World Fishing October 2022

EU member states are being urged to step-up the fight against illegal fishing after a special re port compiled by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) found the “uneven way” in which checks and sanctions are being applied across the bloc to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is being exploited by unscrupulous operators.

The auditors are recommending that the European Commission should monitor that member states reinforce their control systems for preventing the import of illegal fishery products and also ensure that they apply dissuasive sanctions against illegal fishing in EU waters and beyond.

“The EU has control systems in place to make it harder for illegally fished products to reach consumers,” said Eva Lindström, the ECA member who led the audit. “But in spite of those measures, these products keep ending up on EU citizens’ plates. One key reason is that checks and sanctions are applied unevenly by member states.”

According to the auditors, the catchcertification scheme set up in 2008 to guarantee the legality of imported fishery products had improved traceability and reinforced import controls, but the scheme remains paper-based, which entails an increased risk of fraud.

A single electronic database at EU level would be more effective, the auditors say.

Through the IT system CATCH, developed by the European Commission in 2019, the EU already has a system to help detect fraud and to automate controls. However, no member state currently uses it, confirmed Lindström.

Furthermore, after finding that in some member states, sanctions aren’t discouraging enough to deter illegal fishing, because they’re not proportionate to the economic benefit derived from the infringements, the auditors recommend that the Commission should work on the uniform and effective application of a dissuasive sanctioning system. Additionally, they are calling for the penalty-point system to be harmonised across member states.

See Insight – page 12.

NORWAY PROPOSES NEW TAX ON SALMON FARMING

The Government of Norway has announced plans to introduce a new resource rent tax on aquaculture with effect from 1 January 2023.

Its proposal, which needs to be approved by parliament, covers the production of salmon, trout and rainbow trout and involves the taxation of resource rent at an effective rate of 40%.

A tax-free allowance of between 4,000 and 5,000 tonnes will be granted for smaller-scale producers, which applies to 65-70% of the country’s aquaculture companies.

An effective resource rent tax rate of 40% means that the formal resource rent tax rate is set at 51.3%. Including corporate tax, the total effective marginal tax is 62%.

The move could generate proceeds of between NOK 3.65 and 3.8 billion, with the intention to pass half of the revenues collected to public funds.

Announcing its proposal, the government explained that Statistics Norway had identified substantial resource rent in the aquaculture industry over several years. Resource rent in aquaculture has risen strongly since 2012 and for the period 2016 to 2018 totalled over NOK 20 billion.

With resource rent for 2021 estimated at NOK 11.8 billion, the government said it is reasonable for society to receive a share of the extraordinary return generated through the exploitation of the resources that it utilises, mainly the fjords and sea areas.

As WF went to press, an updated tax proposal was put forward by Faroese authorities.

VIEWPOINT

JASON HOLLAND | Editor | jholland@worldfishing.net

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EXECUTIVE

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Anti-IUU efforts are falling short, and the European Union is as culpable as any other major market

That’s the estimated scale of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing globally. In today’s market this volume equates to 10 to 23 billion dollars’ worth of fish. While these very alarming numbers date back to the early 2000s, unfortunately there’s not been sufficient cause to re-evaluate the problem. This is despite the understanding that IUU fishing depletes fish stocks, destroys marine habitats, distorts competition, puts honest fishermen at an unfair disadvantage and weakens coastal communities, particularly in developing countries.

While authorities around the world have sought to close loopholes that allow illegal operators to profit from their activities, illegally-caught fish are still ending up on consumers’ dinner plates.

This means that anti-IUU efforts are falling short, and the European Union is as culpable as any other major market, as the new report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA) illustrates. What’s concerning about this is that the 27-member state bloc is not only a major global player in the fisheries sector with 79,000 active catching vessels, it’s also the No. 1 importer of fishery products, accounting for 34% of the total world trade.

For all the good intentions of the IUU regulation that the EU introduced in 2010, which applies to all landings and transhipments of its own and third-country fishing vessels in its ports, and all trade of marine fishery products to and from the bloc, ECA’s report establishes that the rules are being undermined by a lack of effort among some member states, including a failure to impose deterrent sanctions.

Because of uneven rule implementation by EU nations, illegal products are still entering the market. Indeed, it’s accepted that illicit operators are picking member states where their products are most likely to enter. Once there, products can move freely throughout the EU.

As ECA suggests, what’s needed now – to protect consumers, lawabiding fishers and more besides – is for EU policymakers to again take up the mantle, ensure that weak links used by illegal operators are promptly eradicated and that sufficient regulations, deterrents and sanctions are put in place and enforced across all member states. Essentially, to end the scourge of IUU, the net needs to be made a lot tighter.

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BRIEFS

New CEO at Skaginn 3X

BAADER has appointed a new chief executive for SKAGINN 3X and BAADER Ísland in a move the company says will further strengthen its strategic position in Iceland. Sigsteinn Gretarsson joins new appointments, Jón Birgir Gunnarsson as chief sales officer and Guðjón M. Ólafsson as chief financial officer.

KFO calls for fuel support

Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has called for immediate political action to alleviate the soaring cost of fuel which it says is causing hardship and anxiety for the Irish fishing industry. Chief executive Seán O’Donoghue said approximately half of KFO members’ gross earnings are now spent on putting fuel in their boats.

UK expands prawn tariff

UK government has announced an expansion to the autonomous tariff quota (ATQ) on imports of coldwater prawn products into the country. This expansion (order no. 05.2795) provides an extra volume of 3,200 tonnes on top of anything imported under order no. 05.2794 (which has a volume of 6,500 tonnes) and will apply for the period 13 October 2022 –31 December 2022.

Pair fined for AIS breaches

Two fishing vessels have been fined by the Spanish government for turning of their automatic identification systems (AIS) without legitimate reason. As a result of data provided by conservation organisation Oceana, Releixo and Egaluze have been hit with fines of €20,000 for disabling their AIS for more than 1,000 hours between 2012 and 2016.

AID YET TO REACH FISH FARMERS

Seven months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European aquaculture businesses still haven’t received the compensation that was promised.

In March, the European Commission initiated a financial package to support the fishing and aquaculture sectors through the crisis mechanism of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, with a second package agreed in April.

However, this support is yet to reach those affected, says the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP). “Seven months into the Ukraine war crisis none of the supposedly urgent compensation money has yet reached any fish farmer in the European Union,” FEAP said in a statement.

Whilst the effects of the war and before that, the Covid-19 pandemic, are felt by many industries, fish farming has a key difference, argues FEAP, in that farms cannot simply down tools. Stocks need to be continuously fed and cared for, so costs cannot be reduced.

“Fish farms cannot stop their activity and wait for the storm to pass,” it said.

Challenges facing the industry include the high price of feed, the unavailability of some raw materials for feed, overpriced oxygen, transportation costs, and a rocketing inflation rate affecting packaging materials, maintenance and labour.

Compensation rules mean that the sector is paid per company and not per site even

BRISTOL BAY SETS NEW SALMON RECORD

Alaska’s Bristol Bay’s 2022 inshore sockeye salmon run totalled 79 million fish – the largest run on record and some 81% above the 43.6 million average for the latest 20-year period (2022-2021). Additionally, it was just the fourth time that the Bristol Bay inshore sockeye salmon run exceeded 60 million fish.

Bristol Bay’s 2022 sockeye salmon run was 8% above the preseason inshore forecast of 73.4 million fish, with runs to every district except Togiak ending up larger than the preseason forecast.

The commercial harvest of 60.1 million sockeye salmon was essentially the same as the 59.9 million preseason forecast and was the largest harvest on record, surpassing the previous record set in 1995 of 44.3 million sockeye salmon by 36%.

All sockeye salmon escapement goals were met or exceeded, with a total bay-wide escapement of 18.9 million fish.

Preliminary harvest estimates for other species are 8,374 Chinook, 301,816 chum, 9,040 coho and 95,724 pink salmon, with the 60.5 million harvest of all salmon species

though most operators own and manage several sites. This is making aid insufficient in most cases, FEAP said.

“Efforts to make fish farming profitable again have failed because of the overcautious implementation of European environmental laws at national and regional levels,” said the statement. “A solution to this would pass through the establishment of legally binding targets on aquaculture production per member state,” it concluded.

becoming the largest on record.

A preliminary ex-vessel value of US$351.7 million for all salmon species ranks first in the last 20 years and was 110% above the 20-year average of $167.5 million.

The ex-vessel value of salmon caught in Bristol Bay in 2022 was estimated using the fish ticket weight, and price paid for each species. Prices are based on the major buyers’ base price and do not include future price adjustments for icing, bleeding, floating, or production bonuses.

Bristol Bay fisheries are managed for allocation (secondary to escapement) between drift and set gillnet gear groups in four of five districts. Togiak District is excluded from the allocation plan.

8 Without the financial support promised by Brussels, many fish farming operations will struggle, warns FEAP

EUROPE URGED TO REPLACE BOTTOM TRAWLING

The destructive technique of bottom trawling could easily be replaced in the Europe an Union by less aggressive fishing practices, according to a new report.

The study, ‘Exploring Alternatives to Europe’s Bottom Trawl Fishing Gears’, published by ocean protection organisations Seas at Risk and Oceana, states that switching to readily available alternatives will help improve fisheries resources, and protect the seabed and marine habitats.

“The destructive nature of bottom trawling is no longer seriously disputed,” said Nicolas Fournier, Campaign Director for Marine Protection at Oceana in Europe. “The question is rather: when are we going to act on it? The European Commission must embrace this opportunity to shape a new vision of future low-impact, low carbon EU fisheries and prepare for this necessary transition now.”

