These may be in direct competition with fresh product sold through auction.
EAFPA should examine this area and produce a position paper
Opinion:
As imports are unavoidable the issue should not be ignored - there may be a role for fish auctions in regulating this trade, avoiding unreasonable competition with producers and providing a service to fish processors.
The demand for quality fish in the EU increases steadily and at the same time catch levels have been declining for more almost a 15 years (see catch trends). The consequences of this are axiomatic: imports increase to fill the void and the common market for fish is now truly global. All primary sectors of the industry are affected. Those that rely on community catch levels most directly but even processors as increasingly major retailers acquire processed and packaged product from source be it Alaskan Pollack, Tiger Prawn or Hake fillets.
Partly this is simple economics as wealthy nations (EU) import at low cost from third world and developing nations and would have occurred even if the EU's fish stocks remained viable - there is always a market for cheaper goods. However the fresh fish market has also been destabilised by the failures of the CFP. Auctions have a role in reversing this aspect before it is too late and retailers consolidate external supply chains to guarantee their position with consumers. Consumer eating patterns are fickle and easily subverted towards convenience foods such as frozen pre-packed fillets (e.g. very little fresh herring is now eaten in UK following the extended fishery closure). Although we can promote locally (EU) caught fish as high quality and seek to develop this end of the market the fact is that for auctions to be viable (and fishermen be able to sell their catch for a fair price) the full spectrum of the market must be developed. Fish Auctions, like any business, should look to the process of meeting the needs of their customers. By embracing all forms of "bulk" fish receipt and selling and/or distributing this it is possible for auctions to actually grow in standing and importance during these difficult times. Auctions should play to their strengths in handling prime food products efficiently, safely and expeditiously coupled with payment security and their ability to serve a large number of buyers both large and small.
Imports and farmed product both represent challenges for auctions as they expand whilst "local" captured fish declines. Instead of a threat they could be transformed into an opportunity for auctions to stabilise markets.