Author name: admin

GOLDEN POND, Ky. (AP) — Like a slow-motion, underwater cattle drive, wildlife officials in a half-dozen aluminum boats used pulses of electricity and sound on a recent gray morning to herd schools of Asian carp toward 1,000-foot-long (305 meters) nets. The ongoing roundup on wind-rippled Kentucky Lake opens a new front in a 15-year battle to halt the advance of the invasive carp, which threaten to upend aquatic ecosystems, starve out native fish and wipe out endangered mussel and snail populations along the Mississippi River and dozens of tributaries. State and federal agencies together have spent roughly $607 million to stop them since 2004, according to data compiled by The Associated Press. Projects in the works are expected to push the price tag to about $1.5 billion over the next decade. That’s more than five times the amount predicted in 2007 when a national carp management plan was crafted, and no end is in sight. Programs aim to reduce established populations and prevent further spreading, but wildlife officials concede they may never be able to eradicate the prolific fish. Much of the focus has been on limiting their northerly migration and keeping them out of the Great Lakes, where experts say they could devastate a $7 billion fishing industry. That effort features an underwater electric barrier near Chicago, water sampling for carp DNA, subsidies for commercial fishers and experiments with a mass roundup-type harvest. It has been largely successful, although the lakes remain vulnerable and grass carp — one of the Asian varieties — have been spotted in Lakes Erie, Ontario and Michigan. Less money and attention have been paid to the carp’s virtually unchecked spread east and west into the Missouri and Ohio rivers, among others. Asian carp were imported to the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s as an eco-friendly alternative to poisons for ridding southern fish farms and sewage lagoons of algae, weeds and parasites. They escaped through flooding, deliberate stocking and other means. “It was a dumb idea,” said Joel Brammeier, president of the advocacy group Alliance for the Great Lakes. “Even back then, biologists understood the risks of bringing live, non-native animals into the country. It should never have happened.” Greg Conover, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist who oversaw development of the national Asian carp strategy, realized how abundant they were becoming in the Mississippi River as he studied native paddlefish in the 1990s. “At first there were no carp, then we were catching a few carp here and there, then eventually we were filling the nets with carp and no paddlefish,” he said. The catchall term “Asian carp” refers to four different invasive species — bighead, black, grass and silver carp. Sport anglers are feeling their impacts. Scientists reported that carp in the upper Mississippi are out-competing prized native fish such as yellow perch and bluegill. And silver carp hurtle from the water like missiles when startled by boat motors. Collisions have broken noses, jaws and ribs. “That has hurt the tourism industry,” said Ron Brooks, Kentucky’s aquatic nuisance species program director. There are no precise estimates of Asian carp populations in U.S. waters, but there are believed to be millions. At times, they’ve totaled up to 90% of all fish populations on some backwaters of the Mississippi River. On two large reservoirs in Kentucky last year, commercial fishermen brought in 6 million pounds (2.7 million kilograms) of Asian carp. Asian carp are established in much of the central U.S. They grow quickly and reproduce abundantly; females lay up to 5 million eggs at a time. Silver carp mature in three to four years and can grow to about 60 pounds (27 kilograms). Bighead, the largest, can reach 110 pounds (50 kilograms). Grass carp — the only Asian carp species that can still be legally imported for weed control — have been found as far west as Utah, and in Florida and New York. Early attempts to rein in Asian carp were slow going. “For years we couldn’t even catch them,” said Frank Fiss, fisheries chief of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. “We had to adapt our gear to get the right gill nets, the right electroshocks. There was a steep learning curve.” Some fish farmers didn’t want the carp banned. States were slow to act. One control method, commercial fishing, hit a snag when processors realized that while the carp are a prized food in China, buyers there like them fresh, not frozen. But control efforts are increasing and becoming more successful. In the upper Illinois and Des Plaines rivers last year, a combination of the roundup method and commercial fishing helped pull in 1.5 million pounds (680,000 kilograms) of carp, said Kevin Irons, aquatic nuisance species manager with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Irons said they have seen a 96.7% drop in the Asian carp population on that stretch of river since 2012. Still, the Illinois remains infested. To prevent carp from migrating northward into Lake Michigan, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing the priciest initiative yet: fortifying a lock and dam on the outskirts of Chicago with an electric barrier, underwater speakers blasting irritating noises, and air bubble curtains. The project, awaiting congressional approval, could cost more than $800 million. Meanwhile, Southern states are becoming more active. Tennessee hired its first aquatic nuisance species coordinator in December. In Kentucky, officials installed a prototype underwater barrier last November designed to block Asian carp from passing through a lock at Lake Barkley, on the Kentucky-Tennessee border. If the fish fence works, fisheries officials hope to keep the carp from moving farther into Tennessee. Silver carp already are turning up in Tennessee’s Duck River, one of the most biologically diverse in North America. Angie Yu, a Chinese-American in the import-export business, moved from Los Angeles to Kentucky in 2012, seeing the Asian carp problem as a business opportunity. In her first year, Yu shipped a half million pounds to China. “I had my Waterloo there. It totally failed,” she said. Since then, she has concentrated on markets in

