Eurofish Magazine 6 2017

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ISSN 1868-5943

Anniversary issue Fisheries and aquaculture headlines over the last two decades p. 8 The Magazine in numbers p. 11

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[ 20 years of Eurofish Magazine ]

Dear readers, The Eurofish Magazine has been serving you for two decades, reaching you in many corners of Europe and the world. Launched in 1997, the Eurofish Magazine is Europe’s best-known publication within fisheries today and the most visible brand of the Eurofish International Organisation. A great deal has changed in the fisheries and aquaculture sector since 1997, but the Eurofish Magazine is still going strong, providing unique information for and about the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Europe and internationally. One of our unique selling points is that we are the only regular English language provider of information and knowledge from the sector in Central and Eastern Europe. It is our ambition to further enhance our presence in the fisheries media world and to make Eurofish Magazine a distinctive platform for the dissemination of information about the highly diversified fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Europe, from Norway in the north to Turkey in the south, from Spain in the west to the Baltic states in the east. This information is sure to be of great value as it portrays this constantly evolving sector of the economy, which is a major creator of jobs and wealth in coastal and rural areas in Europe. From pages eight to eleven you will see headlines from some of the last 20 years’ editions of the Eurofish Magazine, a reminder of how much has changed in the fisheries sector – and how much has not! You will also meet some of the people behind the journal, many of whom have been with us since the very beginning. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge their efforts, enthusiasm and dedication. They have given their best to create a product and provide a service that meet the expectations of our stakeholders. And in particular of our member countries, which have proved a valuable source of inspiration, tirelessly encouraging us to improve and to find new and creative directions in which we can develop. My thanks to all of you for your trust and support.

Aina Afanasjeva Managing Editor

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Table of News 6 International News

20 years of Eurofish Magazine 8 A trip back in time – headlines from the last 20 years 10-11 The people behind Eurofish Magazine, and the magazine in numbers

Events 17 Considering inevitable changes with a clear, informed eye Looking at climate change from a fisheries and aquaculture perspective

20 EUfishmeal bi-annual conference, Ireland, September 2017 Fishmeal and fish oil are becoming strategic additives

23 fish international trade fair celebrates 30 years in 2018 Strong international presence at Germany’s biggest fisheries event

36 SC Aquator Halasz SRL Building a market for African catfish in Romania 38 Ocean Fish expands into the Republic of Moldova Building new stores and a new factory in Eastern Europe 41 SC Pirania SRL Production increases but uncertainty threatens

28 ANPA, the Romanian National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture Boosting the potential of the sector 30 EMFF support contributes to larger pond production Farm sales of carp increase for fifth year running

Romania 26 Understanding the needs of the sector through stakeholders consultation Dialogue leads to better legislation

43 Quality Natural SRL Traditional trout products with a twist 45 Piscicola Adrian SA Juggling conservation with commercial requirements 47 The Braila FLAG Putting EMFF support to good use 50 Piscicola Botosani Modern surveillance technology reduces poaching

Latvia 53 Latvian fishers focus on sustainability and value-addition Concerted efforts to find new markets 4

www.eurofishmagazine.com

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Contents Russia 55 Quota incentives to modernise fleet, increase value addition Changing the structure of production and exports

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

56 Global Fishery Forum and Seafood Expo, September 2017, St Petersburg Russia’s fisheries sector has a new event

58 Global Fishery Forum, September 2017, St. Petersburg Russian strategy envisages huge boost to fisheries sector

Species 59 Farmed fish with a long history and an uncertain future Europe’s carp farming needs new marketing ideas

Trade and markets 63 New EU-Canada trade agreement implemented Deal to reduce consumer prices and boost trade 65 Increasing sustainable production will call for concerted efforts Europe’s mussel farmers face multiple hurdles

Technology

68 Exact cuts, consistent slices, perfect cubes Slicers for all areas of fish processing

Guest Pages: Anna Pyc´

71 Despite several initiatives growth in EU farmed fish production remains elusive Promotion campaigns are part of the answer

Worldwide Fish News

Belgium

page

16

Croatia

pages

Denmark

page

Estonia

pages

France

page

12

Italy

page

6

Montenegro

page

16

Norway

page

14

Spain

page

12

14, 15, 16

Service 73 Diary Dates

6

74 Imprint, List of Advertisers

12, 14

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.

Eurofish Magazine 5 / 2017

5

[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Denmark: WhiteďŹ sh processing can learn from salmon industry’s experience More than 150 visitors from 30 countries attended the Whitefish Showhow 2017 at the Marel Progress Point in Copenhagen, Denmark. The programme switched between live demonstrations and presentations by invited industry experts, who addressed some of the trends and challenges faced by the industry today. Among the equipment demonstrated at the event was the FleXicut solution, which included a SensorX bone detection machine, which serves as an automated QC station making further savings on the need for manual inspection. In addition, a new loin packing station was added to replace manual packing operations. The RoboBatcher Flex that is currently widely used in the poultry business, has now been equipped with newly developed

grip tools that can gently grip fish loins of different shapes. The batcher has been ordered by some customers, but is still so new that it has not yet been installed in the seafood sector. In the future the RoboBatcher will be able to communicate with the FleXicut machine in the line adjusting and optimizing the batches even further than is possible today. During the panel discussion in the afternoon, one focus point in the discussions was about why salmon prices are remarkable higher and more stable than cod prices. Some of the explanation lies in the long time focus in the salmon business to deliver consistently high quality and to supply a steady flow of raw material adjusted to market demand. The supply of wildcaught cod is more dependent

Italy: BlueďŹ n tuna quota increase could have consequences The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has warned that any increase in East Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishing quotas would impair the full recovery of the stocks. According to the NGO, after more than 10 years of efforts to save and sustainably manage the threatened bluefin tuna stocks, the ICCAT scientific committee now suggests an increase in the total allowable catch up to 36,000 tonnes by 2020, more than doubling the 2015 quota, while at the same time declaring that the stock has not yet recovered. WWF also points out that the EU is proposing to interrupt the current recovery plan five years before the plan was supposed to end in 2022. “Bluefin tuna stock is not

yet ready to support such a rapid increase in catches and would suffer from less strict management. It took us more than ten years to bring bluefin tuna back to our seas, and we cannot lose it again for short-term profit� Alessandro Buzzi, Fisheries Projects Manager at WWF Mediterranean stated. WWF recommends a 28,000 tonnes quota by 2020 to allow the population to continue to grow and calls for a continuation of the recovery plan until the stock is declared recovered by scientists. WWF also asks for nations to allocate higher quotas to smallscale fisheries, which have been almost excluded from access to the resource for the last ten years.

Long used in the poultry sector the RoboBatcher has now been adapted with new gripping tools for use in the fish industry.

on stocks and the weather. The quality of cod varies a lot according to a survey in Norway where only 20 of the raw material is delivered to the processing industry as “high quality,â€? said Leif Inge Karlsen, founder and former director of Lerøy Hydrotech. The whitefish industry must increase quality and supply processing plants not just on a seasonal basis, but must also catch during other months to supply the market, he added. Jorge J. Alonso Ygea, Chief

Marketing Officer at Scanfisk Seafood, emphasised the importance of innovation across the whole process – from product development to ways to achieve low energy consumption, to creating new products that use the same raw materials but introduce new cuts, new tastes, new packaging and new branding. Companies that are staying ahead are the ones that are making full use of advances in cutting, portioning, marinating and packaging technology.

Denmark: Brexit could seriously affect Danish ďŹ shermen Danish fishermen could be hit hard by Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, reports Reuters, if it leads to restrictions in their access to British waters, concludes a research report made at the request of the Danish government. Between 2012 and 2016 Danish fishermen have each year unloaded fish from British waters worth between EUR94m and EUR134m. That corresponds to 34 percent of the total value of fish uploaded by the Danish fishermen, and 45 percent of the volume. Those Danish fishermen that operate the most in British waters could lose more than half of their current catch in the worst of four imagined scenarios, researchers from Copenhagen University suggested in

the report. Herring and mackerel would be especially hit, and it would indirectly hurt Denmark’s onshore fish processing industry. The actual consequences will depend on the negotiations between Britain and the other 27 EU countries, Minister for Fisheries Karen Ellemann said. Danish fishermen have argued that if the British get free access to sell fish in the EU, then EU fishermen should also get free access to fish in the British fishing zone. Europe imports about 75 percent of the British catch. Britain has said it plans to allow foreign ships to fish in UK waters after Brexit, but claims the right to decide the extent of access, while the EU will be seeking to maintain something close to the status quo.

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[ 20 YEARS OF EUROFISH MAGAZINE ] The people behind Eurofish Magazine, and long-standing media partners

Yvonne Bulmer, Translator When en I tell someone I translate for a magazine ab about the fish industry reactions are often ten ppre pretty nonplussed. But people begin gin to show interest when I tell them what sort of topics the magazine covers. Of course fishing and aquaculture, and then all the other areas that play a role

Sabine Wedell, Project interna Bremen Congrat Congratulations! As oour trade fair fish international n turns 30, we have had the t great opportunity to accomm i n w l m

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isers, and of course our customers – subscribers and advertisers, who are an inexhaustible source of inspiration, ener

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[ 20 YEARS OF EUROFISH MAGAZINE ]

Eckhard and Marco Preuss, Advertising I have been responsible for advertisers from Germany, Benelux, and Scandinavia from the time Eurofish Magazine was established back in 1997 until my son Marco took over the advertising dvertisi verrt rtisi tiisin ing in ngg bbusiness some years ago. Now I am back on board again playing a more supportive role. ole le. IItt hha has been a pleasure to work in the seafood sector, which I have done since ince use se he her h ofish yea t

Monika Pain, Project Director, Gdansk International Fairs Eurofish Magazine, with over 12 years of co-operation, has helped Polfish, the largest fish trade fa fair in Poland, to attain greater worldwide dwide recognition. recognition The Eurofish team, through their professsional and supportive advice have helped to the stre omotion. omotion n. M My congratula u d to many nyy more m years yea

EUROFISH MAGAZINE !

IN NUMBERS OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS

percent of the current distribution is addressed to European recipients.

COPIES HAVE BEEN PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED ALL OVER THE WORLD, WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON EUROPE

issues are available online going back to issue 1 2009

issues of the EuroďŹ sh Magazine have been published and printed since 1997

advertisers have placed one or more adverts in the Eurofish Magazine

different companies have been proďŹ led in the EuroďŹ sh Magazine

40,012,800 pages have been written and laid out.

d document the changes in Europes aquac , I get positively dewy-eyed. snap out of it and meet that deadli

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n. We hope that th I would like to thank everybody in the Eurofish family for their kindy anniversary!�

[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Estonia: Beyond 2020: Supporting Europe’s Coastal Communities With a coastline 7 times as long as the United States’ and 4 times as long as Russia’s, the EU’s maritime regions are home to almost half the EU’s population and account for almost half its GDP. Fisheries and the maritime economy are drivers for jobs and growth in Europe’s coastal communities. On 12-13 October, 300 policymakers and other representatives from the fisheries and maritime sectors met in Tallinn at a conference co-organised by the European Commission and the Estonian Presidency of the EU. They discussed the challenges facing coastal communities as well as potential policy

responses. They looked at EU financial support for coastal communities, in particular the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). With a total budget of EUR 6.5 billion for 2014-2020, the EMFF helps fishermen in the transition to sustainable fishing, supports coastal communities in diversifying their economies, and finances projects that create new jobs and improve quality of life along European coasts. To date, the EMFF has helped to mobilise more than EUR 1 billion of public and private investment. By the end of last year, nearly 6,500

The Beyond 2020 conference co-organised by the European Commission and the Estonian Presidency discussed among other issues the future of the EMFF.

projects had been selected for financing. More than half of them are designed to help SMEs in fisheries and aquaculture become more competitive, while more than a third are also designed to

preserve and protect the marine environment and to promote resource efficiency. In addition, the Commission has disbursed more than 250 million euros for projects supporting blue growth.

France: Acknowledging the role of women in ďŹ sheries A newly established organisation, the International Association of Women in the Seafood Industry (WSI), has been founded to create awareness of the significant role women play in the global seafood industry, where they number one in two workers. The problem, says Marie-Christine Monfort, a seafood consultant and co-founder of WSI, is that women are over-represented in the worst-paid and lowest valued

jobs in the sector, and under-represented in leadership positions. They are essential contributors to this important food supplying industry, but they remain invisible. In addition, in many smallscale fisheries, women suffer from a lack of or insufficient tenure rights, poor recognition and capacity development, and a lack of gender-sensitive responses to disasters. Ms Montfort, together with the three other seafood and

gender specialists behind the organisation, hopes to help remedy these issues by highlighting women’s contribution to the seafood industry, raising awareness of gender issues among public and private stakeholders, and promoting professional equality between women and men in the sector. Among the initial actions the WSI is taking is to launch a survey

that seeks the opinions of seafood professionals about what can be done to improve the lot of women in the seafood sector. The online survey is available in English, French, and Spanish at https://wsi-asso.org/gender-onthe-agenda/ and results will be shared with the industry when they appear in February 2018. More information is available on the association website www.wsiasso.org.

Spain: Impressive growth in organic seafood sales in Galicia The sales of Galician organic seafood reached more than EUR 9 million in total value in 2016, an increase of 38 percent according to the Galician Regional Minister for Maritime Affairs, Rosa Quintana. Ms Quintana underlined the importance of this sector in Galicia, with 74 producers of organic seafood including mussel producers, algae pickers, and canneries at the opening of the 33rd edition of

BioCultura, the organic products and responsible consumption event that took place in Madrid on 9-12 November. Sales of all organic products grew from EUR 33 million in 2015 to almost EUR 42 million in 2016, a 25 percent increase.

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Croatia: New Danish marine farming sites presented at Aquaculture Europe and public stakeholders. This made it possible to select areas without conflict with other economically important activities such as tourism, fisheries and offshore renewables. The next step in the site selection was the environmental impact assessment (EIA). The EIA was conducted, using state of the art three-dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality models, made by a software program developed at DHI. The use of the model ensures a scientifically documented description of the environmental impacts that the farms may cause in time and space. The final EIA of the selected sites documents that the eight new fish farms can be established without any unacceptable impact on marine protected areas and hence in accordance with European and national environmental legislation.

DHI

Aquaculture Europe in Dubrovnik this year included a presentation about realising the Danish strategic plan for sustainable marine aquaculture by Mads Joakim Birkeland from DHI. He reported that eight new farms had been planned in Danish waters in the multiannual national plan. DHI was appointed by the Danish Ministry of Environment and Food to conduct site selection and impact assessment studies in 2016. The plan foresees an increase of 20,000 tonnes of fish, and sites to produce this volume had to be selected. In his presentation, Mr Birkeland stacked GIS (Graphical Information System) layers representing the different restrictions and conditions on top of each other to give a collected map representing it all. The basis for the site selection of the eight new farms at sea was created by extensive cooperation with Danish marine authorities’

The final selected zones in a GIS map and the eight selected farms.

The new fish farms have been approved in Denmark with the proviso that measures (cultivation of mussels, seaweed etc.) are taken

to compensate for the increased nutrition from the farms. These measures are currently being formulated.

Norwegian seafood exports total NOK 9.1 billion in October Norway exported 275,000 tonnes of seafood worth NOK 9.1 billion in October. Volumes were down by 5 per cent, while the total value of exports fell by 3 per cent or NOK 281 million compared with October last year. Year to date, Norway has exported 2.1 million tonnes of seafood with a value of NOK

77.6 billion, a 3 per cent increase in volume, and a 5 percent rise in value or NOK 3.4 billion compared with the same period last year. Salmon exports increased by 2 per cent in October, total whitefish exports increased by 10 per cent, while mackerel and herring exports were down by 19 per

cent said Asbjørn Warvik Rørtveit, Director of Market Insight with the Norwegian Seafood Council. Poland and France were the largest salmon markets in October, while Belarus and China bought the most trout. Trout volumes fell however by 51 per cent or 30,400 tonnes, a value reduction of 32 per

cent or NOK 1 billion compared to the same period last year. Among other products, export volumes of fresh cod increased, while those of frozen cod were stable, clipfish, saltfish, and shellfish exports increased in both volume and value, while those of herring and mackerel declined.

Estonia: Direct marketing of ďŹ shery products In 2017 the Ministry of Rural Affairs launched the app (PERK) for coastal fisherman that enabled the digital recording of landings. Feedback about the app was positive and the ministry decided to arrange meetings with users to find out how PERK could help with further digitalisation. At the

meetings, the main issue that fishermen raised was that they did not have enough connections to market their production directly. For small-scale fishermen direct marketing is the key to a better price for their products, while for their customers it would mean fish that is far fresher than

that found in supermarkets. The ministry came up with the idea that the app could issue a prior notification (PNO) report, an hour before the vessel returns to the port. The information in the report would be linked to a map and made available on a website, where potential customers would

be able to find the closest port where the fishers arrive with their fish, as well as the quantities and species being landed. The outline of this solution is now in place and the ministry will start to work with the Fisheries Information Centre to implement it before next year's fishing season.

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Croatia: Promoting awareness and consumption of ďŹ sh Crofish, the 11th International Fisheries, Fishing Equipment, Aquaculture and Sport Fishing Fair, took place in Porec in October 2017. It was organized by the Association of Trades and Crafts in Porec, an organisation with more than 100 fishermen members. The fair had the support of the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, Istria County and the City of Porec. Tomislav Tolusic, Croatia’s Minister of Agriculture opened the fair together with Valter Flega, prefect of Istria county, Loris Persuric, mayor of Porec, and Rober Momic, director of the fair among others. The aims of the fair included strengthening the position of fishery products in the local diet,

discussing regulation of the fishery market, and contributing to improved business cooperation. The organisers had therefore gathered together representatives from the fisheries, mariculture and sport fishing sectors in Croatia and neighbouring countries. Altogether, 82 exhibitors, 30 co-exhibitors and 3,000 visitors were present at the event. A series of meetings, including expert lectures, public discussions and round tables, were held with the aim of raising awareness among consumers and the tourist sector about fishing and fishery products. There were also cooking and other activities to increase awareness of fish and seafood products in the hospitality sector and in schools and kindergartens.

Among the events at Crofish was the presentation of results from a study conducted by Eurofish Internation Organisation. For more information contact Eurofish at toni.bartulin@eurofish.dk

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[ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ] Montenegro: GFCM aims for Mediterranean and Black Sea aquaculture to reach full potential by 2030 Aquaculture is a flourishing industry which plays a key role in Mediterranean and Black Sea countries. Current trends in aquaculture production, and some national aquaculture strategies, suggest that production of farmed seafood is expected to increase substantially in the region over the next decades. This needs careful planning for the long-term social, economic and environmental sustainability of the sector. At the international level, crucial steps have been made to promote sustainable development and cooperation. In particular, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 14, underscore the importance of the “sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism�. At the FAO, the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) supports responsible aquaculture practices, while the attainment of a productive and sustainable aquaculture is an FAO Strategic Objective.

In the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, the need to promote blue growth and develop sustainable aquaculture to ensure food security has been reiterated on several occasions, most recently at the GFCM’s forty-first session in Budva, Montenegro, on 16–20 October 2017. Acknowledging the growing trend in fish farming and in line with its mandate to ensure the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) established in 2015 a dedicated Task Force in charge of preparing a strategy for the sustainable development of Mediterranean and Black Sea aquaculture (Aquaculture Task Force). The strategy has been developed with the help of an extensive consultation process, and builds upon key elements provided by the Aquaculture Task Force. It will assist countries accomplish their national production plans and thus enable the sector to efficiently reach its

At its forty-first session in Budva, Montenegro, on 16–20 October 2017, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) adopted a resolution to implement a strategy for the sustainable development of Mediterranean and Black Sea aquaculture.

potential by 2030. The strategy envisages a Mediterranean and Black Sea aquaculture sector that is more competitive, sustainable, productive, profitable and equitable and based on a level playing field. It is structured around three main targets addressing key transboundary vulnerabilities

and cross-cutting issues. These are to build an efficient regulatory and administrative framework; to improve environmental protection, animal health and welfare; and finally, to develop a marketoriented sector taking safety, quality, marketing and communication into account.

Belgium: EU delivers on blue economy commitments made at Our Ocean conference In a rapid follow up to the EUhosted 2017 Our Ocean conference, the European Commission launched a new EUR 14.5 million investment initiative to further promote sustainable blue growth across the EU. Funded under the European Maritime and Fisheries

Fund, EUR 8 million from this initiative are set aside to help SMEs, including start-ups, testing novel products and services in highpotential emerging blue economy sectors, including ocean renewable energy. In order to better tackle the growing challenge

of marine litter, a further EUR 2 million will target innovative technologies to prevent, monitor, remove and recycle marine litter from EU waters. Furthermore, EUR 3 million will support twinning projects in the Mediterranean Sea, including between

maritime training and education institutions, blue economy businesses and local fishing communities. Finally, EUR 1.5 million is allocated to restoring marine and coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean, including mitigation of climate change.

Croatian canned ďŹ sh producer enters Ukrainian market The first batch of canned fish produced by the Croatian company Sardina will soon arrive in Ukrainian stores. Sardina, based in Postira, on the north coast of the island of Bracˇ, signed a contract with the Ukrainian commercial

network for the sale of 40,000 cans of fish, Total Croatia News reported. According to Davor Gabela, the sales director, Ukraine will become the 27th country to which the company exports. Sardina is dedicated to fishing, fish

processing and conservation, and it also has mariculture operations. It is one of the main Croatian companies in the fish catching and processing sector, and it exports about 70 per cent of its production. The company has its own fishing

fleet of seven ships and an annual production capacity of 40 million canned products. Sardina products are sold in markets around the world, including Europe, the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia.

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[ EVENTS ] Considering inevitable changes with a clear, informed eye

Looking at climate change from a ďŹ sheries and aquaculture perspective Scientists, ďŹ shery authorities, and global experts met in Vigo, Spain, at the International Congress on Climate Change and Fisheries to discuss the effects that climate change is having, and will have, on the international trade of ďŹ sh and ďŹ shery products. They also considered measures to mitigate the problems that are sure to follow. The October meeting was co-organised by FAO and Conxemar.

T

odays oceans are experiencing unprecedented change, and our fisheries will be transformed beyond recognition in the next decades. Fishing and aquaculture will be altered by changing migratory routes and breeding practices

of some species, the proliferation of invasive species and the increased incidence of disease, and the destruction of habitats and infrastructure by violent weather. Congress attendees considered these topics and many more.

Effects of climate change: the usual suspects We can repeat the litany of climatechange related problems almost by heart. Greater carbon dioxide absorption in the world’s oceans may cause sea-level rise, warming

water temperatures, changing ocean currents, ocean acidification, extreme weather events, and increased storm severity and frequency. Climate change might drive the expansion of dead zones, in which most marine plants and animals will struggle to survive.

