Today's Main Story: Massive Fire hits Quinlan 
Crab and Shrimp Plant at Bay de Verde; Fire too Dangerous to Control
Today's Main Story: Massive Fire hits Quinlan Crab and Shrimp Plant at Bay de Verde; Fire too Dangerous to Control
A massive fire is burning at the Quinlan Bros. seafood processing plant in Bay de Verde in Newfoundland. As of press time today, the fire was burning out of control, fueled by wind gusts between 20 and 40 mph. Local firefighters were forced to retreat from the blaze while provincial flying water tankers were not available. The facility is a major shrimp and snow crab processor that employs about 700 seasonal workers at its peak.
Russia's largest fish canning business Dobroflot may suspend its operations because of a federal investigation that suspects the company is evading taxes. Dobroflot claims the investigation was initiated by its competitors and criminal gangs affiliated with corrupt Russian state officials. The company says this is a coordinated effort to compel a change in ownership.
In other news, the member countries of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement voted to maintain the current Vessel Day Scheme used to manage Pacific tuna fishing. The decision squashes an effort by some PNA members to switch to a catch-based management system.
Meanwhile, China continues to import more shrimp broodstock. Producers are now blaming consecutive years of undersized shrimp harvests to the poor quality of China's domestic broodstock supply.
Finally, Marine Harvest Chile will cut 500 jobs and restructure its business to make up for the losses it suffered during February's toxic algae bloom. The company said it will issue more details about the layoffs and restructuring in its first-quarter report due out in May.
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