Oct / Nov / Dec 2000 Archive

Thailand want talks with Egypt on GMO-tuna ban Thailand, October 02, 00
Thailand wants talks with Egypt over Cairo's decision to ban imports of Thai tuna packed in soya oil on the grounds that the soybeans used in the oil might be genetically modified. The discussion have been dragging on for some time now, and has had quite a bad effect on the thai tuna exports. Thailand would expect Egypt to waive the restriction after both countries discuss the matter at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) headquarters in Geneva, said Chantra Puranariksha, deputy director-general of the Foreign Trade Department.
Under WTO rules, the countries will have 60 days for consultations. If they cannot reach a conclusion, the issue will be sent to the WTO's dispute-settlement system. Ms Chantra said that since early this year Egypt had barred imports of canned tuna in soya oil from Thailand. Tuna in sunflower oil or brine is still permitted.
Last year, Thailand exported canned tuna worth 769 million baht to Egypt. The country's total tuna exports earned 21.8 billion baht. Saudi Arabia also banned Thai canned tuna in soya oil, citing concern about genetically modified soybeans, but lifted the ban in June after negotiations with Thai officials.

Indonesia Announces Deregulation on Fishing Licenses Indonesia, October 02, 00
Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said that following the improvement of the previous system, the government plan to issue a deregulation on fishery licensing, beginning in early 2001. The main purpose of the deregulation is to create a fishing operational system which would bring in the highest amount of income for the state, Sarwono said here Wednesday. Therefore the fishing operational system must be controlled by the government.  "We have to take serious steps so that the shallow sea in Indonesia would be closed to fishing boats equipped with very high fishing capacity," he said. Referring to the increasing complaints by local fisherman who are confronted by depleted stocks, often the result of intensive fishing by foreign flag boats.

Mexico demands rapid solution to USA tuna controversy Ecuador, October 02, 00
Mexico is determined to put an end to the long controversy over the tuna embargo, as the US has not fulfilled its compromises on this issue, official sources in Mexico said. The Mexican fishery organization Semarnap said in Washington that a government delegation composed of the undersecretaries of Foreign Affairs, Fisheries, and of Commerce, would travel to the US to make consultations.
This first move is intended to make the US fulfil the compromises reached with Mexico, other countries and non-governmental organizations. The trade conflict has caused political tension between the nations. Therefore the consultations were requested by the Mexican secretary of Foreign Affairs, Rosario Green to US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright. They were scheduled for Thursday and Friday last week in Washington, and so far no results were made public.
The original embargo placed by the US banned access of Mexican tuna to the American market. The US government alleged that the fishing methods used by the Mexicans were causing the death of dolphins in the Eastern Pacific, as these mammals became entangled in the fishing nets.
Following some changes implemented by the Department of Commerce, Mexican tuna was allowed to be traded on the American market with the "Dolphin-safe" label, provided that US observers certified that no dolphins were killed in the nets used by Mexican tuna vessels.
The verdict in a court case initiated in 1999 by EII, by Judge Henderson,  did not block access of Mexican tuna to the US market but it prevented the product from displaying the label, if it had been caught near surrounding dolphins. In May, President Clinton´s administration appealed to Henderson´s verdict, and a final decision is expected to be released during the first quarter of 2001. Until then Mexico would not be in the position to export to the USA market.
However, Mexico has decided not to wait for a new verdict but to invoke the first step of the Agreement on the Dolphin Conservation Program (Apicd), which includes bilateral consultations between both countries.
The Mexicans already aired that if no agreement is reached within a "reasonable time", the case could be analyzed by a panel and brought to an international court. Reliable sources said taking the matter to The Hague international court for arbitration could be a possible alternative if consultations failed. In 1992, a panel of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Commerce reached a verdict on embargoes imposed on Mexico one year before, in favor of Mexico. However, Mexico preferred to reach a bilateral solution at a time when both countries were negotiating the North American Free Trade Commerce Treaty.

G.S. packers hold skipjack price arnd $450 Philippines, October 02, 00
Prices of raw materials in the Philippines are still at the level around US$ 450, although there is strong up-ward pressure. Meantime, packers are hesitant to offer, for fear that prices will continue to go up. One packer indicated prices for fisnished product which were up by 15% from levels about 2-3 weeks ago.
Canned tuna packers are still working at very limited production capacity. Due to the recent agreement among fishreman to reduce their fish efforts, the expactation is that only when buyers are ready to accept higher prices there is a basis for business. The last week, evn though packers did not offer, they received many bids at previous rock bottom level fro shipments 3-4 months forward. These bids were not accepted, and hardly any counters wre made.

19th fuel increase since Estrada took office Philippines, October 03, 00
In the Philippines the increases of oil prices is often seen as a matter closely linked to the weakness of the Estrada administration. Recently the country experienced the 19th fuel price increase since Estrada took office in June '98. This has further added to the burden of the Filipinos, as cost of goods are likely to increase again, and the country economical situation continues to worsen.

War in Mindanao claims many victims Philippines, October 03, 00
According to the army, the offensive of the Philippine military against the Abu Sayaff, and other moslim groups, has costs the lives of at least a hundred Aba Sayaff members. There have been reports of human rights violations, as many civilian families have been displaced by the military operations. Desperate rebels are also renewing their call for "Jihad" against the Christians, probably as a way to derail the military onslaught. Gov't is still not sure until when these operations will last (even though they claimed they'd finish it in 2 weeks).
The tuna canning operations and the fishing activities around General Santos have not really been effected by the recent government offensive. Although the situation remains tense, business is finding its normal way. Container shipments out of General Santos port have also been according to schedule.

Mexico says $200 million anual loss due to US Embargo USA October 03, 00
Mexico said Friday it will take a dispute with the United States over tuna fishing before the World Trade Organization (WTO) and that it might renounce an international agreement protecting dolphins that it says hurts Mexican fishermen.The lack of resolution in the dispute, which Mexican authorities blame on the United States, has given rise to "predatory practices by Spanish and Ecuadorian fleets" in the eastern Pacific, said Alfonso Rosinol of the Mexican National Chamber of Fishing and Aquatic Industries.
Especially the Ecuadorian dominance in the E.P.O has grown the last 5 years, but also several many Spanish fishing and canning companies stationed their vessels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. They filled the gap partially created by the problems which the Mexican tuna industry faced,  when confronted an embargo in the US market, its major export market. Unlike Ecuador and Spain, Mexican fish does not have duty free access to the E.U market.
Mexican Fishing Undersecretary Carlos Camacho, who has been meeting this week with U.S. officials in Washington to discuss the 12-year-old dispute, said his country is losing $150 to $200 million annually because of denial of access to the U.S. market. "This also means the loss of 6,000 jobs and some 20,000 related jobs," he added.

Skipjack catches in EPO sharp drop Ecuador, October 06, 00
Latest data from the IATTC show that the total volume of the catch of skipjack within the Eastern Pacific Ocean is continuing to drop to levels far below normal. During the top year 1999 the average catch per day of skipjack was 9.6 M/T, but now this has dropped to 3.85 M/T over the last month. This indicates that the average catch per vessel is much lower then top year 1999, but close to the average catch in disaster El Nino year 1998. These numbers would give us the impression that the total volume of skipjack catches in the Eastern Pacific is still reasonable.
However if we combine the lower skipjack catch per vessel with the factor that currently 49% of the EPO tuna fleet is in port, it must become clear that a very significant reduction in skipjack catches in the Eastern Pacific is taking place. During the last week the vessels at sea, with a combined fleet capacity of 90250 M/T, managed to catch only 1330 M/T of skipjack, and 4107 M/T of yellowfin. This leads to very high costs for those still fishing, while skipjack prices rise only very slowly.
In the meantime the imports of frozen skipjack tuna from the Western Pacific ocean to Ecuador continue. This fish can solely be used for loining purposes for export to the U.S.A, and cannot apply for exports to the E.U. (with duty free entry).

Mexicans threaten to leave Dolphin Protection program  USA October 06, 00
The Mexican tuna fishing industry urged the government to cancel -- partially or completely -- its subscription to an international dolphin protection agreement and lodge a complaint against a U.S. ban on Mexican tuna with the World Trade Organization. Industry representative Alfonso Rosinol Literas said that unless the United States moves to lift the ban, both steps should be taken by the Mexican government no later than Nov. 15 of this year.
Mexico is a contracting member of the IATTC, which runs a dolphin protection and conservation program, by employing observers on board of purse seiners in the Eastern Pacific.
If indeed Mexico, who has the second largest fleet in the EPO, would leave the IATTC, this could have a very bad effect on the entire dolphin conservation efforts made in Eastern Pacific.

