Latest news with #shellfish
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Risking death for a special ceviche in Peru
Shellfish collectors in Peru make a living harvesting a special mollusk called the barquillo, a primary ingredient in a world-famous ceviche dish. But hunting the elusive seafood comes at a deadly cost.
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Octopus invasion ‘decimating' shellfish industry
An invasion of Moroccan octopuses is decimating the shellfish industry after warmer waters from a 'marine heatwave' drew the sea creatures north. The highest spring sea temperatures for 70 years and plentiful shellfish harvested by fishermen off the Devon coast have attracted thousands of octopuses from the Mediterranean. While some fishermen have benefited by landing between four and six tonnes of octopuses a day, those harvesting crabs, lobsters and scallops have seen their catches decimated by the hungry cephalopods. One Devon by-law requires that crab pots must have an escape hatch so that the juvenile crabs can escape. However, this means that the octopuses can enter the pots and eat the crabs and lobsters inside, leaving just a trail of shells for the fishermen to pick up. Brian Tapper, a fisherman, said: 'The octopuses are coming in the side hatch. It's like McDonalds for them. They are just sitting in there until they are full. They are just going along a whole string of pots. 'They will go through 50 pots, leaving empty pots and a few shells from lobsters, crabs and even scallops. They take the scallops in there to eat. It is almost like they are using it as a hole. It's safe. Once they are finished, off they go.' He warned that if it continued, the local fish processing factory would have to close within the next five to six weeks, with the boats then having to be tied up a couple of months later. Barry Young, of Brixham Trawler Agents, described the influx as 'an invasion' and said the octopuses were 'decimating the crab fishery at the minute'. He said: 'At this morning's auction, we got 27 tonnes of these Mediterranean octopuses. We would normally be lucky to get 500kg [1,100lb]. 'Long term, it could be devastating for the shellfish industry in the UK if these octopuses stay. Unless we see a reduction in these octopuses, we won't see any shellfish.' There are also concerns about a shortage of crabs, scallops and lobsters in restaurants and fishmongers. However, other fishermen are welcoming the arrival of the octopuses, as they fetch a high price when sold in Europe. The Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) held an emergency meeting last week to consider relaxing the rules under the bylaw to try to protect the shellfish industry. It said it was aware of the current significant difficulties being experienced because of the 'predation of octopus within shellfish pots'. The authority said it was in the process of gathering information and evidence, which would be presented to IFCA's bylaw and permitting sub-committee on June 26, when issues relating to the octopus industry would be considered in more depth. The octopuses have been attracted by seas around the UK coast that are 2.5 degrees celsius warmer than would normally be expected at this time of year. Fishermen said it last happened in 1952 but there are concerns that climate change could mean it becomes a more regular occurrence.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Invasion of octopuses is ruining our livelihoods'
Some fishermen in south-west England say an "invasion" of octopus and a local bylaw are "decimating" the Devon shellfish industry. The octopus, usually found in the Mediterranean, are being found in lobster and crab pots off the coastline. Fishers said they were landing between four and six tonnes of them a day. They said open escape holes in pots for juvenile shellfish, enforced by the bylaw, allowed the creatures in and out to eat shellfish, and fishers wanted to close the gaps. The authority responsible for implementing the bylaw said the holes could be closed if fishers were trying to catch octopus only, and it was working on trying to find a long-term solution. It is thought the octopuses are coming from Morocco, as fishermen there are reporting a shortage of the creatures. Under the unique bylaw for Devon's waters, some types of crab pots must have "escape holes" as a conservation requirement to allow younger shellfish to escape. Fishers said such escape holes were allowing octopus to enter, devour crabs and leave, resulting in empty pots and no catch for the day. Plymouth crab fisherman Brian Tapper said: "The octopus are ruining us... [They are] coming into the crab pots by the side hatch and it's like McDonald's for them. "They go through 50 pots and all you get in here are empty shells." Barry Young, of Brixham Trawler Agents, described the influx as "an invasion" and said the octopus were "decimating the crab fishery at the minute". "At this morning's auction we got 27 tonne of these Mediterranean octopus, we would normally be lucky to get 500kg," he said. "long term it could be devastating for the selfish industry in the UK if these octopus stay. "Unless we see a reduction in these octopus, we wont see any shellfish." There are also concerns about a shortage of crabs, scallops and lobsters in restaurants and fishmongers. However, other fishers are welcoming the arrival, as they fetch a high price when sold in Europe. The escape gaps regulation was placing local fishermen at a significant disadvantage compared to their Cornish counterparts, fishers also argued. The Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) is responsible for implementing the bylaw. It said it had listened to the concerns and held an emergency meeting at the end of last week. It said it was aware of the current significant difficulties being experienced due to the "predation of octopus within shellfish pots". It has agreed to short-term action, allowing fishermen to close the escape hatches, as long as they are only fishing for octopus at the time, and release any crabs or lobsters caught. It said it was in the process of gathering information and evidence, which would be presented to IFCA's bylaw and permitting sub-committee on 26 June, when issues relating to the octopus industry would be considered in more depth. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Thousands of fish released to restock river Plymouth City Council Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
BBC News
19-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Fears octopus 'invasion' is 'decimating' shellfish industry
Some fishermen in south-west England say an "invasion" of octopus and a local bylaw are "decimating" the Devon shellfish industry. The octopus, usually found in the Mediterranean, are being found in lobster and crab pots off the coastline. Fishers said they were landing between four and six tonnes of them a said open escape holes in pots for juvenile shellfish, enforced by the bylaw, allowed the creatures in and out to eat shellfish, and fishers wanted to close the gaps. The authority responsible for implementing the bylaw said the holes could be closed if fishers were trying to catch octopus only, and it was working on trying to find a long-term solution. 'It's like McDonald's' It is thought the octopuses are coming from Morocco, as fishermen there are reporting a shortage of the the unique bylaw for Devon's waters, some types of crab pots must have "escape holes" as a conservation requirement to allow younger shellfish to said such escape holes were allowing octopus to enter, devour crabs and leave, resulting in empty pots and no catch for the crab fisherman Brian Tapper said: "The octopus are ruining us... [They are] coming into the crab pots by the side hatch and it's like McDonald's for them. "They go through 50 pots and all you get in here are empty shells." Barry Young, of Brixham Trawler Agents, calls the influx "an invasion" and says they "are decimating the crab fishery at the minute". There are also concerns about a shortage of crabs, scallops and lobsters in restaurants and other fishers are welcoming the arrival, as they fetch a high price when sold in Europe. The escape gaps regulation was placing local fishermen at a significant disadvantage compared to their Cornish counterparts, fishers also Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) is responsible for implementing the said it had listened to the concerns and held an emergency meeting at the end of last week. It said it was aware of the current significant difficulties being experienced due to the "predation of octopus within shellfish pots". It has agreed to short-term action, allowing fishermen to close the escape hatches, as long as they are only fishing for octopus at the time, and release any crabs or lobsters said it was in the process of gathering information and evidence, which would be presented to IFCA's bylaw and permitting sub-committee on 26 June, when issues relating to the octopus industry would be considered in more depth.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Science
- CBC
Experts urge caution, but P.E.I. hatchery hopeful for MSX-resistant oyster seed
Guy Perry, manager of the Bideford Shellfish Hatchery, hopes the oyster seed they've developed will be the start of the industry's recovery from the MSX crisis. But at least one expert says it's still too early to gauge whether the young mollusks will be resistant to the parasite. CBC's Nancy Russell explains.
