New Bedford Fish Auction Volume Off 45% this Year Due to Ice and Storms
Landings at the New Bedford Fish Auction this year are down 45 percent compared to last year. New England’s fishermen have contended with dismal conditions during what some say has been the worst winter season in 10 years. Ice and cold temperatures have frozen boats in harbors across New England. For vessels that can get out on the water, gale force winds have made it too rough to fish.
Nova Scotia seafood company Louisbourg Seafoods will expand its lobster operations as part of a $3 million expansion plan. One-third of the investment will be used to build a lobster pound in the former National Sea Products building that Louisbourg recently bought. “The water is getting warmer and it’s so uncertain, and the demand for high-quality product in our lobsters, and the Nova Scotia high-quality brand, requires the right type of housing for that species,” said the company’s Dannie Hansen.
In other news John Sackton comments on the latest installment in a video series chronicling the history of Alaska’s state-run salmon management program. Today’s video analyzes the Alaskan salmon brand and why most of the state’s salmon fishery opted out of the Marine Stewardship Council program.
Meanwhile, the Atlantic scallop season opened on March 1 under interim management rules. The temporary rules will remain in effect until NMFS takes final action on the framework 26 management plan in May. Once the proposal is passed, the fishery’s landings are expected increase by over 10 million pounds.
Finally, Tropical Aquaculture's shrimp producing partner Santa Priscila has received Aquaculture Stewardship Council for its Chanduy shrimp farming operation in the Ecuadorian province of Santa Elena. The site produces shrimp for Tropical's Blue Foot White Shrimp brand.
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