Eurofish Magazine 2 2016

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In this issue

A regional management plan for the Central Mediterranean One of Italy’s most valuable fisheries is for crustaceans in an area stretching from the Strait of Sicily in the west all the way to the Levant Sea on the eastern border of the Mediterranean. The main target species are deep-water rose shrimp, giant red shrimp, and nephrops (pictured). Over the last years there have been changes in the species targeted by different segments of the fleet as a result of competition from other countries’ fleets as well as changes in markets. These are among the reasons that are prompting discussions on a regional management plan, the contours of which are slowly taking shape. Current exploitation patterns are less than ideal and a management plan that involves all the relevant countries should help secure the future of the stocks. See more on page 37

Seafood Expo Global and its sister event for the processing equipment industry, Seafood Processing Global, are scheduled to take place 26-28 April in Brussels. The two events will showcase the latest developments within the seafood sector providing a gauge of the latest trends related to products, packaging, and services. By showing the evolution of products from the fish processing sector the event in Brussels also reflects the wider changes that are happening in the world outside. As increasing numbers of women join the workforce, families get smaller, the number of people living alone increases, an ever greater premium is placed on time, and the borders between work and home dissolve, companies strive to anticipate and cater to these developments creating products that meet the new demands that are placed on them in terms of sustainability, convenience, quality, healthfulness, taste, and nutrition. The thousands of visitors and exhibitors who will be at the event can look forward to a range of products that meet all these criteria.

See more on page 26

Ethoxyquin, a substance that is added to salmon feed, is legal, and no limits for it in fish are prescribed, but recent research shows that it may not be as harmless as first supposed. However, more information about the substance and its potential impact on humans as well as animals is needed before further recommendations regarding its use can be made. Currently a person of normal weight would need to eat impossibly large quantities of salmon to exceed World Health Organisation prescribed levels of ethoxyquin. However, the fact remains that the substance is regulated differently in different countries and even by different international organisations, which is naturally a cause for confusion and possibly even concern. Since some countries permit its use not only in fish feed, but also in foods intended for human consumption it is necessary to carefully study this substance so that knowledge based on robust science can replace suspicion and conjecture. Read Dr Manfred Klinkhardt’s article on page 35

Cutting and deboning: For many (the young, in particular) fish bones are an irritating part of fish that dent the pleasure of eating. Unlike meat, where bones are either absent or large enough to be dealt with comfortably, fish bones are small and numerous. Producers have realised that if fish is to be consumed in greater quantities and also by impatient young people more of it must be available without bones. Boneless portions of fish are typically made from fillets from which the pinbones have been removed. The fillet is then cut into portions. For large white and red fish much of this work can be done with machines. These are highly sophisticated pieces of equipment that combine different branches of engineering to deliver a portion accurately, rapidly, tirelessly, and with very high yields. Increasingly, machines are also able to process smaller fish that used to be the exclusive preserve of manual filleting and here too yields are improving. See more on page 58 www.eurofishmagazine.com

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Table of EE

News

LV

6 International News

SE 16 COFI Sub-committee on Fish Trade, 22-26 February 2016, Agadir World aquaculture production has tripled in 20 years

RU UK

17 North Atlantic Seafood Forum, 1-3 March 2016, Bergen Sector’s full potential not yet realised

PL

NL

DE

BE

21 fish international, 14-16, February 2016, Bremen Product quality and knowledge about the consumer come first 24 Salmon ShowHow, 10 February 2016, Copenhagen Reaping the fruit of sustained research

LT

DK

Events

CZ

LU FR

SL AU

CH

26 Seafood Expo Global, Seafood Processing Global, 26-28 April 2016, Brussels The world’s seafood trade gathers in Brussels

SI

HU HR

IT

RS

BA

26 Croatia, 5-213, 6-1015 Salted and marinated small pelagics from the Adriatic

ME FYROM

27 Denmark, 4-5911, 4-5915, 4-5927, 46015 Largest ever Danish national pavilion at Seafood Processing Global

AL EL

28 Estonia, 6-927, 9-4243 Industry looks forward despite geopolitical issues 28 Italy, 4-5815 to 6359 (SPG), 5-213 to 401, 6-0866 to 1357, 8-4430 and 4643, 11-2100 to 2661 A rich variety of seafood on offer

MT

29 Latvia, 4-6335, 7-2001, 11-2551 A leaner processing industry looks for new markets 30 Norway, 4-5806 to 6355 (SPG), 5-116 to 655, 9-4018 and 4080, P-4409 to 4509 Exporting seafood to every corner of the world 30 Spain, 4-5830 to 6325 (SPG), 5-150 to 749, 6-0853 to 1363, 7-1400 to 1533, 11-2120 to 2747 Massive Spanish presence at SEG this year… as every year 31 SEG, Turkey, 11-2101, 11-2201, 11-2301 Turkey expands production, exports, product range, as well as the geography of fish supplies

DZ

TN LY

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

by Hayden120 and NuclearVacuum

Aquaculture 32 Denmark’s national aquaculture strategy Several initiatives to boost the sector 35 Findings of ethoxyquin in salmon are worrying consumers Safety still not sufficiently proven

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Contents Italy

RU

37 Italy aims to achieve MSY for its fisheries by 2020 Pushing a management plan for the Central Mediterranean 39 Status and main trends in the Italian fisheries sector Production increases after years of decline

BY

42 Italy drives a regional management plan in the Mediterranean Reducing unwanted catches with spatial closures

UA

46 The fasolari fishery in Northern Adriatic POs can enhance competitiveness in the sector 48 A new location would benefit Chioggia fish market Better road transport links are important for growth

MD GE

RO

AM

BG

54 Cromaris is a major player on the Italian market for seabass and seabream Looking to expand to southern Italy

TR

ROM

51 Agro Ittica Lombarda is best known for sturgeon caviar, but has other products too A unique sensory experience

IQ

56 The fisheries sector in Serbia Aquaculture, angling dominate production

EL SY CY

Serbia

Technology

LB

58 Adding more value through intelligent portioning Boneless fish pieces in defined weights

IL

JO

S

Worldwide Fish News EG Belgium

page

Canada

pages

China

page

Denmark

pages

Germany

page

Norway

pages

8,12

Spain

pages

8,11

Turkey

page

10

UK

page

15

6 14,15 14 7, 14

Guest Pages: Niels Wichmann 62 Parts of European fisheries policy seem to have few supporters among fishers The landing obligation conceals a number of problems

Service 65 Diary Dates 66 Imprint, List of Advertisers

11 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 ]

DG MARE and the Mediterranean Advisory Council (MEDAC) organised a seminar in Catania, Sicily, where key decision makers and stakeholders discussed how to handle the situation of overfishing in the Mediterranean.

Even though the EU already has a new fisheries policy that will begin in 2020 to eliminate illegal fishing, Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, stated that it might be too late at that time due to decline of some species. “If we don’t take action now there is a serious risk that stocks will decline beyond the point of no return. We cannot simply sit back and watch.” Over 93 of the fish stocks are over-exploited and despite efforts, the situation is not improving. Stocks like hake, red mullet, anglerfish and blue whiting are specifically overfished.

Oceana, an environmental NGO, said, “Almost all Mediterranean stocks managed by the EU are overfished, including species like hake and red mullet, which are currently in a substantially

Julien Warnand

An end to overfishing in the Mediterranean

Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

worse situation than Bluefin tuna before its recovery plan.

Drastic actions are therefore needed, and we expect the European Commission and EU States to quickly come up with concrete actions to stop the overfishing in the Mediterranean.” Oceana added that other measures such as reducing fishing mortality,

protecting nursery and spawning grounds, and basing catch limits on the best available science are just as important.

Managing Mediterranean fish stocks is complicated by the fact that many of them are shared with non-EU countries. The Catania seminar will be the starting point

for the development of a new strategy for the Mediterranean.

Once the EU Member States have agreed on a strong alignment and commitment to cooperate within the EU, the intention is to try and bring the neighbouring countries on board through the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM).

Evidence of European eel exiting the Mediterranean Sea during their spawning migration European eel is an important food fish in Europe, but has become an endangered species as the population has become seriously depleted over the last three decades. An international team of scientists has tracked eel more than 2,000 km from lagoons in the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. This brings an end to a debate about whether eel in the Mediterranean were trapped and unable to find the Straits of Gibraltar and navigate back into the Atlantic. The scientists 6

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discovered that eel moves to deep water (down to 800m) during the day and into shallower water (ca. 350m) at night, but the reasons are still unclear. It might be to regulate temperature, to avoid predators, or for navigational purposes. When the eel reached the Straits of Gibraltar, they abandoned their vertical migrational behaviour and swam to the seabed where they took advantage of outward flowing currents to make their migration to the Atlantic. After exiting the

Straits they resumed their vertical migrational behaviour.

Leading scientist Dr. David Righton says, “These new data on the oceanic migrations of European eel show what an amazing species this is. Eel are mysterious creatures and hard to study, especially in the deep ocean. Our results are a triumph of technology and logistics.

Many scientists have questioned whether eel could escape the Mediterranean because finding the Straits of Gibraltar is like finding a

needle in a haystack. All of the eel migrated west after release, and some of them swam more than 2000 km after release to the Atlantic. This is a great achievement for the team, and a significant scientific finding.”

This discovery of eel biology will help manage their populations across Europe and beyond more effectively according to the EU Eel Recovery Plan, which aims to restore the stock to levels last seen 30 years ago. www.eurofishmagazine.com

04/04/16 6:37 PM

High demand for Danish organic mussels According to the Organisation of Danish Aquaculture there is a great demand for organic line grow mussels, which are farmed in the fjords in Denmark. Villy Juul, chief consultant at the Organisation of Danish Aquaculture says, “There is a strong and growing focus on organic seafood products. We can sell everything that we produce and even more. Today there are customers who only consume organic products.” This trend is the reason why more Danish mussel producers are expanding their production with greater focus on organic line grown mussels. One such expansion is happening in Nykobing Mors at the Limfjord. Last year, Seafood Limfjord received a grant of 445,000 DKK (EUR 59,333) from the Agrifish Agency’s fund for investments in aquaculture. The money was tied to the expansion of their annual production of approximately 1,200 tonnes of mussels with an additional 500 tonnes to be produced organically.

Another producer of organic line-grown mussels is expecting to harvest around 1,400 tonnes of organic mussels this year. The vast majority will be exported to a rapidly growing market in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Organic production in Denmark is estimated to set new records and is also believed to be among the largest organic productions in Europe.

Organic production takes the same time as conventional production. However, there are much tougher rules for producers of organic mussels including regulations on the type of oil used in the vessels and the distance of the production facilities to other facilities with similar production.

Denmark: ICES ASC wins the Conference of the Year Award The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Annual Science Conference (ASC) 2015, which took place last September in Copenhagen, Denmark, has been awarded the best 2015 Copenhagen conference with less than 1000 participants at the Copenhagen Congress and Event Awards.

The awards are given to conferences that have made a difference in their field, and given prestige to the city as a conference destination. According to the jury, the ASC demonstrated a high level of imagination, engagement, and originality, and the conference’s social arrangements highlighted the city’s diversity as a conference destination in the best possible way.

Over 700 participants attended the five-day event which consisted of scientific theme sessions, lectures, as well as several social events. The ICES ASC takes place in a different country every September. This year, the conference will be held in Riga, Latvia, 19-23 September. www.eurofishmagazine.com

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Marel’s advanced equipment and software enable seafood processors to optimize yield, throughput, and product quality.

Meet us at Seafood Processing Global in Brussels, no. 4#6227 marel.com/fish

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Spain: The search for sustainability indicators for the exploitation of macroalgae

Sustainable exploitation of macroalgae will contribute to safeguarding coastal ecosystems in Spain.

APROMAR, the Association of Marine Aquaculture Producers in Spain, will lead a project on the development of sustainability indicators for the exploitation of macroalgae in Spain together with the University of Coruña and the Andalusian

Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA) and leading institutions in the development of seaweeds in Spain. The aim of the project will be to ensure sustainable exploitation of macroalgae in Spain as a guarantee for safeguarding coastal

ecosystems. The project will take place during 2016 and end in December with the development of guidelines together with stakeholders. The project has a budget of €70,000, and is supported with 70 by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Agriculture,

Food and Environment through aid granted on a competitive basis under the call for tenders for land, marine and coastal biodiversity, climate change and environment quality for 2015. The remaining 30 is funded by contributions from APROMAR.

Norway: Plans to introduce new closed salmon farming concept The Norwegian salmon farming industry is spending more than NOK 3 billion (EUR 315 million) per year on sea lice challenges and therefore the Norwegian government has incentivized companies to develop new technology that would solve the issues around sea lice and escaped fish, as well as removing waste particles and potential feed spills from farming operations. In return, these companies have the 8

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opportunity to apply for additional farming licenses.

Marine Harvest has revealed plans to introduce fully-enclosed salmon pens at a number of its Norwegian sites as means of reducing the impact of a growing sea lice problem. CEO, Alf-Helge Aarskog said, “it’s still very early days” for the concept, but it could have “a lot of advantages compared to today’s

farming” if Marine Harvest could get it to work the way it wants in terms of fish logistics, and reducing sea lice and fish escapes. From the producers point of view if would also be beneficial, due to remove the waste particles from the concept’s operations and use it for energy production.

If Marine Harvest will get their license approved, they will start

this fall. The target is to have one site able to harvest between 14,000 and 15,000 metric tonnes and at a good cost to prove the concept and with no impact on the environment.

Health costs per kg salmon harvested in Norway in the last quarter in 2015 were more than twice as high as the costs in the corresponding quarter in 2014. www.eurofishmagazine.com

04/04/16 6:37 PM

FISHING FOR FOOD SINCE FISHING 1888 FOR FOOD Pelagic species: Blue whiting Sardinella Silver smelt

SINCE 1888

Sardine Mackerel Horse mackerel Sprat Herring Sandeel

Sea frozen pelagic species: Blue Whiting Herring Horse Mackerel Mackerel Silver Smelt Sprat Sardinella Sardine

Stand number: 4139 - hall 9 04_News_INT.indd 9

wvanderzwan.nl 04/04/16 6:37 PM

[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Understanding labels and the benefits they offer The abundance of labels displayed on aquatic products generates hesitation among producers, doubts among wholesalers and suspicion among consumers, while they were created specifically to reassure them. Labelling is in fashion today and for a private enterprise to commit to a labelling scheme is a marketing strategy seeking to respond to specific needs in terms of differentiation and communication with consumers. But to say what exactly?

To which target? Which labels promote which values? Going solo or as a group? What benefits to expect and at what costs?

In today’s highly competitive context, labelling seafood products has become a necessity in order to capture buyer’s attention, to reassure the main players along the distribution chain and sometimes to improve the selling price. P. Baelde and M.C. Monfort has published the 2nd edition of the practical guide “Labelling Seafood – What a challenge!”. The report clarifies in a practical way, whether and how labels can benefit producers. P. Baelde explains, “in absolute terms and from an economic viewpoint, there is not one approach to labelling that is better than the others;

there is just one that is better suited to the specifications of your situation.

Our goal

is to guide you in the jungle of labels, helping you ask the right questions and gain precious time in your decisions making.”

The guide is aimed at seafood

operators whether fish farmers, fishing companies, seafood processors, traders and processors and to help general managers, quality and R&D directors and marketing directors to

understand the why and the how of labelling seafood.

Turkey: The small Asian gudgeon is a big threat

Small in size but significant in terms of the ecological and economic damage they cause, the Asian gudgeon is invading a great number of water courses across the world, particularly in Europe, reports the French Institute of Research for Development (Institut de recherche pour le developpement, IRD). These

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fish have successfully colonised various aquatic environments due to their highly efficient strategy for reproduction. They carry a half-animal/half-fungal parasite, Sphaerothecum destruens, which is fatal to most other fish species. Having discovered this pathogen 10 years ago, IRD researchers and their partners

have recently demonstrated how quickly it can spread in a Turkish catchment area. Three years after the arrival of the gudgeon, between 80 and 90 of all fish were contaminated with mortality rates of up to 90. The researchers recently discovered this parasite in seabass cultured in the brackish

water of a Turkish aquaculture farm, having previously believed that it could only affect fresh water species. This fish is hugely important in economic terms with an industry representing 400 million euros per year in the Mediterranean.

The research team is sounding the alarm bell.

www.eurofishmagazine.com

04/04/16 6:37 PM

[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Spain in favour of redistributing unused fishing quotas During a public debate at the Council of Ministers meeting, Spain’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and Environment, Isabel Garcia Tejerina, raised the idea about a new system for granting and managing fishing quotas for unused fishing quotas to be “redistributed” to other

countries. The minister opened the meeting, which had been called to discuss Brussels’ draft to change the system currently in place to manage fishing quotas. It is intended to improve the monitoring of EU fleets in international waters, as well as the vessels of third parties in European waters.

The proposal which was presented by the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Karmenu Vella, would mean that all EU fleets that operate outside community waters would need an authorisation from the relevant authorities of the country in which the vessel is registered.

Isabel García Tejerina said that the current review is “very necessary” and that Madrid supports it. Spain has “the largest, most organised and most standardised fleet” in the whole EU and in the last few years, has launched a “huge effort” against illegal fishing.

Germany: New version of GLOBALG.A.P. aquaculture certification presented at fish international At fish international in Bremen, GLOBALG.A.P. presented its latest Aquaculture Standard Version 5 that fully conforms to the FAO Technical Guidelines on Aquaculture Certification covering food safety, the environment,

animal welfare, and social aspects. GLOBALG.A.P. Certification operates under a third party accredited certification system.

To be certified, all stages of seafood (aquaculture) production must be certified, including feed,

seedlings, farming, and Chain of Custody. CoC assures traceability and segregation of post-harvest activities to final consumer.

GLOBALG.A.P. is the internationally recognized standard for farm

production with the goal of safety and sustainable agricultural and aquaculture production to benefit farmers, retailers, and consumers throughout the world and the only system recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

Visit us at Seafood Processing Global (Brussels), 26-28 April 2016, Hall 4-6155 www.eurofishmagazine.com

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] FAO: Handbook on Aquaculture operations in floating HDPE cages

The FAO has recently published the handbook “Aquaculture operations in floating HDPE cages”, which focusses on these aquaculture

systems. Fish cages differs in design, size and materials used depending on employment environments, ranging from relatively protected to highly exposed and dynamic sites, either as floating or fully submerged structures. It provides the reader with highly practical and technical information on the design and components of a typical HDPE cage, on how a cage collar is assembled and the net pen installed. It also provides comprehensive information on the grid mooring system and installation. Finally, information on farming operations that includes maintenance and control of the farming structures, stocking of the farmed fish, feeding, harvesting and packaging are discussed along with other practical aspects and routine management operations. The handbook is available at www.fao.org.

Tuna: Indian Ocean yellowfin stocks in decline The Indian Yellowfin tuna stock is declining, according to the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), which released the latest report on the status of stocks.

The report refers to the scientific records of the different major tuna stocks done by each of the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), and serves as a onestop resource for comprehensive tuna stock information. The most notable update since the last version released in November is that Indian Ocean yellowfin stock assessment shows a decline in status.

Overall catches of Indian Ocean yellowfin have declined by 19 from a record high of 530,000 metric tonnes in 2004. The stock is estimated to be overfished due to an increase in catch levels in recent years. In 2014, the catch of major commercial tunas was 5 million tonnes, a 4 increase from 2013. The 12

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report ranks the status and management of the stocks using a consistent methodology in terms of four factors: abundance, exploitation/management (fishing mortality) and environmental impact (bycatch).

Samuel Stone, Marine Conservation Society Fisheries Officer stated in November 2015; “catches need to be significantly reduced to rebuild the stock and scientists advise that a 20 reduction in catches could rebuild the stock by 2024 with 50 probability. Whilst there are several management measures in place, these have not been effective at preventing increases in catch and effort yet in recent years.” Globally, 48 of the stocks are at a healthy level of abundance, 39 are overfished and 13 are at an intermediate level.

In terms of exploitation, 48 of the stocks are experiencing a low fishing mortality rate and 17 needs a stronger management to end overfishing.

FAO FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE TECHNICAL PAPER

ISSN 2070-7010

Global aquaculture production has been steadily growing in recent decades, and as a result, there is a growing demand for aquaculture equipment and cage aquaculture equipment in particular, because of a trend towards use of more intensive farming systems to access and expand into untapped open water areas or marine offshore waters.

The high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cages are some of the most widely used, because of the versatility of the materials, the comparatively limited investment capital required, and the relative simplicity in the performance of the various farming operations.

593

Aquaculture operations in floating HDPE cages A field handbook

Norway: Fresh cod packed with high oxygen could extend shelf-life Researcher Anlaug Ådland Hansen and her colleagues at Nofima have identified three types of naturally occurring bacteria (Photobacterium spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Shewanella spp.), which are known to be particularly damaging to a cod’s odour and taste and will determine how the growth of these can be limited with use of optimum packaging methods. It was previously thought that the best method of removing Photobacterium from cod was by freezing it. New research has showed that a mixture of gases that differs from the normal MAP packaging gas can give equally good results for this bacterium in particular.

“The normal package gas mixture has had some effect on the

Photobacterium, but replacing nitrogen with high oxygen inhibited this particular bacterium even more. This new package gas mixture also has inhibitory effects on other types of bacteria we found on the fish, and means the industry henceforth should focus on high oxygen in the packaging process,” Ms. Hansen said. She estimates that shelf time in stores can be increased by up to 20 if these new gases are used under otherwise favorable conditions.

A four year programme is set up to find the optimal properties of the packaging and will be financed with NOK 29 million (EUR 3,8 million) from the “Sustainable Innovation in Food and Bio-based Industries (BIONAER)” programme of the Research Council of Norway. www.eurofishmagazine.com

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Canada: Sea lice outbreak shows no links to salmon farming

China International Fishery and Seafood Expo expects record participation Guangzhou Municipality is hosting this year’s China International Fishery & Seafood Expo on 26-28 August 2016. China is the largest producer of aquatic products in the world and is an important and growing supplier of marine products to the world, and a huge market for the world’s producers large and small.

