We are losing our most valuable fish species

Bluefin tuna is considered an exceedingly value added fish species. It is one of the valuable fish as it is very tasty and is well known by sushi lovers over the world mainly in Japan. Sports fishers are really fond of Bluefin tuna because they believe that this species is fast, powerful and put up a good fight. However, prices for Bluefin are rising drastically because it is one among the fish which is considered to be over-exploited.

In the end of year 2010, one Bluefin tuna weighing at 340kg were sold at approximately $400,000 in Tokyo’s fish market. This was very shocking news for the population by seeing the amount paid for Bluefin tuna.

Since 1970, increase in demand for Bluefin tuna has led fishing industries to look for a more effective way to catch Bluefin. This has resulted in a huge fall in fish stock especially of breeding-age fish. Research has shown that the stock level has fallen about more than 80 percent over the past 40 years. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has listed Bluefin Tuna as “critically endangered” species.

One of the major issues is the way we see the economics. None of the fishing markets are willing to compete against the conservation of biodiversity, no one is ready to pay $400,000 to have fishermen let this fish alone.

Governments from all over the world have subsidized to the over-exploitation of the many fish species together with Bluefin Tuna. They have even subsidized the commercial catching of fish with billions of dollars each year by using modern fishing vessels.

However, we need to continue seeking for the ban of catching of Bluefin tuna and other fish species which are considered to be over-exploited. Strict rules and regulations need to be set forward when it comes to global fisheries. Also, awareness campaign should be set for consumers in order to remind them that they should avoid fish that are considered to be critically endangered.


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Ref: http://www.tillsonburgnews.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2943608

MSC deceiving sustainable fish customersl

The marine stewardship council which certifies that fish we are consuming are sustainable has been blamed of fooling consumers by giving its blue eco-label logo to fisheries where the fish species are being over-exploited. Marine Stewardship Council is a non-profit organization which seeks to contribute to the marine environment by recognizing and rewarding sustainable fishing practices for fisheries and seafood companies. 

A Greenpeace oceans campaigner said that Marine Stewardship Council is losing their trustworthiness by certifying some fisheries that are catching unsustainable fish. Consumers are being deceived by thinking that they are buying sustainable fish and they can consume these fish with a peace of mind.

One of the most important issues that are being discussed is the award of an MSC label which has been given to the Ross Sea Antarctic toothfish fishery. As per the scientists, this fishery is known to an exploratory fishery but how they have the blue eco-label in their fish products. The fish species is so little understood that marine researchers yet do not know the basics like where the fish spawns.

Other fish species include swordfish and tuna off the US shore, krill in the Antarctic and Bering Sea where the fish stocks have fallen about 64% as from 2004 to 2009. Moreover, since 1989 the stock level of Pacific Hake has fallen down to approximately 89%.

It has been said by the marine biologist Mr. Chris Pincetich that the MSC accepts applications from hundreds of fisheries over the world in order to boost up their business, image and network but they do not verify if these fisheries are viewed as sustainable as per scientists. Special considerations need to be taken by the MSC before engaging with those fisheries. 

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Ref: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jan/06/fish-marine-stewardship-council

Wellness about fish

Fish is healthy seafood with high beneficial values for health. It contains protein, omega-3 fatty acid, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients our body need to be in good physical shape. Fish is more nutritious than other flesh as it contains low saturated fat. Fish can be prepared in different ways such as frying, steamed or cooked in sauces; preparation may vary according to people taste and traditions.

Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids which is good for the heart, especially for a person cardiovascular system.  A meal containing fish can prevent heart disease as it reduces the risk of building up of triglycerides in the body.  Omega-3 also helps in reducing the risk of cancer in the body such as prostate, breast and colon cancer. Omega-3 helps in the good functioning of the brain either for kids or adults.

Fish mostly fish oil is efficient in reducing inflammation in tissues and blood as the EPA found in it have a good efficiency in the inflammatory response. Eating fish improve your vision and keep your skin in excellent condition due to the essential fatty-acid found in it which prevent and hold-up ageing development.Omeaga-3 in fish help also to fight sadness, it is an excellent weapon against nervousness and despair.

Being aware of better health guideness is one of the priorities, but making them be part of your balance meals frequently is most important. Eating fish regularly make you healthier and reduce the risk of lots of diseases. It is suggested to eliminate the skin and fat of fish before catering to reduce exposure.

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Ref: http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/health-benefits-of-fish-27087552#ixzz1BehcmeMd

Top international supermarkets abused customers trust.

Misleading label on seafood products found in UK hypermarkets

Research has shown that big hypermarkets like Tesco, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and The Co-operative are supplying seafood products which are mislabeled. The seafood include farmed fish, haddock, tinned tuna and cod.

 A testimony made by ClientEarth, a leading environmental law organization stated that 32 products out of 100 were unverified and claims such as ‘responsible farmed’; ‘sustainably sourced’; ‘protect the marine environment’ and ‘protects the marine environment’ were misleading.

