10th Feb 2014: Falkland Islands’ toothfish catchers, Fortuna, incorporates MSC ice-class longliner ‘Tronio’

Fortuna Ltd, one of the Falkland Islands leading fishing companies announced the incorporation to their Falklands registered fleet of the 55-meter ice class longliner ‘Tronio’, specifically designed for ice fishing in Antarctica. ‘Tronio’ annual cycle begins in exploratory fisheries targeting Antarctic toothfish and conducting research on behalf of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, CCAMLR within the Antarctic belt. In April the …

3rd Feb 2014: Toothfish Industry support important fisheries research in South Georgia

COLTO Member, Georgia Seafoods Ltd, is sponsoring a PhD studentship on the Patagonian toothfish, also known as Chilean seabass. The Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) is a large predatory demersal fish endemic to the Southern Hemisphere. It supports a valuable commercial MSC certified fishery in South Georgia. Relatively little is known about what makes ideal breeding conditions although there are indications …

27th January 2014: Albatross numbers increase in Chile thanks to responsible Toothfish operators

New research between the Australian Antarctic Division and Chilean researchers has found an increase in albatross numbers in southern Chile thanks to a change in longline gear setup in the Chilean toothfish industry. Abstract below: Black-browed albatrosses are a common victim of incidental mortality in commercial fishing operations. Chile holds globally important populations of black-browed albatrosses and grey-headed albatrosses with about 85% …

20th Jan 2014: Time to forget ‘take a pass on seabass’ as 70% of global toothfish harvest now MSC certified

Chilean seabass and Antarctic toothfish are now among the most sustainable global fish species harvested. This is part of what led to the recognition by Monterey Bay last year that toothfish were a good alternative fish choice. The hard work of the Coalition of Legal Toothfish Operators was recognized at the recent NFI Global Seafood Marketing Conference, as panelists discussed how …

13th January 2014: South Georgia toothfish fishery offers 2-year licenses

GSGSSI has announced it will issue two-year fishing licences to companies who successfully apply to fish for toothfish and icefish in the SGSSI Maritime Zone. GSGSSI has announced it will issue two-year fishing licences to companies who successfully apply to fish for toothfish and icefish in the SGSSI Maritime Zone. The decision was made following consultation with the fishing industry …

30th December 2013: Falkland Islands Toothfish Fishery to be MSC certified

The fishery for Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) around the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)* has been recommended for certification by the Marine Stewardship Council. “Following a 30-day period of comment on the Draft Report for the Falkland Island toothfish fishery, the Conformity Assessment Body, Intertek Moody Marine, has met to consider the report of the assessment team, the report of the Peer Review panel and all stakeholder comments.  The …

23rd December 2013: New COLTO Mission Statement

In recent years COLTO has seen a shift in focus, from removing IUU fishing for toothfish from sovereign waters to promoting the remarkable story that has seen many of our fisheries now being independently certified as sustainble. At this year’s AGM it was decided to revise our mission statement to: – promote sustainable toothfish fishing and fisheries; – facilitate its …

11th November 2013: Efforts to support and streamline trade, help seafood industry and consumers

When making a purchase at the seafood counter or in a restaurant, consumers have many seafood options. How can you feel confident that you’re making a smart, sustainable choice? You might be familiar with the work NOAA Fisheries does to sustainably manage U.S. fisheries. For National Seafood Month, let’s turn our attention to how NOAA Fisheries supports the seafood trade. …

27th October 2013: All South Georgia licensed vessels must comply with the Torremolinos Protocol

As part of an initiative to ensure all licensed fishing vessels are of a good standard, the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, GSGSSI, are undertaking inspections of all vessels to check their compliance with the Torremolinos Protocol on Fishing Vessel Safety, reports the latest edition of the South Georgia Newsletter. The Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety …

24th October 2013: COLTO announces toothfish tag lottery winners

Mr Martin Exel the Chairman of COLTO congratulates Mr TeaBin Jung of SunWoo fisheries, representing the Korean vessel, Kostar, the first winner of the COLTO-sponsored CCAMLR tag-return lottery.  The tag number was drawn at random from all reports of recaptured toothfish in CCAMLR exploratory fisheries in 2012/13. The lottery had cash prizes for crew that had returned the three randomly …

24th October 2013: SARPC create Southern Seas Companies Foundation

The French toothfish fishing companies, grouped into a S.A.R.P.C [1] syndicate who manages this activity from Reunion Island, created the Southern Seas Companies foundation (Fondation d’entreprises des mers australes), which was just been recognized on 23rd August 2013 by the decree number 1546, published in the French Official Journal on 5th October 2013. For the past years, the fishing companies have financially participated …

