For the second consecutive month in July, the US had no shrimp entry line refused for reasons related to banned antibiotics, according to the Southern Shrimp Alliance. This despite the fact that the Food and Drug Administration has significantly increased the number of shrimp samples collected for testing each year.

 

 

FOR 2ND CONSECUTIVE MONTH

US reports no antibiotic-laced shrimp imports in July

 

The US refused entry to 129 seafood entry lines in July, of which none were of shrimp for reasons related to banned antibiotics.

 

As no refusals for shrimp for reasons related to banned antibiotics were reported in June either, this is the first time that the Food and Drug Administration has gone two months without reporting such a refusal since April and May 2006, the Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) reported.

 

The FDA has reported the number of shrimp samples collected for testing for banned antibiotics and dyes on a fiscal year basis, and the number of shrimp samples collected each year has significantly increased.

 

The FDA additionally reported the number of tests conducted that resulted in detection of banned antibiotics or dyes. These data confirmed that a small minority of total shrimp imports were found to contain banned antibiotics, according to the SSA.

 

"Nevertheless, the FDA's detection rate in fiscal year 2016 – 4.2% – is significantly higher than the detection rate reported by the agency in fiscal years 2003 through 2007", it said.

 

"Because the volume of shrimp imports into the United States is so high, if 4.2% of all shrimp imports were contaminated in FY2016, that would indicate that roughly 55.6 million pounds of shrimp entered the United States with detectable quantities of banned antibiotics between October 2015 and September 2016", it explained.

 

---

'A GOOD SUMMER MONTH'

Norway's July seafood exports: Volume down, but value up 

 

Norway's seafood export volume in July (138,000 tonnes) was 4% lower than a year before, but value, at NOK6.7 billion (US$841.54 million), increased 2% (or by NOK 115 million), according to the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC).

 

In the seven months through July, Norway exported 1.4 million tonnes, or 5% more of seafood, worth NOK53.1 billion. Year-on-year growth in value was 8%, or NOK3.9 billion.

 

"July was a good summer month for Norwegian seafood exports. Salmon exports alone amounted to 5 billion Norwegian krone, which is a 7 percent increase from July last year, Growth in export volumes for salmon in July, combined with salmon prices remaining high, led to another record month in export value", said Paul Aandahl, analyst at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

 

Norway exported 74,200 tonnes of salmon, up 8% (5,200 tonnes) with a value of NOK5 billion ($628 million) in July. The value increased by NOK324 million, or 7%, compared with July 2016. During the first seven months, Norway exported 524,200 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 36.5 billion ($4.58 billion). Volume was the same as the previous year, but the value increased by 12%, or NOK 4 billion, compared with 2016.

 

The average price of whole, fresh salmon in July was down to NOK64.32 ($8.08)/kg from NOK66.03/kg in July 2016. Poland and France were the biggest markets for Norwegian salmon in July.

 

Norway exported 2,100 tonnes of fjord trout in July, down 61%, or 3,300 tonnes, from last year. Value amounted to NOK169 million ($21.22 million), down 50%, or NOK 172 million, compared with July last year.

 

From January to May, Norway exported 18,700 tonnes of fjord trout, down 56%, or 24,300 tonnes. Value reached NOK1.5 billion ($188.33 million), a 34% reduction, or NOK769 million, compared with the same period last year. Belarus and the US were the biggest buyers of Norwegian fjord trout in July.

 

Norway exported 187 tonnes of king crab in July, down 6%, or 12 tonnes. Value was NOK45.6 million ($5.73 million), down 4%, or NOK1.8 million, compared with July last year. South Korea, the US and Canada were the top markets for Norwegian king crab in July.

 

Norwegian prawn exports in July reached 643 tonnes, an increase of 50 tonnes, or 8%. Value was NOK48 million ($6.03 million), less NOK1.7 million, or 3%, than last year. The most important markets for Norwegian prawns in July were Sweden, Finland and the UK.

 

---

GROWING DEMAND

New Zealand seafood exports to reach US$1.5B in 2020—report

 

New Zealand's seafood exports are predicted to hit a record NZ$2 billion (US$1.46 billion) annually by 2020, according to the latest situation and outlook report recently issued by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

 

The MPI said that export prices are expected to continue to improve due to growing demand, with rock lobsters as the most valuable seafood export, followed by mussels as a close second, and by hoki, squid, salmon and orange roughy.

