The recent unearthing of charred crab shells within a cave near Lisbon provides compelling evidence of the advanced culture among early hominids. Contrary to the long-held belief that Neanderthals were mere scavengers, this discovery reveals them to be skilled hunters, adept toolmakers, and even early chefs.

Researchers from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES-CERCA) in Spain made this intriguing find at Gruta de Figueira Brava, a cave located south of Lisbon. Inside the cave, they found charred shells of brown crabs, astonishingly dating back 90,000 years. Dr. Mariana Nabais, the lead researcher at IPHES-CERCA, explained that Neanderthals harvested these large brown crabs from nearby rocky coast pools. These adult crabs had an average carapace width of 16cm, and the Neanderthals skillfully roasted them over coals before consuming the meat.

The absence of any scratches or marks on the shells dismissed the possibility of other animals being responsible for consuming the crabs. Instead, it strongly suggested that the Neanderthals intentionally harvested the crabs from low tide pools during the summer. The presence of black burns on the shells indicated that the crabs were cooked at temperatures ranging from 300 to 500°C, which, while high, were not far outside the realm of normal cooking temperatures.

This discovery effectively dispels the outdated notion of Neanderthals as primitive cave scavengers. The evidence of their consumption of various marine foods, such as limpets, mussels, clams, and fish, adds weight to the argument that their cognitive abilities were on par with early modern human populations from sub-Saharan Africa.

In summary, the finding of cooked crab shells in Gruta de Figueira Brava cave underscores the sophisticated culinary skills of Neanderthals. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich and complex culture of our closest relatives, shattering old stereotypes and shedding light on their advanced way of life.

The original article pre-edited is available at ScienceFocus.com.

The global food system currently contributes a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, and it’s predicted that this issue will worsen. The United Nations (U.N.) estimates that by 2050, there will be an additional 2 billion people to feed, requiring a 70% increase in food production to meet demand.

Fortunately, there is a way to reduce the environmental impact of feeding the world. Wild seafood, when integrated into a balanced diet, can help alleviate the demand for red meat while providing a healthy source of protein and essential nutrients. Marine fisheries already play a crucial role in food security, providing nutrition to over 700 million people globally. Furthermore, restoring the ocean’s health could potentially feed 1 billion people with a seafood meal daily.

Research by Dr. Jessica Gephart and a team of 17 other international researchers has reaffirmed that wild fisheries have significantly lower CO2 emissions compared to beef, mutton, cheese, pork, and poultry. Moreover, they require minimal fresh water and land resources for harvesting. This comprehensive assessment examined 23 species groups, which account for over 70% of the world’s “blue food” production, encompassing both aquaculture and capture products.

When compared to a well-known study on the environmental impact of other protein sources conducted in 2018 by Joseph Poore and Dr. Thomas Nemecek, the benefits of wild seafood become apparent. Carbon emissions from wild seafood are six times lower than beef, five times lower than mutton, and over two times lower than cheese.

The wide variety of aquatic foods offers numerous nutrient-rich options, surpassing the limited range of land-based animal proteins available to most consumers. More than 2,370 wild seafood species are currently being harvested, with over 620 species being raised through aquaculture, according to the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

These aquatic foods are rich in essential vitamins, fatty acids, and minerals like calcium, iron, and zinc. For vulnerable populations, access to nutrient-packed fish could significantly improve their diets. Globally, 690 million people suffer from hunger, and more than 2 billion people experience “hidden hunger” due to micronutrient deficiencies.

Thankfully, we don’t have to choose between nourishing people and preserving our natural resources. By adopting a country-by-country approach, we can protect biodiversity in our oceans, mitigate climate change, and ensure that the most vulnerable populations have access to the food they need.

The original article pre-edited is available at Oceana.org

Indonesia is actively developing tuna farming as part of its efforts to bolster the aquaculture sector and reduce pressure on the world’s largest marine tuna fisheries. As the leading tuna-catching nation, accounting for approximately 16% of the global tuna supply, Indonesia has realized the unsustainability of intensive fishing practices in its waters.