USA sets EPO Yellowfin embargo  USA October 09, 00
Moving to implement an international resolution on tuna conservation and management in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, the United States has set a limit on purse seine and baitboat fishing for yellowfin tuna in 2000. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries imposed embargoes on yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products from Belize,Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama,Vanuatu, and Venezuela. This action prohibits the importation into the United States from these nations of yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested by purse seine in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. NMFS is imposing the embargoes because these nations harvest tuna in the ETP with purse seine vessels with greater than 400 short ton (362.8 mt) of carrying capacity and have not received "affirmative findings" as required by 50 CFR 216.24(f)(9).
This action puts regulatory teeth in a recommendation by the Inter-American ropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), which conducts research and overseas the international tuna fishery in the region.
For several years, the commission has been struggling to constrain a surging catch of tuna in the region, in part to protect less abundant tuna species that are caught together with the prolific skipjack and yellowfin. The development of highly efficient radio-buoy Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) in recent years has enabled purse seiners to increase their catches rapidly, while raising concerns about conservation of the less fecund stocks that mingle with these fish. This year, despite sagging tuna markets the catch has increased slightly from 1999. Through 2 October the total Eastern Pacific catch of tunas reached an estimated 469,112 metric tons, up from 464,897 at this time in 1999.
Biologists have demonstrated that the increasing reliance upon FADs has changed the catch composition in the fishery, elevating catches of juvenile tunas and generating a massive rise in landings of bigeye tuna, along with large bycatches of other species. Annual landings of bigeye tuna soared from 4,700 metric tons in 1990 to 51,600 in 1997; landings of the species have dropped off to an average of 37,800 metric tons since then, according to IATTC data.
The surge in catches and bycatches is largely an unintended result of a US dolphin-protection policy that the nation, the industry and most leading environmental groups now recognise as a mistake. FADs gained favour partly as a way for producers to gain access to the US market under the controversial "dolphin safe" embargo, which prohibited imports of tuna caught by the most selective method in the purse seine fishery: targeting the large, fast-swimming yellowfin tuna that associate with dolphins. By releasing dolphins alive and carefully setting the net, purse seiners in the international fleet have cut dolphin mortality by more than 99% under an IATTC-run conservation programme. However, the US ban on tuna caught in association with dolphins encouraged many vessels to switch to FAD fishing, despite the increased bycatch of other species.
The new US regulations follow the IATTC´s guidance on control of the fishery. The commission in June set an overall harvest limit of 265,000 metric tons of yellowfin tuna for the year and, even if that limit is not yet reached, set a closure date of 1 December 2000 for purse seine and baitboat fisheries within the region´s principal fishing area. By 2 October, the catch of yellowfin in the Eastern Pacific had reached an estimated 211,721 metric tons, down slightly from 1999 when the catch of yellowfin at this time of year amounted to 240,431 metric tons.
A major question for the fishery is whether all the other fishing nations in the region will follow the commission´s guidance as well. In recent years Ecuador has drawn heavy criticism for allowing its boats to defy closures set by the commission.

EPO catches continue to drop Ecuador, October 10, 00
The latest prelimenary data released by the IATTC show that catches from January to October 2000 in the Eastern Pacific ocean are decreasing rapidly the last month. Statistics reveal that until July catches in 2000 were very good but have started to edge off since then. Especially during the last month of September only 28000 M/T were caught by all vessels supervised by the IATTC, whereas over previous months an average of abt 50.000 M/T of skipjack and yellowfin were caught.
According to some sources for the remainder of the year the expectations are that catches will continue to stay low, about 20.000 monthly or even lower.
Ecuador Chart (IATTC catches) Jan- Oct 2000.

EPO nations must prove IATTC compliance: says USA Ecuador October 11, 00
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant Administrator) imposed embargoes on yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products from Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala,Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Vanuatu, and Venezuela under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The MMPA required nations wishing to import into the United States yellowfin tuna or yellowfin tuna products harvested by purse seine in the EPO to submit documentation indicating that they were enforcing dolphin protection measures comparable to those of the United States.
In order to export to the United States yellowfin tuna harvested by purse seine in the EPO (Eastern Pacific Ocean), nations that have, operating under their jurisdiction, purse seine vessels with over 400 short tons of carrying capacity that fish for tuna in the EPO (i.e., a harvesting nation) are now obligated to submit documentary evidence directly to Assistant Administrator, and to request an affirmative finding as required by 50 CFR 216.24(f)(9). Based upon documentary evidence submitted by a harvesting nation and obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and/or from the Department of State, the Assistant Administrator will determine whether the nation qualifies for an affirmative finding under section 101(a)(2)(B) of the MMPA.
An affirmative finding allows for the importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested by purse seine in the EPO after March 3, 1999. If a harvesting nation does not provide documentary evidence that shows that the nation meets the standards under section 101(a)(2)(B) of the MMPA, the Assistant Administrator   must embargo yellowfin tuna harvested by purse seine in the EPO. Bolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua are not currently embargoed, however, those nations have failed to submit documentation to NMFS, as required by 50 CFR 216.24(f)(9).

Heart Association recommends 2 tuna servings weekly USA October 11, 00
The American Heart Association dished out new dietary guidelines on Thursday, stressing for the first time obesity prevention and overall eating patterns instead of recommendations on percentages of fat or nutrients. However it was also the first time that the Dallas-based nongovernmental association recommended people eat two weekly servings of fatty fish such as tuna or salmon, including less expensive canned tuna and canned salmon.
It was the association's first diet update since 1996. New guidelinese say that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fish, lean meats and poultry is still the basis to help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 killer of men and women in the United States.
Five servings of fruit and vegetables and six servings of grain are recommended daily, and consumers are warned against eating fatty fried food,  and fast-food.
The AHA said that although the guidelines were developed to ''reduce or delay'' heart disease and stroke, research indicated that the recommended nutritional diet could also decrease the risk of cancer or osteoporosis.

GS tuna labor cost up 30% Philippines, October 17, 00
GS labor sector has been confronted by demands of a 30% increase, or 52 Peso of the wages of workers in tuna canneries on Mindanao. Currently the daily pay the workers take home is Peso 158, almost US$ 4,00. The labor intensive canned tuna industry, the major employer in the area, is resisting this move, arguing that the current market circumstances, and the competition with Indonesia, do not allow them to absorb these costs. Packers are expected to offer their workers a smaller increase. In Metro Manila, the daily minimum wage has already been increased about 11.5%,  2 weeks ago. It is today around P250/day, although labor groups say this is hardly enough to cover the expenses the workers have.
The economic situation of Philippines remains weak, and the lack of faith in President Estrada is certainly not helping.

G.S. skipjack stable at $450 Philippines, October 17, 00
Prices in General Santos are still around USd 450 CF for 1.8kg-up whole round skipjack. There is hardly any movement in the market reported. Canners are still not actively offering to either USA or Europe. Most factories continue to produce at very limited capacity, some have even shut down entirely for export production , and switched to domestic retail tuna production or to canning of other species. Due to the high stocks in the USA, there is no real demand for the USA single duty quota. Usually around this time of year canneries were running full capacity for the USA market, which would have an upward influence on raw material prices, caused by the increased demand. This year we will not see this effect.
Many tuna boats have docked, or come to port for repair and maintenance. Fishing activity remains slow, and is expected to decrease even further the coming 2 months.

Philippine fishing company signs PNG fishing agreement Philippines, October 26, 00
Last Friday an five year fishing agreement was signed at the Lae International Hotel between the Morobe provincial government and a Philippine fishing company, Frabelle. A part of the five-year agreement reads that a common understanding with a view to promote, develop and further enhance fisheries and related industries in Morobe province must be encouraged. The Philippine company, Frabelle will undertake trial fishing for small pelagic fish within the 12-mile zone and jointly identify suitable and commercially viable projects to be undertaken with full participation by the resource owners.
President of Frabelle Manila and Vice President of Frabelle (PNG) Ltd. Augusto Natibited said that the signing of the agreement with the Morobe provincial government will open up market opportunities for local fishermen living along the coast.
The agreement will provide relevant technical assistance for the development of suitable and viable fisheries projects in partnership with the traditional resource owners. They will also participate in aquaculture projects with the aim to breed, culture and farm selected and commercially marketable fish species, including shrimp, for both local and export markets.

E.U Fishing Commission wants "Galapagos Agreement" stopped Ecuador October 27, 00
The president of the Fishing Commission of the European Parliament, Daniel Varela Suanzes, asked the European Commission to stop the initiative adopted by various Latin american countries of forbidding the fishing within the 200 miles.
Ecuador, Chile, Peru and Colombia signed, within the Permanent Commission of the South Pacific, the so called "Galápagos agreement", in which they committed to study the necessary steps to prevent fishing within the 200 miles coastal regions. According to the E.U fishing commission, the " Galapagos Agreement" was designed "with the excuse of the preservation of the resources". This has motivated, according to Varela, a proposal from Chile to the rest of the Latin american countries to forbid, as the Chilean government did, transshipment and unloading operations of the captures in the ports. This initiative gave place to a denounce from the E.U. against Chile before the OMC. The E.U. parliament stated that the measures planned by these countries are against the international maritime laws.

