Fish Update Briefing, Friday, May 18

CHINA PLANS SALMAR STYLE PLATFORM
CHINA is planning to develop an offshore salmon farming sector by using platforms similar to the large vessel bought by the Norwegian company SalMar last year, the South China Morning Post says. One Chinese company is developing a 35 metre tall rig capable of producing 1,500 tonnes of salmon a year. It will be located in the Yellow Sea. Chinese consumers eat around 70,000 tonnes of salmon each year, most of which is imported from Norway.
RED LOBSTER JOINS SEAFOOD WATCH SCHEME
THE Red Lobster seafood restaurant chain, which has more than 700 outlets across the United States and worldwide, has entered into a partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch programme. This is part of the aquarium’s initiative to improve the sustainability of global fisheries. Red Lobster says it will use scientific data from and educational tools from the programme to help inform and guide its sourcing decisions. The casual dining chain also plans to use Seafood Watch data to educate guests and team members on seafood choices, according to a news release. The partnership builds on Red Lobster’s Seafood with Standards commitment, announced in January, which pledged to serve only traceable, sustainable and responsibly sourced seafood.
CELEBRITY CHEFS FOR SEAFOOD FEST
AN award winning list of local, national and international celebrity chefs has now been announced for the 12th annual British Columbia Seafood Festival, a 10-day celebration in the attractive setting of Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. It takes place from Friday, June 8, to Sunday, June 17, this summer. The chefs include Tony Su from Ming Court, Cordis, Shanghai; Mark Best from Marque, Bistro by Mark Best, Sydney, Australia; Tim Ho, from the Food Gallery, Langham Hotel, Hong Kong; and Chris King from Roux at the Landau, Langham Hotel, London. Organisers say the festival promises to be the best yet.
FOUR STAR APLOMB FOR TURKISH FISH FARMER
TURKEY’S Luckyfish Co has become the world’s first company to gain four-star Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification for Mediterranean sea bass and sea bream.  It was awarded to Luckyfish’s processing plant in Didim, Turkey; two farms in Muğla Kazıklı Bay, located near Didim; its hatchery in Milas, Turkey, and its feed mill, also in Didim. Luckyfish CEO Ismail Aksoy said: ‘We are very proud to become the first Mediterranean sea bass and sea bream producer to have four-star BAP certification. This will enable us to meet market demand in Europe, North America and China, as well as supporting our high standards in social welfare, environment and food safety, which are all hallmarks of the Luckyfish brand.’