NOAA Seeks $3 Million in Fines From Captains and Rafael Partners, Plus New Permit Revocations 

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by John Sackton - September 21, 2018

NOAA has prepared an updated civil penalty assessment against the fishing captains and partner vessel companies who worked with Carlos Rafael.

The superseding charging document in the civil adminstrative penalty case replace the original document issued last January.  It includes added charges and more people than the initial document.

NOAA now seeks to revoke 42 of Rafael's fishing permits, and to prevent Rafael or those associated with him from applying for federal permits in the future, and it increases...

VIDEO: Trade War Escalates; US Standards for Catfish; Farmed Salmon Fillets and More

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 21, 2018

Watch the latest Seafood News Weekly Recap with hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione. This week we talk about the trade war with China escalating and Vietnam, China and Thailand meeting U.S. standards for catfish. Plus, get an update on the salmon fillet market and learn more about Russian king crab exports.

This video is sponsored by Urner Barry’s Seafood Import Workshop, taking place in Boston on Thursday October 18, 2018. View more details and register at UrnerBarry.com/SIW or call 1-800-932-0617 ...

Symphony of Seafood Calls for New Alaska Seafood Products

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - September 21, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – 

The call is out for new Alaska products to be showcased at the annual Symphony of Seafood.

“It’s our 26^th year and that’s exciting. We’re really looking forward to seeing what new products are out there this year because I’ve been hearing some rumors about some really fun stuff.” 

Julie Decker is director of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation which hosts the seafood event. It   provides a level playing field for small ‘mom and pops’ ...

Alaska Snow Crab Survey Finds 60% Jump in Legal Male Crab; King Crab Numbers Will be Down

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - September 20, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch. Big drops for Bering Sea red king crab but a big bounce for snow crab.

Declines in Bering Sea king crab and Tanner crab stocks are being described as “substantial”, while snow crab appears to be on a big rebound.

That’s according to the results of this year’s annual survey which were presented to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s crab plan team last week ...

Typhoon Mangkhut Disrupts Transport in Southern China; Salmon Prices Rise

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [FishFirst] translated by Amy Zhong - September 21, 2018

Due to a recent typhoon, frozen salmon are very likely to arrive in South China later than expected in the coming few days. Deliveries of salmon arriving from Chile also are uncertain due to the festival there. Now salmon prices keep rising in China. Shenzhen airport has canceled its flights’ between Sept. 16 and the morning of Sept. 17. Things gradually returned to normal after 8 a.m on Sept.17.

By the evening of Sept. 15, salmon quotations were ...

Garbo’s Fresh Maine Lobster Partners with Austin Whole Foods Market

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 21, 2018

Getting a taste of New England just got a little easier in Austin, Texas. Garbo’s Fresh Maine Lobster has partnered with Whole Foods Market to bring shoppers some New England cuisine.

Garbo’s Fresh Maine Lobster is the brain child of Heidi Garbo, who after growing up in the New England lobster industry, launched Garbo’s Grill food truck in Key West, Florida. Heidi ultimately moved her truck to Austin, Texas, where she later opened Garbo’s restaurant, serving up New England favorites like ...

Chinese Basa Prices Start to Rise in Advance of National Day

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [FishFirst] translated by Amy Zhong - September 20, 2018

China’s basa price is said to have risen by 5 yuan ($0.73 USD) per piece now. The price of the supply from Vietnam has also increased from the previous 28,000 per kg VND ($1.21/kg USD) to about 30,000 to 31,000 per kg ($1.29/kg - $1.33/kg USD) on September 10. But the supply of the small ones is very limited.

Early September has seen the price increase of live basa in Vietnam thanks to the coming of the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day in China. Accordingly, ...

ANALYSIS: Atlantic, Pacific Halibut Imports For July Up From June

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by Liz Cuozzo - September 20, 2018

Large amounts of both Atlantic and Pacific halibut from Canada have recently been hitting the markets...

10% Tariffs on $200 Billion Chinese Exports Take Effect; Some Pollock and Cod Products May be Exempt

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by John Sackton - September 18, 2018

The Trump administration, over tremendous industry opposition, went ahead with a new round of punitive tariffs on Chinese products sent to America.

The new tariffs were set at 10% initially, and will rise to 25% on Jan 1, 2019.

Despite over 6000 comments opposing the tariffs, few changes were made in the list to accommodate individual companies or industries.  The exception was Apple, which secured exemptions for its watch, airpods, and ...

Premium Brands Holdings Completes Acquisition of Maine-Based Ready Seafood Co.

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 19, 2018

Premium Brands Holdings Corporation confirmed on Wednesday that they have successfully completed the acquisition of Ready Seafood Co.

“We are very excited about this transaction,” Premium Brands President and CEO George Paleologou said in a press release. “Not only does it add another talented management team to our business but it also provides our Seafood Group with a solid platform to support its organic growth and business acquisition initiatives in the U.S.

The company announced the acquisition plans ...

