City of Adak Asks Court for One-Year Stay to Keep Plant Open for Cod A Season

Last week the city of Adak asked a federal court to stay their order from last March -- until January 1, 2021 -- so the city’s only processing plant can operate during the Pacific cod season next year.

The March 2019 court decision agreed with plaintiffs representing the Bering Sea bottom trawl fleets that target flatfish, mackerel and cod, that Amendment 113, setting a 5,000 mt cod set-aside for remote villages in the Aleutian Islands, was not compliant with the Magnuson-Stevens Act. 

The Court ...

LISTEN: US Attempts Lobster Mini-Deal With EU; Salmon Price-Fixing and Seafood at the Dinner Table

Join SeafoodNews Podcast hosts Lorin Castiglione and Ryan Doyle as they discuss USTR Robert Lighthizer's attempt to get a mini-deal done with the European Union that would have lifted tariffs on US lobster for exports to the EU; the DOJ's investigation of Atlantic salmon price-fixing as major producers received subpoenas; the Dungeness crab season delay and tips to get seafood on the dinner table every week.

This episode is brought to you by COMTELL, which will be receiving a complete redesign...

ANALYSIS: Stone Crab Season Off to Promising Start

The 2019-2020 stone crab season opened on October 15 and is set to run through May 15. By all accounts, last season was a disappointment in terms of landings. Last year we saw the lowest landings in Florida state history, at roughly 1.9 million pounds; a 24% drop from the 5-year average harvest of 2.5 million pounds. Florida provides nearly all of the stone crab in the US, accounting for 98% of the supply.  Fisherman in the state had to contend with the relentless red tide and the aftermath...

ANALYSIS: China Bay Scallops – Prices Up, Imports Down

Tariffs have been affecting many markets since their implementation, but for China bay scallops, tariffs aren’t the only thing inflating prices. Increasing labor costs overseas are adding to the upwards pressure, especially on the smaller size counts including 120/150s and 150/200s.

Reports from key industry players indicate smaller sizes will be staying domestically within China and other Asian markets, causing exports to the United States to shrink, go forward.

Currently 120/150 ct. sized China bay scallops are averaging $3.60, only slightly higher than 2017 and 2018 prices...

Bristol Bay Forecast is Strong for 2020, But Recent Record Runs May Portend Downturn

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game predicts anywhere from 36 to 61 million salmon will return to Bristol Bay in 2020, but experts note that the point estimate of 48.9 million “is a relatively high forecast," almost 30% larger than the long-term average of 34.6 million and 6% above the ten-year average. 

ADF&G’s Bristol Bay biologist Greg Buck spoke to Isabelle Ross of KDLG last week about the enormous returns in the area in recent summers, and how they can impact future ...

Santa Monica Seafood Spices Up Brand With New Logo

Santa Monica Seafood kicked off the launch of its new brand identity with the release of a fresh logo. One of the top seafood distributors, Santa Monica is amidst changes that include evolving its offerings and expanding its presence across the nation.

Santa Monica is celebrating its 80^th anniversary. The company has strong ties to California, Arizona, Nevada and recently in New Mexico and Illinois.

“Santa Monica Seafood will not rest on its laurels,” Michael Cigliano, Board Chairman and Executive VP of Santa Monica Seafood said...

US Tries to Get Mini-Deal Tariff Relief on Lobsters from EU, but No Dice

The US trade representative Robert Lighthizer tried to get a mini-deal done with the EU that would have lifted tariffs on US lobster for export to the EU.

Currently Canadian lobster, both live and frozen, can enter the EU duty-free, while US lobster faces an 8% tariff on live, and a 6% tariff on frozen.  This has been enough to radically shift markets in France and Italy to Canada, which enjoys a significant tariff price advantage.

According to a report that first appeared in Politico Europe, the US proposed a mini-trade agreement covering lobsters and some chemicals, in which the EU would drop tariffs on these...