Bottom trawling is the main fishing method used in Europe, accounting for 32% of total EU landings whilst also responsible for 93% of all reported discards over the period 2015-2019.

This, the report claims, equated to 1 million tonnes.

However, more than 25

other types of gear exist with generally fewer damaging effects, such as purse seines, set gillnets or pots and traps. These already represent 66% of total EU landings and can be used to greater effect.

“Alternative, less aggressive fishing gears could partly, and reliably, replace bottom trawling in European waters. More importantly, replacing this harmful fishing gear would make a considerable difference for the health of our ocean and our future. The European Commission must seize this opportunity in their upcoming ocean Action Plan,” Seas At Risk Marine Policy Officer Andrea Ripol said.

The report also highlights damage done by trawling for

8 Bottom trawling is responsible for 93% of all reported discards in the EU, claims the report

species such as sandeels, sprats and blue whiting which are used to produce fish oil and aquaculture feed, suggesting these can instead be replaced with alternatives such as insects or plants. Similarly, species landed in large quantities by bottom trawlers such as Atlantic cod are overfished and should be better protected.

The authors are calling on the European Commission with its imminent ‘Action Plan to conserve fisheries resources and protect marine ecosystems’ to impose an immediate ban on bottom trawling in sensitive ocean areas, such as all EU marine protected areas and coastal zones.

US AQUACULTURE RECEIVES $14M BOOST

National Oceanic and Atmos pheric Administration’s (NOAA) Sea Grant has allocated approximately US$14 million in federal funding across four strategic areas for improving US aquaculture.

The competitively selected projects will advance earlystage propagation strategies for various aquaculture species, marine finfish juvenile production technologies, aquaculture collaboratives and establishment of an aquaculture information exchange.

“These investments demonstrate Sea Grant’s commitment to sustainably growing US aquaculture throughout coastal and Great Lakes communities,” said

BRIEFS

Mowi salmon farm appeal

Mowi Scotland is appealing a recent refusal of planning permission for an additional pen at its Loch Hourn salmon farm which would increase production capacity by 10%. Permission was refused over concerns that the additional biomass would exacerbate the decline of wild salmon and seatrout and potentially threaten the local freshwater pearl mussel population. However, Mowi believes there’s a strong case for contesting the decision as the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency raised no such concerns.

All change at AAC

The EU affiliated Aquaculture Advisory Council has chosen Brian Thomsen as its chair for the next three years. Thomsen has represented the Danish Aquaculture Organisation in the AAC since its creation. Also appointed are Paul Denekamp as 1st Vice-Chair, Philipe Le Gal as 2nd Vice-Chair and Addy Risseeuw as Treasurer for the period 2022-2025.

New seafood fund for UK

Jonathan Pennock, director of NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Programme. “The funded projects, which address a variety of challenges, will ensure that growth of the aquaculture sector will be informed by the latest science and community needs.”

The four strategic areas of investment are:

8 $5.1 million over three years to nine research projects that will develop and refine early-stage propagation strategies for aquaculture species

8 $3.3 million over three years to four research projects that will advance marine finfish juvenile production technologies

for aquaculture 8 $4.7 million for two years of continued support for 11 advanced aquaculture collaboratives initially funded as part of Sea Grant’s 2019 National Aquaculture Initiative

8 Virginia Sea Grant to host an Aquaculture Information Exchange in partnership with USDA Regional Aquaculture Centres, with an award of $785,000 over the next four years

The National Sea Grant College programme was established by US Congress in 1966 and works to create and maintain a healthy coastal environment and economy.

The latest round of the UK Seafood Innovation Fund has been launched to provide £3 million of additional funding to help tackle challenges encountered across the country’s seafood industry. Taking the total funding made available under the scheme to £19 million, Call 4 will provide 18 months’ worth of funding to successful applicants.

Bluefront ups Redox stake

Bluefront Equity has increased its share of aquaculture technology firm, Redox, to 82%. The seafood investor became majority shareholder in May 2021 with a 52% share.

Photo credit: Seas At Risk

BRIEFS

Stranda Prolog in administration

Aquaculture technology manufacturer Stranda Prolog has filed for insolvency, blaming the Covid-19 pandemic, cost increases and shortages of materials and labour. Marel, which acquired 40% of Stranda Prolog in January 2021, has estimated the impact from Stranda Prolog’s collapse to be around €7 million in the Q3 2022 accounts.

Wicked Kitchen makes waves

Wicked Kitchen has acquired one of the United States’ leading plant-based seafood brands, Good Catch. The takeover extends Wicked Kitchen’s multicategory range to include frozen and ambient seafood products.

Middle East oysters certified

The first oyster farm established in the Middle East has received Friend of the Sea recognition for sustainable practices. Dibba Bay Oyster Farm is a unique project producing sustainably farmed Pacific oysters in the waters of Northern Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates while supporting marine conservation efforts. Set up in 2016, the company produces over 300,000 oysters a month.

New ASC salmon standard

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council has updated its Salmon Standard, following a rigorous science-based review process. According to the non-profit, version 1.4, which has a specific scope on sea lice management, will lead to more robustness in sampling and monitoring and immediate remedy action when needed.

UK AUTHORITIES ISSUE SMOKED FISH

Vulnerable groups of consumers in the United Kingdom are being advised that ready-toeat smoked fish products carry the risk of Listeria monocytogenes infections.

New advice from Food Standards Scotland (FSS), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to those who are over 65, pregnant or have weakened immune systems is that they should ensure that ready-to-eat smoked fish is thoroughly cooked before they eat it. This is because of an ongoing outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes which is particularly unsafe for those who are susceptible to Listeria infection.

An investigation has identified 14 linked cases of listeriosis since 2020, with eight of these since January 2022. Cases have been identified in England and Scotland. The majority of these individuals reported eating ready-to-eat smoked fish.

Listeriosis is a form of food poisoning caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes

According to the FSS, most people who are affected get mild gastroenteritis which subsides in a few days. However, certain individuals are particularly at risk of severe illness such as meningitis and life-threatening sepsis. These include those over the age of 65, those with certain underlying conditions such as cancer, liver and kidney failure or who are taking medications which can weaken the immune system. Listeriosis in pregnancy can cause miscarriages and severe sepsis or meningitis in newborn babies.

FSS Head of Food Crime and Incidents Ron McNaughton said that while the risks to the general public of becoming seriously ill due to Listeria are very low, it is important that people who are vulnerable to be aware of the ongoing risks of consuming ready-to-eat smoked fish.

“If anyone from these groups is eating ready-to-eat smoked fish, we are reminding them of the advice to ensure that it is thoroughly cooked before they eat it including when served as part of a dish.

“People can also further

8 Listeria bacteria in ready-to-eat smoked fish can pose a risk to some

reduce the risk by keeping chilled ready to eat smoked fish cold (5⁰C or below), always using products by their use-by date, following the storage instructions on the label, and cooking it until it is piping hot right through.”

UKHSA’s Interim Deputy Director Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Safety Professor Saheer Gharbia said that in light of the ongoing outbreak, it is advising pregnant and vulnerable people to only eat ready-to-eat smoked fish that has been thoroughly cooked to reduce the risk of listeriosis.

FSS has created an online Smoked Fish Tool, which helps manufacturers assess their individual practices with tips and guidance to support safe production, including the use of cold- and hot-smoking and shelf-life.

AMERICAN SEAFOOD COUNCIL SET TO RETURN

The creation of a national seafood marketing council for the United States has moved a step closer with Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi introducing the Seafood Marketing Act of 2022, co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland.

The legislation would reestablish the National Seafood Council as a vehicle to promote the consumption of seafood.

“America’s seafood industry provides our nation with some of the most nutritious, cost-effective, and delicious protein on the market. That is especially true in my home state of Mississippi where our producers are a cultural and economic treasure,” Wicker

said. “This bipartisan effort would raise awareness about the positive health benefits of eating seafood and continue supporting a critical sector of the American economy.”

“Americans are looking for competitive options at the supermarket and seafood provides a range of tastes for healthy and delicious meals,” said Cardin. “Across the Chesapeake Bay and across the country, seafood is an integral component of our economy. I’m proud to join Senator Wicker in this bipartisan effort to support this important industry.”

Wicker also worked to include language in the FY23 Appropriations bill that would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

(NOAA) to deliver a report to Congress on how the agency would best support the National Seafood Council.

The National Seafood Council previously operated from 1986 to 1991. At the time, data showed it had an impact on national seafood consumption. The bipartisan measure would re-establish the council with federal support until 2027, at which point funding responsibility would transfer to seafood industry stakeholders.

Wicker’s legislation has won the support of several industry and state organisations, such as Catfish Farmers of America, Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association, and the Seafood Nutrition Partnership.

American lobsters (Homus americanus) caught in the United States and Canada have been added to the list of species for consumers to avoid by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch programme, with the sustainable seafood advocacy group citing the risks that the fisheries pose to endangered North Atlantic right whales.

The lobsters have had their designation changed from “Good Alternative” to “Avoid” with Seafood Watch saying that entanglement in fishing gear is the leading cause of serious injury and death to the whales.

Seafood Watch stated that the North Atlantic right whale is in danger of extinction and has experienced a 25% decline in numbers over the past decade, with fewer than 340 animals existing today. It gave the same designation to 12 American lobster catching areas of the Atlantic Ocean.

Justifying the move for the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank Fishery, it said “by-

AMERICAN LOBSTER GETS ‘RED-LISTED’

Angus King, Governor Janet Mills, Senator Susan Collins, and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden have called on Seafood Watch to immediately reverse the red-listing.

catch management is rated ineffective for all pot and set gillnet fisheries operating within the North Atlantic right whale’s range because current management measures do not go far enough to mitigate entanglement risks and promote recovery of the species”.

