Sustainable Seafood/fisheries

There  is  a  growing  consumption  trend  towards  sustainability.  A  feedback  between sustainability of consumption and biodiversity maintenance seems a positive trend toward sustainability. The results showed that an index of perception of consumers could serve to evaluate the status of the perception about fish resources. This index could be useful for comparing different areas or communities. It could be useful for mapping areas where educational  programs  could  be  enforced  and  detecting  population  strata  where educational attention should be important.

La pesca es esencial para las comunidades costeras, en especial en los países en desarrollo y representa la principal fuente de proteína, ingresos y empleo; donde la creciente sobreexplotación de los recursos marinos ha tenido consecuencias ecológicas, sociales y económicas desfavorables. Cuando la disminución de los recursos a escala mundial comenzó a afectar la economía de los actores involucrados en la pesca, surge la iniciativa de generar estándares y criterios para instrumentar mejoras en las pesquerías y para el bienestar del sector pesquero. En la búsqueda de una solución, desde hace más de 10 años, los pescadores, gobierno, academia, comercializadores y osc en México integran en su agenda el cuidado de los recur-sos, con base en criterios internacionales de sustentabilidad que buscan el bienestar pesquero, ecológico, económico y social para futuras generaciones. El presente trabajo tiene el propósito de analizar y discutir los criterios de sustentabilidad, eco-etiquetas y esquemas que existen a escala internacional, así como la implementación de criterios internacionales en México. Se identificaron elementos clave que influyen en el cumplimiento de los criterios en México, entre los que destacan el mercado, el sistema de trazabilidad, costos de las certificaciones, de las mejoras y su financiamiento, el factor social, la difusión de los criterios y esquemas de sustentabilidad en el sector pesquero. En México, las pesquerías artesanales e industriales son capaces de adoptar estos estándares. Finalmente, es importante contar con recursos y organizaciones que impulsen y asesoren el proceso, así como un gobierno comprometido para fomentar el uso de prácti-cas sustentables. Palabras clave: Pesca sustentable, certificaciones, consejo de administración marina, comercio justo, pro-yectos de mejora pesquera, observadores de mariscos. International fishery sustainability criteria: Where are we and what do we need to improve? Fishing is essential for coastal communities, especially in developing countries, representing the main source of protein, income and employment, and where the increasing overexploitation of marine resources has had unfavorable ecological, social and economic consequences. When the decrease in resources worldwide began to impact the economy of the actors involved in fishing, an initiative emerged to generate standards and criteria to implement improvements in fisheries and the welfare of the fishing sector. In the search for a solution, for more than 10 years, fishermen, government, academia, marketers and csos in Mexico, integrated in their agenda the care of resources, implementing international sustainability criteria , seeking fishing, ecological, economic and social welfare for future generations. The present work has the purpose of analyzing and discussing the criteria of sustainability, eco-labels and schemes that exist at a global level, and on the implementation of international criteria in Mexico. Key elements that influence the fulfillment of the criteria in Mexico were identified, along with the market, traceability system, costs of the certifications (evaluations and audits) and improvements, their financing, social factor and the dissemination of criteria and schemes in the fishing sector. In Mexico, artisanal and industrial fisheries are able to adopt these standards. Finally, it is important to have resources and organizations that promote and advise the process, as well as a government committed to promote the use of sustainable practices.

Post-harvest quality losses of fish are the great concern for the fisheries sectors of Bangladesh especially in aspects of food security and public health issues. Therefore, the present study was conducted aimed for evaluation of organoleptic, biochemical and bacteriological quality of Pama (Pama pama) fish in local fish market of Patuakhali district. The fish sample was collected from three different markets namely Pirtola, Rajakhali and New market of Patuakhali district and the study was conducted from July to November 2016. Organoleptic method was used for sensory quality assessment of fish sample by ten trained pannelist. Proximate composition of fish sample was determined following AOAC method and bacteriological study was carried out according to the Standard Plate Count method. From the results, organoleptically the fish from the respective three different fish market were excellent and highly acceptable. Furthermore, biochemical study revealed that there were no significant different in nutrient content of fish sample collected from three different markets (p>0.05). Among the compositions, higher moisture content (79.87 to 84.67%) and lower ash content (0.99 to 1.99 %) was observed for Pama pama, irrespective of fish market. In general, similar sensory and biochemical quality was observed for fish from three different market referred acceptable post-harvest handling and preservation of fish. However, significant different and cooperatively higher bacterial load was observed 4.82 × 10 9 , 4.43 ×10 9 and 1.63 × 10 9 CFU/g for Pirtola fish market, Rajakhali fish and New market fish market, respectively (p<0.05). Therefore, the post-harvest quality evaluation through organoleptic and biochemical aspects of Pama fish (Pama pama) from three different fish market in Patuakhali district suggested acceptable fish quality which leads to supply of higher nutrient content without any public health concern. Besides, bacteriological study indicated that further improvement in post-harvest handling, preservation and hygiene practice are required.