According to B.C. Salmon Farmers Association’s (BCSFA) report the occurrence of sea lice on wild salmon in 2015 was the highest in five years, but the outbreak does not appear to be associated with salmon farming. Many of the most intense infestations were found in areas that has no active salmon farms or had never been used for salmon aquaculture. The fisheries researchers examined more than 2600 fish from 52 sites. The executive director of BCSFA, Jeremy Dunn said, “While there were more lice in the environment last year, mitigation on farms worked as well as it ever has.” On the other hand some biologist are worried that this will not be the case in the future as sea lice will become resistant to drug treatment, which has already happened in Scotland and Norway.

According to Marine Harvest there are several species of sea lice, which are naturally occurring seawater parasites. They can infect the salmon skin and if not controlled they can cause lesions and secondary infection. Sea

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lice are controlled through good husbandry and management practices, cleaner fish (different wrasse species and lumpsuckers, which eat the lice off the salmon) and, when necessary, licensed medicines. A survey by Marine Harvest, where wild salmon were harvested from 22 locations in Broughton Archipelago, showed that 65 of all sea lice which were counted came from a single location and not adjacent to any salmon farm. Sea lice pass from wild fish to fish in net-pen farms where crowded conditions may amplify their numbers, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Juvenile salmon entering the ocean from fresh water where farm-based infestations are not well controlled may be infested with sea lice as they pass fish farms, leading to serious health issues and even death. Marine Harvest has recently begun using hydrogen peroxide to remove sea lice from farmed fish as a way to reduce its use of drugs, a strategy that is expected to prevent the parasites from developing drug resistance.

The programme for the 2016 expo has not yet been finalized, but the 2015 show featured 15 special events at the 2015 show, including China Aquatic Products Cold Chain Logistics Seminar, Copper Alloy Netting and Cage Aquaculture Health Forum. This year’s expo will also focus on aquaculture technologies, markets and issues, given China’s dominance in this sector.

Denmark: New Danish Minister for Environment and Food Kim Vadskær

Sea lice numbers on wild salmon have increased, but not because of salmon farming, says the BCSFA.

China International Fishery and Seafood Expo, South China’s most important marine industry show, covers a full array of industryrelated exhibits and presentations for everyone involved in any way in the seafood industry. The expo will provide a platform for product exhibition, procurement, business negotiation, technical and scientific forums and information communication. Last year’s event was a huge success. The area of exhibition totalled 10,000 square meters.

Almost 7,200 professionals came to visit the show from 32 countries and regions, such as Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Turkey, Ukraine, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Myanmar, the Maldives, Macao, Taiwan. In addition, 26,390 domestic visitors came to the hall to attend the show.

Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has appointed a new Minister for Environment and Food, Esben Lunde Larsen, who has moved from the ministry of Higher Education and Science. The

previously Environment and Food Minister Eva Kjer Hansen resigned over the weekend following accusations that she misled parliament over the environmental impact of a set of agricultural reforms. www.eurofishmagazine.com

04/04/16 6:37 PM

[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Canada: Increase in farmed seafood exports particularly to Asia in 2015 The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance has reported healthy farmed seafood export numbers for 2015 and new demand in Asia.

The latest trade data shows the volume of exports for all aquaculture products was over 100,000 tonnes and value just under CAD770

million (EUR522m). Salmon is the biggest commodity with exports reaching almost 78,000 tonnes, or just under CAD600m. Exports of salmon were up in key markets like the U.S., China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. 2015 was a year of sustainable and responsible growth for

farmed seafood in Canada, said Ruth Salmon, executive director of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance. Last year we saw strong demand for Canadian farmed seafood in the U.S. and new demand in Asia. We now in fact, have greater demand than we

have supply. Meeting new demand calls for continued innovation and a new science-based regulatory framework for the farmed seafood sector, she added emphasising as well the industry’s commitment to responsible and sustainable best practices.

UK: â‚Ź7 million project to support sustainable growth in aquaculture With concerns around sustainability of food security continuing to rise, a team of European aquaculture experts, led by University of Sterling, will begin a four-year study worth almost â‚Ź7 million to establish new strategies and models for sustainable growth in the industry through the Tools for Assessment and Planning of Aquaculture Sustainability (TAPAS) project. The

project will create cost-efficient management tools and practices for the European aquaculture sector to investigate the scope of fish and shellfish farming activity in a location, social interactions, potential environmental impacts, and any future risks.

a Consortium we will evaluate structures currently in operation across the EU’s seas, lakes and rivers, examining various environments and developing new approaches to deliver computerbased support systems for sustainable aquaculture expansion.�

Professor Trevor Telfer of the Institute of Aquaculture said: “As

This work is in line with the EU’s Marine Strategy Framework

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Directive to protect marine environments more effectively and will play a major role in the European Commission’s strategy to achieve smart growth in aquaculture production across the region’s seas.

As key drivers for the economy, these waters presently represent approximately 5.4 million jobs and generate a gross added value of almost â‚Ź500 billion a year.

Seafood Processing Global 26-28 April 2016 Brussels Belgium Hall 4 Stand no. 6150

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[ EVENTS ] COFI Sub-committee on Fish Trade, 22-26 February 2016, Agadir

World aquaculture production has tripled in 20 years The Committee on Fisheries (COFI), a subsidiary body of the FAO Council, was established to review FAO activities in the field of fisheries and aquaculture and to identify global challenges within the sector and their potential solutions. Fish trade and aquaculture have each a sub-committee under COFI.

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op fishery officials from more than 50 countries gathered in Agadir, Morocco to discuss emerging governance needs in a USD 144 billion industry that provides the world with 17 percent of its animal protein and developing countries with more export revenue than meat, tobacco, rice, and sugar combined. The occasion was the fifteenth session of the FAO COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade held for the first time on the African continent and in an Arab country.

Global trade in fish exceeds trade in most other food commodities The week of sessions were attended by country delegations, civil society organizations, private industry associations, partners, and observers. FAO’s Representative in Morocco, Michael Hage, noted that fish is one of the most widely traded food commodities, valued at 130 billion USD in 2015 and that lower-income nations’ exports of fish and fishery products reached USD 78 billion in 2014, 54 of the global total by value (and 61 by volume), and more than triple the value of global rice exports. World aquaculture production has tripled to 78 million tonnes in the last year, becoming the fastest growing food production sector in the world and more than half of the fish consumed comes from aquaculture.

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From left Jacqueline Alder, Stefania Vannuccini, Audun Lem, all FAO; Astrid Holtan, Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries; Lahsen Ababouch, FAO.

Audun Lem, Deputy-Director in the Policy and Economics Division of the FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, says: “Trade in fish is much more important than people think, both in absolute and relative terms.” The globalisation of the fish trade, driven in large part by fast growth in aquaculture, raises challenging needs for better rules and practices regarding traceability, labour conditions and the protection of biodiversity as well as commercial preparations for shifts in demand, consumption habits, climate change impacts, and the rapid rise of supermarkets with their corresponding supply chains.

Aquaculture and fisheries major contributors to development This type of dialogue with more than 50 countries will help

FAO, its member countries and industry representatives to understand new trends, opportunities and challenges in the fishing sector, fostering the development of strategies that can best position developing countries to develop their fisheries sector in a sustainable manner and to maximise their economic benefit from the growth. On the other hand it contributes to food security and from the economic point of view, creates jobs, especially in rural areas, and revenues from export. Fisheries and aquaculture provide income and livelihoods to millions of families in Africa, outranked only by Asia with the highest percentage of the population working in fisheries and aquaculture. It also offers opportunities for rural employment in local villages,

particularly among youth, reducing forced migration.

One major topic for consideration is how to better trace products throughout the supply chain. FAO proposed technical guidelines for catch documentation schemes, a set of documents testifying to the legal origin of the catch. This could become an important tool in curbing illegal fishing, a target mandated by the United Nations General Assembly. The Republic of Korea, host of the next (16th) session of the subcommittee, proposed the creation of an FAO World Fisheries University, an item that will be discussed at the upcoming FAO Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture (COFI) meeting to be held at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy this July. www.eurofishmagazine.com

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[ EVENTS ] North Atlantic Seafood Forum, 1-3 March 2016, Bergen

Sector's full potential not yet realised Manfred Klinkhardt

Known for its longstanding traditions when it comes to the harvesting, processing and trade of seafood, Bergen has also for some years now hosted the North Atlantic Seafood Forum, the leading meeting place for the seafood industry.

The North Atlantic Seafood Forum drew over 900 participants from 30 countries to Bergen to learn about developments and prospects for the seafood industry.

O

rganized by the Managing Director of NASF Jorgen Lund, Pareto Securities, NSC Seafood Innovation Cluster and FAO, this year the conference witnessed an unprecedented number of attendees representing the seafood industry, partners and stakeholders worldwide. Over 900 participants, representing 35 countries and 300 companies came to Bergen to share their vision, understand economic and financial issues as well as ever-changing policy and regulations, hear about the latest innovative and www.eurofishmagazine.com

commercial developments and to get insights into the future of the industry. A new feature at the event was the participation of a German delegation with over 30 delegates from 18 companies representing over 70 of the national smoked salmon market.

Debut seminar on cold water crustaceans The global seafood trade, market access and the new geopolitical role of seafood were the main themes of the forum. The

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[ EVENTS ] programme featuring 110 speakers in 12 seminars over 3 days focused on changes in the fish and seafood industry; tackling the challenges of sustainability and food security; and the increasing significance of the fishery industry for the world and its expanding population.

The conference continued its traditional industry seminars on the salmon, whitefish and pelagic sectors, along with seminars on seafood finance, sustainability, and leadership. In addition, the organisers introduced a new seminar on cold water prawns, crab and lobster in collaboration with the International Cold Water Prawn Forum.

Welcoming the participants the Minister of Fisheries of Norway, Per Sandberg, expressed his confidence that the conference would continue to serve as a valuable meeting place for the whole industry. “Facilitation of discussion on how we can increase sustainable production and competitiveness in the seafood sector will be of the outmost importance to fulfil its tremendous potential”, said the Minister in his speech. The Director General UNIDO, Li Yong called the conference a platform for sharing best-practice and industry insights, and most important for advocating for investments that promote an inclusive and sustainable seafood industry.

Retail panel explores attracting millennials to seafood A high level expert group with three major EU retailers, including Metro Group, Delhaize and Intermarche, discussed the outlook for seafood on the European retail scene. Chaired

by Jonathan Banks, the NASF European Retail Panel focused on the seafood supply and demand trends in major European retail markets seen by some of the largest retail chains in different parts of Europe.

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Regardless of diverse consumer habits in various countries, there is a common trend that young people are eating less fish. “How do we understand the millennials (those born roughly between 1980 and 1995) and to what extent”, was one of Jonathan Banks’ key questions to the retail representatives and industry stakeholders.

The mindset and habits of millennials is different; they for example do not watch TV the way their parents and grandparents did. In contrast, they are far more digitally interactive. In a single day 40 million photographs are uploaded by Instagram users, 400 million tweets sent, 2.5 billion pieces of content shared on Facebook, and 12 years of video uploaded by Youtube users, said Jean-Jacques Vandenheede from Nielsen, a market research firm. He presented an overview of the European retail scene showing some of the main tendencies. These include: – The decline of hypermarket is a myth for fast moving consumer goods; – Modern convenience grows at the expense of traditional convenience; – Discount is not a winning force; – E-grocery remains a midget (outside the UK); – Very few retailers have discovered the digital connection.

Understanding the customer is critical to sales development The importance of detailed consumer understanding was highlighted by Herve Streifer, Metro Group. The group, which specializes in Ho-Re-Ca, traders, institutions and services and has some of the largest fresh fish counters in Europe, with 50 to 60 of its fishery products sales to the Ho-Re-Ca segment, depending on the country.

Herve Streifer noted that personal contact was the most important

information source according to Ho-Re-Ca customers, who expect expert advice, information and inspiration. Printed media are also used for the first impression of price and quality. He illustrated the top three requirements for fish products by different restaurant categories in Germany. “Special offers, novelties in assortment and catching method” were the most significant for traditional German restaurants. “Catching method, origin and production, and novelties in assortment” were the most important for modern German restaurants. “Origin, novelties in assortment and assortment overview” were the key criteria for Italian restaurants, and “origin, special offers and novelties in assortment” were the main criteria for premium foods on the German market.

Julien Mahieu, Delhaize, Group, shared his observations in monitoring consumer tendencies in the retail marketspace for his group.

The latest available research results showed that there was no major change in the key purchasing factors in 2014. Freshness was the main factor, followed by price, visual aspect, taste and smell, choice and sustainability/origin.

New data show the importance of such factors as shelf life of the product, freshness, price, species which are not endangered, promotions and convenience/recipes.

An interesting fact was that seafood did not benefit from reduced meat consumption in volume. The focus groups showed the growing importance of authenticity in product marketing and revealed the significant potential for greater in-store marketing of products.

Packaging for shellfish needs to evolve During the panel debates several issues were discussed including innovation in packaging and

balance of fish products and selling space in the retail sector. The retail experts acknowledged that there is not much progress in the area of packaging, and the retail sector is currently in high need of innovation. Some of the retail chains use traditional packaging, they do not have new technologies and there are not many offers from packaging producers. Others are trying to develop new packaging methods on their own, for example for shellfish products. Regarding the subject on selling space for fish, the retail experts came up with the idea that all fish products, including fresh, frozen, MAP and other products, should be sold in the same area.

The need to increase space area for fish with more prepacked products was recognized, however, it would probably be technically possible only in the stores outside of city centers due to space constraints within cities. At the end, the retail experts came to the conclusion that a differentiated approach has to be the main tactic in the future. “There will be stores for different needs and “everything for everybody” does not work anymore.”

A special side-event on lobsters, snow crab and prawn markets was organized for the first time by the International Cold Water Prawn Forum and North Atlantic Seafood Forum by Jens Henrik Møller, Gemba Seafood Consulting. This special business seminar provided profound insight into new business opportunities these species give to the global seafood sector. Shellfish are often called “diamonds of the sea” due to their high value, and the quality and value creation of the products is the key in fulfilling customer expectations. During the three sessions of the seminar, industry experts discussed market opportunities for lobster, crab, snow crab, king crab, scallops, langoustine and prawns and possibilities for augmenting the value for www.eurofishmagazine.com

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[ EVENTS ] those species. Shellfish are considered sophisticated, healthy, tasty, complex and delightful alternatives to other mainstream seafood. However, at the same time, shellfish are regarded as the most difficult to cook at home, so consumption of shellfish is often when eating out.

Shellfish products need to be easy to handle and eat According to Mike Berthet, M&J Seafood, 50 of shellfish consumption in the UK happens in the food service because these products are difficult for the modern housewives to deal with. They have traditionally been seen as fine dining items, and fresh/live shellfish is still considered better than frozen even though there is a price limit.

The market is growing, and the

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recent trend on the market space has extended to the younger generation and high-street cuisine.

The products are perceived as very trendy, and younger consumers can enjoy such products as Lobster Burger, Lobster Mac’ ‘n Cheese, Lobster Roll and Lobster Sliders.

However, price is seen as the highest obstacle especially for younger consumers. Due to their high value, smaller portions are the way to introduce shellfish to younger consumers. Shellfish products must be able to compete on the menu pricewise, and they have to be delivered to consumers easy and ready to eat.

A trend toward authenticity and combination of authenticity with small portions is one of the directions for the industry.

Market development in the USA and Europe for lobster was

discussed by John Sackton. Due to a doubling of the volumes of North American lobster landings since 2008, American lobster increased from 38 to 50 of the global supply. Since 2008, the US total lobster supply increased 76, the US market absorbed new supply and the market penetration and segment distribution was channeled mostly through menu expansion in the food service. John Sackton demonstrated the distribution of lobster across cuisines within each segment in the USA. While Chinese cuisine was clearly dominant in the distribution of lobster in the quick service restaurants and fast casual restaurants (88 and 51 correspondingly), American cuisine was the leading style in the casual dining and upscale fine dining, followed by Italian. European imports of lobsters have remained

flat, and traditional southern markets such as Spain Italy and France have actually declined. Only the UK market has seen an increase, and outside Europe, China has demonstrated steady growth. John Sackton expects that lobster growth will be gradual and there is a need to go beyond cooking live lobster since European chefs face the same problems as US chefs concerning the limits of live lobster.

Ways of eating shellfish differ from region to region The perception of good quality of cold-water prawns was discussed

by Lise Lotte York, Royal Greenland, who presented her observations on ways of handling prawns to maintain freshness and taste. One of the biggest

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[ EVENTS ] Shellfish products for mass market “Could the shellfish industry learn from the success of the salmon industry to raise the value of its products?” was one of the questions raised. The evolution of the value chain would involve the transition from fine dining to everyday meals, penetration in supermarkets, development of new products and innovation.

A seminar on cold water prawns, crabs and lobsters organised in collaboration with the International Cold Water Prawn Forum revealed some of the challenges and potential of these premium products.

dilemmas of the industry is that consumers in many markets prefer shell-off prawns while consumers in other markets perceive prawns with shell-on as the best. While consumption of shell-on prawns is traditional for Norway and Sweden where consumers enjoy eating prawns by hand, consumers in other markets like Denmark, Germany and the UK prefer to eat shelloff prawns with “fork and knife”.

“The products are best when consumed like Vikings. We add to the cost, and it is challenging for the industry to teach consumers to enjoy the product”.

Snow and king crabs offer opportunities as well as challenges Snow crab was found by Russian researchers in the northeast Atlantic in 1996 near Novaya Zemlya, however there is still no explanation for how it could reach the Barents Sea. The snow crab had established an area where it could flourish, and since 1996 the population has grown almost exponentially. In 2013 20

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and 2014, a substantial snow crab fishery developed in the Barents Sea, and record amounts of snow crab were observed in 2015. Norwegian landings of snow crab increased from 174 tonnes (live weight) with a firsthand value of NOK 2.4 million in 2013 to 9,352 tonnes valued NOK 245 million in 2015. Russian snow crab landings doubled from 4,100 tonnes in 2014 to 8,800 tonnes in 2015. Today, we are probably observing only the beginning of the snow crab’s development in the Barents Sea, and the coming years have a lot of potential since many factors suggest that the snow crab will become a significant player in this ecosystem.

Development of new high value industries for king crab and snow crab was another topical issue during the session. The ways of increasing value for snow crab were discussed by Morten Hyldborg Jensen, Norway Seafood.

Large biomass, full year activity, live and shore frozen production, established markets, new markets, live exports, and

new product development are regarded as great opportunities.

At the same time, the challenges include long distance to fishing grounds, price competition from Russia, small coastal vessels, and temperature sensitivity. The competitive advantages of snow crab could be found in market-oriented management, catch and production where product development comprises improving value, distribution and accessibility factors.

Ragnhild Whitaker, Nofima, presented the latest research results on possible new market opportunities for snow and king crabs and market challenges. Unexploited biomass and new landing locations for local industry can lead to increased volumes on the market, but higher volumes will result in price changes. Logistical challenges are also connected with increased live sales. Examples of potential new products from king and snow crab include fish sauce produced from gills, chitin and chitosan, bait, enzymes for bioprocessing, protein products, and omega 3 fats for food or feed.

At the end of the seminar, Jens Møller led a panel discussion in which industry experts shared their opinions of the current obstacles in the industry and its future development. “Growth of the chilled sector is needed, but in case of cold-water prawns, it can be an issue because our product is an industrial one, and the transportation from Greenland is a hindrance”, said Lise Lotte York.

“Little product and packaging innovation has happened in our industry, especially if we compare it to a couple of decades ago”, was the opinion of several industry experts. “Our start is the packaging. We would like consumers to understand the product. For example, the UK consumers often double cook them. We need to tell them in the store “Eatable!” and sell it in the chilled and cooled section”, said representatives from the UK. The conclusion from the panel discussion was that obstacles could be called opportunities.

“Our products are super trendy.

Yet, we need to develop products for the middle-class because now they are for rich people. At present, we have a fantastic opportunity – it’s about grabbing the chance, and delivering the product”, said Morten Jensen.

Katia Tribilustova katia.tribilustova@eurofish.dk www.eurofishmagazine.com

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[ EVENTS ] fish international, 14-16, February 2016, Bremen

Product quality and knowledge about the consumer come first One of Europe’s most important seafood trade shows, fish international, took place in Bremen on 14-16 February 2016. This biannual event, organized by Messe Bremen, draws thousands of attendees, and this year a record 270 exhibitors participated from 22 countries.

E

very area of the seafood sector was represented at the show, from production and processing, retail distribution, transportation and packaging, to financial services and aquaculture technology. Germany is a significant European consumer as well as producer of seafood, and the show brought German buyers and producers together with leading European suppliers, importers and distributors.

Poland’s success relies on modern technology The Polish seafood sector was well represented at the show.

Poland is a leading European fish processor, a success that arises from Poland’s proximity to raw material sources, its use of the latest processing technology, and a low-cost, efficient labour force. As Mr. Tomasz Rytel, Export Director of Graal, says: “thanks to EU funds we were able to modernise facilities and now we are more developed than some other countries. We also have advanced machinery for the production and lower labour costs than in other EU countries so our products are very competitive.” These factors have contributed to the fact that Poland is now the EU’s single largest salmon processor. Graal’s range of products contained both traditional ones, like smoked www.eurofishmagazine.com

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salmon as well as products not very common for the German market such as tuna salads and canned mackerel fillets in different sauces.

