US Embassy partners with Seychelles Fishing Authority and Seychelles investment board for workhop on 'promoting sustainable aquaculture development'

August 30, 2023 - The US Embassy was pleased to partner with the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) and the Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) to organise a workshop titled 'Promoting Sustainable Aquaculture Development.'

The workshop was part of a three-day series of meetings, site visits and other engagements to support the development of sustainable aquaculture in Seychelles. During the workshop the participants discussed industry best practices and challenges. The broader initiative is the result of strong collaboration among the US Embassy, Seychelles Fishing Authority, and Seychelles Investment Board.

Jason Heckathorn, Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer of the US-based firm Forever Oceans accepted an invitation from the Embassy to take part in the workshop as a speaker and connect with Seychellois aquaculture stakeholders. Forever Oceans' mission is to raise nutrient-rich fish in a sustainable manner, offshore and in deep water. The company builds automated systems to maintain the enclosures and feed the fish without human interaction. Forever Oceans' innovations have been recognised as a TIME magazine 'Best Invention of the Year', and the company was named one of the top-25 seafood innovators in the world by Seafood Source Magazine.

In his opening remarks at the workshop, US Ambassador Henry Jardine highlighted the importance of aquaculture as a key component of climate-resilient food systems and noted the Embassy has been working closely with the Government of Seychelles and industry associations to promote sustainable aquaculture practices.

"At the 2023 Our Ocean Conference in Panama in March, the United States delegation, headed by Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, made seven commitments totalling more than US$665 million - nearly $9 billion Seychellois Rupees - under the sustainable fisheries area of action. US initiatives aim to improve climate resilience in fisheries and advance transparency in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The US Embassy is pleased to collaborate with the government of Seychelles and industry associations to protect marine biodiversity and promote sustainable aquaculture practices and fisheries management."

The US Department of State's Bureau of Economic and Business affairs sponsored this effort through its Business Facilitation Incentive Fund (BFIF).

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Dr Alejandro Gutierrez spearheads CAT's Breeding Leadership

August 25, 2023 - The Centre for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT) has a proven track record of assisting clients in attaining their production and efficiency goals through the utilisation of cutting-edge breeding technologies.

To meet the escalating demand for genetic services while maintaining their client-focused approach, CAT is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Alejandro Gutierrez as the Director of Breeding. Alejandro will lead the breeding and genetic services team, guiding CAT in expanding its portfolio of clients and breeding services.

Dr Gutierrez has spent more than a decade conducting research and leading teams in the fields on genomics, genotyping and selective breeding. His experience spans numerous species and his research has left a positive mark on the scientific community.

In response to Dr Gutierrez's new position, Dr Klara Verbyla, Vice President of Genetic Improvement, says, "We are delighted with the appointment of Alejandro as the Director of Breeding. His role underscores the continuous rapid growth of the CAT breeding team in response to industry requests and the need for a dedicated leader to guide and drive the team forward. Alejandro has exceptional technical expertise in both applied breeding and genomics with demonstrated experience in people leadership."

Dr Gutierrez echoes this positive assessment, stating, "I am very happy to be joining the team at CAT. I look forward to directly contributing to the delivery of world-class breeding and genetic services, to help propel growth and efficiency in the aquaculture sector."

In the face of rising costs and evolving consumer demand, aquaculture producers are under pressure to find ways to feed the world more efficiently. The CAT breeding team rises to this challenge with a commitment to deliver genetic improvement while upholding environmental considerations to ensure sustainable nourishment for a growing global population.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

China halts aquaculture imports from Japan

August 24, 2023 - The 9.0 magnitude Tōhoku earthquake in 2011 and the ensuing tsunami caused a disaster at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. The earthquake off the coast of Japan's Honshu Island triggered a large-scale tsunami. This natural disaster led to the shutdown of three reactors at the nuclear power plant. The damage caused by the tsunami and the subsequent nuclear leak caused a major environmental crisis in the region. Japanese authorities and the international community have long been studying the environmental and human health impacts of the incident.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumiyo Kishida announced after a cabinet meeting on August 22 that radioactive waste water from Fukushima would be discharged into the ocean on August 24. This step raised concerns about the expansion of radioactive contamination in the region and the safety of seafood. China has taken a tough step against the plans to discharge radioactive wastewater from Japan's Fukushima region into the ocean.

China issued an official statement saying it was taking action to protect food safety and consumer health. Under the "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" and related regulations, it was announced that measures will be taken to prevent the risk of radioactive contamination from Japan's Fukushima on food safety and to protect the health of Chinese consumers.

It was stated that the General Administration of Customs of China has completely suspended the import of aquatic products originating from Japan as of August 24, 2023. This step was evaluated as a reflection of the importance China attaches to food safety and health standards. The Chinese government stated that this measure is in line with international trade rules under the World Trade Organization Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.

The nuclear contamination problem in Japan's Fukushima region continues to cause international concern. The incident has brought to the fore the impact of radioactive wastewater on the environment and food supplies, and has sparked a widespread debate on how countries should approach such issues.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---