But lobster fishers are arguing that the US regulates traps to the point where they consider it unfeasible for

8 Maine leaders are urging Seafood Watch to take American lobsters off its seafood to avoid list

right whales to get caught in their traps, while the Maine Lobstermen’s Association says there has not been any interaction with right whales in nearly 20 years.

In Maine, where it’s estimated the lobster industry contributes about $1 billion to the local economy and supports more than 5,500 workers, Senator

In a letter to the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s board led by Senator King, they say the significant factual omissions of Seafood Watch’s lobster report, criticise the organisation for holding the Maine lobster industry to an impossible “guilty until proven innocent” standard, and call for answers on several key questions.

The Maine leaders highlighted there hasn’t been a right whale entanglement with Maine lobster gear since 2004, and right whale deaths or serious injury have never been attributed to Maine lobster gear.

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BRIEFS

Monaco invests in blue

An investment fund focused on the ‘blue economy’ has received a commitment of €10 million from the Constitutional Reserve Fund of Monaco to help improve ocean health. With this backing, Ocean 14 Capital has now raised €100 million since launching in December 2021 and is on track to invest in eight companies this year and to grow its portfolio to between 20 and 25 businesses within three years.

Tesco joins proocean drive

UK retailer Tesco has joined the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) in a new initiative to help protect the marine environment. Tesco has recently undergone an independent audit by SFP, the RSPB and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation of all its seafood suppliers, examining the threats to sharks and rays, seabirds, marine mammals and sea turtles from bycatch.

EU funding for Cyprus

Cyprus has been given €38.3 million in EU funding to help promote the sustainable growth of the country’s aquaculture and fishing sectors. The total financial allocation for the Cyprus Programme 20212027 is €54.7 million over the next seven years.

Marel breaks new ground

The Aquaculture Processing equipment manufacturer Marel has started the construction of a new global distribution centre in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Billed as the most significant organic investment that the company has ever made, the new facility is expected to shorten the lead times to customers.

AUSTRALIA UNITES TO REBUILD SEAFOOD EXPORTS

National body Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) has released the industry’s first whole-of-industry Export Market Strategic Plan in order to help struggling exports.

“This plan has a focus on unity and growth and reflects the important role our export sector plays in the Australian seafood industry, the AUD 1.4 billion contribution we make to the national economy and future-proofing the supply of sustainable and nutritious Australian seafood to the world’s growing population,” said Veronica Papacosta, CEO, SIA.

Papacosta said the Australian seafood industry was the first and worst hit when the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Its seafood exports stopped virtually overnight and the impacts were confounded by growing international trade tensions.

The overarching goal of the plan is to grow Australian seafood exports to AUD 2 billion by 2030.

”To achieve this, we will increase the volume we export, get more for our products through premium pricing, strengthen our existing markets

Ireland’s fishing fleet is expected to experience significant decreases in revenue and profitability this year, according to preliminary industry data compiled for 2021-2022 and published in BIM’s inaugural Annual Fisheries Report.

The new analysis finds that for 2020, the Irish fleet’s revenue increased 2% on the previous year, amounting to €312 million, while its gross value added (GVA) increased 6% to €161 million and gross profit soared 24% to €65 million. However, its net profit decreased 20% to €32 million. The fleet landed 218,600 tonnes of fisheries products that year.

In its economic performance outlook for 2021-2022, the report states that despite a 6% increase in landings by weight from 2020 to 2021, the projections are that the 2021

and expand into new markets and increase the capabilities and number of exporting businesses,” she said.

The plan focuses strategic activities around three country tiers. Tier one countries are countries where trade is currently open and there is high-growth potentialcountries like Japan, Vietnam and South Korea.

Tier two countries are ones where trade is open, but the market is more competitive or could be impacted by other barriers. These markets may have been strong in the past and the ability to be again in the future, or with strategic

positioning could be strong trading partners. So, China, the UK and the United States.

Tier three includes countries like India, where Australia has an interim free trade agreement in place and could be a strong trading partner for Australian seafood in the future.

The Export Market Strategic Plan is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment’s Agricultural Trade and the Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) Program.

FALLING FISH PRICES TO IMPACT IRISH PROFITABILITY

revenue will fall 9% to €283 million, the GVA will drop 26% to €120 million, while gross and net profit will decrease by 58% and 75% respectively to €27.6 million and €8.1 million.

These results are expected to come from a 7.5% fall in the landings value, in turn brought by lower fish prices.

The fleet landed 233,000 tonnes of fish in 2021, an increase of 7% from the previous year.

Furthermore, a further decrease in economic performance id forecast for this year, driven by a decrease in the landings weight and rising operational costs.

In terms of economic

indicators, revenue and net profit are predicted to increase with GVA and gross profit decreasing, driven primarily by rising inflation and unprecedented energy costs.

BIM’s report also anticipates that the tie-up schemes running June-November 2022 will allow some segments of the fleet to absorb the impacts of rising fuel costs and the reduced access of fishing quotas as a result of Brexit.

In 2020, there were 1,938 registered vessels in Ireland’s fleet. Of these, 1,391 were active. Around 81% of these vessels were under 12 metres in length and mainly operated in inshore waters.

8 Australia wants to see its seafood export earnings reach AUD 2 billion by 2030

INSIGHT

The future of fishing

SLIPPING THROUGH THE NET

While measures exist to keep illegal fishing in place, it’s still all too easy for illegally fished products to reach European consumers, writes Jason Holland

It’s discussed a lot in seafood circles about how illegal, unreported and unregulated – or IUU – fishing ranks amongst the greatest threats to marine ecosystems and the sustainability of fisheries. Incentivised by the unprecedented demand for seafood, the global value of IUU fishing is estimated to be somewhere between US$10 and 23 billion annually, involving some 11 to 26 million tonnes of fish, which in turn equates to up to 19% of the overall reported catch. This comes at a time when 94% of global fish stocks are either fully-exploited or over-exploited.

One of the most lucrative destinations for IUU operators is the biggest seafood market of all, the European Union. Its legal imports of €23 billion worth of non-EU seafood accounts for around 34% of the world’s total trade, with a lot more besides entering via unscrupulous backdoors.

While the bloc and its member states have put measures in place to keep illegal fishing in check, significant differences in the way checks and sanctions are applied across the region mean they are far from as effective as they should be, finds a new special report published by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) at the request of European Parliament.

Delivering the analysis, Eva Lindström, the ECA member who led the sector audit, conceded that despite the EU’s

current control systems, including the catch certification scheme that was set up in 2008 to guarantee the legality of imported fishery products, “they keep ending up on EU citizens’ plates”.

Undermined

Covering the period 2014-2020, ECA’s audit focused on the effectiveness of control systems for preventing imports of illegal fishery products and on the effectiveness of member states’ control systems for checking national fleets and waters. Among its findings, ECA determined the catch certification scheme had improved traceability and reinforced import control, but that its effectiveness was being undermined by the differences in the scope and quality of checks conducted on imports, while the lack of digitalisation has also reduced its efficiency and increased the risk of fraud.

“It’s important that checks are robust enough to prevent control shopping, whereby export operators exploit the weakest link and try to slip through the net by importing to the country with the weakest controls,” Lindström said.

While the auditors have not compiled a “name and shame list”, the Commission has generated an action plan that has determined at least 16 member states need to step-up when it comes to fishery controls, she added.

8 With imports totalling of €23 billion, the EU accounts for around 34% of the world’s total seafood trade

The report is therefore recommending that the European Commission should monitor that member states reinforce their control systems for preventing illegal fishery product imports and ensure that they apply dissuasive sanctions against illegal fishing both in EU waters and beyond.

Digitalisation

A big part of the problem, ECA believes, is that the scheme is paper-based, which brings an increased risk of fraud. Whereas a single electronic database at EU level would be more effective and provide the platform for improved information sharing, it says.

“It’s important that all member states do step-up and digitalise controls in ways that are much more advanced than today, and also that they share information,” Lindström said.

‘‘

She also highlighted that the European Commission has already the developed EU-wide IT system CATCH to help detect fraud and to automate controls. But despite being available since 2019, no member state has used it because it’s implementation is on a voluntary basis while a handful of countries have developed their own systems. The Commission has proposed to make the use of the IT system mandatory a move that ECA supports. But there remains a reluctance for member states to do so, despite the concerns of EU citizens, Lindström conceded. “The proposal has been on the table and debated for several years now, and it’s very much up to the legislators to take the step because no chain is stronger than its weakest link. That’s why it’s so important that member states comply and have these controls.”

Infringements

With member states responsible for checking the fishing activities of their flagged fleets and in their waters, the auditors found that national checks often detected instances of illegal fishing. Between 2015 and 2019, some 345,510 inspections were conducted in EU waters and on the fleet, with 13% identifying at least one suspected infringement and 6% finding at least one suspected serious infringement. In total, member states reported 69,400 infringements during this period. “This demonstrates that these checks are useful but also that non-compliance remains an issue in EU fisheries,” Lindström said.

But not all member states have effective control systems, she

stressed, with over 76% of the infringements detected by just three member states: Italy (46%), Greece (11%) and Spain (8%); and the now non-EU United Kingdom (12%).

“This is a clear sign that these countries have more advanced control systems because we have no indications that there should be more infringements in these areas. I think that’s something for the other EU countries and the Commission to look at and learn from.”