US Investigating Salmon Price-Fixing; Mowi, SalMar Receive Subpoenas

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) will subpoena Mowi as the DOJ investigates alleged price-fixing of Atlantic salmon. SalMar has already received a subpoena from the department.

The latest investigation comes after an inspection by the European Commission (EC) which claimed the companies have engaged in anticompetitive price-fixing.

According to a press release from both Mowi and SalMar, the DOJ Antitrust Division is opening an investigation involving allegations of similar conduct.

Both companies said, “there are no basis for the EU inspection and that the class action...

Alexa Cole Named Director for International Affairs and Seafood Inspection

After six months of serving as Acting Director, Alexa Cole has been named Director of NOAA’s International Affairs and Seafood Inspection Division. 

Cole will lead the office’s work to ensure sound management of global marine resources. She will promote international engagement and cooperation to achieve responsible marine stewardship and ensure sustainable fisheries management on a global scale. She will also oversee the office’s seafood inspection services, which support seafood safety.

“We are incredibly pleased to announce Alexa as our new director for the Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection,” ...

Pollution Ranked #1 Threat to Seafood by Customers, Strong Support for Ecolabels

Seafood lovers around the world believe that the biggest threat to the oceans is pollution, followed by overfishing. Those are some of the top takeaways from a recent survey of over 25,000 people in 22 countries.

The survey was done by the public opinion research firm GlobeScan for the Marine Stewardship Council.

The non-profit MSC led the movement starting 20 years ago towards certifying fisheries that are managed sustainably. Sourcing seafood from ‘earth friendly’ fisheries has become a requirement of doing business by most seafood buyers around...

SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Commit $900,000 To Protect Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales

PORTLAND, Maine -- Stepping in with nearly a million dollars to help test new gear to protect North Atlantic Right Whales, SeaWorld and the Busch Gardens Conservation Fund became the latest institution to support the remaining 411 animals left. 

The group announced yesterday that it has committed $900,000 over the next three years. Dr. Michael Moore of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Dr. Hendrik Nollens, Corporate Vice President of Animal Health and Welfare at SeaWorld and President of the SeaWorld Conservation Fund made the announcement ...

Primary West Coast Dungeness Season Delayed Until Mid-December at the Earliest

This year's warm water blob off the West Coast is dissipating -- or at least shrinking and moving offshore -- and helping out this year's Dungeness crab season. Most areas from Washington to California show relatively low domoic acid levels.

However, meat recovery rates have not been helping the fishery. Fishery managers from all three states talked this week and decided to delay the primary season from northern California to Washington until at least Dec. 16. Crab quality testing from all three states in early November showed...

CPF Reports Better-Than-Expected Q3 Earnings

Recent strengthening of the Thai baht contributed to lower overall sale revenue for Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC (CPF), but earnings increased by 23% in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. CPR reported Bt6,062 million ($201 million) earnings in the third quarter this year.

The gain in earnings happened despite lower sales revenue. In the quarter, sale revenue totaled Bt132.6 billion (US$4.4 billion), declining 6% on quarter. However, excluding impacts from the strengthening of Thai baht as well as the adjustment of financial reporting standards (TFRS), sale ...

Australia Reports on Largest Pacific Illegal Fishing Surveillance Operation 

The largest annual ocean surveillance operation in the world has just concluded, resulting in over 130 on-board inspections and at least four apprehensions of fishing vessels involved in illegal fishing. 

Australia’s Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) joined 14 other Pacific nations, led by the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to monitor 21.3 million square kilometres over 12 days. 

The FFA collaborates with the Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group, which comprises Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States of America.

The operation covered tuna fishing grounds throughout the Western and Central ...

Chilean Salmon Making Its Way to the States as National Strikes Stall the Country

Tuesday marked the 26^th day of demonstrations in Chile, led by a national strike that shut down the majority of the country.

According to Reuters, alongside strikes in major cities, truck drivers and other demonstrators barricaded two major highways. The highways connect the capital city of Santiago with other cities and ports, leading to huge backups throughout the country.