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[ EVENTS ] “We have seen a number of recent cases where storms and floods have destroyed physical infrastructure, such as ports�, says Audun Lem, FAO Deputy Director, Policy and Resources Division, “but also aquaculture farms through flooding. We will see increasing problems related to salinisation, pollution, and eutrophication. The biggest impact, however, is more likely to be on local food security than on the larger trade and product flows�. Changing water temperatures are already causing changes that will intensify as temperatures rise. Important shifts are occurring in the distribution and productivity of commercially important stocks. Changes in the climate system could modify transport routes, affecting international transport and increasing costs. Trade patterns and specialisation will be affected, drastically altering current modes of production and consumption. National development strategies will be challenged. According to Steve Gaines, professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, “The complexities of these responses can be immense, which creates an important need for continued scientific advances�. Climate change will affect global fishing revenues adversely. The World Bank estimates losses to the fishing sector caused by climate change at between USD17 billion and USD41 billion annually in landed value, depending on the scenario. Household income could decline between USD4 billion to 6 billion a year.

Fishery management – a no-regrets strategy “Investing in fishery management is a no-regrets strategy�, says Xavier Vincent, Global Lead for Fisheries, del Banco Mundial. Fishery management will play a large role

At the International Congress on Climate Change and Fisheries speakers emphasised the need for adaption by all the stakeholders in the fisheries and aquaculture sector to a future that is likely to be far more unpredictable.

in mitigating the effects of climate change by leading the adaptation to the changing distribution of species. Quite simply, a healthy fish stock is less likely to be affected by climate change than an overexploited stock, and healthy ecosystems will be able to respond and adapt to changes and ensure long-term sustainability. “Climate changeâ€?, says John Pinnegar, Cefas Director of Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation, “turns the spotlight on a management system that has not changed in over 30 years. Rigid, difficult-to-change legislation makes adaptation to the unstable, changing situation that is approaching difficultâ€?. He identifies two key elements. “The zones and management mechanisms need to be updated for the distribution of the species, and governance itself should develop flexibility and adaptabilityâ€?. Of course, some species will do well as the climate changes, generally moving away from the equator. Other species will do poorly in warming conditions. High-Iatitude regions could gain as much as 30 to 70 in catch potential, while tropical countries could face a drop of up to 40 in the catch potential of traditional and commercially valuable species.

As the distribution of fishery resources moves across management jurisdictions, it will be necessary to mediate the equality of access, as well as increase coordination and cooperation in the management of transboundary stocks, particularly in the Arctic. “Given that most global fisheries will cross at least one international border in this century, and many stocks will cross several boundaries, these transboundary challenges are daunting�, says Steve Gaines. “Even stocks that are very well managed today will face serious pressures for overharvesting in the absence of new and effective transboundary institutions�.

The most-affected areas – Africa and Asia The fishery trade plays an especially important role in income generation, employment, food security, and nutrition in developing countries. Research by the World Bank indicates that countries in the intertropical belt will be most affected, with Africa and Asia being the hardest hit. The impact of climate change will be stronger because many countries in these areas have limited resilience owing to poor socio-economic and governance conditions. The impact may be two

to three times greater than in developed countries, requiring more adaptation investment. The World Bank study reveals that, in the worst-case scenario, the maximum catch potential could decrease by 7.7 and revenue by 10.4, globally. In West Africa, the decrease in landed value and jobs could amount, on average, to 21 and 50, respectively. Even a moderate decline in trade in the most affected areas could seriously handicap national economies and local livelihoods.

Climate change may be both an opportunity and a threat to aquaculture Any adaptation plans will have to consider the aquaculture sector. Warmer water conditions could allow new species to be cultured in regions where the current temperature maxima and minima are marginal for the species. Warmer seawater temperatures, however, may affect some cold-water species adversely. A rise in the frequency of severe storms could degrade the integrity of aquaculture structures and increase the risk of escapes. Some diseases of commercial aquaculture species, which transmit above a minimum

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[ EVENTS ] temperature, might become more prevalent, including exotic diseases that are currently excluded in cool climates. Others might be limited, such as some viral infections that can only occur in narrow temperature ranges. Finally, inland fisheries and aquaculture depend heavily on water resources, and current water regimes will certainly change. According to Poul Degnbol, Aalborg University, governments have three main challenges in combating the effects of climate change on fisheries. “First, to dare to move towards adaptive approaches, which may necessitate some fundamental overhauls of governance, including challenging access rights. Second, to use this as an opportunity to fully embrace an ecosystem approach as climate change forcefully reveals that fisheries are

operating in dynamic ecosystems. Third, not to become complacent in periods of less change�.

Adaptation is in everyone’s future Climate change will require adaptation by everyone involved, including fishermen and fish farmers, inhabitants of fishing communities, institutions, and consumers. In addition to protecting livelihoods, programmes will be required to protect coastal areas threatened by rising sea levels. In the end, the main burden to adapt will fall on the men and women who fish, whether the operator of a small vessel or a large, high-seas operation with dozens or hundreds of employees. Generally, they will have to adapt in some of the following ways, offered by John Pinnegar:

r 5 SBWFMJOH GBSUIFS UP ĂŞTI GPS current species, if stocks move away from home ports; r & OIBODJOH WFTTFM DBQBDJUZ JG stocks of currently fished species increase; r $IBOHJOH HFBS UP ĂŞTI GPS EJGferent species, if new or more profitable opportunities to fish different species become available; r % FWFMPQJOH SPVUFT UP FYQPSU markets to match the changes in catch. To spread risk and reduce vulnerability, the livelihoods of port communities must be diversified, for example by developing recreational fishing or aquaculture. Each community, whether in a developed or developing country, will have to find alternatives that fit its circumstances.

Consumers would do well to broaden their diets to include newly available fresh species. Retailers will want to stimulate domestic demand for a broader range of species. Institutions must consider the fact that resources may cross boundaries over time, such as the challenges between the EU and Iceland over mackerel, and become flexible. Coastal areas and existing infrastructure must be climate-proofed against the changes caused by sea level rise, as well as against downpours, floods, and extreme weather events. Such adaptations must be coordinated with neighbouring countries. Xavier Vincent suggests that “the fishery sector must not be viewed in isolation. We need a holistic approach that includes all sectors. Decision-makers should not

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[ EVENTS ] forget to invest more generally in the sustainability of the coastal and marine environment. For instance, the potential impact of plastic debris and generic pollution on ocean health and food safety are very concerning. We should not address climate change in isolation. The risks are too great�.

Communicating the inconvenient truth Scientists need to better communicate the relevance of climate change to fisheries. The inherent uncertainty in predicting the future is a challenge, as is the fact that the information needed by industry and management tends to be on a shorter time-scale (1–3 years) than projections of the effects of climate change (10–50 years).

Several important barriers to communication may need to be overcome, not the least of which is that climate change is not universally perceived as a priority or even a fact. One congress participant stated, “My overarching view is that it’s still too early to differentiate between the effects of climate change and the impact of fish mortality caused by fishing. The current effects on the companies in the sector with changes linked exclusively to climate change are still in their infancy, and more research is required to establish whether the effects are primarily driven by climate change or other forces�. Awareness programmes will certainly be required. The fishing and aquaculture sector should

be sufficiently dynamic, innovative, and technologically savvy to accept and handle the challenges and opportunities on the horizon. The sector also needs to accept that this scenario is not reversible, at least in the short and medium term, and that they bear some responsibility for sustainability in the adaptation of their production processes.

participants agreed that climate change is not yet properly placed on the agenda of the major fishing countries. The issues are complex and multidisciplinary. Options for addressing the changes have both biological and social consequences. Cooperation among all parties is essential, and we must recognise the need for long-term change.

Much more than meets the eye

Most of the participants in Vigo agreed that today’s changes are only a prelude to future changes. The full effects of the complex web of our actions today may not be seen for decades. But considering them in such an open, wellinformed setting will lead to solutions. William Anthony wanthony@mail.dk

The effects of climate change on fisheries are profound, and fish stocks and marine ecosystems are manifesting the consequences even now. Society must adapt. We can no longer assume that our marine ecosystems are stable. Many of the

EUďŹ shmeal bi-annual conference, Ireland, September 2017

Fishmeal and fish oil are becoming strategic additives The bi-annual EUďŹ shmeal conference this year took place in Ireland, and was attended by 110 people. After welcome remarks by Johannes Palsson, President of EUďŹ shmeal, the Irish minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, ofďŹ cially opened the conference in Dublin, and on days two and three the event continued in the coastal city Killybegs.

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ith a production share of 10 and 20 of the world’s fishmeal and fish oil respectively, Europe is an important player on the world market for marine ingredients. EUfishmeal represents producers from all over Europe and every second year members and non-producing associated members from Denmark, Germany, UK, Ireland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Norway and Sweden gather for the bi-annual EUfishmeal conference. This year the conference especially focused

on the future projections for fishmeal and fish oil and technical parts of the production process.

High, volatile prices of fishmeal and fish oil contribute to declining inclusion rates in feed During the last 25 years the use of fishmeal and fish oil has changed dramatically and the change is particularly tied to the explosive global increase in aquaculture. As we speak, the amount of consumed

fish from aquaculture is surpassing the amount of consumed fish harvested wild from our oceans. The development in aquaculture is important to fishmeal and fish oil producers because about 70 of fishmeal and fish oil are used in fish feed for farmed fish. In addition, the amount of marine ingredients used in fish feed has undergone a huge change in the same period of time. Back in the 70s, as much as 70-80 of the fish feed would consist of fishmeal and fish oil, while the numbers today

are closer to only 25. To focus on the use of marine ingredients in fish feed now and in the future, EUfishmeal invited Niels Alsted, Chair of FEFAC’s (European Feed Manufacturers Federation) fish feed committee, to speak at and take part in a panel debate at the conference. Mr Alsted gave some interesting views on the reasons behind the decline in fishmeal and fish oil inclusions rates in fish feed. Firstly, the price of protein sources is unavoidable when talking of feed ingredients. The relatively high,

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[ EVENTS ] but very volatile, price of fishmeal and fish oil, due to a limited supply of raw materials and high demand for its superior characteristics, is one of the reasons for the declining inclusion rates. However, the question mark surrounding the availability of marine proteins is also a factor, because it is problematic for feed producers and fish farmers to depend on ingredients, the supply of which depends completely on the size of the fishing quotas from year to year. Mr Alsted also elaborated on the increasing importance of sustainability, including Forage Fish Dependency, and Fish-In-Fish-Out ratios, certification and R&D, which also led to interesting discussions in the panel debate. Besides Mr Alsted, the panel to discuss the future of fishmeal and

fish oil consisted of Odd Eliasen, CEO of HavsbrĂşn, Dario Dubolino from DG MARE’s aquaculture division and Egil Magne Haugstad, CEO of Pelagia. In regard to sustainability and certification, the panel agreed that the European industry was in a very good position, sourcing raw materials from well managed and controlled fisheries, and including an increasing amount of by-products and trimmings in the production of fishmeal and fish oil. This also means that the European industry is producing from mainly MSC or IFFO RS-certified fisheries and thereby providing what feed producers are looking for, besides the high-quality fishmeal and fish oil, that European producers are recognized for. When talking about sustainability, the panelists also stressed that feed manufacturers must make sure that competing

Egil Magne Haugstad, CEO, Pelagia; Odd Eliasen, CEO, Havsbrún; Dario Dubolino, DG MARE’s aquaculture division; and Niels Alsted, Chair of FEFAC’s fish feed committee discuss the future of fishmeal and fish oil.

protein sources are equally focused and committed to sustainability in terms of the environmental footprint the production of these ingredients leaves on our planet. Another important take away point from the panel debate, on

which all panelists agreed, was the excellence of fishmeal and fish oil as feed ingredients. The protein content, the long chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, and the content of several minerals and vitamins combined with the high digestibility is something that

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[ EVENTS ] everyone knows, but nevertheless bears reminding about. However, these facts cannot be a sleeping pill for the industry, and as it was discussed, one very important focus point for the industry in the future is investments in R&D to continuously gain more knowledge about the products that the members of EUfishmeal manufacture.

Insect protein is an area to keep an eye on A major part of the conference is the technical side of the industry, both machinery and production processes as well as the content of the end products. Traditionally there is always a factory visit included in the conferences, and this year was no exception. The group visited United Fish Industries Killybegs’ fishmeal and fish oil factory. The factory is part of Pelagia A/S and was redeveloped in 2016. Several of EUfishmeal’s associated members, e.g. Haarslev and JS Proputec A/S, have delivered machinery to the factory, which today appears very modern and efficient. In addition to the factory visit, the technical sessions were held with inputs from some of the associated members. Bent Ludvigsen, Alfa Laval, presented the company and the quality of its products, focusing especially on low-fat fishmeal and the drying and cooling of fish proteins in sterile recirculated air. Stefan Lundgren, Perten Instruments, spoke about Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) as a powerful tool for optimizing the fishmeal process by analyzing the content of the product in the ongoing process. Stefan Kirchner, GEA, provided insights into the processing of insects and the use of insect protein in feed. It was particularly interesting to learn about the production process, capacity, raw material availability and the economic outlook. Even though proteins from

A visit to Pelagia’s newly renovated fishmeal factory in Killybegs.

insects pose no threat for the fishmeal and fish oil industry at the moment, the possibilities in the field should not be ignored.

The X-factor of fish protein The 2017 conference debated the future of fishmeal and fish oil emphasizing the importance of continued investments in R&D. Therefore, it seemed very fitting that the conference was rounded off with a presentation by Jette Lund Kristensen, Haarslev, about the X-factor of fish protein. Mrs Kristensen spoke of fishmeal and fish oil as an additive feed ingredient rather than just as a basic feed ingredient. This is in line with the view of fishmeal and fish oil becoming strategic feed ingredients, used for their unique characteristics. However, there is still a need for more knowledge about the products and how to optimize the production process to constantly improve the quality of especially the fishmeal. Quality is essential if fishmeal as a strategic

ingredient is to compete with other protein sources in the future. Protein content, oil content, moisture, digestibility, density and bacterial count are all important quality parameters for fishmeal, which can be controlled during the production process, adding value to the product. In her presentation, Mrs. Kristensen focused on specific production process improvements that can help achieve added value to the final product, such as the temperatures the raw material is exposed to, retention time and more. She also spoke about the importance of marketing the unique combination of amino acids, mineral phospholipids and fatty acids contained in fishmeal and fish oil. A good take-away point from the whole conference, is that marine ingredients, thanks to their nutritional value, really do possess an X-factor as feed additives, but to achieve the full value and potential of the products and to compete with alternative protein sources in the future,

developments and investments in R&D are needed. The sector is already on the right track with investments in laboratories in European factories and ongoing research projects at both national and EUfishmeal level. Anne Mette BĂŚk Jespersen, director of EUfishmeal, said in a closing statement, that the European fishmeal and fish oil industry “is a leader when it comes to sustainability, traceability, production processes and high-quality products.â€? She added that the biannual EUfishmeal conference 2017 was the largest one to date and that the support shows “the will to cooperate across Europe to tackle future challenges for the benefit of the industry as a whole.â€? EUfishmeal Jonas Sørensen Axelborg, Axeltorv 3, 6 DK-1609 Copenhagen V Tel.: +45 42610548 jos@maring.org www.eufishmeal.org

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[ EVENTS ] ďŹ sh international trade fair celebrates 30 years in 2018 Â

Strong international presence at Germany’s biggest ďŹ sheries event Germany’s most important ďŹ sh industry event, the biannual ďŹ sh international trade show in Bremen, will be held on 25-27 February 2018.

F

ish processors and fishmongers, canteen operators, restaurateurs and food retailers will converge on the Bremen Messe exhibition halls for fish international. "It’s going to be an exciting trade fair – exhibitor response has been very enthusiastic" says long-time Project Manager of fish international, Sabine Wedell. "We’re looking forward to celebrating our 30th birthday with the industry."

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A mix of regular and new exhibitors The event started in 1988 with more than 100 exhibitors at the initiative of fishmonger Peter Koch-Bodes. Some of those first exhibitors are still on board 30 years later – for instance Dutch company Parlevliet & van der Plas. But many of the 300 companies now represented will be there for the first time. For example a Croatian company will unveil a type of smoked and marinated sea bass new to the market. A British company is the first of its kind to receive an animal welfare label for its salmon farm. Altogether, 40 percent of the exhibitors come from abroad. A strong presence apart from Dutch companies are exhibitors from Denmark. "We’re also delighted about the growing interest in Eastern Europe," says Sabine Wedell. Evidence of this is provided by a large number of Polish companies, plus

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[ EVENTS ] Messe Bremen/Jan Rathke

participants from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. At the stands, the trade public can find out about new products, talk shop and make new contacts. The trade fair also presents a range of special highlights. In the "Smoke House", it’s all about new preparation ideas for fish and its role in nutrition concepts such as the low-carb diet. Visitors will be able to try "PokÊ Bowls," colourfully mixed sushi bowls with a Hawaiian twist.

Aquaculture section promises to be even larger Once again, the aquaculture area will be even larger, showcasing equipment for conventional breeding as well as fish production in recirculation systems. A symposium will include individual modules tackling salmonid and shrimp cultivation, animal welfare and best-practice examples of closed recirculation systems. A traditional highlight since the very first trade fair is the "Trawl Party" on Sunday night with music, dancing, good food and plenty of opportunity to chat. Before that, respected trade

Parlevliet & van der Plas is among the exhibitors that have been part of the fish international since the very beginning. They were represented at the premiere in 1988, and are now celebrating the 30th anniversary of the fish trade fair along with its organisers.

journal FischMagazin will once again award its Seafood Star for outstanding ideas, e.g. in retailing. "There will also be a premiere," says Sabine Wedell. "On Monday afternoon, the first fish sommeliers will receive this new distinction" It’s a qualification that raises the holders to the top of the game: The title goes to participants – including

fishmongers, purchasers and restaurateurs – who have completed a course of 50 hours of theory and practice and passed an exam before the Chamber of Commerce. Sabine Wedell sums up the concept as "one ticket - three trade fairs". Apart from fish international, visitors can take a

6

MORE REASONS TO VISIT EUROFISH AT FISH INTERNATIONAL

look around the Fleischer-Einkauf AG In Hall 4, a trade show for meat products, while in Hall 6 and for the first time also in Hall 7, the third GASTRO IVENT provides ideas and solutions for the gastronomy industry in north-west Germany. More information at: www.fishinternational.com Â

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THE EUROFISH BUSINESS PLATFORM (Hall 5-11) WILL HOST: Riba DraĹžin (HR)

UAFG OĂœ (EE)

Baltijos Delikatesai JSC (LT)

Baltic Fish Union OĂœ (EE)

Randa Ltd (LV)

Meotida Sp. Z.o.o. (PL)

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ROMANIA

Understanding the needs of the sector through stakeholders consultation

Dialogue leads to better legislation The Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for the administration of the country’s ďŹ sheries and aquaculture activities. These include capture ďŹ shing in the Black Sea and Danube Delta, and the cultivation of freshwater cyprinid species in ponds and reservoirs, but also of high value species such as trout and others. The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund has played a signiďŹ cant role in the evolution of the sector supporting in different ways both ďŹ shing and farming. Alexandru Potor, Secretary of State in the Ministry has overseen these developments and outlines here some of his priorities. Romania is actively supporting various cooperation initiatives in the Black Sea region. Among the most recent was the high-level conference Towards Enhanced Cooperation on Black Sea Fisheries and Aquaculture which concluded with the adoption of the Bucharest declaration. What are the major drivers behind Romania’s active role in this area? According to the provisions adopted by the ministers of all the Black Sea riparian countries in the Bucharest Declaration, Romania will have an important role in the initiatives of the European Commission and GFCM in this area. The main goal of the declaration is to accomplish joint governance in the region by implementing joint projects for developing of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, undertaking common measures for preventing and reducing IUU fishing, stock preservation and environmental protection, harmonization of legislation and common research campaigns. Through GFCM Mid-term Strategy, Romania is aiming to participate in all these initiatives along with European and international institutions towards the sustainability of Black Sea fisheries and ensure that the trend in the status of commercially exploited stocks is reversed by 2020. In order to

Alexandru Potor, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

support these issues, the BlackSea4Fish project is already in implementation. Romania is actively participating in the GFCM and European Commission technical working groups, conferences and annual regional meetings with Bulgaria, promoting the specificity of the Black Sea, providing scientific advice through contribution in scientific missions. Romania has one of the biggest EMFF portfolios among the EU Member States. What do you

consider the main achievements of the fund both in terms of its contribution to the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector and its impact on the administration? In the context of EMFF, referring to aquaculture, Romania has financed, among others, the construction of modern aquaculture farms with water recirculation, the modernization of existing aquaculture farms, and has compensated farmers in aquaculture for losses caused by fish eating birds.

Regarding the fisheries sector, the funds will be used for projects that will increase the administrative capacity of NAFA for control, inspection and surveillance in the Black Sea, as well as interior waters through the acquisition of control equipment, representation equipment for inspectors, training courses, conferences aimed to inform the fishermen about legislative changes, the importance of stock preservation, modern fishing methods, etc. The impact resides in the prospect of increasing fish production,

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its diversification, triggering the increase of the economic agents profit and consequently this means more responsibilities for the central administration related to licensing, monitoring, inspection and control.

Through these actions, Romania seeks to strengthen co-operation with other riparian states in order to better understand the problems faced by other partners and to formulate a common point of view on IUU Fishing.

Although Romanian catches in the Black Sea are relatively minor, the country is affected by IUU fishing, a major challenge in the Black Sea. Considering the number of Black Sea riparian countries and the different political and economic structures, how does Romania use its membership of the GFCM to reduce the extent of this problem?

Inland fishing is responsible for just over 40 of Romania’s catches and the majority of inland fishing takes place in the Danube Delta. The delta is a protected area and at the same time home to some of the neediest people in the country, many of whom subsist on fishing. How can fishing in the delta meet all three goals of economic, social and environmental sustainability?

Romania has shown involvement in all the projects that concern the region and it is strongly cooperating with Bulgaria regarding control and inspection activities in the Black Sea and Danube river, actively collaborating for legislative harmonization, participating in joint control and inspection mission coordinated by EFCA together with Frontex, and being open to the European Commission and GFCM initiatives and projects. These activities should also be attractive to other riparian countries. Romania is also involved in organizing highlevel conferences, including in 2018, under the aegis of GFCM.