22nd October 2013: Antarctic scientists address toothfish and icefish stocks and catch limits in Australia

With the attendance of delegations from the twenty five members from the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the annual gathering of international Antarctic scientists and policy makers took off on Monday in Australia. Over 200 marine scientists, natural resource managers, marine policy makers and diplomats will make crucial decisions about the conservation and management of …

18th October 2013: Toothfish licensing provides 70% of South Georgia revenue, but patrolling absorbs 80% of the amount

In a new initiative the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) has published their first Annual Report. The report, which is designed to keep people informed about Government activities on and off the island, was published on this website on September 2nd and has been distributed to stakeholders, according to the latest South Georgia Newsletter edition. The …

14 October 2013: COLTO welcomes Chilean toothfish industry association

New association aims to ensure Patagonian toothfish sustainability In Punta Arenas the presentation of the Association of Operators of Magellan Sea Bass (Aobac), an organization created to protect and ensure responsible fishing of Patagonian toothfish or Chilean sea bass (Dissostichus eleginoides) in waters of that region, took place. The members of the new association would like this resource to last …

4th September 2013: French Toothfish fishery acheives MSC certification

The French Patagonian toothfish fishery around the Kerguelen Islands has been recognised by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as a sustainable and well managed fishery.  The fishery has a total allowable catch of 5,100t per annum. A press release from the French ship owners from SARPC (Reunion Freezer Longline Syndicate) describes in further detail this great achievement. This certification brings …

5 August 2013: US FDA recognises all toothfish as Chilean Seabass

COLTO thanks the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for updating their USA “Seafood List” which contains approved market names for all species of fish, to ensure both species of toothfish can legally be sold as “Chilean Seabass” in the United States. In April 2013, the US based environmental organization Oceana published a report “Oceana Study Reveals Seafood Fraud Nationwide”. …

11th June 2013: Top species – Chilean Sea Bass

The decision by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program to upgrade the status of some Chilean sea bass (Dissostichus eleginoides) fisheries, and Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) from avoid to best choice or good alternative has buoyed the spirits of those who have long dealt with this species, and see opportunities for expanding sales of the fish, also known as …

22nd May 2013: New paper on COLTOs fight against illegal fishing

Henrik Osterblom and Carl Folke have released their findings on The Emergence of Global Adaptive Governance for Stewardship of Regional Marine Resources. ABSTRACT. Overfishing has historically caused widespread stock collapses in the Southern Ocean. Until recently, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing threatened to result in the collapse of some of the few remaining valuable fish in the region and vulnerable …

17th May 2013: COLTO Chair radio interview

Chair of the Coalition of Legal Toothfish Operators, Martin Exel, discusses the plight of the Patagonian toothfish and how this extraordinary fish’s luck has changed.  

13th May 2013: WWF-SA recognises minister’s visionary leadership

At a special ceremony in Cape Town, WWF South Africa (WWF-SA) presented Water and Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa with a “Gift to the Earth” award, which the minister received on behalf of the South African government, following the recent formal gazetting of the declaration of the Prince Edward Islands Marine Protected Area (MPA) – South Africa’s first offshore MPA. …

5th May 2013: Ocean pursuit leaves toothfish pirates with nowhere to run

An Australian-backed illegal fishing watchdog in Asia is on the heels of some of the last toothfish pirates, as a long-plundered fishery moves to a sustainable catch – and to local meal tables. A fishing vessel believed to be loaded with millions of dollars worth of Southern Ocean toothfish is being tracked through Malaysia and Indonesia, where it was stopped …

26th April 2013: Thunder Struck!

AFMA Media Release Attempts by an illegal foreign fishing vessel, the ‘Thunder’, to offload millions of dollars’ worth of illegal catch in south-east Asia, have been thwarted by a strike force team made up of Australian, Malaysian and Indonesian authorities. This boat has been using the alphabet technique – changing its name and flag – to deceive authorities and avoid …

21st April 2013: Toothfish numbers declared sustainable

ABC TV- 7pm news report Tasmania’s toothfish fishery has been declared sustainable by two influential bodies following adjustments in fishing methods. Just 15 years ago the fishery was on the verge of being decimated by poachers in the Southern Ocean. In an unusual partnership, environmentalists and the industry campaigned together to encourage consumer boycotts as well as increased surveillance at …

18th April 2013: COLTO Member announces support for Ross Sea MPA

COLTO Member, Sanford Ltd, have announced their support for a Marine Protected Area in the Ross Sea via a press release this week: Sanford to back NZ-USA Ross Sea protection if tougher rules put on fishing vessels. Sanford are a New Zealand fishing company that participates in the Ross Sea Fishery for Antarctic Toothfish, which is managed under strict environmental …