"Galapagos Agreement" does not forbid tuna fishing but over-exploitation Ecuador October 27, 00
With regard to the petition of the Fishing Commission of the European Parliament to stop the initiative adopted by various Latin american countries of "preventing the fishing beyond the 200 miles", the president of the National Fisheries Chamber of Ecuador, César Rohón, stated that the "Galápagos" agreement signed by Ecuador, Chile, Peru and Colombia, does not forbid the fishing beyond the 200 miles of the adjacent sea parallel until the meridian 120, instead it seeks the protection of the species.
Rohón expressed that what was subscribed in the agreement, does not justify a demand from the E.U before the OMC, because fishing is not forbidden. "What the agreement seeks is the fleets to adapt themselves to the conservation handling programs of these countries, because the resources which are extracted are highly migratory species". He continued telling that the E.U. has to deliver to the "Galápagos" agreement members, the commitment of caring and preserving the natural environment and the fishing resources of the adjacent sea, the same as to observe all the policies that will be implemented. Moreover, the instrument has a special law which establishes a reserved zone of 40 miles, in which at some moment, plans for the opening of the tuna fishing in the summer time, could be established, but then only in the context of a policy based on the adequate handling of the resources, seeking a fair equilibrium between the care of the environment and the development of the production activities of the country.

Spanish and USA seiners move to WPO Thailand, October 27, 00
According to reports by the IATTC several Spanish and American boats terminated their tuna fishing activities in the Eastern Pacific and moved  to the Western Pacific Ocean.
Four big Spanish boats registered in Guatamala, Spain and Ecuador set course for West of 150° W., the Western Pacific Ocean abt two weeks ago. Together they represent a total catching volume of 7000 M/T.
Also two USA seiners and one Panamanian boat, with a total of 6000 m/t of capacity sailed for the WPO.
These 7 boats represent about 8% of the total catching capacity within the Eastern Pacific. The fact that these boats, who mainly target skipjack tuna,  are re-locating, is the result of the limitations installed by IATTC on floating object fishing, but also due to the disappointing catches in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Although more then 50% of the EPO fleet is now in port, due to the very low tuna price, and the IATTC catching restrictions, purse seiners with tonnages of 1000-2500 M/T seem to continue fishing and moving to areas where they expect better catches. In the WPO the Taiwanse and Philippino fleet have announced to reduce skipjack fishing activity by abt 40% between October 2000 and January 2001.

E.U Fishing Commission wants "Galapagos Agreement" stopped Europe, October 27, 00
The president of the Fishing Commission of the European Parliament, Daniel Varela Suanzes, asked the European Commission to stop the initiative adopted by various Latin american countries of forbidding the fishing within the 200 miles.
Ecuador, Chile, Peru and Colombia signed, within the Permanent Commission of the South Pacific, the so called "Galápagos agreement", in which they committed to study the necessary steps to prevent fishing within the 200 miles coastal regions. According to the E.U fishing commission, the " Galapagos Agreement" was designed "with the excuse of the preservation of the resources". This has motivated, according to Varela, a proposal from Chile to the rest of the Latin american countries to forbid, as the Chilean government did, transshipment and unloading operations of the captures in the ports. This initiative gave place to a denounce from the E.U. against Chile before the OMC. The E.U. parliament stated that the measures planned by these countries are against the international maritime laws.

Starkist-Heinz Ghana exports subject in E.U. investigations USA October 30, 00
Investigations by the E.U. anti-fraud unit have been taken place into the exports of Starkist-Heinz to the E.U. market. During February 2000, on request of member states U.K. and France, the European Communicate launched a investigative mission to Ghana to verify if the exports of the Pioneer Food Cannery (PFC). Canned tuna exports from Ghana to the European Union enjoy a preferential duty of 0%, compared to 24% for countries without preferential treatment.

The mission of the anti-fraud unit investigated Ghanese exports from 1994 amounting 81.000 tons with a value of 253.898.360 Euro to counrties like, Belgium, Spain, France, Finland, Greece, Italy, Holland, Portugal, U.K., Sweden, Denmark and Germany. The goal of the mission was to find if PFC did fully comply with the conditions as laid down in the Lome Convention, which guarantees duty free entry for tuna products from developing countries into the E.U.

In France there has been for quite some time a call for an investigation into the activities by Starkist-Heinz. The American company has taken over two factories in Ghana and Seychelles, both granted duty free access to the Community. Also important brands such as Petite Navirre ( France) and John West (U.K.) were taken over. Starkist also invested in a French fishing company SOBRECAF. All these investments, and the aggressive penetration of Starkist into the E.U. market, have hurt some traditional processors and brand leaders in France. Several times comments by French processors have been made, that Starkist-Heinz was killing their business, utilizing the Lome Convention, which was designed to support the establishment of local tuna industries in developing countries. According to E.U. processors this duty free arrangement has now turned against them, and is being exploited by an American company.

The investigations of the anti-fraud unit has concentrated itself on the ownership and management structures of the company, and also the origin of the fish, and flags of the supplying vessels. Investigators looked for evidence for charging Starkist- Heinz with false declaration of origin of the tuna products.

The report by the anti-fraud unit points out that several irregularities were found. Much depend on the decision by the local customs if they find enough legal arguments to take steps to claim back the 24% duty which was not paid by importers. The legal system in the E.U. holds importers 100% liable, for irregularities in regard to duty clearance. If indeed their will be found enough legal basis to demand pay-back of duties, some European tuna importers could face multi-million Euro claims.
CHART:            Ghana Exports to EU 1999

Senegal and E.U. discuss extension Tuna fishing agreement Europe, October 31, 00
Talks between the  EU Commisioner Franz Fischler and his Senegalese counterpart Omar Sarr continued last week on how the shape of future fisheries agreements between the two sides. The meeting focussed on the development of the longstanding fisheries relationship between the Community and Senegal, which dates from 1980. The present deal dates from May 1997 but will expire at the end of April next year.
In common with the deal presently being negotiated by the E.U. and Morocco, the new agreement is likely to put heavy emphasis on the development of the indigenous fisheries. At present the EU contributes 12 million Euros per year, with half going to fishery development. In return EU trawlers, purse seiners and industrial vessels targetting tuna/pelagic from Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece get access to limited quantities of fish.
Commissioner Fischler said: "The EU Fisheries Agreement with Senegal is an important instrument for sustainable exploitation of Senegal´s fisheries resources. We are looking forward to pursuing this good relationship.
According to the E.U. they support the efforts of the Senegalese authorities to strengthen the local fisheries sector and manage fisheries resources in a sustainable way. E.U officials pointed out that they are interested in contributing to activities such as research, monitoring and surveillance, training and support for artisanal fishery, which could help developing Senegal´s fisheries sector further. Obviously, also providing fishing waters for the large E.U fleet plays an important role.
Part of the catch is landed in Senegal to supply the local market and the tuna processing industries ashore. Senegal has three tuna canneries which export to the E.U market : Pecherie Frigorigigue du Senegal (ex- Peche et Froid Senegal), Interco, and SNCDS. The Community vessels accounts for almost a quarter of the landings by the industrial fleet at the port of Dakar, while they represent only  around 6.5 % of all industrial vessels fishing in Senegalese waters. 
CHART:        Senegal Canned Tuna Exports to EU

Australia signs WPO tuna agreement, Japan still objects Thailand, October 31, 00
Australia on Monday became the latest nation to sign an agreement aimed at reducing the overfishing of tuna and other migratory fish species in the central and western Pacific.
Prime Minister John Howard signed the convention at a meeting of Pacific Island Forum leaders in Kiribati, along with the tiny nation of Niue.
The convention, which followed four years of intensive negotiations, was signed by nine Forum countries in Hawaii on Sept. 4, as well as Taiwan, the Philippines and the United States under special arrangements for other fishing nations.
The agreement sets out a legally binding conservation and management plan to ensure the management and long-term survival of the tuna industry in the region. The Pacific tuna fishing is a multibillion dollar industry, over 70 percent of the world's tuna comes from the region, which emphasizes the importance that these resources need to be sustained for future generations.''

Japan, a major consumer of these tuna stocks, has not signed the agreement yet. As with most other negociations involving management of fishing resources, Japan is pushing for clauses allowing it to opt out of some of the convention rules.
Prime Minister Clark of New Zealand encouraged other nations to sign the agreement as quickly as possible. ``This will send an important signal of our commitment to the sustainable utilization of our tuna resources and that the convention is important to us,'' she said.

Fisherman firm at $440 for skipjack Philippines, October 31, 00
Although most expected prices to weaken, several Philippine based tuna fishing companies, supplying to canneries in General Santos City, are firm on their prices. At least two major fishing companies are insisting on prices of $440 for frozen skipjack 1.8kg -up. This explains why canneries in Philippines are mostly refraining from offering, knowing that they can hardly compete with offers from Thailand. In Thailand raw material have been weakening by about 10% over the last 2-3 weeks.
Fisherman argue that they can make better prices when selling fish for the fresh market, and also for exports to other surrounding markets. The reduced activity of the fishing fleet, following agreements between fisherman to decrease capacity by abt 40%, also contributes to less pressure to sell at rock- bottom levels. Question is how long they will be able to maintain this level ?

