INFOPESCA Internacional 33

Finfish production in Costa Rica
By Lindsay Flores
The last issue presented the production and commercial profile of farmed shrimp in Costa Rica. This issue addresses finfish, be it from wild captures or from aquaculture. Extractive fishing has been waining with respect to aquaculture, although it still is an important economy activity, with good trading prospects thanks to the country’s strategic geographic situation.

The port of Montevideo. Functioning and responsibilities
By Enrique Bertullo
The port of Montevideo is a main geograpahic route for the shipment of goods from the MERCOSUR to the main markets overseas. Besides being the geographical center of MERCOSUR, it is also the gateway for the so-called “water way”, constituted by Paraguay/Paraná rivers. During the last decades it has become a fishing port for international fleets that operate beyond the 200 miles limit. The article highlights the strategic advantages of this port, while describes the responsibilities that the country takes on as a signing member of the Code for Responsible Fishing

Cobia farming in the Americas and the Caribbean
By Daniel Benetti, Brian O’Hanlon and others.
Due to its extraordinary growth rate and to its adaptability to aquaculture, cobia (Rachycentron canadum) es one of the species that show the greatest potential for a commercial-oriented production. It is also a fish that is naturally spread in practically every region in the Americas and the Caribbean. In the international markets, meanwhile, cobia enjoys good demand and firm prices For all this reasons it is interesting to see the experiences described in this article, from the technology of spawning in hatcheries to the grow-out in open- sea summerged cages.

Going against the current? Japanese are eating less fish!
By INFOFISH
While in the Western hemisphere seafood consumption is being strongly encouraged in order to avoid meat for health reasons, the Asian countries including Japan are mentioned are the best examples for good dietary habits. However, things are changing in Japan, and not always in the desired direction. A recent survey shows that young Japanese are very fastly adopting the eating habits that have been combated for many years in this part of the world.

Laboratory reproduction of sea horses
By Gustavo Foresti Fezer
It is a strange-looking species, which not even reflects a typical fishy image. It is also fragile and vulnerable. But maybe for this reasons and for its bright colours, aquarists from all over the world focus on this fish. Sea horses are in general obtained from their wild environment. While this is in general an ilegal practice, it also provides fishes that are not able to survive very long in captivity. The author has been able to reverse this problem, by reproducing in laboratory sea horses, which adapt much better to their life in aquariums.

Seafood retailing in Asia: from tradition to modernity
by Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy
Seafood retailing in Asia has transformed greatly in recent years from traditional to modern ways. Consumers are moving away from the traditional wet and dry markets to modern supermarkets and hypermarkets to purchase their fish. This trend is fuelled by economic growth and higher per capita income.
With higher disposable income and more women joining the work force, there is increased demand for convenient products in retail packs which are fast and easy to cook. Supermarkets and hypermarkets increasingly offer that choice to consumers.

Value added tilapia products: new trends for varied markets
By Norbert Spoms
In response to increasing demand for tilapia, it is widely processed into different forms for export. Consumers are not only interested in the competitive pricing of tilapia, but also want the highest quality of product. Value addition provides an opportunity to generate market interest. It starts with the process of farming an eco-label or organic product or other types of farming to produce superior quality products and engaging in high quality processing. A US company with its operation in Hainan PR China, shows the way.