Alaska’s Copper River Season Off to Very Slow Start

In the week since the Copper River season began, only 30,360 salmon have been landed in the two openers last week: 24,440 sockeye and 5,520 Chinook. An additional 400 chum salmon were also harvested.

Last week’s two openers yielded similar totals, both far from pre-season expectations. On Monday, May 16,2,700 Chinook and 12,800 sockeye salmon were reported. This compares to a projected harvest of 20,700 sockeye salmon for that period.

On Thursday, May 19, another 12-hour opener brought 2,700 Chinook and 11,700 sockeye salmon to market, compared to...

Seasonal Snow Crab Grid Closures Announced in Gulf of St. Lawrence Following NARW Entanglement

A search is underway for an entangled North Atlantic right whale that was spotted on May 19 near Gaspé, Quebec.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced last week that they are trying to locate the whale, who has been identified as Sundog, a 14-year-old female that was last seen near Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in March. According to the agency, marine mammal response partners are on stand-by to attempt to disentangle the whale if weather and sea conditions permit...

PODCAST: A Breakdown of Seafood Consumption in 2020 and More!

Join SeafoodNews Podcast co-hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione as they breakdown seafood consumption figures for 2020. Plus, get the scoop on the new Wild Alaska Pollock mural in Seattle; learn about the latest purchase award from the USDA; and more!

This episode of the SeafoodNews Podcast is brought to you by Urner Barry’s Excel Add-In. Save time and improve your report building by streamlining supply and pricing data directly into your spreadsheets. Call 732-240-5330 to learn more about the Excel Add-In...

Ecuador White Shrimp Widely Received in China and Expecting An Even Better Tomorrow 

These past few months have been rewarding for Ecuador shrimp. They have gained great popularity in the Chinese market during Q1, and such an upward trend is expected to continue in Q2. Moreover, this April they have regained access to the Thailand market, of which they were previously banned entry for one year.

In this Q1, Ecuador’s white shrimp export to China ballooned by 133%. The total has only increased by 44% to 0.238 million tons, according to statistics from FCCfood...

Captain D’s Seafood Acquired By Private Equity Firm Centre Partners

Quick service seafood restaurant Captain D’s has been acquired by Centre Partners — for a second time.

Centre Partners initially acquired Captain D’s in 2013, but exited the business in 2017. On Monday Centre Partners, a middle market private equity firm, announced that they have once again completed its acquisition of Captain D’s Seafood and affiliated entities. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, but according to Centre Partners, the Captain D’s management team has invested alongside Centre Partners and will continue to serve in their current roles...

Canada to Ban Russian Seafood Imports Amid Additional Sanctions

Canada has imposed new sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine featuring a ban of targeted luxury goods from Russia including seafood and fish, Global Affairs Canada announced on May 20.

The new sanctions were announced by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs and are aimed at 14 individuals including Russian oligarchs, their family members, and close associates of the Putin regime.

“These individuals have directly enabled Vladimir Putin’s senseless war in Ukraine and bear responsibility for the pain and suffering of the people of Ukraine...

Nissui Announces Name Change To Take Place on 80th Anniversary 

Japanese marine products company Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd, also known as Nissui, announced earlier this month that they plan to change their name in 2023.

Nissui was founded in 1943. As they approach their 80th year in business, the company revealed a plan to launch a commercial promotion, which includes a new brand symbol, slogan, and trade name change. As of January 1, 2023, and subject to the approval of a partial amendment of the Articles of Incorporation at the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders for...

Hokkaido Sea of Japan Herring Exceeds Record-Breaking 5000 Tons

Herring fishing along the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan (Northern Shiribeshi-Soya) in Hokkaido continued to progress mainly in the Rumoi area in April. The catch as of the end of the month (preliminary figures by Hokkaido) increased by 64% from the same period of the previous year to 5075 tons. It exceeded 5,000 tons for the first time since 1996 when the resource enhancement project (seedling release project) started, reported Suisan Keizai.