A lot of attention during the show was garnered by the Polish fish farm, Jurassic Salmon, which claims to be the world’s first producer of Atlantic salmon, using geothermal saline water, which is over 150 million years old, for their recirculating system. Jurassic’s water is supplied from a kilometer deep bore hole. The water is of exceptional purity, with no heavy metals, dioxins, or chemical substances that could harm the fish. The facility is free of sea lice and other parasites that plague salmon farms in fjords and other marine locations. The fish have not needed treatment with antibiotics or other drugs. Jurassic expects to produce its first market-size (3-5 kg) salmon in May 2016. The firm plans to target Germany and other export markets that have fish consumption rates higher than in Poland.

pavilions with a large delegation of Spanish companies. Producers with strong positions in the markets for high-end products displayed their sole, turbot, king prawns and other seafood, both fresh and frozen as well as smoked and processed products. Spain,

with a global reputation for highquality seafood, is the EU’s second largest exporter of fish products and the 11th largest in the world, and the products from Galicia are among Spain’s finest. “Galicia is a very important fishing region both in Spain and in Europe,” says

Product quality is Spain’s strength The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Xunta de Galicia (Galicia’s regional government) had two

Visit us at SEG/SPG Brussels on 26-28 April 2016 Hall 4 Booth 6201

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Eurofish

[ EVENTS ]

Though demand for chilled convenience products is increasing, a display with whole round fish will always remain an eye-catcher.

Antonio Rodriguez, Deputy Director General of Xunta de Galicia, “and at this show we present different companies working in the sector. The aim is to help promote Galician companies and to establish contacts with customers in different countries.”

One of Xunta de Galicia’s main objectives at the show was the promotion of its quality certification programme, pescadeRias (fish of the estuaries). Fish and shellfish products with the pescadeRias mark are certified not only as truly Galician (the region’s appellation is sometimes fraudulently used by outsiders), but also certified as produced and processed in 22

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environmentally safe and healthy ways. The label is applied to products from Galicia’s small-scale fleet, known for fresh and high-quality seafood, and gives consumers an assurance as to the sources and processing methods used by producers – an increasing important concern among seafood consumers today.

Since the certification programme’s introduction in 2008, the volume of seafood stamped with the pescadeRias mark has skyrocketed from 100,000 kg to 8 million kg (2015). A wide array of seafood, from octopus to mussels to flatfish and many others, are certified and shipped to

markets throughout Europe and the world.

The EU remains Turkey’s biggest market Aquaculture giant Turkey was present in strength at the exposition, because the German venue is at the heart of the EU market that absorbs up to 60 percent of Turkey’s total production of seabass, seabream, and other fish and seafood.

These species are now well known in major global markets largely because of the time and effort that Turkish producers and distributors have invested in growing the markets for their

products. According to Melih Isliel, chairman of STG - Turkish Seafood Promotion Committee, “Turkey’s geographical proximity to European countries has helped to increase the popularity of seabass and seabream there.”

Turkish exporters are aided by the growth of Turkey’s commercial aviation industry, which has greatly expanded its global reach in the last decade. Turkey can deliver fresh fish throughout Europe and key North American and Asian markets without sacrificing product quality. Exports to the United States, for example, are doubling every year. www.eurofishmagazine.com

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Messe Bremen

[ EVENTS ]

German consumers’ appetite for fish and seafood products has been increasing over the past years resulting in record growth in fish retail in 2015.

But Europe remains Turkey’s most important market with Germany being one of the major destinations for Turkish fish. The industry put a lot of efforts to study consumer habits and get an understanding of their eating preferences. “Different parts of Germany have different habits,” says Melih Isliel. “For example people in Berlin and Hamburg even though only 300 kilometers apart have different consumption preferences.” Consumer habits are also changing in the country, as Germans travel a lot.

They learn about new trends and cuisines from those experiences and they like to taste these products in their own country.

Despite the fact that Germany has a big market for frozen seafood, Turkey’s sea bass and bream are marketed almost exclusively in fresh form. To introduce Turkish products to the consumers and to adapt them to local tastes, STG arranged a cooking spot at their booth offering visitors various www.eurofishmagazine.com

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dishes cooked by a local chef who combined Turkish fish with local flavours and local ways of cooking.

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Success: supply what the consumer demands The Turkish experience can provide inspirations for everyone.

Getting to know one’s customer is essential to export success.

Learning about local consumption habits can make the difference between export growth and stagnation. “Why would consumers in a target market want our products?” “What benefits can we create for their catering industry?” “What are the expectations of the end-users, why would they eat our fish? Do they eat fish in the restaurants, do they go to fish markets?” Very often, the answers to these questions are found at industry trade shows such as fish international, where buyers and suppliers meet face to face.

Aleksandra Petersen aleksandra.petersen@eurofish.dk

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[ EVENTS ] Salmon ShowHow, 10 February 2016, Copenhagen

Reaping the fruit of sustained research The Marel Salmon ShowHow, an annual event to demonstrate the company's latest products and services, was held at Progress Point, the company’s own demonstration and training centre in Copenhagen.

T

he Salmon ShowHow is an opportunity to view in operation the range of machines for the salmon industry whether for primary, secondary or tertiary processing. The visitors, some 220 in number, came from two dozen countries around the world including from as far as Chile, Australia and China, to learn about developments in Marel since the last Salmon ShowHow a year ago.

Research and development is a company priority Marel is a producer of processing equipment for poultry, fish and meat as well as further processing. In 2015 revenues from the fish segment were 17, the second largest after poultry, which accounted for more than half the total. As a technology company research and development is a priority, expenses under this heading amounted to just under EUR60m or 7 of total revenue. The focus on research contributes to the stream of developments both major and minor that flows from the company. Within the seafood processing division these help processors meet the constant pressure to achieve increased yield, better quality and product reliability.

Hygiene and quality were particularly relevant themes at the event this year as during the course of 2015 24

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in Denmark there were incidents of listeria associated with processed fish that had resulted in one fatality.

Even Heir from Nofima in his presentation about combating listeria in the salmon industry warned of the severe consequences the presence of listeria could have on a processor. Apart from the expense of product recalls, the damage done to a company’s reputation among its partners, customers and the wider public can be immense. While most people infected with listeria react with mild symptoms, there is a group of high risk individuals, the elderly, pregnant women, new born babies, as well as those with compromised immune systems, who can become seriously ill, nine

tenths may require hospitalisation and 15-30 may succumb. Listeria is also tough. The pathogen can withstand sub-zero temperatures and low water conditions and can survive for months in a dry highly saline environment. In the salmon industry few outbreaks of listeria have been reported, but they have all been in the Nordic countries, where too the frequency of listeria infections is higher than in other countries.

Salmon seems more prone to listeria than meat or cheese A survey of ready-to-eat products including cheeses, meats and

salmon revealed that smoked salmon was the biggest offender in terms not only of the number of infected products, but also of the number of viable bacteria present. For the processing industry the problem is that listeria is naturally ubiquitous. It is found in water, soil, on animals and in sewage. Tests carried out

by Nofima in selected salmon processing plants revealed the presence of listeria on surfaces that were in contact with the fish, as well as those not in contact with the fish, but also in floors, drains, mats, trolley wheels, and boot-washer brushes. Problems with listeria can be checked firstly by preventing listeria from

The Salmon ShowHow at Marel brought together well over 200 visitors from around the globe to witness developments in salmon processing. www.eurofishmagazine.com

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[ EVENTS ] establishing itself in the first place, by using listeria-free suppliers and by prioritising regular cleaning procedures including time, training, qualification and control. Companies should invest in hygienic facilities and equipment and when listeria is found equipment should be dismantled, cleaned, and subject to moist heat. The procedures to prevent or eliminate listeria place considerable demands on processing machinery, which needs to be hygienically designed, made of resistant materials, and easy to dismantle and re-assemble. In this regard Marel’s equipment meets European standards and guidelines as well as the internal standards of the customer.

At the Salmon ShowHow the company introduced a single lane skinner designed for small to medium sized operations or as an additional skinner in larger plants.

The machine can handle fillets head first or tail first obviating the need to turn the fillet and thereby reducing the risk of gaping. The skinning is performed with a disposable blade and can be more or less deep depending on the customer’s requirements. The combination of hygienic design and simple operation and maintenance is typical of all Marel equipment.

Many of the machines on display at the event can be used either as standalone equipment or can be linked together to form fully automated systems. Bringing it all together is the company’s Innova software that can control individual devices or a complete processing solution integrating several machines allowing production to be controlled and monitored in real time. Innova can also be tailored to talk to other IT systems such as planning software allowing it to be adapted to the needs of the individual processor. www.eurofishmagazine.com

Starting with the end product While the event was open to the public for one day, over the following two days there were individual product demonstrations, where customers came in with their own products to do trials. This year in fact there were 38 companies who participated in these “VIPâ€? days, significantly more than last year, says Stella BjĂśrg KristinsdĂłttir, marketing manager. Potential customers also showed interest in the revoportioner, a machine created for the meat sector that is now also finding use in the fish industry. With this machine the desired ready-to-cook end product is in fact the starting point.

The final product is defined in collaboration with the further processing team from Marel after discussing potential markets, trends, and product preferences. Once the product has been defined, the team puts together the machinery that will enable its production. Mark Boom, global marketing manager, emphasised the importance of focusing on the product rather than the machines behind it. If the target is large volumes of vacuum packed fish cakes then the revoportioner combined with a packaging unit is the solution. For frozen fish cakes, link a revoportioner to a freezer. Depending on the product a revoportioner can be combined with a mixer, a marinating or coating unit, followed by frying or cooking, freezing, and finally packaging machines. Marel produces most of these machines, some of which were also being demonstrated. The revoportioner can produce a number of shapes and sizes and can use different kinds of protein mass, both whole muscle and mixtures. Naturally the higher the quality of the raw material the higher the quality of the final product.

Karin Verstraaten, and Jacques Roosenbrand demonstrate the revoportioner, a machine that can produce a variety of ready-to-cook products on an industrial scale.

The show also featured a new service programme for the back and belly trimming filleting machine, of which almost a hundred are in operation around the world. The objective is to use preventive maintenance

to reduce the risk of machine breakdowns and the associated down time and loss of revenue by providing scheduled onsite maintenance together with operator training, remote support, and spare parts.

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Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

25

[ EVENTS ] Seafood Expo Global, Seafood Processing Global, 26-28 April 2016, Brussels

The world’s seafood trade gathers in Brussels

S

eafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global trade events for seafood and processing equipment respectively are

among the world’s most important events for the global seafood market. Covering every aspect of the seafood trade almost 27,000 people

from 144 countries attended the fair in 2015. Eurofish member countries are also active participants and industry organisations

in several of them organise joint pavilions for their members.

Some information about their activities is provided below.

Croatia, 5-213, 6-1015

Salted and marinated small pelagics from the Adriatic

T

he Croatian Chamber of Economy’s pavilion at the Seafood Expo Global in hall 6 will have six companies exhibiting. Croatia’s wild seafood exports tend to be of small pelagics particularly anchovies and sardines from the Adriatic. These fish are processed by freezing, filleting, salting, or marinating, and the finished products are canned, packaged in glass jars or plastic containers. Two of the exhibiting companies have recently built state-of-the-art processing factories to upgrade production and improve efficiency. Canned products include fish combined with different sauces, with vegetables, or in oil. And the industry is constantly trying out new products for example wrapping salted or marinated fillets around pieces of cheese, olives, or capers. The fisheries sector also includes fish farmed in marine as well as freshwater. The latter comprises carps and other freshwater species cultivated in ponds, however the market is mostly domestic so producers tend not to be represented at the seafood show. The products from tuna fattening, another segment of the aquaculture production industry, tend to go primarily to the Japanese market.

On the other hand, farmed seabass and seabream production is

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aimed squarely at the European and particularly the Italian market and the biggest Croatian producer will be displaying smoked products based on seabass, seabream and meagre as well as its MA packaging for fresh gutted fish and steaks.

Zoran Radan, advisor in the Croatian Chamber of Economy, says that Ivan Birkic, the president of the fishing affiliation within the Croatian Chamber of Economy, will be present at the show this year. He is a strong backer

of a fisheries policy for the north Adriatic that takes into account regional specificities of seabasins, fishing traditions, and fisheries as this has a direct impact on the fishermen and processors, who rely on regular and adequate captures of fish. While the SEG in Brussels is a very important show for the Croatian industry and one where it has been represented for many years, the chamber is also looking at the possibility to visit other events. It has applied to the EMFF for funds to promote Croatian fisheries products and if approved

companies will be taking their products to exhibit at Conxemar in Vigo, as Spain is an important market for salted anchovies.

For more information contact: Mr. Zoran Radan, Croatian Chamber of Economy, +385 45 61 555, zradan@hgk.hr, www.hgk.hr

www.eurofishmagazine.com

04/04/16 6:44 PM

[ EVENTS ] Denmark, 4-5911, 4-5915, 4-5927, 46015

Largest ever Danish national pavilion at Seafood Processing Global

D

anish Fish Tech Group is a hub for 63 Danish companies which are producing world-class equipment for seafood industry. The group is the organizer of Danish National Pavilion at SPG 2016, bringing a record number of 24 Danish companies to the show. Five of the companies will be launching new products and projects.

A new laser system for marking fish block liners, called Beck-Lase and launched by Beck Pack Systems A/S, is designed to improve

efficiency and traceability in production. It is the first system of its kind on the market for marking frozen fish blocks, which are processed for fish fingers and burgers. It can be installed both on board fishing vessels and at onshore processing facilities.

Uni-Food Technic has focused on addressing market demands for improved food safety in the development of a fresh fish slicer. The new system, designed to minimize the accumulation of bacteria, will be presented to the market at SPG

2016. Low maintenance costs and a design that helps fish processors improve food safety have been the focus points in the development of a new fish slicer from Uni-Food Technic.

Glud & Marstrand expands the product range and presents a new Hansa can, designed for easier and more reliable seaming. Delivered with pre-curled sides and radii on the lid, a new aluminium can provides seafood processors with a faster and stronger option for seaming products - the seaming is handled in one step, increasing the process speed and lowering cost. At the same time, it gives a safer product, which is a key consideration in the market.

The Hansa can will be available in two sizes, a 170 ml and a 198 ml version and has been introduced by the developers as a response to market demand.

With a longer life span and less need for grinding, the new Uni-X circular knife, produced by Kyocera Unimerco, limits downtime and reduces waste in production.

Equipment that cuts costs is in demand in the fish processing industry. This includes durable knives for cutting machines to reduce waste. The new knife enables a cut closer to the fish bone, reducing waste and cuts costs, and ensuring a high quality end product. A new composition of materials makes the Uni-X knife stronger compared to traditional stainless steel knives. Therefore, it can be used for longer periods without regrinding. When eventually ground, the process is much faster.

The Danish manufacturer of modular plastic conveyor belts, ScanBelt has landed a contract with Europe’s largest processing facility for pelagic species, Northbay Pelagic. The order consists of the delivery of more than 3000 meters of modular conveyor belts of high hygienic standard.

When Northbay Pelagic needed a completely new factory due to an extensive fire, ScanBelt was chosen to deliver the largest modular belting order in food industries of 2015 thanks to their high quality products.

A small selection of our approved range of products for:

Breeding - Holding - Feeding - Aerating - Monitoring - Catching - Transporting - Processing

Seafood from Denmark will be showcased at the Danish National Pavilion at SEG in Hall 5. www.eurofishmagazine.com

05_News_EV.indd 27

Unterbrunnweg 3, A-6370 KitzbĂźhel, Tel & Fax: 0043/5356/64870, www.aqua-tech.eu

Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

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04/04/16 6:44 PM

[ EVENTS ] Danish companies exhibiting at SPG 2016 will be: A/S Dybvad Stålindustri, Beck Pack Systems A/S, BLÜCHER

Metal A/S, Boleto ApS, Cabinplant A/S, CT International A/S, DanFish International, DK-Transportbaand ApS, Glud og Marstrand A/S, Hvalpsund Net A/S, InnospeXion, IRAS A/S, Kaj Olesen A/S, Kyocera

Unimerco A/S, NTF-Aalborg A/S, Pescatech ApS, Plano Pack A/S, RUNI A/S, SCANBELT A/S, SemiStaal A/S, Smurfit Kappa Danmark A/S, System Cleaners A/S, UniFood Technic A/S, Krüger.

For more information contact: Martin Winkel, Head of Danish Fish Tech Group, +45 60 20 85 57, martin.winkel@dk-export.dk

Estonia, 6-927, 9-4243

Industry looks forward despite geopolitical issues

E

stonia’s fisheries and aquaculture sector can boast a wide variety of products both wild and farmed, marine and freshwater, primary processed and ready-to-cook/eat. For some Estonian producers however the need to look for new markets is more urgent than ever. The market in Russia that once absorbed several thousand tonnes of products from Estonia has shrunk to virtually nothing. The figures say it all. Exports to Russia of frozen fish plummeted from EUR13m in 2013 to EUR47 thousand in 2015 thanks to the political situation. Valdur Noormagi, chairman of the Estonian Association of Fishery, says that exporters have found some new markets in Africa, China, the Balkan countries and even the US, but the volumes do not in any way compensate for what they have lost and the prices are not as good as what the Russians were paying. It is a dire state of affairs, but Mr Noormagi is confident

that the industry will weather the current situation and emerge all the stronger for it. Plans to turn things around include a possible factory that can use Baltic herring and sprat as raw materials to make fishmeal and fish oil. In addition, there is talk of using the fish for the production of high value omega-3, proteins, lipids, and collagens that can be used by the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries.

However, if they are to be realised these visions would also require improvements, for example, to existing infrastructure at ports so that larger volumes of fish can be landed quickly and easily.

Pelagics producers will be represented at the Estonian Association of Fishery stand at the SEG, but companies with products based on locally sourced freshwater species like perch, pike, pike perch, and smelt will also be exhibiting. These species are

highly sought after, among others, by the Horeca sector in France and Switzerland. Companies that process a number of different species both domestically sourced and imported to supply the local as well as international markets will also be present at the stand.

For more information contact: Valdur Noormagi, Estonian Association of Fishery, +372 622 13 00, kalaliit@online.ee, www.kalaliit.ee

Italy, 4-5815 to 6359 (SPG), 5-213 to 401, 6-0866 to 1357, 8-4430 and 4643, 11-2100 to 2661

A rich variety of seafood on offer

T

he Italian seafood sector is always well represented at the SEG. Annual consumption of seafood in Italy is about 26 kg per capita, but domestic production can only meet a fraction of the demand. As a result

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Italy imports up to 80 of its seafood requirements. In 2015 import volumes were over 1m tonnes valued at close to EUR5bn up from EUR3.9bn in 2010. Three fifths of the imports come from the within the EU with Spain

the most important supplier by a wide margin. In 2015 imports from Spain amounted to almost 23 of total seafood imports in volume and 21 in value. Spain was followed by the Netherlands with 6 of the volumes and 6.5

of the value. Of the suppliers from outside the EU Morocco was the most important in value terms and Viet Nam in terms of volumes. Italy imports significant quantities of seafood from about 30 countries and the SEG www.eurofishmagazine.com

04/04/16 6:44 PM

[ EVENTS ] is arguably the best place to discuss with existing suppliers and meet with potential new ones, which perhaps explains at least partly why the show is popular within the Italian industry.

Companies at the SEG represent some of the diversity that is synonymous with the Italian seafood sector. Demersal fish, pelagic fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, and molluscs as well as farmed species; Italy offers it all.

Much of this seafood is produced and traded within Italy there are numerous seafood markets across the country, which enable the distribution of seafood from one end of Italy to another. For example, producers of fasolari (smooth clams), a bivalve that is found only in the northern part of the Adriatic, cannot sell their product in the local area. Fasolari is best consumed raw, a way of eating that local consumers are unfamiliar with. The mollusc is

therefore sold to markets in the south of Italy where consumers are used to eating raw shellfish.

With so much regional and even provincial diversity events like the SEG offer an opportunity for different players in the distribution chain and from different

parts of the country to interact, learn something new, and possibly strike deals.

Italy exported EUR640m worth of seafood in 2015. Although only a fraction of seafood imports it still amounts to a respectable

figure. A fifth of this is canned tuna, while other significant exports are fresh bivalves (clams and smooth clams) and preserved anchovies. Exporters too will have every opportunity to meet potential new buyers in the corridors of the SEG.

Latvia, 4-6335, 7-2001, 11-2551

A leaner processing industry looks for new markets

L

atvia will as usual be well represented at Seafood Expo Global this year with nine companies under the banner of the Union of Fish Processing Industry in hall 11, one equipment manufacturer in hall 4, and another company in hall 7. The latter, Sudrablinis Ltd, is a caviar producer specialising in sturgeon, salmon, and lumpfish roe as well as hot and cold smoked products based on salmon and trout.

The Union of Fish Processing Industry pavilion will host many of its members, many of whom make a variety of prepared and canned fish products based on small pelagics www.eurofishmagazine.com

05_News_EV.indd 29

such as herring, sprat, and mackerel, as well as on salmon, and shellfish. Latvia’s biggest market for canned fish products is in the CIS countries and developments there, including the Russian embargo, the fall in oil prices, instability in Ukraine, and currency fluctuations, have had a major impact on exports of these to the region as sales have fallen by around 50. To compensate companies have been looking to expand their exports to other markets as well as to opening up new markets particularly in western Europe and the United States, but also in Japan and other Asian countries.

Didzis Smits, president of the Union of Fish Processing Industry, is optimistic about these developments. In some ways, he says, the Russian embargo can be viewed in a positive light as it has forced companies to seek other markets, develop new products, and update processing techniques.

Although there has been a wave of retrenchment in the industry no companies have gone under.

Riga canned sprats, a premium product made of smoked sprats in oil, are now also being marketed in countries such as France. This also calls for some adjustments to the processing operation so the changes are more than cosmetic. In Japan the success of Riga

smoked sprats owes something to the presence of a similar-tasting product that is produced domestically in Japan. This makes it easier to introduce the distinct taste of Riga smoked sprats to the market.

Latvian companies are already exporting to the US, but are now trying to introduce their products to the regional and national retail chains.

