Benefits of fish consumption

Research has shown that 0mega-3 fatty acid found in fish helps to reduce depression. Treatment with Omega-3 supplements is effective for patients with major depression, who do not have anxiety disorders.

Patient suffering from depression needs a higher attention because research has revealed that it is one of the most leading causes of death for both men and women.

However, other analysis revealed that Omega-3 which can be found in fish improves depression symptoms in patients diagnosed with depression unaccompanied by an anxiety disorder. Moreover, the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION has reported that the massive impact of depression on human health worldwide is likely to increase more in the next 20 coming years, with approximately 20 million people affected.

However, there is a link between our moods and what we eat too, researchers say.

We need to take care of our health. As mentioned, omega-3 is an excellent source for reducing depression. Having fish such as Hake fish in our meal at least 4 times per week can be ideal. 

Source: http://blog.taragana.com/science/2010/06/22/omega-3-supplements-show-promise-in-treating-depression-16823/

http://blog.taragana.com/science/2010/05/19/bask-in-the-sunshine-to-beat-the-blues-13838/

http://www.seawork.com.na/main-products.html

 

Discovery of the ugliest fish specimens in New Zealand

Exploring the depths of the New Zealand’s sea floor, some rare fish were revealed new to the world of science.

The scientists of the National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) have discovered Specimens like Lantersharks, ghost sharks and black lizardfish which were found at a depth of around 1500 meter.

The Niwa fisheries scientist, Peter McMillan has said that the discoveries of these fish species proved how little people know about the ocean’s riches and only 0.002 percent of the marine ecosystem was analyzed.

The fish consist of a rare and strange form of body shape in order to adapt to the extreme water pressure, cold water and also the lack of light rays and food at huge depth. Many of the fish species found at greater depth were found to have small sized eyes and they are capable to make their own light so as to live in the darkness.

The rarest fish was a species of lanternshark, which was yet formally named. A silky fish with bright green eyes was said to make its own light from the underneath of its body in order to search for food on the sea floor.

As the eel may have to survive longer time without eating food, it has a large jaw and big stomach in order to allow the eel to ingest huge amount of food. Scientists have shown that eel could eat around a whole squid which is generally half of its actual size.

However, trawling to such a depth was quite costly and difficult. It could take around three hours to send a net down to the sea floor. Also, 4000 meters of wire are needed with winches so as to be able to hold the weighted net and everything it pulled from the sea floor.

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The fishing gear was constructed in such a way that it could control the intense pressure which was about 200 times than at the sea surface. The scientists even used special floats which would not rupture in the sea. 

The NIWA scientists wanted to broaden their knowledge of fish distribution and ecology at deeper depths. 

The Kermadec snailfish was the only fish species that was captured at a depth of more than 6000 meters in New Zealand.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/science/news/article.cfm?c_id=82&objectid=10683236

http://www.seawork.com.na/main-products.html 

Impact of trawling method on our ecosystem

The impact of trawling on our ecosystem can be considered to be larger than we realize. According to the analysis concerning the world’s trawling, the footprint of global trawling is certainly bigger than many people believe.

Trawling is known as the pulling of weighted nets across the sea floor in order to catch targeted fish species. Trawling grounds are areas of the deep-sea where commercial trawling either legal or illegal is basically common.

Trawling is a key basis on the biodiversity of coastal ecosystem. Modern techniques are able not only of depleting of targeted fish species but it also destroys non-targeted fish species together with corals and sponges. Basically, this takes years and years to re-colonize.  The natural flooring of bottom dwelling plants and animals is vital because it helps in the survival of ground fish such as cod. It also helps to protect the cod fish. Based on this fact, damaging the seafloor habitat is one of the major factors which lead to declination of fish stocks in heavily trawled regions. In fact, some marine ecologists have compared the effects of trawling on the biology of the seafloor to the effects of clear cutting on forest ecosystems.

