Anxiety in Live Lobster Market as Novel Coronavirus Halts Chinese New Year Sales

Urner Barry contacts in the live lobster market – for both Canada and the U.S. – are beginning to report some anxiety as the novel coronavirus halts Chinese New Year sales.

As SeafoodNews has been reporting, China's been struggling with a novel coronavirus outbreak since December 2019. The virus, which has claimed 81 lives so far, has resulted in the country issuing quarantine measures in Wuhan, where the outbreak is believed to have started at South China Seafood City, also known as the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market...

Marine Board of Investigation Convened to Find Answers on the Sinking of the Scandies Rose

A Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) has been convened to determine what caused the New Year’s Eve sinking of the 130-foot cod and crab vessel Scandies Rose, and the loss of five of the seven men onboard.

MBI’s are called when there is no clear reason what caused the sinking, to learn how to improve safety gear, procedures, or training or uncover other reasons that may help prevent similar tragedies in the future. They are often done by both the U.S. Coast Guard and...

Russian Crab Market Facing Change in Wake of Absentee Arrest of Oleg Kahn

The Russian crab market is on the verge of a new repartition after an absentee arrest of Oleg Kahn, a well-known Russian crab tycoon, announced by official representatives of the Russian Investigative Committee, the country’s major investigative body.

The arrest was the result of criminal investigations initiated against Kahn by Russian law enforcement agencies, which forced the businessman to leave Russia last year.

The absentee arrest of Kahn, according to some Russian producers and analysts in the field of fish business, could be ...

Handy Seafood Exec Don Riffle Passes Away

Don Riffle, Handy Seafood's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, has passed away. The National Fisheries Institute confirmed the news on Sunday evening. NFI president John Connelly issued the following statement:

"Don Riffle was a well-respected member of the seafood community. From Buhl, Idaho to Salisbury, Maryland with customers in every state in between, he brought 40 years of industry knowledge to the table. Whether he was talking trout or connecting on crab, he was an expert whose kind demeanor and fun personality made him a...

Champion Petfoods Opens Over 420,000 Square Foot Facility in Alberta 

Champion Petfoods, the maker of dog and cat food brands Orijen and Acana, announced late last week that they have officially opened their new North Star Kitchen facility in Acheson, Alberta, Canada.

The $266 million (CAD 350 million) production facility spans 421,000 square feet and is the company's "largest state-of-the-art kitchen yet." Once fully operational, the facility will employ more than 200 people.

"The NorthStar Kitchen brings the world's best pet food technology back to where our story began, right here in Alberta," said...

Florida Man Sentenced for Killing Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish

Chad Ponce, a 38-year-old commercial fisherman was convicted and sentenced of killing an endangered smalltooth sawfish off the coast of Florida. Ponce faces 2 years probation, 80 hours of community service and a $2,000 fine.

A judge came down with the sentence on December 19, 2019 after a joint investigation by NOAA Fisheries and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The investigation confirmed that Ponce used a power saw to cut the rostrum (saw, bill) off of the live fish before discarding it back into the...

Golden Pearl Trading Corp. Recalls 12,000 Pounds of Siluriformes Products

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Golden Pearl Trading Corporation is recalling 12,054 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) imported Siluriformes products.

Golden Pearl was doing business as “Dandy Food Products” and its “Sugar Kid SALTED EGG FISH SKIN” products were not presented for import re-inspection into the U.S. The products were also imported from Singapore, a country that is not eligible to export RTE Siluriformes products into the U.S.

The RTE salted egg fish skin items were imported on various dates...

Chinese New Year Seafood Sales Threatened As Novel Coronavirus Outbreak Cancels Celebrations

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the biggest holiday in China and is celebrated by more than 20% of people around the world. Over 400 million people travel during the Chinese New Year, of which nearly 7 million of those travel abroad. This year, however, things are different. The novel coronavirus outbreak that started in Wuhan in December has resulted in quarantine measures and numerous Chinese New Year celebrations being canceled. What does this mean for the seafood industry?

Two Fishermen Found Dead After Vessel Sinks off Maine

The United States Coast Guard confirmed the deaths of two Maine fishermen who were aboard the Hayley Ann fishing vessel off the Maine coast on Thursday afternoon.

The two men were aboard the 42-foot groundfishing vessel when it began sinking. The Coast Guard Northeast District announced on its Twitter account crews were responding to an emergency alert 45 nautical miles southeast of Portland at 2:44 p.m.

The Coast Guard launched an HC-144 and two MH-60 aircrews as well as the cutter Steelhead to search for the boat...

Alaska Governor Dunleavy Creates Panel to Reshape Alaska’s Ferry System

Alaska’s Governor Mike Dunleavy created a work group to make recommendations on a fix for the state’s marine highway system, specifically “future finances and service levels.”

Dunleavy came under fire when he cut funding to the Alaska Marine Highway System, curtailing access of coastal Alaska residents to other cities and coastal communities. In Alaska, with a coastline longer than the Lower 48 combined, the ferry system is key to the state's fishing and processing economy, school sporting events, business needs for coastal residents, access to food, fuel, building materials, and ...

