September 2009 Edition

                                          What's Happening at the FCC

Short-Weight/Species Substitution

CFIA implemented a dedicated short-weight inspection and enforcement initiative from April 1 to June 30. The FCC Economic Integrity Working group will meet with CFIA later this month to review the results of the initiative and decide on next steps.

The FCC and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD) have agreed to join forces to combat economic fraud (short-weight and species substitution) in the Canadian seafood market. CCGD will attempt to get the Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association to join in. As well, CCGD will develop a first draft of a code of conduct for seafood economic integrity in the Canadian marketplace that the associations can endorse and work with members to implement.

Australia’s New South Wales government has recently introduced measures to combat short-weight in seafood. A new inspection test has been introduced that allows inspectors to partially thaw pre-packaged seafood to check actual weight. If it fails to match the weigh on the packaging, the trader can be fined – about $18,000 for an individual and about $91,000 for a firm.

NFI to Seek Limits on Phosphates in Seafood

The National Fisheries Institute has raised concerns about the amount of phosphates allowed in seafood in the US. NFI is canvassing its members on the issue. Canada, Brazil, the EU and other countries limit the level of phosphates allowed in seafood between .1% to .5%.

FCC/Silliker/CFIA’s Vancouver Sensory Workshop Filling Up

The two day workshop, Fish Spoilage and Sensory Evaluation – Finfish, on September 15 &16 at Silliker JR Laboratories in Burnaby, BC is filling up. As of August 31, there were just two spots available. If interested in participating contact info@silliker.com.

US Consumer Attitudes about “Healthy Foods”

The International Food Information Council recently reported its findings from their 2009 Consumer Attitudes Toward Functional Foods/Food for Health Survey. The purpose of the survey was to understand US consumers’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours on foods that provide heath benefits beyond nutrition (i.e. functional foods).

The top health concern was heart disease (48%). Fish/fish oil/seafood was the second most commonly named functional food. Awareness that omega -3 fatty acids are linked to brain development in children has increased dramatically since the 2007 survey (72% vs. 53%).

Mercury/Selenium in Fish

A research paper published in EcoHealth demonstrates that health authorities give an incorrect assessment of seafood safety if they only measure the quantity of mercury in the fish and do not measure the amount of selenium. Selenium is an essential nutrient required for the health of the brain and hormone producing tissues. Mercury binds to selenium with an incredibly high affinity, preventing mercury from doing its essential functions in the body, especially the brain.

In essence, the health risk of eating fish high in mercury is overstated. Since selenium and mercury occur together in seafood, but affect health outcomes in opposing directions, it is essential to look at the balance of these elements present in the fish.

Iceland – Eco-certification

Iceland continues to proceed with its eco-label. The sustainability label “Iceland Responsible Fisheries” is being distributed to producers and marketing companies in Iceland and buyers abroad. The logo should be appearing on products shortly. The logo is available to those fisheries that the government determines are well managed. It is envisaged, however, that by the end of 2010, the program will bring in an internationally recognized certification body to confirm the sustainability decisions made by the government.

Iceland – Haddock, Saithe, Greenland Halibut, Cod Quotas Cut The Iceland fishing industry faces some significant quota cuts as it begins its 2009/10 fishing season. Haddock, saithe, Greenland Halibut, and cod are down 32%, 23%, 20 %, and 8% respectively. The cod picture is somewhat distorted as the 2008/9 quota was originally set at130,000 mt and then increase to 162,000mt in January 2009 in response to Iceland’s financial crisis. Below is a comparison of the 2008/9 and the 2009/10 quotas.
Boris Worm’s 2048 Fish Stock Collapse Prediction Discredited

Marine ecologist Boris Worm’s prediction in 2006 that shocked the world has been set aside by a paper co-authored by 21 scientists including Dr. Worm. The paper: “Rebuilding Global Fisheries” published in Science, July 31 reported that efforts to rebuild many of the world’s fisheries are worthwhile and starting to pay off in many places around the world.

The international team of scientist with divergent views on ocean ecosystems sought to find common ground to assess the prospects for restoring depleted fish populations and ecosystems. The team analized global catch data, evaluated scientific stock assessments, research trawl surveys, and small-scale fisheries using dozens of models. In summary, the study clearly demonstrated that if fish harvesting rates are reduced sufficiently, species and their ecosystems have the capacity to recover.