It further increased from the 4000 ton level...

Foreign Fishermen Unable to Begin Catch in Russian Territorial Waters This Year

Foreign fishermen are unable to begin their catch in the Russian territorial waters this year due to ongoing military conflict between Ukraine and Russia and sanctions, imposed on the latter.

The biggest problems are currently observed in the case of pollock fishermen from South Korea, which traditionally begin their fishing season in Russia in the middle of May. There is a high possibility that their fishing season in Russia will fail this year, as most fishermen have not even been able to transfer funds for...

Sea Grant, Federal Agencies Eye Projects Related to Fisheries and Offshore Wind in Northeast

The Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and Water Power Technologies Office, and NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, announced six projects to advance social science and technology research related to offshore renewable energy in the Northeast United States.

This funding opportunity, first announced in March 2021, seeks to catalyze research for the coexistence of marine energy—including wind, current, tidal, and wave energies—with Northeast fishing and coastal communities. The funding partnership applies the Sea Grant model to connect ...

U.S. and Japan Coast Guards Strengthen Their Alliance, Focus on Indo-Pacific Region 

On Wednesday in Tokyo, Vice Adm. Michael McAllister, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, and Vice Adm. Yoshio Seguchi, Japan Coast Guard vice commandant for operations took part in a signing ceremony that expands the two countries’ alliance and establishes a
a new perpetual operation. 

Japan and the U.S. have had a memorandum of cooperation between the two sea services since ...

Photo: McAllister, Seguchi, and members of their staffs pose in front of the Japan Coast Guard Ship Bukou (PL 10), May 18, 2022. Courtesy USCG

White Cane Sockeye Salmon Issues Recall Over Undeclared Allergens

White Cane Smoked Salmon, an Idaho-based firm, recalled Wild Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon because it contains undeclared Wheat and Soy, a pair of undeclared allergens on May 19.

The affected Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon had been sold at farmer’s markets Green Valley, Udall Park, Oro Valley, and Rillito Park in Arizona. The affected product was last sold on 5/15/2022.

The affected Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon is packaged in vacuum bag, sold frozen, and there is no...

Benin, Global Fishing Watch Partner to Combat IUU Fishing in West Africa

Benin, a West African country, and the Global Fishing Watch have partnered to improve the country’s monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing activities within its waters.

The pair signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) where the Global Fishing Watch will provide tech support that includes fisheries analysis, capacity building and training on its vessel monitoring tools. In return, the country will develop a vessel monitoring system, or VMS, and has formally agreed to share its data via the Global Fishing Watch map...

Lund’s Fisheries to Be Featured On Outdoor Channel’s “The Fishmonger,” Airing May 23

Make sure you’re in front of your TV at 8:30 p.m. on Monday night. Lund’s Fisheries will be featured on the Outdoor Channel’s latest episode of “The Fishmonger.”

“The Fishmonger” is hosted by Tommy Gomes, aka Tommy the Fishmonger. Gomes is determined to put San Diego “back on the map as a major fishing port,” and in season one the show followed him as he explored the challenges being faced by San Diego commercial fishermen, as well as...

USDA Spends Just Shy of $10 Million in Latest Alaska Pollock Purchase

The latest purchase award description from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that it bought over 3.2 million pounds of Alaska pollock products for just shy of $10 million.

Back on May 4, the USDA shared its latest invitation for offers to sell pollock products as it eyed frozen fillets, frozen sticks, bulk containers and breaded frozen sticks.

Nearly all of the purchase came from Trident Seafoods which sold 3,094,400 lbs. of pollock products for $9,690,268. Meanwhile, American Seafoods sold 118,000...

Several Canadian Seafood Associations to Split $1.7 Million in Funding to Grow Export Markets

Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau announced more than CA$1.7 million in funding for six projects to help expand seafood exports to international markets.