The Turks and Caicos Islands' total marine fisheries catches were estimated for 1950–2012 using a catch reconstruction approach, estimating all removals, including reported catch destined for export, and unreported domestic artisanal and subsistence catches. Total reconstructed catch for the period is approximately 2.8 times that reported by the Turks and Caicos to the FAO, and 86% higher than the export-adjusted national reported baseline. The pattern of total catches (strong decline to 1970, followed by gradual increase) differs distinctly from that shown by data reported to FAO. Reported landings show a steady increase from less than 1000 t year −1 · in the 1950s to around 6000 t − ·year 1 in the 2000s. In contrast, the total reconstructed catches suggest declines in total catches from around 20,000 t in 1950 to a low of about 5000 t in 1970, before gradual increases to about 12,500 t·year −1 in the late 2000s. Major discrepancies between reported and reconstructed data are under-reported artisanal catches in the early decades (accounting for 86% of total catches), and the absence of subsistence catches (14% of total catches) in reported data. Queen conch (Strombus gigas) and Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) dominate reconstructed catches. No discards were estimated as fishing has been highly selective, carried out by hand collection (conch), trap or hook (lobster), or hook and line (finfish). New data published here from local seafood consumption surveys demonstrates that the total local consumption of conch equates to almost the entire total allowable catch, before exported amounts are even factored. Policy-makers in the Turks and Caicos need to act if the sustainability of the fisheries stock and fishing industry is to be ensured.

The Turks and Caicos Islands total marine fisheries catches were estimated for the 1950-2012 time period using a catch reconstruction approach, which estimated all fisheries removals, including the reported fish catch destined for export as well as all unreported domestic small- scale commercial (i.e., artisanal) and subsistence catches. All data were reconciled with the data reported by FAO on behalf of the Turks & Caicos Islands for the 1950-2012 period. Here, we present separately the data for the 1950-2010 time period to match the requirements of the Sea Around Us. The total reconstructed catch for the 1950-2010 time period is approximately 2.8 times the data reported by FAO on behalf of Turks & Caicos. Reconstructed total catches consisted to 86% of artisanal (i.e., small–scale commercial), 14% subsistence (i.e., small-scale non-commercial) and 0.1% recreational catches. No discards were estimated for these islands since almost all of the fishing is done either by hand collection (i.e., for conch), by trap or hook (for lobster) or by hook and line or Hawaiian sling (for finfish), with all gears being highly selective. Total reconstructed catches declined from around 20,000 t in 1950 to a low of about 5,300 t in 1970 (after Hurricane Camille), and then gradually increased to average about 12,500 t·year-1 in the late 2000s. The pattern of reconstructed total catches (substantial decline to 1970, then gradual increase) differed distinctly from the data reported by FAO on behalf of Turks and Caicos, with reported landings showing a steady increase from less than 1,000 t∙year-1 in the 1950s to around 6,000 t∙year-1 in the 2000s. Major discrepancies were substantially under- reported artisanal catches in the first few decades, and the absence on subsistence catches from the reported data. Reconstructed total catches were dominated by queen conch (Strombus gigas) and Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), together accounting for 94% of total catches as estimated here.

