding activities are increasing (from a low base). There are some bigger companies involved in the sector and they are active along the entire value chain—catching, processing, and selling on the domestic market or also exporting. As in other parts of the Baltic Sea region, in Estonia too the coastal fishery needs to reinvent itself

to stay relevant, dynamic, and attractive to young people. The latter is particularly important, says Jüri Sakkeus, a consultant and co-author of a new report* on the Estonian coastal fishery, if the future of the coastal fishery is to be secured. One of the key ways of attracting new blood to the small scale fisheries sector is by making it a more lucrative activity. The coastal fishery today does not offer the same potential to earn and provide for a family as other sectors of the economy. At the same time boats and fishing gear are usually old and worn. Coupled with this are the often harsh working conditions—the weather is frequently inclement, hours are ungodly, and the job is physically demanding. While little can be done about the weather the report sees potential in increasing the local addition of value to the catch and in fishers diversifying their sources of income by, for example, offering fishing tourism services. The growth of the local market both from tourism and &VSPl TI .BHB[JOF

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from an increasing trend that the pandemic has highlighted of people moving to smaller places and working remotely will also benefit the coastal fishery. In addition, ongoing measures to improve the status of stocks also contribute to the economic sustainability of the sector.

EMFF has an important role in supporting the coastal fishery The coastal fishery already benefits directly and indirectly from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) which, often through Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs), has supported the construction of common infrastructure like ports, landing sites, and small processing facilities, as well as equipment for individual fishers such as seal scarers. FLAGs also design and implement turnkey projects that, for example, create accommodation, activities for visitors, places to eat, and other facilities, to make an area attractive for tourists and boost the local economy. The indirect benefits include support for Producer Organisations (POs) of which coastal fishers are sometimes members. The EMFF 2021-27 will continue to support coastal fishing considering it critical to the economic sustainability of coastal communities as well as a repository of cultural value. EU strategies including the Farm to Fork strategy and the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, both part of the European Green Deal, are relevant to coastal fisheries. Representatives from fisheries areas and private and public stakeholders in coastal communities should explore the opportunities offered by these strategies to develop and support projects that increase

sustainability thereby benefiting both the community as well as the environment. There are thus several factors that influence coastal fisheries— positively and negatively. Based on these, the report considers four scenarios arranging them along two bisecting axes: the Y axis represents coastal communities and extends from thriving to failing, while the X axis represents the coastal fisheries which extend from profitable contributors to the local economy to marginal activities (fishing as a lifestyle/hobby). The most desirable outcome is thriving coastal communities and a profitable coastal fishery. This scenario is based on healthy fish stocks, the presence of large integrated companies that cover the entire value chain, as well as increasing demand from both tourists and residents that encourages local small–scale suppliers of fish and fish products as well as of other goods and services. Another slightly less attractive scenario assumes decreasing catches but increasing value addition, a growing coastal community thanks to tourists, migration, and recreational fishers who acquire fishing rights from commercial fishers. At the other end of the scale, the least desirable outcome foresees coastal fishing reduced to a lifestyle activity or hobby and coastal communities that have withered. This scenario results from assumptions of a decrease in coastal catches due to unhealthy stocks and restrictions on fishing, the poor utilisation of support programmes, the ageing of fishers and the decline in their number, and the transfer of fishing rights to anglers. A slightly more positive scenario assumes that fishers do not add value to their

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catch, but sell it unprocessed, some sell their fishing rights to companies and go on to work for them, while others migrate.

Model helps policy-makers take informed decisions While the probability of a scenario depends on factors that are difficult to control, for example, environmental conditions in the Baltic or the spread of a pandemic, the likelihood of a scenario is also influenced by deliberate policy changes. The model enables an analysis of the impact of policies on a scenario to see whether they contribute to achieving the outcome envisaged in the scenario. It is thus a tool that aids stakeholders make more informed decisions. Having identified the most desirable scenarios the authors also suggest strategies that will enhance the likelihood of achieving them and mitigating the threats. These strategies include improved management

of fish stocks (building fish passes, restoring spawning grounds, neutralising the threat from predators) as they provide the foundation for profitable fisheries and flourishing coastal communities; infrastructure development, improved fishing gear, and a modern working environment to attract newcomers to the commercial fishing profession; encouraging and exploiting trends among people such as moving temporarily or permanently to coastal communities; and supporting Fisheries Local Action Groups as they are representative of their communities and most knowledgeable about local needs. As the report shows, the right policies and incentives will go a long way towards securing the future of the coastal fishing sector and the communities it supports. *Coastal Fishing – Visions and Future Scenarios, Jüri Sakkeus, Silja Lassur, Aado Keskpaik, November 2020

The loss of the Horeca market is a blow to producers of high value fish species

Pandemic affects coastal fisheries too The pandemic had both negative and positive effects on the coastal fishery. Among the former was the temporary loss of export orders as international demand for the high value predatory species (pikeperch, perch, and pike) fell because of the collapse of the Horeca (hotels, restaurants, catering) sector. Restrictions on travel also influenced the number of foreign tourists coming to Estonia though this may have been compensated for by increased domestic tourism. Longer term damage from the pandemic is

likely to be from the loss of jobs and the lowering of living standards as government support programmes wind down. On the brighter side the coronavirus forced people to work remotely accelerating an existing trend where people spend more time working, for example, from summerhouses. As these second homes are often located in coastal areas this trend strengthens the community because these temporary residents create a market for locally produced goods and services including ﬁsh and ﬁsh products.

ESTONIA

All stakeholders will play a role in a new ﬁsh and seafood promotion initiative

Boosting Estonians’ interest in fish In 2020, the Ministry of Rural Affairs, with the help of the Estonian Institute of Economic Research, studied how the consumption of fish and fish products in Estonia changed in the period 2017-2019, and identified the aspects considered by consumers when choosing fish products. The results of the study were compared to previous studies.

ccording to the European Market Observatory for fisheries and aquaculture (EUMOFA), approximately 24.4 kg of fish is consumed per person per year in European Union Member States. For a maritime country however, Estonia’s consumption of fish is modest. A recent survey found that the consumption of fish products in Estonia has decreased compared to 2016 in all groups, except for smoked fish and crab sticks.

Fish consumption has been declining over the years While in 2015, 13.4 kg of fish was consumed per capita (almost 17 kg if fish consumed outside the home is included), in 2019, the amount of fish in live weight consumed per capita was 12.4 kg. In families with a net monthly income of more than EUR1200 or less than EUR500 per family member, additional fish and seafood consumption in catering establishments was estimated at 20 and 9, respectively. Thus, on average, 15 of fish products are consumed outside the home. This suggests that the total consumption of fish per capita in Estonia was a bit over 15 kg in 2019. In comparison, we know that Estonians used to eat considerably more fish in the past, for example, about 30 kg per person in 1970, 25 kg in 1980, and 23 kg in 1989. Naturally, it needs to be taken into consideration that the times were different then, when trade, the availability of foodstuffs and alternatives,

The slogan for a campaign to promote the consumption of fish. Stickers and flyers with the logo will be distributed at retail stores to encourage consumers to opt for fish when wondering what to buy.

differed significantly in comparison with the present day. Although the main fish stock in Estonia consists of Baltic herring and sprat, Estonian consumers prefer Salmonidae, which are usually imported. Fish and fish products were still consumed 5.7 times less per capita than meat and meat products. Meat products may enjoy a more affordable price level; however, compared to the past, the share of meat products in households’ food purchase costs has also decreased. Although the consumption of fish and fish products dropped 12 in 2019 compared to 2015, expenditure increased by 10 for each member of a household. While the prices of fish products have usually risen faster than those of other foodstuffs, the price level decreased in 2018 and 2019 by 0.7 and 0.4, respectively – mainly due to the fall in salmon prices, which, in Estonia, as well as in

other EU Member States, largely depends on the price of salmon imported from Norway.

Dissatisfaction with fish prices, though falling, still affects consumption A total of 61 of the people who participated in the recent survey were satisfied with how often they eat fish. The level of satisfaction has increased compared to previous surveys. The main concern of those dissatisfied continues to be the high price of fish, although dissatisfaction with prices has decreased significantly due to rising incomes. In order to promote the consumption of fish and aquaculture products in Estonia, the Ministry of Rural Affairs will carry out a campaign in the next two years, with the aim of motivating Estonians to eat more fish and aquaculture products and improve awareness of fish

consumption in its broadest sense. Long-term successful campaigns to promote fish consumption have also been carried out in Denmark and Norway, for instance.

Fish campaign involves representatives from the entire value chain The planned information and promotional campaign for fish and aquaculture products is based on the principles of appetite marketing or sensory marketing, and is diverse, long-term, and nationwide. Various parties in the food sector – including producers, sellers, food providers and representative organisations – are aware of the preparation of the campaign and are willing to take it into consideration in their own operations. It is important to reach out to people in different stages of their lives (e.g. children, teenagers, pregnant women, and the elderly) through &VSPl TI .BHB[JOF

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channels they use and in a manner that they prefer. The campaign’s messages take into account the national dietary recommendation to eat fish three times a week and to follow a balanced food pyramid, and the seasonality of fish in the area. The campaign promotes fish consumption in general, without highlighting specific brands, companies, or origins. In the second half of 2020, the Ministry of Rural Affairs held an idea contest in the form of an international tender to find the best slogan that could represent the fish and aquaculture product campaign. The panel chose ‘Kala kõlab hästi’

A variety of media will be used to spread the message

people’s purchasing decisions. By subscribing to the newsletter on the campaign website, people will receive information about seasonal fish, the activities of the different partners, and the points of sale. The campaign’s social media pages support the promotional activities of its partners.

Campaign materials—such as stickers with a message promoting fish products—will be provided to locations where purchasing decisions are made: all interested chain stores, restaurants, street food sellers, markets and food courier services who can then use them in their own offers and guide the

The Ministry of Rural Affairs hopes that the campaign will encourage everyone involved in the fishing industry, from producers to all the players along the value chain. It is also hoping for good ideas from representative organizations, fishers, processors, and traders about how to deliver better to meet

(Fish Sounds Good), and the main message to be promoted is that fish is ‘delicious’, ‘simple’ and ‘affordable’. The campaign starts in February 2021 and lasts until March 2023.

the hopefully growing demand. The groundwork for this already exists, so what remains is for the companies to realise the benefits and contribute to promotion of fish and seafood. A campaign that draws attention to the existence and value of fish will certainly have a positive effect on the reputation and economic performance of the undertakings that cooperate independently with the campaign. The campaign’s activities are funded using 2014-2020 resources from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Laura Freivald and Kairi Šljaiteris Estonian Ministry of Rural Affairs

New state initiatives to create opportunities for the development of marine aquaculture

Giving companies the confidence to invest Estonian marine resources are largely untapped and marine aquaculture would significantly increase exports from the Estonian food industry, especially in the form of farmed fish, as global demand for fish and seafood products is growing. Estonia possesses the knowledge and the experience to farm fish and to process it into added value products.

n recent years, businesses in Estonia have become increasingly interested in marine aquaculture, but they also have several concerns associated with this activity. Among these is the bottlenecks in obtaining the necessary permits caused partly by the time it takes to communicate with the relevant authorities as well as to carry out the necessary research. The current procedure to obtain a licence to use marine areas is the same for all operators, regardless of the nature, size, and purpose of the project. For example, applying for a permit whether for fish cages or a marine wind park is equally complex and time consuming although they are completely different in terms of their content, scale, and

impact. Installing a fish tank in a body of water does not usually require highly sophisticated civil engineering solutions, and it can also be removed from the body of water without much effort. The same cannot be said for a wind turbine set up at sea.

New policy designed to boost investors confidence To ensure investment security for operators in the development of marine aquaculture, the Estonian state plans to play a bigger role in regulating the use of marine areas by creating a “turnkey system” for operators starting up in aquaculture. This means the

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state will take on the entire process that would normally have to be done by the company itself, both to carry out the necessary research and to communicate with the various agencies. The finished project will then be auctioned, and the winner of the auction could start production immediately. The starting price of the marine area would be the costs incurred by the state to obtain it. A similar approach is being considered, for example, for marine wind parks. The purpose is to give operators confidence when making their investments. Greater state involvement could significantly speed up the whole process and encourage businesses to enter the sector.

The development of marine aquaculture contributes to the development of continental farms (for example in RAS systems), as it increases local demand for farmed fish. Marine aquaculture is also beneficial for job creation, especially in rural areas, where most operators in the fisheries sector are located. For example, a rural company farming 2,000 tonnes of fish would need 12 full-time employees to handle the production, in addition to administrative staff. It is estimated that 100 new jobs would be added to the Estonian labour market in this way, and in the event of a significant increase in production volumes, there may be a need for additional labour in processing units as well.

