Legal Seafoods and CP Foods to Introduce Legal Branded Shrimp Products for National Distribution

Legal Seafoods is adding more products under its own brand for national distribution.  At the Boston Seafood Show, they announced a partnership with Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods) to co-pack premium shrimp products for distribution in North America.

With both companies sharing the same view of expansion in the US branded shrimp market,  Mr. Roger Berkowitz, CEO of Legal Sea Foods, and Dr. Sujint Thammasart, COO (Aquaculture Business Unit) of CP Foods, say it is a proud moment for both companies to jointly introduce...

LISTEN: The Boston Seafood Show Podcast Episode!

Get the most out of Seafood Expo North America with SeafoodNews podcast co-hosts Lorin Castiglione and Amanda Buckle.

This week's episode is brought to you by Urner Barry's Comtell. Urner Barry will be at Seafood Expo North America in Boston from March 17-19. Visit Booth #364 for your chance to enter to win free registration to Urner Barry's 2019 Executive Conference and Seafood Import Workshop, taking place in Las Vegas from April 28-30. Find more information at www.urnerbarry.com/executive.

Low Prices Overshadow China's White Shrimp Industry

Usually shrimp that survive freezing winters are known as cash cows in China. However, things started to change this year, and their prices plummeted in South China since late January. For example, in mid-February, farm gate prices dove by 13 yuan/jin (1 jin=0.5 kilo; $1.94/jin USD) to only 23 yuan/jin ($3.43/jin USD)for those at the size of 40 shrimp/jin in Zhanjiang compared with two weeks ago. Low prices are seen everywhere and it is even as low as 14 yuan/jin ($2.09/jin USD) in Hainan for those at the size of 50 shrimps/jin.

Luckily, white shrimp ...

SENA 2019: Seafood Champion Awards Finalists Announced at Boston Seafood Show

The 2019 Seafood Champion Awards finalists were announced at Seafood Expo North America in Boston on Sunday.

The Seafood Champion Awards, which were first established by SeaWeb in 2006, recognize individuals and companies for their outstanding leadership in promoting environmentally responsible seafood. Award categories include: leadership, innovation, vision, and advocacy. Check out the finalists for each award category here...

Chilean Salmon Marketing Council Introduces 'Promise of Patagonia' Campaign for US

The Chilean Salmon Marketing Council (CSMC), a U.S.-based entity dedicated to strengthening the reputation of Chilean Salmon, announced a new creative campaign, "The Promise of Patagonia," at the annual Seafood Expo North America in Boston today.

"The Promise of Patagonia" is focused on forging the connection for American consumers between the cold, clear waters of Chilean Patagonia, and the salmon they put on their table. Starting this month, it will go live on print, online and out-of-home channels.

"The mystique of Patagonia is well-known...

China Overtakes Japan as Alaska's Largest Seafood Importer

China used to mean nothing more than just an Asian country for fishermen in Alaska, but in recent years it has become a magnet, attracting sellers and seafood products with increasingly great demand and deep-pocket buyers. Its seafood imports from Alaska has risen by about 20% in 2017 compared with that of 2016, while the import value was around $1 billion USD that year, according to media reports. And now, China has overtaken Japan and become the largest seafood importer of Alaskan seafood...

CleanFish Brings First ‘Green Rated’ Marine-Farmed Atlantic Salmon to Boston Seafood Show

The first “Green Rated” marine-farmed Atlantic salmon is at Seafood Expo North America.

CleanFish announced that they will be debuting Nordic Blu, the world’s first and only marine net-pen farmed Atlantic salmon rated “Green - Best Choice” by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, at their booth, number 3176.

“We’re proud to be the chosen partner of Salten Aqua Group in bringing this remarkable salmon and the Nordic Blu brand to North America,” said CleanFish Managing Director Mike Moniz...

Nielsen Study Finds Consumers Care Most About Buying Local

“Locally caught.” That could be a selling point for many consumers, according to a new study from Nielsen.

Nielsen reports that a “conscious awakening” occuring within the U.S. consumer packaged goods and food grocery landscape has increased shoppers’ desire for better food options. These shoppers are now socially aware of many causes, including the decline in bee populations, GMO in foods, antibiotic use in animal production, and much more. However, “buying local” was the topic with the highest consumer awareness in Nielsen’s latest study...

Vietnamese Shrimp Producers Worry about Loss of Competitiveness in Face of Thailand, India

At a recent meeting held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development in Soc Trang Province to plan for the shrimp industry in 2019, concerns were raised about the cost competitiveness of Vietnamese shrimp compared to some rival countries, such as India and Thailand.

The meeting was given production figures showing that total hectares in shrimp farming last year were 736,000, of which 632,000 was Vannamei cultivation, and 104,000 was black tiger cultivation.

Production of Vannamei was 464,000 tons, and production of...

VIDEO: Get Ready for Seafood Expo North America

Join SeafoodNews Weekly Recap co-hosts Lorin Castiglione and Amanda Buckle as they talk all about what to expect at Seafood Expo North America. 