Seafood mislabeling is common in both domestic and international markets. Previous studies on seafood fraud often report high rates of mislabeling (e.g. >70%), but these studies have been limited to a single sampling year, making it difficult to assess the impact of stricter governmental truth-in-labeling regulations. This study uses DNA barcoding to assess seafood

Bluespine unicornfish (Naso unicornis) from Hawaii were aged to >50 years using cross-sectioned sagittal otoliths. Fish length was a poor indicator of age because of rapid and variable early growth, exemplified by fish aged to be 4 years near maximum length. Growth was deterministic with adult ages decoupled from body length. Otolith mass and thickness were evaluated as proxies for age and both were encouraging; thickness explained more variance but mass was easier to measure. An age estimation protocol was validated through ontogeny using bomb radiocarbon (14 C) dating. Use of the postbomb 14 C decline period from a regional reference chronology enabled age validation of young fish — a novel approach for the Pacific Ocean. A probabilistic procedure for assigning bomb 14 C dates (CALIBomb) was used for the first time to determine fish birth years. The age-reading protocol was generally validated, and it was possible to describe length-at-age despite difficulties in counting otolith annuli beyond 30–40 years. Growth curves differed between the sexes, and a four-parameter generalized von Bertalanffy growth function provided the best fit.

Current and historic longevity estimates for the Pacific grenadier (Coryphaenoides acrolepis) range from 6 to greater than 60 years. Age estimates in this study using growth increment counts in thin otolith sections indicate the Pacific grenadier is a long-lived fish. To validate this growth information, age was determined using the radioactive disequilibria of 210Pb and 226Ra in otolith cores from adult Pacific grenadier. Radiometric ages closely agreed with age estimates from counting growth increments, which confirms their annual periodicity. Radiometric results indicate the
Pacific grenadier can live at least 55.8 years (–7.4, +10.1 years). Growth increment counts from large fish indicate longevity may approach 73 years. Because the Pacific grenadier is long-lived and matures late in life, it may be vulnerable to heavy fishing pressure. Therefore, conservation measures need to be taken to sustain this rapidly
developing fishery.

―Sustainable‖ is among the most sought after of all seafood product adjectives. Ironically it is also one of the most poorly defined and understood. The Global Aquaculture Performance Index (GAPI) is the first tool to assess environmental performance of global marine aquaculture production, permitting direct comparison of disparate species, production methods and jurisdictions. Clear patterns emerge from this analysis; significant variation of environmental performance is driven by the species being farmed, significant room for improvement exists across the entire sector, the worst performing players are also the fastest growing, particularly within Asia, and perhaps most importantly, this work highlights the potential trap awaiting policy makers who focus too narrowly on farm production efficiency alone as a solution to diminishing seafood availability.

tDiversification has been defined as one goal of sustainable fisheries. However, the role of consumer choicein successfully achieving this goal is unknown. We use a choice experiment survey to quantify consumerpreferences for locally abundant and underutilized fish relative to more familiar and overfished species,as well as in the context of other common sustainability characteristics (locally sourced and eco-labeledfish). We find that while respondents valued local seafood and avoided seafood labeled as “unsustainable”,even well-informed consumers placed a high value on familiar species. However, consumers that hadpreviously purchased underutilized fish were willing to pay significantly more for these species. Theseresults demonstrate that fisheries diversification faces challenges, but that consumer preferences maybe malleable, suggesting a long-term potential to shift demand away from unsustainable stocks andmeet larger conservation goals, provided consumer education occurs. Ultimately, these efforts have thepotential to increase both the ecological and economic sustainability of marine fisheries.

A theoretical basis is required for comparing key features and critical elements in wild fisheries and aquaculture supply chains under a changing climate. Here we develop a new quantitative metric that is analogous to indices used to analyse food-webs and identify key species. The Supply Chain Index (SCI) identifies critical elements as those elements with large throughput rates, as well as greater connectivity. The sum of the scores for a supply chain provides a single metric that roughly captures both the resilience and connectedness of a supply chain. Standardised scores can facilitate cross-comparisons both under current conditions as well as under a changing climate. Identification of key elements along the supply chain may assist in informing adaptation strategies to reduce anticipated future risks posed by climate change. The SCI also provides information on the relative stability of different supply chains based on whether there is a fairly even spread in the individual scores of the top few key elements, compared with a more critical dependence on a few key individual supply chain elements. We use as a case study the Australian southern rock lobster Jasus edwardsii fishery, which is challenged by a number of climate change drivers such as impacts on recruitment and growth due to changes in large-scale and local oceanographic features. The SCI identifies airports, processors and Chinese consumers as the key elements in the lobster supply chain that merit attention to enhance stability and potentially enable growth. We also apply the index to an additional four real-world Australian commercial fishery and two aquaculture industry supply chains to highlight the utility of a systematic method for describing supply chains. Overall, our simple methodological approach to empirically-based supply chain research provides an objective method for comparing the resilience of supply chains and highlighting components that may be critical.