Kiribati’s Liaison With China Threatens Tuna and US Security
Kiribati stunned its neighbors—and the world—by abruptly pulling out of the Pacific Island Forum on July 10. Speculation is rampant that China lies behind the move. Kiribati has been cozying up to China since 2019, when it aborted its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan—and accepted a $66 million grant from China shortly thereafter.
Elsewhere in the Pacific, the Solomon Islands recently made headlines when it inked a security agreement with China, raising fears that China would establish a naval base there. China’s potential meddling in Kiribati is even more concerning because of its security implications and drastic environmental consequences. The U.S. must act to stop Kiribati from destroying a UNESCO World Heritage Site, threatening a critical tuna spawning ground, and allowing China to develop an airstrip dangerously close to U.S. territory. Continue reading here (Source: Forbes).
Thai Union on How It Hopes To Raise Credibility of Sustainability Initiatives
Seafood major Thai Union has taken the unprecedented step of partnering with NGO Sustainable Fisheries Project (SFP) and opening up its entire supply chain for auditing under the body’s internationally recognized Seafood Metrics system, to boost the credibility of its sustainability initiatives. Continue reading here(Source: Food Navigator).
AGAC’s Indian Ocean Skipjack Tuna Achieves MSC Certification
The Association of Large Freezer Tuna Vessels (Asociación de Grandes Atuneros Congeladores, AGAC) has achieved the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for its skipjack tuna in the Indian Ocean. There are 14 purse-seine vessels that compose the AGAC fleet in the Indian Ocean, in which the certification applies to all of those.
“Congratulations to AGAC for this achievement in the Indian Ocean, which is part of wider assessment in the different oceans where the tuna association operates,” Marine Stewardship Council Program Director for Spain and Portugal Laura Rodriguez said. “We acknowledge the decade of work that the members of the association have undertake to improve their practices and to meet the MSC standard. This certification is excellent news for business and consumers looking for sustainable tuna.” Continue reading here (Source: SeafoodSource).
America’s Fishing Industry Is Getting Caught Up in the Trade War
The American fishing industry is caught in the middle of the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China—hooked by tariffs imposed on both sides of the Pacific.
As a result, U.S. exports of seafood have fallen to their lowest levels in a decade. That’s in large part due to the tariffs that have made the industry “less competitive and less affordable,” according to a filing by the National Fisheries Institute, an industry group, to the International Trade Commission (USITC) ahead of a hearing scheduled to take place on Thursday.
In prepared testimony for the hearing, the National Fisheries Institute alleges that trade disputes and subsequent waves of tariffs have eroded decades of growth for America’s commercial seafood industry, which is dominated by small family-owned fisheries. Continue reading here (Source: Reason).
Vietnamese Tuna Exports Expected to Hit Over USD1Billion in 2022
Tuna export turnover in June reached US$90 million, a year-on-year increase of 41 percent, bringing the value for the first half of the year to US$553 million, a year-on-year rise of 56 percent.
Regarding markets, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said that good growth was seen in most major markets except the EU, Israel and Egypt.
As of the end of June, tuna export value to the US totalled more than US$300 million, up 96 percent over the same period last year. Continue reading here(Source: Saigon News).
Networking Opportunities Created For PAFCO
Investment Fiji’s business mission to Australia has created networking opportunities for Pacific Fishing Company Pte Ltd (PAFCO), enabling them to explore the mutual avenues of collaboration and partnership in the fisheries sector.
PAFCO chief executive officer Saiyad Raiyum embarked on the Australia mission to strengthen relationships and possibly create a network with buyers, agents, and distributors and key government contacts and secure new markets in Sydney and Brisbane.
“The mission was a great opportunity to engage and hold face-to-face discussions with business leaders and private sector organisations. We held initial discussions on potential business opportunities in Australia and will continue further collaboration,” said Mr Raiyum. Continue reading here(Source: The Fiji Times).
Why You Should Be Eating More Skipjack Tuna
You probably know by now that you should eat more fish, given that its one of the healthiest foods around — not only is it a great source of protein, but fish is packed full of nutrients like vitamin D, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids (that our bodies don’t produce on their own), which may have both heart and brain health benefits, improve depression and other mental conditions, and help reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes and certain autoimmune diseases, according to Healthline. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends consuming at least 8 ounces, or two servings, of fish per week.
When it comes to fish, tuna is the most consumed fish in the world, reports Atuna. Canned or pouched tuna, in particular, is especially popular, with Americans eating a whopping 1 billion pounds of it a year, reports the National Fisheries Institute. It’s not surprising, considering how versatile canned tuna is. Not only that, but the cans are good for years, which makes it a can that you should always have in your pantry. Tuna does have one major downside, though — it’s often high in mercury, a neurotoxin that can lead to neurological problems, notes LiveStrong. Continue reading here (Source: Tasting Table).
