Organizations Speak Out on Safety of Gulf of Mexico Seafood

As a precaution authorities closed federal fishing waters from the Mississippi River east to the panhandle of Florida for a ten day period, but fishing continues on the west side of the Mississippi River. The closure will be in effect for 10 days, from May 7, 2010, through 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2010, unless conditions allow NOAA Fisheries Service to terminate it sooner. According to the FDA, fish and shellfish harvested from areas unaffected by the closures are considered safe to eat.

“Areas outside the closed area account for more than 2/3 of the Gulf Shrimp production. Seventy percent of the Gulf harvest remains untouched by the oil spill,” said David Veal, Executive Director of the American Shrimp Processors Association. “Hopefully the only impact on the industry will be a slight delay in the opening of the brown shrimp season.” The Gulf shrimp industry produces approximately 180 million of the 1.2 billion pounds of shrimp consumed in the United States.

According to government sources, the FDA, NOAA, EPA, state authorities in the regions affected by the recent oil spill and other authorities are monitoring the situation.

The FDA states that "Although crude oil has the potential to taint seafood with flavors and odors caused by exposure to hydrocarbon chemicals, the public should not be concerned about the safety of seafood in stores at this time. There is no reason to believe that any contaminated product has made its way to the market."

Federal and state officials have announced monitoring efforts for the waters from which Gulf coast seafood is harvested. NOAA has the authority to close Federal waters to commercial fishing and states have the authority to close waters within the state 3-mile limit. If adulterated seafood is found on the market, both the FDA and the states have the authority to seize such product and remove it from the food supply.

Louisiania Food Banks Seek Donations

The Louisiana Department of Social Services is encouraging Louisianians to donate canned and non-perishable food items to area food banks, who will help distribute the items to fishermen, families and others who find themselves in need.

"For many Louisiana citizens who earn their living from the Gulf and coastal waters, this tragedy comes at the worst time," said DSS Secretary Kristy Nichols. "Many fishermen, shrimpers and oystermen earn the bulk of their incomes during short seasons of the year and are unable to work because of the current situation."

To quickly respond to the needs of individuals and families along the coastline, DSS is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana to collect and distribute goods to those in need. Second Harvest accepts donations of canned and non-perishable food at 700 Edwards Avenue in New Orleans.

Suggested food donations include:

    * peanut butter
    * soups / stews
    * canned fruits / vegetables
    * canned meats (chicken, beef, ham)
    * tuna fish
    * chili
    * cereal
    * hot cereals (grits, oatmeal)
    * beans
    * juice
    * rice
    * pasta
    * shelf stable milk

Additionally, Second Harvest accepts monetary donations. You can give securely on the Second Harvest website, no-hunger.org, by phone at (504) 729-2858, or by mail at Second Harvest Food Bank, Greater New Orleans & Acadiana, 700 Edwards Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70123.

Annually, Second Harvest feeds approximately 262,800 people across 23 south Louisiana parishes.

For more on the BP oil spill, the Gulf of Mexico disaster and ways to help, visit this BP Horizon Deepwater Oil Spill page.

Louisiana Closes Fishing Areas and Oyster Beds

On April 30, 2010, the Louisiana departments of Health and Hospitals, and Wildlife and Fisheries, announced they will be closing select fishing areas and oyster harvesting beds as a precautionary response to the oil spill in the Gulf.

"I signed this emergency closure today as a proactive effort to prevent any oil-tainted fish, shrimp or crab from being caught and thus consumed," said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham.

The oyster closure order will take effect at sunset today, Friday, April 30, 2010. DHH and LDWF, the state's oyster harvesters and the Louisiana Oyster Task Force are cooperating to ensure the safety of oysters taken from areas currently not affected by the spill.

"Oysters that are still coming out of the many unaffected beds across the Louisiana coast are being watched closely," Dr. Guidry said. "All of the beds that remain open are safe."

Updates on any further closures or changes in the status of areas closed will be posted at emergency.louisiana.gov.

For more information, visit:
www.dhh.louisiana.gov.
www.wlf.louisiana.gov.

2010 Friend of the Sea Awards at Brussels Seafood Expo

At the Brussels Seafood Expo, Friend of the Sea handed out awards to 3 most deserving fisheries and aquaculture companies and associations.

Lee Fish Group / Leigh Fisheries NZ was awarded the prize for its social and environmental engagement, evidenced by its initiatives in collaboration and partnership with the Maori Maoridum through Ngati Whatua, Whaingaroa and other Iwi groups  and its New Zealand mixed fishery.

The Noordzee Vissers Consortium was recognized for its sustainable Dover Sole horizontal gillnets fishery, causing no impact on the seabed, operating in a fuel efficient way and with optimal juveniles and by-catch reduction measures.

The Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group was awarded for the natural and environmentally friendly mussels farming of its associated producers. Mussels are naturally collected on ropes and fed on plankton carried by the rich tidal flows. A sustainable and even beneficial way to produce an excellent source of proteins.

source: Friend of the Sea

International Congress on Seafood Technology

The 2nd International Congress on Seafood Technology (ICST 2010), jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the University of Alaska, will be in Anchorage May 10 - 13 at the Egan Convention Center.

The Congress will bring together scientists, technologists, processors, importers/exporters of fishery products, business developers, government administrators responsible for policy development, non-governmental organizations and other interested parties.

For more information, see:

http://www.alaskaseafood.org/industry/enews/043010-icst2010.pdf