ESTONIA

Estonian Marine Institute scientists work with macroalgae to improve the Baltic Sea environment

Innovative projects show promising results Tiina Paalme, Estonian Marine Institute

Researchers at the University of Tartu’s Estonian Marine Institute are working on a number of projects that seek to address some of the environmental challenges facing the Baltic Sea and, at the same time, to beneﬁt the aquaculture industry.

Cultivation of Furcellaria lumbricalis under manipulated light conditions in 2 m3 aerated tanks filled with natural seawater.

he term algae refers to a large group of mainly photosynthetic organisms ranging from unicellular microalgae species to vast multicellular forms such as kelp. Algae are found in marine environments, in freshwater, and even on land. In the sea they extend down to a depth of about 150 m depending on the transparency of the water and they may be either fixed to the bottom (benthic species) or float freely in the water column

(planktonic species). Marine algae are a source of many nutritionally valuable minerals, trace elements, vitamins, and even of small volumes of fats rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Some species also have a high protein content— up to 47. Cultivating these may offer advantages over traditional high protein crops as they would not need freshwater to grow. The divisions and classes that algae are grouped into often refer to the colour of the algae, for example,

Cyanophyta are blue-green, Chlorophyta, green, and Rhodophyta, red.

Macroalgae have a variety of uses Among the most useful products to be extracted from red algae in particular are gelling agents, which are widely used in the food and other industries. This property of red algae to thicken products has been known and exploited

since the 17th century and is due to the presence of the phycocolloids, agar and carrageenan. In the Baltic Sea few algal species are exploited commercially, but interest in algae is growing—for their nutritional value, their content of commercially useful compounds, and also for their potential to mitigate the impacts on the environment of fish farming. At the Estonian Marine Institute, Tiina Paalme has been working to develop intensive land-based &VSPl TI .BHB[JOF

cultivation technologies for the unattached form of the red algae, Furcellaria lumbricalis. Naturally found in the West Estonian Archipelago the species is commercially harvested for its content of furcellaran, a thickening, stabilising, and gelling agent used in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and agriculture industries. F. lumbricalis also contains a red pigment, R-phycoerythrin, a compound that is used in the cosmetics, food, drinks, and paint industries and has potential applications as an anti-cancer drug due to its antioxidative abilities. The pigment also has laboratory applications in fluorescence-based detection, but this calls for a highly purified form for the extraction of which a viable technology is still under development. F. lumbricalis has two thallus forms: attached and unattached i.e loose-lying. The attached form is widespread but is more difficult to collect as it grows on stones and removing it from this substrate is time consuming. The loose-lying form can be collected much more easily although it is not as pervasive. Dr Paalme’s research sought to establish whether it was possible to use land-based cultivation technologies to enhance the production of the pigment by the algae. To produce furcellaran, the researchers found that production on land could not compete with harvesting naturally growing algae as the volume produced on land was insufficient to yield a meaningful quantity of this compound. For land-based cultivation to be economically viable, it was necessary to produce the highervalue R-phycoerythrin for use in the food industry. One of the main objectives of growing F. lumbricalis on land was to try and increase the pigment content of the algae to a higher level

Tiina Paalme, Estonian Marine Institute

ESTONIA

Furcellaria lumbricalis on the bottom of the cultivation tank illuminated with LED lamps (in the picture is the reflection of the lamps on the water surface)

than could be achieved naturally. The algae were produced in tanks which were filled with water pumped from the sea. Different light conditions (irradiance,

spectral composition, day length) and water temperatures were tested to identify the environment most favourable to boosting the growth of the algae and its pigment content. The growth rate of F. lumbricalis in the tanks remained within the same range as observed in nature. The technology needs to be further refined and different growth conditions need to be evaluated, but Dr Paalme is now using the methods developed and the results from these experiments to cultivate another variety of red algae, Ceramium tenuicorne. This species is quite widespread but very difficult to collect from the sea, which is why the researchers would like to be able to grow it on land. In their trials the researchers used aquariums filled with artificial seawater created using a solution of nutrients and salt. Interest in C. tenuicorne is considerable because its structure is different

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from that of F. lumbricalis, which enables the red pigment it contains to be extracted at analytical grade using existing technologies. However, producing the algae on land is associated with high costs, in particular, for the energy needed to light, aerate, and to drive other processes.

Using algae to clean wastewater from terrestrial fish farms Scientists at the Estonian Marine Institute together with partners from industry are also studying the potential of algae to mitigate the impacts of fish farming in the Baltic. Dr Georg Martin has almost completed a project that identified several widely available algae species suitable to be used as biofilters. In the experiments effluent water from a terrestrial rainbow trout farm growing the fish in water pumped from the sea was used as the growth medium in which algae were cultivated to study their ability to remove nutrients from the water. The outcome was quite promising, says Dr Martin,

with good results obtained for nutrient removal as well as for the growth of the biomass. In a commercial context it would be an additional benefit for a fish farmer if the wastewater from the production could be used to cultivate a potentially valuable crop. The algae produced can be used in several different ways from fertiliser or compost to higher value applications such as the production of biogas or bioethanol. Depending on the species of algae, efforts are also ongoing to extract compounds that are valuable for different industrial sectors. Using algae to remove nutrients from fish farm wastewater has several benefits for the producer. Eutrophication is a particular issue in the Baltic Sea where nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from current and legacy sources contribute to algal blooms. These result in oxygen-free zones with a concomitant reduction in biodiversity, loss of ecosystem services, and increased vulnerability to ocean acidification, according to a 2019 paper by Jonna Kotta and

colleagues published by Elsevier. To reduce eutrophication fish farmers are obliged to remove nutrients from the wastewater. Farming fish in recirculation aquaculture systems where the water is cleaned and reused is one way of reducing the impact of the production on the environment, but these systems are expensive and highly complex. Using seaweed as a biological figure is relatively economic—it grows itself, uses light as an energy source, needs no heating, nor other inputs. The project to study the potential of algae to remove nutrients from wastewater will be followed by another that will explore the possibilities of valorising the biomass produced. While applications that use seaweed already exist, they are based on algae that do not grow in Estonian waters. The new project will focus on species that grow in the Baltic.

Further studies needed for seaweed to be cultivated in the sea Another innovative project that Dr Martin is involved in is looking at the potential of marine algae to mitigate the impact of marine fish farms. Here the technical issue of how to cultivate the algae in open water is being explored, whether on ropes or on other substrates, and methods to seed the substrate or attach the algae to the ropes are being developed. Once solutions have been identified the seaweed could be grown in the vicinity of fish farm cages where it would take up the nutrients released by the fish farming operations. Macroalgae (seaweed) take up nutrients from the water in which they grow and by cultivating and harvesting the seaweed these nutrients are removed from the marine environment. According to the Danish Centre for Environment and Energy at Aarhus University, since nutrients are removed directly from the water

Priit Kersen, Estonian Marine Institute

ESTONIA

Ceramium tenuicorne is interesting for researchers because, unlike F. lumbricalis, its structure allows the red pigment to be extracted at analytical grade with existing technologies. Here, the algae magnified 100 times.

irrespective of their source, cultivating seaweed can be considered a general method for removing nutrients from the water surrounding a seaweed farm as opposed to a filter that absorbs the nutrients from a specific source. The costs associated with the removal of the nutrients (calculated per kilo of nitrogen and phosphorus removed) can be reduced by removing the maximum quantity of nutrients per unit area of seaweed or by minimising the costs, for example, of labour. However, in Denmark the costs of cultivating seaweed exceed the revenues and paying for ecosystem services would be necessary for economic viability.

Farming macroalgae has positive and negative impacts Cultivating seaweed has positive effects on ecosystem services, but also a few negative ones. Since seaweed competes with

phytoplankton for nutrients in the water, the presence of seaweed may reduce local concentrations of phytoplankton improving visibility in the water and allowing more light to reach benthic vegetation. Forests of macroalgae are sources of food, habitation, and nursery areas for other marine organisms augmenting biodiversity. Autotrophic seaweeds (living from photosynthesis) absorb carbon dioxide which is stored in the biomass. In Denmark, studies of sugar kelp (Laminaria saccharina) show that the carbon amounts to about a third of the dry weight, so growing seaweed can contribute to mitigating global warming. Seaweed has an impact on surface currents, slowing or redirecting them which may contribute to coastal protection, on the other hand this may also result in increased sedimentation. Other negative impacts such as a local reduction in light penetration, increased sedimentation of particulate organic matter

(due to slower currents and from the seaweed itself), as well as the potential spread of alien species, parasites or diseases that incubate in the farmed seaweed and then extend further are factors that must be considered by conducting site-specific evaluations. Further potential disbenefits of seaweed farming include infrastructure that may be unsightly or that can conflict with fishers and aquasport practitioners, and broken or damaged structures from the cultivation may get deposited on the coast or pollute the water. The projects carried out by the Estonian Marine Institute in collaboration with the private sector and with support from the Ministry of Agriculture are throwing light on ways to exploit marine macroalgae for the benefit of industry and the environment. The research should lead to the solutions that are sorely needed to improve conditions in the Baltic Sea. &VSPl TI .BHB[JOF

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Freshwater sector suffers more than the pelagics industry from the impact of Covid-19

Processors of high-value freshwater species seek relief Estonia exports species like perch and pike-perch to markets in Europe and North America. These are destined mainly for hotels and restaurants, a segment that was among the worst affected by the pandemic. Pelagic processers were spared the worst as their markets were less inﬂuenced.

he coronavirus has had widespread impacts on the fisheries sector. An FAO report finds how aquaculture production is affected by the closure of markets, the shutdown of the Horeca sector, and restrictions on flights and cargo movements. Fisheries production, for instance, may suffer from the imposition of sanitary measures on board that make fishing difficult, crews may not be able to join their vessels due to travel restrictions, and the necessary supplies of bait or ice may not be available. In the processing sector issues with cross border transport, uncertain supply of raw materials, and market restriction are among the challenges companies must face.

Pandemic’s impact expected on resource management as well Covid-19 is also likely to have an impact on fisheries management and policy as stock assessments, fisheries observer programmes, and science and management meetings may be postponed or cancelled. Measures to support the different elements in the supply chain extend from expanding government purchases of seafood to maintain demand and prevent a slump in prices, through extending credit and microfinance facilities to fish farmers to ensuring smooth passage of goods at ports, rail terminals, and at border crossings. A survey of small-scale fishers

across 12 countries carried out by researchers at the University of Aveiro in Portugal showed that between March and June 2020 they suffered losses of between 20 and 100 with fishers in northern Europe and those targeting highvalue species particularly affected. The loss of the Horeca market, lack of tourists, price declines, and the closure of international markets were cited as the main impacts of the pandemic. The closure of the international Horeca market had a particular influence on the fishers, processors, and exporters of high value freshwater species from Estonia. In general, the export value of seafood products in nearly all categories declined— fresh, frozen, filleted, dried, salted, or smoked fish, and crustaceans— with reductions ranging from -17 to -43. Valdur Noormagi, the head of the Estonian Fisheries Association is deeply troubled by these developments. Over four fifths of Estonia’s fisheries production is exported, he says, and while exports of Baltic herring and sprat have continued, those of freshwater fish have collapsed. Baltic herring and sprat are exported in frozen blocks mostly to Ukraine, where Estonian products have a dominant share of the market. This trade was less affected by the pandemic than the Horeca market in Europe and North America which absorbs much of the high value freshwater fish fillets. This market segment seized up with the first wave of the coronavirus, recovered

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Valdur Noormagi, head of the Estonian Fisheries Association, is concerned about the impact of the Horeca market’s closure on producers and processors of high value freshwater species.

slightly in summer, but then broke down again and has not recovered since. There are two peaks for the fish business, says Mr Noormagi, before Easter and before Christmas, and the timing of the pandemic could not have been worse as it started just before Easter and has continued since then. All the freshwater fish that should have been exported is now sitting in freezers. Coldstore capacity has been fully utilised and this is an additional expense for processors at a time when incomes are low. The problem is compounded by companies’ reluctance to shed labour yet at the same time they are unable to offer work.

Support for producer organisations cannot be used in freshwater sector The EU has introduced measures intended to assist the sector

including a new state aid framework and by clarifying the existing possibilities under the EMFF, but according to Mr Noormagi these benefits are not available to freshwater fish processors. The EMFF measures apply to producer organisations, he says, and in Estonia POs exist only in the pelagic sector. The freshwater fish processors, which number some 35-40 companies, are not organised into a PO, so they do not have access to this support. Eduard Koitmaa from the Ministry of Rural Affairs cites the special compensation measure available to processors of fishery and aquaculture products to mitigate the economic shock of a fall in sales turnover caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Under these measures, processors can apply for compensation for a drop in sales between February and December 2020. To qualify, the decline must be attributable to the pandemic.