New Collaboration Helps Small Scale Farmers in SE Asia Be More Sustainable

A new collaboration among sustainability groups is aimed at helping small-scale seafood farmers in Vietnam and Indonesia become more environmentally responsible while introducing efficiencies that may cut farmers’ costs.

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Programme have teamed up to help SE Asian fish farmers adopt more responsible practices which will benefit retailers and consumers. 

“While our three organisations are all working to promote responsible aquaculture, we each have different areas of focus which results in ...

Pure Salmon to Invest EUR 175 Mln. in RAS Integrated Production Site in France

Tyson Foods Launches Coalition for Global Protein, Announcing at Davos World Economic Forum

On Tuesday at the 50th World Economic Forum, Tyson Foods, Inc. announced the formation of Coalition for Global Protein, a multi-stakeholder initiative to protect sustainability of high-protein food production.

“As one of the world’s largest food companies, we want to help ensure the responsible production of affordable, nutritious food for generations to come,” said Noel White, chief executive officer of Tyson Foods.

“We’re introducing this Coalition because we know that we cannot achieve this alone.  Collective commitment and immediate action are needed to deliver the ...

SalMar’s Ocean Farm 1 Receives First Offshore Fish Farming Class Certificate from DNV GL

Ocean Farm 1, the first salmon farm designed and build for exposed operation received certification to a new DNV GL standard for offshore fish farming installations.

The certification represents a vital first step towards the utilization of new ocean spaces for aquaculture, DNV GL said in a press release.

The farming unit was delivered in June 2017, from China and transported to Norway for installation. During that time, DNV GL provided 3^rd party verification and certification of the farm’s design, construction, transport and installation, enabling...

Washington Approves Cooke Steelhead Farm Application in Puget Sound

Cooke Aquaculture got the go-ahead to farm all-female, sterile rainbow trout and steelhead in Puget Sound.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on Tuesday approved Cooke's application for a five-year permit. It applies to existing net pens in Puget Sound where Cooke holds valid aquatic land leases with the Washington Department of Natural Resources. This includes four pens currently operating near Rich Passage and Skagit Bay, but may later extend to three other net pens owned by Cooke...

Before Leaving, Iceland’s Samherji is Being Asked to Pay Fishermen For Lost Wages, Deaths

The political fallout from the bribery scandal dubbed “Fishrot” took a turn this week when a minor opposition party member called for Iceland’s Samherji to compensate thousands of Namibian fishermen and their families who lost their jobs as a result.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani told the Namibian Sun he would think about a court challenge if Samherji doesn’t respond by February 6, 2020.

Two former Ministers, Bernhard Esau for Fisheries and Marine Resources and Sacky Shanghala for the Ministry of Justice, resigned after ...

Fish Art Contests Fishing for Entries by US Forest Service/AK

The Alaska Forest Service is fishing for entries in a state fish art contest.

“We are just thrilled to see such a diverse art assortment of art coming into our offices in Juneau. Our employees are going to be engaged as judges. This is something really fun for us.”

Bobbie Jo Skibo is US Forest Service regional partnership coordinator in Alaska and new state host of the fish art competition, a project of the conservation charity Wildlife Forever.

Its Fish On! program uses art as a springboard into the...

Judge Denies Chicken of the Sea, Food Preparers’ $6.5 Million Settlement

California Federal Judge Janis L. Sammartino denied a proposed settlement between commercial food preparers (CFPs) and Chicken of the Sea over price-fixing of canned tuna. Sammartino ruled that the settlement does not provide “adequate relief to the class.”

Back in May, Chicken of the Sea (COSI) reached a tentative deal that would have settled the class action suit with the food preparers it was involved in stemming from the price-fixing. The company filed court papers, but the deal was denied last Friday.

Sammartino broke down several...

Study: Coastal Ocean Acidification Already Affecting Dungeness Crab Larvae

The future of the West Coast's most valuable fishery -- Dungeness crab -- may be at risk due to ocean acidification, according to recent NOAA research. Learn more from NOAA's Research News below:

A new NOAA-funded study documented how acidification is affecting the shells and sensory organs of some young Dungeness crab. Analysis of samples collected during a 2016 NOAA research cruise identified examples of damage to the carapace, or upper shell, of numerous larval Dungeness crabs, as well as the loss of hair-like sensory structures crabs use to...

Captain D’s Launches $4.99 Full Meal Deals

For those looking to find great value on a seafood meal may want to head over to Captain D’s and order a full meal deal for just $4.99.

The new deals will features Flounder, Catfish and D’s Signature Batter Dipped Fish from Jan.27-Feb. 3 and includes six Butterfly Shrimp, two sides and hush puppies.

"We know how important delicious, affordable full meals are to our guests," said Bindi Menon, vice president of national marketing. "We pride ourselves on our ability to offer premium seafood, like Flounder and Catfish..."

Maine Representatives Urge USTR to Hold China Accountable on U.S. Lobster Commitment

A delegation of Maine representatives sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer asking for specific information regarding China’s commitment to purchase lobster in a recently announced U.S.-China trade deal.

