Fish Trade Research Articles

Immediate impact of COVID-19 across tropical small-scale fishing communities

The volume and value of fish catches by Indonesia's small-scale fisheries have declined significantly since national government restrictions on travel and social distancing were imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a digital data collection system (OurFish), that records purchases by fish traders from small-scale fishers, data was collected across 82 coastal communities in Southeast Sulawesi. We found that the number of active fishers and traders declined by more than 90% after the onset of the pandemic and the average weight of catch per fishing trip increased across fishers. Although the average price per kilogram of fish declined after the pandemic began, fishers that were able to maintain fishing had on average higher catches and therefore daily catch value was maintained. High value fisheries that usually enter export supply chains were more negatively impacted compared with lower value species that are commonly sold to local markets. We interviewed 185 small scale fishers and fish traders across 20 of the 82 communities in Southeast Sulawesi province, recording the perceived level of impact on local fisheries and the fish trade, causes of this impact and proposed coping strategies. Over 50% of both fishers and fish traders believed low demand for fish from traders and a decline in the price received for fish were disrupting their lives. Approximately 75% of both male and female fishers are coping by continuing to fish, highlighting that there were few alternative livelihoods available at the time of the interviews. Our results provide key insights into the vulnerability of small-scale fishing communities to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spatial coupling and decoupling between ecosystem services provisioning and benefiting areas: Implications for marine spatial planning

An essential part of ecosystem service (ES) assessments and a critical aspect of planning processes that aim at enhancing sustainability, is to identify where ES are supplied and where they are captured by beneficiaries. Based on the Magallanes region in southern Chile, we illustrate ES flows and the spatial coupling and decoupling between ES provisioning and benefiting areas. To this purpose, we (1) developed type-specific spatial indicators for five ES: sense of place, food from aquaculture, recreation opportunities, food from artisanal fisheries, and opportunities for education and knowledge, (2) mapped the distribution of direct beneficiaries (final users, consumers or enjoyers) and indirect beneficiaries (those benefited through employment and income) for each municipality within the region, and (3) assessed spatial connections and mismatches. The results are illustrative of four general situations: (1) The spatial decoupling between provisioning and benefiting areas within the same municipality for food from artisanal fisheries and aquaculture; (2) The coupling between provisioning and benefiting areas within the same municipality for recreation opportunities and education and knowledge opportunities; (3) The coupling between provisioning areas and beneficiaries of sense of place in most municipalities; 4) The “unidirectional” telecoupling in fish trade, tourism and knowledge, where the region acts as a provisioning area but without or few direct regional beneficiaries. Marine spatial planning can play a significant role in changing decoupling situations into spatial connections that ensure the sustainable access of local people to food, education and knowledge and recreation opportunities.

Pattern of Fish Consumption and Fish Distribution: A Study on Sunyani Municipality, Ghana

Fish consumption and marketing has become an essential phenomenon due to the increasing appreciation of the health and the economic benefits of fish to households in Ghana. Given this, the study sought to identify the pattern of fish consumption and distribution channels using semi-structured interview guides, administered to fifty (50) consumers and fifty (50) fish traders. Data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Scomber japonicus, Sardinella aurita, Trachurus trachurus and Clarias gariepinus were the most preferred consumed fish. The majority of consumers preferred smoked fish to other fish products based on taste, flavor, shelf life, and wholesomeness in diets. Based on the findings from the binary logistic model, educated respondents as well as respondents below 20 years could be more prone to calcium deficient diseases, particularly in the absence of supplementary sources of calcium in their diets. Fish traders purchased their fish products from Sunyani, Yeji, Techiman, Cape Cost, and Buipe. The study showed that simple and complex marketing and distributing channels for frozen and smoked fish products, respectively. The main challenge encountered by fish traders and consumers was fish spoilage. Fish traders should be schooled on proper fish handling techniques to reduce the rate of fish spoilage. Sensitization programs regarding the consumption of fish products entirely must be promoted among consumers.

Research Article: Food safety standards and their effects on Iran's fish exports

Food safety standards are one of the major non-tariff barriers of global trade. We investigate their effects on fish international trade patterns, especially for the developing countries. The main objective of this study is to investigate the role of mercury standards on Iran’s fish exports. We utilize the gravity model analysis based on balanced panel data model, covering eight importing countries over the 2006-2015 period. The estimated coefficient of mercury standard supports the hypothesis that fish safety standards are one of the important factors affecting fish exports. Moreover, regulation similarity between countries could increase fish trade. Other explanatory variables of geographical distance between countries, trade agreement between countries and real exchange rates also have a significant effect on fishery product exports. The results indicate that Iran’s fish exports are negatively correlated with mercury standards of importers. As a result, adapting fisheries product standards and producing with the methods to deal with mercury standard imposed by importing countries is crucial for increasing Iran’s fish exports.