For more information contact: Mr. Didzis Smits, Canned Fish LV, +371 2636 4252, didzis.smits@ cannedfish.lv, www.cannedfish.lv

Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

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04/04/16 6:44 PM

[ EVENTS ] Norway, 4-5806 to 6355 (SPG), 5-116 to 655, 9-4018 and 4080, P-4409 to 4509

Exporting seafood to every corner of the world

T

he Norwegian pavilion at the SEG in hall 5 will be organised by Innovation Norway and will have some 1,700 sq m of space. Norwegian companies will also be exhibiting in hall 4, the venue for equipment manufacturers and in the patio.

For Norway the SEG is an important event located as it is in the heart of Europe, the largest market for Norwegian seafood. Norwegian seafood exporters had an excellent year in 2015 with exports rising to a record NOK75bn (EUR8bn), an 8 increase over 2014. Two thirds of this total can be attributed to exports of salmon and trout, thanks to a combination of record high volumes and record high prices. The EU has an apparently insatiable appetite for Norwegian salmon, importing over NOK35bn worth of the fish in

2015. In volume terms this translates to almost 800,000 tonnes or 10 more than in 2014. The Russian embargo on Norwegian salmon has pushed more salmon in to the EU. In 2015 it was 77 of all Norwegian salmon exports up from 68 in 2013. Poland and France are the most important markets measured by volume.

Exports to some other markets were lower in 2015 compared to the year before. Russia and Ukraine saw steep declines due to the embargo in Russia and political uncertainty and currency depreciation in Ukraine.

Belarus was the most important market in Eastern Europe, possibly also as a channel into Russia. Turkey also saw increased imports of salmon. Asia too imported more salmon in 2015

compared to the previous year.

Growth was highest in Japan and South Korea and the total value of exports to Asia amounted to NOK7.5bn. While salmon is by the most important export, Norway also exports significant quantities of whitefish, pelagics, and shellfish. While Poland and Denmark were the biggest

importers from Norway in 2015 at NOK6.9bn and NOK6.4bn respectively, companies from no less than 143 countries imported Norwegian seafood that year.

When they exhibit at the SEG Norwegian companies will no doubt be hoping to add the remaining 50 odd countries in the world to this list.

Spain, 4-5830 to 6325 (SPG), 5-150 to 749, 6-0853 to 1363, 7-1400 to 1533, 11-2120 to 2747

Massive Spanish presence at SEG this year… as every year

T

he Spanish pavilion at Seafood Expo Global 2016 will be represented by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment and numerous key-players of the Spanish fishery sector, coming from different autonomous communities from all over Spain: Galicia, Asturias, Valencia, Murcia, Madrid, Cantabria and Aragon among others. In addition, there will be representatives from the biggest Spanish associations, such as ANFACO-CECOPESCA, APROMAR, ANMAPE and CONXEMAR. The companies will be

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Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

05_News_EV.indd 30

showcasing and promoting Mediterranean and Atlantic fish products, and offering tastings.

Spain has a highly developed fishery and processing industry and is among the worldwide leaders in the sector. Spain leads the production of fishery products and it is the nineteenth most important country at a global level, with the catch volumes of 1,237,000 tonnes, the aquaculture production of 285,000 tonnes, and 343,000 tonnes of prepared and preserved fish. Spain also has second highest rate of fish and seafood consumption in the European Union. Spain is

one of the main exporters of fishery products, with the amount of approximately 1,100,000 tonnes per year, where the most important

exported product is the tuna. The main customers are Italy, Portugal, France, Mauritius, Portugal, and Seychelles. www.eurofishmagazine.com

04/04/16 6:45 PM

[ EVENTS ] The quality of the Spanish seafood products has not only the national but also international recognition, and it gives rise to the demand of such products as frozen and canned tuna, squid and cuttlefish, mussels, mackerel, shrimps and prawns outside Spanish borders.

The future of the country’s fishery sector is based on research, technology development and innovation as the keys to competitiveness and productivity. The commitment to a wide diversity and high quality of the products allows Spanish companies to compete

successfully and increase their profitability through the efficiency of the production.

The Ministry will organize activities to maximize the presence and visibility of the Spanish fishery industry, making available to the Spanish

companies a service of commercial agenda, coordinated by Nexus Fostering Partnership company who will arrange meetings with other international companies interested in establishing commercial relations, looking for partnerships and opening new markets.

SEG, Turkey, 11-2101, 11-2201, 11-2301

Turkey expands production, exports, product range, as well as the geography of fish supplies

T

urkey is a fully integrated seafood and aquaculture producer, from hatcheries to fish farms, processing and packaging facilities, feed factories and plants producing packaging and technical equipment. Significant and steady growth are the hallmarks of the Turkish seafood sector. A capacity for sustainable production, species diversity, processing and production techniques and conformity to EU standards, combined with a close geographic proximity to target markets are the essential advantages that have generated significant market shares in foreign markets. Main species farmed in the country are seabass, seabream and rainbow trout.

In 2014 the total production volumes reached over 230 thousand tonnes, where trout accounted for 48 per cent, while seabass and seabream reached 32 and 20 per cent respectively. Production increased two-fold compared to 2010.

A rapidly growing aquaculture sector in Turkey is obviously the driving force for the increase in exports.

Clear demands from the markets for consumption of safe and quality aquatic products provides sound commercial motivation for the continued development of the product range and quality. Currently Turkey www.eurofishmagazine.com

05_News_EV.indd 31

exports up to 35 per cent of its farm production volumes to more than 80 countries worldwide. Due to its geographical proximity, Europe still remains the main destination for the exports absorbing up to 60 per cent of the volumes, but other destinations are also being explored: thanks to the growth of Turkish Airlines, the national carrier, exports to US only double every year. Turkish seafood sector has become a substantial industry, and today aquaculture is characterized by the fastest growth in the entire Turkish food sector.

Turkish seafood industry has realised significant investments in processing facilities conforming to the EU standards over the last decade, enabling the sector to target meeting modern consumer needs and trends. Recognising changing trends in cooking and eating habits which require ease of preparation and tangibly healthy products. The sector has developed convenienceproducts that have a long shelf-life, year-round availability, and above all – attractive taste characteristics.

The sector is seeking a more wide spread appeal in world cuisines along with the traditional fresh chilled varieties.

14 companies displaying a variety of products both freshwater and marine, farmed and wild, highly processed and otherwise. Traditionally the chefs will offer freshly prepared samples throughout the day – on average, about 500 kilos of fish fillets alone are served to

FREE UPDATED GUIDE TO RECIRCULATION AQUACULTURE

the visitors in the course of three days of the show.

For more information about the companies exhibiting contact: General Secretariat of Istanbul Exporters Associations, Tel.: +90 212 454 0500, iib@iib.org.tr

A Guide to

Recirculation Aquaculture An introduction to the new environmentally friendly and highly SURGXFWLYH FORVHG ¿ VK IDUPLQJ V\VWHPV Author: Jacob Bregnballe

2015

editio

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Available for download at

ĞƵƌŽĮƐŚ͘ĚŬ

In 2016, the Turkish pavilion at SEG Brussels will host some Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

31

04/04/16 6:45 PM

[ AQUACULTURE ] Denmark’s national aquaculture strategy

Several initiatives to boost the sector The Danish aquaculture sector is one of the world’s most efficient and environmentally friendly. In developing and expanding its aquaculture sector, Denmark has ambitious goals to promote economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable production.

D

enmark has a strong and significant aquaculture cluster, whose strength is its modern production of exceptional quality with high levels of environmental efficiency and of both food and animal safety, including disease-free status for VHS. The sector is geographically close to the European market, and Danish fish farmers are capable of producing niche products, including organic fish, which have a significantly higher price than conventionally farmed fish. Denmark is a leader in the production of recirculation technology and so is a significant part of the rapidly growing world market. Finally, the Danes are leading producers of feed ingredients and recirculation to the sector globally, a position that has developed rapidly in recent years.

example, all Danish fish farms have to be officially approved in accordance with the Danish Environmental Protection Act, with the exception of full recirculation eel farms. The Danes have proven that increasing resource efficiency and developing new technology can create growth that is environmentally benign.

2011

2012

2013

2014

56

64

64

59

47

European eel

1,532

1,154

1,129

864

789

Blue mussel

756

540

732

560

2,410

Char

160

257

275

272

237

Brook trout

115

109

127

85

106

Atlantic salmon

17

16

13

23

407

Sea trout

78

78

86

81

79

36,518

37,531

39,618

40,744

40,544

60

69

128

119

136

Rainbow trout Pike-perch Others

Total

12

39,306

7

39,826

6

42,178

190

43,008

12

44,768

Source: The Danish AgriFish Agency

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06_AQUACULTURE (AQ).indd 32

Traditional raceways for the production of portion-sized trout in Denmark still exist, but increasing volumes are coming from high tech recirculation systems.

Kurt Mogensen

In 2014, the primary production of seafood, both fish and shellfish, was 44,758 tonnes with a total value of EUR134m (DKK1b), approximately 3 of total EU aquaculture production. For the past 25 years, production has remained stable at between 40,000 and 45,000 tonnes.

Denmark’s main product is rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

In 2014, a total of 40,544 tonnes were produced, 29,172 tonnes from freshwater ponds and 11,372 tonnes from sea cages. The latter

Aquaculture production in Denmark (tonnes) Brown trout

again and reached 2,410 tonnes in 2014. Turbot fry is exported for further ongrowing. A variety of other species are raised primarily for restocking, which represents an increasing share of total turnover.

Aquaculture production is largely stagnant

Because environmental protection is a priority, Danish aquaculture is strictly regulated. For

2010

also produces roe as an important by-product. Eel is farmed in recirculated freshwater tank systems; 789 tonnes were produced in 2014.

Mussel production reached a peak in 2009 at 2,643 tonnes and then dropped drastically, but is rising

The Danish aquaculture sector produces fish in freshwater as well as in the sea. Pike perch is a niche product produced in recirculation systems, a technology that is highly evolved in Denmark. www.eurofishmagazine.com

05/04/16 10:00 AM

Kurt Mogensen

[ AQUACULTURE ]

Trout forms the bulk of the Danish aquaculture production, more than 90% in 2014.

Trout roe is a valuable by-product from the trout farming industry. It is exported primarily to Japan.

Trout produced in the supply of quality raw materials leading position in the development fisheries sector and is covered by freshwater and in the sea in significant amounts, and fish- and production of aquaculture the Fisheries Act, it is governed The annual production of freshwater trout is 25-30,000 tonnes. Today, the greater part of the Danish freshwater trout production is sold for processing at 250–350 gr. They are gutted and frozen or smoked for sale. A substantial amount, however, is exported alive, mainly to the German market. The main product from offshore cages as well as from land-based units is large trout, 2–5 kg each. An essential by-product is the roe, which is salted and marketed as “caviar” and is exported mainly to Japan. It contributes substantially to the Danish mariculture economy. In 2013, organic production was approximately 1,300 tonnes, or 3 of production, with a value of EUR4m (DKK30m).

Overall, the primary sector consists of 264 aquaculture facilities. In 2014, the aquaculture industry employed a total of 620 persons, of which 380 were full time.

Danish producers of fish feed and feed ingredients are global players.

The fish feed industry depends on www.eurofishmagazine.com

06_AQUACULTURE (AQ).indd 33

meal and fish oil, the main ingredients in fish feed, is currently in short supply on the international market. In 2014, production of fishmeal and fish oil was approximately 165,000 tonnes and 50,000 tonnes respectively. In addition, production of fishmeal and fish oil had an export value of about EUR430m (DKK3.2bn). Denmark also has a

mainly through environmental regulations. According to current goals, the Danish aquaculture production will, in the longer term, be in closed systems with recycled water or in offshore installations in the open sea. It is thought that the focus on environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable development will create growth

technologies, especially recirculation. Feed, ingredient, and technology producers employ about 300 full-time employees in Denmark.

Environmental statutes have shaped the sector Although the Danish aquaculture industry is part of the Danish

Number of active aquaculture farms and production units grouped by technology Production technology Freshwater farms

Active farms Ponds

Number of production units Canals

Tanks/ basins

153

2.629

Model type I

13

153

Model type III

16

34

Farms at sea

19

.

Recirculated farms

31

35

44

2

6

3

29

.

. .

Land-based seawater farms Mussel farms Other technology

Total

1

.

264

2.857

290

Cages

Ropes*

On Other bottom*

2.236

.

.

.

64

219

.

.

.

.

152

432

.

.

.

8

252

.

.

30

1.193

.

.

.

166

62

.

.

.

.

.

818

110

380

. .

. .

553 4.142

31

.

.

.

130

252

818

110

745

Source: The Danish AgriFish Agency, * Used for mollusc production

Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

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05/04/16 10:00 AM

[ AQUACULTURE ] and ultimately new jobs. The environmental regulatory framework’s increasing emphasis on reducing environmental impacts has also increased the need to find new technological solutions. The development of both technologies and farms for new species requires close cooperation with both the primary sector, where the technology and new species can be tested, and a strong research environment that can provide basic knowledge.

Strict environmental regulations started to be introduced in 1987. At a national level, maximum values were stipulated for effluents such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and organic substances (O) produced from freshwater as well as marine aquaculture. These regulations, based on fixed feed quotas for each farm, virtually halted any further increases in production for Danish trout farming, except for the effects of developing improved feed composition and feeding techniques. Theoretically, documented evidence of N, P, and O effluent levels below the individual farm limit might overrule its feed quota, but because no effective measuring techniques were available, the feed quotas, once given, could not be changed. The past decades have

seen the development of measuring techniques, an effort to optimise the utilisation of feed, and the development of water purification technologies that reduce water consumption and emissions. Thus arose the concept of model farms, which make significant use of environmental technologies. The latest farms use recirculation technology in a fully closed loop. Over the past 11 years, overall emissions per tonne of fish produced have decreased for nitrogen (37), phosphorous (33), and organic substances (40). A 50 reduction in nitrogen emissions per tonne of fish will allow a production increase of nearly 100. Mariculture has not seen the same degree of reduction.

Land-based marine production is a niche activity Danish land-based seawater aquaculture usually follows the same production pattern as offshore farms. The land based system has some environmental advantages, however, since it is possible to filter the water, at least in part, before it is released back to the sea. Costs for establishing and running landbased seawater farms are higher

than for freshwater ponds and offshore mariculture, which renders them less attractive in a market where there is severe competition on product prices. In recirculated seawater tanks, small quantities of turbot fry are produced for export for further ongrowing, mainly in Southern Europe; in addition, some plaice are produced for restocking purposes.

Strategic objectives for Danish aquaculture By 2020, the Danish government projects an overall increase in production of at least 25 over the 2014 figure of approximately 40,000 metric tonnes. It also estimates that up to 10 of seafood production will be organic by 2020. The value of Danish exports of seafood from aquaculture will grow in line with the development of primary production, i.e. an increase of at least 25 by 2020 over 2014’s value of EUR134m (DKK1bn). It is estimated that the goals will create up to 50 jobs in the primary sector and up to 300 jobs in food and feed technology, as well in related fields such as plumbing services. Peripheral areas in Denmark, where aquaculture is mainly located, will benefit

from the growth and new jobs. The value of exports of feed, feed ingredients, and aquaculture technology is expected to double by 2020.

This will be achieved through: – Continued development of feed and feed ingredients and increased access to commodities; – Continued development of resource-efficient technologies for aquaculture; – Increased collaboration between producers in different segments and the authorities about export opportunities and targeted export promotion in selected markets.

The Strategy for sustainable development of the aquaculture sector in Denmark 2014-2020, published by the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, acknowledges Denmark’s wish to maintain and strengthen its leading position in the aquaculture sector. According to the report, this can only be done “through innovation and collaboration”. Aiming for the goal of balanced aquaculture-sector growth, the report lists seven targets for increasing resource efficiency and thereby creating growth within the current environmental framework.

William Anthony

How to increase efficiency and create growth in aquaculture 1

Streamline administration

Reduce the complexity of legislation and procedures for obtaining an environmental permit. It often takes 1–2 years from application to final approval. Identify the regulatory barriers to the establishment of aquaculture production.

2

Locate aquaculture facilities

Determine that land- and sea-based aquaculture facilities are located in optimal settings to ensure positive environmental consequences.

3

Research, development, and innovation

Develop knowledge and technology to enhance resource-efficient production and competitiveness by encouraging interdisciplinary research in the disciplines of biology, marine and resource economics, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.

4

Increase the use of new technology

Use new technologies to increase resource efficiency, reduce emissions of nutrients and pollutants to the environment, and introduce new species and new forms of production.

5

Education

Improve aquaculture management through the establishment of vocational training in aquaculture to improve competitiveness and continued growth.

6

Product and market development

Develop markets for Danish products both in Denmark and abroad, introduce new species, and reflect consumer preferences for food security, health, ecology, convenience, price, and fish traceability.

7

Export fish, feed, and technology

In addition to fish, export knowledge from Denmark’s strong cluster of primary production, processing factories, technology providers, feed companies, and the production of fishmeal and fish oil.

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05/04/16 10:00 AM

[ AQUACULTURE ] Findings of ethoxyquin in salmon are worrying consumers

Safety still not sufficiently proven Criticism of farmed salmon and other aquaculture products is not new. Sometimes the allegations are about antibiotics, then it can be dioxins or supposed environmental damage. At the moment it is ethoxyquin that is under discussion. Ethoxyquin is added to fish feed as an antioxidant. Its use is legal and there are no limits for ethoxyquin in fish. But recent findings from research suggest that the substance is not entirely without risks.

A

45-minute report “Toxic fish – the big health lie” that was aired by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) in November 2014 is still having an effect today. It haunts the internet and people like quoting it when they are letting off steam on the topic of aquaculture and, in particular, salmon farming. Among the issues the report brought up was the use of ethoxyquin (EQ) in salmon feed. Ethoxyquin is a very controversial substance and the topic was raised in the ORF report and has since then dominated some critical debates on salmon and salmon farming. Ethoxyquin is permitted in the EU as an additive in animal feed up to a maximum concentration of 150 mg/kg feed (a maximum of 100 mg/kg is permitted in dog feed). This was laid down in Council Directive 70/524/EEC, later amended by Council Regulation (EC) No. 1831/2003). And fishes in which traces of ethoxyquin were identified are not to be complained about in a purely legal sense and may be marketed because although the EU Commission has set limits for EQ in vegetables and fruit, eggs, nuts and meat it has not stipulated any limits for EQ in fish.

Ethoxyquin was first synthesized in 1920 by the German chemist Emil Knoevenagel. In the realm of chemical substances it is considered a “jack of all trades”. It prevents premature aging in rubber, retards oxidation of vitamins, and on account of its antioxidative effect can be used to prevent the skins of www.eurofishmagazine.com

06_AQUACULTURE (AQ).indd 35

fruits from going brown after harvesting. Up to 2011, EQ was also permitted as a pesticide. Because the available data on its harmlessness were not sufficient, however, the EU withdrew the authorisation with Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009. The fact that ethoxyquin may still be used as an additive in animal feed is within the responsibility of the Commission. Their agency for food safety, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been working on the necessary revaluation of ethoxyquin for years but so far without any clear results. Ethoxyquin is cheap, practical in its use and, in addition, very effective. It is reliable in preventing expensive animal and fish feed from going rancid and losing some of the sensitive vitamins and amino acids which could then lead to nutritional deficiencies during the farming process.

Although legally there is nothing to complain about, the salmon industry cannot lie back in complacency.

In the recent past several findings have suggested than ethoxyquin is perhaps not quite as harmless as previously thought. Some scholars believe these results are even alarming. Victoria Bohne who was in the past involved in research at NIFES (National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research) has for example discovered in animal studies that EQ can pass from the blood into the brain and is possibly carcinogenic. Moreover, ethoxyquin is said to be detectable in breast milk and in the fatty tissue of humans and can accumulate there.

In the EU ethoxyquin is permitted for use as an additive in animal feed up to a maximum concentration of 150 mg/kg feed (Council Regulation (EC) No. 1831/2003).

Tests carried out by other scientists also suggest that EQ can damage the genotype. During research on human blood cells she found that the substance leads to increased chromosome breakage. The Dutch toxicologist Henk Tennekes suspects that EQ could influence brain development of foetuses during pregnancy. Although these are only signs and not generally recognized scientific evidence, they still give rise for concern.

No danger from ethoxyquin in current salmon consumption If use of ethoxyquin in feeds is to be continued then even the tiniest doubts about its safety will have to be dispelled completely. And particularly because in the meantime tests have confirmed that the substance can be absorbed in minute quantities from the feed into the fish flesh itself. And this is an urgent matter, because up to now no official tests have been carried out on

ethoxyquin, neither with regard to long-term consequences nor possible carcinogenic risks or neurotoxic effects. EFSA, the responsible European authority for food safety, has merely stated in connection with the suitability of ethoxyquin as a feed additive that the available data material is insufficient for an assessment of its safety for consumers. That is grist to the mill of aquaculture critics who anyway accuse the EU authorities of being too close to industry when pollutants in farmed fish are at stake.

After all, in 2013 the EU Commission raised the limit for endosulfan in farmed salmon from 0.005 to 0.05 milligrams per kilogram, i.e. tenfold. Like ethoxyquin, endosulfan is suspected of impairing fertility in men, of being a neurotoxin, and possibly causing cancer.

As early as 2010 various fish species (salmon, halibut, cod, trout) and fish feed were examined at NIFES to determine their ethoxyquin content. The highest concentrations Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

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[ AQUACULTURE ] which an MRL has been set salmon often even gets better results. The EU limit for ethoxyquin in pears, for example, is 3 milligrams per kilogram. That is three times as much as the permitted MRL for fish in Japan and the content in salmon comes nowhere near that.

Any suspicion of possible risks must be eliminated There are no limits for ethoxyquin in fish. However, the WHO recommends that an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.005 milligrams EQ per kg body weight is not exceeded.

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) does not fear any threat to human health from eating salmon provided one adheres to the limits.

were found in salmon, which contained on average 0.17 milligrams EQ per kilogram of fillet.

