BRUSSELS, August 4, 2008 (AFP) - Belgian mussels have been pulled from the market due to toxic contamination, the country's food agency has announced, obliging lovers of the national dish 'moules-frites' to rely solely on foreign shellfish.

ROME, August 2, 2008 (AFP) - An Italian fishing vessel was intercepted off the coast of Libya Saturday and escorted by Libyan authorities to the port of Tripoli, the Italian foreign ministry said Saturday.

The 'Valeria Prima', a Sicilian fishing boat from the port of Mazara del Vallo, has a crew of four Italian and two Tunisian men.

TOKYO, August 1, 2008 (AFP) - Japanese tuna fishermen on Friday temporarily suspended operations in a bid to revive stocks that are rapidly declining under pressure from a worldwide sushi craze, officials said.

Tuna vessels from Japan's largest fisheries cooperative are taking part in the suspension.

VIGO, July 27, 2008 (AFP) - Equipped with long-range cameras and ultra-sophisticated electronic equipment, a helicopter stands ready on the deck of the Tarifa, a Spanish navy frigate at the forefront of Europe's attempts to rein in illegal fishing of the threatened bluefin tuna.

ON THE MEDITERRANEAN BETWEEN MALTA AND TUNISIA, July 27, 2008 (AFP) - The rage for sushi and sashimi, Japan's raw fish dishes that overtook the West and have now spread to increasingly prosperous China, risks wiping out one of the Mediterranean's most emblematic residents: the bluefin tuna.

TOKYO, July 16, 2008 (AFP) - Supplies at the world's biggest fish market, in Tokyo, dropped by a quarter Wednesday after a one-day strike by Japan's fishermen to protest against soaring fuel costs.

TOKYO, July 15, 2008 (AFP) - Thousands of Japanese fishermen rallied Tuesday to protest against soaring fuel costs as boats across the archipelago sat idle for a one-day strike to draw attention to the industry's woes.

CANCALE, July 12, 2008 (AFP) - France's shellfish industry is facing its worst crisis in 40 years after stocks of young oysters have been decimated by a mystery ailment.

French oyster farmers have seen between 40 and 100 percent of their oysters aged one to two years wiped out in recent weeks, far higher than the normal mortality rate in the summer months, a top industry expert said.

ABOARD THE ARCTIC SUNRISE, July 9, 2008 (AFP) - The Teseo, an Italian tug loaded with 10 tonnes of live bluefin tuna, welcomes Greenpeace activists on board with no hesitation.

The fish were caught by Libyans, and 'we're taking it to a ranch in Tunisia,' said captain Michele Trinca.

BRUSSELS, July 8, 2008 (AFP) - The European Commission said Tuesday it aimed to release up to 600 million euros (940 million dollars) in aid to EU fishermen to help them cope with soaring fuel prices.