Fish Plaza as a Centre of Fisheries Product Trading in Tuban Regency, East Java

The purpose of this research is to find out how Plaza Ikan encourages fish traders to increase their business. One of the efforts of the Tuban Regency Government to increase the added value of fish products is to establish a fish Plaza. The fish plaza is an integrated fish auction place that is packaged in a modern way and integrates with the sale of fresh fish, smoked fish and various processed fish. With the concept of integration, it is hoped that the economy of Tuban fishermen will improve. The research method used a qualitative descriptive method, while the data collection using interviews and questionnaire techniques. Of the 30 respondents who answered everyday trading at the fish plaza, 20 respondents strongly agreed, 7 respondents agreed and 3 respondents were doubtful. A comfortable place to sell, 17 respondents strongly agree, 8 respondents agree, 3 respondents doubt, 2 respondents disagree. Profits are increasing, 5 respondents disagreed, 25 respondents strongly disagreed. The consumers are many and varied, 12 respondents strongly agree, 5 respondents agree, 3 respondents doubt, 4 respondents disagree, 6 respondents strongly disagree

The ability of fish ecolabels to promote a change in the sustainability awareness

Researchers, environmentalists, as well as fisheries and retailers, have been focusing their attention on the design, use and effects that fish ecolabels have on sustainability. The fish processing industry and large retailers have rapidly adopted several market-based standards, with consequences for two major stakeholders: fishermen and consumers. Although the standards have shown rather positive results, from the perspectives of marine biodiversity conservation, the fish industry and trade, it is not clear how they are able to support a change in people’s awareness about sustainability. For this reason, the present work reviews and analyses the literature, produced in the last ten years, regarding two international, private and voluntary ecolabels in the fish industry: FOS and MSC. The results confirm the relevant role these ecolabels are playing in promoting awareness about sustainable fish, describing the terms of this ongoing change and also proposing new insights from the literature to further reinforce this process. In particular, a multi-stakeholder approach is suggested for the production side so as to better exploit the sustainable potential of the system inaugurated by the ecolabel, while, for the consumption side to further spread knowledge about marine stock status and ecolabels’ meaning and scope, which would accelerate the ongoing process.

Understanding impacts of dams on the small-scale fisheries of the Madeira River through the lens of the Fisheries Performance Indicators

The small-scale fisheries in the Amazon region are diverse, target a large number of species and often define rural riverine livelihoods. Data limitations and uncertainties constrain proper management for species conservation, not to mention for sustainable development. Large hydroelectric dams can negatively impact the local fisheries systems in many ways, including the fish biodiversity and income of fishing dependent communities. This paper uses the Fishery Performance Indicators (FPIs) to evaluate the impact of two major hydroelectric dams on the Madeira River. The FPI assessments were conducted in 2010 and 2017. The results show declines in ecological health and some economic and social dimensions. Catch and fisher income have noticeably declined. Ineffective management has also failed to reduce fishing effort and overfishing. The fishery has shown improvement in fish price, but the higher fish prices are more volatile. Impacts to fisher livelihoods was distinctly greater than the impact on the livelihoods of market intermediaries such as fish traders.

A Systematic Review of the Ornamental Fish Trade with Emphasis on Coral Reef Fishes-An Impossible Task.