Romania is implementing a complex development program in the Danube Delta through ITI Danube Delta. Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI) is a new financial instrument for the 2014-2020 programming period introduced by the European Commission (EC) in order to boost integrated territorial development. Integrated territorial investment is a tool which implies the existence of an integrated territorial area development strategy for a designated territory, but also the existence of a set of actions that can be implemented in order to achieve the objectives established through

the Integrated Territorial Development Strategy. The key element for implementing ITI is the integrated approach, which implies going beyond the sectoral point of view for settlement problems identified in the territory; so even if the proposals of measures will be largely sectoral, there is a global vision, an overall perspective ensuring the correlation of interventions leading to achieving strategic goals. The ITI tool will be used through the contribution of all ESIF (European Structural and Investment Funds) Programmes 2014-2020, in an area of 38 administrative territorial units of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Tulcea County and northern Constanta County. About 1 billion euros of European funds are available for the Danube Delta. The synergetic support of investments made through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund has the main objective to meet the needs of the inhabitants from the Danube Delta, including the less – favoured ones. In order to boost the aquaculture sector through the Common Fisheries Policy reform the European Commission published Strategic Guidelines presenting common priorities and general objectives at EU level. Four priority areas were identified: reducing administrative

burdens, improving access to space and water, increasing competitiveness and exploiting competitive advantages due to high quality, health and environmental standards. Which are the major steps considered by Romania in order to solve the issues identified? The main step in order to respond to the four identified priorities is represented by the strengthening of administrative capacity for the National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture. The agency meets the requirements of the priority areas, through the projects promoted in the fisheries, aquaculture, processing and commercialization sectors. Romania has committed itself through the EMFF to develop mainly the Community – led Local Development (CLLD) approach. The CLLD approach ensures that the community identifies the local needs, sets the priorities in addressing them, formulates a strategy for local development and implements it in order to tackle the problems. The most active players of the fisheries and aquaculture area form an action group and act as a nucleus of the community, rising awareness and mobilizing it towards achieving the common goal of a better life. As aquaculture

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is a defining feature of the fishery and aquaculture areas, the local development strategy can contribute to improving access to space and water, increasing competitiveness and exploiting competitive advantages, given that in Romania aquaculture is mainly extensive, which assures high quality, health and environmental standards. Reducing administrative burdens is done through counselling, better contact with beneficiaries,

simplification of the procedure, and more flexible administrative provisions. Stakeholders’ consultation is an important step for providing the effective governance and adequate legislative framework in order to meet the fisheries and aquaculture potential. Which element do you consider the most important for an efficient

dialogue with the sectorial stakeholders? The consultation of stakeholders’ purpose is very important and is carried out in order to present the ideas and to request points of view for the elaboration of the sectoral strategies, when developing the national regulations in order to bring improvements according to the producers’ needs. Moreover, the consultations are an important

instrument that we use in order to know the real problems from the sector and to agree together on the measures to be taken to meet their requirements. Through data collection and control projects, we aim to bring into discussion/ dialogue with the stakeholders those elements that can help us to improve the development potential of fisheries and aquaculture sector.

ANPA, the Romanian National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture

Boosting the potential of the sector The National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture is responsible for the administration of the ďŹ sheries and aquaculture sector in Romania. In recent years the agency has overseen signiďŹ cant changes in the sector, including the growth in Black Sea catches of rapana, a marine snail, diversiďŹ cation in the aquaculture industry, the introduction of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy, and with it, developments in data reporting requirements. Nicolae Dimulescu, President of ANPA, has a demanding year ahead of him.

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omania‘s Black Sea fishing capacity at the time of its accession to the European Union on 1 January 2007, comprised 439 vessels of which 22 were 12 m or above, while the rest were less than 12 m. Today that capacity has been reduced to 156 small vessels, the majority of which are in the 6-12 m category, with a total capacity of 6230 kW and 1409 GT. Of the 156 vessels registered, 59 (92) are with engine and 41 (64) are without. The largest number of vessels is in the 6-12 m category (116, 74), 54 of the 116 non-motorized vessels are used for coastal fishing. The 12-18 m length category (19, 12) is the most important segment with respect to catching turbot and rapana.

Attempting to create a safer and more modern fleet Romania‘s strategic objective is to strengthen the Black Sea

fisheries sector by improving and modernizing the fleet and by increasing the share of vessels over 12 m in length to ensure the long-term development of local fisheries communities, and to safeguard a reasonable standard of living for those whose income is dependent on fishing activities. According to Mr Dimulescu, the increase in Romania‘s fishing capacity will be commensurate with the level of resources in the Black Sea. Additional benefits include a dynamic and modern fleet, safer to operate, and where greater value can be added to the catch. However, he concedes that this can only be achieved through constant and well-argued lobbying at EU level, along with other Member States in the same situation, to re-open the question of amending Regulation 1380/2013. Modernising the fishing fleet may also render it easier to implement the discard ban and

Mr Nicolae Dimulescu, President, ANPA

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Evolution of the Romanian ďŹ shing eet 2007 Type

2017 No.

Tonnage

Power (kW)

Â

Â

Â

417

549

2,807

Â

Â

Â

≼12 m

22

2,056

5,885

Total

439

2,605

8,692

 <12 m

Â

landing obligation introduced by the Common Fisheries Policy, under which Romania has been obliged to land all sprat catches since 2015. For turbot there was a derogation from this obligation in 2016 and 2017, but from 2018 the provision will become

Type

No.

Tonnage

Power (kW)

<6m

16

12

194

6-12 m

116

234

1,246

≤12 m

132

246

1,440

12-18 m

19

616

3,300

18-24 m

1

70

272

> 24 m

4

476

1,217

≼12 m

2424

1,162

4,789

Total

156156

1,408

6,229

mandatory. Mr Dimulescu says the increase in the administrative capacity of ANPA will ensure compliance with these provisions as well as with others mentioned in European regulation. Since the landing obligation was introduced gradually,

commercial fishermen have adapted and complied, as can be seen from the data transmitted and reports from ANPA inspectors. Complying with the provisions has affected the fishermen to some extent, but has also led to a diversification of fishing

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activities. For example, fishermen are targeting rapana, which offers economic opportunities to offset any losses caused by the legislation. Diversification in the capture fishing segment is being matched in the aquaculture sector, where the number of species produced and the growing technologies used have both seen an increase. Today, ponds, tanks, raceways, recirculation systems, and cages are all used to farm fish, and Mr Dimulescu expects production to be given a further boost as over the next year the available area for fish farming is set to increase by a further 25,000 ha of water surface, while recirculation systems are expected to expand. In addition, ANPA is in the process of identifying areas in the Black Sea, where mariculture can be developed. Furthermore,

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with assistance from the GFCM, a demonstration centre for mariculture will be developed in Constanta, with the collaboration of the National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa� institute, which will host the centre at its premises. Among the species being considered is mussels, volumes of which are currently modest, and which are only sold on the domestic market. But measures that ANPA is considering, together with support through the EMFF, should increase mussel production in Romania. In general, increasing aquaculture production is desirable from several viewpoints. Among others it could be a source of raw material for processors who will be able to expand their range of products from traditional species and perhaps even market them internationally.

Bulgarian Romanian co-operation could be a model for non-EU Black Sea riparian states Boosting the Romanian production of mussels in the Black Sea is unlikely to have an impact on the other riparian countries, which may in fact learn from the Romanian experience. The Black Sea represents a strategic region of Europe and policies that address the joint management of resources there are welcome, says Mr Dimulescu. Given that the European Union is represented by only two Member States and the GFCM in this area, it is imperative to find common solutions and common approaches at political and administrative levels, with the support and expertise of the researchers, to ensure the sustainability of fisheries for all riparian states. Mr Dimulescu considers that the

example of collaboration and cooperation between Romania and Bulgaria is an example that can be followed by other non-EU riparian states. For ANPA, another important topic is data on fisheries and aquaculture, both from the Black Sea and inland waters. Accurate and complete data is essential for efficient resource management and ANPA is working together with research institutes to organize information campaigns for stakeholders across the industry to correctly fill in the questionnaires requesting data. The agency also highlights the importance of this data for current and future management plans. In this context the Electronic Reporting System (ERS) has proven to be an efficient tool. Starting in 2018, the agency will use support from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund to modernise the

existing database to improve the quality of data transmitted to the Commission and other international organizations. One of the sources of data was supposed to be the auction that was built a few years ago in Tulcea. This institution was supposed to reduce the volume of fish from the Danube Delta being traded illegally, provide the market with a credible reference price for fish, introduce a system of traceability, and reduce the hold that owners of landing sites had on the fishermen that were landing there. For various reasons these plans were not realised, but In recent months, considerable efforts have been made to make this instrument operational for Danube Delta catches. ANPA is hopeful that at the beginning of 2018 it will become an essential factor in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the region.

EMFF support contributes to larger pond production

Farm sales of carp increase for ďŹ fth year running Aquaculture in Romania is multifaceted in terms of the species produced, the technologies used, the water bodies that are exploited, and even whether it is freshwater or marine. The overwhelming bulk of the production is ďŹ nďŹ sh produced in freshwater systems, but there is also a small cultivation of mussels in the Black Sea.

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upported first by the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and now by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) aquaculture production in Romania is gradually increasing. The increase in production is further complemented by a greater awareness of the importance of value addition. Live fish and fresh fish on ice are still the most common ways of selling the

farmed fish production, but farmers are also looking at processing the fish into more convenient products, such as fillets, portions, and value-added items.

Cyprinid species dominate farmed fish production Sales of farmed fish in Romania increased to almost 12,500 tonnes

Extruded feeds (left) and cereals (pictured, corn) are used by some farmers to make the fish grow faster. Extruded feeds are expensive and aeration may also be necessary to get the most from the feed.

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Area for aquaculture in Romania Total

94,000 ha

Extensive: Reservoirs

14,000 ha

Danube Delta

44,000 ha

Semi-intensive: Ponds

35,000 ha

Intensive: Trout

in 2016 from about 10,000 tonnes in 2012. A number of species are farmed in the country of which the most important in terms of production volumes are common carp (Cyprinus carpio), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and crucian carp (Carassius carassius). In addition, smaller volumes of a number of other species, pike-perch, catfish, sturgeons, grass carp, and pike are farmed in freshwater, and Mediterranean mussels in saltwater. Almost two thirds of the growth in total sales since 2012 can be ascribed to an increase in the volume of common carp sold, while the increase in trout sales amounted to just over a fifth. Cyprinids in Romania are grown in ponds in polyculture with each other as well as with other species including carnivores. The idea is to exploit the different trophic levels in the pond with some species feeding on phytoplankton, others on zooplankton, grass carp feed on the vegetation in the pond, the common carp is often given a cereal based feed or in some cases even extruded pellets, while the carnivorous species feed on the young or otherwise vulnerable fish (ill or injured) thus performing the important functions of reducing competition for feed and removing the weak individuals from

900 ha

the population. They also form a valuable resource themselves. Carps are chiefly reared in a three-year cycle though some farmers will also use a two-year cycle. There are two Romanian institutions that specialise in the breeding of Chinese carps (silver carp, grass carp, bighead carp). Breeding these is more complicated than rearing common carp and these institutions have the necessary infrastructure and expertise to produce the juvenile fish for famers. Fingerlings of common carp on the other hand are more easily produced and most farmers maintain a hatchery where they keep a stock of broodfish for the production of eggs. When the fry hatch from the fertilised eggs they are collected and stored in tanks for a few days before being introduced into specially prepared ponds, where they stay for three to four weeks feeding on rotifers as well as supplementary cereal-based feeds. Following this nursery period, the fry are stocked in ponds in polyculture systems where they feed on plankton as well as cereals or pelleted feed and grow to 30-100 g. If the aim is to produce large fingerlings, the stocking density is reduced. In the second year the fish are grown to 250-400 g and are raised on a diet of cereals and extruded feeds. Common carp is raised

together with Chinese carps to make the most of the different feeding habits and because the species occupy different trophic niches. While silver carp feed on phytoplankton, bighead carp feed mainly on zooplankton, and grass carp eat plants. Common carp is an omnivorous bottom feeder and the extruded and cereal-based feeds given by the farmer are intended for them. The different species should be stocked in a certain ratio to allow the maximum exploitation of the pond ecosystem. In the third year the fish reach a market size of around 2 kg and are harvested. As the winter approaches the table-sized fish are moved to wintering ponds, which are smaller and deeper and hence do not freeze in winter. Because

Use of extruded feeds and cereals improves yields Many carp farmers improve the yield they get from their ponds by supplementing the naturally available feed in the ponds with cereal-based mixtures and even extruded pellets. The mixtures combine wheat, corn, and barley, with high-protein peas and sunflower seed meal, a relatively cheap feed that nonetheless improves yields. Some farmers also use extruded feeds specifically made for common carp, which are much more expensive, but can deliver a

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of their size, these ponds are also easier to harvest, when there are requests for fish.

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Farmed fish and farmed carp in particular is the most sold species in Romania

conversion ratio of 1, that is a kilo of feed produces a kilo of flesh. This kind of yield however also depends on the management of the farm. The farmer has to ensure that the water is adequately aerated, and that levels of nitrogen and phosphorus do not exceed certain limits. Ponds too need to be well maintained with sturdy dykes, properly sloped walls, and not overgrown with weeds. Ponds for the fry should be shallow, drainable, and weed free. They should be prepared for stocking to encourage the growth of rotifers. These and other management measures all contribute to the growth rate of the fish. Average productivity in Romania stands at about 100 kg/ha for table-sized fish and 150/kg/ha for stocking material. However, among the members of Romfish (Romanian Fish Farmers’ Association), who tend to have bigger holdings and are possibly more astute farmers productivity averages 830 kg/ha, a figure which conceals even higher yields from some members. Even the best farmers, however, are confronted

by circumstances to which they have to adapt if they want to maintain these yields.

Effects of climate change need to be factored in to farmers’ plans Among the challenges that farmers have been battling with the last few years are the consequences of

global warming. A paper on the ClimeFish project presented by researchers from the Hungarian Research Institute for Fisheries and Aquaculture and Kaspovar University at the International Carp Conference in Dubrovnik earlier this year forecast an increase in the occurrence of extreme weather events such as storms, but also longer and more frequent dry periods. The scientists showed that in

Szeged, Hungary, just across the border from Romania, there has been an almost 1.5 degrees increase in the average annual air temperature between 1980 and 2012, and that this trend is likely to continue. Warmer air temperature increases the rate at which water evaporates from the ponds. And warmer water in the ponds has multiple consequences for the fish being farmed. It impacts the production of phytoplankton, which is a source of feed and oxygen, it increases the rate of evaporation, it has a direct impact on dissolved oxygen (which is inversely related to temperature), and it increases anabolic activity in the fish (up to a point). Farmers are likely to face additional costs to mitigate these impacts, which may have an effect on the profitability of their operations. Climate change affects ponds in other ways too. One of these is less water. Warmer winters with less snow and dryer weather in spring has caused water levels in the ponds to fall. Farmers are responding in different ways. Instead of draining the ponds prior to harvesting they are removing the fish while maintaining the water levels in the pond. This makes the harvest more demanding in terms of time and labour, but ensures

Recirculation systems are used to produce high value species, but they are expensive and technically demanding to operate. African catfish are being produced in the tanks pictured.

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Catalin Platon, Executive Director, Romanian Fish Farmers’ Assocation

there is enough water even if there is less precipitation during the season. Famers are also building systems that allow them to channel water from one pond to another and using water from large dam lakes or pools to feed other ponds further downstream.

Threat to farmers’ use of dam lakes and pool prevents planning and investment However, there is some uncertainty surrounding ownership of these dam lakes and pools with the Romanian Water Company

threatening to confiscate these from the current users and to auction them. This issue has been brought to the attention of ANPA, the National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture, as well as the Ministry of Aquaculture and Rural Development by Romfish, the Romanian Fish Farmers’ Association, and Alexandru Potor, State Secretary in the Ministry of Aquaculture and Rural Development, hopes that it will be resolved by the end of this year. The uncertainty about whether these water bodies will be confiscated or not has made it impossible for fish farmers to plan ahead, and

if it continues is likely to have an impact on output from the sector. Another issue that is affecting farmers is the impact of predators on their stocks of fish. Of the approximately 79,000 ha available for pond fish farming in Romania, over half (40,000 ha) is located in Natura 2000 sites, an area corresponding with some 260 carp farms, which are therefore subject to conservation objectives. However, the protection afforded to predators in Natura 2000 sites has resulted in a huge increase in their numbers as stated in the Declaration and Resolution from the 4th international carp conference held in September this year in Zagreb. This has a collateral impact on farms as the predators feed on the fish in the ponds, while national legislation prevents the farmers from driving away or killing the pests. Among the worst offenders are cormorants, says Catalin Platon, which not only inflict direct losses on the farmer, but also indirect losses in the form of injuries to the fish, infections with parasites as a result of injuries, and feeding stress which reduces the growth rate. He estimates losses per hectare at over EUR440 in 2014 though in 2016 this had fallen to just below EUR380. Farmers would like the ecosystem services (flood control, maintenance of biodiversity, etc.) provided by them acknowledged

and compensated for in a coherent manner.

Will the use of recirculation aquaculture systems ever be more than a niche? Although the output from ponds accounts for most of the farmed fish production in Romania, there are a few recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) producing high value species such as trout, sturgeon, and African catfish. Recirculation systems use very small volumes of fresh water, as most of it is repeatedly cleaned and recycled through the system. The bigger advantage however is that all the parameters, oxygen levels, pH, temperature etc. can be continuously monitored and adjusted when necessary giving the fish very stable growing conditions, which reduces stress and increases growth rates. As the system is closed the risk of infections through the water is correspondingly reduced. And these systems can be used for highly intensive production. On the other hand, RAS systems are expensive and technically demanding and the farmer needs training in how to run the system optimally. To keep costs down, some farmers however are investing in cheaper RAS systems that are made, for example, in China and that may

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– fluctuating between 2,457 and 3,742 tonnes. Mr Costell contends that one of the biggest issues facing the freshwater fishery in the Danube is not overfishing or illegal catches, but the lack of concern for spawning areas. These need to be protected and maintained if the fishery is to thrive.

Community-led development for fisheries areas

Valentin Toma, Deputy General Director, Romanian Management Authority for EMFF

not offer quite the same level of sophistication as European systems, but are reliable and can do the job. Other ways to contain costs include replacing commerciallyproduced feed with a home-made variant, though first ensuring that the biofilter can cope with the change in the fish’s diet. Producers with RAS systems are often also interested in adding greater value to their products instead of just selling raw fish on ice. This could take the form of fillets, portions, frozen, or smoked products, packaged in different ways. Other possibilities that some producers are experimenting with are minced fish meat, as well as fish burgers and fish balls. RAS systems have a role to play in the Romanian aquaculture sector, but whether they will ever be more than a niche only time will tell.

Production from inland water capture fishing broadly stable The inland fishing sector contributed some 3,700 tonnes or about 44 of total capture fisheries catches (fresh and marine) in Romania, in 2015. The majority

of the catch is from the Danube delta, while the remainder is caught upstream, and from other rivers and inland water bodies in the country. Lengths of the Danube are allocated to fishermen’s associations for their members to fish. In Braila, for instance, the Stancuta’s fishermen’s association can fish between the 197 km and the 227 km mark. The association comprises 14 boats each with three fishermen, the owner and two staff, who share the day’s catch equally between them. The quota allocated is one tonne per boat and includes European catfish, asp, common carp, pike perch, Danube shad, etc. though not grass carp or silver carp. The quota has stayed the same for many years, though last year it went up marginally from 960 kg to one tonne. Turku Costell, a retired veterinarian, who works parttime as a fisher, is a member of the association. He explains that the fishers generally manage to catch 70-80 percent of the quota each year, which is sold to shops, restaurants, and through the fish market. Freshwater catches have hovered around 2,900 tonnes per year for the last eight years

Romania has a number of Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) that seek to develop the area that they represent by having members of the group propose projects that are then implemented with support from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. The FLAGs were introduced under the European Fisheries Fund, the predecessor of the EMFF, and most of them continued in the new programming period (2014-20). A FLAG typically represents all the constituents of a community both public and private. Representatives from the local administration,

associations, NGOs, private enterprise, and other bodies come together in a FLAG to design and implement a development strategy for the area they represent. For fishermen the strategy will often include measures to help them diversify their activities, gain more value from their production, or improve infrastructure. In Braila county, for example, projects to build or renovate meeting rooms for fishermen (among others), restaurants (that buy locally-caught fish), a shelter for the fishermen were among those that directly benefited fishermen, while others, such as making the area more attractive for tourists, have tangential benefits.

New national legislation improves FLAGs’ ability to develop their areas Projects represent a bottom-up approach to development as they are designed by the beneficiary and describe a real need, which, if fulfilled, should lead to improvements for the

Turku Costell, a part-time fisherman, is concerned about fish spawning areas in the Danube, which he feels need to be better protected.

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beneficiary and his community. However, there is a catch. The beneficiary has to absorb the upfront costs, which are then reimbursed. This requirement is often difficult to meet as, for example, small fishermen do not have the resources or the liquidity to meet these initial costs. The system fails those whom it could help most. Valentin Toma, Deputy General Director of the Management Authority, the government body responsible for evaluating projects and disbursing funding, explains that in the last programming period the administration noted that many projects that were approved did not start due to the inability of the beneficiaries to provide co-financing. This was wasteful as significant sums of money were blocked in these projects that failed to start. This led to approvals being granted for projects where co-financing was not an issue. In 2015 national legislation was enacted that created certain instruments to help beneficiaries with co-funding. Despite these measures to assist beneficiaries, there are still areas for which no projects have been submitted. EMFF support is broadly divided into six priority areas, fisheries, aquaculture, marketing and processing etc. The fisheries area has 8 of the operational programme budget, an amount of just under EUR18m. However, no projects have been submitted under this area. This is a cause for some concern as it potentially represents the waste of an opportunity. It is not easy to identify exactly why this is the case, but the management authority will be having meetings with fishermen from the Black Sea and from the Danube Delta to find out what can be done. Getting viable project applications is important for the management

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authority which would naturally like to see the funds available at its disposal used for the purpose they were intended. A prerequisite to achieving results from the operational programme is good information flow between the management authority and potential beneficiaries. The authority uses social media, and publishes a newsletter with news and information about the opportunities available. Moreover, regular meetings are organised

between the staff at the local offices and the beneficiaries or potential beneficiaries. Taken together these efforts are likely to make the whole process of applying for support smoother. Hopefully, it will also encourage the submission of projects from those who are currently perhaps intimidated by the procedures, or in other words, precisely those whom the programme was designed to benefit.

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Spare parts, maintenance, repair, new or renovated machines – we are sure to have what you want.

Eduard Diaconeasa, Public Manager, EMFF, Romanian Management Authority says digitisation reduces the administrative burden. Project applications are now processed digitally

Electronic documents reduce processing time In Romania the processing of project applications for support from the EMFF has recently been digitised bringing beneďŹ ts to all concerned. Digitisation has meant that everybody concerned with the evaluation has immediate access to the project documentation. Eduard Diaconeasa, Public Manager, EMFF, says that by enabling the electronic submission of applications, the E-Cohesion method reduces the burden on both the ministry and the beneďŹ ciary, and that the internal evaluation of the applications is also quicker. This is conďŹ rmed by Catalin Platon, Executive Director of the Romanian Fish Farmers’ Association, who calls the use of electronic documents a “huge stepâ€? forward.

Visit our website or call me to get an idea of what we can offer.

www.slicershop.eu info@Slicershop.eu +49 4 21/ 22 29 29 43 +49 177/ 645 92 75

ROMANIA

SC Aquator Halasz SRL

Building a market for African catfish in Romania Eva and Nikolaus Halasz returned to Romania a couple of years ago after spending 30 years in Germany working in the Horeca sector. Using the experience they gained in Germany, the couple decided to establish a recirculation facility for the production of African catďŹ sh (Clarias gariepinus), a fast growing species for which they saw a market both in Germany and in Romania.

