FISHupdate briefing

NORWEGIAN TRAWLER FLEET SLASHES FUEL CONSUMPTION
FUEL consumption by the Norwegian cod trawler fleet has more than halved since 2001 thanks to the design and construction of more energy efficient vessels.
A report from the Centre for Research Based Innovation in Bergen has found that the average trawler used 1.25 litres of fuel per kilogram of fish 13 years ago.
Now that figure is down to 0.4 litres per kg of fish in some cases. The period covered includes years when oil prices were at a record high, although they have fallen in recent months.
 
SEAFOOD SHACK SELLS FOR $4 MILLION
The picturesque Seafood Shack Marina and Bar, a local landmark in downtown Cortez, Florida, has been acquired by the Canadian owned Vandyk group of companies for $4 million.
The seller, Ham Jones, built the marina in 1971 and in 1972 added a 150-seat restaurant. ‘The overwhelming customer response to the original Seafood Shack led to several expansions, resulting in today’s two-story 650-seat restaurant’, said Jones.
‘For 32 of the past 42 years, our customers also delighted in boat tours of the Intracoastal Waterway aboard the 120 ft paddlewheeler, The Showboat.’
 
NEW BAKKAFROST FINANCIAL OFFICER
BAKKAFROST, the Faroe Islands main fish farming company, has a new chief financial officer. He is 37-year-old Gunnar Nielsen, who takes up his post at the beginning of January.
Nielsen comes from the position as advisor in the TF Group – a Faroese insurance group. He holds an MSc in Business Economics.
In the period 2006-2008, Nielsen was a corporate finance advisor at Bank Nordik.
 
EAT FISH TO CONCEIVE SAYS REPORT
A TYPE of antioxidant found in seafood can increase a woman’s chance of conceiving, say scientists. They have discovered that selenium, a natural antioxidant, which is also found in nuts and red meat, plays a crucial role in the early stages of conception.
Selenium is crucial in the development of healthy ovarian follicles, which are responsible for the production of eggs in women.
Melanie Ceko, from the University of Adelaide, who carried out the research, said: ‘Selenium is an essential trace element found in protein-rich foods like red meat, seafood and nuts.’