ADF&G: Bristol Bay Return, Harvest, and Value Break Records

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 19, 2018

Superlatives don’t come close to describing the size and value of the 2018 Bristol Bay commercial salmon season, so we’ll let the numbers speak for themselves.

The metrics are even more profound in the context of sockeye runs that never materialized in the Copper River, at Chignik, and in fewer numbers across most of central and southeast Alaska. The overview on Bristol Bay doesn't address that enigma, but it does quantify the record-breaking season in the Bay ...

Drew Lawler Named NOAA’s New Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 19, 2018

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced earlier this week that Drew Lawler has been named the new Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries.

“I am pleased to announce Drew Lawler as NOAA’s new Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries,” Chris Oliver, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, said in a press release. “Drew understands the importance of global management of our oceans and the significance of sustainable fisheries for the seafood industry and the greater economic vitality ...

Massachusetts DPH Announces Precautionary Closure of Oyster Beds

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 19, 2018

The Massachusetts Department of Health (DPH) and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) have announced a precautionary seven-day closure of certain oyster beds after two confirmed cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

The two confirmed Vibrio cases are linked to the consumption of raw oysters from location CCB45 (Duxbury Bay), harvested on August 24 or between August 27 and August 31. As a precautionary measure, the DPH and DMF closed growing areas CCB45, CCB42 (Plymouth Harbor), CCB46 ...

California Fish Grill Partners with Monterey Bay Aquarium to Serve Ocean-Friendly Seafood

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 19, 2018

Diners at California Fish Grill will be able to rest easy knowing that they are indulging in 100% ocean-friendly food. The California-based restaurant chain announced on Tuesday that they have formed a partnership with Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program to serve seafood that is rated as “Best Choice,” “Good Alternative,” or eco-certified by an organization that Seafood Watch defers to.

“As we celebrate our 20-year anniversary, joining the Monterey Bay Aquarium is ...

Pacific Salmon Commission Treaty Calls for Reduced Catches in Canada and the U.S.

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 18, 2018

The Pacific Salmon Commission, representing the U.S., Canada, and Northwest and Columbia River Treaty Tribes, signed off on an updated Pacific Salmon Treaty earlier this week, calling for reduced catches in both countries.

The 10-year agreement covers fishery plans for Chinook, coho and chum salmon stocks from 2019 through 2028. Under the agreement, catches of Chinook in southeast Alaska will be reduced by up to 7.5 percent from recent levels when poor  ...

Cod Catches, Hatcheries Shuffle Alaska Fish Board Line Up

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - September 18, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch … 

The state Board of Fisheries has a packed early line up when it meets for five days next month in Anchorage.

This year’s meeting cycle focuses on fisheries at Chignik, Bristol Bay, the Alaska Peninsula and the Bering Sea but others also are on the list – notably hatcheries.

Some stakeholders believe increased numbers of hatchery fish pose a risk to wild salmon stocks and a major study is underway ...

Malpeque Brand Oysters Recalled Due to Salmonella

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 18, 2018

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced on Monday that Future Seafoods is recalling their Malpeque brand oysters due to possible salmonella contamination.

The oysters in question were sold in Quebec, and may have been distributed in other provinces or territories as well. According to the CFIA, “consumers should not consume and distributors, retailers, and food service establishments such as hotels and restaurant should not sell or use the recalled product.”

Salmonella symptoms generally start within six to 72 hours after exposure, however ...

Iceland Seafood International Completes Acquisition of Solo Seafood

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 18, 2018

Iceland Seafood International (ISI) confirmed in late July that they had formally purchased Solo Seafood. Now, the company has announced that the acquisition of Solo Seafood has been completed.

Solo Seafood is owned by Sjávarsýn, FISK Seafood, Jakob Valgeir and Nesfiskur and Icelandic Iberica’s managing director, Hjörleifur Ásgeirsson. FISK, Jakob Valgeir and Nesfiskur all hold a “significant percentage” of Iceland’s fishing quotas. According to ISI, the combined vendor group will “become long-term shareholders and suppliers.”

“It gives us great pleasure to announce ...

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Seeking Participants for 2019 Shrimp Bycatch Study

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 21, 2018

Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is seeking participants for their 2019 shrimp bycatch study.

The shrimp bycatch study is voluntary and part of the state’s efforts to support the sustainability certification of Louisiana’s shrimp fishery. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is urging commercial shrimpers to allow LDWF staff on board their vessels during designated trips in the 2019 shrimp seasons. Those staff members will collect a sample from each haul ...

FDA Opening Voluntary Qualified Importer Program Application Three Months Early

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 20, 2018

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Wednesday that they will be opening the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) application portal on October 1, 2018 – three months earlier than originally scheduled.

VQIP is a “voluntary fee-based program established by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).” The program aids eligible importers in expediting the review and importation of human and animal foods. In order to be eligible, importers must show that they maintain a “high level of control” ...

Inland Seafood Partners with Nashville Wholesale Distributor Music City Seafood

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 20, 2018

U.S. seafood distributor Inland Seafood has confirmed that they have formed a partnership with Nashville, Tennessee, wholesale distributor Music City Seafood.

