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Ecuador is embarking on an ambitious endeavour to transform its shrimp farming industry with a substantial investment of USD 282 million (EUR 264.9m) in grid enlargement and modernization. The Ministry of Energy and Mining announced this initiative, aimed at facilitating a transition from diesel to electricity among shrimp farmers across the nation.

State-owned entities CELEC and CNEL, responsible for power transmission and distribution, respectively, will oversee the implementation of this initiative. The investment will fund 194 projects spanning provinces such as El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Manabi, and Santa Elena.

Key components of the investment include increasing transmission capacity by 392 MW in substations, constructing 411 km (255.4 miles) of power lines, and reinforcing the distribution system to meet the shrimp sector’s demand of 324 MW.

By electrifying shrimp farms, the initiative seeks to improve service quality, modernize infrastructure, and expand public electricity networks in regions surrounding shrimp farms. Approximately 5,025 households without access to electricity are expected to benefit from these projects, with services also improving for 1,379 households.

The ministry emphasized the significance of the shrimp sector for Ecuador’s trade balance, highlighting the potential for a 30% increase in productivity with electrification. By transitioning from diesel to electricity and renewable energy sources, shrimp farmers anticipate better sales prospects abroad, aided by green seal certifications.

Amidst the bountiful marine resources of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Indian government is extending an invitation to Thailand, urging them to explore opportunities within the region’s fishing and tourism industries. Shri Vishwendra, the Secretary of Fisheries for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, emphasized the significant potential for deep-sea fishing in the area, which boasts underutilized marine resources.

Despite the abundance of resources, including a potential tuna catch of 148,000 metric tonnes, the islands face challenges such as limited industrial fishing activity and insufficient local demand. To address these issues, Vishwendra proposed technology exchanges in fisheries and seafood processing, aiming to enhance local infrastructure and establish a reputable brand for the island’s seafood products. He suggested that Thailand could financially benefit from exporting its technologies and expertise in the sector.

During the Andaman & Nicobar Investment seminar, Vishwendra discussed the possibility of joint initiatives concerning port-to-port linkages, with the potential for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for transboundary collaboration in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. He highlighted the opportunity to create direct trade through sea and air connectivity, boosting the export of marine products from both countries.

Keshav Chandra, the chief secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, emphasized the islands’ historical and strategic importance to India. He pointed to significant investments in infrastructure, such as the Great Nicobar Project, and highlighted the tourism sector’s potential, citing the destination’s pristine seas and lush landscapes, which appeal to Thai tourists.

Indian Ambassador Nagesh Singh underscored India’s growing economy and highlighted potential advantages for Thai investors. He suggested that as Thailand progresses with its land bridge project, India’s similar plans for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands could complement each other, creating benefits for both nations.

Cambridgeshire, UK: The Environment Agency has issued a warning about the presence of an invasive species of carp that poses a significant threat to native fish populations across the United Kingdom. The agency’s Fisheries Laboratory in Brampton, Cambridgeshire, is actively investigating suspected cases of Prussian carp, a species native to Asia, central, and Eastern Europe.

According to Gareth Davies, a non-native species technical specialist at the Environment Agency, Prussian carp have been detected in various locations in England over the past decade, with seven sightings recorded since 2020. This invasive species has the capability to reproduce rapidly, as the female’s eggs can be fertilized by other species, leading to the rapid spread of the carp.

Davies emphasized the detrimental impact of Prussian carp on native fish and biodiversity, highlighting the urgency of addressing their presence in UK waters. Despite bearing a resemblance to other fish species, researchers at the Fisheries Laboratory have identified distinctive silver rings around the eyes of the Prussian carp as a key distinguishing feature.

Emma Nolan, team leader at the laboratory, stressed the importance of reporting any sightings of Prussian carp to the Environment Agency to mitigate their spread. She highlighted the laboratory’s critical role in monitoring and detecting new and emerging diseases in fish populations, emphasizing the potential devastation that non-native species or diseases can inflict on aquatic ecosystems.

Funded by rod license fees, the Fisheries Laboratory conducts essential research into invasive species like the Prussian carp, aiming to safeguard native fish populations and preserve the ecological balance of UK waters.

New Delhi: India is set to challenge any attempts to restrict its subsidies for impoverished fishermen at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and will advocate for a moratorium on fishing subsidies from developed countries, including the United States and the European Union. This stance was confirmed by three government officials ahead of the WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13), scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from February 26 to 29.

According to senior government officials, India plans to assert its demand for the extension of subsidies to approximately nine million poor fishermen operating within 200 nautical miles of its coastline during the upcoming WTO conference. Additionally, India intends to collaborate with like-minded members to propose a 25-year moratorium on subsidies for fishing industries in international waters, particularly targeting advanced nations.

While the officials declined to disclose their identities in accordance with government policy on international forum discussions, Einar Gunnarsson, chair of the WTO’s fisheries subsidies negotiations committee, emphasized the collective effort to reach an agreement aimed at curbing subsidies contributing to over-capacity and over-fishing.

In 2022, WTO members initially agreed to reduce subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, as well as for the fishing of over-fished stocks. However, India has yet to ratify this agreement, which requires the approval of two-thirds of the WTO’s 164 members to become operational. It is anticipated that India will ratify the agreement later this year following general elections, as indicated by one of the officials familiar with the matter.

The Ministry of Commerce, spearheading India’s negotiations at the WTO, refrained from providing comments on the issue. According to a 2019 study published in Marine Policy, global fishing subsidies amount to $35.4 billion, with China, the EU, the United States, South Korea, and Japan being among the top subsidizers.

Indian officials emphasized the need for developing nations, such as India, to receive differential treatment for their fishing industry, which predominantly comprises impoverished fishermen. They argue that such treatment is crucial to ensure the sector’s sustainable growth and the livelihoods of millions of individuals dependent on it.

Source: Reuters