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Pike-perch and pike are among the freshwater species that would normally be destined for hotels and restaurants in Europe and North America. The pandemic has had a substantial negative impact on this trade.

The total budgetary allocation for the measure is EUR5m and the compensation is capped at EUR150,000 per applicant. The association had asked for EUR250,000 per applicant and Mr Noormagi fears that the budget will not be used with the lower cap. The domestic market for fish products has also weakened as consumer surveys carried out in 2020 showed. The cheapest products, such as canned herring, were the most popular suggesting that consumers were being careful as unemployment increases. Another factor affecting the fisheries sector is the cancellation or postponement of trade fairs. For the processors these events are important to contact existing and potential clients and cannot be replaced by virtual get togethers. Mr Noormagi expects that the sector will be reshaped by the events of 2020. Pelagic processors have been less affected, but the freshwater fish processors are likely to see a restructuring; the older and more established companies will survive but the smaller younger ones that lack capital are threatened. He anticipates that five or six will shut down, which will also affect the small communities where they are located. In 2021 the situation should look rosier as far as the virus is concerned with prospects of a vaccine and a gradual return to normal life.

Fishmeal factory jointly owned by former rivals Compared to last year, Estonian quotas for herring have fallen slightly, while the sprat quota is stable. These species are targeted by members of the Estonian pelagic producer organisations. The three organisations (Estonian Fish Producers Organisation, the Estonian Trawling Association, and the Estonian Commercial Fishermen Association) which together represent the bulk of Estonian catches of pelagic fish have joined resources to set up a fishmeal factory with a capacity of 5–6,000 tonnes of fishmeal and about 2,500 tonnes of fish oil. This level of production will call for some 30–40,000 tonnes of raw material. The factory is managed by Mart Undrest, managing director of the Estonian Fish Producers Organisation, the largest of the three POs, who has been ironing out teething issues and gradually increasing production since the factory commenced operations some eighteen months ago. The pandemic has not had the kind of impact on operations seen in the freshwater fish segment, though prices for fishmeal did fall between the first and last quarters last year. Being a global commodity, developments in countries from Peru to China can affect the market, but overall, says Mr Undrest, other segments in the fisheries sector were more

Mart Undrest, managing director of the Estonian Fish Producers Organisation, was responsible for establishing and starting up the fishmeal and fish oil factory established by the three Estonian pelagic POs. Since August 2020 Toomas Kevvai has been in charge.

seriously affected by the pandemic than ours.

PO collaboration could serve as a template

All the raw material used in the factory comes from the members of the PO who fish the Estonian quotas, but who also own vessels under the flags of other countries. In July 2020 sprat and herring stocks in the Central Baltic and the Gulf of Bothnia were certified to the Marine Stewardship Council standard and now the factory is being certified to the MSC Chain of Custody standard as well. In addition, the factory will be certified to the IFFO standard, a process that has been delayed by travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic. Although the two standards are similar with the IFFO more focused on fishmeal and fish oil, the decision to have both was to accommodate customer preferences.

The collaboration between the three PO’s to establish a fishmeal factory has also led to joint efforts in other fields. Ten years ago the three were competing against each other, but now the representatives get together regularly to discuss issues regarding fishing. This has led to some sharing of information about vessel activities and discussions on how to address common challenges. In practical terms there has also been some cooperation to fulfil large orders and some trade deals between the different companies. The factory symbolises a unique joint effort by the three POs and could serve as model for collaboration between producer organisations in other EU countries.

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PRFoods is Estonia’s sole farmer of trout in the sea

A quest to expand Baltic Sea farming operations The aquaculture sector in Estonia is modest with a production of about 1,000 tonnes in 2018. In comparison, Latvia produced about 800 tonnes and Lithuania some 3,500 tonnes. Rainbow trout is the main species farmed in Estonia and among the companies cultivating it is PRFoods, which specialises in the production, processing, and sales of ﬁsh, primarily rainbow trout.

Cages are used to on-grow rainbow trout in the Baltic Sea. The fish are introduced into the cages at about 700 g on average and reach 3-4 kg some six months later.

RFoods has fish farming activities in Sweden and Finland, as well as processing facilities in Estonia, Finland, and the UK. While the company only produces rainbow trout, its processing and trading activities also include salmon, sourced mainly from Norway. The total annual

production of rainbow trout amounts to about 2,000 tonnes of which Estonia supplies some 200 tonnes. The rest is grown in freshwater lakes in Sweden and in the Baltic Sea in Finland. Explaining the focus on rainbow trout, Margus Rebane, the director with overall responsibility for farming activities,

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says that it is the most successful fish the company has farmed. Other species have been tried in the past, but their performance was not as good as rainbow trout’s. Production in Estonia is currently only a small fraction of the total, but the company plans to increase it and has applied for several permits. I

hope that in 2022 we can start a bigger production in Estonia, says Mr Rebane. The current farming site is off Saaremaan, the largest Estonian island, and in contrast to the Finnish sites, it is very exposed with clear passage right up to the Bothnian Bay in the north. The sites in Finland are located within

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an archipelago and are therefore more sheltered.

Open sites have some benefits… An exposed site is a mixed blessing. Winds, waves, and currents are stronger which allows for higher water exchange rates and generally better water quality with larger nutrient assimilation capacity and higher levels of dissolved oxygen. Accumulation of waste matter and residual feed under the cages is prevented because of movement of the water. Fish in cages exposed to currents may also have better flesh quality and texture as a result of having to swim against the currents. On the other hand, farming infrastructure (cages, nets, ropes, chains, etc.) at exposed sites is more vulnerable to damage and degradation, access for personnel is more difficult, and if the currents are too strong the fish will suffer. The current site in Estonia is in a bay and only 800-900 m from the coastline, while the next site will be some 8 km away and 2-3 km from the coast. The fish that are put in the cages in spring are already large, weighing between 500 and 1,000 g individually. They are harvested in late October or early November, by which time they have reached between 3 and 4 kg depending on the initial weight. The fish are typically obtained from local fish farmers who grow the fish in raceways or, in one case, in ponds. Fish from recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) have also been on-grown in the sea cages, but unlike the fish from raceways, RAS-grown fish do not produce roe. In general, all the fish that is put in the sea in Estonia is sourced within the country. We do not move large fish from one country to another, says Mr Rebane, because of the risks to the wellbeing of the fish from the transport, and also because of potential biosecurity issues. Suppliers of fish for on-growing must have biosecurity protocols

in place to reduce the risk of disease. In addition, moving large fish to the north of Sweden, where the climate can be very harsh, jeopardises their survival. On the other hand, fingerlings are transported between countries, for example, from Finland to Sweden and Estonia. In Sweden the company has a hatchery and although it does not own broodstock it can initiate production with certified specific pathogen free (SPF) eggs or fingerlings from third-party suppliers.

To be competitive one must play cleverly Producing rainbow trout of up to 4 kg places the fish in the same category as salmon, which means competing with Norwegian production. As Mr Rebane states, rainbow trout grown in the Baltic Sea is a different fish from the trout or salmon grown in the Norwegian Sea. Fish grown in the Baltic will not reach the same size as fish grown in Norwegian waters. We have to be clever to compete, he adds. Thus, as a vertically integrated firm with its own production, processing, and sales, PRFoods can balance the production to suit its needs, freezing fish when necessary to be processed later, and adjusting the product mix to align closely with market demand giving it the necessary flexibility to compete. At the processing facility every conceivable kind of product is made from the trout—cold smoked, gravad, hot smoked, fish balls, marinated products, trout roe, fresh fillets, fresh portions, frozen fillets, frozen portions. The fish is processed at one facility in Estonia, some 70 km from the on-growing site and at two plants in Finland. All the Swedish fish is delivered to the northernmost plant in Finland. In Finland the company also has a production of trout roe. However, as the female fish approach sexual

The rainbow trout is processed at the company’s facilities in Estonia and Finland.

maturity their metabolism orients towards the growth of ovaries and eggs to the detriment of flesh quality and yield, and with undesirable changes in flesh colour. There is thus a trade-off between high quality roe and high quality flesh. Researchers at a Norwegian research organisation studying rainbow trout production at a local company concluded that for optimal roe yield the fish should be harvested in December, while for better flesh yield the optimal period was October/November. At PRFoods the solution has been to carefully monitor the fish throughout the season and to carefully choose the time of harvesting to optimise the quality of both products. The company has gained a lot of experience over the years and has used this knowledge to control the colour of the fillet and the skin. It is now working to improve the quality of the flesh so that the effect of maturation is minimised.

Licenses for production in the Baltic Sea are difficult to acquire PRFoods collaborates with a major Danish supplier of fish feed and with them has developed a new feed with one of the smallest environmental impacts, according to Mr Rebane. Apart from reducing emissions of phosphorus the feed supplies the fish with a number of nutritionally valuable components making it a healthful and tasty product for consumers. The fish are farmed without the use of antibiotics or other chemicals as the sites rely on good farm management and on suppliers that are thorough and responsible in their approach to disease prevention. In the future, the plan is to expand production in Estonia but gaining the necessary environmental clearances is a difficult task. The administration is considering moving the industry &VSPl TI .BHB[JOF

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offshore, though how far offshore has not been defined yet, says Mr Rebane. The distance from the coast, the depth of the sea, and the presence of other offshore installation will all have a bearing on fish farming operations, he points out, and there will be much to learn as we are the only company in Estonia with experience of farming in the sea and all of that is near shore.

Pandemic vaccine is the light at the end of a tunnel The company’s products are sold primarily on the domestic market in the three countries (Estonia, Finland, Sweden) which form the company’s base, but the

production is also exported to several countries most recently to Japan, where rainbow trout fillets have proved popular. The collapse of the Horeca sector as a result of the pandemic had a marked affect on the company as sales to this segment accounts for 20 of the Group’s turnover. The company also had to contend with increased volumes of Norwegian salmon on the market as sales to Asia and the US were diverted to Europe due to border closures and the lack of transport links. Seafood is also a relatively expensive product and among the first to be sacrificed by consumers when times are hard. The pandemic also provoked operational challenges as the team that carries out the

harvesting at the different sites could not move from country to country due to the travel restrictions. Now, however, with the

prospect of a vaccine in sight Mr Rebane is hoping for a return to a more normal work routine for his employees and himself.

PRFoods Pärnu mnt 141 Tallinn Estonia Tel.: +372 452 1470 margus@saaremerekala.eu www.prfoods.ee Operations director: Margus Rebane Activities: Rainbow trout farming, processing, sales

Volumes: 2,000 tonnes Farming sites: Estonia, Finland, Sweden Processing facilities: Estonia, Finland Range: Variety of smoked, salted, marinated, frozen, and fresh products based on rainbow trout Employees: 35 + seasonal employees at harvest periods

The Estonian Rural Development Foundation supports entrepreneurs in rural areas

Combating the impacts of the coronavirus The Estonian Rural Development Foundation is a government body established to support the development of rural areas by encouraging economic activity. This is done primarily by issuing guarantees for loans taken from banks as well as by offering loans directly.

apital and cashflow are two of the major challenges faced by any entrepreneur, and in particular, those that are starting up. A common solution for most entrepreneurs is to approach a bank to get a loan. However, banks are usually cautious and need some kind of collateral that secures the money they are lending. A budding businessperson may not have the necessary assets to satisfy the bank, she may also lack a credit record, or may for some reason have failed to win the bank’s confidence. A lender may find it difficult to assess a potential client because

of a lack of information and may therefore be reluctant to offer a loan. Administration costs for small loans tend to be high, making them less interesting for banks.

Credit guarantees have an important economic and social function There could thus be several explanations for why an entrepreneur is not given a loan. It is in situations like this that the Rural Development Foundation (RDF) can step in to guarantee the loan. Credit guarantee schemes such as those offered by

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the RDF have existed in Europe since the nineteenth century and are available in countries around the globe. By standing surety for a loan, a guarantee scheme reduces the typically high collateral requirements of banks, and by assuming some or all of the risk the loan can be

offered at a lower interest rate. Credit guarantee schemes thus improve the terms of a loan and facilitate access to formal credit mechanisms. In addition, by enabling an entrepreneur to borrow money the guarantee scheme also assists her to start building a credit record, which

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in itself is information a bank finds useful when assessing the applicant. At the Rural Development Foundation applying for a guarantee is relatively painless. The applicant informs the bank with which she is dealing which then decides the extent of the guarantee required for the loan and submits an application to the RDF. The entrepreneur is still obliged to provide collateral and is not released from her obligation under the loan. The guarantee is triggered If the loan cannot be repaid and if the collateral is insufficient to cover it. The model has gained in popularity over the years as attested by the growth in the RDF’s portfolio which has multiplied from EUR55m in 2015 to EUR130m today. And if the services for processing loan schemes (where RDF supplies just the handling, not the loan itself) the portfolio swells to EUR200m. Madis Reinup, member of the management board, recalls a time in the not-so-distant past, when EUR5m was a large amount, but now it seems absurdly small, he says.

