November 3, 2020

China Halts Salmon Shipment from Europe: Misinformation or Real Threat?

The discovery of the coronavirus on fish cutting boards at Beijing’s Xinfadi seafood market has led to a new cluster of COVID-19 infections, causing Chinese authorities to halt imports of fresh seafood products, including salmon from Europe The fear of a potential connection between salmon and the virus has resulted in the removal of imported seafood products from supermarket shelves, and a decline in sales of imported seafood across China. However, seafood trade groups in the United States and Europe are disputing this theory, citing numerous scientific studies which state that there is no evidence of COVID-19 being transmitted via food or water, and no link between seafood and the virus. The Issue at Hand SeafoodSource reports that imported seafood across China has plummeted, with salmon bearing the brunt of the impact due to its popularity in sushi dishes. Although there is no formal ban or import restriction in place, seafood traders have confirmed that Beijing has halted imports of all fresh seafood products, according to the South China Morning Post. European air freight carrier Cargolux circulated an internal memo saying that a temporary ban has been put on all perishable shipments to various airports in China. The Fear Factor Top Chinese medical experts have warned the public to avoid eating salmon, with Zeng Guang, a senior expert with the National Health Commission, saying that the public has yet to find out whether human beings transmitted the virus to salmon or whether salmon contracted the virus first. Wu Zunyou, China’s Center for Diseases Prevention and Control Chief Epidemiologist, said that the virus can survive on the surface of frozen food for up to three months, and that the agency “highly suspects” contaminated goods as the source of the latest outbreak. Disputing Misinformation Despite the alarm, numerous seafood trade groups, including the National Fisheries Institute, which represents the U.S. seafood industry, and the Norwegian Seafood Council, are fighting back against the perceived misinformation. They maintain that there is no connection between seafood and COVID-19, and that food has not been implicated in the transmission of the virus. Additionally, scientific studies from a range of international organizations, including the World Health Organization, have found no evidence of the virus being transmitted through seafood. Conclusion The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention is making its own effort to clarify the situation, stating that there is no evidence to suggest that salmon is the host or intermediate host of the coronavirus. Similarly, the Norwegian Seafood Council has confirmed that Norwegian seafood is safe, and that there are no known cases of infection via food or water. While the outbreak in Beijing is causing uncertainty and speculation, the origins of this new outbreak remain unclear, and the scientific community continues to stress that there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can infect or be passed along to other humans through aquatic animals.

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impressive photos of vietnam win international awards

Stunning Aerial Shot of Vietnamese Fish Market Featured in Sony World Photography Awards

The Sony World Photography Awards has recently released some of its early submissions for 2021, and one of the most beautiful photographs is an aerial shot of a fish market in Long Hai, a town located in southern Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province of Vietnam. The photo was taken by Khanh Phan and submitted under the travel category of the competition. Khanh’s photo captures the daily life of the local fish market, showing trays of fish laid out to dry under the sun. She said that she was overwhelmed by the scale of the fish market and the hundreds of local workers that keep it running. This beautiful photo is just one of 15 early submissions that were chosen for the contest. The winners of the Sony World Photography Awards will be announced in April 2021. Khanh is no stranger to photography and has won over 30 awards both locally and internationally over the past three years. In 2020, one of her photos was even shortlisted for the AGORA award, a photography competition that celebrates the beauty of the world through images. The Sony World Photography Awards has four competitions, namely professional, open, student, and youth, where photographers can submit their entries. From mesmerizing waves in Australia to a stunning mountain in Iceland and a striking black and white portrait of a lion, these early submissions capture the beauty and diversity of our world.

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Savory Alaska Brings Fresh Alaskan Fish to Texas while Supporting Small Businesses

Savory Alaska, a family-owned business based in Leander, is not only offering fresh and delicious Alaskan fish to Texans but also supporting small businesses located 2,600 miles away in Alaska. Introduction Savory Alaska, owned by Nathanael and Sarah Ferguson, was established in 2018 with the aim of providing their Texas friends and family a taste of Alaska. After receiving numerous compliments on their salmon dishes, the couple realized that they had access to some of the best seafood in the world and decided to share this with others. The Fresh Taste of Alaskan Fish Savory Alaska offers fish that tastes like the ocean and lacks the “fishy” taste that many customers avoid. The Fergusons’ fish is humanely processed, and they prioritize sustainability. Unlike large fisheries, the fishermen who work with Savory Alaska are from small, independent businesses, which creates a ripple effect of support. Supporting Small Businesses When customers purchase fish from Savory Alaska, they not only support the family-owned business in Leander but also small businesses located in Alaska. The fishermen who work with Savory Alaska come from small, independent businesses, which allows for a ripple effect of support for Alaskan communities. Expressing Gratitude for Loyal Customers Nathanael and Sarah are grateful for their regular customers who have helped their business grow. They believe that the support of their customers has allowed them to create a positive impact on both the Texas and Alaskan communities.

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