The funding will head to six recipients in the seafood industry under the AgrMarketing program to help the organizations promote and market Canadian fish and seafood products to increase growth in the sector. Recipient organizations include:

- Atlantic Groundfish Council will receive up to $85,506...

Tiny Oregon Port Wins Big on Vessel Crane Replacement Project

Port Orford's small boats will have a safer, more reliable crane system to lift them out of the water in one of Oregon's smallest commercial fishing ports.

The Port of Port Orford said in a press release it launched a $2.3 million crane replacement project, with $1.6 million coming from from Connect Oregon and a loan of $694,000 from Business Oregon. The aging cranes will be replaced by new state-of-the-art upgraded cranes that will keep ...

Sanford Credits Post-COVID Recovery for Boosted First Half Results

New Zealand seafood giant Sanford Limited reported “solid recovery” in the first half of 2022 with its Adjusted EBIT reaching $19.2 million (US$12.3), a 79% increased when compared to the first half of 2021. Revenue also jumped 16% to $270.9 million, up from $233.5 million.

CEO Peter Reidie says the result is pleasing, although challenges continue on the domestic front.

“The uplift in EBIT and revenue is satisfying and we are pleased we have been in a good position to take advantage...

Netuno Partners with LP Foods to Debut Value-Added Brand in U.S.

NETUNO USA, the top snapper and grouper importer in the U.S. announced it has purchased a 50% stake in Singapore-based Passion Foods brand to introduce it to the American consumer.

NETUNO said it will work with its longtime supplier LP Foods join forces to offer premium value-added seafood products focused on quality, sustainability, and all-natural ingredients.

Luciano Bonaldo, NETUNO President and Passion Foods co-owner and LP Foods President and Passion Foods co-owner Emanuele Petz believe that the most value...

Thai Union Sending Over 500 Medical Kits to Thai Vessels by End of Year

Seafood giant Thai Union will deliver over 500 medical kits to Thai fishing vessels by the end of 2022.

Kits will be sent to fishing communities that Thai Union sources from in Thailand and will also include COVID-19 antigen self-testing kits.

“These will be distributed to vessels in Thai Union’s supply chain and will ensure that fishers have immediate access to basic medicines, a requirement under Thai Union’s Vessel Code of Conduct, and tests to find out whether they have COVID-19,” the company...

Standing Fish Price Setting Panel Releases Decision for 2022 Sea Cucumber Price

On May 18th the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel released their decision for the 2022 sea cucumber price.

FFAW-Unifor and the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) entered into negotiations earlier this month but were unable to reach an agreement. ASP submitted a price of $0.55/lb, while FFAW submitted a price of $0.68/ lb. The Standing Fish Price Setting Panel ultimately sided with FFAW, accepting the price offer of $0.68/lb, based on a  27.5% reduction for water...

Crabs and Electromagnetic Fields, Sea Urchin Farming Among Studies Receiving Oregon Sea Grant Funding

From sea urchin farming to mud blister worms, five Oregon State University researchers will benefit from Oregon Sea Grant awards for new studies informing fisheries, aquaculture and living on Oregon's coast.

Oregon Sea Grant awarded $1.15 million to scientists studying sea urchin farming techniques; electromagnetic fields’ impact on marine life; effect of low oxygen conditions on crabs; prevention of beach erosion; and mud blister worm infestation of oysters, the organization said in a statement.

Oregon Sea Grant receives a share ...

Class Action Targeting Retailer ALDI’s Salmon Sustainability Claims Moves Forward

A class-action lawsuit that targets marketing claims made by retailer ALDI for its fresh Atlantic salmon products will move forward following a decision by District Judge Jorge L. Alonso in the U.S. District Court of Illinois on May 17.

Alonso tossed ALDI’s motion to dismiss the class action that alleges the supermarket “falsely and deceptively markets its Atlantic Salmon products as sustainably sourced.”

The law firm representing the plaintiffs on the case, Richman Law & Policy, which is involved in several seafood sustainability-linked lawsuits, said this was...