Simple SummaryThe trade in marine ornamental fishes appears to have commenced around the 1930s, and the number and diversity of species traded remain unclear. Figures currently available are based on estimates or are inferred using limited information from various formal and trade organisations. Almost all marine ornamental fishes are wild-caught from coral reefs, and mortality rates throughout the supply chain can be high. The consequences of removing these fishes from their ecosystems are poorly understood. This article collates and examines available information including scientific studies and publications from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation, as well as from other formal and trade organisations, in order to create a more accurate picture of the extent of commercial activities. We demonstrate that it is an almost impossible task to analyse the trade in marine ornamental fishes due to a lack of data on commerce, as well as the fact that available data for marine species is frequently combined with that for freshwater species. This review highlights the urgent need for a global monitoring system to gather accurate and timely information on the number and species of ornamental fishes in commerce, where specimens originated, and whether they were wild-caught or captive-bred.The multi-billion dollar trade in ornamental fishes has rarely been reliably monitored. Almost all coral reef fishes are wild-caught, and few scientific analyses have attempted to elicit exact quantities and identify species involved. The consequences of the removal of millions of these fishes are poorly understood. This article collates and examines available information, including scientific studies and formal publications, in order to create a more accurate picture of this commerce. We demonstrate that it is almost impossible to analyse the trade in marine ornamental fishes due to a lack of data, and that available data for marine species is frequently combined with that for freshwater species. Figures range from 15 to 30 million coral reef fishes being traded annually, but could be as high as 150 million specimens. The global value of this trade was only estimated for 1976 and 1999 between USD 28–40 million. This review highlights the urgent need to introduce a specific harmonised system tariff code and for a global monitoring system, such as the Trade Control and Expert System already in use in Europe, in order to gather accurate and timely information on the number and species of marine ornamental fishes in commerce, where specimens originated, and whether they were wild-caught or captive-bred.

International River Summit 2019—Part II

International River Summit 2019—Part II

Effect of different diets on reproductive performance of skunk clownfish, Amphiprion akallopisos (Bleeker 1853) and water policy from Andaman & Nicobar Islands

AbstractThe skunk clownfish, Amphiprion akallopisos was studied to access the effect of different wet feeds on reproductive performance such as no. of eggs, spawning frequency, fertilization rate, and hatchability etc. for the first time from Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The wet feeds such as cuttlefish meat, squid meat, fish meat, and prawn meat as control were used. The result from the present study showed that the number of eggs was significantly influenced by the given feed. The fishes served with cuttlefish meat provided the maximum number of eggs (448 ± 5.88) whereas, others are given fewer numbers in comparison with cuttlefish meat. However, fertilization and hatchability were not affected by the tested diets. There was no significant difference in egg length and tasted diets as the capsule had maximum width 1mm in cuttlefish fed group, whereas the highest larval length was observed with squid meat‐fed group. It is revealed that the maximum number of spawning was observed in the brooder fishes fed cuttlefish and showed higher reproductive efficiency than others. Hence results from the present study will be helpful for researchers to work on deeper aspects of broodstock nutrition, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists for captive spawning. The law and policy for conservation and management of corals such as tourism, mining, as well as over fishing have been studied for the sustainable production of this species for the marine ornamental fish trade.

Marine ornamental Fishes in the Red Sea: Statusand trade

The ornamental fish trade is rapidly expanding and there is a growing recreational demand for aquarium fishes in international markets. This paper aims to initially assess the status of the marine ornamental fishes and their trade in the Yemeni Red Sea. For this purpose, a field survey was conducted in May-June (2006) in 42 sites in this coast, and information regarding the trade was collected. These sites were located in 40 islands where coral reefs are the most dominant habitats. There were statistically differences in the number of ornamental fishes between and within the sites. Many species of such fishes were targeted for trade in unsustainable manners. This could affect the marine ecosystem in Yemen if such trade continues without unsustainable management.

Identifikasi Formalin Pada Ikan Segar di Pelabuhan Pendaratan Ikan Idi Rayeuk Kabupaten Aceh Timur

Indonesia is the second largest country after China in terms of capture fisheries production. Capture fisheries production in Indonesia in 2016 reached 6.83 million tons with a value of Rp. 125.3 trillion. The abundant fishery potential causes the fish preservation process at the fishermen level to be constrained. The limited number of preservatives that are safe for food makes formaldehyde an alternative preservative. The use of formaldehyde in food can cause poisoning to the human body.In the formaldehyde test conducted by the Integrated Supervision Team of the Aceh Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP) in 2017 it was found that the practice of using formalin as a fish preservative was still used by some fishermen and fish traders in Indonesia. Aceh. This research was conducted to determine the sustainability of the practice of using formaldehyde by fishermen and traders by identifying the formalin content in tuna and mackerel in Idi Rayeuk Fish Landing Port, East Aceh Regency. The samples used in this study were 3 tuna and 3 mackerel fish taken randomly at the Idi Rayeuk Fish Landing Site, East Aceh. The results showed that all samples tested showed negative results or the fish did not contain formaldehyde. This shows that the public and fishermen's awareness of the dangers of formaldehyde is very good.