16th April 2013: The Freshest Fish from Unpolluted Oceans

FIS.com have produced an article on COLTO Member, San Arawa – detailing their Argentinian operation: Argentine fishing company San Arawa performs its fishing operations in the Southwestern Atlantic, mostly in water masses of the Malvinas Currents of under their strong influence. This is the only region in the Southern Hemisphere where certain specific environmental and oceanographic conditions occur, in the southwest of …

11th April 2013: South Africa makes conservation history by declaring Prince Edwards Islands a marine protected area

WWF-South Africa is elated over Minister Edna Molewa’s recent formal announcement of the declaration of the Prince Edward Islands as a marine protected area (MPA) – Africa`s first offshore MPA. Dr Morné du Plessis, WWF-SA’s Chief Executive says, “This is a historic day for marine conservation in South Africa. This declaration demonstrates South Africa’s new commitment to protecting the Prince …

10th April 2013: Falkland Islands’ toothfish fishery awarded ‘Best Choice’ rating by Seafood Watch

The Falkland Island Toothfish fishery is one of the three toothfish fisheries around the world awarded a category of “Best Choice” by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program. Seafood Watch is the most well-known and trusted source in North America for consumers and businesses seeking information about environmentally responsible seafood choices. “Assessment of the suite of toothfish fisheries took …

9th April 2013: Australian Government welcomes news for ‘Best Choice’ Toothfish

Australian toothfish – the sustainable choice The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has welcomed news that Australian-caught Patagonian toothfish has been labeled as ‘best choice’ by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program. The Seafood Watch program advises global consumers on seafood sustainability using independent peer-reviewed science and is highly regarded worldwide. Australia has two fisheries for Patagonian toothfish (also known …

9th April 2013: Monterey Bay Aquarium reviews toothfish ratings. Positive results.

Independent review by Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program has confirmed a number of toothfish fisheries are now rated as either ‘Best Choice’ or ‘Good Alternative’, up from its previous ratings of ‘Avoid’. Seafood Watch is the most well-known and trusted source in North America for consumers and businesses seeking information about environmentally responsible seafood choices. The following media releases …

22nd March 2013: DNA results confirm integrity of MSC Chain of Custody

Consumers and seafood buyers in key markets across the world can be confident that products bearing the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) ecolabel are correctly labelled, according to the latest results of the MSC’s DNA testing program, published today. In the most extensive testing of MSC labelled products carried out to date, 381 samples taken from retail packed products, fresh fish counters, …

21 March 2013: Argentine Toothfish fishery enters MSC assessment

The Argentine Patagonian toothfish fishery operating in Argentine Federal Continental Shelf waters has entered into full assessment for Marine Stewardship Council certification. The client group for the assessment is comprised of four companies: Estremar S.A., Pesantar S.A., Argenova S.A., and San Arawa S.A. Combined the companies have seven vessels and are assigned the entire total allowable catch (TAC) for the …

11th March 2013: Toothfish farming

Under the worldwide pioneer project consisting in farming Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) in captivity, researchers of La Araucana Education Corporation recently obtained the first larvae from wild broodstock. Now, it is expected that in the next six years technology can start to be transferred to the producer industry. “From now on, the work will not be as difficult as there is more information available and …

26th Feb 2013: Amendments Improve Macquarie Island Toothfish Plan

Recently, amendments were made and accepted to the Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery Management Plan, changing the dates of the fishing year from a fixed term to a ‘period determined by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA)  in line with AFMA’s general legislative reforms. AFMA has changed the end of the current fishing season, to April 30, two weeks later than …

25th Feb 2013: South Georgia Toothfish Fishery commended

Foreign Office pledges more marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean. The Foreign Office said that the UK is striving to ensure that all fishing undertaken in the Southern Ocean is carefully managed and sustainable and that the current FCO focus is supporting international work to establish a network of Southern Ocean Marine Protected Areas. Foreign Office Minister for the …

21st Feb 2013: MSC responds to Ross Sea certification debate

The Marine Stewardship Council has responded to debate surrounding its certification of the Ross Sea toothfish fishery. The Chief Executive of the MSC, Rupert Howes, stated that each fishery stood or fell on the science and the evidence when it was put forward for assessment.  The Ross Sea toothfish fishery had been found to meet the standards and was therefore certified, …