40 Thai "pirate" fishing boats given to Indo fishermen Indonesia, October 31, 00
The Jakarta Post reported that some 40 Thai fishing vessels impounded by the Indonesian navy off the northern coast of Sumatra island last year have been given to local fishermen.The newspaper said the handover was made on Wednesday in accordance with a ruling made by the Banda Aceh High Court on 15 September, but it did not name the recipients.
The 105 Thai fishermen who had been in the boats when they were caught in Indonesian waters in November of last year -- less one who killed himself in detention -- were repatriated on 17 October, the Post said. Maritime and Fisheries Ministry spokesman Zukafril said the handover had been delayed due to logistical reasons.
He said it had been necessary for the Finance Ministry, Attorney Generals Office and other government institutions to work together to ascertain the value and maintenance costs of the boats. The government then had to go through the process of deciding which companies should be hired to maintain the boats and to whom the vessels should be given, he said. The paper did not mention the value of the seized vessels.

OMEGA 3 decision FDA again postponed USA, November 01, 00
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's decision regarding health claims for omega-3 fatty acids has been delayed for the second time this month.  The FDA was scheduled to announce this week whether the health benefits of omega-3 can be officially touted – something the FDA now prohibits. If the agency changes its stance, it would allow seafood companies to promote the benefits of omega-3.
According to an FDA news release, the agency was unable to complete its review by its scheduled date of Oct. 24 due to "the complexity of the issues." FDA is in the process of finalizing its evaluation of the health claims, and plans to issue its decision letter by Oct. 31. The FDA announcement, required by a 1999 court order, is the result of a lawsuit against the agency by the Great Falls, Va.-based American Preventive Medical Association.

Omega-3, a fatty acid abundant in salmon, shark, mackerel and tuna, has been cited through years of scientific research to be effective in the prevention of coronary diseases and strokes, among other ailments. But acceptance of omega-3 as a legitimate health benefit has run into its share of roadblocks in Washington.
The biggest hurdle has been the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which has never allowed companies to officially tout the powers of omega-3. That, however, could change next week, when the FDA releases its decision on whether there is enough scientific data to support the omega-3 health claims. The again delayed FDA announcement, required by a 1999 court order, is sure to make some waves in the scientific community and in the seafood industry. Despite the recent buzz about omega-3, many remain skeptical that the federal health agency will do an about-face. Robert Katz, president of the Omega-3 Research Institute in Bethesda, Md., says the FDA would do well by following the American Heart Association's lead. "It would be difficult (for the FDA) to make a statement saying (omega-3) is not beneficial," Katz said.   Katz, who has studied fatty acids for more than 20 years, says AHA's upcoming guidelines - to be published in the Oct. 31 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association - shows "significant progress" toward acceptance of omega-3 as a legitimate facet of a healthy diet.
By recommending that people eat "fatty" fish, it is clear that the AHA is advocating the intake omega-3 fatty acids, he says.Omega-3 studies began several decades ago, when physicians working in the Arctic found that the Inuit people rarely suffered from coronary disease,even though their diets - fish, blubber and seal meat - were high in fat and cholesterol. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence linking high omega-3 intake and low incidence of coronary disease, the FDA has forbidden omega-3 dietary supplement makers from making nutritional claims on packages and labels.

The U.S. Court of Appeals last year ordered the FDA to re-evaluate its denials on omega-3, after the Great Falls, Va.-based American Preventive Medical Association and three other plaintiffs sued the federal agency. APMA Executive Director Candace Campbell is not optimistic that the FDA will alter its stance. I just don't have a lot of faith that this agency will ever get it right in terms of health claims," she said. "It's like living in a Kafka novel trying to follow their logic ... It's not like they haven't read the science."
Omega-3 consumption has been extensively investigated, and researchers have maintained that it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and is an effective pain reliever for arthritis.
But Campbell says that the FDA has not been known to reverse its tracks."They will be the last to say, 'you're right,'" she added. "I'm not holding my breath."
Still, Randy Rice, seafood technical program director at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, says he sees "momentum building" toward a change in FDA rules. As a seafood marketer, ASMI would likely use any good news from Washington as ammunition for selling Alaska salmon.
"We're quite limited on what we can say on packages and labels," he said. An official FDA endorsement, however, would be "another tool in the box that we could use." Informing the public is a vital issue for the seafood industry. Through research last year, ASMI discovered that consumers are very concerned with health and nutrition issues when buying seafood products, Rice said. And York, Pa.-based Holleran Consulting says that the public is aware of omega-3 and knows that it's good for them - but most do not fully understand what its benefits are.

"The story has only been partially told," Michele Holleran stated in a marketing presentation at the National Fisheries Institute's annual convention in September. "An educational campaign about the benefits of omega-3 would be a powerful tool in fueling perceptions about seafood." Championing the health benefits of seafood on labels and packages would be extremely advantageous for marketing, says Linda Candler, vice president of communications at the National Fisheries Institute. "It would give a point-of-purchase message that's key to selling the product," she said.

Candler is cautiously optimistic, however, as FDA's decision is still uncertain. The agency may opt to approve health claims strictly for dietary supplements, but not for food items, she said. "That's a big question mark right now," she said.

Giant Bluefin appears again at Prince Edward Island Canada, November 01, 00
Giant bluefin tuna catches are on the rise in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Fishermen took a total of 257 tuna off the coast of Prince Edward Island, with weights ranging from 495 to 1,200 pounds, according to a report in The Guardian. The majority weighed in the 800-pound range. Fish was in good condition and fisherman are expecting this quality could make $10 to $20 a pound on the Japanese market.
"They are coming back and staying longer, there is no doubt about it," said local fisherman Mark Rose, who landed 10 fish during the season, which opened at the end of July. "A lot of fellows who never got a fish for years got one this time.

Philippine Tuna Congress seeks support in Global Tuna crisis Philippines, November 01, 00
During the two-day congress Second Tuna Congress held over the weekend, experts warned that the current global tuna crisis could most likely result in a worldwide shakeout. Reason for the Philippine tuna producers to seek more government intervention to save the industry from a possible collapse. The participants, mostly fishing companies, called for government leaders to be more actively involved in strengthening the local industry in the face of a growing competition in the world tuna industry.

Among the resolutions passed during the two-day congress included a call for the government to accelerate negotiations for a fishery access agreement with Pacific nations. Doming Teng, president of the Federation of Fishing Associations and Allied Industries (SFFAAI), said an access agreement was vital for the survival of the tuna industry. The congress also urged the government to lobby for the reduction of the 24 percent tariff on Philippine tuna products in the E.U market, where there is a strong competition from ACP countries who have 0 percent duty.

The congress also sought the establishment of a National Tuna Industry Council that will set policies, guidelines and initiatives involving the tuna industry. The fact that the Philippines ranks seventh among the world's top tuna producers merits a special body to handle that sector, Teng said.

The Philippine tuna industry is also feeling the consequences of the tuna crises, just as the global tuna industry, which has been facing volatility and financial ruin because of overproduction of canned tuna that has sent prices down. Such a situation has already taken its toll in the local industry forcing at least two tuna canning firms to shut down operations temporarily. Both Nautica and RFM Tuna ( Swift) have  laid off hundreds of workers as both were forced to shut down, or dramatically reduce production due to heavy losses. It is expected that more might follow and the least competitive fleets and processors might drop out while those with higher efficiency , quality of marketing and management will could possibly expand.

Participants at the Congress pointed out that the government continues to play a vital role in the reorganization and modernization of the tuna sector, as it determines the extent of support to be provided. In the past many times a strong working partnership between the business community and the government had given the Philippine tuna industry the edge. But in the current crises special measures are needed. Local industry officials said unless government takes a stronger position in the allocation of market share and in the reduction of trade barriers, some 200,000 fishermen and workers face displacement.

62 tuna longliners to be scrapped by Taiwanese-Japanese Federation Thailand, November 01, 00
A Japanese tuna fisheries federation said Tuesday it will link up with its Taiwan counterpart and other businesses to set up a body Dec. 1 to combat damage done by tuna fishing boats sailing under flags of convenience. The entity will buy 62 of the some 120 flag-of-convenience ships built in Japan many years ago,  and now owned by Taiwan companies in order to scrap them, said the Federation of Japan Tuna Fisheries Cooperative Associations.
The flags of convience enables ocean-going longliners to avoid fisheries controls; they are therefore deemed harmful to national fishing concerns. The groups are calling on their South Korean and Indonesian counterparts to join the body, whose funds for purchasing the vessels will be raised from the participating boats.
The entity will also make country-by-country lists of registered tuna fishing longliners and collect data on catches to try to prevent distribution of tuna caught by flag-of-convenience vessels. The body plans to purchase the 62 ships by December 2002, at a cost of 20 million yen to 80 million yen each, the federation said.
This action emphasizes that major fishing nations as Japan and Taiwan are recognizing that serious action should be taken to improve management of the tuna resources, and also limit the over-exploitation and over-supply of several tuna species.