During the years 2005 to 2009 the mean values were still between 0.02 and 0.04 mg/kg. The Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Authority in Freiburg, Germany also detects ethoxyquin more or less regularly in salmon flesh during routine controls. This is not pleasant but still gives no cause for exaggerated concern when one looks at the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) of other foods and the average consumption volume of fish in Germany. A person weighing 70 kg would have to eat 1.75 kg salmon per day (based on an ethoxyquin content of 0.2 mg per kg salmon fillet) in order to reach the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0.005 milligrams EQ per kilogram of body weight – the intake level that is considered safe by the World Health Organisation.

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In other words, even a generous 300 gram portion of salmon would only use up 17 of the acceptable daily intake of a person weighing 70 kg.

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) thus fears no adverse effects on human health through consumption of salmon provided one adheres to the set limits. Although the EU has not set a limit (MRL) for salmon and other fishes Norway in the meantime carries out routine controls to check EQ levels. The highest values measured during these controls were so far about 0.2 mg EQ/kg salmon. Even in Japan, where ethoxyquin limits are particularly strict (the MRL for fish is 1 mg/kg and for crustaceans 0.2 mg/kg) there have been no complaints about any deliveries of salmon because of too high EQ values. Compared to other foods for

Some countries such as Japan have set limits for ethoxyquin in fish but the EU has not. On the one hand, the FAO has put ethoxyquin on the list of chemical additives for fish feed that are considered safe. On the other hand, the FAO/WHO food code standards (Codex Alimentarius) set an ADI (acceptable daily intake) of 0.005 mg per kilogram body weight has been set. The Acute Reference Dose (ARfD) is 0.5 mg/kg body weight and that is even one hundred times higher. (The ARfD is the estimated quantity of a substance in a food that based on current knowledge can be ingested over a short period of time – normally on one day – without appreciable health risk to the consumer, taking into account sensitive population groups including children and the unborn). The different approaches taken throughout the world reveal just how uncertain the responsible authorities are with regard to risk assessment of ethoxyquin. Whilst some perhaps tend towards exaggerated caution, others are possibly too optimistic or even reckless.

Under such conditions it is not easy to reassure consumers and dispel their fears and concerns. As long as there are no satisfactory answers to important questions the gaping hole will be filled with conjecture, speculation and suspicion. Is ethoxyquin harmless or dangerous? Can it accumulate in the body to perhaps years later trigger cancer? How great is the risk that the substance will interact with other

absorbed pollutants in the body?

What does it mean that ethoxyquin can apparently cross the bloodbrain barrier? Can long-term consequences be ruled out? All of this has to be investigated impartially and scientifically. And this should be done as quickly and thoroughly as possible to dispel any remaining doubts among consumers, to give fish farmers the necessary certitude when handling feeds, and of course also to avoid damaging trust in product safety and thereby preserve the positive image of salmon.

When the EU Commission laid down Maximum Pesticide Residue Levels for food and feed products in February 2006 fish was excluded… as an exception as it was called at the time, but up to this day nothing further has happened in Brussels.

Although the EFSA is currently examining all feed additives this process is taking agonizingly long.

And time is pressing, for if doubts – however small – about ethoxyquin cannot be dispelled the substance will have to be taken off the market and replaced by “less dangerous” antioxidants. And one can only begin to imagine how hard that would be, for the range of possible applications is extremely varied. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), for example, demands that prior to shipment antioxidants like ethoxyquin be added to fish meal to prevent spontaneous combustion during transport and storage. The FDA in the USA permits the use of ethoxyquin not only for preserving animal feed, dried grain and millet, but it can also be added to chili and paprika. The debate about ethoxyquin therefore concerns not only salmon and other seafood products but many more foods and a wide range of applications. Reason enough why we finally need to know more about this substance and the potential risks it entails.

MK www.eurofishmagazine.com

05/04/16 10:00 AM

ITALY

Italy aims to achieve MSY for its fisheries by 2020

Pushing a management plan for the Central Mediterranean Riccardo Rigillo, General Director, Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies represents Italy in the negotiations on a multinational, multiannual management plan for the Central Mediterranean. A plan is necessary to safeguard certain valuable stocks, such as crustaceans, and to point fisheries in the Mediterranean in the direction of sustainability.

The discard ban and the landing obligation for small pelagics has now been in force for a year. Has the introduction of this legislation had an impact on pelagic fishermen’s behaviour?

As discards may not be used for human consumption when they are landed, what alternative uses are foreseen for this material? Can the Italian experience be used as a model for other countries in the Adriatic?

The Italian experience has been strictly coordinated with other Adriatic EU countries. Discard plans – submitted by Italy, Croatia and Slovenia - have been adopted at EU level. At present we do not experience major problems with undersized catches that – if present – are well under the “de minimis” percentage exemption. The only problem that our fishermen are experiencing is additional work on board that of course slows down operations. We will probably start experimenting with ways to use landed undersized demersal catches in the near future. One of the solutions being contemplated is the use of this by-product as a means to produce bio-gas.

On the same topic, the landing obligation for demersal

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Riccardo Rigillo, General Director, Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture, Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies

species is being phased in between 2017 and 2019. In a mixed demersal fishery as seen in the Mediterranean many experts feel that this may not be the optimal way to reduce catches of unwanted fish as the reasons for discards are so varied. How can this legislation be

implemented in a way that also responds to the misgivings of the specialists?

The CFP demands us to work on landing obligation for target species, because the target species of each fishery are those through which both unwanted

catches and effort can be regulated. That is why we need to identify the species that lead the fisheries in order to regulate catches and effort on the entire mix. The need to reach MSY by 2020, is paramount for us and this will be the main tool to get the result we want.

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The Strait of Sicily to the eastern part of the Mediterranean is an area, where fleets from Europe and North Africa are active.

While most of these vessels are fishing legitimately, there are concerns that some fishing boats are engaged in unlawful activities. A multinational, multiannual plan for the region is being discussed. What stage have these discussions reached and from an Italian perspective what are the priorities such a plan should address?

This is not an easy topic, involving many countries, often nonEU, which means different rules and mentalities. In any case the issue has to be addressed in the wider multilateral context of FAO-GFCM. We have a good cooperation with North African countries. Our major concerns are the protection of the stocks (rose shrimp being the most important species) and the sustainability of the fisheries. Targeted closure of significant nursery areas, list of vessels and reduction of fleets/effort, together with implementing VMS technology for all vessels

are the main tools to address the problem. Of course we are aware that compliance is of the greatest importance and that a series of IUU concerns have to be addressed together with other contracting parties.

state of stocks in the Mediterranean and the CFP approach.

What were the main conclusions of the conference and what impact will they have on the management of the sector in Italy?

This regional plan involves countries where infrastructure, socioeconomics, and other factors impact the ability to reliably collect and record data. How can Italy support these countries in their effort to collect the data on which such a plan should be based?

The Conference has been very important because it raised the awareness at all levels of the concerning status of the stocks in the Mediterranean. Apart from different scientific evaluations, it is quite clear that some important stocks are in a critical situation.

Some of the problems were also highlighted at the conference including data quality, research effort, and management issues.

The event allowed us to share with all the stakeholders these concerns, in order to take immediate action.

We can certainly offer support with our know-how and technical expertise. We already cooperate with countries in the area in the sector of research for fisheries management – namely through the FAO Sub-regional project MedSudMed, Italy being its promoter and main donor country.

I think we should act along the same line in the future, in order to address the problems you mentioned.

In February a high level conference was held in Catania on the

The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund clearly prioritises the development of the aquaculture sector in Europe.

How does Italy plan to make the most of this opportunity to make its aquaculture industry both freshwater and marine more dynamic, diversified, and

sustainable as envisaged in the national strategy?

Aquaculture has a great potential, also for blue growth and jobs. In Italy a good deal of the management competences are held at regional level. Nonetheless the key factor for success, passes through a strategic initiative and directions at central level. This must touch critical areas such as innovation and research. My impression is that especially marine aquaculture has the highest potential at the moment and there is a strong need for clear guidelines from the central government. I would like to stress once more some of the keywords for a way forward in aquaculture. Simplification and less red tape; more attention to market issues and consumer awareness; healthy products; environmental sustainability and low impact. For achieving this, we need also a strict cooperation and involvement of all the Mediterranean countries. That is why Italy promoted an aquaculture task force at GFCM FAO level where all members are going to participate.

The first meeting of the task force will be held in Naples, early May.

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ITALY

Status and main trends in the Italian fisheries sector

Production increases after years of decline Over the past few years, national seafood production has been steadily declining until 2013; in 2014, a slight increase in the quantity was recorded with a production of 325,000 tonnes of seafood. In terms of value, the negative trend continued also in 2014. This decline affects both marine fisheries and aquaculture. Molluscs are still the main product of the national aquaculture sector; the main harvest is of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and clams (Tapes philippinarum).

T

he overall production of marine fisheries in 2014 amounted to 177,000 tonnes and generated 813 million euro.

In the last two years it lost an estimated 21,000 t and 121 million euro, a contraction that further weakened the sector and reduced its impact on the overall Italian economic scenario. In 2014, the trade deficit in the seafood sector amounted to 840,000 tonnes and 3,919 million euro. The deficit continues to rise due to a higher rise in imports over exports. Political instability affecting some countries bordering the Mediterranean and the challenging economic condition of several EU countries had an impact on the international seafood trade as well.

Apparent consumption – calculated as the difference between

exports versus internal production and import – reached 1,166,000 tonnes in 2014. Even so, per capita consumption remains at minimal levels (18.55 €/kg in 2013 and 19,18 €/kg in 2014), far below the 20 €/kg recorded in 2005. The unfavourable state of the domestic economy and the related general decline in food consumption continues to affect seafood purchases.

Structural characteristic of the fishing fleet and trends in fishing effort

Small scale vessels dominate in numbers, but amount to only 10% of the total tonnage of the Italian fleet.

As of December 2014 the national fleet consists of 12,440 vessels accounting for a total tonnage of 156,876 GT and 999,758 kW. Trawlers account for most (62) of the domestic tonnage; small-scale fishing vessels, though representing

the largest number of units, only make up for 10 of the total tonnage. As for geographic distribution, the fleet still shows the same features that has always distinguished the Italian fleet: low concentrations – with the exceptions

The macroeconomic scenario of the Italian seafood sector Quantity, 000 tonnes 2012

2013

2014

Value, € mln 2012

2013

2014

Capture

198

173

177

934

832

813

Aquaculture

191

141

149

465

393

365

Total fishery production (a)

389

314

325

1,399

1,225

1,178

Import (b)

903

919

976

4,207

4,240

4,507

117

126

136

501

548

588

Apparent consumption

Export (b)

1,175

1,107

1,166

5,105

4,917

5,097

Per capita consumption (kg)

19.78

18.55

19.18

Source: (a) Mipaaf – Raccolti dati alieutici – (b) Istat

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of Apulia and Sicily, both in terms of number of vessels and tonnage – and strong differences in specialization, in terms of productivity and profitability, between the Adriatic and Sicilian fisheries on the one hand, and the Thyrrenian fleet on the other.

The fishing capacity of the national fishing fleet is subject to adjustment plans that provide for the gradual withdrawal of units deployed for fishing activities.

Over the last ten years, the fleet has been affected by a continuous decline in all technical parameters decreasing by 7 in number and by 14 in total tonnage (fig.1).

A steady decline in fishing activity characterize the Italian Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

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fleet: between 2008 and 2014 it fell by an average of 10, dropping to 17 for bottom trawlers, 25 for

hydraulic dredges and 6 for small scale vessels. This trend can only partly be attributed to an increase

in fuel price, though this surely had an impact on the trend over the last three years. But more generally,

Fig. 1 – Evolution of Italian fleet capacity and activity 15,500

2,500,000

15,000 14,500

the decline in fishing activity can be explained by a different organization of the fishing sector, where operators spontaneously adopted strategies to optimize time spent at sea, both for commercial reasons and in order to cut back on operation costs associated with fishing and landing activities.

2,000,000

Fishery production in the Mediterranean sea

1,500,000

In 2014, the Italian fleet produced 176,778 tonnes of seafood generating 813 million euro. Results are down 2 in value since 2013, following the downward trend of the last few years, also characterized by a consistent downscaling of the sector (fig.2). In terms of quantity, in 2014, a slight increase has been recorded (+2).

14,000 13,500 13,000

1,000,000

12,500 12,000

500,000

11,500 11,000

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

No. Vessels

2010

2011

GT

2012

2013

2014

400

Several factors contributed to the fall in total captures and unit productivity: changes in fishing zones, increased production costs, and a different composition of the catch, which targeted the most sought-after species on domestic and international markets affected by the economic crisis. The restrictions imposed by the Mediterranean Regulation 1967/2006 also had a direct effect on production: these involved mesh size, distance from the coast, minimum size of several species and the modifications in fishing activities they caused.

Finally, new control regulations and sanctions, which cover all operations from capture to sales, are bringing about changes in fishing operations, including the most traditional ones.

200

Prices at production

0

Days at sea

Source: Mipaaf – Raccolti dati alieutici

Fig. 2 – Landing weights and values 350

1,600

300

1,400 1,200 1,000

200

800 150 600 100

50

0

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Landing weight Source: Mipaaf – Raccolti dati alieutici

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2009

2010

2011

2012

Landing value

2013

2014

0

€ mln

000 tonnes

250

Over the last ten years, a constant decline in the unit value at production in spite of low supply has affected the fishery sector; a longterm analysis shows how, in spite www.eurofishmagazine.com

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(EUR226m) represented the gross profits of the sector. The general contraction of the economy account in this sector, due to a rise in intermediate consumptions (goods) and a fall in revenue, had negative repercussions on labour cost: only 29 of revenue was allocated to crew payments in the last year. The rise in intermediate consumption was driven by the considerable increase in fuel price which rose from 0.59 €/lt in 2010 to 0,70 €/lt in 2014. The fuel costs per vessel increased and its weight on the income rose from 16 in 2004 to 27 in 2014 (fig.3).

Fig. 3 – Fuel costs as a percentage of income 35%

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Source: Mipaaf – Raccolti dati alieutici

of the considerable fluctuation of domestic production since 2004, prices always followed an independent trend, unrelated to trends in supply.

Amongst the most relevant species, anchovy saw in 2014 a decrease in price (-12), while pilchards and clams remained stable. Red shrimps show a stable trend with a unit value of 18.50 €/kg in 2014; this trend is significant if compared with the domestic production that decreased in

the last year (-20). Such price increase is partly due to the growth in the domestic demand for high value fish products and partly to the adoption of initiatives aimed at certain products.

To face the difficulties of the market, mainly due to the increasing competitiveness of foreign output, and in order to differentiate home products from foreign ones, Italian operators have set up initiatives and research aimed at making domestic products more easily identifiable. Even if such

initiatives are still few, an everincreasing number of operators adopted the system of certification as a means to mark out both fish production processes and final output. Such steps permitted good profit margins which mainly concerned sales of processed or farmed fish products.

With some exceptions, the market for fresh fish is characterized by inadequate transparency, lack of information regarding the origins and the quality of products, high fragmentation of supply.

The profitability of the fishing sector

Anchovies (pictured) and sardines form the bulk of the production volumes. www.eurofishmagazine.com

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The fishing sector in 2014 continued to record considerably negative performances; the revenue produced by the fishing sector has consistently declined since 2008, a particularly bleak year for the industry. The added value produced by marine fishing in the last year was EUR461m, of which EUR235.76 million were allocated in salaries and the rest

In general, the negative trend shown by profits is more linked to the rise in costs, particularly variable costs, rather than a fall in revenue. In spite of lower quantities of products sold, the average commercial costs sustained by a single fishing vessel have slightly increased, while fixed costs remained stable. Since the last months of 2014, the fuel price show an inverse trend, with a steady decrease; in 2015, the average fuel price was about 0.54 €/lt.

The decrease in fuel costs, that is the main cost item in fishery account, can have positive effects in the short period on the profitability of the fishery sector.

Rosaria Sabatella NISEA, Fishery and Aquaculture Research Organisation Via Irno, 11 84100 Salerno Tel.: +39 089 79 57 75 r.sabatella@nisea.eu www.nisea.eu

Data presented in this article is a summary of data collected within the Italian National Program on Fisheries Data Collection, Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies, Mipaaf.

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Italy drives a regional management plan in the Mediterranean

Reducing unwanted catches with spatial closures In contrast to fisheries in the North Atlantic fisheries in the Mediterranean are characterised by the multitude of species and the varieties of gear that are used to target them. Italian catches in the Mediterranean (together with Turkey’s) are the biggest of the approximately 30 countries whose fleets fish these waters.

O

ne of the most important fisheries in Italy is the deep-water crustacean fisheries which takes place in a very large area of the Mediterranean from the Channel of Sardinia, between Sardinia and Africa, to the Aegean Sea and further east to the Levant Sea. The target species are mainly deep-water crustaceans, deepwater rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), which is the most abundant, and giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea). The latter is caught in water up to 800 m in depth. The main commercial bycatch species is European hake (Merluccius merluccius), catches of which averaged 1,500 tonnes between 2012 and 2014 and were valued at EUR8m in 2014. Other species are Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and violet shrimp (Aristeus antennatus).

Important crustacean fisheries in the Strait of Sicily Fabio Fiorentino is a researcher at the Institute for Coastal Marine Environment of the National Research Council (IAMC-CNR) at the division in Mazara del Vallo on Sicily, a key region in the Italian fisheries sector. Sicily is home to the largest Italian fleet, which accounted for 17 of all Italian landings in 2014 with a value of 42

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almost a quarter of the total – more than any other region. As in the rest of Italy, the Sicilian fleet has undergone significant reductions.

In Mazara del Vallo for example in the 90s there were more than 250 trawlers, a number that has shrunk to about 80 today. The increase in fuel prices was one of the reasons. Most of the vessels were built 40 years ago, a time when fuel prices were much lower. Many of these vessels target shrimp. Dr Fiorentino points out that the crustacean stocks are shared between Italy (mainly Sicily), Tunisia, and to a lesser degree Malta, which has a very small fleet. The most valuable of these species is the deepwater rose shrimp. Italian catches in 2014 amounted to just under 7,700 tonnes with a value of almost EUR50m. The Italian fleet is responsible for about 80 of the total catch while Tunisian vessels catch the remainder. Over the past years, however, trawlers from Mazara del Vallo operating in the Strait of Sicily have changed their target to red giant shrimp from deep-water rose shrimp, while the smaller vessels have shifted their target from fish to deep-water rose shrimp.

There are a couple of reasons for this shift, according to Dr Fiorentino.

One is the higher price that fishermen can obtain for crustaceans has been an incentive for them to switch targets. Yet another reason

Fabio Fiorentino of the Institute for Coastal Marine Environment on Sicily, discloses that the Sicilian fleet accounts for almost 25% of the total value of Italian fishing landings.

has been the presence of other nations’ fishing vessels in the Strait of Sicily. These vessels target mainly fish, such as red mullet (Mullus barbatus). In past years this species had also been targeted by the distant water trawlers (over 24 m) based in Mazara del Vallo and to avoid conflicts the Italian vessels shifted to other species such as crustaceans. The crustacean fishery is technically more demanding, requiring better equipment and greater expertise and there was less likelihood of conflicts. There were also commercial reasons to switch to other species as Greece, the main market for mullet, was suffering from the effects of the financial crisis and was no longer as lucrative. These big trawlers can stay at sea for over a month without

returning to port, and they freeze their catch on board. Smaller trawlers, those between 12 and 24 m, are based in the harbours along the southern coast of Sicily and generally operate close to the coast spending 1-2 days at sea. These vessel too have started fishing in deeper waters changing their target from finfish and cephalopods to deep-water rose shrimp, which are typically landed fresh.

A regional management plan gradually takes shape The solution to the problem in the future may be a long term management plan that is currently being discussed among others by the Italian Ministry for www.eurofishmagazine.com

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Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), FAO, and research bodies. This will cover deepwater rose shrimp, the stock status of which has been assessed and the assessment endorsed by the scientific advisory committee of the GFCM, and will also consider the effect of this fisheries on associated species, such as hake. The plan will be a regional plan covering all the countries that share the stock, Italy, Tunisia, and Malta, but also other countries. The first step towards this management plan was taken with a request from the GFCM, which at its last meeting asked all the Mediterranean countries to present a list of trawlers that operate in the Strait of Sicily. This is the initial phase of an effort to monitor and control the activities of the vessels in the area.

It is needed, as Dr Fiorentino observes, because stock assessments suggest that the current exploitation of the stock in the Strait of Italy is not optimal. The stock is still being overfished due to a bad exploitation pattern with a lot of undersized shrimp and hake. The proposed management plan will be a tool to regulate the fishery and lay down some common rules with the objective of exploiting the stock sustainably.

It should include measures to improve the exploitation pattern of deep-water rose shrimp and associated species.

Reducing catches of undersized fish and shrimp Almost the entire yield of the deep-water rose shrimp comes from the Strait of Sicily, the channel between Sicily and Tunisia. Among the measures being considered in the management plan is the adoption of fishery www.eurofishmagazine.com

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restricted areas, that is, banning trawling in areas where juveniles aggregate after recruitment. The current legal minimum mesh size at the codend of trawls in the Mediterranean is 40 mm opening square or 50 mm opening diagonal. This enables the capture of several species including shrimp, but also undersized hake (and undersized shrimp).

The challenge is to find some way to reduce the vulnerability of the juveniles to this gear and

Other measures to improve the sustainability of demersal fisheries include limiting and controlling the fishing effort either by reducing the fishing capacity (the number of vessels) or the level of activity (days at sea) or by a combination of both. However, both fishing capacity and activity in the Italian fleet have been declining for years and experts agree that there is only limited scope to make further reductions.

Dr Fiorentino favours the spatial

closure approach as some of his early research supports its efficacy. Looking into the management of fish mortality he simulated two different scenarios. The first was the classical reduction of fishing mortality through the reduction of fishing effort, the other was not to touch the fishing effort, but to close nursery areas. The results were very interesting and particularly for deep-water shrimp, because maintaining the fishing effort, but reducing the impact of trawling on nurseries, produced a reduction of fishing mortality on the stock that is similar to that obtained by reducing the fishing effort by 10. The results showed that it was possible to obtain a more sustainable fishery, modulating not only the fishing effort, but also the action of the fishing effort in space.