To address this issue, the Indonesian fisheries ministry has implemented various measures to ensure sustainable tuna production. These measures include the introduction of harvest controls, species monitoring in specific fishing areas, management of fish-aggregating devices, and encouragement of international-standard sustainability certification for fishers. Building on these efforts, the ministry is now exploring the establishment of tuna farms in the country’s bays.

Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono emphasized the potential benefits of developing tuna farming in Indonesia during a press conference in Legian, Bali. He explained that instead of relying solely on mass tuna catches, the country could opt to catch them and then cultivate them for a specific period. This approach would provide economic added value to the tuna while meeting the protein demands of consumers.

Sakti mentioned that farming tuna in sea pens would require different skills and techniques compared to traditional fishing methods. He sought guidance from a fisheries expert in Turkey and expressed his intention to consult with experts from Australia on tuna-farming techniques. The Turkish expert highlighted Indonesia’s potential to become the world’s largest tuna-farming country.

Indonesia’s abundant bays, particularly in the eastern parts of the country, offer promising sites for tuna farming. Locations such as Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara province and Morotai in Maluku province have been identified as potential areas for tuna farms. The waters surrounding Indonesia’s 17,000 islands serve as important fishing grounds for albacore, yellowfin, bigeye, and southern bluefin tuna, while other regions are crucial spawning grounds for these species.

The Indonesian tuna fishery plays a vital role in the livelihoods of coastal communities and serves as a significant food source for consumers worldwide. In 2021, the country produced 791,000 metric tons of caught tuna, valued at 22 trillion rupiah ($1.5 billion). The majority of exports, totaling 174,764 metric tons valued at over 10.6 trillion rupiah (more than $710 million), were sent to the United States, Japan, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, Australia, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines.

The government is also pushing for more sustainable certification and eco-labeling of tuna fisheries in Indonesia. Certification schemes ensure that fish stocks are sustainable, environmental impacts are minimized, labor rights are respected, supply chains are transparent and traceable, and management follows best practices.

President Joko Widodo instructed the fisheries ministry to enhance the country’s aquaculture productivity at the start of his second term in 2019. Indonesia is among the top global producers in aquaculture, which has seen a remarkable 527% growth from 1990 to 2018. In the third quarter of 2021, the country’s aquaculture output reached 12.25 million metric tons, representing a 6% increase compared to the same period in 2020. The aquaculture sector contributed approximately $1.94 million in non-tax state revenue by November 2021, surpassing the target of $1.39 million set by the ministry.

The original article pre-edited is available at Mongabay.com.

To reduce carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality, it’s important to create sustainable rechargeable batteries for storing renewable energy. Aqueous rechargeable batteries, like Zn-metal batteries, are promising because they are safe, charge quickly, eco-friendly, use readily available materials, and are cost-effective. However, Zn-metal batteries face challenges such as the growth of unwanted structures called dendrites, corrosion, and hydrogen production during the charging process, which can lead to poor battery performance and failure. Crab shells could be the solution.

Issues occur because the deposition of Zn is not well regulated, and conventional electrolytes contain a lot of water. Various attempts have been made to tackle these problems by adjusting the electrolyte, including using high-salt “water-in-salt” electrolytes, additives, or organic electrolytes. However, these approaches sacrifice the conductivity or safety of the battery.

In a study lead by Liangbing Hu, at the university of Maryland, researchers propose a chitosan-Zn gel electrolyte as a solution for high-speed and long-lasting Zn-metal batteries. Chitosan is an environmentally friendly and biodegradable material derived from chitin, which is abundant in crab and other crustacean shells.  When combined with a poly organic cathode, the Zn-metal batteries achieve high capacity, stable cycling, and the ability to safely scale up to large capacity batteries. Additionally, the chitosan-Zn electrolyte is safe and biodegradable, making it suitable for environmentally friendly Zn-metal batteries.

Overall, the chitosan-Zn electrolyte offers high-performance capabilities for Zn-metal batteries while using sustainable and biodegradable crab shells. This contributes to the development of green and sustainable energy storage solutions.

According to the latest information from Urner Barry, the crab meat market has remained stable and firm in July, with prices increasing, particularly for the larger grades such as colossal, jumbo lump, and super lump. These grades experienced price hikes during the first week of July.