This video is brought to you by Urner Barry’s Comtell. Urner Barry will be at Seafood Expo North America in Boston from March 17-19. Visit Booth #364 for a Comtell demonstration and for your chance to enter to win free registration to Urner Barry’s 2019 Executive Conference from April 28th to the 30th – an over $1,500 value...

Antarctic Salmon Brand Sixty South Building New Hatchery

Antarctic salmon brand Sixty South announced on Thursday that they are building a new hatchery 45 kilometers north of Porvenir, Tierra del Fuego.

The new hatchery, a state-of-the-art 4-stage facility, will enable Sixty South to produce 12 million smolts of 120 grams per year, or 3 million every quarter. The facility is indoors, allowing the company to have control over the entire production process. According to the company, the facility supports their commitment to “growing fish without any antibiotics and in the purest, most natural and...

The Fish Shoppe Becomes 1st Australian Seafood Retailer With MSC Chain of Custody Certification

Seafood Industry Australia (SIA), the national peak-body representing the Australian seafood industry, is celebrating Melbourne’s The Fish Shoppe. The Fish Shoppe has become the first Australian seafood retailer to be awarded the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) Chain of Custody certification.

MSC’s Chain of Custody certification ensures that products from MSC certified fisheries are traceable through MSC certified businesses. According to Renee Vajtauer, co-owner of The Fish Shoppe, they were able to obtain MSC’s Chain of Custody certification by establishing direct supply chains with...

E&E Foods to Purchase APICDA’s Cannon Fish Company

Juneau – Seattle-based E&E Foods has agreed to purchase Cannon Fish Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA) located in Kent, WA. APICDA will use sale proceeds to solidify financial position and fund critically needed projects and programs in CDQ member communities. 

E&E is consolidating their Seattle area processing operations into a single 76,000 square foot facility that houses their office, cold storage, and production in Renton, Washington. CFC’s manufacturing equipment will be moved to the new location and CFC’s staff will...

Nueva Pescanova Presents its Work in Namibia With “The City Born from the Sea”

Last Tuesday, at the Academy of Arts and Cinematographic Sciences of Madrid “La Ciudad que Nació del Mar” (“The City Born from the Sea”) had its world premier. Based on a true story, the documentary follows Nelago Kwedhi, the first female trawler captain in Namibia, and the town that relies on marine resources caught offshore.

The documentary narrates the development of Lüderitz, a small town between the desert and the ocean in southern Namibia. The town was reborn in part due to ...

Bakkafrost Releases Second Healthy Living Sustainability Report for 2018

“As the biggest salmon producer in the Faroe Islands, we understand our responsibility to be transparent about the impacts we have on the local economy, society and the environment. One year in to our plan, we are more determined than ever to accelerate progress in how we manage these impacts.” The quote from Bakkafrost's CEO Regin Jacobsen opens the company's second annual report on their commitment to sustainable principles and a responsible approach to aquaculture, not just in production but also investment and corporate citizenship...

GAA Combating CBC Exposé on Shrimp, Antimicrobial Resistance

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) is scheduled to air a segment on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and shrimp on Friday, and the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) is ready to fight back. GAA is warning its members that due to the nature of the segment, as well as conversations that they had with CBC, that the segment will “insinuate to viewers that imported, farmed shrimp is a food-safety concern when there is no indication that it is unsafe.”

According to GAA, the segment is part of an investigation that CBC conducted in...

National Seafood Inspection Laboratory Develops Tool to Screen for Mislabeling

An online screening tool may be able to stop mislabeled finfish fillets from hitting the seafood aisle. NOAA announced this week that they have formally rolled out a web-based screening tool developed by the National Seafood Inspection Laboratory (NSIL) that could help the seafood industry address finfish substitution and fraud.

Species substitution is a growing issue of concern in the industry – whether it’s a simple mistake or an attempt to sell a cheaper product at a higher price. However, NSIL’s screening tool, called the...

Pacific Halibut Season Opens in Favorable Market: Inventories Down and Quotas Up

Fresh Pacific halibut will be available to the market next week as the 2019 Pacific halibut season opener gets underway at noon local time on Friday, March 15.

Market conditions look good with frozen inventory low, compared with this time last year. 

Catch limits will be slightly up this year along the Pacific coast: 29.43 million compared to last year’s 28.04 mlbs.  The International Pacific Halibut Commission approved an increase of 5% overall which translates to increased catches in all but two of the eight...

Change Is in the Air: Western Pacific SSC Suggests New Approaches for Suite of Issues

The Scientific and Statistical Committee of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council concluded a three-day meeting last week in Honolulu with a suite of recommendations to more effectively address issues facing fisheries in the U.S. Pacific Islands. The Council will consider those recommendations this week.

Regarding false killer whales, the SSC recommended inclusion of a population variability analysis to supplement the use of and reduce the variability of potential biological removal estimates.

The Southern Exclusion Zone (SEZ), a 132,000 square mile...

Russian Fish Company Launches Branded Single Frozen Pollock Fillets in Russian Supermarkets

The Russian Fishery Company (RFC) announced the retail sales of premium quality Alaska Pollock products in the “ready to cook” category. 