6th Feb 2013: Farming Chilean Sea Bass

CHILE   Fattening phase of Chilean sea bass in captivity begins Since 2008, La Araucana Education Corporation is leading a global pioneer project for Chilean sea bass (Dissostichus eleginoides) in depth farming in captivity. Fundación Chile and other institutions also participate in the initiative for national aquaculture diversification. As explained by Antonio Castilla, president of La Araucana Compensation Fund, and Nelson …

22nd Jan 2013: Additional Protected Areas for South Georgia Fishery

Scientific advice and a stakeholder consultation have resulted in the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) announcing the addition of extra spatial and temporal protection to the existing South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Area (SGSSI MPA). Additional measures will add extra protection to the SGSSI MPA, which was created in February 2012 and covers …

21st Jan 2013: Scientist heads south to study Toothfish

Dr Steve Parker, of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research flies to Scott Base on Ross Island this week to board a COLTO Member’s (Sanford) fishing vessel in the Ross Sea, to conduct a fishing survey targeting juvenile Antarctic Toothfish between 5 and 10 years old in the Ross Sea region. Dr Parker said information on how large or …

9th Jan 2013: New Toothfish Recipe

Australian chef, Paul Cooper, has provided his recipe for Carpaccio of Toothfish, which has been a recent hit at his Sydney restaurant, Bishop Sessa.

4th Jan 2013: Want to know where your toothfish is coming from?

We have provided an updated map indicating the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for toothfish for the current 2012/13 season.  Most of these toothfish TACs were set by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), following internationally peer reviewed science at the 2012 CCAMLR meeting last October in Hobart.  TACs set for Chile, Argentina and Macquarie Island …

11th December 2012: COLTO sponsors toothfish tagging program

COLTO is proud to announce that it will be sponsoring the CCAMLR toothfish tagging program for New and Exploratory Fisheries for the current 2012/13 season.  All retrieved tags from toothfish caught in CCAMLR’s New and Exploratory fisheries this season will go into the draw to win part of the AUD$1,000 prize pool, drawn at next year’s CCAMLR meeting. More details …

5th December 2012: COLTO function at CCAMLR

During this year’s CCAMLR meeting, COLTO hosted a function to celebrate the collaborative work of CCAMLR, Governments, scientists, industry and NGOs in their approach to conserving the Antarctic ecosystem and fisheries over the years, which has included the significant reduction of IUU fishing for Toothfish in the Southern Ocean, the reduction to near zero levels of accidental seabird mortality in …

4th December: Feel-Good Toothfish

So you want to buy some sustainable seafood?  Great, you’re right on trend.  Read today’s article from The Australian newspaper about Austral Fisheries’ MSC certified toothfish from Australia’s Heard Island & McDonald Islands.

2nd December 2012: Falklands’ fishing company seeking good management label from MSC

For the first time a Falkland Islands fishing company is seeking to have its good management certified by the internationally recognised Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).  Consolidated Fisheries’ Janet Robertson speaks to Penguin News about the Falkland Islands toothfish fishery undergoing assessment for a sustainable and well managed fishery.

30th November 2012: COLTO Members at AGM

During this year’s CCAMLR meeting, COLTO held its Annual General Meeting. Here were some of the attendees from the Coalition of Legal Toothfish Operators:

9th November 2012: Australian toothfish MSC video

Austral Fisheries have added a quick slideshow to YouTube from their Marine Stewardship Council certification launch for Heard Island Toothfish.  COLTO members Austral Fisheries and Australian Longline both fish for MSC certified Patagonian toothfish in Australian waters.

7th November 2012: CCAMLR strengthens marine conservation in Antarctica

Last Thursday saw the close to the 2012 CCAMLR meeting, the 31st of its kind.  While it was disappointing that there was not a consensus on MPAs in Antarctic waters, there will be a CCAMLR special meeting (only the 2nd ever) held in July next year to discuss this topic further. Positive outcomes were seen in CCAMLR’s toothfish fisheries with …

3rd November 2012: COLTO intervention at CCAMLR 2012

COLTO Chairman, Martin Exel, read the following intervention on behalf of COLTO to the CCAMLR Commission in Hobart on 31st October 2012:   COLTO would like to thank CCAMLR for the opportunity to again participate as observers.   Our 39 members represent over 80% of all legal toothfish catches, and are from 11 countries. This past year has seen some significant …

25th October 2012: New video on seabird smart fishing

COLTO is very pleased to announce the launch of the video ‘Seabird Smart Fishing – a Collaborative Approach’ produced by the Southern Seabird Solutions Trust. The video showcases three fisheries – the Antarctic autoline fishery, the New Zealand deepwater trawl fleet and the Chilean toothfish fishery.  It provides an overview of the effective initiatives and very positive results in reducing seabird …