Conditions for support relaxed in response to the pandemic The RDF specialises in the agriculture and fisheries (including aquaculture) sector, which are typically rural activities. The aquaculture sector has made liberal use of the facilities offered by the foundation mainly to establish recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS). The problem is that these systems are not economically viable. They use little water, and all the parameters can be controlled, but they are complex to operate and very expensive. Most of all, Norway is 500 km from Estonia and a farmer producing small volumes of fish on land cannot hope

to compete with marine farmed Norwegian fish. As a result, the rate of defaults has been high, and the foundation has become much more conservative about supporting aquaculture projects. Although the money at the RDF’s disposal comes from the government, guarantees are issued against a fee. Depending on the applicant, the fee can be between 0.3 and 1.0 of the amount, significantly cheaper than the 3 it used to be in the past. Moreover, the rules have been relaxed so that now the guarantee in certain cases can cover up to 100 of the loan amount. The slackening of conditions was in response to the impact of the coronavirus. The pandemic has affected the fisheries sector by shutting down the Horeca (hotels, restaurants, catering) sector both within Estonian and outside. For producers of the high value freshwater species that are destined specifically for this part of the distribution chain, this was a significant setback. While this was a direct impact of covid-19 there was also an indirect affect in the form of the uncertainty created by the situation. With infection rates fluctuating strongly and lockdowns being introduced and then lifted, it was difficult to anticipate how markets and consumers would react. As a result, says Mr Reinup, banks became very conservative about lending money. To assist the sector (and the agriculture industry) the government created a EUR100m fund to be managed by the RDF. About four fifths of the amount was disbursed between June and December 2020 in support of 300-400 projects, so now the scheme has ended. The money takes the form of loans and the foundation manages the whole process—assessing the applicant, processing the paperwork, disbursing the money, and monitoring repayments, a

service for which it is paid by the government. While some of the projects have involved fisheries companies, these enterprises also have access to financial instruments from EU funds which too are managed by the RDF. Certain applications can then be directed to these funds rather than the covid-19 pool.

Competing with banks is not the objective By offering relatively cheap loans the RDF could be accused of undermining the banks, an issue Mr Reinup has also discussed with politicians. To forestall such charges, the interest rate on loans is low at the start but then increases over the years to encourage borrowers to seek commercial loans after the initial period. For politicians, however, the issue is one of showing the industry that it is being supported. The real prospect of a vaccine may change the calculations though, as it should boost confidence and reduce uncertainty creating conditions where banks start lending again. The RDF could contribute by continuing with its guarantee scheme but making its loans more expensive. Interest rates would have to increase significantly if they are to exceed those offered by banks since banks increased their rates as a result of the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Rates

are now higher than they were a year ago, discloses Mr Reinup. For the 10 months or so the foundation has been fully absorbed with covid-related issues, but as the threat from the virus starts to recede as people get vaccinated and the weather gets warmer, plans can be made for the future. Over the next decade the RDF will continue mainly with its credit guarantee scheme. However, a study by the Ministry of Rural Affairs has shown that there are still shortcomings in the market for agriculture and fisheries and thereby a role for the RDF as a provider of long-term loans, for example, for more efficient fishing vessels. While the subject is taboo at the Commission and also among some Member States, Mr Reinup cannot reconcile the lack of funding for new technologies on board vessels that contribute to reducing energy consumption with European blue and green policies. Since there are no prospects for this type of support from the EU, his idea is to use national funds to make loans available for projects that increase vessels’ energy efficiency. The Rural Development Foundation could be said to thrive when disaster strikes, but the institution offered a lifeline to companies affected by circumstances connected with the coronavirus and now looks forward to more regular conditions—to prepare for the next crisis.

Estonian Rural Development Foundation (Maaelu Edendamise Sihtasutus) Oru 21 71003 Viljandi Estonia Tel.: +372 648 4064 Fax: +372 648 4065 mes@mes.ee www.mes.ee

Management Board: Raul Rosenberg (chairman), Madis Reinup (member) Main activities: Providing SMEs with guarantees for credit/other debt obligations; loans Target group: Entrepreneurs involved in agriculture or ﬁsheries related activities Employees: 12

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[ ENVIRONMENT ] A small sea with big problems

Fishing in the Baltic Sea faces an uncertain future The ﬁshing industry in the Baltic Sea region has long and rich traditions. As early as the Middle Ages, it was one of the most important economic and social activities, and it experienced an unprecedented boom during Hanseatic times. The ﬁshers of today can only dream of such times. Drastic reductions in catch quotas are endangering the existence of many businesses and their future is at risk. What are the causes behind this fatal development?

he catch quotas in the Baltic Sea for 2021 agreed upon by the Fisheries Ministers of the EU Member States exceeded the fishing industry’s worst expectations, with further cuts for cod and herring, the most economically important species of fish for Baltic Sea fisheries. Although the scientific data would have allowed for a moderate increase, the EU Commission decided to proceed with caution and introduce more effective protection for cod and herring stocks. Since it is nearly impossible to avoid catching cod as bycatch in plaice fishing, the eastern cod stocks, as in previous years, cannot be targeted for fishing at all. Experience has shown that the approved quota will be exhausted with the bycatch alone. The limited increase of five percent for western cod is therefore almost a concession to the fishing industry. Things look especially gloomy for herring in the western Baltic Sea, for which the catch quota has now reached

The brackish Baltic Sea was first formed approximately 12,000 years ago, when the Weichselian glaciation ice sheet, which was up to 3,000 metres thick, melted.

its lowest point. In the late 1980s, approximately 100,000 tonnes of herring were still permitted to be

caught per year. Now, the catch quantities for 2020, which were already vanishingly small, have

been even further decreased, halving to nearly 1,500 tonnes. The cuts primarily affect herring in the

Total catch quantities and quotas in the Baltic Sea for 2021 EU total catch quantity in 2020 (t)

EU total catch quantity in 2021 (t)

Change 2020 to 2021 (%)

Herring, western Baltic Sea

3,150

1,575

Cod, western Baltic Sea

3,806

4,000

Cod, eastern Baltic Sea

2,000

595 (bycatch only)

- 70

Plaice

6,894

7,240

Sprat

210,147

222,958

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- 50

[ ENVIRONMENT ] western and central areas of the Baltic Sea. Such severe losses can never be compensated for by the slight increases in catch quotas for plaice and sprats. Many fishing businesses in the Baltic Sea area, which in the past have shown great commitment to increased sustainability in the fishing industry and also accepted enormous economic losses in order to do so, are now on the brink of collapse. An economic sector is hanging by a thread, and with it all of its peripheral industries, from net-makers to boatbuilders to fish smoking, fish processing and catering businesses. On some coasts, the traditional fishing crafts are increasingly degenerating into a ‘folklore event’, which at best only serves to provide tourists with an atmospheric backdrop for eating tasty fish dishes while the fish consumed must increasingly be imported. Angling tourism is also at risk, because the maximum catch quantities for recreational fishing remain limited to five cod per day. During the closed season, only two cod are in fact allowed.

The phase of intermittent overfishing has long since passed While increasing numbers of fishers are already under pressure to give up their wonderful, but physically tough and financially barely worthwhile profession due to sinking catch quotas, some environmental organisations accuse the EU authorities of not having reduced the catch quotas even further and even claim that this is promoting continued overfishing. For these organisations, absolute prohibitions on catching herring and cod are required in order to stop the negative trends in the development of fish stocks. Some fishing resources were in fact overexploited in the past, including in the Baltic.

Fishing in coastal areas is primarily done with small cutters less than 12 metres in length using methods that are particularly sustainable and environmentally friendly.

In the 1950s, the number of cutters increased greatly, and new net materials and more effective catching methods were deployed. In addition to coastal fishing, fishing on the open sea intensified, which led to a significant overall increase in catch yields. However, those times are now over. Because the condition of some commercially important fish stocks increasingly deteriorated, fishing has been regulated and restricted more and more from the beginning of the 1970s. Since the start of the 1980s, the number of cutters in most Baltic Sea states has decreased very significantly. Many full-time fishermen are switching to part-time or giving up the occupation completely. However, this reduction in capacity initially did not result in lower catch quantities, as had been hoped, because the remaining players improved their technology and the overall fishing effort remained almost unchanged. By the end of the 1980s, engine power had increased greatly, numerous cutters were fitted out with

electronic fish locating technology and more efficient trawl nets, and the average trawl duration rose from five to seven hours per day. Almost 60 percent of the approved quota in the Baltic is still caught with trawl nets today, however, small-scale fishing with gillnets and pots in the area near the coast has increased in significance. Although this is seen as particularly sustainable and environmentally friendly, it is also suffering from the basic problem of Baltic Sea fishing, the very limited range of species in these waters. Fishing is concentrated almost exclusively on the three target species of sprat, herring and cod, which normally make up more than 85 of landings. From an economic point of view, the cod catch is the most important of these. After annual landing quantities regularly reaching between 150,000 and 250,00 tonnes during the 1970s, and reaching their maximum of 391,000 tonnes in 1984, they fell to some 38,000 tonnes in 1994. In the meantime, the quotas

09_ENVIRONMENT.indd 41

have sunk to a level that is almost equivalent to a ban on catching cod. This weakens small-scale fishing, which has enormous economic and social importance for residents in many coastal areas of the Baltic Sea. Small coastal fishers mostly undertake day fishing and market their catches both directly and via regional catering businesses. Although many fishers also offer holiday accommodation as a second income source and put on angling tours for their guests and tourists, the low catch quotas endanger their existence, because the associated financial losses can hardly be compensated for. No business can make up for permanent 60 or 65 percent declines in turnover. The structural change to small-scale coastal fishing with boats that are mostly less than 12 metres and the use of passive fishing gears have not only reduced overfishing in the Baltic Sea, but in large areas have made it an almost insignificant issue. Despite the catch quotas &VSPlTI .BHB[JOF

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[ ENVIRONMENT ] having been extremely low for years, however, there has still not been any sustainable recovery in stocks. The bleak conditions continue, putting the fishing industry under increasing pressure. Given this situation, it is not surprising that fishers want to strongly repudiate responsibility for this alarming development. If, despite their bitter abstention, no improvement occurs, other factors must indeed be the cause for this misery, which are however barely discussed in the public sphere. External influencing factors on the Baltic Sea, both natural and anthropogenic, are plentiful after all. For example, the increasing industrialised exploitation of the waters, which is causing interactions between the competing claims. Gigantic projects such as the Öresund bridge and the planned Fehmarnbelt tunnel crossing endanger sensitive ecosystems, valuable spawning grounds and nursery areas for some species of fish. Regionally, gravel is being extracted, gas and oil pipelines are being sunk and wind energy facilities are being installed at sea. In addition, there is brisk shipping traffic in the area, which is often responsible for the introduction of waste oil residues. The introduction of heated cooling water from power plants is contributing on a regional basis to the ‘thermal pollution’ of the Baltic Sea. Even in the 1950s and 1960s, the construction of large hydroelectric power plants and dams made important waterways much more difficult, if not impossible, to access, thereby reducing the natural increase of salmon, sea trout, eel and some other fish species.