Produced in cooperation with the Agama Group products will arrive on the shelves of Russian retail chains in April this year under the combined brand “Agama-Nordeco” (Nordeco is RFC’s retail brand). 

Two types of products will be offered to buyers: portioned Pollock fillet and Pollock fillets in individual packaging. The products are manufactured at Agama's facilities from single-frozen RFC fish (frozen at sea) without...

Tristan International Granted Initial Exploratory Fishing Permits in Ecuador for Patagonian Toothfish

Tristan International announced that they have recently been granted an initial exploratory fishing permit in Ecuador for Patagonian toothfish. According to the company, this is the first time in Ecuador’s history that vessels are legally permitted to fish for toothfish for commercial sale to the U.S.

“We have been working on this project for years and we are delighted that the NOAA and CCAMLR bodies have given us permission to legally fish for toothfish in Ecuador,” said Tristan International president Ari Dorfsman....

ISSF’s Scientist Advisors Reflect on a Decade of Discovery

The ISSF (International Seafood Sustainability Foundation) has been the single most effective non-governmental organization in improving tuna stock management around the world.  It was founded by the major tuna purse seine companies, and now accounts for approximately 80% of global tuna production.  The idea was simple:  in a situation where regional management sank to the lowest common denominator with individual countries able to veto almost any decision, the ISSF was formed to use industry clout to force use of science by tuna mangers...

Samuels And Son Seafood Announces Multi State Expansion, New Products Ahead of Boston Seafood Show

Philadelphia-based Samuels and Son Seafood is announcing some big news ahead of Seafood Expo North America. The family-owned business, which began with a pushcart, is now expanding into new markets, including Houston, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles, California; and Boston, Massachusetts. In addition, Samuels and Son Seafood will be expanding their extensive line of fish from around the world.

“We’re proud to announce our expansion and new products at SENA,” said Samuels and Son CEO Sam D’Angelo...

BioMar Buys Stake of JV Partner AquaChile in APSA Factory

Argis Galac’sea Changes Name to Argisfood After Acquisition By Seafoodia Group

France’s Argis Galac’sea, a family-owned company that specializes in the import and sales of frozen seafood products, announced this week that they are changing their name to Argisfood. The name change comes a couple months after the company was acquired by seafood distributor Seafoodia.

“It’s a milestone for us,” said Argis founder Régis Privé. “I am happy to be able to accompany this transition alongside Seafoodia.”

According to the company, the name change will “reinforce its position on the French market” and...

Trident Seafoods Launching 10g Protein Noodles at Boston Seafood Show

Trident Seafoods is looking to expand the reach of their new 10g Protein Noodles. The company announced that after test marketing the product earlier this year at select club stores, they will be launching the product at Seafood Expo North America in Boston, taking place from March 17-19.

Trident’s 10g Protein Noodles are protein-rich, gluten free, and made from wild Alaska Pollock. The product is a “versatile, flavor-neutral alternative to high-carb pastas,” and a 3 oz. serving contains a whopping...

FDA Makes Menu Labeling Resources Available to Consumers During National Nutrition Month

The FDA is making it easier for consumers to eat healthy when dining out. In honor of National Nutrition Month, the government organization has launched their Calories on the Menu website to provide information to consumers about their calorie needs, how to look for calorie and nutrition information on menus, and how to make the best choice for their health.

“In today’s busy world, Americans eat and drink about one-third of their calories from foods prepared away from home,” the FDA site reads...

Dolphin Calf Swimming Freely After Rescue Team Steps In

For weeks a young male bottlenose dolphin was seen in the waters of Lemon Bay near Englewood, Florida, with fishing line and gear wrapped around its body and tail, and through its mouth.

A team of biologists and veterinarians from nine organizations trained to respond to marine mammal strandings along Florida’s west coast, developed a plan to "catch both mom and her calf, take the gear off, conduct a short health assessment and release them back into the wild," according to NOAA Fisheries recent report...

U.S. Perceptions Vary on Wild Vs. Fresh/Salt Water Fish Farms

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – What’s better: wild, or fish farmed in fresh or salt water?

Americans have very different perceptions on wild versus farmed fish. And they vary widely on fish farmed in fresh or salt water. 

A report out this week says that while more US adults are replacing red meat with seafood, concerns and misperceptions are slowing the pace of purchases.

In the study called Aquaculture/Mariculture, US Market Insights and Opportunities, food industry trackers Changing Tastes and Datassential surveyed 1,500 consumers and...

Coast Guard Rescues 2 Crewmembers from Sinking Vessel Near Fishers Island, New York

Members of the Coast Guard Station New London rescued two crewmembers from a sinking fishing vessel near Fishers Island, New York, on Sunday, March 10.

A 55-foot commercial fishing vessel began to take on water in one of their fish holds at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. The crewmembers radioed the Coast Guard station before donning survival suits.

The Coast Guard rescue crew arrived on the scene at 8:20 and attempted to help pump water from the distressed vessel...