Sunday, February 27, 2011

Danish Saithe Fishery Recieves Certification

The North Sea and Skagerrak Saithe(Pleuronectesplatessa) fishery, jointly managed by the members of the Danish Fishermen’s Producer Organisation (DFPO), has been certified as sustainable against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) environmental standard for sustainable and well managed fisheries.

Around 7,000 metric tonnes of Danish saithe will now be eligible to display the blue MSC ecolabel in the market place.

The certified DFPO Denmark North Sea and Skagerrak Saithe fishery comprises around 150 vessels using seine, static nets and demersal trawls. The fishery is subject to the 2004 EU-Norway agreement and is managed according to the EU-Norway harvest control rule which was renewed in December 2008. Sea and landings inspections are carried out by EU national enforcement agencies and the Norwegian coastguard service.

The main markets for Danish saithe are Germany, Netherland, France and Spain. A small proportion of the catch is filleted in Denmark for domestic consumption.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Label Rouge Scottish Salmon Exports

Exports of Label Rouge Scottish Salmon increased by 7 percent, rising from 7,251 tonnes in 2009 to 7,743 tonnes in 2010. Exports increased by 19 percent during 2009.

The Label Rouge accolade is awarded by the French Government to products of superior quality, particularly in relation to taste. Scottish salmon was the first non-French food to receive this accolade back in 1992.

Although originally dedicated to the French market, Label Rouge Scottish Salmon is acquiring international recognition for its superior quality and taste.  During the last twelve months interest has developed in new emerging European markets such as Germany, Belgium and Switzerland.  Label Rouge Scottish Salmon is also scheduled to be exhibited in the Middle East for the first time.

Responsibly Harvested Gulf of Maine Seafood Label

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) has announced a new program that makes it easy for seafood shoppers to identify responsibly harvested seafood from the Gulf of Maine region. Seafood suppliers earn the ability to use the Gulf of Maine Responsibly Harvested seal on products based on criteria that support the long-term health of the regions fisheries and fishing communities.

The seal will initially appear on cod, haddock, lobster, and northern shrimp products from the Gulf of Maine region at Hannaford and other retail stores. GMRI is in the process of assessing additional fisheries, with the goal of adding more seafood products to the program later this year.

In addition to finding the Gulf of Maine Responsibly Harvested seal in retail stores, consumers may also see the seal displayed at local restaurants and fish markets in Maine and throughout New England in the coming months.

"The seal lets consumers know that an objective science institution has verified responsible harvest and traced the product to the Gulf of Maine," said Jen Levin, GMRI's sustainable seafood program manager.

Scientists, environmental organizations, fishermen, processors, retailers, and restaurants contributed to the development of the requirements for use of the seal. The seal will assure consumers of the following:

 * The product came from the clean, productive waters of the Gulf of Maine.

 * The fishery is managed in a way that contributes to the long-term health of the resource.

 * A portion of the proceeds contributes to GMRIs efforts to motivate and reward progress throughout the supply chain toward increased sustainability of Gulf of Maine fisheries.

Food retailers also benefit from providing information to consumers through an easy-to-spot seal.

For more information, visit www.gmri.org/seafood

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Friend of the Sea Certifies Sharat Industries Limited Whiteleg Shrimp

Whiteleg shrimps (Litopenaeus Vannamei), produced by Sharat Industries Limited have been certified as sustainable by Friend of the Sea.

Sharat Industries Ltd., engages in aquaculture and since 1994 has been an integrated project with a shrimp hatchery, aqua farm, feed mill and processing facilities.

In 2004, Sharat Industries was the first company in India to start the culture of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp to overcome the problem of white spot disease that is common in P. monodon shrimp, in India. The company produces fresh, frozen and cooked Litopenaeus Vannamei shrimp.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

USA National Aquaculture Policy

On February 9, 2011, the Department of Commerce and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released complementary draft national aquaculture policies. The public is invited to comment on both draft policies for the next 60 days. 

According to the announcement:

 - Aquaculture plays a significant and growing role in global food production

 - Nearly half the fish consumed by people is produced by aquaculture

 - A significant portion of future increases in the global seafood supply will come from aquaculture products.

 -  The domestic aquaculture industry supplies only about 5 percent of the seafood Americans consume.

The draft Commerce Department policy supports the development of sustainable aquaculture within the context of the key Commerce goals of encouraging economic growth and employment opportunities in the United States.

Commerce and NOAA are accepting comments on the draft policies through April 11. Directions for submitting comments online are at http://aquaculture.noaa.gov.

Comments also may be submitted:

 * By fax to 301-713-9108 (Attn: Susan Bunsick)

 * By mail to:

NOAA Aquaculture Program
Attn: Public Comment
1315 East West Highway
SSMC3, Mail Code: F
13th Floor, Room 13152
Silver Spring, MD 20910

After the submitted comments have been reviewed, Commerce and NOAA will issue final national aquaculture policies.

source: NOAA press release

Friday, February 11, 2011

70 Million Americans to Dine Out for Valentine’s Day

A variety of American restaurant chains have announced special menus or other deals especially for Valentine's Day.

According to the National Restaurant Association, seventy million Americans will celebrate Valentine’s Day at a restaurant this year. The Association’s new consumer research shows that about one-third of consumers (31 percent) say they will dine out on February 14.

“There is no better way to celebrate romance than to share a great meal at a restaurant – and millions of Americans will do just that this Valentine’s Day,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Celebration of Maryland Seafood in Annapolis MD

The Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will be co-hosting a “Celebration of Maryland Seafood” at the Boatyard Bar & Grill in Annapolis on Tuesday, Feb. 22 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

The purpose of the dinner is to promote Maryland’s diverse and high quality seafood from the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Coast and aquaculture industry through local restaurants,  grocers and other retail markets. By empowering the local seafood market, Maryland is building a sustainable fishery, reducing the industry’s carbon footprint and creating green jobs.

The evening includes a cocktail hour with raw bar and five-course meal featuring Maryland oysters, crabmeat, striped bass (rockfish) and yellow perch.

The event is hosted by the Boatyard Bar & Grill, Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Natural Resources Secretary  John Griffin will be featured speakers.

Tickets are $40, which includes all food, tax and gratuity, and will be limited to the first 125 to reserve their spot. Call the Boatyard Bar & Grill at 410-216-6206 to RSVP and for more information.

source: Maryland Department of Agriculture