An increase of 12% in 2012, signals a growing trend by U.S. consumers for smoked flavoured foods.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
According to the research company Nielsen Perishables Group, consumption of smoked seafood products in the U.S. recorded an increase of 12% in 2012, which reflects a growing trend among American consumers for choosing types of savoury food and cocktails with a smoky flavor, which is reflected by the increase in sales of these products in the supermarkets and wholesalers.
The new regulation aims to unify shrimp fishing practices in Central America, for the adequate use of Turtle Exclusion Devices.
From a press release of the Central American Integration System (SICA):
Today, at the headquarters of the Central American Integration System (SICA), Mrs. Xinia Chaves, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Costa Rica, representing her country in the exercise of the President Pro Tempore of SICA, deposited with the Secretary-General System, Juan Daniel Aleman, the "Regional Regulation OSP-06-13 on "Proper Use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)", which aims to establish a regional policy framework for the appropriate use of the aforementioned TEDs.
Fishery and aquaculture products are to have specific rules on labeling, which will apply to both locals and imported foods.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The 27 member states and the European Parliament (EP) have reached an agreement on the implementation of a Common Market Organization for fishery and aquaculture products (CMO), which includes specific rules that in regards to labeling local and imported products.
The EU has launched the European Market for Fisheries and Aquaculture, an interactive website which will collect updated information on the volume, value and price of seafood.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Brussels Seafood Fair, one of the most important trade events for the sector in Europe, was the location chosen by the European Commission (EC) to present its new Web tool, the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EUMOFA), a new interactive website and available to collect updated information on the volume, value and price of seafood along the entire value chain, from landing to the point of sale.
The region believes it is important to bring to the Annual Meeting of the IATTC an agenda regarding the responsible use of marine resources and sustainable operations which benefit the fishing resource.
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture of Costa Rica (MAG):
In the office of President Pro-tempore which is exercised by Costa Rica for the Agency of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector of Central America (OSPESCA) there was a recent meeting in our country of Representatives of the National Authorities and Central and Private Sector Commissioners of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).
From March 1 to June 30 the ban extends on catching lobsters in the Central American Caribbean.
Panamaamerica.com.pa reports that "the ban will be extended until 30 June under enforcement of Honduran legislation and the Regional Regulations for Fisheries Ordinance of the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), said the Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) in Honduras ".
During 2012, exports of fisheries products amounted to 40,000 tons, and the expansion of the territorial sea has allowed for greater growth projections which must be underpinned by more technology.
Domestic consumption of seafood in Nicaragua is very small, just a pound a year per capita, therefore the exports represent 94% of production. The United States, Europe, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean are the main buyers of the product.
Projections on fish consumption in Peru predict an increase from the 300,000 tonnes in 2012 to 500,000 tons in 2013.
A statement from the Costa Rica Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:
In 2013, fish consumption in Peru could increase to more than 500 thousand tons
The Ministry of Production of Peru noted that in 2012 more than 300 thousand tons of fish were consumed directly, and that figure is expected to be widely exceeded in 2013, when it is projected that fish consumption will increase to over 500,000 tons, said Gladys Triveño, head of sector.
The sector, which showed a decline of 3% in January 2012, expects to close the year with growth of 4.6%, led by the production of farmed shrimp.
Armando Segura, executive director of the Chamber of Fisheries of Nicaragua (CAPENIC), said, "It's been a substantial recovery, we are reversing the trend from earlier this year."
"According to the latest report by the IMAE, this result has been led by the production of farmed shrimp, due to good weather conditions in shrimp farms", reported Laprensa.com.ni.
Research on consumer trends points to the need to provide more added value to products from the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
A statement from the Costa Rica Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:
Experts point to the need to provide more added value to fishery and aquaculture products
Industry experts noted during a fishing and aquaculture conference entitled "How will we eat fish in the future? Food technologies and development of aquatic products " which took place in the Basque Culinary Center, in Spain, the need to provide greater value to their products through diversification of supply, new presentations and services tailored to consumer demands.
Production from the sea area could increase by 60 to 70 thousand tonnes because of the extension the area under Nicaraguan sovereignty.
Until the recent ruling of the International Court of Justice, Nicaragua fished just west of longitude 82. Now more than 90,000 square kilometers of ocean rich in species such as lobster has been added.
According to an article in in El19digital.com, Roberto Araquistain vice minister of Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA) said, "We could be seeing 60 or 70 (thousand metric tons of marine products) more which is an excellent stock for fishing that is in harmony with the environment, with the necessary efforts made so that species in the area can always develop and reproduce a sustainable manner. "
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas has decided to keep the quotas within the prescribed limits, to allow for recovery of stocks of bluefin tuna.
Laestrella.com.pa reports that "The international organization of fishing countries has decided to follow scientific advice and keep strict fishing quotas for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), a species that is in danger of extinction."
The European Union has announced a six-month deadline for countries accused of being remiss in their actions against illegal fishing, in order for them not to be included in the "black list".
Panama is one of the countries likely to be affected by the European Union crackdown, which could jeopardize exports of seafood to the region, the volume of which is around $40 million worth.
A closed season for fishing for shellfish will be in effect from March to June, from Belize to Panama.
The ban aims to protect the species from overfishing in the period of increased reproduction and is effective from the coasts of Belize all the way to Panama.
"In order to protect the species, from Belize to Panama a temporary suspension of fishing for spiny lobster will apply from March 1st to June 30th", said Mario Gonzalez, the AFP director of the Organization of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector of Central America (OSPESCA),.
The fisheries sector is backing shrimp as the item of greatest growth potential.
The president of the Nicaraguan Chamber of Fisheries, Armando Segura, said the shrimp farming industry has maintained steady growth in recent years thanks to the application of new technologies.
The manager said that last year "there was a 'substantial' increase in productivity and the volume of exports of farmed shrimp and it is expected that this behavior will continue this year.