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ocated in Satu Mare in north west Romania close to the border with Hungary, Aquator Halasz’ production facility has been operating for just 14 months. The location was selected because, Mrs Halasz has family in the area. The company not only farms the African catfish, but also processes the fish into fillets and smoked products. African catfish requires some 27 degrees centigrade to thrive which necessitates heating the water by about 13 degrees. The company therefore heats the water using coals and wood. Unfortunately, energy prices have risen since the project was planned and therefore the company has had to adjust its strategy to compensate for the higher costs of heating the water. One of the ways is by using less

branded feed. Instead, the company has invested in its own onsite feed production unit, where it manufactures fish meal using by-products and leftovers from processing operations on other farms cultivating other species. Nikolaus Halasz explains that fish may not be fed with products based on the same species, so he sources the raw material for the fishmeal from carp farms.

Rapid growth makes African catfish a natural choice The farm is located in an area with thermal water resources, but these lie deep underground says Mr Halasz, and the cost of bringing it to the surface would exceed that of heating up colder, but more easily

The farm has a capacity of 250 tonnes of catfish a year grown in a recirculation system.

Eva and Nikolaus Halasz returned to Romania after 30 years in Germany to set up a catfish farming and processing company.

accessible water. It was in 2011, while still in Germany, that the couple learned about the European Fisheries Fund and realised that they could use it to make an investment. We were familiar with African catfish from our work in Germany, says Mr Halasz, and also studied catfish farms there before deciding to return to Romania and establish a catfish farm ouselves. The fish is very fast-growing, reaching 1.5 kg in just 8 months, which is the optimal size as far as the taste goes. This growth rate was one of the decisive reasons for the company to opt for catfish rather than, say, carp. However, if the fish is intended for the production of fillets then 2 to 2.5 kg is a better size as the yield is

proportionately higher. A problem with the biofilter at the end of last year forced the company to harvest its first batch of fish in December 2016. Subsequently the biofilter was changed and now the company harvests each month. The annual capacity is 250 tonnes a year. Sales are currently channelled through a Hungarian distributor, but the company is also exploring the market for headed and tail-off fish that are smoked. The big retail chains have also shown an interest in the fish, but the conditions they impose are so strict that it would cost much more to supply fish that met their standards, explains Mr Halasz. Also, since we are still in the very early stages of production, we felt that

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it was more important to ensure that everything functioned smoothly and reliably before trying to meet the retail chains’ requirements.

Chinese equipment functions very well Recirculation systems are highly complex and often expensive pieces of equipment. At Aquator Halasz the equipment was imported from China and installed by a Bucharest consultant. More or less the same equipment could have been bought in Germany but it would have been so much more expensive. The farm owners are very satisfied with the equipment, although it has taken a little longer to start producing to capacity. Part of the problem has been heating

the water. Initially we thought we should use naturally heated water from the ground to warm the water in the recirculation system, but the drilling work required was very expensive and may also have had an impact on the water quality, recalls Mrs Halasz. The project had foreseen having to heat the water, but had not counted on the steep increase in fuel costs - the price of wood increased 100 over the next three years - which upended the calculations the Halasz’s had made. In addition, the price of electricity, which is used for all kinds of farming operations, has also gone up. To compensate, the company has switched to feed that it manufactures itself, but this has meant a trade-off in terms of the growth rate of the fish, which is now slightly lower. The feed that the company manufactures

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African catfish grows in water at 26 to 28 degrees centigrade. Furnaces (pictured) burn wood or coal to heat the water to the desired temperature.

is only intended for the grow-out stage; starter feeds for the juvenile fish are still purchased from feed manufacturers to give the fish a good start. The farm does not have a hatchery and the first batch of

young fish was obtained from an external supplier in Austria. Unfortunately, says Mr Halasz, the fish were not very good. They therefore switched to a Dutch supplier. He, however, would only guarantee

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the fish for a distance of about 800 km from the hatchery, a fraction of the approximately 2,000 km between the Netherlands and Romania. Aquator Halasz has therefore decided to try producing its own juveniles. We will obtain the hatchery equipment and the broodstock from the Dutch hatchery and from January 2018 we intend to start producing eggs and larvae, says Mr Halasz.

Hatchery operational from next year The plans for the hatchery have been postponed to January so that the company can concentrate on supplying the Romanian market during October, November, and December, when fish is widely consumed. The market for African catfish in Romania is still

developing, a process to which Aquator Halasz is contributing. For many consumers the product is unfamiliar and the company is trying to remedy this. The taste and texture are very good, better than those of the European catfish, avers Mr Halasz, and it grows much faster. Besides, the meat has a reddish tinge and is comparable with pork meat. At Aquator the meat is used to make smoked sausages, a traditional preparation in many countries in Central Europe including Romania and Germany. We need to add value, create innovative products, yet make sure they do not alienate consumers, and in this way compensate for any additional costs we have in the production. Meat balls using catfish meat are another example of this approach that the company

is using. The company is keen to expand the processing operations, but an acute problem is the lack of both skilled and unskilled labour. The reasons for this vary. For many potential workers a job in a fish processing factory is unappealing; others move to better-paying jobs in richer European countries; spending a long time commuting is also unacceptable for some, so finding fulltime staff is increasingly difficult.

In addition to African catfish, Aquator also processes common carp, sturgeon and trout, buying the raw material from the market and smoking it. Sales of these species started about two months ago and today have increased to about 150 kg a day as demand has increased. Sales are mainly in the local markets as the shelf life of the smoked products is short and exporting them is generally not a realistic option.

Aquator Halasz SRL Str. Marsilia nr. 55 Satu Mare Romania Owners: Eva and Nikolaus Halasz Tel.: +40 757 942825, +40 770 781406

Employees: 7 (with a target of 15) Area: 11 ha Products: CatďŹ sh, carp, sturgeon, trout Production: CatďŹ sh 250 tonnes, other products minor quantities

Ocean Fish expands into the Republic of Moldova

Building new stores and a new factory in Eastern Europe Since Romanian ďŹ sh processor and importer Ocean Fish Ltd was founded in 1998, the company has invested in their facilities and built the largest production capacity in Romania. Most recently, they have opened their own stores to sell directly to the consumer, and a new factory is ready to open in the Republic of Moldova.

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cean Fish, based in Afumati near Bucharest, produces a wide range of fish products, including smoked and marinated fish, and different kinds of salads, including roe salads. It processes mainly salmon, trout, carp, sea bream, and mackerel, but also tuna, octopus, shrimp, squid, and other products. The company has a monthly production capacity of 100 tonnes, although it is not currently working at full capacity.

Ocean Fish is the largest fish processor in Romania in terms of facilities and production capacity. It was one of the first factories in Romania to invest in production lines to provide modified atmosphere packaging. The company has invested more than ₏22 million in their facilities, approximately ₏11 million of which was provided by the EU. In turnover, two companies dominate the Romanian market for processed fish – Ocean Fish and a competitor alternate as number one from year to year.

Ocean Fish has a vast fleet of vehicles that cover the whole country distributing products and collecting raw material.

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Consumers want fresh fish According to Alesea Brinzila, director of imports, the company is trying to concentrate more on fresh fish. Through our experience with opening our own stores, we realise that this is what the consumer wants right now, she says. The fresh segment accounts for about 40 of the company’s annual turnover of ₏36 million. Until 2016, the company concentrated on large retailers, who are responsible for more than 70 of their turnover. Now, it is expanding its customer base to include the HORECA sector – hotels, restaurants, and catering – and the traditional market – smaller producers and wholesalers who buy frozen bulk products, mostly pelagic and whitefish.

In May 2016, Ocean Fish took the significant step of opening the first of their own stores outside the gates of their factory, which will allow them to sell their products directly to the consumer under the Ocean Fish brand. Since then, the company has opened stores in Bucharest, in Romanian Moldova in eastern Romania, and in the Republic of Moldova. They have seven stores in all, and two more will be launched by the end of 2017. The first shop was opened more as a marketing tool than as a way to increase sales. It was a new and risky project, says Ms Brinzila. We have invested heavily in the shops, between ₏70,000 and ₏100,000, without any guarantee of their profitability. But the advantage is that we can sell the whole range of our products – value added, which is

Mackerel on racks that have been removed from the smoking oven. The fish will be packaged in vacuum.

Ocean Fish’s main area of concentration, and fresh and frozen. She points out that their large retail customers, such as Carrefour, Metro, and Lidl, might display only ten Ocean Fish products, whereas in their own stores, they can offer

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the whole range of about 200 products at lower prices. HORECA clients have started to buy directly from the Ocean Fish stores and are buying in ever-larger quantities. At the moment, Ocean Fish is not in direct competition with their large retail customers, because 40 of

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items. Another unexpected market has been Romanian expatriate communities in Italy, the UK, Spain, and Portugal, among whom the most popular products are Romanian fish salad and smoked mackerel, salmon, and herring.

Romanian workers in short supply

The company’s factory gate shop contains all the Ocean Fish products. The company has now opened seven shops and two more are due to open this year.

the products they make for them are the retailers’ private labels.

A preference for local Romanian produce Through feedback gathered at their own stores, they have discovered that Romanian consumers would prefer local produce. Unfortunately, Romanian fishermen and farms are not able to meet the demand, and they lack the facilities to gut, clean, and pack the fish. Turkish suppliers, on the other hand, can deliver high-quality fish, already gutted, cleaned, and packed, in bigger quantities and at better prices. Romanian farms cannot compete with Turkish ones on trout, says Ms Brinzila, partly because the Turkish government subsidises its aquaculture sector.

The company also discovered that the Republic of Moldova is potentially a lucrative market. Moldovans consume more fisheries and aquaculture products than the Romanian average, which is 6.3 kg per capita, far below the EU average. In addition to the stores it has opened there and its continuing export to the country, Ocean Fish is getting ready to open its own factory in the Republic of Moldova later this year. Alesea Brinzila indicates that the taste of Moldovan consumers is quite different from Romanian tastes. For example, they prefer highly salted fish and are not as interested in marinated product as in Romania, and they prefer hot smoked products as against the Romanian preference for cold smoked

One challenge that Ocean Fish faces is the difficulty of finding reliable unskilled workers in Romania. In 2013, they increased their workforce from 200 to 250 workers, and now, to fill that need, they transport some workers 140 kilometres every day in special transport fleets. Alesea Brinzila believes that part of the problem is that large number of young people are emigrating in search of better opportunities. Another issue is the company’s fleet of 110 vehicles which is used to distribute products and, more importantly, to manage the logistics of importing the fish that their production requires. Alesea Brinzila explains that the emphasis on fresh fish makes logistics very important. “For example,� she says “if the salmon is loaded in Norway on Saturday, we need a guarantee that it will arrive on Monday morning. Then there is customs clearance, for example in Turkey, which can take one day. We need to

unload the goods, prepare them, and load them again for distribution.� Drivers’ salaries, fuel, and maintenance are all costs that need to be looked at and from time to time the company considers outsourcing distribution to a third party. But, she adds, that would mean sacrificing the control that having our own fleet gives us, and we are not ready to do that.

Calling those interested in the Romanian/ European market for seafood In 2010, Romania raised its valueadded tax (VAT) from 19 per cent to 24 per cent. Predictably, the rise hit consumer spending and led to an epidemic of corporate tax evasion, making it difficult for Ocean Fish to compete. In May 2016 when the VAT was cut to 9, sales increased 35 in the first month. Healthy competition had returned. As Romanian fish consumption increases, Ocean Fish hopes to be part of that development and is looking to forge new alliances with possible suppliers. Alesea Brinzila highlights that the company is a very good potential associate because of its location and the investment it has made in its facilities. Fish and seafood suppliers will find a good, reliable partner that is able to cover all of Eastern Europe, and not only Romania.

Ocean Fish Ltd Afumati DN2, Km 14, no. 72 077010 Ilfov County, Romania Tel: +40 21 3503530/2 ofďŹ ce@oceanďŹ sh.ro www.oceanďŹ sh.ro Import director: Alesea Brinzila Maatjes style herring fillets being packaged in plastic trays.

Products: Norwegian salmon marinated or smoked, smoked mackerel, different kinds of salads (octopus, shrimp, squid, sea algae), and roe salads, butterďŹ sh ďŹ llets, tuna ďŹ llets, herring ďŹ llets Markets: Romania, Europe Employees: 250

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SC Pirania SRL

Production increases but uncertainty threatens The carp farm SC Pirania uses cereals and sunower seed meal to achieve high growth rates and correspondingly high yields per hectare. Plans to develop further have been put on hold due to uncertainty regarding the use of dam lakes by ďŹ sh farmers.

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iadem Vasile Atodiresei the owner of SC Pirania has taken over another fish farm in Iasci expanding the area he has under production from 580 ha (in Botosani) to 968 ha. His production had reached the maximum possible at the existing site and the only way to increase it was to acquire more ponds. The species he produces are the usual mix of common carp, Chinese carps (grass, silver, bighead), together with smaller volumes of crucian carp, catfish, and pike-perch. More unusual is his use of extruded feed, a complex and expensive product typically used in the production of carnivorous species.

High yields thanks to extruded feed At Pirania this feed is given to the fish in their first year as the weather starts to warm up in March or April. Feeding continues until the middle

of June with the quantities of feed gradually increasing as the water temperature increases. Even after the fish are transferred to wintering ponds the feeding continues until November though the quantities are gradually reduced as the water temperature falls. The target species for this feed is the common carp as the other main species (silver carp, bighead carp) feed on phytoplankton and zooplankton, while grass carp feeds on weeds. The feed is from an Austrian supplier and has a protein content of at least 44. It is specifically designed for common carp giving a feed conversion ratio of 1 to 1. That is, one kilo of feed results in a kilo of carp. The combination of good quality water and the highperformance feed has resulted in high yields – in a small 3 ha pond, Mr Atodiresei hopes to harvest five tonnes of carp in a year, a yield of 1.7 tonnes per ha and roughly double the average of his fellow members

Diadem Vasile Atodiresei, the owner of SC Pirania SRL, mucks in during the harvesting operations.

of the Romanian Fish Farmers’ Association. However, these high yields demand that there is an electricity supply close to the pond, so that the water can be aerated. Oxygen levels in the water tend to fall at night, when there is no photosynthesis, which, combined with the consumption of oxygen by the fish at night, can reduce the oxygen content of the water to dangerous levels by the morning.

Water parameters need to be closely monitored with high performance feeds A human chain sends a tub full of fish from the nets in the lake to the shore.

Wintering ponds are deeper and less likely to freeze completely

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even if the winter is a harsh one, so that the fish have a better chance of survival. At Pirania, generally a three-year cycle is used to grow the fish to market size. However, in one of the ponds at the Iasci site, Mr Atodiresei is producing the fish in a two-year cycle. In the second year, when the fish weigh about 200 g, they are given the extruded feed so that by the time they are ready for harvest after two years they will weigh 3-4 kg. Extruded feeds are usually used in small ponds as it is easier to monitor parameters such as the oxygen content of the water, as well as the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. Currently, the main product form that Pirania &VSPl TI .BHB[JOF

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produces is live carp. While lakes and big pools will often have fish of different ages, in the smaller ponds all the fish are usually the same age, with the exception of the carnivorous species like pike perch and catfish, which need to be younger to ensure they do not prey on the carps. The carnivores play a dual role in the ponds: they are a product in themselves, but they also have a function to play in terms of eliminating the weak or ill fish reducing thereby the competition for feed and keeping the stock healthy.

Cereal-based feeds work well with omnivorous common carp In the second and third year the extruded feed is replaced with the classical feed that is a mix of cereals and sunflower seed meal.

The latter is what remains after the oil has been extracted. A large warehouse is used to store the materials that go in to the cerealbased feed. These include, dried peas, barley, corn, and sunflower seed flour. The different cereals are essentially chosen for their protein content. I look for the product with the highest protein content and the lowest price, says Mr Atodiresei. Sunflower seed meal has 36 protein, versus around 20 in the peas. Another nutrient, carbohydrates, are also needed in the feed, and they come from the corn and the barley. Barley has about 50 carbohydrates and 14 protein. Fishmeal typically has a protein content of at least 44 but costs several times sunflower seed meal and because carp is an omnivore and not a carnivore like trout it does very well on feeds using sunflower

seed meal, says Mr Atodiresei. Although it too has a high protein content (44) soja bean meal is also much more expensive than sunflower seed. The fat content of the cereal feed comes from the sunflower seed which, although most of the oil has been extracted, still has a fat content of up to 9. In contrast the extruded feed has a fat content of 7-8. To mix the cereals Mr Atodiresei uses a former concrete mixer mounted on to a truck, which he says performs the job very effectively. Further reducing the costs is the fact that all the cereals can be sourced locally. The sunflower seeds are produced locally, but go to a factory in Galati to have the oil extracted and then come back as meal.

and recirculate the water in the small ponds, but in the big ponds there was little to be done. However, because they contain more water, the fish generally adapt and survive. The farmers adapt too. For example, instead of emptying the water from the ponds at harvest time, Mr Atodiresei maintained a high level of water. Although much more labour intensive to harvest this way, the result was that production last year declined by “onlyâ€? 20. Whether or not there will be a shortage of water, and how dire it will be, becomes apparent already in the winter. A good winter with lots of snow means that even if the spring is a dry one, there will be enough water to avoid distress sales.

Farmers and fish adapt to drier conditions

Pirania sells all the fish it produces and for common carp, in particular, Mr Atodiresei sees demand increasing. He would like to start processing the fish, but is unclear about the status of three dam lakes with an area of 550 ha that he owns, and which account for over 55 of his total area. Since the future of these lakes is unclear and there is some risk that they may be confiscated, Mr Atodiresei has postponed all investments until this issue is resolved.

Mr Atodiresei has been seeing fluctuations in weather, which he attributes to climate change. The last four years have seen serious droughts and last year in particular was so dry that he experienced a 40 shortfall in the volumes of water he needed and was forced to sell his two-summerold fish. This year however the supply is normal again. The drought forced him to use a pump

SC Pirania SRL Str. Gen. Gh. Avramescu nr. 31 Sc. B ap.16 Botosani Romania Tel.: +40 744 644 874 ofďŹ ce@pirania-srl.com www.pirania-srl.com

A crane is used to load the fish into tanks on board a truck, which will carry the fish to their next destination, a pond to be restocked.

Managing director: Diadem Vasile Atodiresei Farm area: 580 ha in Botosani (300 ha of dam lakes, and 280 ha

of ponds), 388 ha in Iasci (250 ha of dam lakes, 138 ha of ponds and pools) Species: Common carp (~60%); Chinese carps (grass, silver, bighead) (~38%); crucian carp, catďŹ sh and pikeperch (~2%) Clients: Carrefour, Auchan Product: Live ďŹ sh, fresh on ice Employees: 55 (including four engineers, one economist, and one person for administration.)

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Quality Natural SRL

Traditional trout products with a twist Quality Natural SRL, a Romanian company, has focused on the creation of value-added products based on trout. The company is betting on the increasing popularity of organic foodstuffs with a shift to products based exclusively on organically-farmed trout.

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armed fish production in Romania is dominated by cyprinids which account for over 80 of the total, but of the other species that are farmed, trout is clearly the leader. Production has increased steadily over the four years to 2016 to reach almost 1,600 tonnes. This is good news for Quality Natural SRL, a company based in the hills of Suceava in northeast Romania, that is focused on processing trout into a series of value added products that stand out for their attractive appearance. The production is sold primarily to domestic customers, but the owner is also searching for export markets and to this end was exhibiting at the recently concluded Anuga trade fair in Cologne, and last year the company was at SIAL in Paris. The company will also visit Seafood Expo Global in Brussels in spring next year.

Reviving old recipes A two-year-old pioneer in the trout processing industry and possibly the only one to focus exclusively on trout products Quality Natural has its own way of doing things. For many of its products the company has resurrected traditional Romanian recipes and added a modern twist. Other recipes are concocted from scratch. The names too reflect the origin of the products as they are often in the local dialect. This not only embeds the product in a regional context giving it a historic and cultural value, but also makes it stand out as something a little different and special. The fish for

the production is sourced from local trout farms, but now one of the farms has secured an organic certification and Quality Natural will gradually source all its raw material from here. This farm is in the neighbouring county where the fish grow in a natural habitat with very good water and the resulting product is of very high quality. The farm is certified by Bio Austria and now the factory at Quality Natural is also seeking organic certification for some of its products. Auditors from Bio Austria have already visited the plant and a decision is pending, says Marius Nastaca, the technical manager. However, the certification will only be valid for some products, not for the entire range.

Sales of organic fish products set to climb Smoked trout and fillet of smoked trout are two of the company’s popular products. The smoked trout is also used to produce a very traditional item where the fish is wrapped in branches of pine that, over the course of a few days, impart their fragrance to the smoked fish. The product originates in this area, says Mr Nastaca, but we only produce small quantities as it is highly labour intensive. Another traditional product is smoked trout in oil. All these products will use organic trout so that the fraction of the total output that is organic will be about 10-15. However, sales of our smoked products are growing faster than sales of our other

Marius Nastaca, quality control manager, and Georgiana Apetroae, production manager, at Quality Natural SRL, a processor of high end trout products.

products, says Mr Nastaca, and if this trend continues then the proportion of organic products will also increase. We see that demand for organic products in general in Romania is increasing, and our organic trout products are following this. Consumers are looking increasingly for products that are healthful for themselves and not harmful for the environment, and organically certified seafood clearly falls into this bracket. In a month we process about 2 tonnes of raw materials, says Georgiana Apetroae, the production manager, which comes either on ice in boxes or also live in tanks with oxygenated water. The latter is more typical in summer when the weather is warm. The live fish are then slaughtered with electricity using a machine that makes the process as quick and painless as possible, before other machines gut and clean the fish. For the

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moment the guts and other waste products are incinerated, but the company is considering using it instead to make pet food, but has neither the technology nor the infrastructure to do this at the moment. Currently, Quality Natural is part of an EU research project with the university of Suceava that is investigating ways to increase the shelf life of products. Researchers come to the company to take samples and to test their shelf life, which currently range from 35 days to one year. These are smoked products which are used in the manufacture of some of the items packaged in glass jars. These include spreads that use smoked trout meat mixed with different spices and condiments, such as mustard, lemon, horse radish, dill and garlic. However, Mr Nastaca emphasises, nothing in the form of preserving agents apart from common salt is added to the products to give them a longer shelf &VSPl TI .BHB[JOF

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Skin packaged smoked fillets of trout have a shelf life of 45 days.

life. The smoked fish and fillets are packaged in vacuum packages or skin packs and have a shelf life of 45 days. Another product are sausages made from a blend of smoked and raw trout meat.