Complex combinations of natural and anthropogenic influences The biggest problem in the Baltic Sea, however, results from the geomorphology of the waters combined with eutrophication caused

In some coastal sections, where there are no fishing ports, fishers land their catch directly onto the flat beaches.

by humans. At only 415,000 square kilometres, the Baltic is one of the smallest seas on our planet. It was first formed approximately 12,000 years ago, when the Weichselian glaciation ice sheet, which was up to 3,000 metres thick, melted during the oncoming warmer period. Originally the Baltic Sea was a purely freshwater lake due to the barrier of melting ice that was present. However, enormous quantities of seawater entered through the connection to the North Sea, now known as the Kattegat, which mixed with the fresh water from large Baltic rivers such as the Oder, Vistula, Neman, Daugava and Neva, making the Baltic Sea the largest area of brackish water on Earth. This created an intracontinental marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, in the brackish water of which developed relatively species-poor, but quite diverse forms of life. Most of these are immigrant marine life forms

that have adapted to the less salty environment. Because the salt content of the water declines from the West towards the East – in the Kattegat the conditions are practically marine, in the Gulf of Finland and Gulf of Bothnia they are in contrast almost limnic – the number of marine species decreases as the salt content sinks. At the transition to the North Sea, species such as cod, herring and often mackerel are found, while in the lagoons and bays along the coast hornfish and flounder abound along with salt-tolerant freshwater species such as pike and zander. Far to the North and East of the Baltic, bream, roach, perch and trout prevail. One of the oceanographic peculiarities of the Baltic Sea is that the salt water streaming in from the upstream North Sea must pass through the barely 25 m deep Belt Sea before reaching the much deeper areas of the Arkona Sea,

and the seas off Gotland and Bornholm. The opening of the Belt Sea, which can only be passed during periods of longer-lasting westerly winds, restricts the water inflow from the North Sea significantly, and puts the Baltic Sea ecosystem under constant stress. For some fish the water is too fresh, for others too salty, and some species avoid the region entirely. These special conditions make the inflow of the salty and oxygen-rich North Sea water an important regulating element for the ecosystem. Declines in fish stocks are frequently a consequence of stopped or less intense saltwater inflows from the North Sea. The striking slump in cod stocks up to the mid-1990s, for example, can be attributed to the limited inflow of North Sea water during the period from 1978 to 1994. The Baltic Sea was still known for being low in nutrients up to the 1950s. This changed, however,

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[ ENVIRONMENT ] with the industrialisation of agriculture, which used more and more fertiliser, primarily nitrogen and phosphates, much of which reached the Baltic through the rivers. This ‘fertilisation’ of the water initially had the effect of significantly increasing fish stocks, because more plankton developed that fish larvae and filter-feeding species could feed on. Over the years, however, such large quantities of fertiliser were released into the Baltic that the inland sea has become over-fertilised (eutrophicated). This regularly causes severe algal blooms, which float like a thick carpet in the water, die off after some time and sink to the sea floor. There, the dead algal masses are consumed by bacteria that take oxygen from the water while doing so and release hydrogen sulphide, which is poisonous to fish. Wherever the supply of fresh, oxygenrich North Sea water is stopped for a longer period of time, the sea floor dies off and veritable ‘dead zones’ form. The extent of these regions does change constantly and they can disappear for a short time due to a large influx of saltwater, however on average over recent decades ten to twenty percent of the surface of the Baltic Sea floor has been affected. Large parts of the sea floor of the Baltic, above all deep depressions such as the Bornholm Basin, the most important spawning ground for western cod stocks, have become areas hostile to life in which the eggs and larvae of benthic spawners have only a limited chance of development.

‘Regime change’ in the Baltic requires structural adaptation in the fishing industry Scientists do not rule out connections between global climate change and the reduced inflow

of North Sea water into the Baltic, because the climate influences both the sea currents and the atmospheric circulation system, which leads to wind directions and strengths that deviate from the norm. It is still not proven with absolute certainty, but some consequences of climate change are already being detected. While heat-loving species, for example, are benefiting from sea warming, cold-loving species such as cod are being driven northward to colder regions. Climate change may also be responsible for the weak year classes for cod and herring in recent years. The spawning process for herring is temperature-regulated, however the development of the plankton on which the herring larvae initially feed after they hatch is primarily regulated by daily light levels. Because the herring spawn about two weeks earlier in warmer water than they would have done previously, their offspring often cannot find suitable food in sufficient quantities. Because the complex events surrounding climate change are only now beginning to be understood by scientists, the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research began a project with baltADAPT (‘Adaptation of the Western Baltic Coastal Fishery to Climate Change’, duration: 01/11/2020-31/10/2023) which, among other things, was intended to clarify how coastal fishing in the western Baltic can be adapted to climate change. The measures to protect Baltic Sea fish are almost always directed towards fishers, who are called upon to make exceptional sacrifices. These include reductions in quotas as well as fishing closure periods during the spawning season for cod in the eastern Baltic, and to a certain extent the requirement to bring the entire catch to

Passive fishing gears such as gillnets and pots, which have a comparatively low carbon footprint, are typical in the Baltic Sea region.

shore for all species subject to quotas, which has been in effect in the Baltic since as early as 2017 and robs undersized fish that are still capable of living of any chance of survival. Other influencing factors which have just as much significance for fish stocks are, on the other hand, hardly considered. The Finnish coastal fisheries action groups wrote a letter to the EU Fisheries Commissioner Virginijus Sinkeviþius in 2019, in which they noted the huge damage done to Baltic Sea fish by grey seals, harbour seals and cormorants. The harbour seal population in the eastern Baltic region was estimated to be between 47,650 and 63,535 animals the last time it was measured in 2018, i.e. five times more than the LRL (Limit Reference Level) target determined as sustainable by HELCOM. The letter states that it is urgently necessary to reduce the population of harbour seals and cormorants to a reasonable level. It has been demonstrated once again that politics is quick to formulate sustainability targets to protect popular species, but finds it very difficult to row back on these measures if the targets have been reached. Many fishers find it particularly frustrating that they are being made responsible for

developments that are obviously beyond their influence and that would probably only marginally be improved even by a complete ban on fishing. A major reason for the almost ruinous reductions in quotas, in the meantime, that are putting many fishing businesses, jobs, tourism and traditions acutely at risk, may well be the fact that fishing is the only factor that can be even halfway effectively and comprehensively controlled. However, whether the measures will stop the alarming dynamic of shrinking Baltic fish stocks remains uncertain. To this extent, it is also unclear whether the financial compensatory payments that many fishers are receiving for the massive cuts in their catch quotas for cod and herring will in fact open up an economic future again for these businesses at the end of this ‘dry period’. If the hypotheses of a permanent regime shift in fish stocks in the Baltic Sea is to be confirmed, consequent structural change to fishing would surely be inevitable. A development that must be supported by payment of scrapping incentives for cutters in order to make it socially tolerable for fishers to exit the industry and adjust catch capacities in a targeted way to the reduced fish stocks. mk &VSPlTI .BHB[JOF

NORWAY

Changes to the UK Norway relationship are inevitable but hardly insurmountable

Brexit offers more opportunities than challenges The solid ties between Norway and the UK will provide a healthy foundation for the two countries’ relationship from January 2021. A free trade agreement cannot match the EEA agreement Norway is party to the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement (the UK as an EU Member State was too), which subjects a signatory to the rights and obligations of the European single market including the four freedoms of the internal market (free movement of goods, people, services and capital) and is more comprehensive than a free trade agreement (FTA). An FTA between the

UK and Norway, said Wegger Chr. Strømmen, Norway’s ambassador to the UK, will not offer the same degree of coverage as the EEA agreement. While it can be hoped that many elements of the EEA agreement will be included in the deal Norway and the UK agree on, Norwegians must prepare for change come 1 January 2021 irrespective of the agreement the UK signs with the EU. The outcome of the EU-UK negotiations will influence our

Seafish, www.seafish.org

partners, absorbing exports worth NOK184bn and the source of NOK38bn worth of imports in 2019. Renate Larsen, managing director of the Norwegian Seafood Council calls the UK one of Norway’s most important seafood markets. Although the UK left the EU on 31 January 2020, the transition period for Brexit which expired on 31 December 2020 ensured that relations between the UK and Norway remained largely the same as they were while Britain was part of the bloc.

Salmon, cod, and haddock form the bulk of Norway’s seafood exports to the UK, a trade that should continue under the current interim agreement and the expected free trade deal between the two countries.

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Jean Gaumy/Norwegian Seafood Council

ewspapers are full of the ongoing negotiations between the EU and the UK regarding Brexit. However, other countries will also be affected by the provisions of the deal between the two partners. Innovation Norway organised a recent seminar on how Brexit is likely to impact the relationship between Norway and the UK and how companies can prepare for these new circumstances. The UK is among Norway’s closest allies in Europe and one of Norway’s major trading

NORWAY

agreement with the UK, said Mr Strømmen, and as they are drawing out, the Norway-UK FTA cannot be decided let alone implemented by 1 January 2021. Norway-UK negotiations are progressing despite some areas where more time would be needed to reach agreement. On 8 December the two countries therefore signed a trade continuity agreement that covers the trade in goods. This is an interim deal signed by the UK with Norway and Iceland that will allow trade to continue duty-free until an FTA is signed in 2021. Under the terms of the interim agreement 95 of the trade in goods with Norway will remain tariff-free from 2021 despite the lack of an FTA between the two countries. The fact that both countries will be outside the customs union means that changes will by and large be less intrusive for Norwegian companies than for EU companies. Ms Larsen calls this agreement “very positive” and says the Norwegian government is well underway in its work towards a new agreement between Norway and the UK.

Opportunities on the UK market should outweigh the introduction of changes Customs procedures will remain largely the same, said Caspar Fabini from Innovation Norway, with freight companies carrying goods from Norway supplying a customs declaration to a UK customs office. These procedures are incorporated into the interim agreement to allow trade to continue under the existing terms. He warned however that transport and logistics companies are already noting delays in processing customs declarations

in the UK compared to some months ago and these are likely to worsen from 1 January. Companies may thus have to get used to the idea of border controls and consider their impact on perishable products like seafood. In general, companies exporting Norwegian products from Norway directly to the UK are likely to find it smoother than companies exporting via the EU. This was confirmed by Espen Gylvik, the CEO of Cyviz, a company developing communication solutions with offices in London and Edinburgh. Mr Gylvik had already observed some uncertainty with regard to the import and export of components between the EU and the company’s UK offices. However, he felt these were short term issues that should not obscure the opportunities that existed on the UK market. Regarding the trade in services, the Norway and the UK have agreed on several measures to ensure this trade continues as smoothly as possible. These measures allow for, among other things, a mutual recognition of qualifications, the protection of the rights of nationals of one country living in the other, and the transfer of personal data. However, there will be changes, for example, in the movement of people, and Mr Strømmen urged Norwegian companies using labour from or sending Norwegian staff to the UK to study the new rules governing this traffic. Richard Wood, Britain’s ambassador to Norway, added that the UK was introducing a points-based immigration system for stays of longer than six months and that different routes into the UK are envisaged with different kinds of visas for different kinds of talents. For example,

intra-company transfers will be a route through which companies can move workers between the UK and Norway. For Norwegians desiring to study in the UK there are no quotas or administrative barriers, and an easy visa application process as well as the ability to stay on for up to two years after completing their studies.

Teething problems will hopefully not last for long The impact of Brexit on companies will be different depending on the kind of business they are engaged in, he said, but as the fundamentals of the Norway-UK relationship were very solid, companies would hopefully soon get used to the changes brought on by Brexit. For individuals, Britain’s departure from the EU will not mean any great difference. Travel will continue to be visa-free though those planning a longer stay in the UK must carry their health insurance cards with them. Norwegian residents of the UK and British residents of Norway are encouraged to keep track of the new rules and apply for visas where necessary. The UK is among Norway’s most important trading partners when it comes to seafood. In 2019 Norwegian seafood exports to the UK amounted to almost NOK6bn, while imports totalled over NOK1bn. This trade forms the bulk of seafoodrelated activities between the two countries, but the UK also has significant interests in fishing rights in Norwegian waters, from where the UK fleet landed NOK373m (GBP32m) worth of fish in 2018. To safeguard this access the two countries signed

a fisheries agreement in September 2020 which provides for annual negotiations regarding fishing rights and quotas. There are technical issues, for example with regard to rules of origin, that are also addressed by the interim agreement, but which may be affected by the agreement reached between the EU and the UK, Mr Fabini said, adding that product and labelling requirements are also likely to change from 2021. This applies mainly to medicines, animal products, and food and relates also to the use of the CE mark, but there is a degree of uncertainty surrounding the issue and companies must keep abreast of developments in this area. He suggested Norwegian exporters enter into new contracts that include a Brexit clause that will protect them from changes in the rules and from making commitments they cannot fulfil. He pointed out that as UK law is based on EU law and is likely to change, prudence is called for when deciding the jurisdiction of a contract.

Several websites will provide regular updates on developments On balance, Britain’s departure from the EU offers Norway more opportunities than challenges. In the past relations between the two countries have been very close and this is likely to continue. There are several sources of information about Brexit and how it is evolving in both Norwegian and English, said Hilde Hukkelberg from Innovation Norway, including the UK and Norwegian embassies, Innovation Norway, and the two governments’ websites, and it would be worthwhile to visit them regularly. &VSPl TI .BHB[JOF

UKRAINE

Resource-rich Ukraine expands fishing, farming, and its links to international markets

Seafood consumption on the increase Ukraine celebrates its 30th anniversary of independence this year. As a young and developing country it is still implementing the reforms designed to build a modern and efficient state. Initial efforts catalysed the signing of the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement in 2014, which entered into force in 2017 and which, when fully ratified, offers Ukraine duty-free access to the EU market, political and financial support, and access to EU research and other programmes. In return, Ukraine shall continue more firmly on its path of reform particularly in the legislative and judicial area, economic regulation, and finance.

ich in natural resources, Ukraine has always had excellent conditions for fishing and aquaculture. The fisheries sector is the third most important source of Ukraine’s animal protein supply after the meat and poultry industries, and it plays a notable role in ensuring food security.