McDonald’s Agrees to Sell Russian Assets to Existing Licensee

Days after McDonald’s announced it would exit the Russian market and sell its entire portfolio, the company reached a sale and purchase agreement with its existing licensee Alexander Govor.

Govor will acquire the entire Russian McDonald’s restaurant portfolio and operate the restaurants under a new brand. Govor has served as a licensee since 2015 and has operated 25 restaurants in Siberia.

McDonald’s said the agreement remains subject to certain conditions, including regulatory approval, with closing expected to occur in the coming weeks...

FFAW Pushes Back On St. Mary’s Crab Plant Opposers With Their Own Facts

FFAW-Unifor wants to present their facts when it comes to the proposed crab plant in St. Mary’s.

As SeafoodNews previously reported, plant workers have voiced their opposition to the proposed new fish processing capacity, which would create 200 new jobs. Derek Butler, the Executive Director of the Association of Seafood Producers, released a statement this week saying that “if new processing capacity is approved, stability of the industry will come into question.”

“New capacity would mean fewer hours for existing workers...

Latest Acosta Report Indicates Consumers Dining Out Less Due to Inflation

Acosta, a sales and marketing service provider for the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, shared its latest findings which showed that 54% of consumers are dining out less due to inflation.

The group also noted that one-third of respondents chose to trade down, rather than trade out. This means that consumers are deciding to opt for less expensive restaurant and meal options to counter rising prices.

The findings stem from Acosta’s sixth edition of The Why? Behind the Dine, a research report providing foodservice-specific insight bolstered by...

It Takes a Village: Unalaska Keeps 20-Year Salmon Data Set Going Even Without a Commercial Fishery

Sockeye salmon runs are so important to the residents of Unalaska that the mayor, city council members, Unalaska Native Fishermen's Association (UNFA), APICDA the regional CDQ group, the local Fish and Game Advisory Committee, and local business leaders made sure that the annual surveys counting returning salmon would continue even after the McLees Lake weir was shut down in 2018. 

The salmon returning to the island’s three lakes are caught only for subsistence purposes for the remote island's 4,400 residents. Unalaska is 800 ...

This Week in Retail: Beef Ads Lag Leading Up to Memorial Day

The Memorial Day holiday is just one weekend away and grocers are gearing up for the unofficial start to the summer grilling season.

This major retail occasion typically drives sales from the meat case, with items like burgers and hot dogs stealing the spotlight.

Beef features account for 28% of total protein ad volume this week, up slightly from the previous week. Pork and seafood are tied for second with 25%. Chicken claims 16%, even with the week prior. 

While beef holds the top spot in retail buying opportunities, market participants have reported lackluster beef features for this time of year. May is typically the strongest period of the year for beef demand...

While beef holds the top spot in buying opportunities, market participants have noted lackluster beef features for this time of year. May is typically the strongest period of the year for beef demand...

Thai Union Invests in Leading Micro-Algae Ingredients Producer Mara Renewables Corporation

Thai Union Group announced on Wednesday that they have invested CAD $10 million in Mara Renewables Corporation as part of Mara’s CAD $39.5 million growth funding round. The investment from Thai Union and other industry-leading financial partners will help accelerate Mara’s expansion of their micro-algal products and unique innovation.

The Nova Scotia-based company, which launched in 2012, is one of the world’s leading producers of sustainably grown algae-based bio-products. Since their inception they’ve built a portfolio of micro-algal strains...

Green Plains, Key U.S. Trout Producer Partner to Expand Aquafeed Production in Idaho

Green Plains announced a partnership with the Riverence Group, owner of Riverence Farms LLC and Riverence Provisions LLC, collectively the largest trout producer in the Americas, to expand aquafeed production in Idaho.

The new joint venture will lead to trout and salmon feed production for the Riverence Group, utilizing wholesome, sustainable ingredients including the 60%+ fermented protein product recently announced after the success of the development trial at Green Plains Wood River.

“This partnership is yet another validation of our transformational path, creating...