A glut of spot prawns stockpiled in Asia and export issues around the pandemic mean B.C. fishermen will get a lot less for their fresh catch or store it frozen until markets improve. It isn’t immediately clear if retail prices for the local seafood delicacy will decline. A survey of some retailers show spot prawns are selling for between $20 and $39 a pound. The owner of Finest at Sea, a Victoria-based seafood company with three prawning boats, said that while the catch has been bountiful this spring, the international markets to sell them have been “subdued.” About 90 per cent of B.C.’s total catch is typically exported to Japan and China, but Bob Fraumeni said those countries either already have good supplies or only want the largest sizes. Since spot prawns vary greatly in size, that leaves much of the catch to be sold to Victoria and Vancouver restaurants and grocery stores. “Prices are in the toilet … that’s the quick answer,” Fraumeni said. Vancouver fish buyers are paying about $5 wholesale a pound for “unfinished” spot prawns, down from about $16 a pound last year, he said. The Chinese and Japanese markets are limited, but still open, said Fraumeni, but buyers there only want the largest sizes and are paying between $11 and $13 a frozen pound, which is down about 30 per cent from last year. Japan, the largest market for B.C. spot prawns, heavily stockpiled for the 2020 Olympics, but the games were postponed to next year because of the pandemic, leaving the country with an oversupply. Fraumeni said Monday that Finest at Sea was loading a container of spot prawns for Asia, but many of the small to medium-sized prawns will be stored frozen “rather than sell at a loss.” In B.C., about 2,450 metric tonnes of spot prawns are harvested annually, with about 65% coming from the waters between Vancouver Island and the mainland. Justin McNab of Nanaimo-based Hub City Fisheries, one of the largest buyers of seafood on the Island, told CHEK News the decline in Asian markets has deflated prawn prices. “I’d say we’re probably about half of what the market was at last year,” he said. The excess supply means prices could drop even further. “We don’t know what direction it’s going to go in,” said McNab. B.C. spot prawns are a delicacy known for their sweet flavour and firm texture. They have white spots on their tail and white horizontal bars on the carapace. They are the largest of the seven commercial species of shrimp found on the west coast. Some larger females exceed 23 centimetres in length. The commercial prawn fishery is limited entry, with a maximum of 246 prawn licences. Each licence is allowed to fish up to 300 traps, with the restriction of hauling each trap once per day. The commercial prawn and shrimp by trap fishery is one of the most valuable in the Pacific region, accounting for a landed value of $35.3 million in 2013, according to the latest data from the Pacific Prawns Fisherman’s Association. When prawning season closes in the next week, many crews will switch to tuna fishing. Fraumeni said fresh tuna is still “catching on” in North American markets even though the canned variety is a staple in many households. The market for sable fish, sometimes called black cod, remains very strong. He said the company has shipped four containers of sable fish to Japan this spring.

Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the U.S., its second largest market, this year has fallen by 41.5 percent to $187.9 million. The exports to the market have been marked by seventh straight months of decline as of August, according to a recent report by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). Although the U.S. remains the second largest buyer, shipments are expected to continue falling after that country raised anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese products in April, VASEP said. Before concluding its 14th period of review on April 29, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) had set preliminary weighted-average dumping margins for Vietnamese pangasius exporters at $0-1.37 per kilogram. However, after the investigation, the DOC slapped $3.87 on Hung Vuong Group and $1.37 on five other seafood producers, and kept the $2.39 margin on all other Vietnamese producers. According to VASEP, Vietnam has exported $1.3 billion worth of pangasius in all this year, down 7.7 percent from the same period last year. Exports to China, its biggest market, rose 17.2 percent to $389 million, and exports to the EU increased by 8.8 percent to $174.3 million. According to the association, last year pangasius accounted for $2.26 billion out of Vietnam’s total seafood exports of around $9 billion.

