Skipjack Tuna



Canned tuna importers are concerned recent press coverage highlighting the impending disaster facing blue fin tuna may hit their business. "Consumers reading in the national press that the overfishing of blue fin will result in their eradication simply won't know the difference between that and the canned product, which is skipjack," said an importer.

To put the problem into perspective, blue fin - a much larger fish at about 7kg compared with skipjack at 2.5kg - has a 20-year life cycle and makes extensive migrations, hence it is more difficult to locate. Skipjack is used for canning and is more prolific, accounting for 50% of all tuna caught. Blue fin, a delicacy in Japan, is slightly more than 1% of the total world catch.

Scientists predict the current skipjack catch - 1.5 million tonnes - is near the maximum the world ecosystem can support . So there will eventually have to be agreement by fishermen on catch controls. All skipjack fisheries are fully exploited, with the Atlantic already showing signs of overfishing. Participants at the tuna conference in Kobe, Japan, claimed European fishermen are resisting limits to protect the canning industry.

Salmon



Canadian salmon canners are hoping to follow the example of the Alaskan industry by getting accreditation from the Marine Stewardship Council this season. With so much attention on conservation, the opportunity to put the MSC logo on product is seen as a real benefit.

"We have done the work with the MSC auditors and now await their formal approval," said a Vancouvan source, adding 2007 might be optimistic.

With a return to a normal pink salmon pack, UK importers hope to reintroduce promotional activity this year.

Canneries across the world are addressing 'ethical audit', a requirement spearheaded by UK retailers in the wake of under-age labour allegations. The audit covers a range of social issues that have come to light in recent years. Canneries have never been ideal work places , particularly in deprived areas, so importers are anxious to ensure sources of supply meet the standard UK retailers' standards.

Sardines



Sustainability is not a problem for Moroccan sardine fishermen, who enjoy overwhelming stocks. However, there is a problem with fish size. As fish are now being left longer to grow, canners are receiving sizes that only allow for two in a can. UK retailer specifications state a minimum of three or four fish per can . No one has yet agreed at what point a large sardine becomes a pilchard.

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