3 minute read
Fish Infonetwork News
by Eurofish
News INFOFISH-organised TUNA 2021 successfully moves to virtual format
As in many segments of the global fi sheries sector, the tuna industry is responding to the pandemic with innovative solutions. Trailblazing through Tough Times was the theme of TUNA 2021, the 16th INFOFISH World Tuna Conference and Exhibition. Held in May 2021 on a virtual and interactive platform, almost 240 participants listened to and networked with more than forty highly sought-after experts and world spokespersons on salient aspects of the industry.
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Among the many important messages from the conference were: (i) that sustainability and social accountability strongly infl uence the direction of the industry; (ii) technology is driving innovation which is unfolding at breakneck speed partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and (iii) in the wake of the current global disruptions, collaboration and equitable partnerships between all stakeholders is crucial to better tackle challenges. Phil Roberts, the conference chairman, added that, in general, fi shing and processing operations coped with the disruptions caused by Covid-19, though the cost for many working at sea, who could not disembark, take leave, or see their families, was high. Canned tuna sales have risen in the Middle East and Africa, he observed, while food service has not recovered. On the other hand, he noted how the pandemic accelerates the move to e-commerce and online shopping particularly in Asia. Climate change is also an ongoing concern and the question remains as to how we can mitigate its worst eff ects.
Th e 17th INFOFISH World Tuna Trade Conference will be held next year in Bangkok, subject to travel and safety guidelines at that time.
Phil Roberts, managing director, Tri Marine International (PTE) Ltd, and conference chairman
KICCOF 2021: Latin America and the Republic of Korea commit to fi sheries cooperation
INFOPESCA participated in the organization of the Korea International Cooperation Conference on Oceans and Fisheries (KICCOF 2021: LATIN AMERICA): “Th e Future Direction of the Development Cooperation on Oceans and Fisheries in the Post Covid-19 Era”. Th e virtual event took place on 23 February 2021 and was held by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, with the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) & Korea Institute of Oceans Science & Technology (KIOST) as co-hosts.
Graciela Pereira, Director, INFOPESCA, presented an overview of the region (aquaculture and fi sheries production, trade, etc.), with fi gures based on FAO data, and a summary of the main challenges facing Latin American countries and their needs. Th e most important issues facing the sector in Latin America include illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fi shing; low fi sh consumption; dependence on export markets; climate change; the impact of COVID-19 on fi sheries and trade; overexploitation of stocks; and the lack of RFMOs. Some of these issues could be addressed with the help of projects in the areas of: cooperation and exchange between fi shermen; construction of fi shing ports, landing sites, fi sh markets; assistance to the network of women in fi sheries; building fi shermen’s and processors’ capacity in hygiene and fi sh management; improved trade of fi shery products between Latin America and the Republic of Korea; direct trade between Latin American fi shing communities; and aquaculture.
Th e Korean authorities expressed satisfaction at the opportunity to learn about the situation in Latin America and about prospects for cooperation. KIOST and KMI are the two most representative entities of the sector and they will continue their cooperation with the Latin American region, said Park Jun-Yong, General Director, KIOST. Joint activities are important, he added, to be able to respond, for example, to climate change effi ciently. If Korea and Latin America cooperate in this regard, it will reduce the impact on both regions. In conclusion speakers emphasised that the conference should lead to projects. Th e parties committed to continue working together and agreed that communication should not only be virtual but also through the physical staging of new events, forums, and conferences once the pandemic allows this.
