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Global News HAMBURG, Germany Seafood demand continues to grow in Germany T tinuous he market for seafood in Germany presents a con- growing demand, according to Hamburg- based organization Fish In- formation Centre (FIZ). Germany's per-capita con- sumption of seafood in 2011 totaled 15.6 kilograms (catch weight), close to the previous year's figure of 15.7 kg, the TRONDHEIM, Norway Norway seeks to be world's foremost seafood producer Lisbeth Berg-Hansen, Nor- way's minister for fisheries and coastal affairs, outlined the country's lofty seafood goals at the Nor-Fishing exhibition in August. Because "we have done things correctly," she said, Norway's coastal activity is thriving. "We have substan- tial fish stocks, and scientists have advised a historically high quota for next year," she said. "Te spawning stock of cod in the Barents Sea is at its highest level since the war, and is likely to produce the fore- most cod stocks in the world. In 2011, Norwegian fisheries achieved the highest catch value of our time — amount- ing to [$2.8 billion]. And last year the value of our seafood exports was [$9 billion]." But the Norwegian government was not satisfied, she added, as its goals include creating higher values, more workers and increasing quality. Berg-Hansen quoted from a new report prepared by Te Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters and Te Norwegian Academy of Science and Technology that found Norway's opportuni- ties for value creation based on 10 SeaFood Business October 2012 second-highest rate ever. "More and more consum- ers appreciate the beneficial influence of fish and seafood to their diets. Tey will be able to continue to choose from a wide range of fish and seafood," says Tomas Lauenroth, FIZ chairman. Saltwater fish, with a share of 10.1 kg, accounted marine resources are promis- ing: "Marine value creation has the potential for a sixfold increase by 2050: From a turnover of [$15.8 billion] in 2010 to [$86 billion] in 2050." LONDON employing MSC certification deemed 'valid,' 'most compliant' Research from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has confirmed that fish stocks certified sustainable and car- rying the eco-label are healthy and well-managed to ensure continuing sustainability. Te first comprehensive analysis of MSC-certified fisheries was detailed in the research paper "Ecolabel Conveys Reliable Information on Fish Stock Health to Seafood Consum- ers," published in the scientific journal Plos One. Led by the MSC and co-authored by in- dependent scientists from uni- versities worldwide, the study compared catch data, fishing mortality rates and popula- tion levels for 45 MSC-certi- fied stocks and 177 uncerti- fied stocks. Te study found that the majority of MSC- certified fisheries are main- taining stocks at high levels and fish stocks targeted by MSC-certified fisheries have increased in abundance at a for nearly two- thirds of the con- sumption, followed by freshwater fish at 3.6 kg. Crustaceans and mollusks followed at 1.9 kg. Te top- five selection of fish species is as follows: Alaska pollock (23.3 percent), herring (18.5 percent), salmon (12.5 per- cent), tuna (11.2 percent) and faster rate than non-certified fisheries over the last 10 years. In other MSC news, an independent, global analy- sis of wild seafood sustain- ability certification schemes determined that MSC is the most compliant with inter- national criteria measuring the status of the stocks, the environmental footprint of the fishery, the efficacy of the management system and transparency, profes- sionalism and independence of the certification process. "Comparison of Wild Cap- ture Fisheries Certification Schemes," an update of a previous World Wildlife Fund-commissioned report from 2009, evaluated the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Friend of the Sea, Iceland Responsible Fisher- ies and MSC. "Tis report demonstrates that MSC, while still improving, is clearly the best program to drive uptake of sustainable seafood in the market and protect fisheries and their surrounding ecosystems, because its score greatly ex- ceeds the other schemes," says Alfred Schumm, leader of WWF's Global Smart Fishing Initiative. World Wildlife Fund and Unilever founded MSC in 1997. pangasius (4.8 percent). Most fish consumers bought frozen fish (31 percent) fol- lowed by canned fish and marinades (25 percent). Te market share of fresh fish has decreased from 10 percent to 9 percent com- pared to the previous year. UTRECHT, Netherlands Vinh Hoan nets first ASC pangasius certificate Te first Aquaculture Stew- ardship Council (ASC) cer- tificate for responsible pan- gasius farming was awarded last month to Vinh Hoan's Tan Hoa farm in southern Vietnam. According to the Vietnam Association of Sea- food Exporters and Produc- ers, Vinh Hoan, founded in 1997, was Vietnam's No. 1 pangasius exporter from January to June 2012, with export values exceeding $72.4 million. "Tis is a cru- cial milestone for the panga- sius industry, which is vital for the Vietnamese commu- nity in the Mekong Delta. Te annual production has grown from 500,000 metric tons (MT) to 1.5 million MT in the last 10 years. Tis growth has also had serious negative side ef- fects," says Chris Ninnes, chief executive of the ASC. "ASC certification recog- nizes … conservation of wa- ter resources, no misuse of antibiotics, responsible use of feed, and behaving in a socially responsible manner. Te practices of Vinh Hoan are a great example for the whole industry." For updated NEWS, go to www.SeafoodSource.com Image courtesy of FIZ