According to industry sources, logistics to get fish out of Chile remain a challenge. However, product is making its way to the U.S. market and is available...

Coast Guard Names a Pair of Cutters After 9/11 Heroes

Two Coast Guard Sentinel-Class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) will be named in honor of two men who lost their lives responding on 9/11.

The cutters will be named in honor of Port Security Specialist 2^nd Class Vincent Danz, who also worked for the New York City Police Department, and Machinery Technician 1^st Class Jeffrey Palazzo, a former firefighter for the New York City Fire Department.

Adm. Karl Schultz, Coast Guard commandant, made the announcement in New York City’s Battery Park alongside...

High-stakes Effort to End Harmful Fisheries Subsidies Under New Leadership at WTO

On Novemer 8, a new Columbian chairman was elected to lead the WTO’s decades long effort to eliminate destructive subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fisheries around the world.  Wills’ election marks the latest progress in an effort that started twenty years ago and now faces a 2020 deadline to conclude one of the World Trade Organization’s most ambitious goals.

"The world is watching what we do here and we simply cannot afford to fail both the health of the oceans and the credibility of this ...

Cooke Aquaculture's Northeast Nutrition Celebrates Expansion Boosting Output 50%

Northeast Nutrition, a Canadian feed business owned by Cooke Aquaculture, recently celebrated the expansion of its aqua feed plant in Truro, Nova Scotia with an open house.

The expansion was begun in 2016 as a five-year, CAD 20.3 million investment plan for the facility, boosting its production capacity to 100,000 metric tons of aqua feed (up from 65,000 tons previously). Among the most important investments made so far include...

Collaboration Encourages Responsible Development of Yellow Sea Region

At the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo, held in Qinqdao, a new initiative was launched to focus on the responsible development of the Yellow Sea Region.

The Yellow Sea Responsible Mariculture (YSRM) Initiative consists of 31 seafood producers, processors and distributors. According to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, the YSRM members aim to process and sell seafood in a responsible manner, put ecological safety and consumer health at the forefront of their corporate development goals, and help protect the Yellow Sea ecosystem.

“The aim of this initiative is to help businesses improve their..."

VIDEO: Chilean Salmon in US; Harbor Seafood Wins Award; Right Whales Act; WC Dungeness Season Delay

Join SeafoodNews Weekly Video hosts Lorin Castiglione and Ryan Doyle as they discuss Chilean salmon reaching the US market despite firms struggling with logistics as protests and strikes continue throughout the country; Harbor Seafood won US Foods' Center-of-the-plate Award; a Senate Committee's passing of the SAVE Right Whales Act and the primary west coast Dungeness crab season delay.

This episode was brought to you by COMTELL, which will be receiving a complete redesign in 2020...

CEO of Samherji Steps Aside as Company Launches Investigation Into Corruption Allegations

Thorsteinn Mar Baldvinsson, CEO of Icelandic fishing conglomerate Samherji, will “step aside” from his position as the company launches an internal investigation into allegations of corruption for the company’s actions in Namibia.

Until “key material facts of the matter” are revealed through the internal investigation, Björgólfur Jóhannsson will function as acting CEO of Samherji.

Jóhannsson has been the CEO & President of Icelandair Group, Chair of Fisheries Iceland (SFF), Chair of The Icelandic Employers Association (SA) and CEO of the seafood company Icelandic Group. He will focus on meeting...

Russian Government Plans to Allocate Additional Support to Domestic Crab Producers This Year 

The Russian government plans to allocate additional RUB 10-15 billion (USD$150-200 million) for support of domestic crab producers who are building ships for their needs at Russian shipyards in the Far East, according to recent statements, made by some senior officials of the Russian Rosrybolovstvo and industry analysts.

As ​​Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev has recently said, the building of such ships in the Russian Far East at present remains very expensive for domestic fishermen, compared to the building of similar...

