Reports

Hunting, processing and exporting of live bait king

Published:

06/12/2018

Authors:

Jónas R. Viðarsson, Ásbjörn Jónsson

Supported by:

AVS Fisheries Research Fund (V 11005-11)

Contact

Jónas Rúnar Viðarsson

Director of Business and Development

jonas@matis.is

Hunting, processing and exporting of live bait king

This report outlines the implementation and main results of a research project that took place in the years 2012-2013. The reason for delaying the publication of the final report of the project is that in 2013 the owner of the project, Sægarpur ehf. bankrupt. The project was therefore not completed and has been largely dormant since 2013. However, since most of the project had been completed before Sægarpur went bankrupt, the authors consider it right and obligatory to publicly report here what took place in the project and what the main results are. its were. The aim of the project was to develop fishing, processing, storage and transport of live bait kingfishers, as well as to explore the market for such products. Experiments were carried out with different catch treatments on board a fishing vessel and storage or transport, which gave indications that with the right handling and finishing it would be possible to keep the bait king alive for approx. week. the aim had been to ensure at least 10 days of survival in order for it to be considered realistic to intend to export a live bait king. However, the results of the experiments showed that when more than a week had passed since the hunt, survival decreased rapidly and the meat had become unfit for consumption on the tenth day. It is possible that these processes could be better developed to ensure better survival, but based on these results, the shelf life is not long enough to be considered a viable option at this time. Attempts were also made to keep the bait king alive in a cycle system in a fish tank. The aim of these experiments was to investigate whether it was possible to store live bait king in a "warehouse" for processing on land. A circuit system was equipped with filter equipment that was sufficient to keep the bait king alive for a week. The authors believe that it would be possible to extend the time with more powerful filtering equipment. These results must be considered positive and conducive to the fact that they could be taken up by companies that process bait king. Markets for live bait king were also examined, but it can be said that this survey has finally brought home the truth that the export of live bait king is not a viable option. It is simply a better option to win the bait king here at home. If market conditions change, however, it is not ruled out that processes can be improved to make such exports possible.

This report contains an overview of the progress and main results in a research project that ran in 2012-2013. The reason for the delay in publication of this final report is that the project owner was declared bankrupt in 2013 and the project has been dormant since then. The authors of the report did however feel obligated to make public the progress and main results that were achieved before the owner went out of business. The aim of the project was to develop best practice for catching, handling, packaging, storage and transport of live whelk; as well as studying the markets for live whelk. Experiments were made with different onboard handling, storage and transport of live whelk. These experiments indicated that it should be possible to keep the whelk alive for one week after capture, with correct handling. The goal had however been to ensure that the whelk could be kept alive for at least ten days. Experiments were also made where it was attempted to keep whelk alive in a regular plastic fish-tub equipped with a circulation system. The objective with this was to examine if whelk could be stored, in a relatively simple and inexpensive manner, in-stock for land-based processing. The results indicate that such a system could be used to keep a living inventory of whelk for the processing. The authors of this report are confident that the timeframe could be extended by fitting the system with more efficient filtration equipment. The markets for live whelk were briefly analyzed and the results of that analyzes indicate that export of live whelk from Iceland is not economically feasible or practical. There is simply too little premium paid for live whelk at the moment.

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Reports

Markets for Sea Urchins: A Review of Global Supply and Markets: Seafood Market and Market Overview

Published:

31/10/2017

Authors:

Guðmundur Stefánsson (Matís) Holly Kristinsson (Matís), Nikoline Ziemer (Royal Greenland), Colin Hannon (GMIT) and Philip James (NOFIMA)

Supported by:

Northern Periphery and Arctic Program 2014-2020

Contact

Guðmundur Stefánsson

Director of Research Groups

gudmundur.stefansson@matis.is

Markets for Sea Urchins: A Review of Global Supply and Markets: Seafood Market and Market Overview

