The Coalition of Legal Toothfish Operators (COLTO), are pleased to announce that next week will see the inaugural Toothfish Industry-Science Workshop taking place in Aalesund, Norway. The workshop is being generously sponsored by Norwegian fishing gear suppliers, A.S. Fiskevegn and Mustad Autoline.
The workshop will bring together the major players in the toothfish industry, including representatives from 9 of the 12 toothfish fishing nations; plus scientists from 8 nations; a representative from the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR); as well as numerous members from the supporting industries such as fishing gear suppliers and toothfish traders.
This is the first event of its kind outside the annual CCAMLR meeting, where 25 member nations agree on measures to ensure conservation of Antarctic marine living resources, which includes rational use. This workshop, however, will have a sole focus on toothfish fisheries, with discussions between industry and scientists.
COLTO Chair, Martin Exel, said the concept originally came from scientists at CCAMLR. “They felt it would be a great idea to discuss in detail what is happening on the toothfish scene globally – including stock assessments; scientific underpinning of sustainable toothfish fisheries; changes to fishing gears which have avoided catching seabirds and marine mammals; elimination of illegal fishing; and the marketing of our product.”
With the 60 attendees for this event encompassing almost all toothfish fisheries, it is expected that the results of the workshop will set the groundwork for improved international collaboration , continuing the already successful cooperation between industry, scientists, conservation groups, national governments and international agencies in toothfish fisheries globally.
More information:
Contact:
Martin Exel (Hobart, Tasmania GMT+10 hours) +61 413 595 532
mexel@australfisheries.com.au
Jakob Hals (Norway, GMT+2 hours) +47 913 88 861
Jakob@fiskevegn.no
Arne Tennoy (Norway, GMT+2 hours) +47 916 76 811
arne.tennoy@mustadautoline.com
COLTO:
COLTO represents fishing operators who catch over 90% of the global catch of toothfish, along with supporters such as fishing gear manufacturers, fish traders, and retailers. They are strong supporters of sustainable, legal management of toothfish fisheries and work closely with governments, conservation groups, scientists and CCAMLR to ensure that toothfish stocks are healthy and sustainable. Members come from Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, UK, and the USA.
See www.colto.org
Toothfish (also known as Chilean Seabass in USA and Canada):
Over 60% of the world’s toothfish fisheries have been independently certified by the Marine Stewardship Council as sustainable and well managed, as well as being rated as ‘Best Choice’ or ‘Good Alternative’ by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program.
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources:
www.ccamlr.org