WPO distant fishing on the rise, catches 14% down Thailand, November 02, 00
During presentation of its anual report this last weekend at the Pacific Islands Forum summit, the 16 nation Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) said that fishing catches across the Pacific are declining although with the return of South Korean fishing boats the fleet has increased in size.
FFA said a substantial drop of registrations of fishing boats noted in 1998/99 has been halted. The total number of vessels of all types in good standing for the 1999/00 is 849, compared with 827 the previous year. With the exception of the U.S fleet, catches for all other distant water fleets declined last year.
The preliminary estimate of the 1999 purse seine catch in the WPO is 995,500 tonnes. This was a decline of about 14 per cent compared to the record 1998 catch of 1,158,300 tonnes."
The drop in catches results from poor fish prices and reduction in overall effort. The preliminary 1999 catch estimate by locally based FFA country fleets remains virtually unchanged at 122,300 tonnes. "The continuing high catches in 1999 resulted in a sustained period of low prices for canning raw material throughout the year," the report says.

"Catches of bigeye, which were a cause for concern at the end of 1997, decreased during 1998. However, a recent report by the OFP (Oceanic Fisheries Programme) suggests that for 1999 the catch may exceed the 1997 catch of 30,700 tonnes. The OFP have also raised further concern in relation to possible overfishing of bigeye and a decline in the adult biomass, which is reflected in the smaller size of the skipjack landed.

The report sees as major reason for the drop to US$ 400 for skipjack the continuing good catches in all major tuna fishing grounds, with increases occurring in the eastern Pacific as well as the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The report notes yellowfin prices in Bangkok followed the movements for skipjack by also dropping sharply. Longline fishery figures for 1998 was about 199,000 tonnes, a small decrease on the 1997 catch. Bigeye and yellowfin made up about two thirds of the catch while albacore comprised around 18%.

According to the report the Japanese catch increased by approximately 8300 tonnes (11%) while the Korean and Taiwanese catch increased marginally. The reported catch by Chinese vessels continued to decline as a result of a decrease in the number of active vessels, with numbers down to 116 compared to a high of 456 in 1994."

Time magazine promotes Omega -3 & Tuna USA, November 02, 00
The latest edition of Time magazine devotes two pages to the health benefits of omega-3 in an article titled, "We Love Fish."  The article is comes at a good time for the seafood industry given the negative story that is expected to appear on "Good Morning America" this week that questions the safety of fresh and frozen fish sold at retail counters.
Especially mackerel, sardines and salmon are mentioned, but also the benefits of eating tuna.
The Time article discusses the abundance of research that suggests that omega-3 promotes cardiovascular health, and highlights the new dietary guidelines released by the American Heart Association that recommends everyone eat two 3-ounce servings of fatty fish per week. It also talks about the pending decision by the Food and Drug Administration on whether those benefits can be advertised.
In the article  William Cooper, a professor of endocrinology at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Ore., is quoted:  saying he would be surprised if the FDA doesn't allow the health claims of omega-3 to be advertised. "I don't know how they can avoid a health claim," he said. "There will be court action, I'm sure, if they don't."

Pirate fishing conference a failure Europe, November 03, 00
Four weeks ago, representatives from 72 countries met in Rome to adopt a draft plan to combat the plundering of the world's oceans.  The plan, shepherded by the United Nation's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), targeted what's become known as IUU fishing – illegal, unreported and unregulated – which is widely considered a growing threat to sustainable fisheries around the globe. Indeed, one-quarter of the world's total seafood catch may now come from boats that flout international law in pursuit of valuable, and often endangered, species.
Attendees in Rome, however, went home disappointed, after five days of meetings with nothing resolved. Groups such as Greenpeace International ,which has sounded the alarm for years about what it calls pirate fishing,  blasted the lack of action in Rome, calling it an "international failure."

Just this month, a London newspaper reported that 25 percent of the world's total seafood catch may come from boats that flout international law to catch valuable – and often endangered – species. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that IUU fishing could propel some fish to the brink of extinction, including Patagonian toothfish, commonly known as Chilean sea bass. And a National Fisheries Institute representative says illegal harvests pose perhaps the single-greatest threat to fishery resources, particularly those on the high seas.
We know that within EEZ (exclusive economic zones), underreporting could be as high as 30 percent," he said. "So that indicates the scale of the problem."
IUU fishing companies use boats owned by "shell" companies to mask the actual owners. They fly what are known as flags of convenience, obtained from countries that make their flags readily available for the right price. Or they operate at sea with no flags or markings at all.

Industry stakeholders disagree about what that lack of action means. The FAO says that while the 88-paragraph draft wasn't approved, the conference raised greater awareness of IUU fishing and the need to deal with it. In fact, the FAO hopes that another meeting will be held next February in Rome to complete the draft and pass it along for review by the UN's Committee on Fisheries, which meets soon afterward in Thailand.

For now, only two things are clear: IUU fishing remains a significant problem that is propelling some fisheries to the verge of collapse. And dealing with it won't be easy. Zbigniew "Steve" Karnicki, director of the fishery policy and planning division for the FAO's Fisheries Department, says the impasse in Rome stems from disagreements over myriad provisions – stipulations that range from closing ports to pirate vessels to implementing trade restrictions. Port-control measures, for example, "created a lot of discussion and disagreement," Karnicki said last week from his office in Italy. "Should they just be focused on fishing issues? Or should they include management of marine resources or maritime safety?" Also controversial were provisions that some attendees perceived as unilateral trade measures to target IUU harvests. Mexico and Japan, for instance, "indicated that any trade measures must be internationally agreed to," Karnicki explained.

Helene Bours, a Greenpeace representative who attended the conference, says most nations fought to protect their own political and economic interests, even when that meant weakening or slowing the process. Countries have different (priorities) for sometimes completely opposite reasons, and different approaches.Bours notes, for example, that the draft plan initially contained proposals to close ports to fleets fishing illegally on the high seas and to penalize companies that own and operate them. She says many of those proposals were either rejected or severely cut back in the latest version of the draft. "Sometimes you find yourself in a room with lawyers arguing over words, and it gets so far from reality," she said. "If you dilute the document – and it's voluntary to begin with – what's the point?"

Justin LeBlanc, vice president of government relations for the National Fisheries Institute, nonetheless stresses that the conference was productive. LeBlanc, one of the U.S. representatives who made the trip to Rome, says the mission was to provide technical consultation on a complex plan. And he maintains that many of the changes being considered are in the seafood industry's best interest, while still addressing IUU concerns. "You've got to control (illegal fishing) at the point of harvest instead of after the fact," he noted. "That said, there is a role for port-state measures consistent with international law and WTO-consistent trade rules."

Greenpeace, meanwhile, alleges that current legal loopholes allow roughly 1,300 large-scale fishing vessels to fly so-called "flags of convenience" – purchased from certain countries with no questions asked – to avoid international fisheries regulations and plunder high-value species in the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic, the South Pacific and the Antarctic. Pirates use boats owned by "shell" companies to mask the actual owners. They fly what are known as flags of convenience, obtained from countries that make their flags readily available for the right price. Or they operate at sea with no flags or markings, or display no port of registry at all. You cannot find them in Lloyd's ( register of shipping).
According to Greenpeace many of the pirate vessels are large factory ships that roam the oceans for months at a time, served by smaller vessels that then take the illicit catch to port. A lot of the factory ships hardly ever go into harbors to land catch. Some might spend up to a year at sea, changing crews, refueling and reloading supplies as necessary.

In 1999, according to a Guardian Unlimited report, 345 flag-of-convenience vessels were identified fishing illegally for tuna in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The flags flew from 17 countries, including Honduras, Belize, Equatorial Guinea, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Most were owned and managed by Taiwanese enterprises, the article states.

Earlier this month, a boat flying the Panamanian flag was suspected of carrying illegally caught bigeye tuna to the port of Shimizu in Japan. Greenpeace had tracked the Japanese-owned freezer vessel from the Atlantic, where it was filmed loading the tuna from two other boats, one flagged from Belize and the other from Cambodia.

The result of IUU fishing, according to Karnicki of the FAO, is that catches of valuable species such as Chilean sea bass and bigeye tuna might be anywhere from three to 10 times higher than reported, both on the high seas as well as within nations' Exclusive Economic Zones. Despite that reality – and the slowdown on the FAO draft plan – he emphasizes that IUU fishing is now a high priority on the world stage.

G.S tuna packers wait-n-see Philippines, November 08, 00
In General Santos the prices of skipjack are still being quoted between $430-450/MT landed. Some fishing companies are in fact being firm at $450 - with surprisingly some takers, which are processors with outstanding commitments which need to be fulfilled now.
With US being a dead market, packers not keen on making any offers. They would rather quote a high price, due to the fact that there are no buyers in the US right now. Furthermore, packers in GS are still producing their current contracts. This could probably afford them to shy away from the US market for the another 2-3 weeks. Philippine packers feel that Thailand is dumping prices, which they find sense-less, since even at the lowest levels there are not any takers. Clearly the prices for whole frozen skipjack are currently higher in Philippines then in Bangkok.
Another reason is that inventory of finished products is virtually nil in the Philippines and therefore not pressure to sell at a loss  At least until they fulfill all obligations and left with nothing to produce - then that would be the time when they may come back in the market. Packers here also wary of buyers trying to make competitor countries fight it out in a price war ! This goes especially for buyers from Europe, who are inquiring prices, but facing packers with very low offers from ACP (mostly African) countries, especially for skipjack chunks in oil foodservice, for the German market.
In the current market situation canned tuna packers in the Philippines are likely to take on any long term contracts, and continue their wait-n-see position.

