Latest Fishing News
14-20 December 2021
Costa Rica’s Pristine ‘Shark Island’ Now a Massive Marine Reserve
The first time he dove into the waters surrounding Cocos Island, Enric Sala felt like he was in an “underwater Jurassic Park.”
“I remember vividly diving under a school of 200 hammerhead sharks, inside a school of thousands of bigeye trevally, and [being] surrounded by 20 green turtles mating,” says the National Geographic explorer-in-residence, in an email.
The crystal waters sheltering that vibrant life, reminiscent of prehistoric eras, are now receiving more protection to keep them pristine. Costa Rica’s Cocos Island National Park, a protected marine reserve since 1982, will grow 27 times in size. It will be contained within a new sustainably managed marine reserve called the Bicentennial Marine Managed Area, signed into law on Friday by Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada. Continue reading here (Source: National Geographic).
China Offers Increased Fisheries Presence, IUU Cooperation to Pacific Island Nations
A senior Chinese official recently told a meeting of Pacific island fisheries officials that China wants to increase its fisheries presence in the region.
During a recent meeting of the China-Pacific Island Countries Fishery Cooperation and Development Forum, held in Guangzhou, China, Ma Youxiang, the deputy minister of fisheries at China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said China stands ready to cooperate on finding solutions to problems related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, proposing the establishment of an “intergovernmental multilateral fishery consultation mechanism.”
China wants to increase cooperation with Pacific-island nations in fishing, aquaculture, and processing, and make the forum a regular event, Ma said. He said there was “great potential” for the two sides to launch joint enterprises “on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.” Continue reading here(Source: SeafoodSource).
Navy Secretary Sees Climate Change, Illegal Fishing as Global Maritime Security Challenges
Linking climate change’s impact on trade, fishing, energy and employment with the economic and environmental toll of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro says the world’s “blue economy” has never been more important or more challenging.
“From climate change to illegal and unreported fishing, the environmental challenges facing our oceans are global challenges that require truly a global response,” Del Toro told an ocean security forum at a Washington think tank Dec. 16.
The Navy secretary told a live audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and others watching remotely, that the Navy-Marine Corps team “is determined to do our part.” Continue reading here (Source: Sea Power).
Kiribati Receives Aquaculture Training from China While Opening Protected Area to Commercial Fishing
The Chinese province of Hubei has sent experts to the Pacific island nation of Kiribati to conduct training in commercial aquaculture.
An agricultural and fishery technical assistance project in Kiribati has been undertaken by the Chinese Department of Agriculture’s provincial office in Hubei, a leading producer of freshwater crayfish.
“Since its implementation in October 2020, the project has won unanimous praise,” the ministry said in a statement. Continue reading here (Source: S).eafoodSource
Bringing the Indian and Pacific Oceans Together on IUU Fishing
The Bay of Bengal is a hot spot for illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing. Unauthorized tuna longlining and transshipment takes place on the high seas in contravention of Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) conservation and management measures. There is underreported and/or non-reporting to the coastal state and the IOTC. There are vessels operating under flags of convenience, stateless vessels using falsified registry documentation, vessels obscuring markings, having no vessel markings or failing to have vessel documentation. This is all part of the wider problem in the Indian Ocean of IUU fishing. Continue reading here (Source: Observer Research Foundation).
Spanish Tuna Fleet Leads the Way with Biodegradeable FADs
The Spanish tuna fleet is spearheading research and development work in biodegradable FADs on a worldwide scale. A pilot project was started this year in the Atlantic makes his fleet the only one with projects of this kind in all three of the oceans in which it operates.
Mirroring research being done in the Indian Ocean since 2017 and in the Pacific since 2019, through 2022 the project now in progress in the Atlantic will evaluate the feasibility of biodegradable FADs under real operating conditions and their contribution to reducing marine pollution. The results of these experiments will provide the fleet with the practical evidence it needs for a widespread rollout of biodegradable FADs in all three ocean areas. Continue reading here (Source: FiskerForum).
US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Advance Aquaculture Research and Permitting
Congressman Palazzo represents Mississippi’s fourth district and Congressmen Case represents Hawai’i’s first district. The bill hopes to boost aquaculture production in the US by authorizing new aquaculture research and reworking existing permitting requirements.
“Over the last several years, this legislation has been tirelessly written and improved with feedback received from relevant industries, agencies, and Members of Congress across the country,” says Congressman Palazzo. Continue reading here (Source: The Fish Site).