The world’s only producer of krill for human food Ukraine’s commercial fishing is active in four major areas: the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, inland waters, and the high seas. The loss of Crimea in 2014 hurt capture fisheries in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov by cutting harvesters’ access to over 50 of Ukraine’s fish and shellfish resources and contributing to a decline of over 60 in the country’s total fisheries production. Since then, production has slowly recovered though without reaching the volumes of the past: in 2019 total output from capture fisheries reached 82 thousand tonnes, over 20 more than the previous year. Marine fisheries in the Azov-Black Sea basin are dominated by goby, Black Sea and European sprats, European anchovy, and rapa 46

Krill trawler More Sodruzhestva in the Antarctic. It is the only vessel in the world catching krill for human consumption.

whelk, which together make up as much as 90 of the catches in the area. Over the past several years catches in the Sea of Azov have been slowly shrinking for both natural and man-made reasons. The former include the decrease of the density of goby and Black Sea sprat (tyulka) stocks in the area. The latter include the closure of fishing grounds in Kerch strait due to the opening of the

Crimean bridge, which caused a reduction in European anchovy catches. Moreover, the proximity of the Black Sea sprat fishery to the Donbass conflict area has made fishing there too risky for fishers. In 2019 production from the Sea of Azov was 16 thousand tonnes, about 25 less than in 2018. At the same time, the yield of fisheries in the Black Sea have been steadily increasing, mainly

due to the growth of rapa whelk catches that more than doubled from 2018 to 2019, to more than 11 thousand tonnes. Total catches in the area reached 14 thousand tonnes—up more than 60 compared to 2018. Inland fisheries consist of freshwater fish catches in the Dnieper and Danube rivers, the Dnieper Bug estuary, ponds and lakes

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UKRAINE

Bighead carp is among the popular species produced by the aquaculture sector and is known for the benefits it offers human health.

both natural and man-made, and water reservoirs built on rivers (the largest of them are informally called “seas”). Pike-perch, various species of cyprinids (bream, Prussian carp and roach) among other freshwater species dominate inland catches, which in 2019 totalled 30 thousand tonnes. In the structure of the inland fisheries, the State Agency for Fisheries of Ukraine highlights the role of the Special Commercial Fisheries Enterprises that combine fishing and aquaculture, harvesting in lakes and certain parts of water reservoirs. Catch volumes by these enterprises have slowly grown in recent years to 8 thousand tonnes in 2019, or 28 of the total inland fisheries production. Ukraine’s oceanic fleet has shown a notable increase in volumes in recent years. According to the State Agency for Fisheries, in 2019 the total volumes reached 22 thousand tonnes—an almost

three-fold increase compared to 2017. Ukraine is one of eight countries in the world harvesting Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) for fish meal and the only one in the world producing krill meat for human consumption, which is processed directly on board the Ukrainian flagged trawler More Sodruzhestva (Cooperation Sea). The krill harvest in 2019 represented over 97 of the country’s total high seas fishery volumes. Other species in the harvest include Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish, mackerel, icefish, and species of Macrouridae family in small quantities. Ukraine’s fisheries production has grown in recent years despite the obstacles. Sharply reduced access to traditional fishing grounds and loss of resources for environmental reasons, among other problems, have been compensated for with expanded harvests of krill

and other high seas species, and increased attention to non traditional species.

Both old and new technology behind products from aquaculture Due to its rich water resources, including the Dnieper and Dniester river basins, brackish waters of the Black and Azov Sea estuaries, together with over 50 thousand natural and manmade ponds, Ukraine’s aquaculture sector has the potential to develop further. Currently, most cultivation facilities are freshwater pond-based farms which deliver about 90 of the country’s aquaculture volumes. The major farmed species are common carp, bighead and silver carps, grass carp, Prussian carp, tench, European and African catfish, pike, pike-perch, various

sturgeon species, and rainbow trout. Aquaculture production in Ukraine has been stable over the past ten years, fluctuating around 20 thousand tonnes annually. On average, fish for human consumption forms 80 of the total yield, while the rest is used for restocking. In 2019, the total production of farmed species amounted to 19 thousand tonnes of which 15 thousand tonnes were destined for human consumption. Common carp and Chinese carps (bighead, silver, and grass carp) remain the sector’s mainstay, accounting for 80 to 90 per cent of the farmed volumes each year. Special focus is directed at the cultivation of bighead and silver carps, as it is known that their meat has a positive impact on the cardiovascular system and can help alleviate hypertension and

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UKRAINE

reduce blood cholesterol. Additionally, the collagen extracted from the skins of these two species is widely used in cosmetology for facial treatment. However, industry experts estimate that in the near future the production of carp species will stagnate as the domestic market for human food from these species is saturated. The most impressive growth is seen in the volumes of farmed catfish species, traditional European catfish about which many scary folk legends have long been told, and the more recently introduced African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). The production of catfish species has increased 260 since 2015, reaching 224 tonnes in 2019. Farming of sturgeons, including sterlet, sevruga, Russian and Siberian sturgeons, is a developing segment of Ukraine’s farming industry and production in 2019 exceeded 97 tonnes. Unlike carps, cultivation of sturgeons uses intensive technologies typically involving cages. However, the use of RAS (recirculation aquaculture systems) units has gained favour in recent years due to the systems’ compact size, better control over the stock, faster growth of the fish, and overall efficiency. In addition, both domestic and international standards can be relatively easily met with RAS, which is important for expansion into markets abroad. The use of RAS systems is also visible in the production of salmonids, rainbow and brown trout in particular. Currently, there are over a hundred trout producers in Ukraine, mainly micro enterprises or SMEs, and about 30 of them have switched partially or completely to RAS. The total production of salmonids in 2019 amounted to 226 tonnes, a

decrease of 15 from 2018. Among the limiting factors are the low purchasing power of the population, high costs of the imported feed, and sometimes, insufficient access to suitable water sources. For a long time, the development of mariculture in Ukraine has been purely experimental, and after the loss of Crimea possibilities became even more limited. In addition, most of the Ukrainian part of the Black Sea is known for rough changes of seasons, strong storms, changes in water salinity, anthropogenic pressure, and lack of spatial planning. The production of bivalves, especially the Mediterranean mussel, is possible but probably not in large volumes. All in all, while the production of high-value species has been slowly growing over the past years, their total current volumes barely exceed 10 of Ukraine’s total aquaculture production.

Imports dwarf exports, but exports almost triple in value Ukraine is a net importer of fish and seafood because the most popular and traditional species including herring, mackerel, salmon, Alaskan pollock, horse mackerel, and hake, are neither found in Ukrainian waters nor farmed locally. According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, seafood import volumes have been growing and in 2019 reached 399 thousand tonnes worth 357 million US dollars, more than doubling in value and an almost two-fold increase in volume compared to 2015. Preliminary statistics for 2020, based on data from the State Customs Service of Ukraine, indicates further growth of fish and seafood imports to 411 thousand tonnes amounting to USD 804 million.

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Imports of ﬁsh and seafood products into Ukraine 2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Volume, ‘000 tonnes

230

299

328

380

399

Value, million USD

326

466

528

636

753

Total

Source: State Statistics Service of Ukraine

Over the past several years, the largest volumes have come from Norway (salmon, trout, herring, mackerel), Iceland (herring, mackerel), USA (hake, Alaskan pollock), Estonia (herring, sardines, sprats), and Canada (cold water shrimps). On average, around 80 of the annual imported volumes are frozen fish and fillets, while about 10 are canned fish, crustaceans, and molluscs with major volumes arriving from Chile, China, Latvia, and Lithuania among others. Import volumes in 2019 increased for fresh fish, fish fillets, and crustaceans. Compared to the volumes of imports and the domestic harvest, the level of Ukraine’s fish and seafood exports is not high, however it has been moderately growing over the past five or six years, amounting to 12 thousand tonnes in volume, worth USD 46 million in 2019. Canned and ready-to-eat products from sprats, sardines, sardinella, molluscs, and crustaceans dominated total export volumes, reaching 5,243 tonnes, or nearly half of the country’s

total exports of fish and seafood. Fillets of cod, salmon, and pikeperch along with other species were the second biggest export, amounting to 3,707 tonnes, over 30 of the total, followed by molluscs (1,089 tonnes, or 10). Prepared products were destined mainly for CIS countries, including Moldova, Armenia, and Belarus, among others. Export volumes in 2019 increased for fish fillets and molluscs in different product forms: in particular, fish fillets to Denmark and Germany. Turkey was the largest importer of Ukrainian molluscs (entirely rapa whelk), while a smaller share went to South Korea, which is a new and growing market for this species from Ukraine.

Canning delivers half of the total processed fish output Ukrainian consumers prefer their domestic fish unprocessed (live, fresh, or frozen), and this is especially true when it comes to carps and catfish, of which up to 90 are sold live or chilled. The larger share of processed products is made of imported raw

Exports of ﬁsh and seafood products from Ukraine Total

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Volume, ‘000 tonnes

Value, million USD

Source: State Statistics Service of Ukraine

UKRAINE

materials: herring, sprat, sardines, mackerel or their fillets. A small share of the wild fish caught locally, marine species like goby, European anchovy, Black Sea sprat, and freshwater bream, common roach, silver bream, and others, are processed into dried, smoked, or dry-cured products. The canning sector traditionally delivers the largest share of the total processed volumes and in 2019 canned products amounted to 33 thousand tonnes, reaching 49 of the total processed output of 68 thousand tonnes (the same as in 2018). At the beginning of last year 29 fish processing units in Ukraine were certified to exports to the EU. Reflecting the world’s growing demand for fish with higher value-addition, the country’s production of fish fillets, frozen, fresh, smoked, dried, or salted, has risen moderately over the past several years. Fish importers have started to increase their processing capacities to satisfy local demand which currently stems mainly from the metropolitan areas. On the other hand, they keep an eye on potential export markets, as Ukrainian labour is efficiently priced giving Ukrainian processors and exporters a competitive advantage. Although the country’s processed fish exports are still low, the potential is promising.

City consumers enjoy imported species, rural buyers stick to local fish Solid growth in imports combined with stable exports and production volumes has resulted in an increase in fish and seafood consumption in Ukraine. In 2019 per capita consumption

reached 12.9 kg compared to 11.8 kg in the previous year. Unlike in some other European countries with a strong Catholic tradition where fish consumption grows during the church holidays of Easter and Christmas, fish consumption in Ukraine rises from October, when fish farmers start harvesting and supplying the domestic market with large volumes of fish at more attractive prices. This growth continues through the New Year festivities, followed by the official Eastern Orthodox Christmas on 7 January, and later by the New Year which is still unofficially but gladly celebrated by Ukrainians on 14 January in accordance with the Julian Calendar.

on consumer purchasing ability and on the country’s seafood consumption.

Sunnier skies ahead Ukraine fish industry has shown resilience during the geopolitical conflicts of recent years, rebuilding its capture sector and expanding its aquaculture largely with non traditional species. The Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement

offers expanded market opportunities for its small export sector, access to EU research, and support for improving the fish industry’s efficiency and for developing new products. Aleksandra Petersen, aleksandra.petersen@eurofish.dk Data and images courtesy Methodological and Technological Center for Aquaculture, State Agency for Fisheries of Ukraine

The State Agency for Fisheries of Ukraine has a new leader

“The use and preservation of aquatic bioresources must be balanced” The State Agency for Fisheries is the body responsible for the regulation of fisheries and aquaculture in Ukraine. At the end of 2020, Hanna Shyshman was appointed its leader. Professional, ambitious, and forward looking, Ms Shyshman intends to unlock the vast potential of Ukrainian fisheries and give a new impetus to its development.