Bolzano

AOSTA/AOSTE

Belluno

FRIULIVENEZIAGIULIA

Pordenone

Trento Como Lecco

Gorizia Treviso

Bergamo

Varese

Novara

Trieste

LOMBARDIA

MonzaBrianza

Biella

Vicenza

Brescia

Milano

Padova

Lodi Cremona

Pavia

Mantova

Asti

Rovigo

Piacenza

Alessandria

Ferrara Parma

Reggio Emilia Modena

LIGURIA

Cuneo

Venezia

VENETO

Verona

Vercelli Torino

PIEMONTE

Udine

TRENTINOALTO ADIGE

Sondrio VerbanoCusioOssola

EMILIA-ROMAGNA

Genova

Bologna

Ravenna

La Spezia

Savona

Forlì-Cesena Lucca

Imperia

Pistoia

Rules applicable to all fishers in the area

Rimini

Prato PesaroUrbino

Firenze

Ancona

Arezzo

Pisa

TOSCANA Livorno

Whatever the measures agreed upon vessels from all countries fishing in the area would be

MARCHE

Siena

Macerata Fermo Perugia

UMBRIA

Grosseto

Ascoli Piceno Teramo

Terni

Pescara

Viterbo

Rieti

ABRUZZO LAZIO

Chieti

L’Aquila

Roma Campobasso Frosinone

Isernia

MOLISE

Foggia

Latina Caserta

Avellino

Napoli

Olbia-Tempio

BarlettaAndriaTrani

Benevento

PUGLIA Bari

CAMPANIA Potenza

Sassari Salerno

Taranto Matera

Nuoro

SARDEGNA Oristano

Medio Campidano

Brindisi

BASILICATA Lecce

Ogliastra

Cosenza

Cagliari

CALABRIA

CarboniaIglesias

Crotone Catanzaro

Vibo Valentia

Reggio Calabria

closing off nursery areas in the Strait of Sicily to fishing by trawlers is a possible solution both for shrimp and hake. These two often occur together as juveniles and nurseries of hake are often also nurseries of deep-water rose shrimp.

Messina Trapani

Palermo Enna CaltanisAgrigento

SICILIA

Catania

setta Siracusa Ragusa

Italian fisheries extend from around the coast to far out to sea in the Mediterranean.

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Packaging on board

Adding value can compensate for lower volumes

Premium species like giant red shrimp are candidates for value adding processing currently being tested on board some vessels.

subject to these common rules.

The current fishing effort and the current exploitation pattern are leading to over-exploitation of the stock. To reach MSY for deep-water shrimp, the current fish mortality needs to be reduced by 20-30. To achieve MSY for hake, which reaches first maturity at 4 years and can grow to a size of 1 m and has thus a

completely different biology from the shrimp, mortality needs to be reduced by 70.

The FAO MedSudMed Project will make a significant contribution to the Central Mediterranean demersal fishery management plan. As the stocks involved are shared by different countries, EU and non-European, FAO

Enrico Arneri, Nicoletta Milone, and Luca Ceriola from the AdriaMed and MedSudMed projects that aim to foster a coordinated approach to fisheries management in the Mediterranean.

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Gioacchino Bono at the Institute for Coastal Marine Environment on Sicily is looking at packaging technology that can be used on board demersal vessels catching high value products such as crustaceans. The aim is to give the fisher a better price for his catch and compensate for lower catch volumes.

One of the ideas he is working with is the use of modified atmosphere (MA) to package the product. Currently, a vessel catching shrimp in the eastern Mediterranean has been installed with a trial machine that can either use MA or skin packaging to package the product. This is currently aimed mainly at premium species such as giant red shrimp, deep water rose shrimp, and Norway lobster, but the idea, if successful, could also be used on fish such as red mullet. The use of MA packaging removes the need to use chemicals that prevent black spotting of the shrimp. Currently the use of chemicals is widespread as black spotting is unsightly and therefore a hindrance to selling the product on the market. By using MA packaging the black spotting can be reduced thanks to the combination of gases in the packaging. A further advantage is that this packaging can increase the shelf life of the product.

MedSudMed Project provides a neutral forum where the issues can be discussed. In addition, the stocks of the deep-water rose shrimp and hake are regularly assessed with the support of the regional FAO project, MedSudMed, and the assessments are discussed and endorsed by the Scientific Advisory Committee of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean.

This technical assistance project started with the aim of increasing scientific cooperation and developing capacity in the region so that countries could gather, analyse and share data on their fisheries and fisheries resources. Enrico Arneri, the FAO coordinator of MedSudMed, says that increasingly the focus of this project is moving from fisheries research to support to fisheries management and its impact not only on the fish but also on the fishermen.

With the approval by countries the GFCM recommended the establishment of a list of authorised vessels fishing in the Central Mediterranean area and fixed a minimum length of some target species like deep-water rose

shrimp as first measures to reduce fishing mortality. Dr Fiorentino pointed out that one further way could be spatial closures to trawlers of nursery areas. Clearly this is a measure that would work if the vessels have a vessel monitoring system (VMS) on board, but since many at present do not, it may not be immediately effective. In other words, designing a management plan that fits countries that are hugely different in many senses, economically, politically, and socially, is going to be a challenging task.

Landing obligation for demersal more problematic than for pelagics Among the new elements introduced by the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy are the discard ban and the landing obligation. In the Mediterranean discards are estimated to amount to be around 230,000 tonnes annually or just under a fifth of average annual catches, according to a recent paper* in the ICES Journal of Marine www.eurofishmagazine.com

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Deep water rose shrimp, giant red shrimp, Norway lobster (pictured), and violet shrimp are high value species targeted by the Italian fleet.

Science. The discard ban came into force for the small pelagic fishery from the start of 2015. In the Italian small pelagic fisheries discards are less of an issue as catches tend to be uniform with little or no bycatch and the target species tend to be of a similar size. Only specimens that are less than the minimum size qualify as discards. For the demersal fishery the landing obligation will be phased in over two years to cover all species subject to a minimum size by the beginning of 2019. The demersal fisheries in the Mediterranean are highly complex with a multitude of vessels, gears, and species that result in very mixed catches. Discarding may be for any one or more of a number of reasons, including economic (the lack of value of some of the species caught, or high grading), legal (fish caught are under the minimum size), commercial (when catches may affect market demand in some seasons), technical (lack of selectivity of gears or inadequate storage www.eurofishmagazine.com

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capacity on board), biological, environmental, or due to poor enforcement.

The Mediterranean is in a state of flux Improvements in technology have sometimes resulted in lower discard rates. The use of lighter nets, for example, in the Sicilian distant water trawlers originally introduced to reduce fuel consumption also resulted in less megabenthos (starfish, sea urchins, algae, sea cucumbers etc.), says Fabio Fiorentino. As a result discards in the shrimp fisheries came down from about 50 to 30-40. Some scientists think that discards play an environmental role, providing feed for seabirds and other scavengers that prey on the discards. The Mediterranean is an oligotrophic sea and Dr Fiorentino feels that preventing discards removes a source of nutrients from the water at a time when other changes may also be making the sea less productive. For example, the flow

of rivers into the Mediterranean has decreased, and this freshwater, which used to be a rich source of nutrients, has a lower content of nitrogen and phosphorus than before and a higher content of chemical pollutants. Another impact is that of climate change which, in some areas, may be slowing down the mixing of surface water and bottom water in winter making the sea less productive. But climate change also seems to have some positive effects. While increases in the water temperature has made the Mediterranean less attractive for some species like sardine, mackerel, and blue whiting, it has had a positive impact on others.

The population of deep-water rose shrimp, for example, a species that prefers warmer water, is increasing in the north and in the Ligurian Sea. Other species are entering the Mediterranean from the Red Sea drawn by the warmer water and as a result the species composition in the eastern basin is changing. These changes point to a sea that is in the process of evolving and the challenge is to adopt fisheries strategies that take these modifications into account.

Banning discards vs preventing them in the first place Discards however are a waste of resources and they also damage the environment and are seen to be incompatible with responsible fishing. Overall, they have also been increasing, according to the authors of the ICES Journal of Marine Science paper, due partly to improvements in technology that enabled fishing in areas that were once inaccessible, changes in demand for certain varieties of fish, and environmental changes among others. The authors note that greater prosperity also seems

to lead to higher discards as societies become more fastidious about what they will eat, while in times of poverty a larger variety of species and sizes is acceptable.

For fishermen too first catching and then handling discards are a cost in terms of time and money.

More generally, conservation organisations have highlighted the problem of discards guiding public opinion against the practice. The introduction of the discard ban and landing obligation has provoked concerns that landing undersized fish, which can be used for the production of fishmeal and fish oil may result in the creation of a market for this fish and negate the point of the ban. Other scientists have concluded that the landing obligation may increase the costs to fishermen for handling and storing the fish on board, and processing it in ports. The infrastructure for managing discards does not exist in most Italian ports and will need to be created, leading to higher costs. A study coordinated

by CIBM in Livorno and involving colleagues from CNR-ISMAR of Ancona, COISPA of Bari and NISEA of Salerno suggested that the landing obligation in the short to medium term risked making demersal fisheries economically unsustainable. In the Mediterranean the discard ban and the landing obligation are viewed with a degree of scepticism not only by fishers but also scientists and policy makers, who would rather see greater focus on the use of spatial and temporal closures of certain areas such as nurseries that would contribute to the prevention or reduction of unwanted catches in the first place. *Dimitrios Damalas et al. Historical discarding in Mediterranean fisheries: a fishers’ perception, ICES Journal of Marine Science; doi:10.1093/ icesjms/fsv14 Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

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The fasolari ďŹ shery in Northern Adriatic

POs can enhance competitiveness in the sector The Italian production of fasolari (Callista chione) takes place in the Northern Adriatic in the two Italian regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto and is managed at the sub-regional level by the consortia (CO.GE.VO.) of Chioggia, Venice and Monfalcone. Here the system is based on a co-management approach between the consortia and the POs. The three above mentioned consortia work in a coordinated manner using the same PO, OP I Fasolari.

I

n the Italian management of clams and similar species, the role of POs has gradually increased over the time. Nevertheless a clear distinction between them and Consortia exist: the latter are responsible of management (mainly, limitation of fishing days and the establishment of maximum daily fishing quantities), while POs help them to match supply with market demands and support them in creating added value. From a management point of view, Consortia have to comply with nationally set limits, but they are free to introduce more restrictive measures if they deem it necessary for safeguarding the resource.

Target species has to be decided every three years Fishing for fasolari takes place with dredgers.

Besides the organizational aspects, it should be noted that the fasolari fishery was originally born as an alternative to the fishery of the main target species of dredges, striped venus clam (Chamelea gallina) – in periods of scarcity of resources and/or as a means to impact the price of striped venus when it is low (to reduce supply, some vessels had to switch to fasolari fishery). Vessels fishing striped venus and smooth clams are, indeed, the same (hydraulic 46

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dredges with an average length between 12-18 metres) but they have to decide, each 3 years, if they want to target clams or fasolari for the next period and, hence, adhere to the related PO. The main incentive leading a vessel to switch from clams to fasolari is the price per kilo, which for fasolari is higher and fixed by the PO. It is important also to highlight that the two species (striped venus and smooth clams) are not in competition and

substitutable: clams cover a very wide market, from local to national to foreign markets and are generally appreciated by consumers for the ease in preparation for direct consumption.

OP I Fasolari (with the support of NISEA) is working to promote the competitiveness of this fishery. Under the SUCCESS project (www.success.eu, EU project financed under the Horizon 2020

research programme) the fasolari fishery has been selected as case study with the main aim of better understanding how the governance and the marketing structure affect the mechanism of price formation. Indeed, the good integration of management (Consortia) and marketing (POs) structures represents a modern and sustainable approach to fishery covering all the steps along the value chain. www.eurofishmagazine.com

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Imports from Croatia cheaper than domestic production Regarding the production, in 2013 and 2014, the total amount of fasolari landed each year by dredges was around 1,400 tons. The internal consumption of smooth clams is supplied, for a very small percentage (around 5) by imports of products mainly coming from Croatia (around 1,000 kg per week in the Northern Adriatic regions).

The average price per kilo of fasolari is different if looking at the domestic and at the import supply: 4.50 €/kg for the local production, sold, in the first step, from fishermen to the PO platform and 3.50€/kg for imported smooth clams (at least for products coming from Croatia) according to OP I Fasolari.

The overall production – domestic production via PO platform plus imports – is destined for a minimum share to local consumption (around 5), for another small

Fasolari are produced in the northern Adriatic, but are consumed mainly in the southern parts of Italy.

share (5) to exports (mainly to France) while the bulk (90) is destined for the southern Italian regions, mainly Campania and Puglia. Indeed, fasolari are more appreciated in Southern Italy for fresh consumption (mainly raw, especially in Puglia) and

especially during the Christmas period. Here consumers’ preferences are mainly driven by a consumer habit related to the products’ processing before consumption. Southern Italian consumers are traditionally more used to subjecting clams to depuration, whereby they are stored in clean seawater for several hours to remove any sand or other impurities they may have accumulated.

Developing a market for fasolari in the northern Adriatic

Stefano Benetton, the project manager at OP I Fasolari www.eurofishmagazine.com

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The OP I Fasolari is devoting some effort in promoting the consumption of fasolari in the Northern Adriatic regions and, in general, for increasing the consumers’ appreciation of the product. This is the main aim of a project currently in progress (financed by the MiPAAF and carried out with the support of NISEA) that will focus on the promotion of fasolari through market valorisation strategies like the environmental sustainability certification (e.g. Friends of the Sea, FoS). The choice of the standard for environmental and

sustainability pro-active approach will depend from the feedback that, step by step, will be received by the different stakeholders, first of all from the fishermen adhering to the PO I Fasolari. During the development of the project, a consumer’ survey will be realized in order to investigate on their perceptions in relation to FoS and other certification schemes.

The choice of the most adequate certification scheme and an appropriate marketing scheme will add intangible (and in turn tangible) value to the fasolari production and will be the better way to optimize the energy and efforts of the PO in management and economic terms.

Loretta Malvarosa and Maria Cozzolino NISEA, Fishery and Aquaculture Research Organisation Via Irno, 11 84100 Salerno Tel: +39 089 79 57 75 malvarosa@nisea.eu, cozzolino@ nisea.eu www.nisea.eu Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

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A new location would benefit Chioggia fish market

Better road transport links are important for growth The fish market at Chioggia is one of the biggest in the region. Transport bottlenecks constrain its expansion and the authorities would like to move it to an area that is better connected to the road network.

C

hioggia, a port on the east coast of Italy 50 km south of Venice is home to one of the biggest fish markets in the north Adriatic, an area comprised of the three regions Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna. In fact, in terms of volumes of fish sold, the Chioggia market is the biggest, but by value the Venice seafood market exceeds it by a significant margin.

Chioggia is a historical fishing port and the seafood market has existed since 1960. It is placed right in the centre of Chioggia, which, as Andrea Venerucci the director of the market, explains is a mixed blessing. The centre of Chioggia is an island, so for the fishing vessels the market is positioned very favourably; the vessels dock a few meters away and within minutes the fish can be brought to the market. Transporting the fish from the market to the highway is another matter however as the trucks have to drive through the town where the roads are very narrow and crowded particularly in summer when there are also vast numbers of tourists. The local municipality would therefore like to move the market to another location that is more favourably positioned with respect to the highway.

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Turnover at the market moves higher Despite having been discussed for several years the market has not yet moved and in the meantime there are other issues that need to be addressed. Between 2010 and 2012 turnover at the market shrank by a fifth to EUR37m while the volume of fish sold decreased by 17 to 9,000 tonnes. Dr Venerucci attributes these developments to problems with the weather, changes in legislation, fuel price increases, the economic crisis, and the reduction in spending power. Since then however the situation has been improving; in 2015 turnover crept up to EUR40m and volumes increased to 13,000 tonnes.

If more boats landed their fish at Chioggia it would probably attract more buyers and give the market a boost.

Part of the problem seems to be the extreme fragmentation. The three regions of the north Adriatic have no less than 13 markets – along a distance of some 400 km.

Many of them are tiny. The market in Caorle in Veneto had a turnover in 2014 of EUR1m on volumes of 207 tonnes. In total the thirteen markets had a turnover of EUR154m. Remove the two top performers, Venice and

Andrea Venerucci, director of the seafood market in Chioggia

Chioggia, and the remaining 11 markets had a combined turnover of EUR60m on volumes of 20,000 tonnes. Apart from the fragmentation, regulations and traditions commit the fishers to selling their catches at their own port’s market even if prices are better at a neighbouring market.

Vessels from Chioggia, for example, that land at Ancona send the fish by road to the market in Chioggia to sell it there. Attracting vessels from other countries is not possible as the distances are too great to make it worthwhile for Croatian or Slovenian vessels to land fish at Italian ports.

Instead the fish is sent by road to be sold at Italian markets.

Fish is landed within hours of being caught Improved transport in and out of the market may thus help both the supply to the market and the demand, which explains why Dr Venerucci is keen on shifting the market. Fish sold at Chioggia is also exported, for example, to Germany, as for German buyers Chioggia is three to four hours closer than say, Ancona. The vessels have a tradition of spending less than a day at sea so that the fish is typically landed within a few hours of being caught. This ensures the quality and gives the product a longer shelf life. Some vessels are also investing in ice-making machinery www.eurofishmagazine.com

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The first MSC certification in the Mediterranean by end 2016

The auction at Chioggia would benefit from a location with better road transport links.

on board while pelagic vessels are starting to use grading machinery to sort the fish with a minimum of manual handling, again to improve the quality of the product.

Marco Spinadin, vice president of Confcooperative, the confederation of Italian cooperatives.

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The market also offers storage facilities as vessel owners sometimes do not immediately sell their fish if they are aware of conditions that may have an impact on prices. For example problems with the weather that prevent vessels from going to sea in other parts of Italy will reduce the amount of fish on the market and increase the price. Similarly, snow in the Appenines can prevent the transport of fish from the east to the west coast thereby increasing the supply and reducing the price on markets in the east. These factors have to be taken into account when deciding when to sell the fish.

Sustainability is an increasingly important issue. At a conference in Catania in February, Giampaolo Buonfiglio the chairman of MEDAC, the Advisory Council for the Mediterranean, noted that of 30 stocks assessed almost all demonstrated severe depletion.

In Chioggia, Marco Spinadin, Vice President of Confcooperative, the confederation of Italian cooperatives, says that the fishery for anchovy and sardines in the North Adriatic is expected to be certified to the Marine Stewardship Council standard by the end of 2016.

This is currently the only fishery in the Mediterranean that is in assessment and when completed it will be the only Mediterranean fishery to be certified sustainable by the MSC. The fishermen are also interested in installing vessel monitoring systems (VMS) on board all vessels. Currently it is only required for vessels that are above 15 m in length. This will allow the authorities to monitor the movements of all vessels in real times and see where and when they fish. Thereby, closed seasons and closed areas can be effectively enforced. Regarding the introduction of the discard plan for pelagics since the start of 2015, Mr Spinadin says that in the pelagics sector records of discards are already being maintained in the logbook for four types of pelagics, anchovies, sardines, mackerel, and horse mackerel. The situation in the Mediterranean is likely to improve area by area with better management measures, increased use of technology, and closer collaboration between all the stakeholders.

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Cetara’s small scale purse seiners get a new lease on life

Colatura, a taste enhancer that goes back to Roman times

Secondo Squizzato, mayor of Cetara, and the driving force behind Amici della Alici, an association to promote colatura, Cetara, and the small scale anchovy fleet.

In Cetara on the west coast of Italy a few hours south of Rome, Secundo Squizzato, the mayor, speaks of the need to safeguard the production of the local anchovies as they go into the production of colatura, a fish sauce, traditionally only produced in Cetara. He founded an association, Amici della Alici (Friends of Anchovies), that brought together producers, the restaurant sector, and people interested in traditional products with a view to obtaining a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) certificate for the colatura. This will acknowledge both the product and the process that is needed to create it as well as the area from which it originates.

Mr Squizzato left the association in 2006 to become mayor, but is likely to return to the association as head of its scientific committee. The interest in colatura has been a boon for the small scale anchovy fishery, which was threatened due to a lack of profitability. Now, however, colatura producers look for fish caught by these vessels.

This helps maintain the romance of the story behind colatura and is a useful marketing tool, though the producers are not averse to buying fish from the big purse seiners. The product is made by storing headed and gutted anchovy with salt in a barrel and collecting the juice that accumulates, which is then purified and bottled.

Colatura is based on the liquid from anchovies caught close to the coast and salted and stored in a particular way.

A fish shop in Chioggia keeps abreast of trends

Cooking for busy customers The Da Felice gastronomia and pescheria is a fish retailer in the heart of Chioggia run by Domenico Frizziero, who started working in a fish shop 25 years ago. At 04.00 every morning from Tuesday to Saturday Mr Frizziero goes to the Chioggia auction to buy the freshly landed fish that he needs for his shop.

September, October and November are the best months for fish, he says, when there is a lot of variety

and most of the fish is local. During the rest of the year he has to buy imported fish as it is impossible to work with only local catches.

Three years ago Mr Frizziero renovated his shop and installed a kitchen to be able to offer prepared fish to his customers.

That has been a great success, he says, I now sell more cooked fish than I do chilled. He ascribes this

to people’s lack of time. Many do not have the time to first prepare and then cook the fish. The lack of time also explains the popularity of fillets. When he first introduced them nobody wanted them, now everybody wants fillets, because they are so easy to cook. Customers will often call to ask what is available and then ask for it to be prepared so that they can pick it up on their way home.

Consumer habits are changing in similar ways across Europe reflecting social changes that are radiating out from the big cities to smaller towns and villages.

