The Fisheries Council of Canada’s Endangered Species working group met with a DFO
group from the DFO Species -at- Risk Directorate, Fisheries Management, Science, and
Habitat to see if some of the concerns raised by the FCC can be addressed. In the end,
DFO Science undertook to work with the COSEWIC marine fishes sub-committee to try
close the gap between the COSEWIC and DFO methodologies regarding the status of a
stock. Fisheries Management and Science undertook to develop a possible protocol
wherein an aquatic species listed as endangered or threatened would be elevated to a
special concern listing and, therefore, emerge from Environment Canada’s endangered
species prohibition/licencing regime to Fisheries & Oceans fisheries management regime.
Habitat and Science agreed to work to develop guidelines and criteria for dealing with the
habitat provisions of the endangered species legislation, particularly so-called critical habitat.
Species-at-Risk undertook to clarify the issue regarding the selling of a listed species caught
as authorized by catch under a recovery strategy.
EU Catch Certificate
DFO’s EU Catch Certificate Office reports that it has issued about 300 catch certificates thus
far. If you need more information on the system contact the office at 1-888-641-6464 (tollfree).
The International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) is embarking on a survey of
members (including the FCC) regarding the implementation of the EU’s catch certificate
regime. The intent of the survey is to present the results to the EU’s fisheries management
body (DG Mare) on the margins of the Brussels Seafood Show and to the FAO’s subcommittee
on fish trade. Thus far, there has been confusion in China for fish imported for
processing and export to the EU. The confusion stems from the fact that there is the
standard EU Catch Certificate and other modified EU Catch Certificates as part of
arrangements the EU has negotiated with New Zealand, USA, Canada, Iceland, etc.
However, the EU is now taking measures to address the situation by publishing the
arrangements along with the authorized modified catch certificate. As well, major EU fish
importers along with EU customs and administration are complaining about the number of
catch certificates that often need to be verified regarding a shipment involving various
species and suppliers.
Canadian Coldwater Shrimp Forum, Brussels, April 29
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada is organizing a Canadian coldwater shrimp forum in
Brussels in the afternoon of April 29, 2010 on the margins of the Brussels Seafood Show.
Presentations will be made on the cooked & peeled shrimp market in Europe; trends in the
UK retail & food service market; market assessments for frozen shell-on and cooked &
peeled in Russia, Ukraine, Italy, & Spain.
Herring Market Outlook is Good
Intrafish is providing a positive outlook for herring in 2010. Demand in Russia, Netherlands,
Lithuania, Ukraine, United Kingdome remains strong and Nigeria seems to be re-entering
the market.
Artic Fisheries: Discussions Begin
An International Artic Fisheries Symposium was held in Alaska in October 2009. While
fisheries development will take time to develop – data collected on species, habitat, climate
change, etc. in order to formulate science-based fisheries management plans; other
industries are forging ahead. Oil/gas exploration wells are underway and cruise ships made
their first passage through the Artic last summer.
How potential commercial fisheries will fit into this - or whether they will have a place at all –
will first depend on whether ice melts and whether enough fish migrate to the area. Canada,
USA, Russia, Norway, and Denmark border the Artic waters and control fisheries in their
exclusive economic zones and will lead the discussions. It is expected, however, that China,
Japan, and the EU will want to exert influence concerning straddling and high seas stocks.
FCC/Silliker/CFIA Inspection Initiative for 2010
The success of the 2009 FCC/Silliker/CFIA sensory workshops in Vancouver and Toronto
(2) has prompted the group to develop 1-day courses on “Seafood Sampling – Policy and
Procedures” and “Content Determination for Seafood Products”. The courses will be held
back to back: Vancouver, March 29 and 30; Toronto; April 13 and 14.
Mark the dates. Course information and registration will be sent to members shortly.
Canadian Food Retailers among North America’s Top 15
Supermarket News recently published its list of the largest food retailers and wholesalers
in the US and Canada in 2008. No surprise, Wal-Mart leads the pack. However, Canadian
retailers Loblaw, Sobeys, and Metro were in the top 15. Here’s the top 15:
Seafood Rates High as a Functional Food
Americans are connecting the food they eat with their personal health. Statistics from the
International Food Information Council (IFIC) show that 84% of Americans are somewhat
interested in learning about functional foods (foods that deliver health benefits as well as
good nutrition).
Here are the top 10 functional foods named by consumers interviewed by IFIC in 2007
1. Fruits and vegetables
2. Fish, fish oil, seafood
3. Milk and other dairy products
4. Whole grains, including oats, oat bran, oatmeal
5. Fiber
6. Green tea
7. Meat, red meat, and chicken
8. Water
9. Herbs/spices
10. Nuts