Summer street food festivals – a promotion tool The autumn and winter is when sales go up due to the coming festivals such as Christmas and New Year, when people, in particular from the local region eat a lot of smoked fish and especially trout. To encourage consumption during the rest of the year the company participates in street food festivals in summer to promote its products. This year, for example, it participated in festivals in nine cities around the country. The products here include fish burgers, fish and chips, and tacos with

smoked trout, among others. More unusual is that all the accompanying sauces, such as mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup are also made by the company. These street festivals are useful not only to market the company, its products and its values, but also to meet with potential new clients and discover possible new distribution channels. The company’s main sales, however, are to the retail chains as well as to delicatessen shops. For the latter the company has developed a special brand Valeputna that signifies the highest quality and is aimed at customers at the upper end of the market who look for healthful products with a certain degree of exclusivity. In contrast, products sold through the supermarkets are marketed under other brands. The company is not doing any private label manufacturing and owns all the brands under which it produces.

Whole smoked trout is among the company’s most popular products and sales have been increasing.

The factory is new and conforms to all the necessary standards needed to export to other European countries, though production at the moment is overwhelmingly to the Romanian market. That, however, includes the major cities such as Bucharest, as well as other cities in Romanian Moldova and in

Transylvania. While the company is working to expand the range of customers it is also looking at other ways of adding value to the raw material. We want to completely eliminate waste by adding value to every part of the raw material, the heads, tails, guts, and bones, says Mr Nastaca.

Quality Natural SRL Pojorata Suceava County Romania Tel.: +40 786 528 061 ofďŹ ce@valeputna.ro valeputna.ro

The Valeputna brand represents high quality, healthful products that are sold through delicatessen shops rather than supermarkets.

Technical manager: Marius Nastaca

Production manager: Georgiana Apetroae Employees: 15 Raw materials: 2 tonnes per month of organic trout certiďŹ ed by Bio Austria Products: Smoked trout, smoked ďŹ llets, trout meat sausages, spreads with smoked trout Markets: Romania

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ROMANIA

Piscicola Adrian SA

Juggling conservation with commercial requirements Piscicola Adrian, a company run by Ioan Ghere, a lawyer by profession, has 300 ha of ponds, in which different species of carp as well as small quantities of other freshwater ďŹ sh are cultivated. The ďŹ sh is sold primarily on the domestic market.

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he main species farmed at Piscicola Adrian is common carp. In addition, small quantities of silver carp, pike perch, European catfish, pike, the ubiquitous crucian carp, paddlefish, and sterlet. Production in total currently amounts to about two hundred tonnes a year. The farm has the capacity to produce more, says Mr Ghere, but this also calls for more capital, which is a constraint.

Predators must be accomodated The farm is part of a Natura 2000 area implying that wildlife must be conserved and partly as a result Mr Ghere has immense problems with predators, both feathered and furred. The worst offenders are the cormorants, but other fish-eating birds as well as otters are also responsible for significant damage. Mr Ghere claims that losses in the stocking ponds amount to some 80 of the juveniles that are introduced there. There are periods when we have 1,000 to 1,200 cormorants on and around the farm together with other predatory birds like herons. The problem is that on Natura 2000 sites birds and other wildlife must not only be tolerated, but it is also forbidden – at least in Romania – to scare them away, for example, by using gunshots, other loud noises, or even ultrasound.

According to Catalin Platon, executive director of the Romanian Fish Farmers’ Association, while it is permitted in other EU countries to scare or even cull the birds, in Romania it is forbidden. Farmers here are therefore at a disadvantage compared with their counterparts in countries where combating cormorants is allowed. In addition, farmers are expected to absorb much of the losses caused by the predators as they are not compensated adequately. Mr Ghere adds that the problem of predators is part of the reason why production is lagging capacity not only on his farm, but in the Romanian sector as a whole. In Satu Mare, where the farm is located winters are not especially severe and the ponds do not freeze over for more than a few weeks. Ponds that are not frozen attract birds, so in winter too there is no respite from the threat they pose. The birds prey on the earlystage fish of 100-200 g. In 2013 Mr Ghere closed the farm to carry out a series of renovations and now he is experimenting with larger-sized fish of 400-600 g as stocking material. Classical carp farming involves a three-year cycle. In the first year the fish grow to 35-70 g, in the second to 350-400 g, and in the third year the fish reach 1.5 to 2.5 kg. In the first two years the fish are vulnerable to avian predators – a fish of even 500 g is no match for a cormorant.

The fish are loaded in to the net and are weighed by a weighing machine attached to the crane.

Pond renovation with EFF and EMFF support The farm has existed since 1970, when it had an area of 100 ha, but by 1980 it had expanded to 300 ha. Before the political changes in 1989 the farm was state-owned with its headquarters in Brasov, over 400 km away. In 1998 it was separated from Brasov and became an independent entity that was privatised in 2002. Mr Ghere’s tenure as owner started in 2006 and a

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year later the farm was declared a Natura 2000 site. EFF funds were used to renovate part of the farm in 2010 and now he is waiting for the decision on another application to renovate a further 75 ha covering two ponds. The project also envisages the purchase of nets and transport vans. Renovating the ponds can entail a lot of work. At Piscicola Adrian the walls of the ponds are reinforced with stone and raised in height, and the slope is reshaped. The work &VSPl TI .BHB[JOF

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Natural factors and good farm management give high quality fish

Ioan Ghere is a lawyer by profession. He owns the fish farm Piscicola Adrian SA, as well as a sports club.

was necessary because the ponds had not been used for 20 years. Mr Ghere is keen to submit another proposal to renovate another 60 ha at the end of this year or the beginning of the next. The modernisation of the farm includes creating a parking ponds for 40-50 tonnes of market-sized fish and to invest in a system of automation that will allow the fish from these ponds to be weighed and loaded directly in to trucks. The idea is that the fish will be distributed by species and weight in the different ponds. This way it will be quicker and easier to fulfil a

buyer’s requirements. The system to harvest and load the fish into the trucks is still being designed, but Mr Ghere expects it to be ready at the end of the year. There would be several advantages to harvesting the fish in this way. Traditionally when a large pond is harvested the yield may by 5 tonnes of fish while the demand is for 1.5 tonnes. The remainder has to be released. The handling involved, however, does not do the fish any good, especially if it happens each time an order comes in, say, three times a week. The new ponds should work better for the fish as well as for the farmer.

The stocking material of 400-600 g that Mr Ghere is switching to is something that he would have to buy. But usually no Romanian farmer would sell carp of this size as it has reached the stage just before market size. Mr Ghere is therefore sourcing this material from Hungary. Most of his fish is sold on the domestic market, although two years ago the company exported 500 tonnes of fresh common carp on ice in polystyrene boxes to Syria. Since then however the price on the Romanian market has exceeded that in Syria, where, according to Mr Ghere, companies from Ukraine and Russia have stepped in to supply the market. Although production at Piscicola Adrian is limited the company sources fish from other fish farmers to fulfil its contracts. Thanks to the clayey soil in the ponds and the clean water the fish is high quality with none of the muddy taste that sometimes characterises pond-farmed fish. If farmers are keen for the fish only to feed on cereals and not the naturally occurring pond flora and fauna, the floor of the pond can be lined with a plastic film. At Piscicola Adrian this is done for only 1 of the ponds and only for sterlet.

Value-added products, a small but growing market Piscicola Adrian is working closely with Aquator Halasz, an African

catfish producer to develop innovative value-added products. Mr Ghere is keenly aware that value addition is the way forward as it boosts producers’ income and because customers have less time to spend dealing with whole, let alone live, fish. He is using minced fish meat to create products like fish burgers and fish sausages that are tasty and easy to prepare. Carp is famous for its bones, some of which are very fine and sit in the fillet and can act as a deterrent even for diehard fish lovers. Mr Ghere is therefore collaborating with a group of Hungarian and German researchers to see if there is some way of removing the bones. The work has revealed that the use of ultrasound may help in ridding the fillet of these bones. With Aquator Halasz the idea is to try and prolong the shelf life of the product without the use of preserving agents. The value-added products, though only a small fraction of the total production, are mostly made from catfish and carp. The feedback Mr Ghere has received regarding the mince fish meat products has been positive and demand is growing because they are tasty and healthful products. Two drawbacks he associates with consuming fish are the bones, and the lack of a feeling of satiety – in contrast to meat. Over time, however, he is convinced that consumers will find that the benefits of fish consumption outweigh the disadvantages.

Piscicola Adrian SA Piscicola SA Adrian, Satu Mare Romania

The fish are carried from the lake to a waiting truck and emptied into tanks with oxygenated water to be transported to the client or to other ponds.

Tel.: +40 261 711 516 ioanghere@yahoo.com

Owner: Ioan Ghere Activity: Carp farming Species: Common carp, Chinese carps, catďŹ sh, sturgeon Products: Live ďŹ sh, fresh ďŹ sh on ice, value-added items (fresh ďŹ llet, smoked ďŹ llet, ďŹ sh mince, burgers)

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ROMANIA

The Braila FLAG

Putting EMFF support to good use Fisheries Local Action Groups were an instrument initiated under Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund (2007-2013) to enable local ďŹ sheries communities to address the challenges they were facing by devising and implementing solutions of their own making. The initiative continues under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (2014-2020). In Braila county the Fisheries Local Action Group has implemented a number of projects that have contributed to the development of the ďŹ sheries area it represents.

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he Danube flows through Braila, a county in Romania’s southeast, whose capital was once one of the most important ports on the Danube. Today Braila city is host to the Braila FLAG, a Fisheries Local Action Group that uses support from EU structural funds to improve the area it represents.

FLAG area expands in the 2014-2020 period The Braila Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) was established in 2011 by a group representing the local communes, associations, business representatives, private companies, and others. For the 2014-2020 programming period the FLAG expanded in terms of the number of members and the geographical area it represented. Braila county comprises 40 communes and the municipality of Braila city, the county capital. During the 2007-13 programming period the Braila FLAG represented a quarter of the communes, a figure that expanded to 40 under the 2014-20 period. This area included that part of the municipality of Braila city that bordered the Danube. The establishment of a FLAG is contingent upon its local development strategy being approved by the management authority. This document provides a roadmap to the objectives the FLAG aims to achieve. The FLAG issues a call for project

Andrei Horyea and Florica Neagu from the Braila FLAG have more project proposals then there is currently funding for. A reallocation of funds later in the period may change this for the better.

applications which are evaluated against the criteria described in the strategy.

Smart hotel emerges from ruined building In 2013 and 2014 the Braila FLAG launched six calls for proposals that resulted in 27 approved projects, some of which were highly concrete such as the creation of infrastructure, or support for the diversification of activities, while others were somewhat woollier, such as efforts to promote local identity. One of the more striking projects was the conversion

of an old ruined building in the middle of the historical part of the city into a modern hotel. Many of these buildings stem from the 19th century, when the city was a wealthy and cosmopolitan centre of trade and commerce. Vulpe Gheorghe, a dentist by profession, who owned the building recognised its potential and applied to

Braila FLAG

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Braila county total

Programming period

2007-2013

2014-2020

Communes

10

16

40

Â

Area (sq. km)

1,861

2,578

4,766

Population

87,054

115,411

304,925

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the FLAG for support to convert it in to a modern hotel. While the connection between a smart hotel and the FLAG may seem tenuous at first glance, Nistor Ionut, a consultant, who assisted with the application, explains that the FLAG had two principles, to encourage the development of the local fishing activity and of

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Turcu Nicu, the mayor of Stancuta, a commune that has benefited handsomely from the Braila FLAG.

all the related businesses in the local fishing area. Andrei Horyea who works in the FLAG secretariat says the FLAG area needs accommodation facilities, for example for anglers who come to fish in the Danube delta, and this was therefore one of the points in the strategy. By attracting anglers from other parts of Romania and Europe to come to Braila the FLAG contributes to the local economy. If an opportunity

for more financing comes along Dr Gheorghe would also like to invest in a boat that could take tourists and others for trips along the Danube.

Fishermen’s association builds a shelter for its members In the 2007-2013 period 27 projects were approved of which 24 were implemented, most

of which were small tourismrelated projects. Bigger projects were limited to a maximum of EUR300,000 per project and included accommodation facilities, restaurants, museums, and a shelter for fishermen. The shelter is a place where commercial fishers could stay over if for example they had to go fishing very early in the morning or return too late at night to return to their villages. The shelter has been constructed right next to the Danube at a point from which they can easily launch their vessels. It is built on stilts to protect it in case the Danube breaches its banks and floods the area. Apart from hosting fishers, the shelter has also been used by the Red Cross to conduct first aid courses and is also used by canoeing enthusiasts from all over Europe, who each summer canoe down the Danube. Freezers are also maintained in the shelter so that the fishermen can store their catch. The shelter project was submitted by a 60-member strong fishermen’s association from Stancuta, the commune in Braila county with

Fishers can overnight at the fisheries shelter when they have to leave early in the morning or come back late at night. It is also used for meetings, and for the storage of small quantities of fish.

the longest stretch of the Danube. Members of other fishers’ associations can also use the shelter, but against payment. Fishing has always been an important activity in this commune and even today nearly everyone knows a fisher or is related to one.

A conservative mindset among some fishers needs to be addressed Another fisheries-related project was buying a vehicle for the transport of fish. All our projects were aimed at benefiting a group rather than an individual, says Mr Horyea, meaning associations, commercial societies, or similar bodies. Among its members the FLAG has three fisheries associations, which between them represent all the fishermen in the county. Within the county the number of fishers is restricted by the length of the river running through it. This determines the number of boats and there may only be a maximum of three fishers per boat. While these projects benefit the fishermen they also reveal some of the challenges they face. For example, the vehicle the fishers obtained through the FLAG was a relatively small one. This was partly because they did not have the co-financing needed for a bigger vehicle, but also because they wanted to contain the running costs. But perhaps most importantly, many of the fishers were inherently sceptical about growing bigger. They are satisfied with their way of working, the volumes of fish, the customers they have and are reluctant to change. Mr Horyea says the FLAG has suggested to the Management Authority that it could provide an advance so that the problem of cash flow at least can be addressed. While this was not

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ROMANIA

The meeting facilities in Stancuta are managed by the city hall, but are free for anyone to hold a meeting. They include a kitchen, a small library, PA system, and office equipment and were built with support from the FLAG.

possible in the last period, there are some new instruments to help the beneficiaries in the current period.

The FLAG also does outreach work to inform the potential beneficiaries about the opportunities that exist with regard to projects. Under

Fisheries Areas Federation

The uniďŹ ed voice of Romanian FLAGs The Fisheries Area Federation was founded in 2015 by twelve Romanian FLAGs (8 along the Danube, 2 on the Black Sea coast, and 2 in the interior) that got together to create a body that would give them a uniďŹ ed voice in relation to the public authorities. Since its founding the federation has organised events that promote ďŹ sheries and that share best practices between the FLAGs. Representatives from the federation also participate in meetings organised at the European level by DG Mare or the European Commission, where they can represent the Romanian FLAGs. The federation also functions as a partner for the Romanian managing authority, which can interact with a single entity rather than individual FLAGs. In the new programming period (2014-20) there are 17 FLAGs with a further ďŹ ve under evaluation and the federation will bring these new FLAGs under its umbrella. It will also endeavour to create partnership with other bodies that are active in the areas of ďŹ shing, biodiversity, or environment protection. For more information visit www.fzp.ro.

the EFF there were three such projects, and under the EMFF the FLAG secretariat has had to visit all the communes to inform them about the FLAG and collect information on their needs and ideas for developing the area. One of the outcomes of this exercise was that fishermen expressed a wish to get a license to sail a bigger vessel, and so one of the projects currently being evaluated is to conduct courses for fishers that prepare them to take the license test.

City hall benefits from modern meeting facilities In the Stancuta commune a new building has come up in the

The Braila FLAG Str. Anghel Saligny nr. 24 Braila Romania Tel.: +40 339 401018 ag_braila@yahoo.com

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centre of the village with fully equipped meeting facilities for up to two hundred people on the ground floor and a small library on the upper floor. An information point with tourist brochures about the area and an exhibition space informing about local fisheries-related customs and traditions are among the services that are offered. The building was erected by the city hall, which is also responsible for the day to day running costs and the salaries of two employees. The building was a project supported by the EMFF where the city hall was the beneficiary. We maintain a balance between the private sector and the public sector members of the FLAG, says Mr Horyea. With good reason. Public sector beneficiaries can be funded 100 (as opposed to 40 for the private sector) and if the FLAG had only public sector members the funding would not last very long. The meeting room is free to use for anyone, who wants to hold a meeting. The idea is that attracting a number of people to the village for a meeting may bring tangential benefits in terms of marketing and promoting the area, spending in local shops and restaurants, etc. The library too is used by the children from the local school and apart from books has computers with access to the internet giving a chance to those youngsters, who lack these facilities at home.

Director: Florica Neagu Evaluations assistant: Andrei Horyea Members: 15 Available funding: ~EUR2m Employees: Six (four full time and two part time)

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Piscicola Botosani

Modern surveillance technology reduces poaching The carp farm Piscicola Botosani produces a variety of ďŹ sh species. Most of these are carps, predominantly common carp, but also Chinese carps. In addition, small amounts of other species including pike, catďŹ sh, and sturgeon are also farmed.

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wned by Gheorghe Nistor, Piscicola Botosani is a typical carp farm with ponds of varying sizes for the cultivation of fish. Mr Nistor has been working the farm since 1988, and is now producing some 800 t of fish.

Dam lakes and pools used for fish production The “ponds� include a large lake, four pools, and smaller ponds for overwintering and for use as hatcheries. Freshwater fish farming is often carried out on dam lakes, which are essentially reservoirs built for a variety of purposes of which fish farming is one. Other uses can be flood control, electricity generation, irrigation, water supply to a municipality, or some combination of these. Another type of water body used for fish farming is a pool, which refers again to a reservoir created by building a dam on a small river – but in this case the reservoir is created specifically to farm fish. Not all Mr Nistor’s pools are functional as some need considerable maintenance work before they can be used for fish farming. Currently, therefore, the water surface that is being used amounts to some 680 ha out of a total of about 850 ha. The farm produces some 400 tonnes of table-sized fish and

Gheorghe Nistor, an engineer by training, produces 800 tonnes of fish from his carp farm including both table-sized fish and stocking material.

another 400 tonnes of stocking material each year. This output is comprised of different species. Polyculture of fish in ponds, where different species are grown together, is more sustainable than monoculture as the fish live off the different trophic levels in the pond. In

addition, carnivorous fish will prevent over-population and competition for feed among prey species. The ponds need regular maintenance if yields are to be optimised and Mr Nistor has invested in bulldozers, tractors, and excavation equipment to renovate some of the pools and

the dykes. The smaller hatchery ponds are almost completely renovated, he says. However, to his frustration, an application for support from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to renovate one of the other pools was rejected, for what he considers trivial

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An old yet sturdy vessel that is part of the fleet of some 35 boats owned by Piscicola Botosani. This one is equipped with a cage to transport the fish.

Fishermen deploy a complex system of nets to harvest the fish needed to supply a customer. A harvesting operation can take up to five hours depending on the amount of manpower.

reasons, forcing him to wait for the next round of calls for applications.

Network of cameras makes for efficient surveillance The farm boasts a conditioning facility with refrigeration and ice-producing units. The fish after being removed from the water has to be stored under refrigeration in a mixture of water and ice. This kills and rapidly cools the fish which can then be packaged in boxes to be sold fresh on ice. The facility

is a few meters from the largest pond and includes a control room where a live feed from cameras placed around the lake can be viewed on a computer screen. The cameras monitor all the activities on the farm legitimate as well as illegitimate and the user can remotely zoom in or move the camera to get a better view. With this equipment, says Mr Nistor, I can do in five minutes what used to take me three hours of driving around the farm. The equipment, he says, has reduced the incidence of poaching considerably from about a quarter of the production to some 15.

Sensors, cameras, and lights are part of a fish theft-prevention system that can be monitored and adjusted remotely saving hours driving around the farm.

Poaching is typically a problem when the ponds are located in the vicinity of villages; when they are more isolated it is less of an issue.

Combined sorting and harvesting process The ponds are stocked in different ways depending on the species. Most farmers have hatcheries where they breed common carp as well as other species like pike and catfish. Breeding the Chinese species, bighead, grass, and silver carp, is technically more demanding

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and there are two specialised centres in the country that have developed the necessary expertise and have been producing larvae and juveniles of these species for the last 50 years, says Catalin Platon, executive director of the Romanian Fish Farmers’ Association. Therefore, most farmers get the stocking material for these species from the breeding centres. At Piscicola Botosani, as the large pond contains a mix of fish of different ages the harvesting operation also includes sorting so that the one-summer and two-summer old fish can be returned to the &VSPl TI .BHB[JOF

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The fish are herded in to a small area from where they can be lifted into tubs that are carried ashore to be weighed and unloaded into transport tanks.

lake to grow some more. The harvesting operation involves dozens of men and hundreds of metres of nets arranged in different configurations at the edge of the lake. The fish are sorted in one set of nets and those to be harvested are herded to an area from where they can be lifted out easily, placed in tubs, carried ashore and weighed before being loaded into truck-borne tanks. The harvesting operation takes three to five hours depending on the number of staff available. From June to September harvesting is typically twice a week, while in October it goes up to once a day. In the winter the large lake is not harvested as it is often frozen, and because the

table-sized fish have been moved to wintering ponds, which are smaller and deeper. Demand for fish tends to peak in the first quarter of the year when there are religious events where fish is commonly eaten. The day’s harvest should yield 10 tonnes of table-sized fish; the remainder, some 15 or 20 tonnes, is allowed to return to the lake. Usually fish is harvested when a customer gets in touch with the farm with a request for fish. Mr Nistor owns a chain of fish shops, but also sells to fishmongers. The retail chains are not regular customers although they do buy fish from him in May and June. According to Mr Nistor, they prefer to source fish from Hungarian suppliers because the prices are better than those found in Romania.

Mr Nistor has prioritised his next investments in the farm for which he hopes to get support from the EMFF. Renovating the barns used for feed storage and ensuring a supply of water

from an upstream pool to several smaller downstream ponds will together cost over half a million euro, but will ensure the long term sustainability of his enterprise.

Piscicola Botosani Str. I.C.Bratianu, nr 125 Botosani 710319 Tel.: +40 231 516 364 piscicolabt@gmail.com Managing director: Gheorghe Nistor Ponds: 850 ha (of which 680 ha are active) Volumes: 400 tonnes market-sized ďŹ sh, 400 tonnes stocking material

Species: Common carp, Chinese carps (bighead, grass, silver), pike, catďŹ sh Products: Fresh ďŹ sh on ice Outlets: Own ďŹ sh shops and ďŹ shmongers, limited sales to retail chains Market: Eastern Romania, in addition Galati, Braila, Focsani in winter Employees: 55 (of which 39 on the farm)

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LATVIA

Latvian ďŹ shers focus on sustainability and value-addition

Concerted efforts to ďŹ nd new markets The swiftly changing economic situation both locally and globally has obliged the ďŹ shermen of Latvia to adapt their century-old ďŹ shing practices, catching, landing, and selling of ďŹ sh followed by departure back to sea, with which they could no longer either survive or develop. For thirteen ďŹ sheries companies the answer was to get together to form the National Fisheries Producers Organisation.