With regards to the sanctioning system, the auditors noted the vast majority of serious infringements detected led to an investigation or prosecution. That said, the audit found the playing field across the EU wasn’t level, whereby the average fine imposed for a similar infringement ranged from around €200 in Cyprus, Lithuania, and Estonia to more than €7,000 in Spain.

The report also determines that in some member states, sanctions are not dissuasive enough to deter illegal fishing, simply because they aren’t proportionate to the economic benefit derived from the infringements. The auditors are therefore recommending that the Commission should work on the uniform and effective application of a dissuasive sanctioning system, as well as a harmonised penalty-point system across member states.

Loophole

Beyond European waters, the report deems that the EU’s yellow and red carding system for third-countries exporting to the region, part of its IUU Regulation, has proven useful, but that it mainly impacts countries with only minimal EU fish trade.

Of the 27 procedures initiated since 2012, six have resulted in a red card, whereby member states must reject all imports of fishery products from that country’s vessels. Three of these countries have since been delisted. ECA advises that while pre-identification (a yellow card) doesn’t involve any sanctions, the warning is generally sufficient to spark relevant reforms. Indeed, since launching the system, 14 yellow cards were lifted after one to four years following significant reforms in the countries concerned. Nevertheless, it’s also identified that a loophole exists with there being no international legal basis to prevent the reflagging of a fishing vessel, nor to prevent third-country vessels from operating in the exclusive economic zone of carded countries. As such, vessels flagged by a noncooperating flag state can reflag elsewhere, and third-country vessels can still operate in that country’s exclusive economic zone. In both cases, their certified catches can be legally exported to the EU. “When it comes to what ends up on the consumers’ plates, we really do have to rely on the control systems both in terms of import controls and also what comes from fleets in the EU,” Lindström said. “In the EU, we have a control system in place to make it harder for illegal fish products to reach consumers, but some improvements are needed to make it stronger. It’s clear we need to tighten the net to end illegal fishing.”

8 European Court of Auditors’ Eva Lindström

It’s important that checks are robust enough to prevent control shopping, whereby export operators exploit the weakest link

Eva Lindström, European Court of Auditors

NEWHORIZONS

Focusing on Fisheries Development

KEEPING TABS ON HABS

Scotland and the United States are taking steps to address one of aquaculture’s greatest challenges, reports Bonnie Waycott

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are an overgrowth of certain species of algae in water. Ranging from microscopic organisms to large seaweeds, these algae flourish when environmental conditions support rapid growth.

While some are non-toxic, others produce toxins and can have adverse health effects on fish, mammals, birds and even humans. It’s also possible that changes in the environment are influencing the location, timing and intensity of HABs but in ways that are not yet fully understood.

The impacts of HABs can be devastating for aquaculture. Some algae can damage the gills of fish, making it impossible for them to take in enough oxygen. Others produce toxins that render shellfish unfit for human consumption. It goes without saying that the economic impact is detrimental.

With the number and frequency of HABs likely to rise, aquaculture in Scotland is turning to technology to keep track of HABs. Experts believe that a greater focus on real-time data collection and early warnings of the timing, location and magnitude of HABs and their associated biotoxins will bring significant benefits to fish and shellfish farmers.

“In Scotland, it’s hard to predict whether the same HAB-related problems will occur year on year,” Debra Brennan, fish health laboratory manager at Mowi told WF “Environmental factors such as currents and tides also affect whether HABs will occur and how long they will remain, while some HABs are toxic and others aren’t. But with sea temperatures becoming warmer, we are likely to see more of them in future, so it’s even more important for farmers to have up-to-date information.”

Early detection

“We have two areas of interest in Scotland HAB organisms that produce biotoxins that kill farmed fish, and those that affect humans through shellfish,” said Professor Keith Davidson, associate director at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS).

“We monitor phytoplankton as part of a regulatory programme that is operated by Food Standards Scotland. Sampling officers go out once a week and collect water samples that are analysed by microscopy. Based on phytoplankton and shellfish toxicity data, regulators will close down a particular farming area if necessary until the toxins depurate. That has worked very well in terms of human health we believe that the last time anyone got sick from farmed shellfish in Scotland was in 2013.”

A lot of SAMS work is to understand HABs and their causes, and to develop early-warning systems that allow aquaculture to respond, Davidson explained.

It has a website habreports.org, which provides a map of current and historic HAB conditions, and has also developed a downloadable PDF bulletin, a weekly HAB assessment which summarises environmental conditions and what the organisation thinks will happen and when.

“The website contains information such as risk indexes and an oceanographic model that helps us see or predict where a HAB could be in the next few days. We are now using it increasingly with fish farms,” he said.

A number of companies in Scotland, including marine technology developer OTAQ, are also looking at digitising the identification and prediction of HABs.

OTAQ’s early warning system is expected to reach the commercial market later this year and uses a combination of artificial intelligence (AI), sensor technology and digital microscopy to identify potential issues accurately and

We have a good sense that HAB impacts are rising globally

Marc Suddleson, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

‘‘

8 There are opportunities for industry to use technology and innovative mitigation tools to protect fishImage: Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre

quickly. Davidson and his team are also trying to embed some newer technologies.

It is currently working with two Imaging FlowCytobots (IFCBs) that generate images of phytoplankton. Data is collected through flow cytometric and video technology to capture high-resolution images of suspended particles. Using AI approaches, these can be automatically classified to genus or species level.

Growing risk

HABs are also a significant problem in the US, affecting commercial and recreational fisheries, aquaculture and coastal tourism.

The species that cause HABs, the habitats in which they occur and their impacts vary significantly. To address this, the National Ocean Atmospheric Agency (NOAA)’s HAB programme, led by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), is working to understand and respond to HABs using sensors and analytical methods that detect and accurately measure cells and toxins and enhance HAB response capacity.

“We have a good sense that HAB impacts are rising globally and in the US,” said Marc Suddleson, a HAB Research Programme Manager at NCCOS. “In some regions, blooms and elevated toxin levels are lasting longer, which can lead to prolonged fishery closures, delayed harvests, or harm to wild or farmed fish and shellfish. There is a greater need to better understand and monitor ocean conditions that cause blooms, track problematic algal species and toxins and improve tools to lessen HAB impacts on US aquaculture.”

Observation networks, modelling and forecasting capabilities are some of the best approaches we currently have to lessen HAB impacts, said Suddleson. One example is the Pacific Northwest HAB Bulletin, a successful pilot system that assembles data on ocean conditions, wind currents, algal species abundances and toxin levels in coastal waters and in the shellfish themselves along the Washington and Oregon coast. An advanced ocean sensor, the Environmental Sensor Processor, adds real-time toxin data.

The bulletin is shared with state and tribal managers to provide an early warning of potential HAB impacts and help inform razor clam fishery decisions. A new effort to

monitor shellfish-killing algal species by Soundtoxins promises help for shellfish growers in the region.

NOAA and partners are discussing how to sustain these successful pilots through NOAA’s HAB forecasting service and a planned National HAB Observing Network (NHABON).

“We offer a suite of strong tools including advanced monitoring, HAB early warnings and forecasts that can lessen or mitigate the impacts of HABs,” said Suddleson. “NCCOS also seeks new HAB control strategies that may one day eliminate HAB impacts and supports research to accelerate the development and future applications of scientifically feasible, environmentally acceptable, and cost- effective HAB control strategies.”

Knowledge sharing

While obtaining early warnings of HABs is of great value to aquaculture worldwide, Brennan maintains that it is far from straightforward to compare HABs in Scotland with those of other countries due to different ocean conditions, HAB frequency, water temperatures, HAB species and type of farming area.

Davidson added that specific types of phytoplankton in the US, for example, may not necessarily occur off Scotland, such as Karenia brevis, which causes the Florida red tide. But Pseudo-nitzschia that occurs frequently along the US Gulf and Pacific coasts, is also a genus of concern in Scotland.

Suddleson noted that while, “these differences prevent the development of one-size-fits-all solutions to HAB mitigation and control, technological advances are actively exchanged between a global network of HAB scientists”.

He said, “Opportunities to expand engagement with aquaculture industry representatives through national and international HAB workshops and conferences, offering phytoplankton identification training, and considering ways to use farms as testbeds to develop new sensors and detection technologies are good approaches to ensure that mitigation and control solutions reflect grower’s needs.”

Such partnerships are also seen as critical to help the aquaculture industry keep pace with various HAB impacts that are expected as our oceans warm under a changing climate.

8 Diatom bloom

Greig Isles, Lynn of LorneImage: Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre

FACTORY TRAWLER ORDERED FOR SOUTH ATLANTIC

Prion will be the latest newbuild to feature in Spain’s distant water fleet’s renewal programme

Spain’s Nodosa Shipyard has secured the contract to construct new 85-metre factory trawler F/V Prion for the Petrel Fishing Company, part of Falklands-based Fortuna Ltd.

The 2,500 GT vessel will be the largest newbuild to feature in the Spanish distant water fleet’s renewal programme in recent years. The build will be funded by a combination of financial reserves and bank loans.

It is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2024 and will replace FV Capricorn in early 2025 to feature in the first Falkland calimari season of the year.

Designed and developed in conjunction with the shipowner’s technical team, it draws on technical innovations incorporated in Falcon, a vessel that Nodosa delivered to the same shipowner a year and a half ago.

Additional upgrades

While it has been reported that Falcon’s initial fishing trips in the South Atlantic have gone very well, improvements are nevertheless being made with Prion aimed at increasing its respect for the environment, as well as raising the levels of safety, comfort and wellbeing for the anticipated 78 crew onboard, as well as the quality of the vessel’s final product.

A cabin is also to be incorporated to provide greater comfort and safety to fishery observers.