However, the increase use of deep-water trawling will eventually result in continuous destruction of the marine ecosystem. Furthermore, fishers are trawling outside the continental shelf intensifying into regions that before were not frequently swept by trawlers. Harvesters are trawling to a depth of 400 m or above. Even in certain areas, trawling is taking place to a depth of 1 500m. As species living in deep water are considered to grow slower than shallow-water species, the negative impact on the ecosystem will definitely increase will the increase in trawl depths. This can result in long-term impacts which will directly fisheries and even the oceans.

Ref:

http://earthtrends.wri.org/features/view_feature.php?theme=1&fid=10

http://www.seawork.com.na/about-us.html 

Increase in quota for Greenland halibut and cod in Spain

Rise in quota seems to be a good initiative for Spanish fish industries for next year. The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) has announced an increase 180 percent in catch quota for two species which are Cod and Halibut. The fishing quota will eventually increase by almost 180 percent, that is, from 769 tonnes to 1,447 tonnes.

The quantity of Greenland halibut that the Spanish fleets will be able to catch will increase from 4,396 tonnes to 4,721 tonnes. However, it was also decided that there will be increase of Total Annual Catch (TAC) from 5,000 tonnes to 10,000 tonnes as the cod stocks found in the Newfoundland waters has been recovered. With regards to Greenland Halibut, the TAC which has been set for 2011 totals 17,182 tonnes.

The Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM) has announced that they have implemented a new strategy of joint management between national authorities and fisheries scientists that allocate for controlling these fish stocks and for their ultimate recovery.

As per the MARM, this type of management will ensure constancy of the fishery to decide any future variation which would lead to a rise of 5 percent of the TAC annually over the previous year’s TAC. Based on this decision, the MARM can bring up long-term practicality to these vital resources.

Ref:

http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&day=27&id=38333&l=e&special=&ndb=1%20target= 

http://www.seawork.com.na/fish-processing.html

A rise in Argentinean seafood export

 Value of fish exports in the first eight months of 2009 and 2010, in millions of USD. (Photo: Senasa/ FIS) 

After a period of time, Argentinean seafood industries found a slight rise in fish export. According to the National Health and Food Quality Service (SENASA), Argentina has exported 264,666 tonnes of seafood accounting to an amount of USD 732.6 from January 2010 till August 2010. These figures represent a decrease of 12 percent in terms of volumes but a rise of 5.7 percent in terms of value as compared to the same period in 2009. SENASA certified fish exports totaled up to 198,181 tonnes which were valued at USD 405 million, in addition to 66,485 tonnes of mollusks worth USD 327.6 million in the first eight months of the year 2010.

Argentina has recorded the largest export of Hake fish (Merluccius hubssi) with 96,175 tonnes for USD 211.6 million. Based on this fact, there has been an increase of 2.2 per cent in volume and a drop of 0.4 per cent compared to the first eight months of 2009 which was 94.035 tonnes and USD 212.3 million.

Shrimp is considered to the in the second position with a catch of 35,848 tonnes value for USD 250.2 million in terms of volume. There has been an increase of 33.2 percent and 6 percent in terms of volume and value respectively as compared to 2009 26,901 tonnes worth USD 161.8 million.

Other fish species which has shown an increase in exports are:

·  Squid accounting 25,166 tonnes worth USD 42 million,

·  Patagonian anchovy (Engraulis anchovy), with 12,722 tonnes worth USD 24 million and

·  Hoki (Macruronus magellanicus) with 14,403 tonnes for USD 29.5 million.

The main and the largest importer of Argentinean seafood still remain Spain. Spain has bought an amount of 54,143 tonnes worth to a value of USD 243.8 million in the first eight months of 2010.

The second largest importer of Argentinean fish was Brazil, with 40,411 tonnes worth USD 102.6 million, followed by Italy which accounts for 19,184 tonnes, a cost of USD 83.6 million and finally was America with 10,986 tonnes worth USD 35.3 million.