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VerƧi Ltd

he National Fisheries’ Producers Organisation’s (NFPO) main objectives are increasing competitiveness on local and global markets, rational utilisation of fish stocks, support to its members for storage and sales of the landed catch, ensuring catch quality, support for modernising equipment, sustainability certification for fish stocks, and development of catch plans and programmes.

Own fish storage to replace rented facilities soon All fishing companies fish from October to the end of March, when Baltic sprat and herring are of the highest quality. It is therefore important to ensure freezing facilities for fish storage, says InĆ—rijs Voits, head of the NFPO. Six out of thirteen members own refrigeration facilities, however their capacity is 200-400 tonnes, which is more appropriate for the daily turnover of frozen products. Up to now, we have been renting refrigeration facilities in Riga, Engure, Ventspils and LiepĆ—ja for the storage of products over periods of low demand, which is not cost effective. Therefore, this year, we will commission our own refrigeration facility in Ventspils, where our members will be able to store their products in six freezers for up to nine months.

Latvia’s National Fisheries’ Producers Organisation represents 13 fishing and processing companies with a total of 25 vessels out of 58 involved in pelagic fishing in the Baltic Sea.

For the construction of the new refrigeration facility, the organisation has pooled financing from different sources: its own and members’ capital, a bank loan, as well as support from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The planned capacity of the refrigeration facility is 4-4.5 thousand tonnes of blocks or about 2 thousand tonnes of individually frozen sprats. Two out of thirteen member companies are currently producing individually frozen sprats. It should be pointed out that in 2016 NFPO member

companies exported 114 thousand tonnes of frozen fish to 45 countries of the world.

Fishmeal plant to add value to waste under consideration NFPO members also manufacture added-value fish products like sprat in oil, Baltic herring in brine and marinade, mackerels and sardines in oil and in various sauces. The NFPO is planning to build its own fishmeal production plant in 2018 to add value to the

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fish waste that is created during fish processing, as well as to inferior quality fish that is caught, and which is not fit to be processed for human consumption. NFPO will implement this project with the support from the EMFF, which is available only when using fish classified as waste, or sourced from by-catch and which is not fit to be manufactured into products for human consumption. Currently in Latvia, only one fishmeal facility is operational, says Mr Voits. Over the fishing &VSPl TI !

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A vessel landing its catch. The main species targeted are Baltic sprats and herring for which the NFPO has 57% of the Latvian quota in the Baltic Sea.

fishmeal processing plant, he explains. According to the organisation’s calculations a fishmeal plant is highly economically efficient. “The turnover of the existing fishmeal plant reached EUR7.8m in 2016, with a profit of EUR1.7m, while the output rate reached 246,000 EUR per employee per year in comparison with just 25,000 euro per year on average in Latvia. Modern processing

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season, when fishermen supply tens of thousands of tonnes of fresh fish simultaneously with the storage period of maximum two days, one plant alone is not capable of ensuring the timely processing of all the raw material. Furthermore, the volume of fresh fish transported to fishmeal plants in Denmark has grown considerably – in 2016 it was four times higher than in 2015. This is not profitable for our fishermen, which is why we plan our own

Equipment used to freeze fish into blocks, one of the main products manufactured by members of the producers organisation.

facilities are highly automated hence the high output rate per employee and excellent longterm profitability and competitiveness, says Mr Voits.

plant now under construction will promote exports also to China, where the fish, chicken and pig farming industries need fishmeal for feed.

Distant markets also have potential

To ensure better markets, the organisation has started to seek sustainability certification for its fisheries. So far it has been granted Marine Stewardship Council for cod fishing in the Baltic Sea, however due to inexplicable changes in the fish stock the relevant certificate has been suspended in all Baltic Sea countries. Currently, NFPO is seeking MSC certification for Baltic herring. These certificates are increasingly important as many customers and markets do not accept fish without one. The organisation is also heavily focused on the problem of obsolescence of the fishing fleet. In 2017, the average age of the fishing fleet was 31 years, while the oldest fishing vessel scrapped so far was 51 years old. Since 1999, when Latvia had 222 registered fishing vessels and 122 fishing companies, both numbers have declined sharply. In 2017, there have remained just 56 fishing vessels and 28 fishing companies.

Belarus, Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark and Poland are currently the main export markets of NFPO. Latvian fish is popular because of its high quality – on some larger vessels fish is pumped from the codend to the container and is untouched by human hands. The organisation however is making constant efforts to tap into new markets. While in 2016 Latvian fishery enterprises attended just one industry exhibition, in 2017 they participated in two fisheries industry exhibitions in Spain, one in Brussels and one in China, where they were the only participants from Europe. The Chinese market is highly attractive to us as they need really huge amounts of fish, says Mr Voits. The Chinese are interested in Baltic herring and sprats, as well as in flounder and cod both block-frozen and individually quick-frozen. As China is the biggest importer of fishmeal, we hope that the fishmeal

Ilze RÇŒtenberga-BĆ?rziĆźa, Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre, ilze.rutenberga@llkc.lv

Latvia’s National Fisheries’ Producers Organisation Head: InĆ—rijs Voits Members: 13 (Bradava, Vergi, Hanters, Varita, Unda, Licis-93 are the biggest) Quotas: 57% of the Baltic Sea quota allocated to Latvia Fleet: 25 vessels (out of 58 involved in pelagic ďŹ shing in the Baltic Sea) Landing ports: Ventspils, Liepaja, Mersrags, Roja and Skulte.

Species: Baltic sprat and Baltic herring Products: Sprats in brine (5 and 10 kg buckets), frozen blocks (10 to 25 kg), IQF ďŹ sh Markets: Belarus (33.5%), Lithuania (20.04%), Estonia (9.4%), Denmark (7.2%), Poland (2.7%)

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RUSSIA

Quota incentives to modernise eet, increase value addition

Changing the structure of production and exports The Russian Federal Agency for Fishery is the administrative body responsible for the ďŹ sheries and aquaculture sectors. It has a wide remit that extends from monitoring of ďŹ shing activity, conservation of resources, and safety of ďŹ shing vessels, to the allocation of quotas. It is also involved in the development of the aquaculture sector and processing activities on board ďŹ shing vessels. The agency is headed by Ilya Shestakov, who recently attended a new event supported by the agency, the Global Fishery Forum and Seafood Expo in St Petersburg that brought together all the stakeholders in the sector. He shares here his views on several aspects of the industry. This year the Federal Agency for Fisheries (FAR) presented a new concept for the development of the Russian fishery industry. What will be the main target of this development and what advantages will the industry gain? The main objective is to change the structure of production, and of exports. Our strategy till 2030 will be to create new processing facilities and to increase the level of value addition, and the production of omega-3 fatty acids and bio additives, not only fillets and fishmeal. These will be the primary goals of the strategy. In June of this year FAR started a campaign for the distribution of investment quotas. What are investment quotas, what was the need for them, and how will they change the fishery industry in Russia? Investment quotas are additional quotas, access to additional resources, given to those fishing enterprises that invest in the construction of new processing vessels produced in Russian shipyards. It is hoped that the production will be waste-free and the resources will be 100 processed. This is important not only for the efficiency of production in terms of economy, but also for the best possible use

of marine resources. Investment quotas will be also given to companies that build modern onshore processing facilities. All in all, 20 of the national quotas are planned as investment quotas. The necessity of such quotas goes in line with the overall ambition of the new strategy – to change the structure of the production and exports. The Russian fishing fleet is old – the average vessel age is around 30 years – many vessels are not safe to use. Even though some of the vessels have been modernised, many more need to be replaced or renovated. Therefore, the investment will contribute to the restructuring of production to manufacture products with a high level of value-addition. Four years ago, the Federal Law on Aquaculture was adopted. Can you estimate the rate of growth of the aquaculture sector since the adoption of the law? The new law for aquaculture came into force on 1 January 2014, but it took additional time to prepare the legal foundation, and within this legal foundation to re-enter existing agreements for farming sites, and to auction new farming sites. It is too early yet to estimate how this law influences the Russian aquaculture sector, but in general the sector

Ilya Shestkov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Head of the Federal Agency for Fishery during a panel debate at the Global Fishery Forum in St Petersburg.

is growing. Last year aquaculture production grew 30, this year the levels of growth are also good, but the growth also relates to the new farming sites and therefore has a delayed effect. More accurate estimates will be possible in about two years, when we can say for sure that the growth is related to the new law on aquaculture, and not only to state support, as the sector also receives state support for investment projects. The new law certainly made things easier for existing enterprises, but how it will impact the new ones, we will see in the future. Russia is a member of the Arctic Council. What are the priorities of the Russian Federation for the

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fisheries in the Arctic region? What are your views regarding the co-operation with other members in terms of fisheries? We can see a lot of potential in the Arctic region, and taking into account climate changes, we realize that the resources of this region, as of other regions, shall be used responsibly. In general we support the position of the states bordering the Arctic zone to set a moratorium on industrial fishing in the region, and to establish management procedures for the open part of the zone. Unfortunately, for the time being we have different approaches as to who shall take decisions and how, and regarding the priorities for the &VSPl TI !

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future management of the fishing in the open zone of the Arctic. For many years Russia has been co-operating with Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and Norway with regard to fisheries management in the North Atlantic. What are the perspectives for the future development of fishing in the region in terms of quota distribution? The quota issue is being constantly discussed with co-operating countries and it is a very long and complicated process. At the Global Fishery Forum we have just discussed if it is co-operation or competition. For the time being we cannot find a compromise, as there are three different objectives and each party has its own opinion about each of the three objectives. Even if

one country is ready to agree about one of the objectives, it might not yet be ready to accept concessions regarding the other two. But this delay in reaching agreement can seriously undermine the resource. On the other hand, if such undermining were to happen, it would perhaps speed up the process of taking decisions, but we hope this will not happen. Russia is ready for dialogue, it is ready for discussion and for finding a reasonable compromise. Currently the parties cannot find the solution at the expert level, so maybe it will make sense to move it to a higher, political level – all in all it is a political matter, and we have to move to the political level, if we really want to find the compromise. Russia has a longstanding and fruitful co-operation with the

other countries from the AsiaPacific region. What would you say about the directions taken with this co-operation and how would you estimate the potential of the Asia-Pacific region for the Russian fishery industry? We have been closely co-operating with the region’s countries for a long time, also within the framework of combating IIU fishing and for sure there are also trade issues. Russia has a leading position on some Asian markets with regard to supplying, for example, salmon and Alaska pollock. This partnership is very important to us, especially in terms of the distribution of exchange quotas and the distribution of the resources in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean. The stocks there are extensive, and it is important that

resource management issues are on the agenda. What are your impressions from the Global Fishery Forum and Seafood Expo? Why do you feel there is a need for such an event for the industry? In general, for a first edition, both the exhibition and the forum did quite well. An event like this has been necessary for a long time, as the industry didn’t have a platform, where business and politics, scientists, non-governmental organisations, and international organisations could meet and discuss issues important for the industry. Such a platform provides an opportunity for different factors to be analysed, more possibilities to be discussed, and for decisions based on a wide range of knowledge to be taken.

Global Fishery Forum and Seafood Expo, September 2017, St Petersburg

Russia’s ďŹ sheries sector has a new event A new event for the international seafood sector was successfully launched in St Petersburg this year. Supported by the Federal Agency for Fishery, the Global Fishery Forum and Seafood Expo combined a trade event, with a conference, where developments, priorities, and challenges related to the Russian ďŹ sheries and aquaculture sector were discussed.

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he Russian Federation is an important player in the global fisheries sector. According to FAO statistics, in 2015 Russia was the world’s fifth biggest nation in marine capture fisheries with a production of over 4 million tonnes, while in 2016 Russian capture production increased 20 to 4,8 million tonnes – and the forecasts for the current year are showing more growth. Last year, exports were estimated at 1,9 million tonnes, with the major share

belonging to frozen Alaska pollock. Since the introduction of trade sanctions in August 2014 and consequently a national import substitution plan, the total volume of imports dropped 50, to 512 thousand tonnes in 2016.

Starting something new is always a risky proposition To discuss the implications of current and future developments in

the Russian fisheries sector the city of St. Petersburg hosted the first edition of the Global Fishery Forum and Seafood Expo on 14-16 September 2017. Launching an exhibition, by definition, bears a risk for any organiser. The organisers of Seafood Expo in St. Petersburg almost put themselves in jeopardy by setting the dates of the event in the same week as World Food in Moscow and IceFish in Reykjavik – well-branded and long-standing exhibitions.

“We put a lot of consideration into the format, scope, timing, even about the necessity at all of such an event�, says Ivan Fetisov, Director General of the EXPO Solutions Group, “There are fisheries shows in Boston, Brussels, Qingdao – where is Russia?! Our fishermen are skilled, our fishery industry is broad and has great potential – so together with the Federal Agency for Fisheries we decided that this Russian fisheries event must materialise. We aimed to organise

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Several leaders in the equipment industry exhibited at the show, including Optimar, Simrad, Haarslev, Bjordal, Damen, DSI, Peruza, and Baader. Their products were met with interest by firms seeking to expand their processing activity and to replace old equipment.

The first edition of the Global Fishery Forum and Seafood Expo in St Petersburg showcased developments in the Russian fisheries, aquaculture, and fish processing sectors.

a platform, which could accommodate everyone, big and small, all along the value chain, the entire industry.�

with crab meat, scallops and oysters, as well as Arctic Siberia’s specialty “stroganina� – thin slices of frozen raw whitefish.

The event brought together fishing companies, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, processing companies, fish farmers, trading companies, research institutes, international organisations and many more. Over the course of three days, the 160 exhibitors received 5,000 visitors from 25 regions in the Russian Federation and 20 countries worldwide.

Interest among foreign firms ran high

A major share of the exhibition floor was filled with the booths of the biggest companies from the most important fishing regions: Primorsky Krai, Kamchatka and Sakhalin from Far East Russia; Murmansk and Arkhangelsk from the north-west of the country. Companies presented both traditional and novel products: fresh, processed and frozen. Attendees at the trade show could enjoy a wide variety of the fish and seafood generously offered at the stands – smoked herring, mackerel, salmon and Japanese pilchard, fishburgers from Alaska pollock, fish soups, crabs and rolls

Foreign companies could also offer their products to the Russian market, and many companies from several foreign countries exhibited at the show. The delegation from the Turkish seafood sector offered the seabass, seabream and trout, for which they are well known. “The show is impressive,� said Faruk Coskun, the President of the Turkish Central Union of Aquaculture Producers. “I like taking parts in different exhibitions because it is an opportunity to promote the producers, their products, and the country they come from. People have a chance to taste and evaluate the quality on the spot. This show is also a big platform to exchange experiences both between the countries and between the producers.� The expo also provided opportunities for work with firms in countries that neighbor Russia. “We decided to come to St. Petersburg

because this exhibition is dedicated to fish and not to food in general,� said Ozcan Kadem, a marketing executive at Yavuzlar, Turkey. “In the future we would like to work not only with Russia, but also with Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia. We are also looking into those markets. Russia is also our neighbor, so we decided to start from here and then expand further to those European countries, where we are not yet working.�

Setting course on expanding value addition Although some in the Russian industry thought the sanctions against the West would have detrimental effects, many saw an opportunity. The import bans have created a need to raise domestic production to replace imports. This in turn calls for more and better processing equipment, to add value to Russian seafood production. This is the target of the Federal Agency for Fisheries (FAR) development concept to the year 2030. This concept seeks to expand the processing sector and to increase the level of value addition in the Russian market chain.

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“The Russian market is potentially interesting�, says Arnis Petranis from Latvian processing equipment manufacturer, Peruza, “We feel that the level of activity in the sector is growing. The last two years we did not have many real customers, as our prices seemed high after the depreciation of the Russian rouble, but now we see more interest to our products. We have innovation solutions for small pelagics, which are widespread in the Caspian and Black Sea basins and in the Baltic. And here at the show we have already met people who are interested in the kind of automation we can provide.�

Hopes and expectations for the show come true From the start the Russian expo was full of uncertainties. How, wondered the organisers, were they going to attract companies to a brand-new seafood exhibition, not to mention one scheduled at the same time as a major competing event (Food Moscow)? “We took the risk,� says Ivan Fetisov, “we are happy that some exhibitors changed their plans and decided to go with us.� Industry leaders should mark 13-15 September 2018 in their calendars for next year’s Global Fisheries Forum and Seafood Expo. The event is for anyone and everyone interested in Russia’s growing fish and seafood product sector. Aleksandra Petersen, Eurofish aleksandra.petersen@eurofish.dk &VSPl TI !

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Global Fishery Forum, September 2017, St. Petersburg

Russian strategy envisages huge boost to ďŹ sheries sector Over 1,600 participants gathered at the Global Fishery Forum in St. Petersburg on 14-15 September, where the new strategy for development of the Russian ďŹ shery sector was one of the highlights. The Russian Fishery Development Strategy, planned until 2030, deďŹ nes economic and social development of the sector and outlines priorities, drivers of growth, government support and local programmes to boost the Russian ďŹ shery sector. New challenges and opportunities for the Russian ďŹ shery sector were reviewed by Ilya Shestakov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Head of the Federal Agency for Fishery. In 2016, Russian catches reached 4.8 million tonnes, an increase of 5.6 compared to 2015 and a new record. The share of domestic fisheries products on the Russian market is estimated at 80. The Russian Fishery Development Strategy 2030 takes into account challenges, such as the global political situation, trade and market barriers, competition for natural resources, and limits of wild catch, and points out the opportunities, such as growth of middle class population, urbanisation, interest in healthful food, and new markets. Moreover, the document renews its emphasis on the final consumer, which is a departure from previous formulations of the strategy.

fishing vessels. It is expected that by 2030, investments in construction of the fishing fleet in Russian shipyards will amount to RUB400 billion (EUR5.8 billion) and the share of the renewed fishing fleet will be 55. According to the new strategy, in order to obtain quotas for fishing, companies should invest in construction of modern fishing vessels and development of tertiary processing to export products with high added value rather than cheaper raw materials. One of the main trends, capable of giving significant economic returns to the industry, is fish processing without the generation of waste, which now accounts for 30 of the total fish production.

Modern fishing vessels and greater value-addition are priorities

The key focus of the Russian Fishery Development Strategy is on the following four measures: The "New cod industry" measure foresees a renewal of up to 70 of the fishing fleet and construction of hightechnology on-shore factories for cod fillets and other cod products. It is expected that tertiary processing of cod species will cover at least 50 of the entire cod catch in Russia. The measure "Marine bio technologies" targets an increased catch of European anchovy, Japanese pilchard and krill species for processing into fishmeal, fish oil, fish feed and ingredients for

As stated by Shestakov, the main priorities of the strategy include the modernisation of the fishing fleet, construction of new fish processing facilities and distribution centers, and the development of aquaculture and mariculture in the country. The development strategy introduces a new investment mechanism (investment quotas) that will help Russian fishing companies replace older

The panel at the Global Fishery Forum and Seafood Expo debated the Russian Fishery Development Strategy and its impact on the sector.

omega 3 products. The measure "Aquaculture" includes development of salmon and trout farming and growth of high value mariculture species, such as scallops, sea cucumber, and mussels. The measure "Food pelagic" includes increased catches and processing of Japanese pilchard, mackerel, and tuna.

New association to promote Russian fish The strategy includes local programs aimed at improving port sector more attractive for investors, and at marketing fishery products. Furthemore, the development strategy introduces a new

association to promote Russian fish on local and export markets under the brand “Russian Fishâ€?. By 2030 the strategy expects to double the annual contribution of the fishery sector to Russia’s GDP with an average annual growth rate of at least 5; increase the catch from 4.7 million tonnes to 5.5 million tonnes; increase aquaculture production from 180,000 tonnes to 700,000 tonnes; renew at least half the fishing capacity; increase the share of highly value-added products in the total production to 40; and create 25,000 new jobs. Ekaterina Tribilustova, Eurofish katia.tribilustova@eurofish.dk

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[ SPECIES ] Farmed ďŹ sh with a long history and an uncertain future

Europe’s carp farming needs new marketing ideas The common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is not only one of the best-known but also one of the most frequently produced freshwater food ďŹ shes. Nearly 4.2 million tonnes of this species were reared in carp ponds or in polyculture in 2014, plus a further 150,000 tonnes from ďŹ shing. Carp were already popular as food ďŹ sh in the ancient world, and in Central Europe centuries-old carp ďŹ shing ponds are today part of the cultural landscape.

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he original distribution area of common carp is in the warm temperate regions of South East Europe and Asia from the Black Sea, through Asia Minor and China, to Japan. The Romans introduced the species to Central Europe about 2,000 years ago and today it is to be found all over Europe, with the exception of Scandinavia. Within this extensive area, however, the species structure is widely controversial. Some taxonomists distinguish four subspecies whose core centres are thought to be found from the Danube River basin to the Ural Mountain range, in the Aral Sea, in the Amur River basin to southern China, and in the waters of North Vietnam. Other experts differentiate only two subspecies – C. c. carpio and C. c. haematopterus, while a third group sees rather a uniform species status. Morphological methods alone hardly enable any satisfactory distinction for, with regard to its body shape, the common carp is one of the most variable freshwater fish species. Almost 97 per cent of global carp production today comes from farms. Genuine wild stocks are only to be found in a few waters, and the original wild carp is considered threatened. The carp that swim in natural waters are mostly

Using its touch- and taste-sensitive barbels the carp can track food specifically in the sludge and then suck it up with its protuberant mouth.

farmed forms which have been released intentionally or have escaped from aquaculture facilities. Since carp can live for more than 50 years they can be found today in numerous waters. Carp particularly like slow-flowing or standing waters, such as the middle and lower reaches of rivers, but also ponds and lakes. There the fish like to keep to shallow vegetated coves, or shallows near the riverbanks. Although carp can survive cold winters they hardly

eat or grow during such periods. They like warmer waters and the optimum water temperature for growth is above 20° C. This makes it clear why despite many centuries of selective breeding that has produced at least 30 to 35 breeds throughout Europe, the species can only exploit its full growth potential in the southern regions of the continent. Apart from temperature, however, the requirements for the water parameters are not high. Carp

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tolerate salinities of up to five per thousand, pH values between 6.5 and 9, and can survive low oxygen concentrations of 0.3 to 0.5 mg/ litre. Carp are often said to be herbivores, but in fact they are omnivores, for they make use of a wide range of food of both vegetable and animal origin. They eat insect larvae, worms, mollusks, and also occasionally young fishes, aquatic plants and other &VSPlTI !

[ SPECIES ] organic material, which is crushed with the fish’s strong pharyngeal teeth which are located on the rear gill arches. For this purpose, the pharyngeal teeth rub against the lenticular, curved, hard lapis carpionis, a plate between the indentation of the occipital bone and the first vertebra. Carp finds its food preferably in the bottom water layers or in the muddy bed of ponds and rivers. They usually begin to search for food at dawn, using their two pairs of barbels on the upper lip for detection and then sucking the food in with the trunk-like protuberant (protractile) mouth. With good nutrition and optimum temperatures carp can grow by 2 to 4 of their body weight daily. In tropical and subtropical areas growth of 0.6 to 1.0 kg per year is possible. In the temperate regions of Europe, on the other hand, carp need two to four growth periods (summers) to reach weights of between 1 and 2 kg.