Comparing the current price quotations for jumbo lump to the 5-year average, the market is currently 9.4 percent higher. However, compared to last year, the market for blue jumbo lump meat has seen a 6.5 percent decrease.

Market participants are closely monitoring the price trends, which resemble those observed in 2021. Given the current supply situation, the market may not stabilize just yet.

The impact of COVID has significantly affected this situation, causing logistical and shipping challenges from Asia to the U.S., resulting in longer lead times. In 2022, declining prices persisted throughout the year, hampering importers’ ability to replenish their inventories. However, in 2023, inventories improved, and certain grades became scarce, leading to increased demand. Consequently, the market experienced rapid price increases over the past four months.

Imports have begun to rise this month, surpassing the three-year average for the first time in 10 months. Indonesia and Venezuela are at the forefront of this increase, with month-over-month growth rates of 16 percent and 42 percent, respectively.

On a year-to-date basis, the crab meat market continues to decline, down 34 percent overall. Indonesia, which holds a 46.6 percent market share, has witnessed a 30 percent decrease in crab meat imports this year. Other major producing regions, such as Venezuela, the Philippines, and Vietnam, have also experienced negative year-to-date numbers, with declines of 24 percent, 60 percent, and 36.5 percent, respectively.

Currently, we are in the peak demand period for the Mid-Atlantic region, with summer in full swing and vacationers flocking to beaches and resort areas. However, caution remains among market participants, and reports indicate that crab meat is being taken off menus in non-beach areas. The market will be closely monitored as we enter the second half of summer.

The Canadian Snow Crab Season has come to a close, and although the Gulf of St. Lawrence successfully reached nearly 100% of their quota, the FFAW issued a warning last week indicating that harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador would likely fall short of landing their entire quota.

Harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador faced a six-week hiatus due to disagreements over pricing, resulting in a significant delay. They have now been back on the water for five weeks, but according to preliminary data from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), as of June 11, they have only harvested 27% of their quota. The DFO reports that there are still 40,057 metric tons of snow crab remaining in the waters of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The likelihood of achieving the full quota this year is diminishing, with nearly 70% of license holders believing that they will not have the opportunity to harvest their complete quotas this season. In contrast, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, as of June 13th in the Maritimes Region, has almost reached their full quota, while CFA 23-24W has landed less than 47% of their quota, leaving 3,911.863 metric tons still unharvested.

With the Canadian Snow Crab attracting attention in the seafood industry and whether shortages will begin to occur later in the year or prices will increase for Canadian product, alternative snow crab species from Japan (Chionoecetes angulatus) and Korea (Chionoecetes japonicus) are gaining popularity. These species offer a delicious product and excellent value as alternatives to the Canadian Snow Crab.

The original article pre-edited is available at SeafoodNews.com.

A recent study published in the European Journal of Nutrition has shown that regularly consuming seafood is associated with a reduced risk of cardiometabolic disease. The research, titled “Prospective associations between diet quality, dietary components, and risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in older British men,” was part of a 20-year initiative to investigate the prevalence of cardiometabolic issues among older populations globally. The study was conducted to aid the World Health Organization (WHO) in monitoring cardiovascular disease rates in the U.K.

The study focused on men aged 60 to 79 and found that those who included seafood in their diet once or twice a week had a lower likelihood of developing multiple cardiometabolic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases like coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attacks.

While the study did not reveal significant associations between overall dietary patterns, quality, or composition and the risk of developing multiple cardiometabolic diseases, it did observe that increased consumption of seafood and fish was linked to a decreased risk of an initial cardiometabolic disease progressing into a multimorbidity condition. In other words, men who experienced one cardiometabolic issue, such as type 2 diabetes, a heart attack, or a stroke, were less likely to see their condition worsen if they consumed seafood regularly.

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Furthermore, the study indicated that adhering to a Mediterranean diet is also associated with a lower risk of acute myocardial infarction, type 2 diabetes, and strokes. Additionally, individuals who consumed higher quantities of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and seafood had a reduced risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, according to the findings of the study.

The original article pre-edited is available at Seafoodsource.com.