[ NEWS INTERNATIONAL ] The Netherlands: Inter Fresh Concepts announces partnership with Iberoprac Soluciones The Dutch packaging company Inter Fresh Concepts recently established a partnership with the Spanish company Iberoprac Soluciones SL. This alliance is motivated by the desire to overcome previous issues with transporting perishable products. It will also help Inter Fresh distribute its new Gel Ice Pack Product, known as Ice Pack XL, which is manufactured in the Netherlands. The ice pack maintains low temperatures
during the transportation of seafood products and uses a micro perforated HDPE layer to prevent sticking. A plastic sheet and absorbent powder converts into an ice pack when mixed with water. Iberoprac Soluciones will distribute this product from its warehouse in central Spain. The Gel Ice Pack will be exhibited at the Seafood Expo-Southern Europe Stand in Barcelona, Spain, September 22-24.
Peru: El Nino temperatures peak Sea surface temperatures showed the highest anomaly of the year at +0.9°C on June 20th, according to data from National Oceanic and Aquatic Administration (NOAA). This occurred in the region known for the current El Nino, and would confirm the development of this phenomenon. Water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean increased drastically last week, prompting expectations of an upward warming trend that would confirm the development of the warming of El Nino. Luis Icochea, who was involved in this report, stated that “this is a big jump in temperature, from now on waters will hardly be cooled, the event is irreversible.” Surface temperature
abnormalities have been noticed in Peru since May, as anchovy stocks moved south, nearer the shore where industrial fishing is illegal. Consequently, thus far, anchovy catches have been poor this season, with only 36 of the allowable catch caught. Icochea said that “fishmeal players in Peru will be the most harmed by El Nino, as anchovy is the resource most affected by the weather event.” These types of pelagic fish respond to increasing temperatures by moving to cooler, deeper waters where feed is more readily available. However, the temperature increase could also lead to higher catches of species like hake, tuna, mahimahi, swordfish and shark.
Italy: Maria Damanaki announces ban on environmentally-damaging gear at GFCM meeting
The ice pack keeps seafood cool during transport preventing the growth of pathogens.
Norway: Trout affected by virus outbreak On 20 June, a Norwegian veterinary authority submitted a notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health concerning a virus outbreak that is thought to have caused recent mortality in farmed Norwegian rainbow trout. The outbreak began on June 11 at Osland in Sogn and Fjordane, where the farm holds 300,000 fresh water rainbow trout. The outbreak has been rated 2 out of 5 on a morbidity and mortality scale. Four different hatcheries have already 10
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been reported and the disease seems most prevalent in fresh water—mortality rates drop when the fish are transferred to the sea. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute has connected the outbreak to ‘virus Y’, as it is now called, and the infectivity trial concluded that the virus is contagious via horizontal transmission. Common signs of the virus include pale visceria and circulatory failings, inflammation in the heart and cellular neurosis in the liver.
European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki spoke at the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) Annual Session meeting in Rome on 20 May. Ms Damanaki’s address focused on her concern about the stocks in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, which, in some cases, she described as critically low. She bemoaned the increase in unregulated activities in both sea basins and announced a new initiative to ban in all EU waters “the use of gears that adversely affect the ecosystem”. Damanaki urged cooperation and a common approach in both areas because of the similar problems that they face. She outlined that the right context existed for the GFCM to assume more prominence in regulation in line with the increased importance of the Mediterranean and
the Black seas amongst the EU’s conservation policies—she sees the GFCM as crucial for engendering positive policy change. Damanaki cited new management models in Sardinia and Catalonia as signs of positive changes in the regions that the GFCM can assist and expand in order to secure the long-term management of these shared stocks, both for environmental and economic reasons. She proposed the endorsement of the text of the new GFCM Agreement by its members and for this to be ratified straight away to renew the way that the GFCM operates. This would incorporate common standards, a common approach and unity in applying principles and rules. Damanaki called for agreement on long-term conservation measures and commitment to the cause of preserving the fisheries in these two regions. www.eurofishmagazine.com