New Report Looks at Problem of TAC-Setting Above Scientific Levels in Europe

Advocacy group Client Earth issued a new report yesterday listing those members of the EU who routinely set catch limits above sustainable levels, adding to the crises in fisheries management in Europe. 

In 2013, the European Commission agreed to a Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to end overfishing by 2020 at the latest. Last July, the EC reiterated the benefits of sustainably managed fish stocks, noting the benefits to fleets, communities, and fish stocks in the north but describing the situation in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas ...

Captain D’s Reaches the Next Frontier in Utah

Fast-casual chain Captain D’s it signed a new franchise development agreement with MH & Sons Enterprises, led to Maqsood Merchant, to bring the Captain D’s to Utah for the first time.

Maqsood Merchant is a veteran multi-unit with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Merchant will develop three new restaurants in the Salt Lake City market, which will mark Captain D’s westernmost expansion in the company’s history.

"We're at a significant point in Captain D's history, with this agreement marking a very special milestone for our brand...

Pollock Parts Plug Body Holes, Clean Lead From Soil

Fish Radio likes to spotlight fish parts that go well beyond dinner plates and can add up to more value than fillets.

Pollock, for example, Alaska’s largest fishery produces millions of pounds of fish sticks, surimi and roe – but other pollock parts are being used to seal holes in lung and blood vessels. 

Researchers at Japan’s National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) have discovered that gelatin from pollock skins makes a sealant that is 12 times stronger than conventional uses.

A big plus is the fish gelatin remains liquid at room...

Tuna’s Carbon Ratios Indicate Changes in Oceanic Food Web

The ratio of carbon isotopes in a trio of common tuna species has undergone drastic changes since 2000. The shift signals a change in the phytoplankton population, which is the base of the oceanic food web.

If phytoplankton are changing, the impacts will be felt throughout the rest of the food web, according to a research team including Nicolas Cassar, professor of biogeochemistry at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.

“The change we observed in tuna, which are near the top of the marine food web, reflects profound changes...

Cantwell Language to Improve Legislation Getting Fisheries Disaster Aid to Fleets Passes Committee

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) is determined to improve the process through which the nation’s fishing fleets survive fisheries disasters. Earlier this week, her provisions to reform the process passed the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Cantwell is a ranking member of the committee. 

In September, Cantwell highlighted issues with the current process, including small business charter fishermen being excluded from the 2016 Coho fisheries disaster, an event that cost Washington State an estimated $100 million.

Cantwell’s provisions would expand and protect...

Zoneco Says 80 Percent of Scallops Found Dead; Cause Unknown

China-based Zoneco announced 80 percent of its scallops had died due to “unidentified” reasons. The massive die-off was found on a farm in the sea between China and Korea, according to a statement sent to the Shenzen stock exchange.

Listed as Zhangzidao Group on the exchange, Zoneco is currently assessing the situation, however, the company said the cause of death is thought to be natural.  According to Bloomberg, the value of the affected scallop is valued at $43 million...

Farmed Fish Fail to Reduce Pressure on Wild Stocks, Study Says

The push to convince consumers that the best way to protect wild fish is to eat farmed has gotten new life by a company called LoveTheWild.  

The Boulder-Colorado based group launched its oven-ready, farmed fish meal kits in 2014 and just announced they will be available at Whole Foods stores nationwide next month.

Among their investors is actor Leonardo DiCaprio who claims that “the exploitation of our oceans has left many marine ecosystems on the brink of total collapse” and that LoveTheWild is...

Russian Sakhalin and Kuril Islands May Face Salmon Shortage in Years Ahead

Russia may face a shortage of salmon during the next several years, due to climate change and overproduction seen in recent years, according to recent statements from leading local analysts in the field of fishing and state officials.

The biggest decline of salmon catch is expected in the Sakhalin Island, which is a main harvest area for salmon in Russia.

The news was confirmed by recent predictions of the Sakhalin branch of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography. They say the overall stock of pink...