Consumption is not homogenous throughout the country: larger volumes of fish and seafood are consumed in big cities where people generally have higher incomes, and in the areas next to big water basins. Imported fish and fish with high levels of valueaddition are mainly consumed in the big cities, while locally caught or farmed fish is more popular in the rural and coastal areas. Fish consumption levels and patterns are also influenced by political issues. The Ukraine– European Union Association Agreement signed in 2014 followed by visa-free travel rules applied in 2017, together with liberalised procedures for getting a job abroad (Poland, Czechia, Italy, and Portugal in particular) led to an increase in the incomes of Ukrainians living and working abroad, which subsequently improved the general welfare of their families residing in Ukraine. It is difficult to predict how long this trend will continue, but as of today it has a notable impact

The main priorities of her team are to improve legislation in the field of fisheries; to develop the aquaculture sector, in particular the mechanisms of state support to producers; to streamline commercial fishing, and strengthen the state’s monitoring of seafood product quality. Ms Shyshman will also invest in improving measures for fishery protection, reproduction of bioresources, and support for aquatic biodiversity.

Hanna Shyshman was recently appointed head of the State Agency for Fisheries of Ukraine

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[ SPECIES ] Uninvited guests: Invasion of the gobies

Small invaders conquer our waters Almost half a dozen goby species originating from brackish water areas of the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas are spreading almost explosively in Central and Eastern Europe. The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) has been particularly successful, even making it to North America’s Great Lakes. Such neozoa, which are difﬁcult to contain, are a risk to regional ecosystems.

However, no one can say with absolute certainty why PontoCaspian gobies in particular, which barely grow larger than 20 centimetres, have managed to penetrate numerous water systems in Central Europe from their natural ranges in just three decades. In addition to the bighead goby (Neogobius kessleri) and tubenose goby (Proterorhinus marmoratus), monkey goby (Neogobius fluviatilis) and

Peter van der Sluijs 2013 (Wikimedia commons)

he spread and settlement of a new fish species can occur naturally, but today it is often supported and accelerated by human activities. Fish eggs and larvae travel around the world in the ballast water of ships, the construction of canals connects once isolated bodies of water and opens up new migration routes, aquarists and anglers sometimes release foreign species into native waters. An example of this is the spread of lionfish (Pterois spp.) in the Caribbean, where they were presumably released by aquarists out of a misguided love for animals and now threaten the biodiversity of the reefs. Economic motives also often play an important role in the introduction of new fish. Rainbow trout, originally at home in North Pacific coastal waters, are now farmed in more than 100 countries worldwide. In some places, escapes from trout farms have led to independent, self-sustaining fish populations, which then often endanger the native wildlife.

Round goby caught in the Netherlands. Characteristic features of this fish species are the pelvic fins, which have grown together to form a suction disc, and the distinctive black spot at the back of the first dorsal fin.

the racer goby (Neogobius gymnotrachelus), is the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), which is considered particularly invasive. Colloquially, these five goby species are sometimes grouped together as “Black Sea gobies”, but this only describes one of the areas of origin. This quintet is complemented by the Chinese sleeper (Perccottus glenii) from Asia, another species that is already included in the first Union list of EU Regulation No. 1143/2014 on invasive alien species. Once established, goby populations often proliferate and can even become the numerically dominant fish species in the newly “conquered” waters. Thus, it is hardly surprising that in many places they are perceived as a nuisance and a serious risk to ecosystems because they threaten invertebrates, amphibians, and fish.

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Frugal, undemanding and environmentally tolerant If one looks for reasons for the gobies success in spreading, one will first encounter the enormous species richness of this family (Gobiidae), which comprises at least 1,100 species. Most of them live in the salt water of the oceans, but plenty are also found in brackish and fresh water. What all goby species have in common is their frugality and adaptability, their ecological plasticity, so to speak. These characteristics are also shared by the round goby, which seems to be even better at conquering new habitats than its relatives and has therefore become the most common goby neozoan in Central European waters. Round gobies are relatively tolerant of oxygen deficiency. This

warmth-loving species feels most comfortable at temperatures around 26°C (which suggests that its spread is favoured by climate change), but also tolerates cold periods in winter. In addition, this goby has a pronounced salt tolerance and copes well in both fresh and salt water, as its spread in the brackish water of the Baltic Sea proves. In the saltier North Sea, however, its occurrence is limited to the sweeter estuaries. The spawning season extends from April to September, so that the animals can reproduce about four to six times a year. With an average of 200 to 1,000 eggs, the fertility per spawning cycle is relatively low, but because the male lures several females one after the other into his breeding cave to spawn with them and selflessly protects and cares for the batches of eggs, the reproductive success is nevertheless

[ SPECIES ]

Round goby waiting to be analysed at the Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Laboratory of Klaipeda University.

very high. This allows the fish to spread quickly and effectively in new habitats. Sometimes their population density increases so much in a short time that they compete with each other for food and habitats. This then increases the pressure to migrate to neighbouring and more distant areas. Usually, round gobies appreciate shallow water areas up to 3 metres deep with hard bottom or rocky bottom near the shore. In North American Lake Erie, however, individual animals have also been recorded at depths of around 130 metres on sandy and soft bottoms.

Expansion at breathtaking speed Seemingly unstoppable, the round goby is conquering large

European rivers, the coasts or estuaries in the Baltic Sea and North Sea. This increases the risk of native fish species being displaced and disappearing from these areas. The “invaders” spread across Europe along three routes: – The northern route runs from the mouth of the Volga in the Caspian Sea upstream and continues via the Volga-Baltic Sea Canal to the eastern Baltic Sea coast. – The central route starts in the Black Sea at the mouth of the Dnieper and runs upstream from there. It is connected to the Bug and the Vistula via the Dnieper-Bug Canal. – The southern route runs via the Danube and the Rhine-MainDanube Canal to the Rhine. Current knowledge suggests that the

rapid spread of gobies in European water systems is likely to have mainly taken place via this route. Since the goby has no swim bladder, it is a relatively poor swimmer, making only short excursions into open water and holding its own with difficulty against currents. Nevertheless, the small fish spreads amazingly fast upstream in flowing waters, as a chronology of its advance in the Danube since the beginning of the 1990s proves. In 1997, the round goby was recorded for the first time in the Serbian section of the Danube, in 2000 it had reached Austria and in 2004 it had advanced as far as Straubing in the German section. It reached the Rhine via the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, where the species was first recorded in 2008. The colonisation

of this watercourse seems to have occurred from two directions. Apparently, some gobies entered the North Sea as stowaways in the ballast water of ships, because in 2004 this fish species was recorded for the first time in the Dutch Lek, an estuary of the Rhine. From there, the animals moved steadily upstream and reached the German section of the Rhine near Dormagen in 2008. At the same time, a second population coming from the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal spread downstream. Today, the round goby probably colonises the entire water system of the Rhine, including the large tributaries such as the Moselle and Neckar, and is already one of the dominant fish species in large parts of the river. This by no means stops its spread, however, as it was detected in the

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Eric Engbretson, USFWS

[ SPECIES ]

Sea cucumbers are prepared in many different ways and eaten fresh raw, deep- fried, steamed, roasted or smoked. Dried products often serve as a basis for soups.

From its origins in the Ponto-Caspian basin the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) has rapidly spread far and wide threatening native species in Europe and North America.

Belgian Scheldt in 2010 and quite far upstream in the Swiss Rhine in 2011. In the Baltic Sea area, the first round gobies were caught in June 1990 at the tip of the Hel Peninsula (Gdansk Bay), where they most likely arrived in the ballast water of ships. Since the records were of adults that were already two to three years old, the initial colonisation could have taken place as early as 1987. From there, the species spread westwards along the Baltic Sea coast reaching the German

island of Rügen in 1998, and further invading the Peene (2006) and the Oder (2013). The second direction of spread of the Polish “founder population” was towards the east and north. In 2002, the round goby reached the Gulf of Riga and in 2005 the Gulf of Finland. And now there are also records from the south coast of Sweden.

Human activities are forcing the spread Particularly astonishing is the spread of the round goby in

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North America, where the species was first found in 1990 in the St. Clair River on the border between the USA and Canada. The leap “across the pond” can really only have succeeded in connection with transcontinental shipping. Since then, the goby has successfully spread throughout the Great Lakes ecosystem. It is not possible to say exactly where they came from, because analyses have shown an enormous phylogenetic diversity. The species is also spreading in North America. It entered the Illinois River and the

Mississippi River via the Illinois and the Michigan Canal. Studies in the Calumet Sag Canal near Chicago have shown that the fish migrate downstream by up to 45 kilometres per year. According to scientists, the fish spreads mainly in four ways: – In the ballast water of ships. It is mainly fry and juveniles that are brought in when they rise to the surface at night to feed. In the process, they get caught in the suction cones of ships that pump ballast water on board.

[ SPECIES ] This hypothesis is supported by parasitological findings, because introduced round gobies are not as heavily infested with parasites as the original populations in Ponto-Caspian waters. The younger the introduced animals, the lower their parasite infestation. – Since gobies sometimes attach their eggs to the outer layer of ships‘ hulls, the carry-over can also occur in this way. – Canal construction to connect waterways. Log fills in the banks of artificial waterways provide ideal habitats and hiding places for round gobies. Baer et al. (2017) have observed that the gobies sometimes form large migratory swarms that occupy new territories almost „by ambush“. – Dispersal by anglers using gobies as live bait. Individual animals can detach from hooks and survive; surplus bait fish are released in the fishing water even though they were caught elsewhere. This is how the fish is said to have entered Canadian lakes Lake Simcoe and Rice Lake as well as the Shiawassee River and Flint River, for example.

(Delivering Alien Invasive Species In Europe) lists it among the „100 of the worst“ (www.europealiens.org). Round gobies compete with autochthonous bottom-dwelling fish for food and territory and exert strong feeding pressure on aquatic molluscs. The goby eats almost everything that is available in the water: soft invertebrates such as amphipods and insect larvae, but especially mussels and snails, whose hard shells it cracks with its powerful pharyngeal teeth. However, the assumption that round gobies are vicious predators on the spawn of other species could not be confirmed in 2011 when the stomach contents of over 100 gobies from the Czech Danube tributary Thaya were analysed. Although the sample material for the study was taken in May and June, when most fish species reproduce in the water body, less than one percent of the food found in the stomachs consisted of fish spawn or larvae. Although this single finding does not completely dispel the suspicion of spawn predation, it may be taken as an indication that this risk may be lower than feared.

Serious threat to native wildlife

In many waters, the immigrant gobies in turn expand the food base of native predatory fish. In the North American Great Lakes, black sea bass, glassyeyed perch, American river perch and Arctic char are among the predators of the round goby. Bottom-dwelling burbot have benefited particularly strongly from the increased food supply due to the influx of gobies. In Lake Erie, almost two thirds of the adult round gobies are said to be eaten by burbot, which also grow much faster than before because of the abundant food supply. In European rivers, the gobies mainly fall prey to perch,

Due to their enormous resilience and massive reproduction in newly colonised waters, which can quickly make round gobies the numerically dominant fish species in the water body, they are one of the most invasive fish neozoa worldwide, whose spread should be intensively monitored and often needs to be regulated. In many countries, the fish has already been blacklisted as an invasive species because of fears of impacts on native biodiversity. The pan-European publicly accessible database DAISIE

zander, catfish and broadhead eels. In the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea, round gobies are preyed upon not only by perch but also by cod. A considerable number of the small gobies are also preyed upon by grey herons and cormorants, which are even said to be the main predators of round gobies in the Bay of Gdansk.

Permanent eradication seems unrealistic It is almost impossible to suppress or completely eradicate the gobies, if only because of their hidden way of life. Control is usually limited to strict stocking bans and occasional reductions in population densities through targeted fishing. Anglers are not allowed to release caught gobies back into the water. In many places, the fish is perceived as a nuisance by sport fishermen because the gobies are more likely to take the bait and do so more frequently than the actual target species. It is difficult to reduce the goby population with fishing methods. In the shallow waters of rivers and lakes, electric fishing gear is occasionally used, and closemeshed fish traps are also quite suitable. However, the selective removals by anglers, who have little use for these fish beyond using individual gobies as bait, are particularly effective. For some years now, anglers‘ associations and fisheries authorities have therefore been promoting the „culinary“ exploitation of the gobies, which are relatively small but have a pleasant perchlike taste. Apart from the central bone, which is said to be perceptible only in gobies 12 cm or longer, the fish is „practically free of bones“. In their natural range, round gobies are popularly eaten and are valued food fish.

This was once also common in Central Europe, as the goby recipes in Friedrike Louise Löffler‘s „New Cookbook“ from 1806 prove. However, this tradition has been almost completely lost with increasing prosperity and the change in eating habits in favour of fillets and loins.