Indonesian losses $1.5 billion annual due to "pirate fishing" Indonesia, November 08, 00
Indonesia loses US$1.5 billion in revenues due to pirate fishingor poaching of fish every year, according to Maritime and Fisheries Minister Sarwono Kusumaatmadja. Sarwono said that around 2,000 foreign fishing vessels every year operate illegally in Indonesian waters, each stealing an estimated US$750,000 worth of sea fish."This is almost as much as the country's exports of US$1.6 billion a year," he said. He quoted a Hong Kong report as saying that foreign fishing vessels carried 20,000 tons of stolen fish worth US$400 million from Indonesia to Hong Kong alone. The Indoensian government plans to expand fishing surveillance to prevent foreign fishing vessels from freely poaching in Indonesian waters.They will also take stricter measures against foreign poachers and companies violating fishing rules, and seek legal action against 40 Thai fishing vessels found illegally operating in Indonesian waters. Rcently punishments had been meted out to 229 Indonesian companies misusing fishing licenses.

Downward pressure in Bangkok continues Thailand, November 08, 00
Tuna canners in Bangkok continue to put downward pressure on the price of frozen skipjack being landed from the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific. Traders have been insisting on $400-up but there are no takers at this level. Many are afraid that if the psychological price  barrier of US$400 per M/T will be taken, the price will again fall to levels as low as US$ 350- $330.
Although the supply is limited, the total absence of any buying interest whatsoever from canned tuna processors, is causing a very passive mood  in the market. Hardly any offers or bids are made. It is suspected that one to two larger Thai buyers are working on confidential deals directly with fishing companies and to move some quantities silently without influencing the market.
The demand from USA and Europe for finished product has almost entirely dried up. Especially the US market, which is still heavily stocked, is very quiet. Even record low prices do not attract any demand whatsoever, not even bids ! During the last week the price for a case foodservice 66,5oz brine CF US East Coast dropped another $0,50, but still no takers!
The outlook is therefore not promising. Many have no faith in Bangkok prices staying steady, and the general expectation in the market is that we might soon see levels of US$ 380 emerging. Reduction of fishing capacity is still not paying off for the Taiwanese fleet, and most buyers only foresee some recovery during January next year.

Mexican and Taiwanese Tuna Boats Collide: 11 die Ecuador November 08, 00
Authorities have rescued one survivor and recovered 11 bodies after a collision between a Mexican tuna boat and a Taiwanese fishing vessel off Mexico's Pacific coast, local media reported Friday. Four other people remained missing. The accident occurred at 11 p.m. Tuesday off Socorro Island, part of the central Mexican state of Colima, the government news agency Notimex reported. The tuna boat carrying 24 Mexicans collided with the fishing vessel carrying 15 Indonesians and one Taiwanese, splitting the Taiwanese boat in half, Notimex reported.The Mexican boat suffered minor damage. No one on board that boat was hurt. Officials are continuing search efforts for the missing. It was still unclear what caused the accident

FDA doubts health claims Omega-3 in tuna USA, November 08, 00
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has concluded that there is still not enough "scientific agreement" to state that omega-3 fatty acids, present in fish like tuna,  may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.  In a 36-page document posted late Wednesday afternoon on the FDA Web site, the federal agency determined that an "unqualified claim about the relationship" between omega-3 fatty acids and reduced risk of heart disease would be "misleading." The evaluation was prompted by a court order forcing the FDA to re-evaluate whether labels and packaging on dietary supplements could make specific health claims about omega-3, which many scientists believe helps prevent coronary diseases and strokes.
Although the decision, which the FDA twice delayed releasing in October, applies specifically to the makers of dietary supplement, it does also have ramifications for the tuna and other seafood industry as well because it may indicate that any push by food manufacturers for a ruling on omega-3 would receive a similar response.
The FDA did, however, say it would consider the following claim as "appropriately qualified" for labels on dietary supplements:

"The scientific evidence about whether omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) is suggestive, but not conclusive. Studies in the general population have looked at diets containing fish and it is not known whether diets or omega-3 fatty acids in fish may have a possible effect on a reduced risk of CHD. It is not known what effect omega-3 fatty acids may or may not have on risk of CHD in the general population."

The first reactions were that the entire claim is much too long to appear on a supplement label. Written with a typical bureaucratic pen, and less understandable, and  likely to confuse consumers.
The ruling means FDA is giving a green light to companies to start using an omega-3 health claim on labels. However, its refusal to accept the original health claim meant the agency had to re-word the health claim asa above to fit their results. The FDA's verdict likely is considered a letdown for the seafood industry, which wants to have more freedom to tout the health benefits of omega-3 – something the FDA has long prohibited – to bring more health-conscious customers to the seafood counter. Most people are aware of omega-3 and that it's good for them. But they don't fully understand what its benefits are. An educational campaign about the benefits of omega-3 would be a powerful tool in fueling perceptions about seafood.
Omega-3, a fatty acid that is particularly abundant in sardines, salmon, herring, mackerel and tuna, has been cited through years of scientific research to be effective in the prevention of coronary diseases and strokes, among other ailments.
Last month, the American Heart Association for the first time advised people to eat tuna, salmon or mackerel twice a week in order to prevent cardiovascular disease. Robert Katz, president of the Omega-3 Research Institute in Bethesda, Md., said last week that it "would be difficult (for the FDA) to make a statement saying (omega-3) is not beneficial."
For years, though, the FDA has forbidden omega-3 dietary supplement makers from making nutritional claims on packages and labels. The U.S. Court of Appeals last year ordered the FDA to re-evaluate its denials on omega-3, after the Great Falls, Va.-based American Preventive Medical Association and three other plaintiffs sued the federal agency. Some do not have a lot of faith that the FDA agency will ever get it right in terms of health claims, and the FDA has not been known to reverse its tracks.

Conxemar Fair welcomed 11.000 visitors Europe, November 09, 00
The International Seafood Fair Conxemar Vigo 2000 Vigo, Spain welcomed 11.000 visitors to the II Edition of the International Seafood Fair Conxemar 2000 held during the past 3rd, 4th and 5th of October. There were 150 participants exhibiting within a surface of 6.000 m2.  Vigo is the center of the Spanish Tuna processing and fishing industry. The exhibitors were coming from Spain as well as from several foreign countries, such as USA, China, Ireland, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium and other European countries. The tuna and seafood industry shared an unique opportunity to establish contacts with buyers and sellers from all over the world and in all seafood-related sectors.

Japan proposes Australia "scientific research" of Southern Bluefin Japan, November 10, 00
Australia and Japan are discussing a "scientific research" program for rare southern bluefin tuna.
The program, proposed in early November 2000, will allow Japan to harvest 2,200 more tonnes of the tuna over its existing 6,065 tonnes limit. Japan is also asking to retain the right to sell the fish to offset the cost of the research. A prime 100 kilograms bluefin will fetch over $A100,000 at Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market. The research will be used by the Commission for Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, compromised of Australia, Japan and New Zealand, to set new annual fishing quotas for Japan. Japan has several active "scientific research programs",  also on whales.

India wants to expand it's tuna deep sea fishing India, November 10, 00
India is eyeing the global tuna market by proposing to undertake large-scale harvesting of the fish around the Lakshwadeweep islands, a move that could boost exports.  "We are working on a plan to exploit the availability of tuna around Lakshadweep islands so as to expand our marine export basket," said K. Jose Cyriac, chairman of the apex body Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA). The global demand for tuna, a high-value export item, is comparable to shrimp, but India has only a .001 percent share in the world market, said Cyriac, who is in Beijing to attend the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo 2000, Asia's largest fisheries exhibition.
MPEDA will launch a plan to popularize tuna fishing by offering to take on about 50 percent of the cost of deep-sea fishing, which requires imported technology known as "monofilament technique." "We hope to make a small dent in the world market for tuna," Cyriac said, adding that the industry should not depend on shrimp alone for foreign exchange. MPEDA got the trawlers' associations involved in the venture by permitting trawlers fitted with imported nets to harvest tuna, he said.MPEDA is at the seafood expo to scout for foreign trainers who could teach Indian trawler operators the complicated technique of operating it, Cyriac said.

