The declining trend in shrimp consumption persisted in Japan during the first half of the year, although the yen remained strong and shrimp prices were stable in the international market.
In an extraordinary meeting, the Japan Tuna Fisheries Cooperative Association (Tuna Japan) decided to suspend fishing operations of all its 233 member vessels effective 1 August 2008.
Stronger European herring supplies are reflected in increased round sales to African markets and higher fillet sales to East Europe during the first quarter of 2008.
2008 was once more a year of low prices, created by heavy landings of Illex squid. Argentine traders were again, like last year, unable to take advantage of the good supplies, and discounted Illex prices to extremely low levels.
