People in Australia are becoming hooked on sustainable seafood, says the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), with more fisheries, suppliers and retailers seeking MSC certification to meet growing consumer demand for sustainably-sourced seafood products. “A growing number of fisheries in Australia, and worldwide, want to show their commitment to sustainable fishing by getting certified to the MSC environmental standard for sustainable fisheries. They want to do this because they’re proud... ...Read more »

The first global guidelines for bycatch management and reduction of fishing discards were released recently by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. They now go to the Committee on Fisheries for endorsement when it meets in Rome at the end of the month. The guidelines were agreed by fisheries experts from 35 countries who met at FAO last month. The guidelines cover all types of bycatch including discards, that is, fish that are caught accidently and then thrown back into the sea either... ...Read more »

The Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water Bryan Green today announced a reduction in next season’s total allowable catch for the commercial rock lobster fishery. “To ensure the industry remains viable in the future decisions need to be made now because of declining fish stocks,” Mr Green said. Mr Green said harvesting levels had shown decreasing numbers over several seasons.  “These measures are about providing a sustainable fishery for generations to come. The... ...Read more »

Sainsbury’s announced today that all tuna used as an ingredient in its food will be caught using the pole and line method by the end of this month. This move ensures that 100% of Sainsbury’s tuna across all products is responsibly sourced. Sainsbury’s fresh, frozen and canned tuna is already line caught. All of Sainsbury’s ready meals, sandwiches, pate, dips, salads, sandwich and potato fillers and sushi containing tuna will now be sourced using the more selective fishing... ...Read more »

Hot weather, large, multi-generation gatherings and the rush of the holiday season create a perfect storm for food poisoning, warns Dr Michael Eyles, Food Safety Information Council Chairman. Inadequate refridgeration, dodgy leftovers, undercooked meat and cross-contamination from meat and seafood to uncooked dishes are the major risks with large home-cooked meals, and the FSIC has offered a variety of tips to help Australians keep food poisoning off the menu in the silly season. “The statistics... ...Read more »

A bold move to change manufacturing procedures to meet the needs of discerning Swiss consumers has helped NZ King Salmon break in to its 13th export market.The Marlborough-based salmon farmer has worked for two years to meet very specific product requirements from Migros, Switzerland’s biggest supermarket chain. Intensive work by the company’s product development team in Nelson has included investment in custom-designed equipment to meet specific dimensions for smoked salmon products. NZ... ...Read more »

Australian salmon firm Tassal on Friday (10 December) put itself on the block and said it was ready to discuss takeover bids for the business.Tassal, which has already turned down one offer from Pacific Equity Partners, said it was open to talks with interested parties. Pacific Equity Partners has had a bid for Tassal rejected after the Tasmania-based processor said the offer under-valued the business. However, today, Tassal said it would “hold discussions with third parties regarding the possibility... ...Read more »

Australia’s half billion dollar lobster industry is reeling after hearing that China will no longer accept Australian lobsters, pending further trade negotiations.Up to 80 per cent of our catch is usually sent to China and the recent embargo has seen prices for lobster plummet.  The industry says losses will be severe if the two week ban continues. Exporters say the problem could be solved if Australia’s troubled attempts at a free trade agreement with China came to fruition. The ban... ...Read more »

Salmon company Tassal has been recognised in a national survey published in BRW as the Most Respected Industry Leader in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector in the country.The study to rank Australia’s most respected companies was conducted by global management consulting company Hay Group for BRW. Hay Group received responses to an online survey from businesses across 20 industries. Participants were asked to nominate organisations they respected across all industries and to rate... ...Read more »

In contrast to the findings of some studies and the recommendations that pregnant women increase their intake of fish oil via dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) because of the possible benefits, a randomized trial that included more than 2,000 women finds that use of DHA supplements did not result in lower levels of postpartum depression in mothers or improved cognitive and language development in their offspring during early childhood, according to a study in the October 20 issue of JAMA (Journal... ...Read more »