Ref:

http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&day=24&id=38305&l=e&special=&ndb=1%20target

http://www.seawork.com.na/main-products.html

The temporary ban of trawling method in the Gulf of Cadiz begins

Due to overexploitation of fish species such as Hake in the Gulf of Cadiz, the Ministry of environment and Rural and Marine affair has imposed a provisional ban on trawling. The ban will take place from for 50 days which will begin from 24 September till 7 November. 

The plan which has been proposed, is expected to last for about two years or could be extended but this will affect Spanish vessels that make use of  trawling method on the bottom of the offshore waters (between the mouth of the Guadiana and the meridian of Punta Marroquí (005º 36’ W).

The new regulation that has been imposed also states that fishing season must not exceed more than 200 days per year and 18 hours a day at sea, and boats may only make one daily landing. Once the fishing plan is finalized, it is expected to reduce the overall global fishing capacity running with this technique by almost 6 percent.

The General Secretariat of Marine Affairs will evaluate and monitor the situation after the implementation of the plan. This will be done by studying the results that will be achieved. Furthermore, scientific reports will be drawn up especially on species such as Hake and Norwegian lobster as it is considered to be over-exploited in the region.

It has been said by the Fishermen's Association of Punta Umbria, Antonio Albarracín that the temporary closure of trawling method is really important in order to help the regeneration of species and the maintenance of the activity itself. 

Ref:

http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&day=24&id=38314&l=e&special=&ndb=1%20target= 

http://www.seawork.com.na/

Genetically modified Salmon fish

The new innovation about the genetically modified (GM) salmon fish has created a chaos in the fisheries sectors. This new type of GM salmon is a fantastic idea but the question that is arising is that; is it good for consumption?  

A powerful and passionate debate is opening in the United State and even all over the world whether genetically modified salmon is safe for human consumption and for the salmon industry?

The US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has given 2 months of consultation and a number of meeting with the public this months in order to come up to a final decision if the GM salmon fish is safe and healthy for consumption.

However, the fishing industry and politicians from commercial-fishing states are mobilizing against a possible Food and Drug Administration approval of genetically modified salmon for the American dinner table. 

The GM salmon has been developed by AquaBounty Technologies (a Massachusetts biotechnology firm). Called AquaAdvantage Atlantic Salmon, it contains a growth-hormone gene from another salmon that helps it grow twice as fast as conventional farmed fish.

The scientists from AquaBounty Technologies Inc have said that the GM salmon is safe for human consumption but the FDA are facing difficulties to convince the public and fishing industry that the GM salmon is safe for consumption but will be sold without any label certifying that the product is safe.

On the other hand, Alaska is among one of the states in United States showing the biggest concerns about this issue. The Alaskan is saying that putting unlabeled genetically modified salmon the marketplace is an act of irresponsibility and the FDA needs to consider the issue that may arise before they approve the Frankenfish.

Not everyone is agreeing that this stuff is healthy for health and it is obvious that it is not like fresh fish. Based on this fact, a group of 39 lawmakers who wrote that FAD, has joined this week in order to ask the agency to stop its approval process for the genetically modified salmon.

In Britain, environmentalist and author of The End of the Line documentary on fish, said in a recent Sunday Times column headed that The Frankenfish is feeding the world a monstrous Folly' that the argument that GM salmon could feed the world was a monstrous folly. He also added that "If we genuinely want to feed more people in a world of scarce resources we should stop feeding farmed salmon three times its body weight in Peruvian anchovy and try eating the anchovy ourselves. Is fish farming a bad idea? Not at all. We should farm largely vegetarian fish such as tilapia and barramundi. One of these GM salmon will eventually escape and pollute wild salmon, is the real danger. Wild salmon could cease to exist."

Ref: 

http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/14273/Fierce_debate_opens_up_on_GM_salmon.html

http://www.capitalcityweekly.com/stories/101310/new_719787870.shtml

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704789404575524313700416460.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

http://endoftheline.com/

http://www.seawork.com.na/main-products.html