An official investigation is being conducted after the discovery of a deceased crew member aboard a tuna fishing vessel ‘Bianca Catalina II’ off the coast of Coquimbo in Chile. The emergency procedure was activated on September 5, when the Coquimbo Port Authority received an alarming call around 10:40am reporting an unconscious person with no vital signs aboard the vessel. The Authority immediately secured the vessel and coordinated the investigations, reported several Chilean news sites.

Officials confirmed the deceased was a crew member, though official identification was not immediately done. At the instruction of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, detectives from the PDI Homicide Brigade inspected the ship and conducted an external examination of the body. Forensic examinations will have to determine the precise cause of death and whether third parties were involved. According to the IATTC vessel register, the “Bianca Catalina II” is a small multi-purpose vessel flagged to Chile. It was built in 2012, is 14.97 meters long, and has a 44 M/T fish hold volume. Its home port is Lebu in the Biobío Region, Chile.

US seafood firm Fortune International acquired Boston-based Steve Connolly Seafood Company, expanding the customer base of its tuna-focused subsidiary, Boston Sword & Tuna. From August 31, Steve Connolly’s customers were transferred to Boston Sword & Tuna, which supplies fresh yellowfin and bigeye, as well as tuna loins and steaks. Fortune International is a processor and importer of premium seafood and meat products.

David Combs, COO of Steve Connolly Seafood, said that the firm wanted to ensure that its customers are in capable hands. “Fortune Fish & Gourmet shares our values, commitment to quality, and customer-first approach. I am excited to continue serving our customers as part of the Fortune team, helping ensure a seamless transition while creating new opportunities and added value for the businesses we’ve supported over the years,” reported Seafood Source.

Spanish shipyard Nodosa has received two large tuna purse seiners at its facilities in Marín, Galicia, for extensive refitting after operations in the Pacific Ocean. The Panamanian-flagged ‘Jane IV ‘and Ecuadorian-flagged ‘San Andrés’ will undergo comprehensive maintenance and modernization, including scheduled servicing, systems upgrades, and certification renewals to meet maritime quality and safety standards. The projects reinforce Nodosa’s role in servicing large fishing vessels alongside its new building activities, said the company in a statement.

A fishing ban is currently in effect in the IATTC Convention Area, running from August 6 to October 8. During the closure, many purse seiners operating in the EPO are expected to undergo repairs and maintenance. Among them, ‘Jane IV’, owned by Servicios Atuneros del Norte, measures 78.29 meters in length and has a GRT of 1,640. ‘San Andres’, owned by Conservas Isabel Ecuatoriana, is 78 meters long and has a GRT of 2,193.