A 7.3% increase in sales of Vietnamese pangasius was recorded in England in the first half of 2020 despite COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the first half of 2020 saw a 15.2 % increase pangasius exports to England year on year, reaching $31.7% million. This is recorded as the most positive growth among the top 10 importers of Vietnamese pangasius in the first six months this year. The selling prices of pangasius to England ranged between 2.98 and 3.98 USD/kg, which were the most attractive prices in the first half of 2020. If this remains in the next two quarters, exports to England may increase by 10% this year. According to businesses, they will adopt strategies to promote the image of pangasius in big markets, especially the EU when EVFTA becomes effective with multiple tariff benefits. Furthermore, they will boost their online trade to seek for more markets and partners. Pangasius export value is forecasted to reach approximately $1.6 billion in 2020.

Pangasius exports in South America, Middle East and Asean reached zero in the first 12 days of May 2020, sharply fell in the US and EU and slightly decreased in China compared to May 2019. At the same time, Vietnam’s major pangasius producing companies increased working days from the previous month while prices of pangasius material remained low at 18,000-18,200 dong/kg, the lowest number in the last ten years. Prices of pangasius broodstock size 30 pcs/kg in the Mekong Delta dropped 1,000-2,000 dong/kg. The pangasius material market in the Mekong Delta in early May 2020 was dull. The sluggish demand for pangasius material in the domestic market is attributed to dull exports in the first half of May with a few new orders and large amounts of stockpiles amid low export prices. Prices of white leg shrimp material fell in May when some factories increased their stockpiles while exporting slowly. And yet, shrimp prices are supported by slowly recovering supply sources. The farm gate price of white leg shrimp size 100 pcs/kg was 95,000 dong/kg as of May 21, 2020, slightly up 8,000 dong compared to May 13, 2020.

Tilapia are now mature enough to process in China, but Covid-19 has delayed orders from major importing nations. The damage to China’s aquaculture sector caused by coronavirus could be far-reaching as customers from the US and elsewhere hold off on orders. Companies that specialise in sustainable aquaculture products look to be especially affected because they rely most on exports. Two major industry events have already been postponed: Seafood Expo North America, the largest such exhibition in the continent, was due to take place in Boston mid-March, and Seafood Expo Global was planned for Brussels in April. The damage to China’s aquaculture sector caused by coronavirus could be far-reaching as customers from the US and elsewhere hold off on orders. Companies that specialise in sustainable aquaculture products look to be especially affected because they rely most on exports. Two major industry events have already been postponed: Seafood Expo North America, the largest such exhibition in the continent, was due to take place in Boston mid-March, and Seafood Expo Global was planned for Brussels in April. Bangladesh’s polluting fish farms “Every year we get 40-50 per cent of our orders confirmed at that [first] exhibition,” Chen Sheng, general manager of the Maoming Evergreen Aquatic Product Co. Ltd. told China Dialogue. In 2019, almost 200 Chinese firms had a presence there, including all the major ones. He says that maintaining relationships and negotiating with customers has shifted online. The delay may offer China’s producers temporary relief from questions about safety and supply stability from over-anxious international buyers. But problems remain for producers of aquatic products such as tilapia – a freshwater fish originally from Africa – who rely heavily on overseas markets. Export problems With transportation cut off in China, public spaces closed and people forced to stay at home to contain the virus, there have been fewer domestic buyers for aquatic products and almost nobody eating at restaurants. By 11 March, a month and a half after the Wuhan lockdown, a survey of 55 major markets in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou showed aquatic sales had recovered to just about half of normal levels. The effects quickly trickled down from retailers to hatcheries, farms and processors – and eventually, as the coronavirus spread overseas, exporters. Japan, Korea, the EU and the US have been the main destinations for China’s aquatic exports for over a decade. “Currently, all exports to Korea are on hold, and exports to Japan, the EU and the US have fallen”, said Cui He, head of the China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance, in a 9 March article. China’s seafood exports are, he said “facing their biggest ever test”. One example of the gravity of the situation is Chinese tilapia, half of which is usually exported.