However, the purchasing power of consumers is rather hectic to halt overfishing.  88 percent of fish stock has been overfished in the EU only and retailers are actually aware that extensive concerns about this make consumer buy substitute products.

 Nonetheless, it has been requested to all supermarkets to remove the products that have the misleading claims or to confirm them with proof that the fish products they are selling comes from sustainable environment. In case, such act has not been put into action, then complaints will be made to the Office of Fair Trading which is responsible for the consumer protection laws.

On the other hand, ClientEarth is making an appeal to set strict rules concerning fish labeling. Most supermarkets are actually taking immediate action in order to ensure that the fish they are selling are not over-fished and that marine environment has been respected accordingly. 

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Ref:

http://www.internationalsupermarketnews.com/index.php/?option=com_content&view=article&id=4032:major-retailers-found-to-place-misleading-labels-on-seafood&catid=1:latest-news 

On-board cameras to control the catch of Hake fish in South Atlantic

On 1^st January 2011, a video monitoring system has been placed into action on fishing vessels which operate in South Atlantic in order to control the catch of Argentinean Hake population as Argentina is considered to be the world’s largest supply of white fish to other part of the world. 

Argentina is the first country which has implemented such system and it has been a compulsory measure for fishing industry. However, those fishing companies who do not abide with this regulation will face sanctions.

The on-board cameras are temper-proof and will detect information that is considered critical for preventing the decline of hake fish. it will also detect if the fishing vessels are using selective fishing methods that allow young species to escape through and the size of fish that has been caught. 

The camera also has a location system that indicates whether the fishing vessels have entered a zone where Argentinean hake fishing has been banned or restricted (an area of 180,000 squares km). 

Around 40 fishing vessels have been set for pilot testing during the New Year. The system will be set into operation on the remaining fleet after two and a half months. The camera will not be set in artisanal boats.

Ref: http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=53992

http://www.seawork.com.na/fish-processing.html

Atlantic Bluefin tuna is on the way to extinction

As per the research done by the marine biologist, Atlantic blue tuna will go to extinction if strict measures are not taken by the Governments of the world. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) which keeps a red list of all the threatened fish species of the world has announced that Atlantic blue tuna is considered to be critically endangered.

Since 1970, the population of blue tuna has dropped by almost 80 percent. It has been said that even if strict measures are applied on the Total Annual Catch, this may be too little for the regrowth of the fish. 

However, this issue has began in the years when fishing vessels were catching fish by using purse seines and long lines for canned tuna market. This method of catching was pulling huge numbers of juvenile Atlantic bluefin which finally destroyed the generations of bluefin tuna by limiting the production capacity. 

Japan currently imports about 2,500 tons of Atlantic bluefin annually, some 70-80 percent of global exports, with the bulk of that tonnage caught in the Mediterranean, where the fisheries are regulated by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT).

Nowadays, strict quotas are being applied for catch of Atlantic bluefin by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). ICCAT is a multinational group of fisheries regulators in charge of maintaining sustainable stock level of Tuna all through the Atlantic waters. 

In 2007, ICCAT has set the quota for Atlantic bluefin to 30,000 tons. However, the ICCAT’s scientists requested to lower the catch limit even more. That is, 7,500 tons but ICCAT cooperated with fishing interests and set the quota to 13,500 tons. But, it has been noticed that despite these regulations, the fishing industries are not respecting the quota and they are still harvesting almost 60,000 tons of Atlantic bluefin per year. However, the ICCAT has announced that if the strict catch limit will not be maintained by the fishing industries and the stock level of tuna have not been rebounded till 2022; some of the fishing areas would be closed down.

Ref: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/10/2008677/earthtalk-are-atlantic-bluefin.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jan/05/bluefin-tuna-record-price-tokyo

Blue tuna prices rise drastically in Japan

On Tuesday, the largest fish market in Japan was auctioning off a giant blue tuna at almost $400,000. The record price was paid Wednesday at Tokyo's Tsukiji market for a fish weighing 342 kilograms, meaning the buyer paid more than $1,000 per kilogram.

The 342kg of blue tuna has beaten up the record which was set 10 years ago when a 202kg of blue tuna was sold at 20.2m yen. During the New Year auction at Tsukiji, Market officials were surprised to see the dramatic rise in price in the world’s largest fish market. 

A Tsukiji spokesman said that the blue tuna was really the largest fish but the price that has been set was shocking.

Nowadays, pacific blue tuna has become a very rare species. The stock level has fallen down to 90% from 1976 to 2006 due to over-exploitation.  But the demand for blue tuna is still high in especially in Japan where a small slice of fish is expected to be bought at $40 per consumer. 

"The custom of eating raw fish is spreading throughout the world, so that it's no longer an era where Japan is consuming all of the limited supply of tuna," said an auction manager.

Japan is considered to be largest consumer of tuna fish. It has been reported that 600,000 tons of tuna are eaten annually by the Japanese people and alertness of sustainable fishing remains low.

Ref: http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0106-morgan_tuna_record.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jan/05/bluefin-tuna-record-price-tokyo

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/7796517-bluefin-tuna-for-almost-400000auctioning-off