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2008/FWG19/010

Agenda item: 5

Issue Note on Improving Energy Efficiency in Fishing

Purpose: Information

Submitted by: New Zealand

/ 19thFisheries Working Group Meeting
Piura, Peru
14-17 April 2008

ISSUE NOTE

Improving Energy efficiency in fishing

Issue

  • Fishing continues to be the most energy-intensive food production method in the world, depending on internal combustion engines based on oil fuels.
  • The price of oil fuels internationally has risen significantlyin recent years with barrels of oil reaching record high prices (and these rises are forecast to continue).
  • High fuel prices has been coupled with increasing awareness of the effects of fossil fuel use on climate change and a growing interest in the sustainability, and in particular the carbon footprint, associated with food production.
  • In response to these pressures, fishers around the world have been investigating ways to reduce their energy consumption whilst retaining their productivity (sometimes described as improving their CPUEnergy).
  • The purpose of this discussion is to:
  • share experiences on improving energy efficiency in the fishing sector
  • consider where this issue may lead in the future
  • investigate whether this is an issue to which the APEC FWG can usefully contribute
  • In order to promote discussion on this issue, New Zealand will provide a brief presentation on energy efficiency in fishing with particular focus on recent initiatives in the New Zealand fishing industry.

Key Questions for Economies to Consider

-What are other economies’ experiences with energy efficiency in fishing?

-What are other economies’ views on the importance of improving energy efficiency in fishing?

-Where might this issue lead in the future?

-Do economies see any links betweenenergy efficiencyand seafood certification?

-Is energy efficiency something the APEC fisheries working group can usefully contribute to?

-If so, what could the APEC fisheries working groupdo to assist member economies’ considering this issue further?

Issue Note for APEC FWG_2008

Prepared by New Zealand1of 1