Denmark considers support to South-Sulawesi Processing Industry Indonesia, November 10, 00
The Danish Ambassador to Indonesia Michael Sternberg has expressed his government's interest in supporting Indonesia's economic development, particularly in the maritime sector in South Sulawesi. Sternberg met with South Sulawesi Governor Palaguna over the weekend. Because of its interest in helping develop South Sualwesi's maritime sector, the Danish envoy came to Makassar to obtain firsthand information about the province's maritime potentials. According to Palaguna, the Danish envoy wanted to get further information about the number of local fishermen and their earnings.
South Sulawesi welcoms the Danish government's offer to assist the development of the local economic sector through transfer of technology, particularly information about seafood processing and marketing. Indonesia has a promising fishery potential, but that many foreign fishermen have been caught stealing fish in the Sulu and Sulawesi waters. South Sulawesi fishermen still rely mostly on traditional equipment to catch fish.

Tuna longliners booted out of Pakistan EEZ Pakistan, November 13, 00
The entire foreign distant water fleet, of which 10 tuna long liners, have been booted out of Pakistani waters for infringing an area protected for local fishermen.
The Pakistan government cancelled all 31 licenses for foreign deep-sea fishing trawlers and tuna boats after they breached a 35 nautical mile limit. The vessels have also been accused of damaging the environment by dumping bycatch. The licenses to catch fish beyond 35 nautical miles from the coast were issued to 18 foreign as well as local companies. The Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), the regulatory authority, last month decided to cancel the licenses of the foreign deep-sea trawlers for violating the Pakistan EEZ. It concerns 31 cancelled licenses, 21 were for deep-sea trawlers and the remaining 10 were tuna long liners.
Pakistan’s military ruler General Pervez Musharraf issued the instruction to cancel the licenses after consultations with the Fishermen's Co-operative Society (FCS) who suggested the ban on foreign deep-sea trawlers who were breaching the restricted zone and "depriving local fishermen of their rightful share," in breach of the Regulation of Fishing Rules 1990. The Fisheries Department has also asked the Maritime Security Agency (MSA) to ensure that the trawlers did not poach inside Pakistani territorial waters and that it would take action against any violations.

EII charges Mexican cannery USA, November 13, 00
According to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, The NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) is investigating allegations that tuna caught and processed in Mexico and sold in the United States is in violation of federal law. On Thursday the Earth Island Institute charged that Dolores brand tuna – whose cans bear a "dolphin-safe" logo – is harvested by fishermen that set their nets on dolphins, which is illegal in the United States, according to EII. EII is gearing up its activities against the re-definition of dolphin-safe within the USA. This to great frustration of the Mexican fishermen.

The cans were being sold at Latino specialty grocery stores in San Francisco, Oakland, Santa Ana and San Diego. In Mexico, tuna fishermen can legally set nets on dolphins," said Mark Palmer, assistant director of EII. "They can catch dolphins, as long as they release them unhurt and the fishing is certified by observers. But research shows a lot of dolphins die once they're caught and released."

Victor Leaden, a spokesman for PINSA – Pescados Industrializados SA de C.V., the cannery for Dolores tuna – told the newspaper that he was unaware of the company's canned tuna being sold in the United States. "We don't sell any tuna in the U.S. We don't export. It's strictly for domestic use," Ledon said. Mexican fishermen encircle dolphins with nets when they fish, he said, but "we're allowed to do that."

NMFS spokeswoman Patricia Donley said the inquiry had just begun. "It may carry a dolphin-safe label, and in fact it may be dolphin-safe under Mexican law," she said. "That's why you can't tell just by looking at the can."

Earth Island Institute sent its findings on Dolores tuna to the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces dolphin-safe labeling requirements in the United States. The United States since 1992 has banned imports of tuna caught by methods that threaten dolphins. However, environmentalists say a 1997 agreement with Mexico undermines the ban."The 1997 International Dolphin Conservation Act dropped the embargo on Mexico as long as they agreed not to import any tuna into the U.S. that was considered dolphin unsafe by our laws," Palmer of EII said. "But we feel there's some large-volume smuggling going on."

Fisherman forced to give in on skipjack price  Philippines, November 13, 00
There are signals that skipjack prices are beginning to soften in General Santos, and those which are holding firm at $450 are starting to give in. Very little deals are now being made at $440 as less and less demand face fishing companies. Canneries continue to be quite inactive, and continue to observe the market at a distance. Price indications are given, but hardly real volume business is being negotiated. The Philippine tuna industry is now concentrating almost entirely on exports of foodservice pack, since also several factories with retail lines, either closed down or scaled down their production for export retail packs, and only focus on the domestic market.

Spanish fishermen catch drugs Europe, November 14, 00
In less than a year, fishermen catching tuna and sardines have hauled in 3.6 metric tons of hashish jettisoned by smugglers fleeing police patrol boats, officials said Friday. These drugs catches came off Spain's southeast coast between the ports of Mazarron and Aguilas, in Murcia province. On Thursday alone, fishermen handed over bales of hash totaling 150 kilos (330 pounds) that were netted off the ocean floor at depths reaching 200 meters, the Interior Ministry's office in Murcia said. Traffickers brought the drugs over from Morocco but dumped them at sea when they sensed police were in pursuit, it added. From Feb. 25 through Thursday, fishermen have surrendered 3.6 metric tons of hash, the office said.

Taiwan joins Convention on Conservation & Management Highly Migratory Fish Stocks Taiwan, November 14, 00
Taiwanese efforts to raise its profile made a major breakthrough with its recent entry into an international fishery organization, Fishery Administration officials said Saturday.
The officials said Taiwan joined the Convention on Conservation & Management Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Central and Western Pacific Ocean, a government-to-government international fishery organization. The officials noted that it is the first time since expulsion from the United Nations in 1971 that Taiwan has managed to fully participate a multilateral international organization.
They said that Taiwan joined the commission as a "fishing entity" under the name of "Chinese Taipei" and the ROC ( Republic of China), as a fishing entity in the executive commission, will enjoy almost the same rights and obligations of the convention's "contracting parties." Taiwan is only subject to four restrictions, mainly procedural affairs.
It also represents Taiwan's highest stature in any regional fishery organization in the world, the officials added. They said that in light of the ban on large drift net fishing by the U.N., several regions have formed international fishery organizations to manage and conserve fishery resources.
They noted that organizations governing tuna fishing in the Atlantic (ICCAT) and Indian oceans (IOTC) have been established and that the Central and Western Pacific Ocean was the last area left to be regulated by an international organization. Deep-sea fishery nations and South Pacific island nations held the first high-level meeting in 1994 to discuss the feasibility of establishing such a convention and passed it in September.
The officials said that after joining the convention, Taiwan will abide by the convention and act in tune with its regulation on conservation and management such as the compulsory installation of monitoring systems in fishing boats, controls on fish hauls and pollution emission. Noting that the convention will be put into practice in 2003 at the latest, the officials said that the nation's fishing fleet will make necessary adjustments during the interval.
A total of 28 countries and territories took part in negotiations prior to the signing of the multilateral convention aimed at protecting fishery resources in the Central and Western Pacific.
In addition to the Taiwan, other participants include the United States, mainland China, Japan, South Korea, France, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and major South Pacific island nations. Observers said Taiwan's enormous clout in the deep-sea fishing industry is the major reason behind its success in breaking Beijing's diplomatic embargo and taking part in all six rounds of negotiations for the formation of the body. Taiwan now ranks among the world's six largest deep-sea fishing countries, according to official U.N. tallies.

Sales up, but TUF profits suffer from tuna depression Thailand, November 14, 00
The Nation in Bangkok reports that a decline in gross margins for all products in the third quarter has led to a 23-per-cent drop in Thai Union Frozen Products (TUF)'s quarterly net profits. Margins dropped to 12 per cent from 16 per cent in the same period last year.
The leading canned-tuna exporter posted net profits of Bt364.35 million in the third quarter, compared with Bt474.98 million in profits in the corresponding period last year. An informed company source attributed the lower profits to lower margins. Net profits for the quarter were down despite a 12-per-cent increase in total sales to Bt5.41 billion.
The export-oriented company's sales in the third quarter last year were Bt4.82 billion. "Sales in the quarter consisted mainly of low-margin products, a contrast from the previous year," company president Theeraphong Chansiri was quoted in a statement as saying.
The decline in net profit was due to a 30-per-cent year-on-year drop in tuna prices during the quarter, the statement said. Investors responded to the negative news by selling TUF stock, which resulted in a Bt2.50 fall in the share price, which closed the day at Bt48.50. "In the third quarter of this year, raw material prices, remaining in the range of US$400 to $450 [Bt17,430 to Bt19,610] per tonne, were at the lowest levels in the past 30 years … but we are satisfied with our earning performance because we reduced our capacity by 20 to 30 per cent … to comply with the global shrinkage in demand," Theeraphong said.
Some 35 per cent of TUF's sales derive from frozen and canned tuna, 32 per cent from frozen shrimp, 18 per cent from canned cat food, 5 per cent each from frozen squid and other canned seafood and 1 per cent from canned vegetables and fruits."If comparing quarter-to-quarter, sales and profits in the third quarter improved, as seen by a 36.45-per-cent and 51-per-cent jump in sales and profits, respectively, from the second quarter of this year," he said.
Theeraphong said he expects that the projected increase in exported frozen shrimp this year would offset the decline in canned tuna exports. Regarding the export market, he said his company was focusing on the US market due to its strong economic growth, and that TUF's sales to the European market would continue to increase despite the weakness of the euro. The US market accounts for 35 per cent of TUF's total exports; Japan 32 per cent; Europe 10 per cent; Asia 5 per cent; Africa and Canada 4 per cent each; and Australia 3 per cent.