The European Commission’s (EC) inspection team has recently acknowledged improvements made by Việt Nam in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). In a letter sent to the Vietnamese Directorate of Fisheries, the EC’s inspection team recognised the country’s co-operation, transparency and honesty in providing and exchanging information during their time in Việt Nam. The team confirmed Việt Nam has made significant progress compared to the first inspection in May 2018 and is on the right track towards implementing the Fisheries Law and legal guiding documents. Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance of Fishing Vessels Việt Nam’s significant improvements in the monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing vessels have been noted, which was seen during on-site inspections at Tắc Cậu fishing port, the busiest fish market in Kiên Giang Province. The management process and organisation of fishing vessels and output through the port were carried out flexibly and effectively. Việt Nam has also made great efforts to install fishing vessel monitoring systems, provide regulations and implement gear marking fishing vessels based on the EC’s recommendations. Increased Management of Fishing Density The EC’s inspection team also acknowledged Việt Nam’s efforts in increasing management of fishing density through freezing offshore fishing fleets. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued a decision on assigning a quota of offshore fishing permits for 28 coastal provinces. Shortcomings However, some shortcomings were pointed out, such as the slow progress of installing cruise monitoring equipment on fishing vessels, incomplete surveillance systems with many technical errors, as well as limited and inconsistent sanctioning on violations among localities. There is also no evidence to prove competent authorities ensure sufficient and accurate traceability mechanisms in fishery processing plants. Yellow Card The EC also stated that they will not withdraw the yellow card if Việt Nam has not solved the problem of fishing in international waters. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phùng Đức Tiến said the EC assessed Việt Nam’s efforts not only for removing the yellow card but also for future fishery resources and sustainable fishing. Future Inspection The EC’s inspection team will return to Việt Nam to check on progress in the next six months. The country must submit a comprehensive report on the results of the recommendation implementation by May 15 next year. The team has suggested Việt Nam continue completing its legal framework and law enforcement’s implementing work, along with increasing monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing vessels, seafood traceability and fishing certification. Improvements in Database of Fishing Vessels According to Nguyễn Thị Trang Nhung, deputy director of the DoF’s Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation, the inspection team praised Việt Nam’s improvements in building a database of fishing vessels, updating information on fishing vessel licensing and planning for sustainable fishing vessel development. Previously, Việt Nam had no surveillance system at the port, but now it has been implemented as a model in Kiên Giang that has effectively controlled fishing vessels. Conclusion Việt Nam’s progress in combatting IUU fishing is a positive step forward towards sustainable fishing and protecting fishery resources. However, there are still areas where improvements are needed, such as traceability mechanisms in fishery processing plants and inconsistent sanctioning on violations among localities. The country must continue to complete its legal framework and law enforcement’s implementing work, along with increasing monitoring, control, and surveillance of fishing vessels, seafood traceability and fishing certification.

The European Parliament (EP) has ratified the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Việt Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) on Wednesday. The ratification of these two agreements is a significant result for Việt Nam and the EU, who are comprehensive strategic partners. The agreement creates a sustainable foundation for both sides to improve quality in comprehensive cooperation, showing the EU’s trust in Việt Nam as a reliable partner in Southeast Asia and worldwide. EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is a lever for growth that opens up opportunities for Việt Nam to infiltrate a market with a gross domestic product of US$18 trillion. Under the agreement, nearly 100% of Việt Nam’s goods to the EU will see their import tariffs eliminated in the short term, the highest level of commitment that a partner has given to Việt Nam in signed free trade agreements. The EVFTA is expected to create a significant push for Việt Nam’s exports, helping diversify the country’s exports and markets. The agreement will cut 65% of import tax on EU commodities after the deal takes effect, and the rest will be erased over ten years. Meanwhile, the EU will cut more than 70% of tariffs on Việt Nam’s commodities after the deal takes effect, and the rest will be abolished over the next seven years. According to research by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the two agreements will help Việt Nam increase its GDP by 4.6% and its exports to the EU by 42.7% by 2025. The European Commission has projected the EU’s GDP to increase by $29.5 billion and its exports to Việt Nam by 29% by 2035. The investment commitments will replace bilateral investment agreements between Việt Nam and EU members, helping the country continue to reform its economic structure, perfect business environment and institutions, and facilitate EU investors’ business in Việt Nam. ILO Welcomes EP’s EVFTA Ratification The International Labour Organisation (ILO) office in Việt Nam welcomes the European Parliament’s ratification of the EVFTA in Paris, which is expected to bring economic benefits to both sides. ILO Vietnam Country Director Chang-Hee Lee said the deal’s requirements on labour and environment will help bring about benefits for all sides, help Việt Nam achieve sustainable development and ensure that the current growth is achieved at the expense of future generation’s opportunities. Việt Nam’s entry into the EVFTA and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will make it easier for the country to modernise labour laws and industrial relations systems. The adoption of the revised Labour Code in November 2019 brought its legal framework closer to ILO fundamental conventions. Modern industrial relations based on recognition of freedom of association, together with a better skilled workforce and effective social protection, is a key social driver for Việt Nam to move towards an upper-middle-income country in a sustainable manner.

