SeaFood Business

DEC 2012

SeaFood Business is the global trusted authority for seafood buyers and sellers. We are the seafood industry's leading trade magazine with more than 30 years of experience. Our coverage is based on the "business" of buying and selling seafood.

Issue link: https://seafoodbusiness.epubxp.com/i/94720

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 14 of 54

Global News OTTAWA Cohen report calls for salmon-farming moratorium T he final report on Justice Bruce Cohen's $26 mil- lion investigation of Brit- ish Columbia's Fraser River sockeye salmon showed no "smoking gun" for the 17- year decline of the stocks. "Te Uncertain Future of Fraser River Sockeye," released on Oct. 31, gave 75 recommendations to im- prove the future sustainabil- ity of the fishery. While the inquiry uncovered extensive information about poten- tial causes for the decline of Fraser River sockeye, it also showed how much is still unknown about individual stressors as well as cumula- tive effects and delayed ef- fects. Cohen also found that LETANG, N.B., Canada Salmon farmer first to gain BAP certification Northern Harvest Sea Farms' North America salmon op- eration is now certified un- der the Global Aquaculture Alliance's Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification program. To earn its three- star status, Northern Har- vest partnered with Skret- ting Canada, whose two feed mills recently became the first in North America to ob- tain BAP certification. Te company has seven BAP- certified farm sites in eastern Canada. "Northern Harvest is moving ahead as a leader in salmon certification," says Peter Redmond, BAP VP. "From plant to farms and now feed, the company is working hard to operate in a responsible way. We look forward to more and more certain stress- ors specific to the Fraser River, as well as region-wide influences, may both have contributed to the long-term decline of the fishery. Cohen added that further research is crucial to understanding the decline, especially in the areas of migratory and feeding patterns. Cohen recommended that Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) no longer be respon- sible for promoting salmon farming as an industry and farmed salmon as a product. He concluded that salmon farms along the sockeye migration route in the facilities — both in North America and elsewhere — following their path." ABERDEEN, Scotland Farmed fish study examines effects on human health Researchers at the Universi- ty of Aberdeen are compar- ing the human health effects of eating farmed salmon fed two different diets. Te study will examine whether feeding farmed fish a more sustainable feed containing more vegetable oils but less omega-3 fatty acids, and possibly other nutrients, has any impact on potential health benefits in consum- ers. Commissioned by the Scottish government's Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Di- vision, Aberdeen Univer- sity's Rowett Institute of 10 SeaFood Business December 2012 The Cohen report did not find a single cause for a declining salmon fishery. Di s c o v e r y Islands area have the po- tential to introduce exotic diseases and to aggravate en- demic diseases that can have a negative impact on Fraser River sockeye. "As long as DFO has a mandate to promote salmon farming, there is a risk that it will act in a manner that favors the interests of the salmon farming industry over the health of wild fish stocks," he said. "Mitigation measures should not be de- layed in the absence of sci- entific certainty." Cohen recommended a freeze on net-pen salmon farm production in the Nutrition of Health will assess how pressures from sustainability on methods of production may affect the nutritional properties of fish. Te Fish Dish Study will launch in February. BEIJING Walmart strengthens sustainability policy Walmart executives Discovery Islands until Sept. 30, 2020, and if by that date DFO cannot say the risk of harm to the wild stocks is minimal, all net-pen salmon farms in the area should be prohibited. In addition, if before that date the govern- ment determines that salm- on farms pose more than a minimal risk to Fraser River sockeye, the government should prohibit their opera- tion immediately. "Te shrinking resources of government, which may result in delays in imple- menting reforms and re- search, mean that the stressors to which sockeye are exposed and the dete- rioration of sockeye habitat will continue," Cohen said. "I urge the federal govern- ment, in the interests of con- serving this iconic species of salmon, to heed my find- ings and to implement these recommendations." an- nounced several initiatives to strengthen the sustainability only from suppliers who use its sustainability index, Mike Duke, president and CEO of Walmart Stores, said at a press conference with govern- ment officials, NGOs, sup- pliers and others. "Walmart and the Chinese government, along with local NGOs and suppliers, have worked to- gether and independently to find new solutions and mod- els for sustainable growth," said Gary Locke, U.S. Am- bassador to China, at the event. Walmart's interna- of its supply chain in China. By the end of 2017, Walmart will buy 70 percent of the goods it sells in U.S. stores and in U.S. Sam's Club stores tional buyers will be evalu- ated on their sustainability progress, just as the U.S. buy- ers for Walmart and Sam's Club stores are. "Walmart will change the way its key global sourcing merchants are evaluated so that sustain- ability becomes an even more important part of buyers' day-to-day jobs," according to a company statement. For updated NEWS, go to www.SeafoodSource.com

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of SeaFood Business - DEC 2012