Sustainability

In order to revitalize Norway’s seafood processing industry, Seafood Companies, a prominent industry organization, is calling on the government to eliminate the employer tax imposed on the sector. Currently, a substantial portion of Norway’s salmon undergoes processing in countries like Poland and Denmark, prompting concerns about the decline in domestic processing capabilities.

Robert H. Eriksson, the managing director of Seafood Companies, emphasizes the diminishing number of companies in the seafood industry, dropping from 688 in 1995 to approximately 350 today. Eriksson anticipates a positive response as he awaits the unveiling of the national budget later today.

Seafood Companies highlights the financial burden on salmon producers, who now face a 25% salmon tax in addition to a 22% corporation tax. The employer tax acts as a production fee on each kilogram of processed salmon, with an extra charge for those aiming to increase their output.

Eriksson notes a concerning trend in the decline of domestic processing, revealing that only 28% of fish for export is currently processed within Norway, down from 33% in 2010. Despite government rhetoric urging increased value creation from seafood within the country, the reality is a worsening situation year by year, resulting in more unprocessed fish being exported.

Eriksson argues that Norway’s status as a high-cost country is a significant challenge, particularly due to labour-related expenses, contributing to low profitability for many industrial companies. To enhance competitiveness and support the struggling industry, Seafood Companies urges the government to abolish the employer’s tax in the upcoming state budget.

Eriksson points out that the recent introduction of a temporary additional employer’s tax in the previous budget has further complicated the situation for businesses. He concludes by demanding the removal of this additional taxation in the next year’s state budget, describing it as an unreasonable Norwegian penalty tax for hiring people.

Fiji has successfully concluded its inaugural nationwide assessment of coral reefs, encompassing 282 locations. The assessment, a collaborative effort involving government ministries, the Waitt Institute, non-governmental organizations, communities, and international scientists, aims to ensure the long-term health of the ocean for future generations, revealed Principal Fisheries Officer Saras Sharma on Wednesday.

Waitt Institute’s Director of Science, Andy Estep, highlighted that the overarching goal of this extensive expedition was to gather crucial insights into Fiji’s resource abundance, assess the level of protection, and project future sustainability. “We won’t have all the answers immediately, but we’ve established a robust baseline across the entire country, building upon the ongoing work within Fiji,” stated Estep.

Renowned marine academic and the expedition’s primary investigator, Joeli Veitayaki, emphasized that the collected information would not only contribute to scientific research but would also be made readily available to stakeholders for informed decision-making. “Given that a significant portion of our food, especially for coastal communities, comes from the sea, it’s imperative that we are conscious of its condition as we benefit from these oceanic provisions,” added Veitayaki.

The research team plans to meticulously analyze the data acquired during the expedition and aims to disseminate the findings to the public. The ultimate goal is to inspire collective efforts toward leaving behind a productive and healthy ocean for future generations.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Fiji’s marine resources, and their associated services, are estimated to be valued at over 2.5 billion Fijian dollars annually. This groundbreaking assessment marks a significant step in Fiji’s commitment to responsible ocean management and underscores the importance of international collaboration in safeguarding marine ecosystems.

As our world grapples with the imperative task of sustaining fisheries amidst escalating climate stressors and human impacts, the quest for resilient fisheries becomes paramount. Jacob Eurich, a research associate at UC Santa Barbara’s Marine Science Institute and a fisheries scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), leads an international cohort of researchers in exploring the intricate tapestry of resilient fisheries. Their findings, published in the journal Fish and Fisheries, unravel not only the challenges but also the diverse success stories that offer valuable insights for the future.

In the pursuit of climate resilience, Eurich emphasizes the multifaceted nature of fisheries, each requiring a tailored approach. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation,” he notes, highlighting the complexity of marine ecosystems and the unique circumstances faced globally. The study scrutinizes 18 fisheries worldwide, delving into the attributes that enabled them to persist despite the dual pressures of climate change and human activities.

The researchers distil their insights into fishery archetypes and resilience pathways, offering a framework that standardizes, prioritizes, and scores key attributes across ecological, social, and governance dimensions. This comprehensive approach allows for a nuanced understanding of what contributes to resilience and sustainable benefits for society.

Five archetypes of climate-resilient fisheries emerge, each with its unique blend of ecological, social, and economic strengths. In some fisheries, robust ecosystems and close-knit communities foster flexible governance, distributing non-monetary benefits widely. In contrast, other fisheries thrive on strong governance and economic assets, driving efficient conversion of fish into economic benefits. Yet, the concentration of wealth among the most successful firms in these fisheries can lead to power imbalances.