According to Nodosa, both the main engine and the auxiliary engines on Prion will comply with the demanding regulations of the South Atlantic fishing grounds in terms of emissions control. They have been designed to work with optimised efficiency at all times, thus ensuring lower polluting emissions and greater savings in fuel consumption.

Ammonia has again been selected as the refrigerant as it’s not only deemed greener (as the chemical exists in nature), but also because it provides greater cooling capacity than other solutions.

Improved efficiency

The shipyard highlighted that another relevant aspect in the search for greater efficiency in navigation and at work is the design of a completely optimised hull. This, it said, directly results in savings in energy consumption and greater environmental benefits.

The hull will feature an inverted bow, which itself is the result of previous experiences with such an arrangement, Nodosa advised.

Other notable elements will include the choice of silicone paints for the hull. These have proven to be more ecological and efficient in consumption for these fishing grounds.

Additionally, a tank will be installed to store biodegradable waste during the hoisting and launching of the rigging, while an approved incinerator will be incorporated to reduce waste coming ashore.

Quality focus

Nodosa explained that thanks to the vessel’s design, it will be possible to reduce the number of people needed in deck manoeuvres. Furthermore, the crew’s work will be more protected from inclement weather, while certain loading and unloading processes have been automated.

To keep fishery products in ideal condition, the extraction processes will be improved, alongside the provision of a temporary storage system for containment until processing as well as a quick-freezing solution.

Prion represents the fifth contract Nodosa has won in recent years for large offshore freezer vessels specialised in the complicated South Atlantic fisheries. Monteferro began the fleet’s renewal, followed by Argos Cíes, Montelourido and Falcon Longliner CFL Hunter was delivered in 2017 specifically for the Patagonian toothfish fishery.

8 F/V Prion will be owned and operated by Fortuna joint-venture company, Petrel Fishing Company Ltd

NEW CRABBER FOR SCOTTISH FLEET

Stuart MacDougall takes delivery of Euroclydon GY77 from Macduff Shipyards

The 17.4-metre length Euroclydon is the second crabbing fishing vessel built by the Macduff yard in the space of three years, following on from Levanter GY7. Both vessels belong to the same owner Stuart MacDougall of fishing company Euroclydon Ltd, with the latest newbuild replacing the owner’s previous vessel of same name, built by Miller & Sons in 1987.

Euroclydon’s tender was signed in summer of 2020, just six months after the owners took delivery of Levanter According to Macduff, the vessel is a new design of vivier crabber, designed between the yard and local Naval Architecture & Consultancy firm Macduff Ship Design. It features many similarities to Levanter, with a similar arrangement throughout. However, with increased length, breadth and depth, Euroclydon provides more space all around to enhance crew comfort, sea keeping and fishing activity.

Design work began in summer of 2020 with consultation between the yard and owner to finalise the general arrangement to their exact needs. With the initial design complete, the construction plans were drawn up by Macduff Ship Design and submitted to the MCA for plan approval under their newly-adopted construction standard, inherited from Seafish.

Efficient operations

The hull up to main deck along with the aft accommodation casing and the forward section of the shelter is built from Lloyds grade A ship building plate. The mid-part of the shelter where fishing activities take place, along with the wheelhouse and mast are built from marine grade aluminium to help reduce the vessels displacement. The hull form features a double chine hull form, transom stern and modern bow designed to cut cleanly through the sea with less energy leading to a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions along with increased crew comfort.

Layout below the main deck features two three-man cabins aft, followed by a large engine room which extends forward over the top of the vivier tank. The vivier tank is positioned amidships with its trunk up to main deck fitted through the engine room. Forward of the engine room a bait store is situated and a water tank is fitted forward of the collision bulkhead in the bow.

Considered layout

Above the deck features the accommodation area aft with galley/mess to starboard, WC aft and a two berth skippers’ cabin and dry locker/laundry to port. Forward of this is the large fully sheltered working deck where the pots are brought onboard, catch emptied into the vivier tank, and pots stacked up until ready to shoot again. The shelter is protected by a large hydraulically powered hatch.

The hauler is mounted forward and leads to a block which is fitted at the end of a telescopic boom which extends outboard of the hull to keep the pots clear of the side when hauling up. Forward at main deck a weathertight bulkhead is fitted, and a store space is arranged with shelving for storage and the anchor chain locker.

Above the shelter deck a large open deck space provides for generous stowage of pots when moving gear to the grounds.

Euroclydon features safety features built into the hull such as recessed foot/hand holds beneath the port and starboard fixed side ladders extending below the waterline and permanent guard rails around the wheelhouse perimeter. In addition, the owner preference of a raised shooting table is arranged in place of a low deck level side opening to keep the crew safe within the shelter.

Optimising catch

The crabber is fitted with a large vivier tank with a capacity of over 40,000 litres of seawater. The tank is subdivided with fibreglass grating partitions so catch can be separated into different species/grades. The tank is serviced by two large electrically powered circulation pumps supplied by Bombas Azcue with the intention one pump is used in service and one on standby. Overflow pipes are arranged port and starboard, above the waterline, so the crew and skipper can visibly see when the pumps are in operation.

Its propulsion setup is based around an innovative, large 2,000mm diameter four-bladed propeller designed and supplied by Wartsila.

A hydraulic system was designed by the yard and features a 1.5-tonne hauler provided by Britannia Engineering, a telescopic boom for the hauling block and large hauling hatch supplied by the yard, a KT120 bow thruster with 800 kg of thrust supplied by Kort Propulsion, and a MFB6 landing crane provided by Thistle Marine. Hydraulic power is provided by two large 37.5 kW motors.

8 Newbuild Euroclydon replaces the owner’s previous vessel of same name

Photo credit: Macduff Shipyards

MACDUFF TRAWLERS NAMED

A special ceremony has taken place on the quays of Macduff harbour to celebrate the building of two large new fishing trawlers by the Macduff Shipyards Ltd, Endeavour V and Venture IV, for the Scottish fishing fleet

Owned and operated by Peter Lovie, Mark Lovie and partners, the trawlers are the largest vessels produced by the yard to date.

The event was organised by the Lovie family and included a large group of guests including many of the businesses involved in both the building and the operation of the vessels.

Endeavour V was handed over in late 2020 but due to the social restrictions at the time a formal naming ceremony could not take place. Venture IV is currently undergoing final outfitting and commissioning and is schedule for delivery this month.

Both vessels were designed by the yard with close collaboration from local Naval Architecture & Marine Consultants, Macduff Ship Design. Due to their large physical size, the hulls of both were subcontracted to Finomar Shipyard, based in Szczecin, Poland.

Full outfitting and engineering works were carried out by the yard, with help from its many partners, in Macduff, Aberdeenshire.

“This was a very special day for the shipyard. The company has enjoyed a close working relationship with the Lovie family tracing back generations to the firm’s very

beginning. The family has continually helped the firm to prosper, pushing our abilities to new heights and helping us grow. We thank Mark and Peter for organising the special day and for their continued trust and support,” said Macduff Shipyards Managing Director John Watt.

Photo credit: AFP

8 The two new 34-metre Scottish stern trawlers, Endeavour V and Venture IV

GREEN TECH ONBOARD

Compressor and cooling systems selected for latest Nergård Havfiske newbuild

8 Newbuild 930 will be the third advanced trawler designed and built by VARD for Nergård Havfiske in under four years

VARD shipbuilding group has contracted TMC Compressors (TMC) to supply an energy efficient marine compressed air system to the new stern trawler that it is building for Norwegian fishing company Nergård Havfiske.

This vessel has been developed by VARD in close cooperation with the customer, with a common objective to create an advanced trawler with all latest available technology onboard. Newbuild 930 will in fact be the third advanced trawler designed and built by VARD for Nergård Havfiske in under four years, with its 8-02 design developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway.

The new vessel, which will have a length of 80.4 metres and a beam of 16.7 metres, is scheduled to be delivered in the fourth-quarter 2023.

Self-adjusting

TMC’s Smart Air compressors are based on a frequencycontrolled technology that offers precise control of the compressor speed. Essentially, the speed of the electrical motor adjusts itself according to what is required to produce the exact air volume necessary to meet the actual compressed air consumption at all times. In turn, lower air consumption requires less speed on the compressor, and this directly results in less power consumption. “Utilising Smart Air compressors is a simple yet ingenious way to reduce both operating costs and harmful emissions to air,” Tanum said.  Norway-headquartered TMC will manufacture the equipment in the Nordic region and deliver it to the VARD Brattvaag yard in Norway. It has not disclosed the value of the contract.

Space-friendly

Meanwhile, VARD has placed a contract with Hydroniq Coolers to deliver the vessel’s marine seawater cooling system, with the Aalesund-based company also supplying such systems to Nergård Havfiske’s previous two vessels.

Under the contract, Hydroniq Coolers will supply its Rack seawater cooling system to the stern trawler. This system is integrated in the hull below the main engine room of the vessel, where it reduces temperatures in the ship’s engines and other auxiliary systems through use of seawater but without taking up valuable engine room space.

Energy-saving

With its high focus on quality of catch, safety of crew, and sustainable operations, the vessel intends to use the most efficient technology to bring the catch ashore with minimum environmental footprint. In this regard, at the heart of its marine compressed air system are TMC’s Smart Air compressors, which can offer up to 40% energy saving compared to conventional compressors. The system will consist of two control and service air compressors plus air dryers.

“Fishing companies and their shipbuilders are increasingly investing in new technologies to protect marine life and reduce climate gas emissions as much as possible. Companies such as TMC are benefiting from this. We probably launched our Smart Air compressors a decade before shipowners and yards were ready for them, but the interest has exploded in recent years,” said Hans Petter Tanum, TMC’s director of sales and business development.

