Fish Update Briefing, Friday, October 19

FUp Briefing

CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL FISHING
NORWAY’S fisheries minister, Harald Tom Nesvik, has pledged a crackdown on illegal fish dealing. He told a meeting of the Nordland County Fisheries: ‘I am going to pursue those who are involved in such activities.’ He has also promised extra resources in the fight against fish crime which has been rising in parts of Norway over the past year. Illegal trading in highly valuable king crabs appears to be the latest target. ‘Those in the fishing industry who cheat will need to start looking over their shoulders,’ Nesvik warned.
NEW TOKYO MARKET OPENS FOR BUSINESS
TOKYO’S new fish market has finally opened after two years of delays. It replaces the world famous Tsukiji market, a popular tourist attraction and home to hundreds of businesses, that closed on earlier this month following 83 years of operations. The new Toyosu market covers more than 400,000 square metres, making it almost twice as big as the old one. Trading operations at the new market, which is also expected to become a popular tourist destination, are worth several million dollars (US) a year.
OCTOPUSES BECOME FRIENDLIER ON ECSTASY
OCTOPUSES are normally shy creatures, but scientists have found they become far more sociable if given MDMA, also known as the party drug ecstasy. Neuroscientists from John Hopkins University in the United States conducted the study and published results in the journal Current Biology, saying the drug has almost the same intoxicating effect on an octopus as it does on humans. They also believe it reveals new information on how the brain works. The study says the social response by octopuses is curious because humans and the marine creatures have more than 500 million years of divergent evolution, making us very different creatures indeed. There is growing evidence that humans share some of the same ancient neurotransmitters.
NO MORE PLASTIC STRAWS, SAYS RED LOBSTER
RED Lobster, which has more than 700 seafood restaurants across North America, said it plans to stop handing out plastic straws by the end of 2020 and will replace them with eco-friendly alternatives. The company claims the change will save some 150 million plastic straws a year. CEO Kim Lopdrup said: ‘We hope our work helps raise awareness around the issue of plastic straws and encourages other businesses to make similar changes. The new policy is a meaningful step in our commitment to preserving the world\’s oceans and marine life.’ And to kick off the change, customers will soon have to start asking for straws if they want one.

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