Inland Seafood has distribution facilities in Tucker, Georgia; Charlotte, North Caroline; Birmingham; Alabama; and New Orleans, Louisiana. The partnership with Music City Seafood allows the company to expand further into Tennessee.

“Even as we grow as a company our focus remains on servicing our customers; what they want is a strong local presence," said ...

Former Sea Star Seafood Owner James R. Faro Sentenced for Bank Fraud

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 19, 2018

James R. Faro, the former owner and president of Sea Star Seafood Corporation, was sentenced in a federal court in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Monday for bank fraud. Faro, 61, had conspired with former chief financial officer John J. Crowley, 62, to fraudulently increase the levels of assets against which the company could borrow from the bank between 2010 and 2012.

According to the Department of Justice, Sea Star maintained an asset-backed loan agreement from October 2010 until August 2012 ...

ANALYSIS: Imported Volume of Farmed Salmon Fillets at all Time Highs Amid 6 Weeks of Steady Pricing

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by Janice Schreiber - September 19, 2018

Consistency and growth in the farmed salmon market out of Chile have been the theme as of late. This is a bit of an anomaly in comparison to previous years. The farmed fillet market would typically see unsold product hitting the spot market in fairly regular spats or, on the other hand, product in the spot drying up due to disease issues, labor strikes, or natural disasters ...

Offshore Fish Farms Pushed by Trump Administration

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - September 19, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – Offshore fish farms could soon be coming to U.S. waters.

Offshore fish farms could soon join the roll out of oil and gas platforms being proposed by the Trump Administration for nearly all U.S. waters.

The fish farms are being touted as a silver bullet to boost seafood production, provide jobs and reduce the nation’s $15 billion seafood trade deficit from importing over 80 percent of its seafood ...

Ocean Brands Canned Seafood Supplier Acquiring Leading Premium Sardines Brand

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 19, 2018

Canned seafood supplier Ocean Brands announced on Tuesday that they are acquiring premium sardines brand Club Des Millionaires from Harold T. Griffin Inc.

Ocean Brands is a division of the Jim Pattison group and the leading supplier of canned salmon and albacore tuna in Canada. Club Des Millionaires is a leading Canadian brand of premium canned sardines and anchovies.

“We are very pleased with the acquisition of Club Des Millionaires,” Ocean Brands President Ian Ricketts said in a press release ...

Fishpeople Seafood Releases Oven-roasted Wild Alaskan Salmon Slices, Jerky 

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 19, 2018

Fishpeople Seafood, a company that only uses responsibly sourced and sustainably caught fish, has released some new sustainable snacks – Ready, Set, Salmon! and Wild Alaskan Salmon Jerky.

Fishpeople’s Ready, Set, Salmon! is oven-roasted and ready to take on the go. The wild Alaskan salmon slices come in three flavors – Slow-Roasted Original, Rainbow Peppercorn and Lemon Zest & Herb – and with 700 mg of omega-3s and 15g of protein, they are perfect to “toss, wrap and snack ...

Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation Hires Director of Sustainability, Strategic Engagement

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 19, 2018

The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) has made two key hires this week. The group announced that political journalist Hamish Macdonell has joined them in the newly created role of Director of Strategic Engagement, while Scottish Environment Protection Agency alum has signed on as their new Director of Sustainability.

Macdonell will be in charge of public affairs and communications for SSPO. “I’m thrilled to be joining the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation at such an exciting time for the sector,” Macdonell said in a statement ...

Global Warming Impacts Alaska’s Salmon, Crab, and Cod; CAP Recommends Policy Changes

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by Peggy Parker - September 18, 2018

“In a comprehensive survey published in the summer of 2018, scientists writing for the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) succinctly summarized the effects of climate change on fisheries:

"Driven by greenhouse gas emission from human activities, the ocean is getting warmer, more acidic, and its oxygen content is declining; these changes cause large-scale changes in marine biodiversity. The changes in ocean conditions are expected to continue to alter patterns of global marine primary productivity and biodiversity ...

Kodiak Chamber of Commerce to Host Gubernational Fisheries Debate on October 22

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 18, 2018

The Kodiak Chamber of Commerce will host this year’s Gubernatorial Fisheries Debate on Monday, October 22, 2018. The Debate will run from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and it will be held at the Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium in Kodiak. This is the 27^th year the Chamber has hosted the debate.

The content of this debate has always focused on the issues most important to the fishing-related industries on Kodiak Island and around the entire state of Alaska ...

Celebrate Free Sushi Day With P.F. Chang’s on September 20th

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 18, 2018

Mark your calendars. On Thursday, September 20, those who dine at P.F. Chang’s will be able to indulge in Free Sushi Day.

Free Sushi Day is a one-day-only event at more than 200 participating P.F. Chang’s restaurants across the U.S. Dine-in guests are welcome to enjoy a free spicy tuna roll or California roll – no purchase necessary.

“Free Sushi Day is one of many was we thank guests and introduce them to something new and ...