 

According to the report, aquaculture would be the main driver of forecast volume growth (6.6% per year) through gradual supply of hatchery-bred mussel spat and planned expansion of salmon farming.

 

The aquaculture sector "continues to perform strongly", said Seafood New Zealand Chief Executive Tim Pankhurst, who noted that while the wild capture total has remained stable over the past five years, there has been an increase in volume in aquaculture products.

 

"The industry knows that fishing smarter is the way of the future," Pankhurst said. "As the report points out, the Quota Management System sees New Zealand wild fish stocks managed at, or above, levels that ensure the fisheries are sustainable".

 

"Adding value is the road to growth", Pankhurst added.

 

 

---

UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY

Chinese liver fluke parasite found in farmed pangasius in Vietnam

 

Scientists from the Norwegian National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES) have found the parasite Chinese liver fluke in farmed pangasius in Vietnam.

 

They said the discovery was "surprising". 'We did not expect to find Chinese liver fluke. This is a new parasite species for the Mekong Delta,' said NIFES scientist Arne Levsen, who, together with Vietnamese scientists, did a parasitological study that analysed farmed pangasius in Vietnam.

 

The Chinese liver fluke is a dangerous parasite that can be transferred to people through consumption of raw or only lightly processed freshwater fish from China and Southeast Asia. In the human body, Chinese liver fluke thrives in the gall bladder and the bile ducts of the liver.

 

"Serious infections with hundreds of flukes can cause inflammation and blockage of the bile ducts, often with jaundice-like symptoms. In a worst-case scenario, the parasite can even cause liver cancer", Levsen explained.

 

Because of the finding, Levsen advised tourists visiting Vietnam and Southeast Asia to avoid local, only lightly processed fish dishes, as proper heating is required to kill the parasites.

 

"If you do not know if the seafood you're offered has undergone proper heat treatment, don't eat it. This goes for all seafood, including crabs and prawns, which may contain other parasites that can be dangerous", he said.

 

Besides analysing 865 farmed fish, the scientists checked 130 wild pangasius from basically the same area for parasites.

 

But no Chinese liver flukes were found in the wild fish. As to where the parasite came from, Levsen said they were trying to find out.

 

"Our present working hypothesis is that the parasite was brought along with broodstock from areas where the parasite occurs naturally.

 

"It probably originates in other regions of Southeast Asia such as Thailand or South China. We are now comparing various genes to check if there are any genetic footprints that enable us to trace the flukes back to their area of origin", the NIFES scientist said.

 

---

COMPETITION FINALS IN SEPTEMBER

Irish seafood agency announces 8 finalists for BIM seafood awards

 

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland's Seafood Development Agency, has bared the eight finalists for the BIM Seafood Retail Business Awards 2018.

 

The inaugural Seafood Retail Business Awards will recognise retail managers who can demonstrate successful business models, excellent understanding of seafood, coupled with outstanding business and sales acumen.

 

The Awards come under two categories: Supermarket Seafood Counters and Independent Seafood Specialists. Four candidates from across Ireland have now been shortlisted in each category.  

 

Jim O'Toole, BIM CEO, said, "The objective of this competition is to identify the seafood business with the best seafood business skillset.  The judges will be taking a critical look at management structures, future growth plans, sales and profit performance.  In September the finalists will need to reflect to the judges how they have implemented what they have learned through their mentoring with the experts in BIM for the benefit of the business, and how they plan to grow their businesses into the future".

 

The competition finals will take place in September when each of the finalists will present to a panel of business experts including retail mentor James Burke, entrepreneur and businessman Bobby Kerr, financial advisor Moira Creedon and Ronald Hovenars, a food business mentor from Holland.

 

The finalists are:

 

Independent Seafood Specialist

 

Donagh Good, Good Fish Shop, Carrigiline, County Cork

Laura Desmond, Reid's Fish Market, Howth, Co. Dublin

Lar Mc Carthy, The Fresh Fish Shop, Bandon, Co. Cork

Gerard Collier, Fisherman's Catch, ClogherHead, Co. Louth

 

Supermarket Seafood Manager

 

Scott Smullen, Dunnes Stores, Cornelscourt, Dublin

Daniel Drwall, Tarpeys Supervalu, Co. Cavan

Dan O Regan, Garveys Supervalu, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Piotr Wojakowski, Fields Supervalu, Skibbereen, Co. Cork

 

The winners will receive a prize package of business supports worth €15,000 (US$17,285) including branding and promotional advice, PR training, business mentoring and support.