Seafood is potentially likely to become a luxury that many Australians cannot afford, according to principal research scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Dr Mike Hall. According to a statement attributed to Dr Hall in the Weekend Australian this week, Australia will face a seafood supply shortage in twenty years if overseas demand for seafood continues to grow. Currently, Australians consume about 422,000 metric tonnes of seafood each year according to Dr Hall, but more... ...Read more »

Aquaculture pioneer Clean Seas Tuna has announced the survival of some of their world-first captive-reared juvenile Southern Bluefin Tuna, beyond the company’s expectations. Some of the young tuna have now lived for more than 150 days, and survived transfer to sea cages at the company’s Arno Bay facility in South Australia. Clean Seas Tuna Managing Director Clifford Ashby said the survival of the young tuna was unlikely, with sea temperatures soon to drop to 11C-12C, but that merely making... ...Read more »

Key members of the Australian seafood industry and environmental NGOs have come together at the Seafood Services Australia Network Meeting, held at Sydney Fish Market last week, to discuss the need for clearer definitions and terminology, and increased community engagement on sustainability. “The issue we face is that there are many varied definitions and complex terminology relating to sustainability. There are also many eco-labels for seafood around the world – each with different criteria.... ...Read more »

On land, being small and lurking at the bottom of the food chain is usually a far better strategy for species survival than being big, fierce and perched on top, at least when humans are after you. But talk to sharks and anchovies and they’ll tell you a different story, according to a new study of fisheries collapses led by Stanford researchers. Analyzing over 200 scientific assessments of fisheries around the globe, the team found that populations of small fish such as sardines and anchovies... ...Read more »

Aquaculture specialist Clean Seas Tuna has reported a new milestone in its pioneering Southern Bluefin Tuna research, reporting a succesful transfer of its young tuna into sea cages. After last month’s world-first succesful transfer, the company has followed with a second batch of 60 young tuna fingerlings. A total of 85 juvenile tuna are now living in the company’s sea cages, with Clean Seas reporting that they are feeding extremely well and have grown to around 15cm in length. The company’s... ...Read more »

‘Judas’ carp are being used to locate their mates in an innovative project taking place in Western NSW, which aims to give commercial fishers a better idea of where carp aggregate to maximise their catch. Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) has been tracking the movements of a number of radio tagged carp in Lake Cargelligo since last year. I&I NSW Senior Fisheries Technician at Narrandera Fisheries Centre, Martin Asmus, said I&I NSW are working with commercial fisher,... ...Read more »

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin said today the longstanding and valuable relationship between Australia and the Republic of Korea will benefit Queensland’s food producers. “2011 is the Year of Friendship between Australia and the Republic of Korea,” Mr Mulherin said. “The Year of Friendship recognises and celebrates 50 years of trade and friendship between the two countries. “This is a great opportunity to continue to grow our relationship here in Queensland... ...Read more »

South Australian Minister for Fisheries Michael O’Brien said today that South Australia’s reputation as one of the world’s best-managed fisheries put the state in a solid position to benefit from nationwide retail campaigns in support of sustainable seafood. Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths both announced new sustainable-seafood policies last week, timed to coincide with the Marine Stewardship Council’s Sustainable Seafood Day last Friday. Woolworths will work with the MSC, and... ...Read more »

Coles has announced plans to introduce more certified sustainable seafood options for customers, as well as phasing out sales of several overfished and at-risk species, in an effort to decrease the supermarket’s impact on fish stocks. Coles said it has enlisted the WWF to help it review all Coles fresh seafood and advise where action is needed to ensure fish is sourceed on a sustainable basis. In an agreement signed last week with WWF, Coles has agreed not to stock any seafood without taking... ...Read more »

Woolworths yesterday announced its new sustainable fish sourcing strategy, designed to allow customers to make more sustainable fish choices in both canned and fresh fish. The supermarket giant made the announcement to coincide with today’s Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) event, Sustainable Seafood Day. The Woolworths Select private label will now offer MSC-certified canned salmon, with MSC-certified Albacore tuna due to be introduced next month, and has removed the overfished Yellowfin Tuna... ...Read more »