INDIA: In an attempt to expand shrimp production and increase exports from the state, Odisha Government is planning to implement a series of measures to enhance the farming area for brackish water farming of the crustacean.

As part of the initiative, State officials have devised a five-year plan intended to reach the goal of 200 million tonnes exported seafood and to lease out 24,000 ha of Government land as well as develop required infrastructure for shrimp farming.

THAILAND: Century Pacific Food Inc. (CNPF) aims to sustain a double-digit growth in earnings this year despite a more challenging environment brought about by rising input costs and weakening local currency.

“The moderate year-on-year net profit growth of 10 per cent in the first quarter sets the tone for the balance of the year,” CNPF president and chief executive officer Christopher Po said.

IRAN: An Iranian firm signed a USD 20 million deal with two French firms for the joint production and export of 1,000 tonnes of shrimp annually, as it was announced by Iran Feed Industry Association chairperson Majid Movafeq-Qadiri.

CHILE: A total of 23 research projects from the Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Fund (FIPA) of the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SUBPESCA) ended successfully during the first half of this year.

Performing these studies implied a public investment that exceeded USD 3 million -- 29.3 per cent more than in the same period last year -- and will help strengthen SUBPESCA's decision-making in terms of updating fishery and aquaculture activity management measures in the country.

The decidion of the pole-and-line skipjack and yellowfin tuna fishery in Sorong to obtain the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard will provide an invaluable foundation for traditional fishing communities in the Western Central Pacific Ocean.

This was pointed out by International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF), who praised the efforts made by local fishermen and by Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) for the process to progress.

If successful, the fishery could be supplying MSC certified skipjack and yellowfin tuna to international markets by the end of 2018.

NETHERLANDS: Monterey Bay Aquarium has recognised Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified tilapia as equivalent or better to their Seafood Watch yellow rating, which is associated with their Good Alternative category.

The recommendation comes after an independent review of the standard by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program. In its report, the agency cited the ASC requirements for data collection, effluent limits and environmental impacts assessments as some of the many features of the standard that lead to the buy recommendation.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply has approved the cession of five aquatic areas located in two municipalities of Mato Grosso do Sul -- Selviria and Aparecida do Toboado -- for 20 years to develop tilapia production there.

These new aquaculture areas are estimated to produce 112,000 tonnes of tilapia per year, representing about 20 per cent of the total production of Brazilian aquaculture (including fish, crustaceans and shellfish), which is 574,000 tonnes/year, according to data from IBGE.

MARSHALL ISLANDS: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) skipjack and yellowfin free school tuna fishery has been awarded the highest possible Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) scores on nearly every point of a preliminary review after undergoing the standard five year MSC certification reassessment.

Acoura Marine is the third party Certification Assessment Body (CAB) and the assessment is based on three main principles, split into 28 separate criteria.

JAPAN: Fishery wholesalers voiced concern about the future of the Tsukiji market due to the unclear relocation plans set by Tokyo Government.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announced the fish market’s operations are relocated to the nearby Toyosu site and emphasised it was wise to use both Toyosu and Tsukiji, which raised worries among member of the association of fisheries wholesalers in Tokyo, who argue that “two markets cannot work in parallel,” Bloomberg reported.

INDIA: Andra Pradesh government has devised various plans to ensure higher income through aquaculture in the state.

The announcement was made by Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Ch Adinarayana Reddy during an official visit to Yalamanchili, Bhimavaram and Palacole mandals, where the official inspected the aqua labs, The Hans India reported.