Analysis of effectiveness of channels for information gathering and dissemination: Case of fisheries stakeholders in Mwanza and Mara regions of Tanzania

The fisheries sub-sector in Tanzania is challenged with limited use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for information gathering and dissemination. Fishers obtain fisheries information from extension officers and their fellow fishers through mainly word of mouth in physical meetings. Despite the growth in access and availability of ICT channels on Mobile phones and Internet in recent years, the fisheries sub-sector decision-makers mainly use conventional media (radio, television, personal communications) in gathering and disseminating fisheries information. Understanding the characteristics of communication channels and their effectiveness in fisheries information gathering and dissemination is of great importance. A comprehensive comparison of the six ICT channels (short message services, cellular phone call, television, radio, mobile application, and website) was done in this study using effectiveness probability. The findings from this study indicated that, short message service (SMS) and cellular phone calls are most effective for fishers. Mobile application, cellular phone calls, websites, and SMS are effective for fish traders and fisheries officers. However, the cellular phone call was not cost-effective compared to mobile applications and websites. This study recommends the development of multi-channel (SMS, web-based, and mobile application) fisheries information system to enhance fisheries information gathering and dissemination process to meet realistic information needs of all fisheries stakeholders.

Growth Performance After Agouti-Signaling Protein 1 (Asip1) Overexpression in Transgenic Zebrafish.

The melanocortin system is a key structure in the regulation of energy balance. Overexpression of inverse agonists, agouti-signaling protein (ASIP), and agouti-related protein (AGRP) results in increased food intake, linear growth, and body weight. ASIP regulates dorsal-ventral pigment polarity through melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) and overexpression induces obesity in mice by binding to central MC4R. Asip1 overexpression in transgenic zebrafish (asip1-Tg) enhances growth, yet experiments show fish overexpressing Asip1 do not develop obesity even under severe feeding regimes. Asip1-Tg fish do not need to eat more to grow larger and faster; thus, increased food efficiency can be observed. In addition, asip1-Tg fish reared at high density are able to grow far more than wild-type (WT) fish reared at low density, although asip1-Tg fish seem to be more sensitive to crowding stress than WT fish, thus making the melanocortin system a target for sustainable aquaculture, especially as the U.S. Food and Drug Association has recently approved transgenic fish trading.

Seasonal Losses in Capture Fisheries: Occurrence, Market Responses and Response Constraints

Seasonal losses have challenged capture fishery. Chellenges include difficulty market players to maintain production, and consumers to secure quality fish supply. This paper aims to confirm problems of seasonal fish loss and shows how this links to management. The study, conducted in 2016, followed a case study approach, carried out in seven locations: Palabuhanratu, Blanakan, Probolinggo, Sendangbiru, Pekalongan, Cilacap, and Pati. Interviews were done with fishers, fresh and processed fish traders, processors, consumers, each represented by ten respondents per location. Results show that respondents face problems of seasonal variation and respond with available options. Responses are constrained mainly by financial, facility, and technological factors. I is recommended then that problems and factors be addressed through a harvest control rule schemes. Within these schemes, the rule is described as aiming at (i) imposing harvest levels within the range sufficient to sustain stocks, (ii) avoiding fish deterioration in peak seasons, and (iii) allowing for manageable peak season oversupply to be stored in preparation for low seasons. Complementing to this rule, government interventions are necessary and this can be implemented in concrete actions such as strengthening capital to withstand fluctuations in income, introducing artificial intelligence systems to help market players make decisions.

Isotopic evidence of possible long‐distance freshwater fish trade in the 13th to 14th century Chełm, modern Poland

AbstractThe Middle Ages in the Polish Plain saw an increase in fish consumption as it substituted meat during Lent and other meatless days, approximately one third of the year, due to religious restrictions. Demand for fish stimulated the market. Fish trade and distribution can be easily reconstructed regarding marine species; however, freshwater taxa evade such reconstructions. Modern analytical tools, such as stable isotope analysis, can distinguish freshwater fish inhabiting brackish water typical of estuaries from individuals occupying inland water reservoirs. In this study, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis was conducted for fish remains excavated from mid‐13th to 14th century residential complex from Wysoka Górka at Chełm, modern Poland. Samples of 16 individuals representing nine taxa met the collagen quality criteria. Half of the individuals expressed δ13C values typical of marine environment: four sturgeons (Acipenser oxyrinchus), two catfishes (Silurus glanis), a pike (Esox lucius) and a bream (Abramis brama). Such values are expected for sturgeon, an anadromous fish, but not typical for freshwater taxa from the sites deep inland, like Chełm. The results are discussed whether freshwater fish are of local origin, migrated in the area of Chełm, or were item of trade, probably from the Baltic coast (approximately 450 km); however, the presence of carp (Cyprinus carpio) may indicate the basin of the Black Sea.

