SRI LANKA: Northern Sri Lankan fishermen see government’s thrust on commercial aquaculture as latest threat to their livelihoods and land.

Citing media reports of a Chinese firm investing in a sea cucumber farm in Pungudutivu, off Jaffna Peninsula in northern Sri Lanka, local fishermen have raised concern over its potential impact on their livelihoods, marine ecosystem, and land. 

“We recognise the need for investment in our war-affected region, but the sea cucumber farms are mainly for exports. They will only bring more harm than benefit for those of us living here,” said Annalingam Annarasa, President of the Jaffna Fisheries Federation.  The commercial ventures, they fear, could adversely affect the local marine ecology on which their livelihoods rely.

Small-scale artisanal fishermen like him see the government’s recent push on aquaculture as the latest blow to their livelihoods, already precarious due to the relentless bottom-trawling by Indian fishermen in their seas for years, and the drastic, nearly four-fold increase in kerosene price last month.

Source: www.thehindu.com(https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/chinese-investment-in-sea-cucumber-farm-sparks-concerns-among-northern-sri-lankan-fishermen)

BANGLADESH: A joint cooperation aimed at investing six million euros to develop sustainable growth of Bangladesh’s aquaculture sector has formally been launched.

Birgitta Tazelaar, deputy director-general for International Cooperation at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed the agreement on behalf of the Netherlands and Abu Lutfe Fazle Rahim Khan, director of Aftab Bahumukhi Farms and Mahmud Riyad, general manager, Operations, Gemini Seafood, signed on behalf of the respective firm.

The partnership consisted of Aftab Bahumukhi Farms, Gemini Sea Food, Nutreco, Viqon, LightCastle Partners, and Larive International.

The parties will establish three centres of excellence in Sylhet, Khulna and Cox’s Bazar to introduce and demonstrate different types of improved and more sustainable techniques for fish breeding and cultivation.

Moreover, research and trials with on-farm products such as feed additives, aqua specialties and antibiotic replacers will be conducted and technical assistance to fish breeders and farmers will be provided.

In addition, the partnership will upgrade an aqua feed line in Dhaka to increase the availability of domestically produced specialised fish feed.

The four-year cooperation, titled ‘FoodTechBangladesh’, co-financed by the Dutch Embassy in Bangladesh, will contribute to improving the technical and commercial performance of fish breeders and farmers in Bangladesh by demonstrating best practices and transferring know-how.

Over 1,600 local fish breeders and farmers will receive training at centres of excellence and via online courses.

In addition, the partnership will reduce post-harvest losses by connecting fish breeders and farmers directly to end markets.

Addressing on the occasion, Anne van Leeuwen, ambassador of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, said, ‘The Dutch Embassy in Bangladesh supports the development of more sustainable agri-food value chains in Bangladesh and encourages Dutch companies to locally invest together with local stakeholders’.

‘We are glad that via this cooperation we are to contribute to increased food security, more sustainable water usage and strengthen the cooperation between the Dutch and Bangladeshi private sector’.

Matthias Brienen, director of Larive International, said: ‘Strengthening the aquaculture sector in Bangladesh requires an increase in domestic productivity in an environmentally and socially responsible way. This can be realised via introducing technologies developed in the Netherlands’.

FoodTechBangladesh is initiated and led by Netherlands-based Larive International in close collaboration with its Bangladesh-based affiliate LightCastle Partners.

Source: www.seafood.media/New Age

THAILAND: Seafood giant Thai Union and its subsidiary Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods have established an alliance in North America with plant-based seafood brand, The ISH Food Company.

The agreement will leverage relevant Thai Union and Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods marketing and distribution channels to invest in the sustainable seafood space and ensure alternative seafood protein options are available to new audiences at an affordable price point.

“We are excited to expand our reach within the alternative protein space through this alliance with The ISH Food Company,” Thai Union Managing Director for Alternative Proteins Maarten Geraets said. “Our corporate venture business arm has been working closely with innovative alternative protein start-ups as we increase our attention and investment in sustainable seafood alternatives. As the #1 distributor of frozen shrimp and pasteurised crab meat in North America, we have expansive expertise in the seafood category that we are eager to leverage in this new market.”

The alliance is part of Thai Union’s global SeaChange sustainability commitment, which includes measurable steps to foster sustainable solutions across their business.

In a recent survey executed by Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods and market research consultancy Wakefield Research, grocery and foodservice executives and buyers were surprised to receive requests for plant-based (35%) and lab-grown (31%) seafood products this year.

With a growing consumer desire for alternative seafood products, this alliance was the logical next step, as the category works to provide increased access to those looking for innovative seafood solutions and great-tasting alternatives.

“As a global entity, Thai Union acknowledges that a diverse range of healthy and nutritious proteins is essential to meeting future population demands in a sustainable manner, whilst increasing food security,” Geraets said.

The ISH Food Company, a certified B Corporation, was established in 2020 to deliver innovative, sustainable and healthy plant-based foods worldwide, starting with plant-based seafood.

In 2022, the company launched its flagship product, Shrimpish, which is now available at select colleges, universities and restaurants nationwide, with plans to expand offerings to include Salmonish, Codish, Crabish, Lobsterish and other portfolio complements.

“We have a big mission, and we can’t do it alone, which makes this collaboration in North America even more important,” ISH Founder and CEO Bernard David said.

Source: World Fishing