Selective breeding for many centuries Carp were already cultivated in China more than 2,000 years ago, and the ancient Romans kept them in reservoirs (piscinae), from which the pond systems of Christian monasteries developed centuries later. The distribution and the fate of the species have always been closely linked to the cultural history of the human race. Carp was one of the first fishes that humans tried to domesticate. Initially the ponds were stocked with wild fish from natural waters but from the 12th century onwards the early pioneers of central European fish farming developed methods for producing the required fry themselves and carried out selective breeding to produce the desired results. By always using the biggest, most handsome specimens for reproduction, a genetic

selection took place intuitively, which ultimately led to the wellknown robust, long-living forms that produce a good share of meat. While the wild fish still had an elongated, completely scaly, shiny bronze body, the breeding forms were usually stocky, highbacked, and naked except for a few remaining scales. Their backs shimmer dark olive-green, their bellies are yellowish to whitish. Four different breeding forms of carp can be distinguished on the basis of their scaliness: r 4DBMZ DBSQ m BMM TDBMFT JOUBDU BT in the original form, but the body is more compact. r . JSSPS DBSQ m UIF NPTU GSFRVFOU breeding form with irregularly distributed, different sized scales, mostly along the lateral line and at the fin base. r -JOFBS DBSQ m B SPX PG NJSSPS scales of equal size runs along the length of the lateral line. r -FBUIFS DBSQ m CPEZ MBSHFMZ naked, only isolated scales at the fin base.

the fish – and they kept their valuable knowledge very much to themselves. It was during that period that some of the pond systems that still characterize a number of European regions today and are often still used for the cultivation of carp were developed. For instance, in Oberlausitz, where 335 ponds today constitute the largest commercially used pond area in Europe, or the Austrian pond areas in Waldviertel, Burgenland and southern Styria.

One of the most important aquaculture species worldwide

ponds�) were often also used for rearing carp. Today, the spectrum of carp farming methods ranges from extensive natural ponds, the net pens known from aquaculture, and flow-through systems with channels or round basins, to intensive recirculating systems (RAS). About 4.2 million tonnes of carp were produced worldwide in 2014, mainly in Asia, which accounts for almost 95 of global carp production. Cyprinus carpio thus ranked fourth in volume terms among the most important aquaculture fish after the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) with 5.5 million tonnes, the tilapia species with 5.3 million tonnes and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) with just under 5 million tonnes. At least in Europe, however, the importance of carp farming goes far beyond the mere production of food fish, because carp ponds are also of great ecological importance since they serve as a habitat and retreat for many endangered animal and plant species.

While carp are often grown in polyculture in Asia, monocultures are clearly preferred in Europe where the carp are reared in shallow ponds with plenty of nutrients. The ponds’ dams are usually densely covered with reeds and water plants. Additional feeding with grain or feed pellets is common in order to maximize growth potential during the warm season. The beginnings of this traditional, Historians are in the meantime controlled and near-natural farm- On the surface, global carp landquite in agreement that the natu- ing method date back centuries to ings from fishing don’t seem ral advance of the carp into the a time when river courses were particularly important with only upper reaches of the Danube, dammed to power water mills. 145,566 tonnes. This impression JOUP -BLF $POTUBODF BOE UIF SJWFS The water retention basins (“mills is deceptive, however, because Neckar was promoted 8000 years ago by a brief period of warmth in the climate. It is unclear, however, why during the transitional phase from the early to the High Middle Ages more than 1,000 years ago this fish species got into Central and Western Europe. Sceptics do not think that the isolated cases of the species being kept in monasteries are on their own sufficient to explain the very widespread distribution of the fish in Europe. Especially since at that time it was only monks and nuns who, in an attempt to make their diet more varied during the fasting season, had the necessary The water in the carp ponds is often drained off for harvesting so that expertise to keep and reproduce the fish are concentrated in a specially designed pit.

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[ SPECIES ] Australian government plans to launch a new project and introduce herpes viruses in a river system in southern Australia. The viruses supposedly kill only carp, while the native species are spared. The government is planning to spend 10 million euros on the programme, which is to kill 95 of the ever-expanding carp population within 30 years. But this herpes virus plan, also called „Carpageddon“ by critics, is controversial. What, for example, is to be done with the fish carcasses, should it really come to a mass death of the carp? Apart from that, the use of viruses involves considerable risks because they mutate quickly and unpredictably and may have completely different effects than originally intended. After the pond has been emptied the carp are normally kept for some time in clean water to rid them of their often somewhat musty flavour.

to the catches of commercial fishermen must be added the quantities caught by many hundreds of thousands of sports fishermen, and they are not included in the FAO statistics. Carp is popular with anglers because they grow very big, are strong fighters and can be baited selectively with suitable lures (boilies). Many anglers prefer scaly carp to the domesticated breeding forms because they put up more of a fight on the hook. A significant proportion of aquaculture production in Europe is used to stock natural waters with carp. Often, it takes years for the fishes to be caught. And this is quite visible in the fishing records reported by proud anglers. The current world record for mirror carp was registered in Hungary in 2012, where a fish weighing 46.1 kg with a length of 113 cm was landed. In the case of scaly carp, the record is 45.5 kg. (This fish was caught in the French Etang de Saussaie in 2013.) Some anglers let the fish go again after the catch. This practice

Targeted control of carp as an invasive species

other waters is no less severe. That is why the fish is considered a pest and attempts are being made to eradicate it‌ For example, by releasing genetically modified carp into the waters in the hope that these will then cross into overgrown populations and lead to pure male offspring. So far, however, these efforts have had only limited success. In 2018, the

Carp is not welcome everywhere, however. In Australia the farming and release of the fish is even prohibited by law because it is considered an invasive species which, through its digging activity in the sediment, clouds the water, damages the ground vegetation and frees bound nutrients. Immigrants had introduced the carp to Australia in the 19th century. Then in the 1960s their number exploded after animals had escaped into the wild from a fish farm. In the Murray-Darling Basin, for example, carp accounts for over 80 of the total fish biomass and the situation in many

Almost every carp farming region has a preferred breeding stock which is characterized by either short / compact or more elongated body shapes.

meets with violent criticism however, especially with animal protectionists who argue that “Catch & Release� contradicts the Protection of Animals Act which prohibits the inflicting of suffering on a vertebrate without reasonable cause.

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Just how difficult it is to control and fight viral diseases can be seen in the example of the Koi Herpes Virus (KHV), which is actually called Carp Nephritis and Gill Necrosis Virus (CNGNV). Since the beginning of the millennium, it has caused economic damage in European carp farms and has even penetrated natural waters. The increasing intensity of carp production in some areas and the interregional transport

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By means of parallel cuts with rotating round knives the tiresome bones can be broken down in the fillet. They are then hardly perceptible when eaten.

of fish make it difficult to combat this disease. A further complication is that many traditional medicines (fungicides, antibiotics and insecticides) are not authorized in the EU, so that there are hardly any therapeutic options available. At present high hopes are placed on immunostimulants to increase the natural resistance of the fish. However, research in this field is still at an early stage and it will probably be years before appropriate vaccines are available. Just as

important is the development of reliable diagnostic tools to detect bacterial and viral infections in the pond farms with the desirable speed and certainty. With the EU Directive 91/67 / EC which has been amended several times over the years and is now available in the version of 29 November 2008 and lays down the animal health conditions for placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products the Community is trying to improve protection

Pickled carp pieces in aspic are just one way to make a greater variety of products from this tasty fish.

against fish diseases. However, there are doubts as to whether the legislation will be able to cope with the epidemic risks of European aquaculture that is even partially networked worldwide. Plagues like KHV cannot be controlled or restricted by countries acting alone. Fish diseases spread across national borders faster than legislature is able to follow with new regulations. Europe needs a reporting and monitoring system that will enable all industry participants to react quickly to epidemic outbreaks.

Inconsistent product quality leads to marketing problems Although the importance of carp for European aquaculture and fisheries has decreased, the fish continues to play an important role, especially in Eastern Europe. In many places, carp are regarded as a festive must, especially at Christmas and New Year. In Poland and the Czech Republic these public holidays are hardly conceivable without carp. On the menus of Czech restaurants at that time you can often find five to ten different dishes, from carp boiled in a spicy stock, and grilled carp, to quite hot varieties with paprika. In Germany the region of Franconia is considered a primary centre for carp. There, the fish (head-on, fins intact) is split into two halves along its length, rolled in flour and baked in fat (“Karpfen fränkischâ€?). In Northern Germany the carp is often marinated in a vinegar-wine sauce for 10-15 minutes. The acid in the vinegar causes the fish to lose its sliminess but it also turns the fish a blueish colour, which is why this recipe is called “Karpfen blauâ€?. According to FAO statistics the largest common carp producers in Europe (as of 2015) are

Russia (57,983 tonnes.), the Czech Republic (17,860 t.), Poland (17,749 t.), Hungary (10,725 t.), Ukraine (9,640 t.), Belorussia (6,480 t.) Serbia (5,598 t.) and Germany (4,916 t.). To fill the gap between supply and demand around 24,000 t. of carp and carp products (live, freshchilled, frozen) are traded every year throughout Europe. Important exporters are Austria, the $[FDI 3FQVCMJD $SPBUJB BOE -JUIuania, and the importing countries are mainly Germany, Hungary and Poland. Intra-European trade with carp accounts for roughly two-thirds of world trade with this fish, because in the main producing region – Asia – carp is hardly traded internationally. However, in some European countries and particularly among young people carp has an image problem and is to be found rather low down on the list of consumer favourites. This is due not only to the annoying bones that are a problem for many people when eating fish, but also to the strongly fluctuating taste and varying quality of the fish. The flavour and consistency of carp depend very much on the feed used (grain, corn, soy, pellet feed), the farming conditions and water quality. If the carp is too lean, it often tastes like straw and bland, but if it is too fat, it can develop a rather musty aroma, something which can be attenuated, however, by keeping the fish for a long time in clean water. What is lacking are attractive carp products which could promote sales outside of the typical marketing season. Admittedly, there have always been promising approaches and new product ideas but none of them have been successful. The future fate of the carp in European countries probably also depends on whether more fish-eaters – especially young people – can be attracted to this fish. mk

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[ TRADE AND MARKETS ] New EU-Canada trade agreement implemented

Deal to reduce consumer prices and boost trade On 21 September 2017, the EU and Canada provisionally implemented a long-awaited free trade agreement – the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which the EU Parliament approved on 15 February 2017 after more than eight years of arduous, detailed negotiations.

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he EU-Canada trade agreement CETA, as it is known, eliminates virtually all tariffs on imports between the two economies, harmonizes and reduces trade regulations and related structural barriers, and provides a mechanism to resolve disputes concerning, trade, investment, and other economic matters. The provisional nature of CETA means that certain parts have not yet been completely agreed; these parts relate to investment protection and the Investment Court System. The rest of the agreement, including tariff reduction and removal, has entered into force. For fish and seafood products, CETA eliminate tariffs that on most products were already zero or low (many under 5 ad valorem). However, some important items, such as lobsters from Canada and herrings from the EU, faced significant import tariffs. With the removal of these tariffs, prices of such products are expected to fall, leading to increased demand, consumption, and trade.

Pre-CETA trade was already growing at a healthy pace Even prior to CETA, EU-Canada trade in fish and seafood

had been growing at a healthy pace. Between 2012 and 2016, EU exports to Canada grew by 55 percent in volume and 93 percent in value, reaching 13 million tonnes valued at â‚Ź72 billion. During the same fouryear period, EU imports from Canada grew by 4 percent in volume and 21 percent in value, to 56 million tonnes valued at â‚Ź439 billion in 2016. Average unit values of EU exports to Canada rose by 25 percent during this period, while average import values grew by 15 percent.

EU imports from Canada 600000 500000 400000 300000 200000 100000 0

2014

2015

2016

Quantity (tonnes)

EU exports to Canada 80000 70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0

2012

2013

2014

Value (EUR1000s)

What products are (or rather, were) the highest tariffs on? Before CETA entered into force, many fish and seafood products going between the EU and Canada were already tariff-free to begin with, as both economies have sharply reduced or eliminated fish and seafood tariffs during

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2013

Value (Eur1000s)

The usual suspects account for the bulk of EU-Canada trade. EU salmon and trout (in all product forms) are the single largest export to Canada, accounting for 13 percent of annual export value during 2012-16. Sardines, sardinella, brisling and sprats accounted for 10 percent, and mackerel and tunas added another 8.7 percent and 8.4 percent, respectively, to the value of EU exports during 2012-15. On the EU import side, shrimps and prawns (in all product forms) made up exactly 50 percent of the total value of EU imports from Canada during 2012-16, followed by lobsters (14 percent), scallops (9 percent), and crabs (8 percent).

2012

2015

2016

Quantity (tonnes)

past rounds of global negotiations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its predecessor body, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The tariffs that the EU, Canada, and most economies in the world apply are those in the WTO’s “most favored nation� (MFN) category, which are the lowest category (no country outside of special agreements &VSPlTI !

[ TRADE AND MARKETS ] For Canadian imports, all fresh or frozen fish in whole form or fillets/steaks (even tunas) already enter free of MFN tariffs. A 5-percent tariff is charged on various crustacean imports, including rock and Norway lobsters, and crabs, and imports of many molluscs in smoked form face a 4 percent tariff. Among fish processed or preserved (e.g., in cans), herrings (except pickled) are charged 5 percent, salmon 2 percent, tunas at 7 percent, and fish sticks and portions, 7 percent. Imports of prepared or preserved crabs and crayfish are charged 5 percent, and scallops, mussels, and jellyfish are all charged 4 percent upon entry into Canada.

EU-Canada seafood trade: Leading products and MFN tariff rates Â

EU imports

Â

EU exports

Product

EU tariff

Product

Canadian tariff

Shrimps and prawns

20

Salmon and trout

0-2

Lobsters, all forms

6-20

Tuna, canned

7

Scallops

8

Fish, other

free

Crabs except king, snow, Dungeness

12

Sardines, sprats, etc.

free

Salmon and trout

2-9

Fats and oils

free

Hake, fresh, whole

15

Anchovies, canned

free

Fats and oils

0-10.9

Herring, canned

free

Cod, frozen ďŹ llets

7.5

Mackerel, frozen, whole

free

Caviar substitutes

20

Jack & horse mackerel, frozen, whole

free

Fish, other

7.5-15

Sea bream, fresh, whole

free

Sources: EU and Canada ofďŹ cial trade statistics and tariff schedules.

such as CETA get preferential trade treatment different from that accorded a country’s “most favored nation� trading partner. Before CETA, 52 percent (by value in 2016) of the EU’s imports from Canada entered free of any MFN tariffs, and when all EU imports of fish and seafood from Canada are combined, the weighted average EU tariff rate before CETA was 5,5 percent. In the other direction, 68 percent (by value) of all EU exports of fish and seafood to Canada in 2016 entered free of any MFN tariffs, and Canada’s weighted average tariff on all fish and seafood

combined from the EU was only 2,3 percent. However, some high MFN tariffs have survived previous rounds of trade liberalization. Among products subject to EU tariffs, tuna in all its forms famously stands out, as it has been the subject of several disputes. Imports of fresh or frozen whole tunas (mainly imported by EU tuna canners) are dutiable by the EU at 22 percent, and tuna in airtight containers (e.g., canned tuna, the product of those canners), at 24 percent. In addition, a tariff of 15 percent is applied to EU imports of fresh or frozen

whole plaice, sole, sardines and sardinella, jack and horse mackerel, swordfish, rays and skates, sea bass, toothfish, monkfish, and most species of hake, among others. Fresh or frozen fillets of rainbow trout, cod, coalfish, swordfish, mackerel, monkfish, and several others are charged a tariff of 12-18 percent upon entry through an EU port. Most EU imports of crustaceans are dutiable at 7.5-18.0 percent (American lobsters, a popular EU import from North America, are charged between 6 and 20 percent depending on product form), and most molluscs are charged tariffs in the 6-11 percent range.

EU export to Canada (in â‚Źmillion and %)

EU imports from Canada (in â‚Źmillion and %)

Duty-free 185.4 48%

199.4 52%

An obvious question is, with tariffs on some products so high, how can the weighted average EU and Canadian tariffs be only 5.5 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively, on one another’s trade? The answer is, the tariffs are effective at keeping imports of those products to a minimum, while tariff-free products make up the bulk of both EU and Canadian imports. Indeed, during 2012-2016, 68 percent of all EU exports to Canada entered duty-free, and 52 percent of all Canadian exports to the EU entered duty-free, meaning a large share of products subject to import tariffs were effectively kept out.

Dutiable

Duty-free

16.8 32% 35.4 68%

Dutiable

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[ TRADE AND MARKETS ] All that will change now that CETA provides for the elimination of all tariffs on fish and seafood traded between the EU and Canada.

How CETA might affect seafood trade Within days of CETA’s implementation, press reports appeared describing the joy by some and distress by others at the impacts of CETA on EU lobster imports from Canada. The joy was expressed by

Canadian producers and exporters, who had new orders coming in from EU buyers who no longer had to pay the 8-percent EU tariff. Distress was felt by American producers and exporters of an identical product, whose customers (and former customers) in the EU still face that tariff. These experienced are mirrored by traders in other seafood products. It will take some time to know CETA’s full effects, but the general results are likely to

include increased volumes of EU-Canada trade, and lower consumer prices everywhere (including the USA, where lobster supply available to domestic consumers have suddenly grown a little). What reportedly has happened with lobsters is also going to happen with other seafoods: a shift in seafood trade patterns between the EU and its trading partners. Lower-priced Canadian fish and seafood products will tend to replace EU imports

from the USA, Asian countries, and other sources, while on the export side, EU exporters will likely see increased opportunities in the Canadian market at the expense of other nations’ suppliers. As always, where some see loss, others see opportunity: as reported by Seafoodnews.com, some enterprising Maine lobster suppliers are already redirecting toward the China market. Roger Corey roger.corey.1000@gmail.com

Increasing sustainable production will call for concerted efforts

Europe’s mussel farmers face multiple hurdles The case study “Mussel Farming� has been investigated in the framework of the European project SUCCESS (Horizon 2020) along with other aquaculture case studies. This overview of the European mussel farming sector is based on a presentation given during the workshop at Cattolica (Italy) in May 2017 and relies on preliminary outputs of the project regarding this aquaculture sector.

G

lobally, the production of farmed mussels has exceeded that from the wild since the end of the 1950s, and the volume share of capture fisheries fell below 10 in 2005. In the EU, mussel farming and fisheries are well-established sectors in some countries, but have exhibited a downward production trend since the beginning of the century, whereas they are still expanding in other parts of the world. The volume share of production in the EU progressively decreased from 47 to 27 over the period 2000-2015; in the meantime, China’s share rose substantially from 30 to 42 and the contribution of Chile grew from 2 to 12 thanks to the development of aquaculture (FAO Fishstat). Although different factors on the supply side may constrain

recovery and further development of European mussel farming in the future, on the demand side the outlook is favourable. This type of production is well positioned to meet increasing consumer demand for affordable fresh seafood, and it also fits with social demand for low-input aquaculture, contributing significantly to employment in coastal areas.

Striking features in terms of EU production, trade and apparent consumption At the European level, the production of mussels relies mainly on two species, Mytilus edulis and M. galloprovincialis, from northern countries and southern countries respectively. From 2000 to 2013, mussel production

Growing mussels on ropes suspended from rafts is traditional in Galicia, from where the bulk of Spain’s mussel production comes.

in the EU dropped from 740 to about 450 thousand tonnes due to a downward trend in aquaculture and the dramatic decline of capture fisheries (mainly from Denmark). The level of production then recovered to above 500

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thousand tonnes in 2014 and 2015 (FAO FishStat). The top 4 farmed mussel producers have not changed since 2000, and accounted for 82 of EU production in volume (average 20002015). Spain comes far ahead &VSPlTI !

[ TRADE AND MARKETS ] Key ďŹ gures by main mussel segment for the Netherlands, Spain, France and Italy (2013/2014) Structural data

Cost structure

Dutch Bottom

French Bottom (“bouchot�)

Spanish Raft

Italian Long-line (2013)

Number of enterprises

56

285

2,034

159

Number of FTE

154

1,077

2,312

829

Number of FTE/enterprises

2.8

3.8

1.1

5.2

Total employees/Total FTE

na

1.7

3.7

1.0

% Labour costs

24%

33%

62%

39%

% Energy costs

11%

3%

5%

6%

Economic performance

Net proďŹ t/Total income

34%

13%

27%

8%

ROI (EBIT/total value of assets)

29%

11%

11%

7%

Valorisation

Mussel price indicator

1.40

1.87

0.50

0.73

Source: SUCCESS project based on Aquaculture DCF data (average 2013/2014)

The deficit of the EU mussel market has been increasing to meet the demand for mussels, but extra-EU imports rely exclusively on processed products. In 2015, they reached EUR145m including EUR25m of frozen or dried mussels and EUR120m of prepared or preserved mussels. Concerning the latter products, extra-EU imports from Chile have been progressively expanding and competing with intra-EU imports. On the other hand, the majority of mussel trade occurs at the intraEU level (EUR265m in 2015) and is always dominated by import (export) of live, fresh or chilled mussels (71 in value). For the bulk of the European mussel market (fresh products), the level of intra-EU trade over the period 2000-2015 fluctuated between 125 and 175 thousand tonnes for imports (144 thousand tonnes on average) and between

130 and 185 thousand tonnes for exports (147 thousand tonnes on average). Net importers of fresh mussels over the period are in decreasing order France (37Â thousand tonnes in average), Belgium (25 thousand tonnes) and Italy (20 thousand tonnes) in volume, while in value the highest deficit is related to Belgium. Net exporters include Spain (28 thousand tonnes), the Netherlands (20 thousand tonnes), Denmark, Greece and Ireland (10-15 thousand tonnes), albeit in value the Dutch trade surplus is by far the largest. Despite erratic export trends, striking features to be noticed are the progressive

growth of Spanish mussel exports in live/fresh form and the recovery of Dutch mussel production and exports in the most recent years. As a result of the downward trend in production, the seafood balance sheet for mussels shows a decrease at the EU scale, from about 750 to 650 thousand tonnes (live weight) between 2000 and 2015. At its lowest, the European apparent market for mussels barely reached 570 thousand tonnes in 2013 and consumption per capita was 1.1 kg (live weight). In 2014 and 2015, this indicator went up again to 1.3 kg per capita

Diversity of production systems in the EU Mussel farming, which has a long history in some European countries, relies on a variety of cultural techniques originally developed in different natural environments (in intertidal areas, lagoons, “riasâ€?, at sea‌). Traditional production modes such as rafts in Galician rias (“bateasâ€?), culture on wooden stakes (like “bouchotâ€? in France), and even bottom culture on plots in the Netherlands and Germany ŠIfremer - StĂŠphane LESBATS

(42) followed by France and Italy (15 each), the Netherlands (10), Ireland (6), the UK (5) and Greece (4). In value, the share of the top 4 countries is unchanged, but the ranking is modified: France ranks first followed by Spain, the Netherlands, and Italy.

