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News stories from the industry.
Transocean shielded by contract in 2010 Gulf spill
OIL giant BP has been told that it will cover some but not all of oil rig owner Transocean's liabilities for the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a US judge has ruled. The spill seriously disrupted fishing activities in the Gulf for several months and led to a drop in seafood sales because the US public thought it unsafe to eat during the crisis. US District Judge Carl Barbier said that Transocean was shielded by its contract with BP from having to pay many pollution claims. But Transocean must cover its own legal fees and is not exempt from paying punitive damages and civil penalties. A trial on damages from the oil spill will begin in February.
Increased fishing rights tension
THE prospect of increased tension between South Korea and China over fishing rights looks set to increase. South Korea has said it plans to double fines for any vessels caught illegally fishing in its waters. While not specifically aimed at China, Chinese fishing boats have caused the most trouble in the past couple of years, especially in the Yellow Sea area.
Korean patience ran out after one of its coastguard officers was stabbed to death last month by a Chinese skipper during a raid on a Chinese boat for violating South Korean waters.
The new maximum fines will increase to around $175,000.
Brain-damaged fish
AN international team of scientists has claimed that rising carbon dioxide concentrations in sea water can cause significant damage to the brains of fish. More than two billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions are dissolved into the world's oceans each year causing changes in the chemical makeup of the water.
Professor Philip Munday told the Australian radio reporter Bronwyn Herbert from the Australian station AM that they found marked changes in the behaviour and sensory ability of young coral fish. He said higher CO2 levels in the ocean of the sort that might be seen by the end of this century could influence the behaviour of baby coral reef fish. His team found that the things that can be altered are behaviours such as their ability to smell predators, to turn left or right and to hear the sounds of reefs.
Fish and chip shop retailer dies, aged 51
KEITH Gorman, one of the best known names in the fish and chip trade in the Tyneside area has died suddenly from a suspected heart attack, aged just 51. He owned a number of outlets in the North East area and was a much liked and highly respected figure in the business. His shops have won a number of awards in the past.
Should people be 'stimulated' to eat white fish alternatives to cod?
