31/07/2014: Book Review - ‘The Coastal Chef’ launched

In a world unduly fixated on nutrient-poor processed foods, the rising incidence of serious chronic diseases such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes means it has never been more important for us to make responsible and principled food choices. Just recently a unique cookbook, with educational information on the health benefits of habitual consumption of seaweed and algae, was launched at the annual...

31/07/2014: Higher prices for shrimp reflected in US prices

Various US importers/distributors are highlighting that farm gate prices for whole shrimp are rising fast in specifically in Ecuador and Thailand.Ecuador buyers have come back strongly especially from China. Many other countries are also sourcing from Ecuador and thi is impacting the demand.In Ecuador, processors are paying farmers US$7.20 for 40/50-count-per-kilogram, whole shrimp, compared to US$6.90...

31/07/2014: Sarufutsu River 'jumping' with Itou Salmon

by Peter S. Rand, Senior Conservation BiologistChair, IUCN Salmonid Specialist Group In the field of conservation, we are often faced with the question “Is a certain species or population secure?” As I mentioned in my earlier blog this year, it is not an easy question to answer, particularly for river fishes that are elusive by nature.  However, I am happy to report we are making substantial...

31/07/2014: Clusters of a jelly-fish like colony is blown ashore on US west coast

The west coast of the United States from Southern California to Washington is experiencing an invasion of jellyfish-like creatures that have washed up on beaches during July, coating the beaches in a purple tinge coupled with a unacceptable smell. Although not poisonous, visitors to the beaches should avoid them as their venom can cause stinging to eyes and mouth.Known as Velella velella, or more...

30/07/2014: Best catch in Cuba

Aquafarming in Camagüey province shows an auspicious outcome regarding its annual catch plan, when reporting 3256 tonnes, the largest catch in Cuba.Mostly to be allocated for national consumption and a portion of it to be exported, the production by PESCACAM – a Cuban State-run fishing company - represents an increase of eight percent if compared to plans, PESCACAM director Jesús García briefed the press.  Although there are plenty of carp,...

30/07/2014: Blood river - water pollution spreads in China

River pollution is becoming an eye-sight as well as a nasal irritant in some parts of China and no more so than for the residents of residents of Wenzhou, China, and for many in the rapidly expanding industrialising zones, cities and towns.Yixiu Wu of Greenpeace says,“I think the water-pollution problem, it’s no longer a remote problem, only in the countryside. It’s affecting everyone. Even people...

30/07/2014: Dolphin's first word was "sargassum" - a type of seaweed

For the first time ever, a device has enabled people to translate a dolphin whistle in real time. The dolphin's first word was "sargassum," a type of seaweed. "I was like whoa! We have a match. I was stunned," researcher Denise Herzing told New Scientist. At the time, in August of last year, she was wearing a prototype dolphin translator called Cetacean Hearing and Telemetry (CHAT). The...

30/07/2014: Giant deep-sea 'shrimp' filmed

The world's largest amphipod has been caught on film for the first time – and even if you love shrimp, this behemoth critter may give you nightmaresRead more HERE. The AquaculturistsThis blog is maintained by The Aquaculturists staff and is supported by the magazine International Aquafeed which is published by Perendale Publishers LtdFor additional daily news from aquaculture around the world: aquacutlure-news...

30/07/2014: Oily fish helps reduce your carbon footprint - slightly

Mackerel, herring, sardines and anchovies are amongst the most energy efficient in protein production, according to a research paper published in the journal Fish and Fisheries.The energy the researchers refer to is the fuel used to operate fishing boats. They point out that it takes on average just five gallons of diesel to catch a tonne of these fish while to catch an equivalent weight of lobster...

29/07/2014: Short film about collecting plastic to make a chair on a fishing boat

Since the discovery of the Pacific Garbage Patch in 1997, which is predicted to measure twice the size of Texas, five more have been found across the world’s oceans with the Atlantic gyre predicted to be even larger.  Sea Chair from Studio Swine on Vimeo.  This plastic takes thousands of years to degrade, remaining in the environment to be broken up into ever smaller fragments by ocean currents.The gyre stretches from the coastlines...

28/07/2014: Global aquaculture market to expand dramatically

The global market for aquaculture is expected to reach US$202.96 billion by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Aquaculture includes farming of aquatic organisms such as mollusks, fish, crustaceans and other aquatic flora and fauna. Increasing consumer awareness of health benefits associated with seafood and growing consumption serves as a key driver for development of the market. In addition, the market demand...