For many people in Asia, wet markets are simply places to buy fresh, affordable food. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have become a source of controversy in Western countries. This article aims to clarify what wet markets are and why they have become a topic of discussion. What are Wet Markets? Wet markets are areas where vendors sell fresh produce, including fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish. The name “wet” comes from the practice of vendors washing vegetables or cleaning fish, which results in the floors getting wet. Wet markets are different from dry markets, which sell non-perishable goods. Why Have Wet Markets Become Controversial? Wet markets have become controversial due to their association with the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus is believed to have originated in a wet market in Wuhan, China, where wild animals were sold and slaughtered for food and medicine. The close proximity of live animals to humans in some wet markets can create unsanitary conditions that allow viruses to spread. In light of this, some have called for wet markets that sell live animals to be shut down immediately. The US’ top infectious disease specialist, Anthony Fauci, is among those who have made this call, citing the need to prevent the spread of future pandemics. However, not all wet markets sell live animals, and many in Asia are simply places to buy fresh produce. The Potential Risks of Wet Markets Experts warn that wet markets that sell live animals risk creating the types of dangerous conditions where viruses can spread from animals to humans. For example, the 2003 SARS epidemic was linked to the sale of civet cats in Guangdong province. Keeping rare or wild animals in close quarters can increase the risk of disease transmission. The Future of Wet Markets Wet markets are an important part of life in many countries, particularly in Asia. While some have called for their immediate closure due to their association with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to consider the impact such closures would have on local communities. Experts suggest that a more balanced approach is necessary, one that takes into account the potential risks of wet markets while also recognizing their importance in providing fresh, affordable food to many people.

ASEAN is becoming a major market for Vietnamese seafood, with a potential for growth due to its vast population and economic incentives. Despite the focus on the “Big 4” (US, China, Japan, and South Korea), ASEAN countries have imported 9.2 times more Vietnamese seafood compared to 1998, with Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore being the top importers. Vietnamese seafood is making waves in the ASEAN market, with local insiders predicting even bigger potential for growth. Last year alone, Vietnam exported $612 million worth of seafood to ASEAN countries, which is 9.2 times more than the amount exported in 1998. Reports from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) indicate that all nine countries in the regional bloc were importing seafood from Vietnam, with Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore being the largest importers. Thailand, for instance, has bought $248 million worth of Vietnamese seafood, accounting for 40 percent of the total export value to ASEAN countries. This reflected the regional intake, multiplying nine times in the last 20 years. In second place is the Philippines, which imported seafood worth $132 million, a 2,000-fold increase over the paltry $63,000 in 1999. Export of sea fish to ASEAN countries reached $289 million last year, making it Vietnam’s main seafood export item to the regional bloc. Squid and octopus came in second at $71 million, more than 10 times the $7 million in 1998. The potential for the ASEAN market is also bolstered by the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, which has created an opportunity for Vietnam’s seafood industry with significant tax incentives. Moreover, the ASEAN population is expected to reach 790 million by 2050, creating a considerable demand for food. VASEP estimates that seafood consumption in the bloc will increase from 24.5 million tons in 2015 to 37 million in 2030, and per capita seafood consumption will grow from 38.4 kilograms per person a year to 51.5 kilograms in 2030. Despite the potential for growth in the ASEAN market, Vietnamese businesses have kept their focus on the traditionally top markets for seafood export, namely the US, Japan, China, and South Korea. These four countries accounted for 52.7 percent of total export value of Vietnamese seafood last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. However, China has recorded a strong year-on-year growth of 28.8 percent in seafood imports from Vietnam in the first four months of this year. China is also the largest importer of Vietnamese pangasius fish, and potentially of shrimp in the future, according to VASEP. In conclusion, the ASEAN market is an emerging opportunity for Vietnamese seafood, with its vast population and economic incentives. Although the “Big 4” markets still dominate Vietnamese seafood exports, the ASEAN market has great potential for growth, and local businesses should start to take advantage of this market.