Live Lobster Prices Up Sharply in February as Winter Weather Halts Fishing in Canada and Maine
New England live lobster prices are climbing this month with supplies short as ice has hampered Maine and Canadian fishing efforts in February. In trading yesterday Urner Barry’s live prices for half-pound Selects in New England shot up $1 per pound versus last week; wholesale prices in February are now at historical highs for the month. Ice and cold temperatures have kept lobstermen from fishing in Maine and Canada over the last three weeks, which has put pressure on inventories.
AquaBounty is preparing for the commercial production genetically modified salmon, hopeful that US food regulators are on the cusp of green lighting distribution of its salmon. "In allowing the Arctic Apple and Innate Potato to be deregulated and planted for commercial use, the USDA sent a clear signal that they are interested in science-based regulation and addressing future food needs. We are encouraged by this because the key reason given by the USDA in deregulating these two food products - 'not likely to have a significant impact on the human environment' - mirrors the conclusion arrived at by the FDA about our AquAdvantage Salmon,” said Ron Stotish, AquaBounty’s CEO.
In other news Thailand will revise its laws in order to allow the country’s fishery regulators to board and inspect fishing vessels in Thai territory. The amendment is in response to the EU saying it may levy an official “yellow card” warning that Thailand is catching and selling fish that do not satisfy EU certification requirements.
Finally, monthly shrimp landings out of the Gulf of Mexico in January were up for the sixth straight month compared to the 2013/14 fishing season. Fishermen have credited the return of the white shrimp season late last year for the improved volumes. These stronger wintertime landings have also offset losses from the delayed start to the season last May.
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