Species composition and invasion risks of alien ornamental freshwater fishes from pet stores in Klang Valley, Malaysia

The ornamental fish trade has been considered as one of the most important routes of invasive alien fish introduction into native freshwater ecosystems. Therefore, the species composition and invasion risks of fish species from 60 freshwater fish pet stores in Klang Valley, Malaysia were studied. A checklist of taxa belonging to 18 orders, 53 families, and 251 species of alien fishes was documented. Fish Invasiveness Screening Test (FIST) showed that seven (30.43%), eight (34.78%) and eight (34.78%) species were considered to be high, medium and low invasion risks, respectively. After the calibration of the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK) v2 using the Receiver Operating Characteristics, a threshold value of 17 for distinguishing between invasive and non-invasive fishes was identified. As a result, nine species (39.13%) were of high invasion risk. In this study, we found that non-native fishes dominated (85.66%) the freshwater ornamental trade in Klang Valley, while FISK is a more robust tool in assessing the risk of invasion, and for the most part, its outcome was commensurate with FIST. This study, for the first time, revealed the number of high-risk ornamental fish species that give an awareness of possible future invasion if unmonitored in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Val Dufeu, Fish Trade in Medieval North Atlantic Societies: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Human Ecodynamics.

Val Dufeu, Fish Trade in Medieval North Atlantic Societies: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Human Ecodynamics.

Comparative osteology of Tor tambroides (Bleeker, 1854) and Tor tambra (Valenciennes 1842) vertebral column (ossa vertebrae)

Information related to osteology plays a vital role in support ecomorphology and phylogenetic relationship analysis in fish. This study aimed to describe the comparative morphology of the vertebral column between Tor tambroides (Bleeker, 1854) and Tor tambra (Valenciennes 1842). Samples of Tor tambroides and Tor tambra were obtained from fish traders in the Tangse River area of Pidie Regency and Sampoinet River area, Aceh Jaya Regency, Aceh Province. Vertebral column preparation consists of five steps: muscles and scales separation, immersion in a formaldehyde solution, drying, morphometric measurements, photographing and image editing, and identification of terminology. The results showed that there are morphological differences between Tor tambroides and Tor tambra vertebral column, particularly in the axial vertebrae, posterior vertebrae caudales, and urostylus regions. The pleural costae of Tor tambroides have a posterior curve with the left and right sides interlocking. The lateral Tor tambroides process tends to curve posteriorly, while the Tor tambra tends to round up parallel to the dorsal costae. Tor tambroides tend to have stronger ligaments marked by the absence of a foramen between the hypural. Morphometrically, Tor tambroides tend to have higher centrum ratios (length, width, and height), neural spine, haemalis spine, and costae compared to Tor tambra. The significant difference in morphometric results in observed the axial vertebrae and the posterior vertebrae caudales region. Further research related to the correlation of vertebral column morphology with the environmental condition of these fish is still necessary.

Keçiören (Ankara) İlçesi Balık Satış İşletmelerinde Çalışanların Sosyo-Ekonomik Analizi

Bu çalışma, Keçiören (Ankara) ilçesinde faaliyet gösteren balık satış işletmelerinde çalışanların sosyo-ekonomik yapılarını belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırma verileri 2018 yılında 27 adet balık satış işletme sahibi ve çalışanları ile yüz yüze görüşmeler yapılarak tam sayım yöntemiyle elde edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda çalışanların %80’i erkek, %20’si kadın olup, tamamı evlidir. Eğitim durumlarına göre %44’ü ilkokul, %37’si ortaokul, %19’u lise mezunudur. İşletme sahiplerinin yaşları 30 ile 69 arasında değişmekte olup %82 ile çoğunluğu 50 yaşın altındadır. İşletme çalışanlarının tamamının sosyal güvencesi bulunmaktadır. Çalışanların %93’ü ehliyete, %91’i de hijyen belgesine sahiptir. Çalışanların %48’i ev sahibi, %7’si işyeri sahibi iken, %22’sinin herhangi bir aracı yoktur. İşletme çalışanlarının sosyo-ekonomik yapılarının daha iyi seviyeye getirilmesi ve sosyal kalitelerinin yükseltilmesi önem arz etmektedir.