(all forms included). This average indeed hides significant disparities since the consumption markets for mussels are concentrated in some countries. France and Spain each represented a quarter of the EU28 mussel consumption in 2015 and Italy had at least 20 of the market share. The following countries fell to 4-5 (Belgium, UK), and a main producer/exporter such as the Netherlands only counted for 2 of the mussel consumption in the EU. By level of consumption per inhabitant, Spain ranked first in 2015 (3.5 kg), followed by Denmark, Belgium, France and Italy (2-3 kg). In exporting countries like Greece, Ireland and the Netherlands, mussel consumption is less than one kg per year.

In France mussels are cultivated on wooden stakes (bouchot) – yet another example of mussel farming that has evolved in response to local environmental conditions.

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[ TRADE AND MARKETS ] still represents the majority of the EU mussel production in volume (at least 70 in 2015). Despite the predominance of longlines in other countries and outlooks of development based on this technique, this is far from being the most widespread production system for mussels in the EU today. The description of production systems (PS) undertaken within the SUCCESS project mainly focused on the dominant PS in Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Greece. Structural and economic data resulting from the aquaculture data collection framework (DCF) provided complementary and valuable indicators for the characterisation and comparison of production systems. Globally, mussel farming remains a smallscale activity, with a low level of employment by enterprise. However, beyond this common feature, the characteristics of the dominant PS can differ significantly. The Dutch production system based on bottom cultivation shows the highest indicators of concentration and is the most capital intensive. At the opposite, the mussel farming sector in Spain, which plays a significant role in the development of certain areas, is characterised by a high level of employment, by multiple activities, and relies on family labour and part-time jobs. In terms of cost structure, the share of labour costs in 2013-2014 ranged from a quarter (Dutch bottom culture) to more than 60 (Spanish mussel raft), through 30-40 (French bouchot mussel, Italian long-lines). Conversely, the weight of energy costs is higher for the Dutch production system (11) than for the bouchot cultivation system in inshore areas (about 3). As regards profitability indicators

(net profit ratio, return on investment) and level of remuneration of labour, the Dutch production system clearly ranks first. Other production systems have lower but also contrasted economic results. For instance, the Spanish raft aquaculture shows a higher net profit compared to the French “bouchotâ€? culture, but a lesser remuneration of labour, and a similar return on investment. Anyway, the assessment of the economic sustainability of production systems would deserve a longer period analysis to take into account the yearly fluctuations of production. In addition, the level of integration of production rights as intangible in the total value of assets, which indeed influence the ROI indicator, should also be considered for more in-depth comparison. The characterisation of production systems also takes into account aspects related to the diversification of mussel producers in purification and dispatching activities, and even in trade, and to the development of valorisation strategies (quality schemes). In this respect, it could be assumed that the differential in the level of valorisation of mussel sales not only depends on the species (blue mussel or Mediterranean mussel) but also reflects different level of integration and coordination along the mussel value chains. The related (data collection framework) DCF indicator ranged from 1.9â‚Ź/kg (French blue mussels) to 0.5â‚Ź/kg (Spanish mussels) in 2013-2014.

Main bottlenecks and challenges for the future Among the bottlenecks identified for European mussel farming, environmental concerns and regulatory constraints are considered the most critical. Environmental bottlenecks refer to all factors

causing mussel mortalities or other economic losses due to periods of sales closure: epizootic events, red tides, climatic events, natural competitors and predators, blooms of toxic phytoplankton, water quality degradation‌ For instance, red tides are responsible for significant fluctuations in Spanish mussel production. Impact of predation by seabream is significant too, insofar as it has hindered the development of mussel long lines in the French Mediterranean. Regulatory constraints generate difficult access to new farming sites or renewal of existing aquaculture authorisations, and insecure production rights. Inadequate governance in coastal areas with high competition for space results in increasing conflicts between the different users and a lack of social acceptability for aquaculture. A more specific issue is related to the lack of availability of seeds in the case of the Dutch mussel farming industry still relying on seed fishery in dedicated areas. This issue is being solved by the progressive introduction of seed collectors, as compelled by new regulatory restrictions. Finally, structural and economic weaknesses can also be emphasized, in relation to the lack of professionalization of the activity and low level of integration of dispatch/purification centres (Spain), the deficient organisation of producers (Italy) or the lack of outlets on the domestic market (Greece). These factors are probably involved in the insufficient valorisation of mussels by producers. Achieving the objectives of national strategic plans for the development of sustainable aquaculture, (+25 of growth for the whole shellfish production at the EU level) may therefore seem ambitious. Increasing growth in European mussel farming will firstly require mitigating environmental problems. In

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relation to the main priority area for removing obstacles to the development of EU aquaculture, institutional improvements are also expected in some countries to “reduce administrative burden� and simplify licencing procedures. Another priority area “improving access to space and water� is more dependent on recent EU regulations, such as the revision of the EIA directive in 2014 and the on-going drawing-up of MSP by member states to comply with the Directive 2014/89/EU for establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning. On the production side, key challenges remain for the mussel farming sectors. One important issue is to reduce profitability decrease due to environmental risks or/and to unsustainable cultural practices, in particular through the setting up of co-management systems. Another issue is to stay competitive while consolidating the market power of producers along the value chain, thanks to more efficient and sustainable production systems, sales organisation, new outlets and quality schemes. In a second step of the SUCCESS project, “room for improvement� is being investigated in line with the main issues at stake in different countries. In Greece, the development of new products (unvalved mussels with an extended lifespan) for targeting the domestic market has been studied. In other countries, the analysis of room for improvement mainly focuses on labelling initiatives and their ability to create a dynamic within the sector and the value-chain, improving economic and environmental sustainability, and meeting current consumer expectations. Sophie Girard Sophie.Girard@ifremer.fr Unit of Marine Economics Ifremer, Brest, France &VSPlTI !

[ TECHNOLOGY ] Exact cuts, consistent slices, perfect cubes

Slicers for all areas of ďŹ sh processing There is increasing demand for convenience products that can be removed easily and individually from the packaging. This product form necessitates high-precision cutting and slicing machines that deliver neat, accurate results. The range of slicers for artisans and industry in the meantime ranges from powerful hand-held tools to fully automated cutting systems that can be integrated into complete processing lines.

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he range of products that is placed on the market sliced or pre-cut is already much larger than many would believe. It includes not only cold- and hot-smoked fish fillets but also more and more seafood products that require slicing, from the ready-to-eat squid ring to the delicate crustacean carpaccio. In recent years, portion cutting and slicing requirements have continued to grow and have pushed ahead developments in this area. Whereas in the past one multi-purpose machine was usually enough to handle all cutting and slicing jobs the higher performance requirements of today’s markets can often only be fulfilled using special machines.

There are slicers and portion cutters for fresh and frozen products that can be designed as single, double or multi-lane machines. Machines for the high-speed production of fixed weight and fixed length products stand out for their extremely high slicing speed, and multi-blade horizontal slicers cut up whole pieces into numerous equally thick slices in one go.

Pre-sliced smoked salmon sides is a common standard Although the standard product is still the diagonal cut through the fillet, there are today also long slice machines which cut

A lot of machine manufacturers offer portion cutters that divide fish fillets into portioned strips as specified.

the fillet over its entire length. Linking the slicers to modern computer controls opens up further possibilities. Some slicers can vary the cutting angle within the batch from the tail to the head of the fillet, thereby enabling slices with equal surface areas. Other machines successively change slice thickness so as to produce slices of equal weight. Machine manufacturers are always coming up with new ideas for their machines so as to give them new capabilities and performance features. This in turn gives potential users from canteen kitchens to small-scale and industrial fish processors a huge number of cutting options and slicing programmes.

Sometimes it is a user’s particular need that drives forward the development of additional technical features for cutting machines. But just as often it will be the manufacturers themselves who invent new cutting variants which then open up opportunities for fish processors to save time, increase productivity or offer innovative products. For example, cutting pockets into fillets which can then be filled in various ways, or slicing very thin slices that can be used for making roulade-like products. Who would have thought a few years ago that even extremely sensitive, fragile products such as hot-smoked or poached salmon could be carefully divided into pieces of consistently good

High-performance salmon slicers cut the cold-smoked fillets into thin slices and deliver them neatly arranged for packaging.

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[ TECHNOLOGY ]

Slicing hot-smoked fillets is a particular challenge due to their often relatively soft consistency.

The SM 3015 multi-purpose slicer from SALMCO is intended mainly for small-scale producers.

quality without notable material losses? Modern sensor and computer technology, in combination with precisely controllable rotating blades, meanwhile make it possible to use machines for even highly sensitive work steps which in the past always had to be carried out by hand‌ for example trimming fillets.

technical and physical limits on the material that is to be cut. The size of the individual fillet slices, for example, depends decisively on the cutting angle resulting from the position of the carriage in relation to the usually vertically arranged circular knife. With a horizontal alignment of the carriage the blade cuts through the fillet at a right angle, resulting in very small slices. The closer the carriage is to a vertical position, the larger the slices will be. Theoretically, with a 90° positioning of the carriage even long slices would be possible over the entire length of the fillet. However, this will only be possible if the material for slicing is sufficiently stable and does not collapse in an

There are suitable machines for almost every requirement Requests from many consumers and retailers for special product innovations drive developments forward in the cutting and slicing sector, too, and processors are faced time and again with the question as to whether a particular slicing feature is better achieved by hand or with a machine. In the artisanal sector, hand-held slicers such as those in the Whizard series produced by Bettcher Industries are often used for trimming fish fillets or slicing smoked salmon. The rotating circular blade slices the fish fillet precisely in the desired lengths. The width of the slices is limited by the inner diameter of the circular cutting unit, and an adjustable thickness template

ensures constant slice thickness. The operation of these worksaving devices requires some experience and skill but can be learned by the user in a relatively short time. Particular advantages of the Whizard trimmer, claims Bettcher, include increased productivity, an improved material yield, and reduced labour costs compared to traditional hand slicing with a knife.

Flexibility and versatility or special features? Favorable investment and operating costs as well as a wide range of applications make multi-purpose machines the ideal solution for small and medium-sized businesses when it comes to cutting and slicing fish products. Multi-purpose cutters are available in various sizes and performance grades as table models or stand-alone units. However, multi-purpose cutters have the disadvantage that they almost always have to be operated manually which of course uses up manpower. As a rule, the material for cutting has to be guided by hand on a carriage past the rotary circular knife. The machines’ construction, too, imposes certain

Consistently clean cuts even with a high material throughput The automatic multi-purpose cutter Slico 700 from Dadaux is intended for the continuous cutting of meat and fish products. The carriage loaded with the cutting material always returns automatically to the initial position after the programmable cut has been carried out. Smooth,

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upright position. For this reason, sensitive fish fillets which are to be sliced on multi-purpose cutters are usually frozen, which is sometimes a disadvantage with products which are to be sold as “fresh�.

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[ TECHNOLOGY ] sawtoothed or micro-sawtoothed blades ensure a precise, clean result. A kind of special case in the field of all-round solutions are multi-blade horizontal cutters which are available for manual operation as well as in fully automated designs. Originally, these machines were developed for meat processing in order to save time when cutting compact meat blocks into horizontal slices, such as roulades, steaks or schnitzels. Today, however, they are also used to cut fish products into portions, strips or nuggets. During cutting, the fish piece passes through a series of parallel, rotating circular knives, the distances between which determine the width of the slices. Some devices even allow slice widths of just a few millimeters. The cutting speed and the pressure on the cutting material are adjustable and, depending on the application, knives with different profiles are used. With the fully automatic multi-blade circular blade cutting machine

from CRM Food Technology, for example, boneless fresh meat or fish can be cut reliably and precisely. Optionally, the systems can even be equipped with ozone disinfecting units to reduce bacterial contamination during operation. Similar systems are used for cutting the annoying bones found in freshwater fish species such as carp (the lamellar fillet structure resulting from the cutting process is held together by the skin, which is not cut). The size of the bone pieces remaining in the fish depends on the distance between the individual knives.

Automation enables integration into processing lines Applications in industry mostly make use of automatic slicers which can be equipped with a wide range of performance options. They usually combine high capacities, sometimes more than a hundred cuts per minute, with great user-friendliness and enormous flexibility. Some are

intended for slicing fresh and smoked fish products, others are particularly suitable for frozen food. One of the most appreciated equipment variants is the automatic cutting angle adjustment which allows for different cutting angles in the course of one slicing process. This technique is offered, for example, by slicers from Geba, a well-known manufacturer of slicers, now part of the Marel Group. The SC 250 MA fresh slicer has a capacity of up to 250 slices of smoked salmon per minute, with the cutting angle ranging from 10° to 68°. This machine is thus suitable for a large variety of slice variants from sushi slices to bacon cuts or raw fresh salmon portions and cold and hot smoked salmon. It is very easy to change between the slicing programmes. Optionally, the SC 250 MA can also space out the cut slices and portions in batches, which facilitates subsequent packaging. A typical feature of Marel is the combination of the machines with intelligent control and monitoring technology. Each fillet is individually weighed and scanned by a camera to measure its size. From these data the computer then calculates the section profile that is required to make optimal use of the material and meet the final product targets.

Ultra-fine chopping enables full use of raw materials

Hand-held slicers from Bettcher Industries: little effort is needed to slice fresh fish fillets precisely or to cut smoked salmon slices to the desired lengths.

The cutting machine KUJ V from Kronen Nahrungsmitteltechnik offers comparable performance. The machine cuts slices from 2 to 12 mm, strips from 2 to 20 mm and cubes from 3 to 20 mm in a single operation. The quality of the blades enables exact and very clean cuts without crushing

the product. The KUJ V can even process pressure-sensitive products gently because the cutting speed can be regulated in seven stages. More than 50 different machine models of slicers, dicers and shredders are manufactured by the American company Urschel Laboratories. Depending on the size and design of the machines and the type of material to be cut, several hundred to one thousand kilograms can be chopped per hour. Particularly outstanding in the extensive range of products from the Urschel range are the machines from the Comitrol series which chop cooked and frozen fish parts to flakes or extrafine particles from which pastes for spreads and fillings can be produced. “Shredded� heads, bones and skins of fish can be used as a basis for fish soups or extruded snacks.

Specific solutions for soft and cold slicing The Hamburg company Salmco Technik claims to be the only manufacturer worldwide that produces both cold and fresh slicers for salmon and many other types of fish. The product portfolio ranges from simple table models to semi-automatic machines and fully automatic slicing lines. With this tiered range Salmco covers almost all applications of fish processing from small familyrun companies to large industrial operations. Many machine solutions are manufactured by Salmco to meet specific customer requirements. For example, a specially modified cold slicer, which is combined with a vacuum packaging machine to produce 200 g packs with sliced products for the retail sector. Salmco slicers are exported to more than 60 countries worldwide.

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GUEST PAGES

Despite several initiatives growth in EU farmed ďŹ sh production remains elusive

Promotion campaigns are part of the answer The Polish Trout Breeders Association (PTBA) represents intensive aquaculture farmers, which in Poland are mainly producers of salmonid species. With 130 members the association represents 75% of the Polish salmonid production, but there are also members that farm sturgeon and African catďŹ sh. Anna Pyc´, the vice president of the board, speaks here about some of the issues facing the trout farming sector in Poland, and the EU, where aquaculture production shows none of the growth seen in other parts of the world. Production in the EU aquaculture sector has been largely stagnant for the last decade. What are the reasons behind this lack of growth and how can the industry influence the factors that prevent European fish farming from reaching its full potential? In 2002 the European Commission announced, “A strategy for the sustainable development of European aquacultureâ€? and the fish farming sector perceived it as a green light, a way to grow. After seven years a new document “Building a sustainable future for aquaculture: A new impetus for the Strategy for the Sustainable Development of European Aquaculture,â€? was published and it largely repeated the obstacles the sector struggles with. A number of events, discussions, and papers appeared to “unlock the potential of European aquacultureâ€?. In 2013 the Commission published “The Strategic Guidelinesâ€? to make Member States define their goals regarding aquaculture growth that should have been described in the multiannual plans. The Polish multiannual plan was based to large extent on PTBA’s “Strategy for Intensive aquaculture development 2020.â€? The main goal of that document is “to achieve and keep the leading position in intensive aquaculture

production in EU�. And although aquaculture has been recognized as part of the Blue Growth, European (and Polish) fish production is stagnating. EU communications, such as the strategy are helpful and show trends, but have no authority. It seems that this tool given to the sector shows the problems but brings no solutions, and is therefore not very effective. In this context I was wondering what was the background of Norway’s success. The difference in my opinion is the decision made by the country’s administration, or rather “THE DECISION,� which led the sector through all the problematic areas and instead of looking for obstacles it brought real solutions. That is what the sector needs – the real decision to create a genuine space for the sector. Fish feed is using far less fishmeal today than a decade ago, but it is still a vital ingredient. Since supply of fishmeal depends on capture fisheries, where volumes tend to be erratic, and since its price has been increasing steadily over the last years, what alternatives are being considered? Fish feed is an absolutely crucial part of the whole aquaculture sector puzzle. Feed has come a long way over the last few years, and this

way was of course directed by the uncertainty, scarcity and changing prices of the ingredients. Of course, fishmeal and fish oil played a crucial role, but many other raw materials also turned out to be in short supply. This revolution has made recipes for feeds less stable with producers constantly looking for more effective solutions. Fish feed companies have developed their research facilities to test numbers of ingredients to be able to continually adjust their recipes to maintain the feed performance as well as the price level. Although ingredients of marine origin still play a key role, a great effort has been made to limit their level in feed down to even 10-15. New raw materials are constantly being tested, the market for ingredients is becoming very wide with materials of vegetal origin offering a number of possibilities to replace marine ingredients. Certification is an increasingly important consideration for companies in the food production sector. It is now even possible to get organically certified farmed seafood. In the trout sector, does certification lead to better and more environmentally benign fish products or is it largely hype? For some years now we are experiencing the trend of certification

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Anna Pyc´, Vice president, Polish Trout Breeder’s Association

of every human activity, especially those with a bearing on the environment. It has become also a kind of a business to certify the quality of the product with a certain logo on the package. Numerous certification schemes have appeared, and Polish trout producers have had the opportunity to listen to dozens of lectures and read scores of articles about it. The PTBA was also partly involved in the WWF &VSPlTI !

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AAC, such as NGOs, that may have very different interests from your own?

The Polish Trout Breeders’ Association represents some 130 members and 75% of the salmonid production in Poland.

dialogue process to develop the certification standards for salmonids implemented by ASC. We have learnt to measure our influence on the environment, and to document the social, production and economic processes on the farm, which in my opinion are the benefits that we got as a sector. However, so far in Poland trout producers do not use certification. It will perhaps come when trout production reaches a level, where it will be important for producers to differentiate themselves from the others. According to the FAO, Polish production of trout has lagged that of carps since 2008. Does this reflect a preference for carp over trout among Polish consumers? What can be done to make trout products more visible and attractive to consumers and thereby increase demand? Polish fish consumption is still only 12-13 kg per capita, which is low in comparison to other EU countries. Carp keeps its leadership in terms of volumes sold on the Polish market, but its sale is strictly seasonal (carp is a traditional Christmas dish). Among those, who declare to buy fish, 31 choose trout. Still,

42.6 of fish-eaters buy frozen fish and 31 reach for the fresh fish. Ice is not “the natural environmentâ€? for trout and salmon and these are the two main species bought fresh. Some fresh trout is sold packed and the modified atmosphere packaging introduced in supermarket chains such as Biedronka (2000 shops in Poland) and Lidl (800 shops) seems very promising. Trout is consumers’ favoured choice when grilling fish, something that was confirmed during the promotional campaigns organised by the Polish Trout Breeders Association in 2011-2014. Market surveys have shown that during the four years of the campaign trout consumption grew by 40. There is still room for improvement and many trout producers (73) have direct sales points at the farm. PTBA is planning to continue trout promotion activities in the next years to match the increased production of trout (due to EMFF supported investments) with market growth. The EU Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC) is now almost a year old. Is the PTBA represented on the council? What are your expectations from this body and how do you intend to collaborate with organisations that are also represented in the

The Aquaculture Advisory Council is a new forum for communication between the aquaculture sector and the European Commission. This open forum allows for the participation of national associations and we see it as an opportunity to bring forward our views and ideas, showing the specific conditions Polish fish farms deal with. On the other hand, the AAC brings the discussions to a completely different level, where you have to take into account the views of environmental NGOs. It is an interesting exercise, forcing aquaculture representatives to present their arguments keeping in mind all the aspects of the production. The great value of the AAC is the direct contact with relevant persons from the European Commission, who attend the meetings. The AAC is a new body and we are aware that time is needed for NGOs and the aquaculture sector to reach a common understanding of trout production. The PTBA is a member of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers, a body that, as the voice of the European aquaculture sector, advises the Commission and the European Parliament. What are the priorities of the aquaculture sector that the PTBA would like to see FEAP articulate? PTBA is a member of FEAP since the early 90s. We find it highly useful to gain a broad view of the situation in different areas in other countries and in many cases the experience gained via FEAP has brought real solutions to our problems. There is still great value in FEAP membership, especially with the planned new disease eradication regulation,

which will be discussed in 2018. From our point of view the current disease eradication system has not proved effective and we would like to raise a discussion on how to make the law work. For now it seems to be the most important point in the agenda of FEAP as well as the AAC. What are your own personal feelings about the trout farming industry? What are the most striking changes you have experienced yourself over all the years that you have been involved in fish farming? Do you like to eat trout yourself or do you prefer other fish or seafood? Trout farming in Poland is fairly new branch of aquaculture with open minded, innovative people. I find it a privilege to be part of a developing, innovative sector with the potential to grow. I have been brought up on a traditional fish farm and for my parents the farm they have built has been a way of life. The change that came with the next generation, but also with new people developing new farms, is in the attitude, where fish production is a business. I and my family live on a farm and we eat our fish on a daily basis. Our farm is three kilometres from the nearest town, so while everything else you need to drive to buy, the fish is always there. Moreover, we are aware, that there is no safer food for us and our children than farmed fish. This is what we say to our customers – we are responsible for the fish from the very start to the end, we know it’s whole life and we know what we offer. Recently we discovered ceviche made of raw trout fillet and that is the top fish dish at home for the moment. You don’t need much to prepare fine food – just a high quality fresh fish!

XXX FVSPlTINBHB[JOF DPN

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DIARY DATES

7 February 2018 Marel Salmon ShowHow Copenhagen, Denmark marel.com/salmonshowhow 11-13 March 2018 Seafood Expo North America Boston, USA Tel.: +1 207 842 55 04 customerservice@divcom.com www.seafoodexpo.com

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13-15 September 2018 Global Fisheries Forum & Seafood Expo St. Petersburg, Russia Tel.: +7 906 731 92 79 reklama@rusďŹ shexpo.com www.rusďŹ shexpo.ru 24-26 April 2018 Seafood Expo Global / Seafood Processing Global Brussels, Belgium Tel.: +1 207 842 55 04 customerservice@divcom.com www.seafoodexpo.com

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