Easy-cleaning

The Rack system is designed to increase intervals between each clean and reduce cleaning time when cleaning is necessary. It doesn’t require dry-docking for maintenance and cleaning as the coolers can be extracted from below the engine room, even while at sea.

“Our hull-integrated marine cooling system is a space and energy efficient solution that VARD, Nergård Havfiske and its crew are familiar with,” Hydroniq Coolers Sales Manager Magnar Kvalheim said.

“Our Rack seawater cooler is highly energy efficient with low maintenance requirements, thereby keeping emissions to air and operating costs as low as possible. We believe this is a good fit for the trawler’s technological and environmental profile,” Kvalheim said.

Hydroniq Coolers will manufacture and assemble the marine cooling system at its headquarters and deliver it to Vard Brattvaag in 2023.

Fishing companies and their shipbuilders are increasingly investing in new technologies to protect marine life and reduce climate gas emissions as much as possible

Hans Petter Tanum, TMC

‘‘

TECH-ENABLED SCALLOPING PROJECT

Using technology from Scantrol and Deep Vision, Norwegian company Ava Ocean will start a project later this year that will seek to sustainably harvest scallops from the Barents Sea

With scallop dredging on the Norwegian seabed prohibited for the past 30 years because of its damaging effects on marine ecosystems, Ava Ocean has been working since 2016 to reopen the fishery through new gentle and selective harvesting methods.

Several years of testing, research and development together with SINTEF and the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research have resulted in new patented technology for documented sustainable harvesting methods for the seabed. With Ava Oceans’ innovative approach to scallop harvesting, shells can be identified, selected, and sorted without destroying the surrounding flora and fauna. “It was important for Ava Ocean to connect with the most experienced and preferred control systems suppliers for this unique catch operation. We already knew Scantrol and trust their high-quality products. The collaboration with Scantrol and Deep Vision was established early in the process,” Ava Ocean CEO Øystein Tvedt said.

Tailored solution

Scantrol Managing Director Helge Hammersland explained that Ava Ocean challenged the Norwegian electronics manufacturer to make a control system that combines Active Heave Compensation (AHC), Trawl Control and Deep Vision catch identification.

“We have had the pleasure to play a central role in this pioneering project,” Hammersland said.

The two scallop harvesters are controlled by Scantrol’s standardised solution for monitoring and control together with mTrack AHC Controller.

Morgère’s new look

Trawl doors from Morgère have undergone a makeover and now feature a vibrant yellow livery, which the company maintains will ensure enhanced visibility for fishing operations at night, thereby making them safer.

“We are always looking at ways of ensuring fishing operations are more efficient and safer, and the development of the yellow doors is part of that process.” Morgère Managing Director Pascal Reverseau said.

The yellow livery will be applied to all new trawl doors manufactured by Morgère, including Exocet and Osprey doors.

“An added bonus of the yellow doors is that it will enhance brand recognition of Morgère and highlight the quality of our fishing equipment and our dedication to excellent customer service,” Reverseau said.

The harvesters will also use Deep Vision cameras to take images and videos of the seabed. All images will be used for scientific purpose in a project directed by SINTEF.

“Our goal is that the Deep Vision software will make it possible to automatically recognise scallops on the seafloor by help of images and machine learning,” said Hege Hammersland, Business Development Manager at Scantrol Deep Vision.

The combined control system will be used on Ava Ocean’s vessel, Artic Pearl.

“The patented technology will initially be used onboard the Arctic Pearl, but the potential for this technology is global, and also for other species on the seabed,” said Bjørn Roppen, Head of Subsea Projects and Deliveries.

The potential for this technology is global, and also for other species on the seabed Bjørn Roppen

‘‘

8 The patented technology will be used on Ava Ocean’s vessel, Artic Pearl

QUARTET OF POWER ORDERS FOR WÄRTSILÄ

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply the propulsion machinery for four new fishing vessels being built at Karstensens Shipyard in Denmark

8 Vessel #478 HERØYHAV is being built by Karstensens Shipyard and will be powered by the Wärtsilä 31 engine as well as a host of other Wärtsilä propulsion solutions

The 75-metre-long purser/trawler vessels are being built for different owners. Two are for Icelandic fishing and processing companies, Skinney-Thinganes and Gjögur, while the other two are for Norwegian owners, Veibust Fiskeriselskap and Ronald Ervik.

All of the orders were placed in March 2022. Each of these vessels will operate with the Wärtsilä 31 main engine. This four-stroke diesel engine has had its output power increased to 5200 kW. Wärtsilä will also supply the gearbox fitted with ‘take-

at Wärtsilä Marine Power commented that Wärtsilä has a long-standing relationship with Karstensens Shipyard and is proud to again be selected as the propulsion provider for this series of modern purser/trawlers. “Repeat orders are always a good indicator of customer satisfaction, and are a validation of our focus on efficiency, reliability, and environmental sustainability,” he said. The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard during 2023, and the vessels are expected to be ready for delivery in 2024.

Industry unites on fisher safety

Seven seafood industry and seven nongovernment organisations have declared their support of a call made by The Pew Charitable Trusts to the member states of the Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to support the development of a mechanism that can establish a data collection scheme and repository on global fisher accident and mortality rates.

The 35th Session of the UN’s Committee on Fisheries (COFI) (5-9 September 2022) highlighted that new research to be published by the Pew Charitable Trust, Lloyds Register Foundation, IMO, FISH Safety Foundation (FSF) and FAO, with contributions from many FAO members, suggests that the number of fatalities within the fishing sector is likely much greater than 100,000 annually.

Previous research by the ILO in 1999 and

subsequently by FAO estimated that annual fisher deaths were in the region of 24,000 and 32,000 respectively, or 65 and 87 deaths per day.

According to Pew, drivers for this very high mortality rate include climate change and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, which push fishing vessels into unsafe waters, as well as insufficient oversight of vessel construction and operations. The NGO therefore insists it is “critically important” to urgently improve data collection, and analysis of accidents and loss of life in the fishing industry.

This, it said, will help parties to understand the drivers behind these “unacceptably high fatality rates” and ensure that safety initiatives are developed and implemented based on robust data.

Its call for improved fisher safety reporting has been supported by tuna processors

Bolton Group, Bumble Bee and Tri-Marine as well as by the seafood industry groups Fedepesca, SEA Alliance, Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition and the Fishing Industry Association (FIA).

These parties also stressed their commitment to ensuring that the seafood they buy and sell is sourced from responsible producers that have not engaged in activities that expose fishers to unsafe and harmful working conditions.

In addition, some of these organisations are already advocating for the ratification and effective implementation of the following key international agreements that will improve fisher safety and welfare: the IMO Cape Town Agreement, the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, the FAO Port State Measures Agreement, and the International Convention on Training, Certification and for Fishing Vessels Personnel.

Photo credit: Karstensens Shipyard

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REALISING THE BENEFITS OF WATER-BASED 5G NETWORKS

James Thomas, Founder and CEO of JET Engineering System Solutions Ltd, (UK) writes for WF

Around the world, technological advances are promising to revolutionise every industry, from energy and healthcare services to transport and food production. Industry 4.0 promises everything from greater data processing, informed decision making and remote operations to artificial intelligence and machinelearning led innovations.

can provide real-time data to management teams, allowing them to save maintenance visits for when they are truly required, saving time and money.

Remote connectivity

Just as remote, water-based locations make accessing aquaculture settings a challenge in the physical world, it also poses real challenges for the telecoms industry. Sea state and environmental conditions can have a significant impact on connectivity, with some conditions boosting signal and others hindering it, while ensuring kit is effectively waterproofed and that platforms are tall enough to allow signals to travel a good distance are also crucial to providing reliable connectivity.

8 James Thomas

At the centre of the advances in connectivity is the development of 5G networks that offer technological change through higher speeds, lower latency and greater capacity than existing networks. Achieving reliable, secure connectivity at sea is hugely important to the blue economy’s ability to take advantage of IoT but securing reliable telecommunication networks at sea is more difficult than on land.

Real-time decision making

Establishing a network of interconnected devices in aquaculture locations could open up a wealth of data driven analysis and management for the sea farming industry. For example, being able to protect livestock and equipment from the worst effects of Mother Nature is a key component of running a successful aquaculture company. This means monitoring an extensive array of metrics in order to make smart decisions. However, the remote location of many installations means this is typically a time and resource intensive exercise.

This is where new buoybased networks that are being successfully trialled off the UK coast could be the solution. Our own floating network extends 5G capabilities out to sea by hosting technology on a series of 5G-enabled, self-powered buoys that can be deployed exactly where they are required. This network can extend for miles offshore, delivering a high bandwidth, secure, high-speed connection across significant distances and unlocking a host of possibilities to make everyday work easier, reduce costs and improve efficiencies.

Practical application

Creating networks of connected sensors allows companies to acquire large volumes of continuous, realtime data across multiple sites and locations remotely; supporting them to make real-time decisions based on the latest environmental and operational data such as oxygen levels, sea temperature, salinity, pH balance, barometric pressure, wave height and strength, currents, the tension on mooring lines, and so on.

This not only reduces the operational costs involved in monitoring sites but also enables increased responsiveness and efficiency.