U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) pushed the USTR to release China’s financial commitment to American lobster.

The representatives cited China’s history of not fulfilling trade agreements. The delegation wants transparency to ensure that China will purchase American lobster...

Shanghai Disney Resort Closes During Chinese New Year As Coronavirus Spreads

As the novel coronavirus spreads, Shanghai Disney Resort confirmed on Friday that beginning on January 25 they are temporarily closing Shanghai Disneyland, Disneytown including Walt Disney Grand Theatre and Wishing Star Park. They have no reopening date but said that they are "carefully monitoring the situation" and will "be in close contact with local government." The closure of the park is just the latest announcement regarding the cancellation of Spring Festival celebrations.

Shanghai Disney opened in 2016, and in 2017 received more than 580,000 tourists during the Spring Festival...

NWAA Calls Cooke's Plans for Steelhead Farming a "Vital Step" to a Blue Economy

The Northwest Aquaculture Alliance (NWAA) lauded the approval for Cooke Aquaculture Pacific and Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe application to raise steelhead (also called sea-run rainbow trout) in Puget Sound “a vital step in growing the ‘Blue Economy’ in the region and United States.”

“We commend WDFW for ensuring that scientific evidence was front and center in making this important decision,” said NWAA Executive Director Jeanne McKnight.  

“We also commend the local teams at Cooke and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe for addressing all significant environmental items raised ...

Greenpeace Urging FCF to Focus on Transparency After Bumble Bee Acquisition 

After news of FCF Co.’s successful bid to purchase Bumble Bee Foods, NGO Greenpeace is urging the company to assure American consumers that it is transparent about its practices.

The Taiwanese tuna trader is one of the top seafood traders around the globe. It has links to nearly every region on the globe and it operates major brands and processors like Thai Union and now Bumble Bee.

FCF supplies multiple Thai processors that are connected to massive retailers like Walmart, Costco and Albertsons...

Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture: Shrimp Sector in Crisis due to Organized Crime

Cámara Nacional De Acuacultura (CNA), a non-profit organization aiming to promote Ecuadorian aquaculture highlighted the impact organized crime has had on the country’s shrimp industry.

The country’s top non-oil export and an industry that employs thousands of citizens, is going through a crisis due to organized crime, according to the organization. In particular, the provinces of Guayas and El Oro recorded the highest number of criminal incidents last year.

According to states from the CNA and Shrimp Producers of El Oro, 68 engines were...

Thomas Palm Steps Down as Cermaq’s CFO

After 10 years in Cermaq, CFO Thomas Palm is stepping down from his role. Palm became the CFO in 2016 at just 33 years old.

His tenure at Cermaq has seen Palm cover the entire financial field in what has been a steep journey with the company. He joined the company in 2010 as a Senior Analyst of Business Development. Three years later he shifted to Cermaq Norway as a Business Developer in 2013.

“Thomas has contributed a lot to the Cermaq we are today. Although I would prefer to see him continue...

Chinese New Year Celebrations Canceled as Quarantine Measures Over Novel Coronavirus Put in Place

China has initiated quarantine measures due to the novel coronavirus outbreak just a few days before Chinese New Year.

Chinese media outlets shared photos of notices posted at metro stops in Wuhan that state that the city’s bus, subway, ferry and long-distance passenger transport operations have been suspended. In addition, outlets are reporting that airport and railway stations from the Han corridor have been temporarily closed. According to reports, cars are currently allowed to exit Wuhan, however, some highways entering the city have been...

VIDEO: FCF’s Bumble Bee Bid; Tuna Price-Fixing Settlement; First Coronavirus Case in U.S. and More

Join SeafoodNews Weekly Video co-hosts Andraia Torsiello and Ryan Doyle as they talk about FCF's successful bid for Bumble Bee Foods; a California judge's denial of a potential settlement between commercial food preparers and Chicken of the Sea stemming from the tuna-price fixing scandal; the first Coronavirus case landing in the United States and a look into the aquaculture industry in the U.S.

This episode was brought to you by COMTELL, which will be receiving a complete redesign in 2020...

Science Center for Marine Fisheries Takes On Climate Change, Bycatch, and Menhaden in 2020

Three of the thorniest issues in the seafood industry will be looked at by the industry-academic group Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCeMFiS) this year. SCeMFiS researchers will have over $191,000 in funding for three projects involving climate change, bycatch, and Atlantic menhaden.

SCeMFiS is part of the National Science Foundation’s Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) program which brings academia and industry together to find solutions to urgent problems. Funding and research priorities are determined by both SCeMFiS scientists and industry members ...

CDC Ups Travel Notice to ‘Level 2’ After First Case of Novel Coronavirus Confirmed in U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has upped their travel health notice for China from a “Watch Level 1” to “Alert Level 2.”

Since the initial mysterious pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, the CDC has had a “Watch Level 1” travel health notice listed for China. The “Watch Level 1” notice encourages travelers to “practice usual precautions” when traveling to the specific destination, as well as to be up-to-date on all recommended vaccines. Now, with the first confirmed case of...