Global supply of sea urchins has decreased in recent years due to declining catches, or from about 120 thousand tons in 1995 to the current average annual catch of about 75 thousand tons. Catches from major fishing nations such as Japan, Chile, the United States and partly Canada have declined. Russia and Peru are fishing more than they did in 1995, but no new major player has entered the market. The market for sea urchins is very traditional as Japan consumes about 80-90% of the total world catch. Some countries that fish for sea urchins, especially in Chile, New Zealand and the Philippines, have a domestic tradition of consumption. In Europe, the use of sea urchins is also traditional, especially in the Mediterranean countries Italy, France and Spain. Due to growing migration within Europe, for example, there are groups of people who know sea urchins in many countries, so there may be small local markets in various countries, but sea urchins are also considered both unusual and exciting. There is probably a need in the Japanese market for good sea urchins at the right price, especially given that there is less supply in the market. There may therefore be opportunities for new entrants to the market, for example from the NPA (Northern Periphery and Arctic areas), provided that they find an efficient transport route to Japan and manage to ensure a stable supply of sea urchins of the right quality. However, it must be borne in mind that the return price will not be as high as in the European market (France), where transport costs to Japan are high, prices are lower for imported products compared to domestic ones and processing costs for sea urchins must be assumed for sale. For countries such as Iceland, Greenland, Ireland and Norway, the most obvious option is to look at the French market. French fishing is now small compared to landings in the period 1970-1980 and the supply of sea urchins from other countries, such as Spain, is small. In recent years, Iceland has successfully exported sea urchins to France and is now the largest supplier on the market. The market in France, on the other hand, is small or estimated at 350-450 tonnes of sea urchins on an annual basis. There may be a need for more quantities of sea urchins on the market at the right price as the market was larger in previous years or about 1,000 tonnes. Italy can also be an option, but care must be taken as a large proportion of sea urchins on the Italian market are from illegal or unauthorized fishing. There may also be opportunities for the sale of sea urchins to the local high-quality restaurant market in Europe, for example in Scandinavia, Germany and England. Although the market pays well, it is equally difficult when it comes to constant demand while the sea urchins are of the right quality during the season.

Worldwide the supply of sea urchins has diminished in the last few years, from the peak landings of about 120 thousand tonnes in 1995 to the current levels of about 75 thousand tonnes. The traditional harvesters such as Japan, Chile, US and to a lesser level, Canada, have all experienced reduced catches. Russia and Peru are supplying larger quantities to the global market than they did in 1995, but no new major entrants have emerged in the last few years. The market for sea urchins is very traditional with Japan consuming about 80- 90% of the total current global supply. There is a domestic market in many sea urchins harvesting countries, especially in Chile, New Zealand and the Philippines. In Europe, the market is also traditional and is mainly in the Mediterranean countries, Italy, France and Spain. Sea urchins seem to be novel and trendy and due to growing ethnic populations, small niche markets may exist in various countries, including those in Europe. There is likely an unmet demand on the Japanese market for good quality sea urchin products at the appropriate price, particularly with less current supply to the market. This may indicate options for a new entrant eg from the Northern Periphery and Arctic areas, if a logistic route from harvest to market can be economically established and high consistent quality product supplied. However, the value of this product will never be as high as in the European (French) market. This is due to the logistics of getting the product to Japan, the lower value placed on any imported product in this market and the need to add processing costs to product prior to selling in the market. For the NPA countries Iceland, Greenland, Ireland and Norway, supplying to markets such as France is the obvious choice; the production in France is low compared to the relatively high landings in the 1970s and 1980s and supply from other countries eg Spain appears small. Iceland has in the past years successfully exported green sea urchins to the French market and is currently the main supplier to the market. The overall French market appears however to be small, or estimated as 350-450 tonnes of whole sea urchins based on harvest and import figures. There may be an unmet demand on the market, assuming an appropriate selling price, as there are indications that the supply to the market has been about 1,000 tonnes in the recent past. There may be options to supply to Italy as well but care must be taken in export as a large part of the current supply in Italy may be from illegal or unlicensed fisheries. There may also be options to supply the apparent emerging high end restaurant niche market in various European countries such as in Scandinavia, Germany and England. Although this market may be lucrative, it is at the same time quite unpredictable when it comes to regular supply during harvest.