Greater numbers of single people, more women in the workforce, smaller families, will tend to propel demand for convenience and time saving providing opportunities for enterprising people everywhere.

More seafood is sold cooked to customers than chilled.

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Agro Ittica Lombarda is best known for sturgeon caviar, but has other products too

A unique sensory experience The Italian aquaculture sector has a long history starting ďŹ rst in the coastal lagoons and then, as technology became available, expanding both inland and along the coast. While the freshwater production of trout is in terms of volume by far the most important, other freshwater species such as sturgeon and eels are also produced in signiďŹ cant volumes.

Farming seven varieties of sturgeon The Agro Ittica group has two facilities about 10 km apart as well as interests in a trout farming facility in the neighbourhood of Milan.

The sturgeon farming is split between the two facilities, with white sturgeon, A. baerii (Siberian sturgeon), and small volumes of beluga being farmed at one and Adriatic sturgeon, A. gueldenstaedtii (Danube sturgeon or osietra), and A. stellatus (starry sturgeon or sevruga) being farmed at the other. In addition the company produces A. ruthenus (sterlet). www.eurofishmagazine.com

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Agro Ittica Lombarda

A

mong the main producers of sturgeon for caviar and meat is the company Agro Ittica Lombarda. Based in Brescia to the east of Milan, the company was established in the 70’s when it started as an eel farm.

It was the owners of a steel mill in Calvisano, Brescia who realised that the surplus heat generated by the mill could be used with a heat exchanger to warm the water to farm eel. Experiments were also conducted with other species that needed warm water to grow including channel catfish and hybrid striped bass. But the fish that showed the most promise was the sturgeon, no doubt partly because three species of sturgeon, Acipenser naccarii (Adriatic sturgeon), A. sturio (European sturgeon), and Huso huso (Beluga), used to be found in the wild in the region.

The farming site is spread over 60 ha and comprises a hatchery, on-growing ponds and a processing facility.

The steel mill that provides the heat can be seen faintly in the background.

The different species of sturgeon enable the company to offer a palate of products originating from the different fish. Mario Pazzaglia, the Head of Special Projects and Scientific External Relations, says that the caviar from each species of sturgeon has its own sensorial characteristics and customers can taste the different varieties and decide which they prefer.

The heat produced by the neighbouring steel plant is used to warm the water in the hatchery. Once the sturgeons are released into the bigger ponds the water is warmed naturally by the sun. Temperature change has an important physiological impact on sturgeons as without it the maturation of the fish is not optimal, says Dr Pazzaglia.

Dr Mario Pazzaglia, Head of Special Projects and Scientific External Relations, Agro Ittica Lombarda

Lowering the temperature to promote maturation is a process called vernalisation. In fact it is impossible for the sturgeon to reproduce if the temperature

is stable, he adds. The water is sourced from a spring, which has several advantages. It maintains a constant temperature of 13 degrees, is of very high quality Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

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The ponds have beds of gravel which are inhabited by shrimps, snails and other invertebrates that the sturgeons feed on in addition to their pelleted feed.

Agro Ittica Lombarda

The interest in sturgeon dates back to 1981 when, thanks to a serendipitous meeting at an aquaculture conference in Venice, the former president of Agro Ittica came in contact with a Russian scientist working at the University of California. This led to a collaboration that combined Russian knowhow with an American approach and enabled the farming of white sturgeon both in California and at the same time in the company’s facilities in Italy. Wild broodstock was taken from the Sacramento River and the larvae were flown to Italy for on-growing. Ten years after this arrangement started the first female sturgeons were ready for reproduction, which was the next step in the company’s progress. From a commercial point of view this was also a turning point because around that time CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, restricted the trade in sturgeon so that importing live fish was no longer possible. This meant that the population in Italy was now genetically isolated from the population in the US.

Agro Ittica Lombarda

with a neutral taste and, equally important, is isolated from potential sources of microbiological contamination.

Full traceability will contribute to transparency As the sturgeon production increased that of eel was declining due to changes in the market.

Consumer tastes with respect to eel were evolving as many were finding it too fatty and too snake-like a fish, so demand was dropping steadily.

As a result the company decided to reduce the production of eel and concentrate on sturgeon. This made commercial sense particularly in light of the CITES action, which was taken in response to 52

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The company is self-sufficient in the production of fish with its own hatchery and broodstock.

a serious threat to the survival of the wild stock. Since the trade in sturgeon was banned farm populations of the fish and the products from them were highly valuable.

Initially the company produced only 100-200 kg of caviar a year, which was supplied exclusively to the local market. But demand for

the product increased rapidly and the company started the industrial production of caviar, which today amounts to 25 tonnes a year. Of this 15 tonnes is from white sturgeon and 10 tonnes is from other species. The challenge is not the production any longer, but the sales of the caviar, says Dr Pazzaglia.

While the market is more or less stable, production of caviar from aquaculture has increased very rapidly and prices are dropping each year. China has emerged as a major producer, but is not a significant consumer of caviar, so Chinese producers are competing for the same markets as European www.eurofishmagazine.com

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Agro Ittica Lombarda

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Agro Ittica Lombarda

The caviar is stored in special containers, which are used to mature or transport the product.

it is caviar from the three species, beluga (Huso huso), sevruga (A. stellatus), and osietra (A. gueldenstaedtii) that are most popular among consumers. These are not only species, but also grades of caviar. The price for white sturgeon caviar lies somewhere between sevruga and osietra, prices for caviar from other species lie at different points along this scale. With seven types of caviar the company can offer products all along the scale, and consumers have the opportunity to compare and contrast the taste and consistency of different kinds of caviar.

Among the products is caviar from Adriatic sturgeon, a species that is native to Italian rivers. Government restocking efforts for this species have been put on hold and so the company is collaborating with the provincial authorities and research bodies to release some of its production of this fish into the wild.

The sturgeons are farmed primarily for the production of caviar, but the meat from the fish is also a product, although not all species have a meat that can be marketed in Italy.

The white sturgeon (A. transmontanus) that Agro Ittica started with was in fact first bred for its meat as this is the most suitable species in this regard. The meat is sold primarily in Italy and Germany. Meat from other species is however difficult to sell on the Italian market, but

is exported for example to Russia.

The meat is sold fresh and vacuum packaged, or cold or hot smoked, or combined into pasta. The processing is done on site in Calvisano where the company has a thoroughly modern facility certified to BRC, IFS and ISO standards. This is not only used to process sturgeon, but also a number of other high value products including swordfish, tuna, Scottish salmon and trout. All the products are sold under the company’s own brand.

Sustainability is an important aspect of the production for Mario Pazzaglia. The sturgeon ponds are lined with gravel which is inhabited by shrimps, snails, and other small invertebrates that are part of the natural diet of sturgeons. Nutrients from the sturgeon feed support the growth of microalgae which the invertebrates feed on and which protect the sturgeon from the sun by increasing the turbidity of the water. Our approach is the management of complex ecosystems, says Dr Pazzaglia, so that the production, even though it is not extensive, has a minimal impact on the environment. Investments in sustainability have paid off. Today both white sturgeon (A. transmontanus) and Siberian sturgeon (A. baerii) are certified to the Friend of the Sea aquaculture standard.

Agro Ittica Lombarda Spa The caviar is packaged in 10 g tins that convey the exclusivity of the product to the consumer.

farmers. An additional issue is that caviar from other countries comes into Europe and is repackaged with the name of the country or origin limited to a two-letter code which makes it difficult for the consumer to know where the product comes from and how fresh it is. Mario Pazzaglia would like to see regulations that ensure the full traceability www.eurofishmagazine.com

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of the product and make its origins and age completely transparent for the consumer.

Restocking sturgeon to maintain biodiversity Caviar from white sturgeon is an excellent product, but is relatively unknown on the market, where

Via Kennedy 25012 Calvisano Tel.: +39 030 9686991 Fax: +39 030 968433 info@agroittica.it calvisius.com agroittica.it Head of Special Projects and ScientiďŹ c External Relations: Mario Pazzaglia Employees: 120 Farm: 60 ha

Hatchery: 120 basins each 25 sq. m Fresh products: Sturgeon caviar from seven species of sturgeon, sturgeon meat Smoked products: Sturgeon, swordďŹ sh, Scottish salmon, tuna, trout Total caviar production: 25 tonnes per year Brands: Calvisius, Cavalier Caviar Club Markets: Italy, rest of Europe Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

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Cromaris is a major player on the Italian market for seabass and seabream

Looking to expand to southern Italy A Croatian producer of seabass and seabream has used a high quality product and good service to create a reputation on the Italian market.

I

taly is the biggest market in the EU for seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and seabream (Sparus aurata). Domestic production of the two species is relatively modest at about 12,000 tonnes, a number that has remained stable for several years. To meet demand therefore Italy imports large quantities of these two species. Since 2010 Italian imports of seabream have increased by 15 to almost 26,000 tonnes in 2014, while seabass imports increased by 4 to 22.5 thousand tonnes over the same period, according to data from Ismea. Among the countries exporting seabass and seabream to Italy is Croatia, where the biggest producer is Cromaris.

Twenty-four hours from cages to Italy Croatia has a geographical advantage over other major European exporters of seabass and seabream such as Greece and Turkey. Fish from Croatia can be delivered to customers in Italy 24 hours after being harvested, a significant benefit when the product is as delicate as fresh fish. Cromaris has its farms in the central and northern part of the Adriatic and harvests, processes and ships its fish directly to the customer every day. However, the freshness of the product and the speed of delivery are only part of the formula. Another ingredient, says 54

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Davide Furlan, who is responsible for Cromaris Italy, is that the company makes no demands for a minimum delivery. A customer does not have to order a truck of fish or even a pallet. We will deliver even a single box if that is what the customer orders, says Mr Furlan.

Freshness and quality are key attributes in any food-related business and even more so when it comes to sensitive perishables like fish on ice. The Italian market is also highly demanding; customers are used to buying very fresh fish, which they recognise and appreciate. At Cromaris the whole production and delivery process is geared to meet these stringent market requirements.

The company is fully integrated with its own hatchery and broodstock; production both on the farm and in the processing plant is certified to multiple standards including HACCP, ISO, IFS, Global G.A.P., and Kosher; and for its distribution the company uses its own trucks as well as those of partners. The logistics are planned so that the fish leaves the farm in the evening and early the next morning is delivering all along the Italy’s eastern seaboard – Trieste, Venice, Chioggia, Porto Viro, Goro, where all the biggest seafood companies are located. For the moment the company supplies the northern and the central parts of the country up to Ancona in the east and Rome in the west. The south, says

Davide Furlan, General Manager of Cromaris Italy

Davide Furlan, calls for another employee.

Using television to target end consumers In anticipation of greater sales Cromaris is ramping up production currently at 6,500 tonnes to 10,000 tonnes in 2018. While a large fraction of this comes to Italy, the company also has other markets in Europe including in Germany, France, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Albania. As the most important market Italy has been the focus of marketing campaigns on television, the next one of which will

be going live shortly. While a previous promotion effort focused more on creating awareness, the new one is directly consumer focused and will explain why Cromaris’ fish differs from the alternatives, why it is more expensive, and why customers should look for it despite the higher price.

This type of exercise is relatively unknown for this kind of product (fresh fish) and the company went to great lengths with marketing experts, psychologists, and focus groups to tailor the right message. AS far as I know only the Norwegian Seafood Council has done something similar, says Mr Furlan, but that is generic www.eurofishmagazine.com

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Fish is available fresh whole or as fillets, MA packaged, smoked, and marinated.

Within 24 hours of being harvested the fish is displayed at sales counters in Italy.

marketing, while ours is for the Cromaris brand. Identifying Cromaris’ fish at a supermarket or fishmonger is easy thanks to the tag that is stuck into each fish.

Campaigns alone, however, are not enough to persuade consumers. One of the biggest challenges facing producers is the quality and quantity of information provided to consumers by sales people in stores. This can either be inadequate or occasionally even incorrect. The company therefore invited all the store managers from a big supermarket chain in Italy to visit its production facilities in Croatia to show them the whole production process.

are also markets that can afford to pay the premium associated with organic fish, which in Cromaris’ case costs about 30 more than conventionally farmed fish. The reason is the feed, which is more expensive, as well as the lower density at which the fish are farmed, and not least the cost of certification. The production is certified to different standards including BioSwiss, AB, Naturland, Global G.A.P. and Friend of the Sea and is farmed at a density of around 10 kg per cubic m. Fish farmed conventionally is usually stocked at higher densities.

Meagre steaks to tempt private consumers

good yield of meat. The company is growing the fish to 2-3 kg and selling it to the hotel, restaurant, and catering sector, however this size is too large for private consumers. To them the company is offering a new product, meagre steaks. At 60-70 g a piece a consumer can buy as many of them as necessary without having to deal with a whole fish. Meagre however does suffer the disadvantage of whitish flesh that is less attractive than the meat of salmon or seatrout which is a more attractive colour. Production of meagre is still modest compared with that of seabass and seabream and the company is still ironing out kinks in production, but expectations from this fish are high.

In addition to seabass and seabream Cromaris also started the production of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) some years ago. A fast-growing fish with firm white meat meagre is a relatively new species to be farmed in the Mediterranean. It is characterised by a large head and tail so that the fish needs to grow to a large size for a

Last year Cromaris launched the production of organic seabass and seabream which are being farmed at its site in the Lim bay close to the border with Slovenia. This fish is sold mainly on markets in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where awareness of and demand for organic products are very high. These

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Wide range of products The company emphasises the Adriatic origin of its fish. A new hatchery, now going on stream, is claimed to be the biggest in Europe for seabass and seabream, and the broodstock is from the Adriatic, further differentiating the fish from that farmed in other countries. At the other end of the production chain the range of products extends to fresh fish, fresh fillets, MA packaged fresh fish, and smoked and marinated seabass and seabream products. The Italian market, already the company’s biggest, is likely to get more important still.

Cromaris Italia SRL 10, via delle Industrie Casale sul Sile (TV) 31032 Italy Tel./Fax: +39 0422 786948 davide.furlan@cromaris.it

Product forms: Fresh fish, fresh fillets, MA packaged fresh fish, smoked, marinated Markets: Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Albania among others

General Manager: Davide Furlan Products: Seabass, seabream, conventional and organic; meagre, mussels, oysters

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The fisheries sector in Serbia

Aquaculture, angling dominate production Inland waters in Serbia comprise rivers, of which the Danube (the longest), Sava, and Tisza are navigable, two natural lakes and several artificial lakes. These resources support a commercial freshwater fishery, a recreational fishery, as well as an aquaculture industry.

The freshwater fishery in Serbia is organized on 65,980 km of rivers and streams and about 150 artificial lakes and reservoirs. The northern parts of Serbia have 30,000 km of canals, which are also suitable for fishing.

T

here are 110 freshwater fish species (lamprey and Actinopterygii) registered in Serbia. Of this 23 species are allochthonous and 12 can be characterised as invasive. Of the total, 53 species including ten allochthonous species are of interest to the commercial and recreational fishing sectors. Twenty-nine species are commercially important and 12 of these are the most commonly caught. Recreational fishers target approximately 45 species.

A permanent ban on fishing currently applies to 28 species and a temporary ban to 17 species.

Sturgeon conservation measures bear fruit The conservation of sturgeon species in the Danube River basin is a priority for Serbia. The adoption in 2003 of a regional strategy for the conservation and sustainable management of sturgeon populations in the north western Black Sea and Lower Danube River in accordance with CITES has led to an improvement of sturgeon stocks in the Danube River. Since 2008 a permanent closed season for fishing sturgeon species has been in force. Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) is the exception to the ban, but its minimum landing size has been increased to 40 cm. Moreover, an action plan for sturgeon species in 56

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The fisheries sector in Serbia comprises freshwater commercial fishing, recreational fishing, and aquaculture. The latter two are responsible for the bulk of the production.

Serbian waters has been enacted.

The plan includes proposals for the identification, and protection of the fish and measures for supporting the survival of endangered sturgeon species. It also suggests ways to minimise the effects of factors threatening the fish. The sturgeons are a flagship species of the Danube River with unique value for biodiversity, both from the scientific perspective (as “living fossils”

and as indicators of good water and habitat quality) and from socioeconomic considerations (healthy and properly managed stocks could sustain the livelihood of residents).

The Serbia is divided into sixteen fishing districts which are assigned to fishing district managers through a competition under conditions regulated by law. Fishing districts may be conceded for use

to a commercial company, public enterprise or other legal entity.

Commercial fishing is carried out on the Danube, the Sava and the Tisza rivers. In accordance with the regional conservation strategy for sturgeons, fishing on the Danube River from 863 km to 860 km (the hydroelectric power plant Djerdap II) is prohibited.

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a permit issued by the manager of the protected area (6.2 of Serbian territory) is necessary. The number of permits issued for recreational fishing varies from 80,000 to 100,000. The total recorded catch of commercial and recreational fishermen varied from 2,631 t in 2006 to 3,591 t in 2014. Over the five years to 2014 recreational fishermen’s catches averaged 61, although in 2014 it increased to 75 due to a significant drop in commercial catches.

The several thousand kilometres of rivers in Serbia have enabled the development of a commercial and an important recreational fishery.

(less than 6 m in length) and are located on the Danube, the Sava and the Tisza rivers. The gears used include gillnets and seines as well as longlines that may have up to 100 hooks and traps. In 2014 there were 472 commercial fishers, as opposed to 500 in 2010. The number of fish keepers has however increased significantly to 457 in 2014 from 209 in 2011.

Commercial and recreational fisheries exist side by side Commercial fishing licenses are issued by the fishing district

manager. The number of licenses is established by the Fishing District Management Programme which is subject to approval by the Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning. To obtain a fishing license the fisherman must be registered as a commercial fisherman, for which he must have passed the professional exam for commercial fishermen. The average annual number of commercial fishermen licenses issued is about 480 with a slightly declining trend since 2009.

Recreational fishing is practiced in all Serbian waters. A fishing permit is valid for the whole territory except for protected areas where

Fish farming is primarily carp and trout Aquaculture in Serbia is the production of freshwater fish, primarily carps and trout. Production of both has been fairly stable over the five years to 2014 varying between 6,300 and 7,300 tonnes of carp and 750 and 850 tonnes of trout. The pond surface dedicated to carp farming has also stayed roughly constant at 8,700 ha, but the area of trout ponds has increased significantly from 37,000 sq. m to 50,000 sq. m in 2014. Over seven tenths of the carp produced is fish for consumption, while the rest is fry produced either for sale or to restock the farmers’ own

ponds. Common carp accounts for the overwhelming majority (85) of the production, while bighead carp, grass carp and other species contribute to the rest. Among trout farmers 90 of the production is fish for consumption, and the remainder is young fish.

Demand for seafood must be met from imports Fish and seafood form a very small part of Serbia’s total trade in agriculture products; imports amount to 7 of the total, while exports are less than a quarter percent. In 2013 the trade deficit for fisheries products amounted to some EUR60m.

In absolute terms some 30,000 tonnes of seafood was imported for a value of over EUR60m in 2014 from the EU, CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement) countries, and other countries.

This latter group supplied over half the imports, while the EU was responsible for about 30 on average between 2009 and 2013.

Mirko Novakovic Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Serbia

Serbia cultivates several varieties of fish in nearly 9,000 ha of ponds. Common carp is by far the most widely farmed. www.eurofishmagazine.com

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[ TECHNOLOGY ] Adding more value through intelligent portioning

Boneless fish pieces in defined weights Whole fillets, precisely portioned loins, or guaranteed boneless tail pieces: the range of fish cuts at fresh fish counters and in MAP is getting wider all the time. It was not until intelligent portioning machines that measure each fillet separately were developed that such sophisticated products became possible. And because consumers want boneless fish products, pinbone removers are becoming increasingly efficient, too.

The butcher trade has a clear advantage over the fish industry.

Carcasses of cattle and pigs have always been cleanly divided into individual parts and the different cuts then traded at appropriate prices. Which piece of meat comes from which part of an animal’s body and how it can be best used requires a fair amount of experience from the consumer, but decades of persistence in this field paid off in the end. Almost all meat eaters have at least some understanding of terms such as fillet, topside, knuckle, neck and the like. The fish industry has spared itself this trouble and has no comparable traditions. Perhaps it also lacked the necessary imagination, because for centuries fish was simply just fish. But in these animals, too, there are also differences in meat quality – as the Japanese have demonstrated at the latest with their elaborate system of toro, otoro, chutoro and akamai cuts of tuna. Knowledgeable sushi eaters are entirely familiar with these terms. And fish processors are now slowly beginning to realize that fillets and cheeks don’t have to be the only products that can be cut from fish. The number of special cuts from fish has grown rapidly in recent years. Of course, every cut has its own special characteristics, qualities, prices and preferred uses. The international 58

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fish business is now buzzing with so many new terms that even experienced fish experts are sometimes overwhelmed, to say nothing of the plight of helpless consumers. Although the complicated cuts confuse rather than guide consumers in their choice, the system is currently even being further perfected, because artful cutting and deboning of a fish already opens up more value adding options.

More or less everyone is in the meantime familiar with terms such as fillets, steaks or loins. And the meaning of butterfly, centre or tail cuts is probably understood from the literal sense, but supreme, darne, pavé, tronçon, paupiette, cravatte and escalopes, delice and goujon are most likely known by only very few. But such cuts are currently gaining importance at the same rate as trade with high-end convenience

and online shopping increases.

Anyone who knows exactly what he is ordering will perhaps be spared some unpleasant surprises.

However, the growing number of cuts does not only pose an ever increasing challenge to fishmongers and consumers: processing plants, too, must react to these new developments. With the exception of portion fishes such

Portion control enables supermarkets and discounters to offer precise weights of fresh fish packed under modified atmosphere. www.eurofishmagazine.com

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[ TECHNOLOGY ]

Prior to portioning the fillets are scanned in three dimensions using laser beams to calculate the optimal cut positions.

as trout, sea bass and sea bream, fillets were long considered the non plus ultra of fish processing.