The researchers also identify key priority areas where deficiencies hinder fishery resilience. Political obstacles, lack of support, or capacity constraints often impede necessary climate-ready management interventions. Eurich emphasizes that addressing these inhibiting attributes is crucial for the success of long-term interventions.

Looking forward, Lily Zhao, a Ph.D. student at UCSB, underscores the need for equitable distribution of resilience sources within fishery systems. As the framework and findings are transformed into an interactive decision support tool—the Climate-Resilient Fisheries Planning Tool—it provides a roadmap for developing fishery resilience plans. The journey toward climate-resilient fisheries demands ongoing efforts to ensure equity and inclusivity in governance, setting the course for a sustainable future amid the waves of change.

Source: University of California – Santa Barbara for Science Daily

Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources in Kohima distributed 20 motorcycles equipped with ice boxes to unemployed youths in Nagaland. This initiative, part of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for the year 2022-23, aims to encourage sustainable fish business in the region.

A Pangjung Jamir, Advisor to Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, highlighted the significance of the centrally sponsored PMMSY program, emphasizing its historical impact on enhancing fish farming and production nationwide. The program aligns with ecological health objectives and targets economically viable and socially inclusive growth for the benefit of fish farmers.

The distribution ceremony saw the allocation of motorcycles with ice boxes to unemployed youths, providing them with essential tools for engaging in sustainable fish business. The main objective is to generate self-employment opportunities for fish farmers and entrepreneurs by facilitating the marketing of fish farm produce. The motorcycles with ice boxes address the challenge of transporting perishable fish from harvest areas to markets, preventing spoilage and ensuring the availability of high-quality fish for consumers.

The Advisor stressed the importance of this program in regions with hilly terrain, where traditional four-wheelers face challenges in accessing fishery ponds. Two-wheelers, in this context, provide an effective solution for collecting and distributing fish, even in interior areas with limited road connectivity.

Beneficiaries were urged to utilize the opportunity with dedication and adhere to directives provided by the department. The vision is to promote successful and sustainable fish business for daily livelihood.

Lotimenba, Additional Director of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, explained that the distribution of motorcycles with ice boxes aims to create an effective marketing system for transporting fish from harvest areas to markets and distant locations. The initiative seeks to prevent losses due to spoilage and fetch better prices for fish producers and traders.

Director of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Rongsennungba, highlighted that the beneficiaries come from various parts of the state, contributing to the broader goal of enhancing sustainable fish business practices in Nagaland.

Researchers in São Paulo, Brazil, have unveiled a significant advancement in sustainable packaging with the development of a biodegradable film. Crafted from a compound derived from limonene, found in citrus fruit peel, and chitosan, a biopolymer sourced from crustacean exoskeletons, the innovative film addresses environmental concerns surrounding traditional petroleum-based packaging.

The pervasive use of non-biodegradable packaging materials has contributed to a global plastic crisis, accumulating in oceans and landfills. In response, the food industry is actively seeking sustainable alternatives that not only meet human health and environmental safety standards but also preserve nutritional quality and sensory traits.

The research, a collaborative effort between the Department of Materials Engineering and Bioprocesses at the State University of Campinas’s School of Chemical Engineering and the Packaging Technology Center at the Institute of Food Technology, focuses on leveraging limonene due to Brazil’s prominent position as a leading orange producer.

Previous attempts at using limonene in food packaging were hindered by volatility and instability during manufacturing. To overcome this, the researchers introduced a derivative called poly(limonene), which offers enhanced stability. Chitosan, chosen for the film matrix, is a natural polymer with established antioxidant and anti-microbial properties, creating a synergistic effect.

Through polymerization, the team successfully combined limonene, poly(limonene), and chitosan to create a film with impressive bioactive properties. Comparative analyses demonstrated the film’s superior antioxidant activity, twice as potent as those with conventional limonene.

The substance also exhibited effectiveness as a UV radiation blocker and proved non-volatile, making it suitable for large-scale production under more demanding processing conditions. While the films are not yet ready for commercial use due to scalability challenges with chitosan-based plastic production, the researchers are optimistic about the potential of their multifunctional additive.

Roniérik Pioli Vieira, co-author of the study and a professor at FEQ-UNICAMP, expressed the team’s dedication to optimizing the production process for poly(limonene) and exploring its applications in various fields, emphasizing its renewable origins. The breakthrough signals a promising step toward more environmentally friendly packaging solutions in the future.