The benefits of such a network extend not only to protecting animal welfare but also making improvements to preventative maintenance models. For example, rather than sending an engineer to physically inspect equipment once a month, sensors monitoring equipment conditions

The technology has already been used to create an aquaculture monitoring system in Portland Harbour, Dorset, harnessing 5G network connectivity to analyse sea and environmental conditions, visually tracking seaweed growth and monitoring shellfish biofouling indicators using two sub-surface cameras. Livestreaming from low-profile buoys measures sea state 24/7, providing data on temperature, wave height, oxygen and algae levels. The data is then processed using AI/machine learning to better inform farming practices, reduce labour/operating costs and increase productivity. The ocean remains one of the least explored and most challenging frontiers on Earth, but a range of seabased industries will soon be able to benefit from secure, high bandwidth, real-time data transmission in even the most challenging of environments. Have you thought about how improved connectivity could boost your aquaculture operation?

About JET Engineering System Solutions

Spun out from JET Engineering Services in 2020, JET Engineering System Solutions provides 5G connectivity products and services for challenging environments, especially at sea.

Establishing a network of interconnected devices in aquaculture locations could open up a wealth of data driven analysis and management for the sea farming industry

‘‘

8 JET’s 5G base station

ANXIOUS TIMES

Europe’s mounting energy crisis has put the region’s fish farmers at risk, writes Vladislav Vorotnikov

8 The energy crisis is so severe that some market players may opt to downsize their production

Soaring energy costs are expected to greatly diminish the profitability of fish farming businesses across the European Union, with land-based farms and production systems in those countries especially reliant on Russian fuels probably the most exposed, especially if the coming winter proves to be a cold one.

At the time of writing, European gas prices are about 10 times higher than the past decade’s average level, with the situation underpinned by strong fears that Russia could further restrict or even stop gas supplies in retaliation for the military assistance being provided to Ukraine. Already, and since the start of the war, the Russian state gas monopoly Gazprom has stopped natural gas exports to Bulgaria, Finland, Poland, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Soaring input costs bore by European fish farmers, caused by the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis, and now greatly spurred on by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, are taking a severe toll on their businesses

Javier Ojeda, Federation of European Aquaculture

In previous years, Russia used to account for 40% of European natural gas imports. As Russian pipe exports appear to be gradually grinding to a halt, concerns are also being expressed that the crisis could not only bring high prices but also leave the countries with the heaviest reliance on the Russian commodities in short supply.

The dependence on Russian gas varies greatly across

Europe. In 2021, according to Eurostat estimates, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova and North Macedonia received 100% of their natural gas supplies from Russia. In fact, almost all countries in Eastern Europe traditionally rely on Russian imports: In 2021, Latvia sourced 92% of its natural gas supplies in Russia, Serbia 89%, Bulgaria 79%, Slovakia 68%, Hungary 61%, Slovenia 60% and Poland 50%.

The difference is not as drastic for Western Europe but fears over natural gas availability are nevertheless being voiced. In this region, Eurostat reports that Germany has the highest dependence on Russian natural gas imports at around 50%, followed by Italy with 38%, France 15% and Belgium 14%.

Squeezed on multiple levels

“Soaring input costs bore by European fish farmers, caused by the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis and now greatly spurred on by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, are taking a severe toll on their businesses,” Javier Ojeda, General Secretary of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) told WF “Fish farming production systems vary from extensive artisanal production to hightech energy-intensive undertakings, but for all of them, the situation is extremely tight.”

Ojeda explained that the cost of energy is not the single issue affecting European fish farmers as the cost increases in fish feeds, liquid oxygen, freight, labour costs and other materials.

“Providing figures on this is useless because of the volatility of the situation, but all production and sales costs are interlinked, either directly or through inflation on general prices,” he said.

The energy crisis is so severe that market players may opt for downsizing production performance. This primarily concerns farms with the largest energy consumption for which, at current prices for energy, feed and other costs,

Photo Credit: ASC

operations turn to be loss-making, said Ziemowit Pirtań, board member of the Polish Trout Breeders Association.

Pirtań added that fish farms which have bank loans face the greatest risk of bankruptcy, while the current crisis could wipe out years of development, particularly as the skyrocketing costs have not been accompanied by a corresponding growth in prices.

“Energy prices lead to high increases in other cost components primarily oxygen, the production of which is mostly related to energy consumption. This is the most noticeable impact of energy price increases on the deterioration of our situation,” Pirtań said.

“They [energy prices] also affect the prices of almost all other cost components, in most cases to a greater extent than the official inflation rate. The problem with this is the stagnation of trout prices, which is related to both the international situation in the trout market and the structure of the domestic market, where fish, including trout, is not a first-choice [food] and has the image of a luxury good.”

‘‘

Land-based production is much more energy-intensive

– by several orders of magnitude

Sophia Balod, Aquaculture Stewardship Council

Increased energy requirements

Pirtań highlighted that for years an increase in energy consumption has accompanied the development of the Polish trout industry. This is due to a rise in production and because most new facilities and investments were based on RAS technologies, which are much more energyintensive than traditional technologies.

In addition, traditional facilities have to increasingly improve fish habitat conditions, including oxygenation, aeration, and partial pumping, due to deteriorating water conditions owing to such factors as drought and high temperature.

Amid the current conditions, fish farmers will most likely turn to cost-cutting solutions to mitigate the rising costs and keep their businesses afloat.

“The situation is very delicate. So the strategies being adopted by fish farmers are dependent on their specific conditions. And these can include the use of energy as efficiently as possible and streamlining their production process while giving up prospects of profits and hoping that their cash flow will allow them to reach the end of the crisis,” Ojeda said.

Energy consumption varies across the fish farming sector, so not all farms are in the same situation, according to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

ASC spokesperson Sophia Balod pointed out to WF that, for example, marine net pens for salmon require very little energy input. The median across included studies was 20 litres to produce one tonne of live-weight salmon. They also have negligible inputs of other energy carriers as energy is largely required in these farms to run vessels to service farm sites; even with relatively low energy requirements, many farms have or are looking at installing solar panels or other on-site energy generators. “Land-based production is much more energy-intensive by several orders of magnitude. Recirculating systems typically get most of their energy in the form of electricity, with values for salmon, trout, and other finfish ranging from less than 1,000 kWh per tonne to over 20,000 kWh per tonne. This is high enough energy that it overtakes feed as the major source of greenhouse gas emissions for these systems if they’re not drawing from renewable electricity grids,” Balod said.

8 In July, European Parliament agreed to provide financial help to the EU’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors dealing with the economic consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

8 Many European farms have or are looking at installing solar panels or other on-site energy generators

Other aquaculture systems that require large amounts of energy, again in the form of electricity rather than fuel, are intensive and semi-intensive pond systems for shrimp and carp. These systems aren’t common in Europe, but they are in Asia and shrimp is a major import to European markets, she said.

“In this light, monitoring energy consumption is an important first step to understanding possible areas of reduction. Almost all of ASC’s species standards include requirements for farms to calculate and track their energy consumption.

“The bivalve standard goes a bit further and requires upkeep of equipment to manage energy efficiency. This collection of data and, in some cases, reporting of energy use data to ASC is a valuable resource for better understanding the relative energy reliance of diverse aquaculture systems,

other things, energy in the near future is not known.

“We are not talking about potential increases of a few or a dozen percent, but additional increases of several hundred percent with the next energy price increase. Such increases could lead to a switch-off effect for most industry players, especially where fish habitats cannot be provided without energy. As an industry, we suggest accessing aid based on a loan that would be redeemable after a certain period based on actual market data. Only in this way are we able to protect ourselves from the de facto unknown situation that awaits us.

“All other forms of aid especially those paid in advance are doomed to be inadequate which may lead to the ‘consumption’ of public resources without any aid effect, as too little aid will be absorbed, but still may lead to the collapse of the industry,” Pirtan said.

Threat of collapse

In a decree approved in July 2022, European Parliament agreed to provide financial help to EU fisheries and aquaculture sectors dealing with the economic consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. European Parliament Press Officer Martina Vass said the compensation would cover additional costs related to the war in Ukraine, such as increased energy and raw materials prices.

and ASC is currently analysing those data in order to better understand this aspect of sustainability, with plans to publish and help fill gaps in the literature for some species and production methods,” she added.

Calls for additional support

However, the measures currently taken to improve energyefficiency might not be enough for fish farms to weather the current storm.

“Fish farmers believe in free enterprise and economic freedom, but when extraordinary events occur, like the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, FEAP believes that public authorities should take extraordinary measures to prevent the economic system from collapsing. Furthermore, fish farming is a primary sector with limited capacity to survive shocks like these. Within the EU, subsidising schemes should be adopted uniformly throughout all member states,” Ojeda said.

Pirtań agrees that public assistance could come in very handy, adding that the problem is the time needed to implement any mechanisms and to estimate the amount of the aid required, primarily since the final cost of, among

“Yet, the support only concerns those countries who still have resources for the 2014-2020 programming period in EMFF. So whatever countries have left in the EMFF for the 2014-2020 programming period can now be used to cover these additional costs, rules were eased to allow for this, but no additional resources have been allocated for this purpose,” Vass said.

She added that the European Parliament currently has no additional aid on the agenda, and there is no information whether the European Commission plans to come up with a proposal to issue additional support to the fish industry. But Pirtan insists that industry requires a clear strategy for dealing with the energy crisis and that it may fail without assistance.

“The current collapse would not happen due to market reasons just due to an emergency situation exacerbated by a relatively shallow and unstable market which we have also been working on for years. Without support, we could lose it all.

“If we don’t save the industry, once the current crisis is over, the European market simply won’t have the capacity to produce fish, and it’s hard to expect to be able to import them since this is already a problem. This could affect the poorer parts of our societies for years to come,” he said.