It was a work process that could be carried out quite perfectly by machine in many fish species and with an acceptable yield of meat, too. Whether herring, cod or salmon – the difference between hand- and machine-filleted fish is probably hardly noticed by an end customer. Even trimming, that delicate process which is decisive for the quality and convenience of the fillet can in the meantime be carried out very well using machines for some species of fish. Software packages with image recognition, electronic controls, and cutting systems that can be accurately guided along set contours enable the production of almost perfectly trimmed fillets, which hardly require any manual adjustments.

Mechanical solutions revolutionize fish processing Although hand filleting usually enables a few per cent higher yields than machine filleting, when it comes to portioning, “intelligent” technology is far superior to what a person can achieve. The television commercial, in which a customer www.eurofishmagazine.com

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repeatedly orders rather “odd” amounts at the service counter and the well-trained salesperson slices off the requested amount to a gram every time is only a myth.

What a person might succeed in doing in exceptional cases is routine for high-precision cutting machines. “Portion control” is the method that makes it possible even in the case of irregularly shaped natural products such as fish fillets to cut precise portion pieces with a predetermined weight or a certain size. Only with this technology were the conditions created that enable supermarkets and discounters today to offer fresh fish – whatever the shape – in the store’s self-service section as portions of a fixed weight packed under modified atmosphere.

The technical effort to cut exactly portioned 300 gram pieces repeatedly from a fillet is enormous.

And portion cutters do not only work quickly and accurately, but also make the cuts so skillfully that there is hardly any wastage. In most cases the fillets pass through a tunnel at the beginning of the process in which they are scanned in three dimensions by laser beams in order to calculate the optimum cutting layers according to the required specification. The

Marel Portion Cutting system can also be combined with the intelligent production software Innova. This provides easy to use remote programming, enables real-time monitoring of the processes, and provides reports on the actual performance and system capacity utilization. Portion cutters are available in several sizes, with different outputs, fittings and extras. Already the small I-Cut 11 operates with high precision, can be programmed via touch screen for a particular portion weight or a desired portion size and easily integrated into processing lines. This also applies to the I-Cut 36 which with up to 1,000 cuts per minute not only works extremely fast, but is at the same time also very accurate. And this machine is also very flexible and allows a cutting angle of 45°, which at constant portion weight makes for a larger and more natural-looking product. Even more ease of operation and greater output is possible with the I-Cut 130 Portion Cutter which due to its enormous throughput quantities is particularly suited to large processing companies. Special (optional) features of the 130 are the active product holders which stabilize the fillet on the belt

during cutting and the “TrimSort” system, which removes trim parts efficiently.

The B35 portion cutter for fish from Norfo cuts portion pieces at angles between 45 and 90° at a speed of up to 450 cuts per minute. More than 80 different cutting programs can be stored in the automatic machine controls. For pre-cooked ready meals, which only need to be reheated before consumption, it is advisable to portion the fish before cooking in accordance with the declared product weight. Cooked fish is sensitive, soon falls apart and so is difficult to cut. If the above portioning is not technologically feasible or reasonable, the fish should be cooled thoroughly before cutting in order to achieve acceptable results.

Norfo also offers fully automatic sawing lines that accurately cut 7.5 kg frozen blocks into portions of varying sizes from fish finger format to 240 x 30 x 127 mm plates.

In such processing lines the blocks mostly pass through several saws in succession and thereby gradually assume the shape of the final product. Using the Norfo system the process starts, for example,

Although machines are available for this processing stage fillets are often still trimmed by hand because the human eye quickly recognizes even the slightest defects.

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[ TECHNOLOGY ]

The pinbones have to be removed entirely without damaging the structure of the fillet and without reducing yield.

with the automatic single band saw ABS, which cuts the initial block into elongated bricks of the desired width. These are then cut into plates by the multiple band saw MBS and then divided into portions with the APS portion saw. This line can process up to 5,500 kg frozen blocks per hour.

About 6 of the initial weight is lost as “sawdust”.

The 3D Intelligence Portion Cutter Type F from the Japanese manufacturer NIKKO enables particularly demanding cuts. It cuts frozen salmon fillets into Kirimi portions, all of them with the same weight, the same length and the same width. To achieve this amazing portioning feat the cutter is equipped with sufficient computing power and a high-performance 3D sensor that measures each fillet precisely and sets the angle of the two cutting blades precisely for this Japanesestyle diagonal portion cutting. As a rule, the fillets are cut into 10 Kirimi portions, and up to 3,000 cuts per hour are possible.

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Bones are a major obstacle to fish marketing But even the most accurately processed fillets and portions wouldn’t stand a chance in many markets if they were not free of bones. Although the filleting problem has been largely solved for some fish species there are still the annoying pinbones to contend with. Pinbones are found in the front area of the fillet closely above the centre bone. They can be pulled out by hand with pliers or tweezers or mechanically removed with small hand-held or large automatic devices. The goal is always the same: to remove the pinbones as completely as possible without damaging the structure of the fillet and so not to decrease the yield and ultimately to increase the value of the boneless product. Pulling out the pinbones by hand using pliers or tweezers is simple and thorough but also time-consuming and therefore recommended

only for the domestic kitchen or small catering establishments.

Once large amounts of fillets have to be freed of pinbones, it will hardly be possible to get around investment in a viable hand device. The range of available products is broad, but the principle on which they function is almost always the same. Most devices have counter-rotating rollers or discs, which clamp the ends of the pinbones protruding from the lean meat and pull them more or less gently out with the rotary movement. Important for their function is above all to pull out the bones accurately in the direction in which they lie to avoid gaping of the flesh. In addition, the action must be as uniform as possible so that the pinbones don’t break or crack leaving the lower part still in the fillet.

The hand-held STEEN ST590/ 100E pinbone remover stands out, for example, according to the manufacturer for a particularly gentle operation that allows

virtually undamaged fillets. To remove the pinbones, the device must be held just above the critical area of the fillets. The working speed can be adjusted via the control box. Unlike most pinbone removers of this kind the handheld STEEN does not need a compressor or compressed air connections. The FTC Eco Flex handheld Pinbone Puller from TRIO pulls pinbones out of both fresh and thawed or smoked fillets. According to the company brochure, the system has been used for several fish species, including salmon, trout, whitefishes, cod, hake and haddock, and up to six fillets per minute can be rendered free of bones. The manufacturer of the hand-held electric EXOS pinbone removers emphasizes their long experience in this field: they have produced such devices for more than 20 years and have improved them continuously over this long period. The current models were fast, extremely reliable and particularly easy to operate. The ergonomic device is lightweight and sits comfortably in the hand, which prevents premature tiring of the operator. Since the device was driven by an electric motor, it was ready for use immediately when needed, less prone to faults, and largely maintenance-free.

Although the biological and technological fundamentals of pinbone removal would seem to be largely clarified, scientific institutions are still working on the subject.

The University of Alaska recently presented a mechanical pinbone remover which is about the size of a circular saw bench. This device can remove the pinbones of both wild caught and farmed salmon and trout. The fillets are simply pushed over the work table of the device with the interior side down and the device detects the ends of the pinbones and removes them with almost no damage to the flesh. www.eurofishmagazine.com

02/04/16 3:40 PM

[ TECHNOLOGY ] According to information from the developer the UA-Pinbone Remover can pull 85 to 95 of the pin bones, a respectable value for this step, but subsequent manual finishing is still necessary.

Large processing plants mostly use single or multi-lane automatic pinbone removers for this sensitive process anyway, which can be directly integrated into the processing lines, have a high throughput, and also work very thoroughly and cleanly. The single-lane Uni-Food 350 is regarded as a kind of basic device that can be considered for use in smaller farms. It removes about 95 of the pinbones from 10 to 20 fillets per minute, and has now also been technically upgraded and is available as the 350-NK SIX. In this model, six sets of knives and rollers provide a significantly higher performance (40-50 fillets / min) and a better result. According to the manufacturer the pinbones are usually completely removed, only in isolated cases does a maximum of three bones remain in the fillet. In the case of the Carnitech 2615 the company brochure additionally emphasizes the device’s clean and hygienic operation because after their removal the pinbones are immediately sucked away by vacuum via a tube, so that after their passage through the machine the fillets lie largely “waste-free” on the belt. The specialists for pinbone removal also include the Danish company Kaj Olesen which, with its EASY-MATIC series offers pinbone removers for various species of fish and different capacity requirements. The machines are available in designs between a one- and an eight-lane version and as TWIN models that are even more thorough and efficient. Fresh fish is kept clean during processing by a water spray system, smoked fish using an air www.eurofishmagazine.com

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During removal of the pinbones manual finishing is inevitable but this also serves as quality control during processing.

blower. The EASY-MATIC 102 is equipped for example with two remover heads and can process 700 to 1,200 kg salmon fillets per hour. That corresponds to 16 to 22 fillets per minute, depending on the type, size and condition of the salmon. Olesen states that the EASY-MATIC remover removes between 90 and 95 of the pinbones. The machines achieve the best results in fishes after rigor mortis has already passed.

New technical approaches to pinbone removal All technology suppliers and fish processors face this problem because the pinbones cannot be removed cleanly from freshly slaughtered salmon and other species, and certainly not without damaging the flesh. They are joined by connective tissue tendons to the lean meat (especially on the front at the tip) and can therefore only be pulled out at this stage with brute force, which causes considerable damage to the fillets. Not until three to five

days after slaughter when rigor mortis has subsided and the fish “matured” can the pinbones be removed properly. In some species of fish, including white fish species such as cod, pollock or haddock, pulling the pinbones causes considerable problems even then. In the past, processors working with these species usually resorted to cutting out the fillet area generously with a V-cut which cut away the pinbone strip as a whole, along with the adjacent flesh. However, this reduces the usefulness of the fillet, which mostly then gaped at the front and looked ugly, and also leads to yield losses, because 3 to 7 of the fillet was lost with this cut.

Now however there are new ideas and approaches that can perhaps soon solve this problem elegantly. SINTEF, an independent Norwegian research organization and Trio have developed a camera-based system that detects the positions of pinbones in the fillet so that a long slender knife may be pushed into the muscle meat at the apex of

the pin-bones from the front parallel to the outer skin. It severs the tendons at the top of the pinbones, thereby making it possible to pull these bones out one to two hours after slaughter.

A different approach, which SINTEF developed together with Marel in the project APRICOT (“Automatic Pinbone Removal In COd and whiTefish”) relies on X-ray technology and a water jet cutting mechanism. The individual bones are localized in the flesh by X-rays and then cut out with high precision by means of an ultrafine water jet. In a press release the developers emphasize in particular the speed and thoroughness of the system. It works regardless of the size of the fish to be processed, allows high yields because hardly any waste is produced, and the fillets are guaranteed free of bones.

A prototype of the new filleting and deboning machine is now to be tested in practice. If it proves itself, the system could possibly be ready for serial production already this year, but at the latest next year.

MK Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

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Parts of European fisheries policy seem to have few supporters among fishers

The landing obligation conceals a number of problems

On policy issues DFPO works together with the other stakeholders in the sector including environmental organisations. Fishermen, environmentalists, and other stakeholders are all represented on the advisory councils that can make suggestions regarding fisheries policy to the European Commission. Over the years DFPO has developed a working relationship with many of these environmental organisations both Danish and international so that conflicting interests can be discussed and more or less acceptable solutions negotiated. The DFPO together with other organisations in the sector has also been involved in generic promotion campaigns to encourage the consumption of fish which have been fairly successful. Consumption of fish in Denmark is around the EU average of 22 kg per capita per year, but there are variations between coastal and inland areas and between younger and older consumers. The organisation has also been heavily involved in training young people for a career as fishermen, which has resulted in a number of apprentices working for member vessels of the organisation.

However, declining numbers of 62

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DFPO

The Danish Fishermen Producer Organisation (DFPO) is the national body representing some 50 local fishermen’s organisations, whose members fish in the North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, and the Baltic, and promoting their interests in national, regional, and international fora. The association is involved in every aspect of the fisheries sector, whether it is management, technical, financial, or commercial. The Danish fisheries sector is hardly monolithic; in addition to the DFPO, there is the Danish Seafood Association representing the processing industry, Marine Ingredients Denmark that brings together the fishmeal and fish oil producers, the Pelagic Producers’ Organisation, and the Organisation of Danish Aquaculture among others. The DFPO collaborates to varying degrees with all the different actors in the sector to achieve its goals.

Niels Wichmann, CEO of the Danish Fishermen Producer Organisation recently celebrated 25 years of service.

He is also chairman of the North Sea Advisory Council.

vessels, harbours and fishers are having an impact on young people’s interest in the sector, and many of them seek other opportunities.

DFPO he is also chairman of the North Sea Advisory Council, and has many years of experience in European fisheries in one capacity or another.

Many of the achievements of the DFPO can be attributed to Niels Wichmann, who has led the organisation for a quarter century. Apart from his position at

In Denmark the tonnage of fishing vessels over 40 m has been gradually increasing over the last couple of decades reaching 50 of the total tonnage in 2014.

At the same time both the tonnage and the number of vessels in other length categories declined. What are the reasons behind this change in the fleet structure and what does it imply for the future of Danish fisheries?

The Danish quota management scheme has been radically www.eurofishmagazine.com

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changed over the last 10-15 years.

Under “the old system” all vessels had access to all fisheries in all sea areas where Denmark had quotas – primarily the Baltic, the Kattegat, the Skagerrak, and the North Sea. From 2002 we have seen the introduction of individual quotas, first in the herring and sprat fisheries, later in the fisheries for industrial species (for fishmeal and –oil), and finally in the fisheries for the other species for human consumption, such as cod, haddock, plaice, nephrops.

The shift to individual quotas has meant a concentration of fishing rights on fewer vessels. The development has been faster for the big vessels, because they catch species which do not need treatment on board. A number of new vessels have been built.

For the fleet of vessels under 40m we have also seen a concentration, building of new vessels and modernization.

The Danish fishery has traditionally concentrated on small pelagics, industrial species and high value demersal fish. How can this offering be increased to include species that are currently not highly regarded by the market?

We have had marketing campaigns for fish in the Danish market for many years. The campaigns will from now on gradually shift from a generic approach like “eat more fish” to “eat fish caught by Danish fishermen”. We have developed posters and other material to show when the different species are best, so that they can be chosen by those responsible for buying, both for the retailers and the catering markets. We are also constantly looking for www.eurofishmagazine.com

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opportunities in export markets, after all some 90 of the fish caught by Danish fishermen is exported.

The emphasis on sustainability has caused many fisheries to enter certification schemes such as the MSC and others.

Denmark for example is aiming to have as many of its fisheries as possible certified to the MSC standard. Given that European waters are among the best managed and most regulated in the world and that increasing numbers of stocks are being fished at MSY, is certification not superfluous?

The MSC certification is the gold standard for sustainability certified wild caught seafood. In Denmark this initiative took off about eight years ago when the DFPO decided that all Danish fisheries as far as possible should be certified sustainable. We have chosen to go for MSC certification for as many of our fisheries, as possible, in order to have access to all markets. Although the certification of all fisheries is not yet complete and it may take several years before it is, Denmark today is the country with the highest number of fisheries certified to a sustainable standard and where a large part of the fish consumed is certified. Whether MSC certified fisheries will yield a higher profit is difficult to assess. In some cases it might, in others not. Traceability, the ability to track the fish from the boat all along the value chain to the consumer is also getting increasingly important and is something that the DFO supports wholeheartedly.

The landing obligation for demersal species in the North Sea, Kattegat, and Skagerrak came into force at the beginning of 2016.

What impact do you expect to see

on production volumes and will the landing obligation result in the use of more selective gear?

Has the landing obligation for pelagics that has been in place for over a year triggered any changes in those fisheries?

The landing obligation for demersal species came into force at the beginning of 2016, true enough, but only the first phase. The next phasing will take place in 2017 and 2018, and all quota species are planned to be covered by 2019. When fully implemented we should have the full quota uplifts (the socalled discard-fraction) introduced and thus have higher quantities available. Selective gears is often mentioned as the magic formula but that is not necessarily the case – it is not possible to catch all the different species – we currently catch about 50 in the mixed fishery in the North Sea and the Skagerrak – with higher mesh sizes or special devices such as sorting grids. Trials with new gears has been an ongoing process for years and will of course continue, but we will probably see other things such as changing fishing ground when the catch composition is not ideal (the Norwegian way).

The landing obligation legislation and the phasing in of it has so many hidden problems that it is almost impossible to imagine how it is going to work once fully implemented. It may widen the gap between the areas where the Common Fisheries Policy is operating and those where it is not so developed. As regards the results of the Landing Obligation in the pelagic fisheries it has only been in force for a year and it is too early to judge the consequences. It has to be remembered that pelagic

fishery has a record of very low discards.

The landing obligation is expected to increase the landing of species that in the past were returned to the sea. Since there are restrictions on how this fish may be used (may not be sold for human consumption, for example) what are the options being considered that will meet the obligations of the CFP as well as accommodate the needs of the fishermen?

It is normally the case for the species caught in Northern European waters that the bigger the fish, the higher the price. Therefore the fishermen will try to catch the bigger fish, if they can, and avoid the smaller ones. It does not make sense to draw an artificial line between what can be sold for human consumption and what not – why not let the fishermen get the highest value in the market? Nobody wants to create “a market for babyfish” as suggested by (former fisheries commissioner) Damanaki and others.

The North Sea Advisory Council brings together fishing organisations, NGOs, and other interest groups to provide advice to the European Commission on the sustainable management of fisheries in the North Sea. As chairperson of the executive committee do you endeavour to ensure the advice is endorsed by all the contributing parties, and what is the value of the advice if it does not represent a consensus?

It is my task as independent chair of the Executive Committee to seek consensus, but there are and must be limits to the consensus line. If the only consensus we can arrive at is a Eurofish Magazine 2 / 2016

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Changes in the Danish quota management system have meant a concentration of quotas on fewer vessels.

watered down advice with little or no contents it is better to give the positions of the different members (majority/minority or individual views) and let it be known to the Scheveningen Group (the government representatives from the North Sea countries) and the Commission.

Although production from capture fisheries in the EU has increased slightly over the last couple of years fishers have to try and further optimise their product to increase their earnings. This includes adding greater value to the catch, a process that starts on board the vessel. What steps are being taken by fishers in Europe to ensure the maximum return for their catch?

Investment in newest equipment on board, attention to 64

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detail, specifically when it comes to quality, much shorter fishing trips than earlier, maintaining the cold chain etc.

Adding value is a funny term.

In meat value is added when an animal is slaughtered and cut up and packed or processed or……. For most fish species the highest value is when the fresh fish is landed, bought up and immediately transported to Paris, Barcelona or Rome, don’t start messing with it!

Shrinking fleets, consolidation in the fishing sector, and more efficient vessels, mean that fishing is providing fewer employment opportunities.

Young people are also choosing other lines of activity that are less physically demanding. If this trend persists it could lead to the end of fishing

communities across Europe.

What can be done to reverse this development and ensure a thriving fishing sector in the future as well?

the fisheries sector, what do you see as the major opportunities for the development of the sector, and which are the most important challenges?

We will not see an expanding fisheries sector in terms of number of vessels or number of fishermen employed, but to get young people in, do as we have done in Denmark. My organisation is the employer of about 100 young apprentices who are undertaking a two-year education as fishermen. We started this education about 20 years ago in response to the lack of recruitment and in response to EU law on young people’s work on board vessels.

Firstly, let us get a real regionalised fisheries policy without the bureaucratic problems between the EU institutions: the Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament (it’s a Bermuda Triangle at the moment with the fishermen taken hostages). Secondly, let us develop with science a real-time system where the fishing quotas correspond to the stock realities of the sea basins.

And finally, let us find smart solutions to the problems created by the Landing Obligation legislation, not least the “choke species” problems which otherwise might kill off fisheries or result in non-compliance.

As a long standing representative of Danish and European fishermen at different levels, and at a time of significant change in

www.eurofishmagazine.com

04/04/16 6:46 PM

DIARY DATES

6-8 April 2016 Offshore Mariculture Conference Barcelona, Spain Tel.: +44 1329 825335 csweed@mercatormedia.com www.mercatormedia.com

6-8 April 2016 Seoul Seafood Show Seoul, Korea Tel.: +82 26000 2800 Fax: +82 26000 2805 3s@seoulseafood.com www.seoulseafood.com

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26-28 April 2016 Seafood Expo Global / Seafood Processing Global Brussels, Belgium Tel.: +1 207 842 55 04 customerservice@divcom.com www.seafoodexpo.com

26-29 April 2016 APA - Asia Pacific Aquaculture 2016 Surabaya, Indonesia Tel.:+32 9233 4912 mario@marevent.com www.marevent.com

25-26 May 2016 AquacultureUK 2016 Aviemore, Scotland, UK Tel.: +44 114 2464799 info@aquacultureuk.com www.aquacultureuk.com

2-4 June 2016 Future Fish Eurasia Izmir, Turkey Tel.: +90 212 347 10 54 Fax: +90 212 347 10 53 info@eurasiafairs.com www.eurasiafairs.com

2-4 June 2016 Middle East and Central Asia Aquaculture (MECAA) 2016 Izmir, Turkey info@marevent.com www.marevent.com

13-15 June 2016 AquaVision Stavanger, Norway Tel.: +47 5187 4743 post@blueplanet.no www.aquavision.org

3-5 August 2016 Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (VIETFISH) Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam Tel.:+84-08-62 81 04 42 quocthanh@vasep.com.vn www.vasep.com.vn

4-6 August 2016 ASEAN Fisheries and Aquaculture Conference and Exposition Bangkok, Thailand Tel.: +662 579 79 41 info@enaca.org www.ASEANfishexpo2016.com

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6-8 September 2016 Seafood Expo Asia Wanchai, Hong Kong Tel.: +1 207 842 5504 customerservice@divcom.com www.seafoodexpo.com

20-23 September 2016 Aquaculture Europe Edinburgh, Scotland, UK mario@marevent.com www.marevent.com

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