28/07/2014: An 'octopus' robot for the depths

For years, roboticists have yearned to develop a flexible machine that can explore tight spaces, repair dangerous equipment and potentially even conform to the human body.  PoseiDrone's soft arms can help it to navigate rocky, uneven surfaces. The robot can also propel itself by expelling water from its flexible body. Credit M. Brega/The...

28/07/2014: Webcam catches baby sea turtles hatching

Baby loggerhead sea turtles hatched from their eggs and began their march to the sea on Friday night, July 25, around 21:00.Using infrared lighting, a live-streaming, high-definition turtle webcam – positioned on a beach in the Florida Keys – recorded the hatch and march to the sea of about 100 baby loggerhead sea turtles.See more HERE. The AquaculturistsThis blog is maintained by The Aquaculturists staff and is supported by the magazine International...

28/07/2014: An Aquafeed interview with Onur Emre Solak of Pharmaq of Turkey

Onur Emre Solak is the Country Manager of Pharmaq in Turkey. Pharmaq are best known as one of the biggest fish health and vaccine solution providers and is best known as one of the biggest fish health and vaccine solution providers. It provides environmentally sound, safe and efficacious health products to the global aquaculture industry through targeted research.Pharmaq’s vaccines are manufactured...

25/07/2014: Great white spotted

Passengers and crew aboard a whale watching boat saw a Great White Shark near St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.A picture is worth 1000 words - the sight of a large Great White The Quoddy Link Marine was just outside St. Andrews harbour and heading for the islands in Passamaquoddy Bay to view whales and other marine life for their afternoon sailing earlier this week, reports Just five or 10...

25/07/2014: The next Tuna you eat could have a mackerel momma

A marine scientist plans to use mackerel as surrogate parents for Pacific bluefin tuna!If you're not worried about a future without toro sushi or rare tuna steaks, you probably should be, report Popular Science. Five of the eight species of this tasty marine predator are endangered, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, source of the Red List of threatened species. In January 2013 an international group of fisheries...

25/07/2014: Loosening the constraints of red tape down-under

New aquaculture 'development areas' could be set up in central and northern Queensland if a report by the state's competition authority is adopted, reports ABC Rural.The draft report recommends reforming regulation in the Aus$80 million industry to better reach its potential and attract more investment.But prawn farmers say there's still a lot of work to be done.For the past 10 years, tight regulations...

25/07/2014: Scottish seas set for 30 new Marine Protected Areas after historic announcement

Calum Duncan, MCS Scotland Programme Manager and Convenor of Scottish Environment LINK’s marine task force says the Scottish Government's announcement to more than double the size of an emerging network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is welcome news for country's hidden underwater wonderlands and a great step forward in the right direction. Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead gave the go-ahead...

24/07/2014: Most detailed study yet of where whales go

Blue whales cluster for long periods in the busy shipping lanes off the California coast, according to a new study that raises concern about collisions between vessels and the endangered animals.Shipping lanes cross whales densest food supply areas“It’s an unhappy coincidence,” said Ladd Irvine, a marine mammal ecologist at Oregon State University who led the study published Wednesday in the journal...

24/07/2014: News Brief - Norway, FAO

News Brief:NORWAY The Norwegian Seafood Council reports that “a fantastic winter fishing season has resulted in record exports of cod during the first six months of the year. The value of exports of Norwegian cod, including clipfish, salted fish and dry fish, during the first six months of the year totaled NOK 5.82 billion. This is an increase of NOK 582 million (20%) compared with the first half of 2013.”Barents sea cod prices are now reported to...

24/07/2014: Editor Professor Simon Davies outlines latest edition of IAF

It is now high summer in England and the heat wave is on! I have been on some limited travel lately but mainly within the UK. It is somewhat surprising how much of the United Kingdom still remains outside of my experience. There are so many regions and cities to explore, and when I do eventually retire from academia I won’t be short of activities within Great Britain.Read all about the photo competitionI...

24/07/2014: Sea grass losses offset by regreneration investments

Seagrass provides many ecosystem services that are of considerable value to humans, including the provision of nursery habitat for commercial fish stock. Yet few studies have sought to quantify these benefits.  Seagrass is suffering a high rate of loss globallyAs seagrass habitat continues to suffer a high rate of loss globally and with the growing emphasis on compensatory restoration,...

24/07/2014: Another successful edition of Future Fish Eurasia in Turkey

Event Review: Future Fish Eurasia, the 7th International Fair for Fish Imports/Exports, Processing, Aquaculture and Fisheries was organised by Eurasia Trade Fairs at the Izmir International Fair Centre between June 5-7, 2014.Products and services of 252 companies were on display this year. Exhibitor breakdown is as follows; 34 direct international exhibitors from 14 countries (Greece, India, Norway,...