If we don’t save the industry, once the current crisis is over, the European market simply won’t have the capacity to produce fish

Ziemowit Pirtań, Polish Trout Breeders Association

‘‘

OPTIMAR LANDS NAPIER CONTRACT

Bømlo shipping company Napier AS and fish processing systems provider Optimar AS have agreed on a contract for the supply and installation of Optimar’s Optitube bleeding systems onboard two new boats that Napier has under construction for the aquaculture sector.

“Optitube is a technology that we in Napier look forward to using. Optimising the bleeding process, together with the gentle fish handling and the adaptability on board was decisive for our choice of this system,” Napier CEO Kjetil Tufteland said.

With the Optimar Optitube, fish are cooled while they bleed out by being kept in motion with purified seawater. The water is injected into the tube via a series of nozzles which in turn create a circulating water flow that gently pushes the fish forward through the tube and towards the outfeed wheel.

This circulation also creates different zones inside the pipe, which together with gate solutions ensure the “first in, first out” principle in the system.

According to Optimar, these water movements help the fish to bleed out more efficiently, which in turn will help improve the quality of the final product.

“Optimar is very happy that Napier has chosen our solution, and we are confident that this will ensure good operations, optimal quality and efficiency in the factory onboard, as well as the best possible quality of the end product, Optimar Sales Manager Håvard Warren said. 8 The

vessels

TECH REVIVING HAWAIIAN FISH FARMING

Data from recently deployed beacons is to be used to assist the restocking of a centuries-old Hawaiian fishpond with native mullet and milkfish

Through its partnership in the Xylem Innovation Labs’ Incubator Programme, Aquasend placed three of its Aquasend Beacons across the Waikalua Loko l’a fishpond. Over a period of three months, they will monitor the amount of biomass the pond is equipped to support through dissolved oxygen (DO) levels and temperature data collected, and the data will be utilised by the nonprofit Pacific American Foundation (PAF) to determine how to start safely inhabiting the pond.

Ultimately, the research will help enable the growth of Waikalua Loko l’a and other ponds across the Hawaiian Islands to generate income and sell products locally.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Waikalua Loko l’a pond regrowth and have the opportunity to expand Aquasend water technology operations through our partnership in Xylem’s Incubator Program. It’s our goal to support this industry with data and solutions,” Aquasend CEO Kristin Elliott said.

Prior to Hawaii’s statehood, there were nearly 500 fishponds across the Hawaiian Islands, but as time has passed this number has decreased to less than 100. Efforts to preserve the remaining Hawaiian fishponds are increasing with the help of PAF.

Located in Oahu, Hawaii, the Waikalua Loko l’a fishpond was constructed more than 400 years ago by early Hawaiians after studying the water and tides. The fishers realised creating water barriers would lead to more consistent and abundant fish harvests.

The pond’s brackish water consists of North Pacific saltwater from a bay that actively circulates the pond while surrounding freshwater streams, Kawa and Kane`ohe, percolate the soil to enter the pond.

Waikalua Loko l’a operates with stationary gates called makahas, which are located in the canal and built into the seaward wall of the pond.

Maintaining the original design created by Hawaiian ancestors, these gates are designed with small vertical standing wood poles held together with rope to let smaller fish into the pond. The fish would be fed, grow and become trapped in the fishpond due to their larger size.

NEW SALMON FEED DEVELOPMENT

AGREEMENT

Skretting and eniferBio have joined forces to test and market a new protein for Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout feeds

The Finnish biotech start-up was named winner of the 2020 Nutreco Feed & Food Tech Challenge and awarded a scientific validation trial.

First performance tests on PEKILO with Atlantic salmon were run in 2021 with promising results. Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, eniferBio has now provided a new batch of PEKILO protein for the next phase of testing as aquafeed with Atlantic salmon, and the first performance testing rounds with rainbow trout.

“The MoU defines the next steps towards commercialisation of PEKILO protein and implementation into Skretting feeds, in line with our sustainability ambitions of including 5-10% of

novel ingredients into our formulations by 2025,” said Mette Lütcherath, Category Manager – Novel Ingredients at Nutreco.

“There is a strong intention from both parties to reach large commercial volumes of this low carbon, high-protein novel raw material; first in Europe and subsequently in other geographies.”

Joosu Kuivanen, COO and Co-founder of eniferBio, said that the company was thrilled to continue the partnership after the first round of successful tests. “Skretting is a leading manufacturer and supplier of aquaculture feeds, so it is significant to get help from a major company like them in getting our innovation out there,” he said.

Gear

A Global Leader in Frozen Food Packaging

Beck Pack Systems A/S

Cartolit

Metallurgica Abruzzese S.p.a. Strada della Repubblica, 58 43121 Parma – Italy

Tel: +39 0521 221411

+39 0521 221449

a.contini@cavatorta.it

www.cavatorta.it/EN

Beck Pack Systems, Inc. Seattle,

Fishing Gear

Poutada

1-2 Shing Nung Road, Tungkang, Pingtung,Taiwan

Tel: 886-8-8331100~9

Fax: 886-8-8327022

E-mail: export@chingfa.com.tw

www.chingfa.com.tw Specialized manufacturer & exporter of: Hi-tech 7 tuna purse seine nets, Super 20 aquaculture knotless nets (Raschel type), nylon longline & its spare parts, nylon fishing line, nylon mono & multi-mono nets, nylon twisted and braided nets, PE trawl nets, ropes, twines, floats and etc.

Tel:

EUROROCK NV

ALLEWERELT

Nv Allewerelt, Biekorfstraat 60, 8400 Oostende, Belgium

laurent@eurorock-belgium.com

Contact: COO Laurent Messiaen

Manufacturers of steel bobbins, rubber bobbins, spoked and bunt bobbins, rubber disc (tyres, conveyor and moulded discs), rockhoppers, spacers

We can make other rubber products as clients needs

BELITRONIC SWEDEN

Fishing nets, aquaculture nets, agriculture nets, sports nets, all types of ropes and twines.

Forever Industries Co., Ltd.

No.88, Di An Truong Tre St., Di An Town, Binh Duong, Vietnam Tel: (+84) 916 225 068 (+84) 251 378 9125 sales@forevernetco.com www.forevernetco.com

Fortune Net Group of Companies

No. 42 Sto. Domingo St • Quezon City Metro Manila

The Philippines

Tel: 00632 7119238, 00632 7125362

00632 7110169

Braided knotted nets; Twisted knotted nets; Raschel knotless nets; Monofilaments double knot nets; PE shade

types of twines and ropes, Specialising in: Tuna & Sardine, Purse Seiners; Mono and Multi gill nets; Nylon & HDPE trawl nets; Aquaculture fence & cage nets; Safety and sports nets; Ornamental nets.

World’s leading supplier of Fishing nets (our globally trusted brands are SNG, Sapphire and Olivene), assembled trawls, Purse Seines, Aquaculture cages and anti-predator nets for aquaculture industry, ropes for the fishing, aquaculture and shipping industry. Our products are exported to over 60 countries globally.

Garware Technical Fibres Plot No 11, Block D-1, MIDC, Chinchwad, Pune, India Web: www.garwarefibres.com Tel: (+91)2027990381

Contact: Vivek Kumar

vkumar@garwarefibres.com Mobile:

KING CHOU MARINE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

NET MANUFACTURERS

MARKUS LIFENET LTD

Breidvangur

IS-220 Hafnarfjordur, Iceland

Tel.Iceland:

Tel. UK:

sales@markusnet.com

Contact: Petur Th. Petursson

Steel Wire Ropes & Trawl Wire

PEGUET & Cie

Ytawl Makers

AKVASERVIS TRAWLS

Email: office@akvaservis.lt

Tel: +370 46 365 363

Las Palmas - Baltic - Murmansk

Designer & manufacturer of Pelagic, Semi-Pelagic & Bottom trawls since 1992 with active trawls in North Atlantic, Far-Eastern & Western-African fisheries.

COMPETITIVE PRICES WITHOUT COMPROMISE IN QUALITY

Ropes

REDES SALINAS S.A.

I-COATS N.V.

Estrada de Fortons 23 36812 Redondela (Pontevedra) Spain

Tel: +34 986 20 33 12

E-mail: info@grupoeurored.com Website: www.grupoeurored.com

Hi tech design and production of pelagic and bottom fishing trawl systems. Nets and deck material for tuna purse seiners, inshore fishing and longliners. Everything necessary for fishing activities:

MORGERE trawl doors, COTESI nets, ropes, mooring, BRIDON cable, flotation, CROSBY GROUP naval hardware, longline material, etc. Aquaculture integral supplies and installation of fish farming and Long Line production systems, OFFSHORE facilities.

-we make fishing more profitable

VÓNIN LTD

P.O. Box 19 FO-530 Fuglafjørõur

P.O. Box 19

Faroe Islands

FO-530 Fuglafjørður

Faroe Islands

Tel: +298 474 200

Tel: +298 474 200

Fax: +298 474 201

Fax: +298 474 201

Email: info@vonin.com

E-mail: info@vonin.com

Web: www.vonin.com

Web: www.vonin.com

Contact: Bogi Non

Contact: Eystein Elttør

Vónin is a major supplier to the fishing fleet and aquaculture industry with branches in the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Canada, Denmark and Norway. Vónin manufactures pelagic trawls, semi pelagic trawl, shrimp trawls, bottom trawls, sorting grids, crab pots, net cages, mooring systems and net washing systems.

Manufacturer of pelagic trawls, semi-pelagic trawls, shrimp trawls, various bottom trawls, purse seine nets, fish farming nets and sorting grids. Vónin is a major supplier to the North Atlantic/Arctic fishing fleet. We have all accessories in stock.