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Reports

Fishing, grading, processing and marketing of mackerel caught by pelagic vessels / Fishing, grading, processing and marketing of mackerel caught by pelagic vessels

Published:

01/03/2011

Authors:

Ragnheiður Sveinþórsdóttir

Supported by:

AVS Fisheries Research Fund

Fishing, grading, processing and marketing of mackerel caught by pelagic vessels / Fishing, grading, processing and marketing of mackerel caught by pelagic vessels

In 2005, mackerel catches were first registered in Icelandic jurisdiction, although Icelandic vessels did not start fishing for mackerel systematically until 2007, mackerel fishing increased rapidly, but in 2009 fishing rights for mackerel were first limited. During these years, the catch has gone from 232 tonnes to 121 thousand tonnes. Initially, all the catch went to smelting, but in 2010 Icelanders froze 60% of the catch for human consumption. This report discusses fishing and processing of mackerel, equipment needed for mackerel processing for human consumption, handling of catch, measurements of mackerel caught in Icelandic jurisdiction and the market. In the project, samples were collected and measured in shape, gender and fat content. In the summer, mackerel enter Icelandic jurisdiction and are caught with herring, but both species are caught in trawls. When mackerel is processed for human consumption, it is decapitated and gutted, but in order to do so, in addition to the traditional processing line, so-called suction is needed, which sucks the slag from inside the mackerel. Mackerel also needs a longer freezing time than herring due to its cylindrical shape. The mackerel that enters Icelandic waters is often 35-40 cm long and weighs between 300 and 600 g. The main markets for summer-caught mackerel caught in Iceland are in Eastern Europe, where it continues to be processed into more valuable products.

In the year 2005 Icelanders first caught mackerel in Icelandic fishing grounds, but it was not until 2007 that Icelandic vessels began to catch mackerel by purpose. The fishing of mackerel increased fast but in 2009 the government put a limit on the catching. In these years the catch has increased from 232 tons to 121,000 tons. At first, a meal was made from all the catch, but in 2010 60% of the catch was frozen for human consumption. The subject of this report is the fishing and processing of mackerel, mechanisms that are needed to process the mackerel for human consumption, handling of the catch, measurement of mackerels and markets. For this project samples were collected and geometrician measurements performed by qualified staff. In the summer mackerel can be caught in Icelandic fishing grounds together with herring, it´s caught in pelagic trawl. When mackerel are processed for human consumption it´s headed and gutted, to do that a suck has to be used to suck the guts out. Mackerel also need longer time in the freezing device because of their cylindrical shape. The mackerel caught here are often 35‐40 cm long and 300‐600 g of weight. The main markets for mackerel caught during the summer are in Eastern Europe where it's processed into more valuable products.

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Reports

Fishing, sorting, processing and markets for mackerel caught by pelagic vessels. Markaður / Fishing, grading, pre ‐ processing, processing and marketing of mackerel products catches by pelagic vessels. Markets

Published:

01/01/2009

Authors:

Ragnheiður Sveinþórsdóttir

Supported by:

AVS

Fishing, sorting, processing and markets for mackerel caught by pelagic vessels. Markaður / Fishing, grading, pre ‐ processing, processing and marketing of mackerel products catches by pelagic vessels. Markets

The aim of this project is to study the fishing of pelagic fishing vessels for mackerel in Icelandic waters, make formal measurements, come up with solutions on how to sort the mackerel from other fish on board and how to process it in freezer vessels. The equipment options necessary for the processing will be analyzed, and markets for mackerel caught in Icelandic waters will also be explored according to the seasons. In this section, markets for mackerel products are described. The main exporters and main buyers are covered. The two largest exporting nations are also deepening their exports in terms of products and prices.

The objective of this project is to examine mackerel fishing on Icelandic fishing grounds, perform geometrician measurements, find the best solution for grading the mackerel by size and species on board and how to process it in freezer vessels. Analyze what kind of technology is necessary. Moreover, to examine the markets for mackerel caught on Icelandic fishing grounds during the summer. In this part requirements analysis was carried out about what is needed to process mackerel on board vessels caught during summertime on Icelandic fishing grounds. In this section the focus is on markets for mackerel products. The focus is on exporters and buyers and also more about exports and prices at the two biggest export nations for mackerel products.

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