Fish industry news

The North Sea and Skagerrak Saithe (Pollachius virens) fishery, jointly managed by the members of the Danish Fishermen's Producer Organisation (DFPO), was today certified as sustainable against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) environmental standard for sustainable and well managed fisheries. Around 7 000 metric tonnes of Danish saithe will now be eligible to display the blue MSC ecolabel in the market place, reports www.megafishnet.com

The Directors of China Fishery Group Limited refer to the announcement dated 28 January 2011 in relation to the application of the China Fishery Group Limited Scrip Dividend Scheme to the first and final dividend of 5.00 Singapore cents per ordinary share (tax not applicable) for the financial year ended 28 September 2010, reports www.megafishnet.com

The SalMar Group posted an operating profit before fair value adjustment of the biomass of NOK 346 million in the fourth quarter 2010, reports www.megafishnet.com

These days there's a gold rush feel to Akranes and a few other coastal towns where capelin roe is being processed. At the moment HB Grandi has around 80 staff on a rolling shifts around the clock at its Akranes factory. As in past years, many of the local sheep farmers are among those who have taken the opportunity to take part in the short season at Akranes, reports www.megafishnet.com

High Liner Foods Incorporated, a leading North American value-added frozen seafood company, today reported financial results for the thirteen-week period and fiscal year 2010 ended January 1, 2011, reports www.megafishnet.com

There has been some excellent fishing on capelin since the fleet went back to sea following a short break when a strike had been threatened. The capelin have been migrating very rapidly and the migration has now passed the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Fishing yesterday was taking place six to seven miles off Öndverdarnes, and experienced fishermen see this as the fish passing unusually deep of Snæfellsnes, reports www.megafishnet.com

The 2011 Pacific halibut season opens on March 12 at noon. The total commercial catch limit is just over 41 million pounds, a 18.9% reduction from last year's total. As usual, we'll expect prices to start high for the first fish of the season, and then even out as spring approaches. Last year saw record high prices for halibut and with a reduced quota we don't expect this year to be any different, reports www.megafishnet.com

No fish species in New Zealand or around the world is in danger of extinction caused by commercial fishing, an eminent fisheries scientist said in Nelson yesterday, reports www.megafishnet.com

Operating revenues in 4Q were 195.9 MNOK (142.9) with an EBITDA of -8.7 MNOK (-16.1), reports www.megafishnet.com

The Group's EBIT before fair value adjustments of biomass, increased in fourth quarter from NOK 62.9m in 2009 to NOK 246.9m in 2010. This includes a positive one-off item of NOK 72.4m related to the reversal of a previous write-down of license values in Finnmark. Operational EBIT (operating profit before reversal of previous write-down) before fair value adjustment of biomass thus increased from NOK 62.9m to NOK 174.5m. All regions recorded good improvement, reports www.megafishnet.com

Martek Biosciences Corporation, a leader in the innovation, development, production and sales of high-value products from microbial sources that promote health and wellness through nutrition, announced that it has been inducted into the inaugural Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Hall of Fame, a program under the U.S. Small Business Administration. Martek Biosciences was recognized for its success in research, innovation and commercialization within the SBIR program. Martek was honored at the national inductee ceremony held on February 15, 2011 in Washington, DC, followed by a White House reception, reports www.megafishnet.com

NHST Media Group - which has owned 60% of the shares in IntraFish Media - is acquiring the remaining 40% from A-pressen for MNOK 24.8. This prices the company at MNOK 62. IntraFish Media has been strategically and operationally integrated with NHST Media Group's other activities for a number of years. Therefore the acquisition is not triggering any great changes either for NHST Media Group or for IntraFish Media. The acquisition has been planned for a long time, reports www.megafishnet.com

MTY Food Group Inc., franchisor and operator of over 1,700 quick service restaurants reports results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ending November 30, 2010, reports www.megafishnet.com

Significant Trygg Pharma value potential was realized in the fourth quarter of 2010 through the partnership agreement with Lindsay Goldberg. The year 2010 was Aker BioMarine's best so far, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/

Aker Seafoods achieved a significant improvement in operating profit during 2010, and delivered an EBITDA of 250 million kroner. That compares with 192 million kroner for 2009, and represents the company's best-ever result. EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2010 was 42 million kroner, down 51 million from the same period the year before. The EBITDA margin was six per cent, compared with seven per cent in the same period of 2009. Profitability strengthened for harvesting and processing in Norway, but margins weakened in Denmark and France, reports www.megafishnet.com

Whiteleg shrimps (Litopenaeus Vannamei), produced by Sharat Industries Limited have been certified as sustainable by Friend of the Sea, reports www.megafishnet.com

Icelandic USA, Inc, is pleased to announce their partnership with the Virginia Aquarium & Science Center on the Sensible Seafood program, reports www.megafishnet.com

A herpes virus that has devastated North Island oyster farms and so far cost about $12 million in potential sales has shut the pioneering Nelson hatchery that supplies 20 per cent of New Zealand's stock, reports www.megafishnet.com

This weekend, fish and chip shop owners from around the country will gather in Newcastle for Henry Colbeck Ltd's ‘What's Cooking 2011' trade show. This year, for the first time, the Marine Stewardship Council will be joining Colbecks with a stand to promote Colbecks' MSC certified sustainable seafood choices, reports www.megafishnet.com

Jerry Newport, director of national sales at Wholey Seafood, announced a marketing campaign to support the introduction of Wholey Seafood's Boil in the Bag Seafood Entrees, reports www.megafishnet.com