A wide range of culinary uses Round gobies are suitable for many different types of preparation. The starting point is always the gutted fish without the head. To do this, open the abdominal cavity with a sharp knife in the direction of the head and cut off the head from above by making a slightly oblique cut to the back so that the pectoral and abdominal fins are removed along with the head. After the guts have been removed and the fish has been thoroughly washed, it is ready for preparation. In the simplest case, the gobies are only seasoned with pepper and salt, rolled briefly in flour and then fried in hot fat until crispy. But they can also be deep-fried, pickled, baked in the oven, salted and dried as a snack with beer or hot smoked. Depending on the preparation method and the size of the gobies, one should plan on about 5 to 10 per person. To stimulate the consumption of gobies and provide culinary inspiration, the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Food has even put together a small brochure with recipes. The Grundelkochbuch (goby cookbook) includes suggestions from gravad goby to the Portuguese fish stew Cataplana, as well as an Asian variant, lemon goby. If more people can be convinced of the good taste of the goby, the chances of relieving natural water systems at least somewhat of these pests will increase. mk

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The Norwegian Seafood Council celebrates its 50th anniversary

Boosting global demand for Norwegian seafood The Norwegian Seafood Council is the highly successful trade promotion body for the Norwegian ﬁsheries and aquaculture industries. Owned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, the council is a public company with a mandate to increase the value of Norwegian seafood in a responsible manner. Renate Larsen, managing director of the council, discusses here the organisation’s response to the pandemic, its recent achievements, and future challenges. The closure of the HoReCa sector and restrictions on large family gatherings due to the pandemic have had a significant impact on Norwegian seafood exports. What is the Norwegian Seafood Council’s prognosis for exports in the coming months? How can the organisation support the industry in countering these impacts of the pandemic? The Corona pandemic has caused great shifts in how people across the world buy and consume seafood. This has impacted both where seafood is bought, and also what products are in demand, with more people cooking and eating seafood in the home. The Norwegian seafood industry overall have proven adaptable in this uncertain landscape and continue stable deliveries which means Norwegian seafood exports have remained strong for most species despite the pandemic. The Norwegian Seafood Council works together with the seafood industry to increase demand for Norwegian seafood in many of our biggest markets around the world. With the near complete closure of the HoReCa segment in several markets, and increase in home consumption, as a marketing organisation

Renate Larsen, Managing Director, Norwegian Seafood Council

we have continuously adapted our approach throughout the pandemic to meet the changing needs of customers in various markets. This includes more inspiration-based communications towards consumers, and

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increased focus on digital advertising. Towards business customers we have focused on reassuring the value chain that they can trust stable, sustainable and safe deliveries of seafood from Norway despite the pandemic.

Whereas the export data for 2020 shows a small decline in value compared to 2019, it is still a remarkably strong performance compared to other export sectors. 2020 was the second strongest year for Norwegian seafood

Kim Holthe/Norwegian Seafood Council

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Although the pandemic caused the HoReCa sector to almost completely shut down on several markets, there was a major increase in seafood consumption in the home.

in history, with a value of 105.7bn NOK. We expect 2021 to still be challenging for the industry, but we remain cautiously optimistic on behalf of the seafood industry as demand for sustainably sourced seafood remains high and our insight suggests people are increasingly looking to shift their diets to more sustainable and healthy proteins, where Norwegian seafood is an important part of the solution. How would you characterise changes in consumer behaviour over the last 10 months with regard to seafood consumption on the major export markets for Norwegian seafood? Are these

changes reflected on the domestic market? How is the Council and the industry it represents anticipating and responding to these changes? The dominant change in the marketplace is the reduction in the restaurant and catering sector, which has hit the United States and Europe particularly hard, including the Norwegian market. In Asia, where the effects of the pandemic have been more contained, the shift is not as profound. On the flip side, we have seen a major increase in seafood consumption in the home and also

an acceleration of the growth in online grocery shopping, where Asia continues to lead the way. Whilst we believe the HoReCa segment will return post-pandemic, we believe more home consumption of seafood could be a lasting change in the wake of all this. And as for the growth in the online retail segment, I believe this is still only the beginning. Norway is a signatory to the Paris Agreement and in February this year strengthened its commitment to emission reductions in 2030 by 50-55 (as opposed to 40) compared with 1990. Does the Norwegian Seafood Council have a climate strategy that

contributes to this commitment? What are its main elements? As an organization working towards promoting sustainable seafood consumption, we play an important role. Eating more sustainably harvested seafood is a simple and effective step to reduce your carbon footprint. Our activities do not have significant impact on the environment, although as an international organization we actively work towards reducing air travel through increased use of digital meetings. We are a certified Eco-lighthouse® organization and have been a member of the UN Global Compact program since 2009.

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Salmon is by far Norway’s most important single seafood export. The production of this large biomass has been challenged by issues of sea lice and escapes and there is a vocal lobby that accuses the industry of harm to the environment and indifference to animal welfare. How does the Council deal with such claims? There are unfortunately still many misconceptions and myths surrounding Norwegian salmon farming and we work continuously to show transparency and communicate the latest facts and developments. The truth is that Norwegian salmon farming is some of the most sustainable protein production there is, with Norwegian aquaculture companies topping the Coller FAIRR initiative’s ranking of 50 most sustainable protein producers in the world 3 years running. Whilst there will always be a footprint of any farming and large-scale food production, the Norwegian industry has been incredibly successful in tackling challenges such as antibiotics, escapes and improving fish welfare. There is still room for further improvements, and we will continue to see the Norwegian industry evolving in the next few years, particularly when it comes to feed and offshore farming. Over the last few years consumption of seafood in Norway has been declining in particular of salmon and cod and especially among young people. Part of the decline has been attributed to an increase in price prompting consumers to opt for other proteins. What role is the Council playing in attempts to reverse this fall in consumption? And how can

young people be encouraged to eat more fish? It is true that seafood consumption among the younger populations has been declining in most western markets in recent years. But we believe there is great momentum to buck this worrying trend as sustainable seafood ticks so many of the boxes of what is important to young consumers – focus on responsible harvesting and production practises, foods supporting mental and physical wellbeing as well as indulgence and convenience. Seafood has great potential to take a larger share of the voice and we all have a responsibility to speak up for seafood as part of the solution. The Norwegian Seafood Council is working in Norway and abroad to educate and inspire younger consumers to eat more seafood and to make informed choices about the food they put on their plates and in their bodies. Recruiting new seafood lovers is perhaps one of our most important challenges going forward, and this is also why we have recently partnered with international non-profit organisation EAT to promote increased consumption of sustainable seafood. This year was the 50th anniversary of salmon farming in Norway. The industry has shown exponential growth in production enabled partly by the evolution of technology and the development of markets. Apart from these, what do you consider the most important trends to characterise the sector and where do you foresee opportunities and challenges in the future? The aquaculture sector is a very innovative sector and there are many exciting developments in the pipeline. Thanks to Norway’s

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system of giving development concessions to new technology and farming systems, the Norwegian salmon farming companies have many interesting ocean farming projects ongoing, and the industry also benefits from knowledge sharing from the extensive experience Norway has of the offshore industry. I believe we will continue to see innovative leaps in the industry also in the future which will benefit not only Norwegian salmon farmers, but also aquaculture technology globally. The world needs to eat more food from the oceans, and effective and sustainable aquaculture is crucial to this, and I believe as an industry it still has great potential for growth. You have led the Norwegian Seafood Council from 2016, since when Norway’s seafood exports have increased by about 17 (to the end of 2020). This is a respectable performance, but annual growth in exports has been significantly lower since 2016 than in the preceding years. What do you attribute this to and how can growth be returned to its previous levels? The Norwegian seafood industry’s model will always favour responsible management over exponential growth, meaning export volumes remain relatively stable over the years, allowing for growth only where wild fish stocks and salmon production can be harvested in a sustainable manner. Our job as an organisation is to help the Norwegian seafood industry develop markets for Norwegian seafood, increasing demand and willingness to pay a premium for the Norwegian origin, regardless of volumes. The value of Norwegian seafood exports has increased by 17.2 percent, up from 91.6bn NOK in 2016, to 107.4bn NOK in 2020.

Norway is in the final stages of negotiating a free trade agreement with China. What are the implications of such a deal for the Norwegian seafood industry? Where does the Council stand when Chinese policies conflict with Norwegian values? As one of the world’s leading seafood producers, and second largest exporter, we depend on good market access and trade agreements. We export around 95 percent of the seafood we produce and harvest and thus depend on international trade as an industry. Free trade and open dialogue between nations enables us to communicate and find common paths to solutions and solve conflicts. As the leader of an organisation synonymous with Norwegian seafood, are you an avid seafood fan yourself? What are your personal favourites among types of seafood and ways of preparing them? I grew up in a small fishing village in the North of Norway, so fish and seafood has always been an important part of who I am. Naturally, it is a major part of my diet too – and I eat fish and seafood at least 3-4 days a week. It is hard to choose just one favourite, but for a weekday dinner you can’t go wrong with home-made haddock fishcakes, oven baked salmon or on those really hectic days – a take away sushi. On the weekends, I try to follow the seasons and right now that means Norwegian skrei. Our shellfish is also at their very best in the wintertime, so that is another favourite. And finally, I love the traditional Norwegian dish cod lutefisk, which is mostly eaten at Christmas in Norway, but in my family, we enjoy it all year round.

DIARY DATES Restrictions imposed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic may cause changes. Readers are advised to check the event website for the latest information.

12-15 April 2021 Aquaculture Europe 2020 Cork, Ireland mario@marevent.com www.marevent.com

14-18 June 2021 World Aquaculture 2020 Singapore mario@marevent.com www.was.org

7-9 September 2021 Seafood Expo Global Barcelona, Spain Tel.: +1 207 842 5590 sales-global@seafoodexpo.com www.seafoodexpo.com

13-15 October 2021 DanFish Aalborg, Denmark +45 99 35 55 18 ehe@akkc.dk www.danﬁsh.com

15-17 June 2021 PolarFish Greenland Ilulissat, Greenland Tel.: +45 9935 5555 akkc@akkc.dk http://polar-ﬁsh.net/en/ 15-17 September 2021 Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition Reykjavik, Iceland Tel. +44 1329 825 335 jmiller@mercatormedia.com www.iceﬁsh.is

6-8 July 2021 Seafood Expo Russia St. Petersburg, Russia Tel.: +7 499 922 44 17 info@rusﬁshexpo.com www.rusﬁshexpo.com

4-7 October 2021 Aquaculture Europe 2021 Madeira, Portugal mario@marevent.com www.marevent.com

11-13 July 2021 Seafood Expo North America Boston, USA Tel.: +1 207 842 5590 sales-na@seafoodexpo.com www.seafoodexpo.com

5-7 October 2021 Conxemar Vigo, Spain Tel.: +34 986 433 351 conxemar@conxemar.com www.conxemar.com

20-22 October 2021 REPROAQUA 2020 Trabzon, Turkey Tel.: +90 532 558 49 53 reproaqua2020@gmail.com www.ktu.edu.tr/reproaqua2020

15-19 November 2021 World Aquaculture 2021 Merida, Mexico mario@marevent.com www.was.org

1-3 June 2022 Polfish Gdansk, Poland Tel.: +48 58 554 93 62 monika.pain@mtgsa.com.pl http://www.polﬁshfair.pl/

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Thermal conditioning

Slicers Pelagic ﬁsh processing

Vredenburg South Africa Mobile: +27 83 2620362

ONE OF THE MAIN MANUFACTURES OF PROCESSING MACHINES FOR BIG, SMALL AND VERY SMALL PELAGIC FISH Nobbing down to 110 pcs/kg Filleting down to 100 pcs/kg Up to 450 fish pockets per min . 4, SE-386 90 info@seac.se WWW. SEAC.SE

SALMCO Technik GmbH Robert-Koch-Straße 19 D-22851 Hamburg-Norderstedt

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EUROFISH Magazine 1 2021

Articles inside

Uninvited guests: Invasion of the gobies

Resource-rich Ukraine expands fi shing, farming, and its links to international markets

A small sea with big problems

Changes to the UK Norway relationship are inevitable but hardly insurmountable

The Estonian Rural Development Foundation supports entrepreneurs in rural areas

PRFoods is Estonia’s sole farmer of trout in the sea

Estonian Marine Institute scientists work with macroalgae to improve the Baltic Sea environment

Freshwater sector suff ers more than the pelagics industry from

AlgaEurope 2020 conference, 1-4 December 2020, online

New report analyses small-scale fi shing in Estonia and suggests ways to rejuvenate it

Workshop on technical solutions to reduce cod bycatches in the Baltic, 30 November 2020

New state initiatives to create opportunities for the development of marine aquaculture

PRIZEFISH brings Italian and Croatian institutions together to improve fi sheries sustainability in the Adriatic

Long-time favourite continues to set standards in feed delivery

All stakeholders will play a role in a new fi sh and seafood promotion initiative

International News