Colombian INPA sets tuna quota Colombia, November 15, 00
The Colombian National Institute of fisheries and Aquaculture (INPA) has set the global catch quota of fisheries resources in Colombian waters for 2001.  
According to Agreement No. 000013, issued in October 2000, the global catch quota for the Pacific Ocean was set at 214,500 tonnes, of which 150,000 tonnes of oceanic fish (yellowfin tuna, skipjack, bigeye and "patudo", dorado and other species); 9,000 tonnes of medium-sized pelagic fish (jack mackerel, sierra, mackerel, carecaballo and chub mackerel); and the remainder shrimp, wreckfish, red snapper, palometa, sea bass, shark, and pelagic fish (carduma and plumada).  
The global quota for the Caribbean Sea was set at 98,126 tonnes of which 40,000 tonnes of oceanic fish (yellowfin tuna and skipjack).
INPA decided not to distribute the tuna quota among the different licence-holders, taking into account that the highly migratory nature of tuna species.

Military & Rebels fight at outskirts of G.S.  Philippines, November 15, 00
There was an encounter last Thursday between the military and MILF rebels at the outskirts of GS resulting in some casualties.  The fighting did take place not too far from the area whre the majority of the vital Philippine tuna industry is located. The rebels had attacked the Gen Santos City Jail to rescue their jailed comrades (one is their commander for kidnapping activities and another is their bomb expert). Some of the 68 inmates were used as human shields during the encounter, resulting in the escape of about 15 inmates. The rebels still have about 50 inmates with them (some of which are their comrades, the rest are just being used as human shields against pursuing military forces).

Japan & N.Z. discuss bluefin dispute Japan, November 15, 00
The two Foreign Ministers of Japan and New Zealand remained at odds in a meeting in Brunei over Tokyo's whaling and nuclear fuel shipments in a meeting held on the eve of a gathering of trade and foreign ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono and his New Zealand counterpart Phil Goff on Saturday however expressed hope that progress will soon be made on a dispute over Japan's tuna catches, a Japanese official said.
Kono and Goff, who met at a hotel in Bandar Seri Begawan, said they hope a meeting of a group of experts to be held as early as this week will help bring about progress in resolving the dispute over Japan's catches of southern bluefin tuna.
New Zealand has criticized Japan for its catches of southern bluefin tuna and with Australia has initiated legal action to halt the fishing.
We have different opinions on several issues... but it is important for us to continue discussing them," Kono was quoted as telling Goff. "We hope that we will eventually reach an agreement, but at this point, New Zealand is concerned about these issues," Goff was quoted as saying.
Japan, which in 1986 gave up commercial whaling in compliance with an international moratorium, turned to research whaling the following year under rules set up by the International Whaling Commission. Critics say Japan's research whaling is a cover for commercial whaling.
On the economic front, the two ministers agreed that free-trade agreements, which have recently been attracting growing interest in the Pacific Rim, should not undermine a free and multilateral trade regime under the World Trade Organization (WTO).

French tuna boat owners set 7.5 M/T limit Europe, November 16, 00
Last November 8th the members of the French frozen tuna organization ORTHONGEL, agreed to a significant reduction of the skipjack catch in both the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. ORTHONGEL covers 36 tuna purse seiners, of which 30 are French, 1 Italian, 4 Seychelles and 1 St Vincent.
Motivated by the dramatically low prices of skipjack tuna, due to the huge catches in the Pacific Ocean in 1999 and the beginning of 2000, and by the continued high catch levels in all oceans, the French tuna boat owners have mutually decided to limit their skipjack catches.
Form November 15th the deliveries of skipjack shall be limited to 7.5 M/T per day, per each vessel, which will remain effective for at least one calendar month, and covers catches in the all oceans. The majority of the French boats are now active in the Indian Ocean, and some others in the Atlantic. In order to enforce the quota, any skipjack landed over the limit will be subjected to a penalty of US$ 500 M/T. Although the quantity per day looks still quite high it must be remarked that most of these vessels measures over 900 M/T of catching capacity. The whole implementation of the agreement will be overseen by ORTHONGEL, and will remain in effect till further notice.
The French tuna boat owners are also studying the possibility of agreements with other tuna companies and organizations regarding further reductions. If others would also adopt a similar decision, the French propose the effect a system of cross-checking on a mutual basis.
This move to reduction is also the result of the enormous rise of diesel prices and the strong dollar, which together have almost tripled the price per liter in French Francs. Combined with the fact that skipjack is now even cheaper then sardines, and no immediate sign of improvement in demand,  the fisherman see the future of their companies at stake.
The action by the French follows similar initiatives in the WPO by the Taiwanese and Philippine tuna fleet, and the ban on floating object fishing in the EPO by the IATTC.

Americans like health benefit and eat more fish USA, November 16, 00
Twenty-seven percent of Americans polled in a recent Gallup survey say they eat more fish now than they did five years ago – and the desire for a healthy diet may be one of the reasons.
The survey, underwritten by The Catfish Institute in Belzoni, Miss., found that 74 percent of respondents consider the healthful benefits of fish very important. Among the other findings were:
Fifty-nine percent of those surveyed eat fish once or twice a week.
The most popular options for preparing fish were baking (74 percent), frying (63 percent), broiling (55 percent) and grilling (52 percent).
In restaurants, most of those polled ordered fish grilled (66 percent), followed by broiled (65 percent), baked (61 percent) and fried (56 percent). Preparation time is also a factor. Sixty-two percent of those surveyed say a quick-and-easy meal should take no longer than 15 to 20 minutes to prepare, while 49 percent cited convenience as a very important benefit of fish.
Frozen tuna steaks have also been benefiting from this trend. It looks like there is still a large potential for expansion of tuna for grilling, not only on the U.S market, but also in the still under-developed E.U. grilled tuna market.

60% of EPO tuna fleet remains in port Ecuador November 16, 00
The IATTC reports that of the total registered fleet capacity of 177,251 tons in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, 60% of the tuna vessels are currently in port. The effect of the dramatic skipjack prices, and the ban on fishing with floating objects, is reflected in the extremely low catch of skipjack during the last week. Skipjack catches almost stopped entirely, only 189 MT was reported to be caught, while the average tonnage per week over the year is about 5000 M/T within the EPO. Compared to 1999 cumulative catches of skipjack in the EPO are now down by 23% compared to 2000. Its is likely that this percentage will rise even further until the end of this year.
As we reported before several big boats have moved to the Western Pacific, although according to some critics this has only been a move by these boatwoners to escape the supervision and restrictive regulations of the IATTC, and that these vessels will possibly continue fishing in the EPO, ignoring the ban on fishing with FAD's. No proof has been provided to support these allegations.
Although yellowfin catches have also declined by 12% this year compared to '99, recently reported catches show less dramatic numbers then skipjack. The average catch per day last week amounted 6.2 M/T of yellowfin for purse seiners  over 900 M/T at sea. This number indicates that yellowfin catches are normal, and that those targeting yellowfin and better off then boats catches skipjack. Many smaller boats under 901 M/T previously targeting skipjack are not able to switch their target specie to yellowfin, because they are not equipped for this kind of fishing. Most yellowfin fishing in the EPO is school fishing, while skipjack is mostly caught by floating object fishing, which requires less faster boats.

Seychelles studies partnership for new tuna cannery Seychelles, November 17, 00
A commercial mission from the Seychelles visited Galicia last week with a view to establishing business contacts with local canneries and shipyards.  The ministry of Fisheries of Seychelles, Dolor Ernesta, said in Vigo that his Government could order the construction of recreational vessels, tankers, longliners and tuna vessels in Galician shipyards in the near future.  
Also, he said that they were analysing the possibility of entering into a partnership with a Galician cannery to launch a project to construct a new fish processing plant in the archipelago, with a capacity to produce 350 tonnes of tuna per day. Currently there is already one tuna cannery operational from the Seychelles, which is owned by Heinz Starkist.
The commercial mission, which was invited by the OPAGAC (Spanish Tuna Fishermen´s Organisation), visited the facilities of Calvo´s canning factory and the Barreras shipyard.
Currently, 60 tuna vessels are operating in the Indian Ocean, of which 20 are from Spain -and most of them are based in Galicia. The Seychelles´ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers four million square kilometres an  important tuna fishing ground.
Presently the fishing sector  ( mostly tuna) accounts for more than 50% of the Gross National Product (GNP).The Government of the Seychelles aims to include the new investments in a plan to develop and improve its fishing sector. 
Mr Ernesta also spoke about the possibility of reaching a tuna fishing agreement with Spain and highlighted that the latter had been one of the first European countries to operate in its fishing grounds (since 1983).