NMFS Releases Latest Fisheries of US Report; Alaska On Top for Volume, Value

Alaska topped the U.S. in commercial fisheries landings and value in 2017, according to the latest Fisheries of the United States 2017 report released this week by NOAA.

While Alaska's 6 billion pounds of landings generating $1.8 billion led the nation, fishing and seafood consumption increased across the board last year. Landings and value of U.S. fisheries continued a strong, positive trend, according to NOAA. Fishermen landed 9.9 billion pounds of fish and shellfish in 2017, while the U.S. imported 5.9 billion pounds of seafood, up 1.6 percent.

Given the increases in ...

Chinese Basa Producers Focus on Strong Domestic Market, See Positive Signs for 2019

This has been a great year for China’s basa industry. Now its farming and processing have been coming to an end, while the products are still sold at high prices. And according to initial estimates, China has raised about 25,000 to 30,000 tons of basa this year, and it has over 20 processing plants. Currently the plants in Guangdong and Guangxi have run out of raw materials and have to buy from Hainan. 　　

Their farm gate price is 4.5 yuan/jin (1 jin=0.5 kilo) in Hainan, while they are sold at about 4.8 yuan/jin to 4.9 yuan/jin in others and even as high as 5 yuan/jin at some point...

ADF&G Releases Annual Outlook for 2019 Groundfish Harvests in Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet

December 14, 2018

A revised overview of what Alaska processors and fishermen can expect in the upcoming groundfish fishery in Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet was released this week. The notice announced Guideline Harvest Limits (GHLs) on pollock, cod, sablefish, and rockfish along with limits on bycatch and important rules about avoiding seabirds and marine mammals and new rules on electronic monitoring.

PWS Pollock, Sablefish, Cod

The 2019 GHL in Prince William Sound at 6.6 million lbs, a 16% decrease from 2018's ...

VIDEO: 2017 Seafood Consumption Numbers; Dungeness Crab Delay and More News 

Watch the latest Seafood News Weekly Recap with hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione. This week we talk about the 2017 seafood consumption numbers; Chile’s increase in salmon exports; the West Coast Dungeness crab delay; and the Canadian Government’s aquaculture management initiatives.

This video is sponsored by Urner Barry’s Reporter, the quarterly newsmagazine for the food industry professional packed with the latest industry headlines, analysis and trending articles. Contact advertise@urnerbarry.com to be a featured sponsor in the spring edition of the Reporter, which is distributed to thousands of protein...

EU announces new tariff quotas for 2019-20, raises limit for Alaska pollock to 320,000t

The European Council has announced the new autonomous tariff quotas (ATQs) for 2019-20 on Dec. 11, providing reduced or duty-free import rates for certain products from outside the EU.

By far the biggest beneficiary of the ATQs is Alaskan pollock, which has been granted an extra 20,000 metric tons of tariff-free imports by the new ATQs. This brings the total annual tariff-free import quota of the species to 320,000t.

Undercurrent News understands that the additional quota was provided so that a quirk in legislation could be avoided. Under official EU rules, importers must begin paying a duty on additional volume once 80%...

Per Capita Seafood Consumption Highest Since 2008, with Gains in Shrimp, Salmon, Cod

NFI has released their annual compilation of the top ten seafoods consumed in the US on the day that NOAA is finally releasing its Fisheries of the United States for 2017.

Overall, Americans ate 16.0 pounds of edible seafood per person in 2017, a big jump from 14.9 pounds in 2016.  The percentage gain is 7.4%.  NOAA uses a disappearance model, so it does not account for seafood inventory holdings that carry over from year to year.

This is the highest per capita number since 2008...

Concern Mounts for Winter Season as Nova Scotia Lobster Landings Down Considerably

The fall lobster season in Southwest Nova Scotia is the largest and most important Canadian season.  Last year, LFA 33 and 34 combined for over 70 million pounds of landings, or about 60% of all landings in the Maritimes.

It is also positioned right before the both the European and Chinese holidays, when lobster shells have hardened, and demand is at its peak.

So a hiccup here has the potential to reverberate throughout the market. 

In recent years, there have been challenges...

Chile Furthers its Seafood Exports, Market Penetration in China

Chile has enjoyed a 10. 6 percent increase in salmon exports from January to September compared with the same period last year. Its total export volume reached 459,000 tons, while the value exceeded $2.5 billion USD. Sales to the U.S., the largest importer, is $1.4 billion USD and those to Brazil are $426 million USD.

At the same time, China and Russia contribute most to this increase. Chile's export to China skyrocketed by 83.3 percent to reach 33,000 tons, while those to Russia ...

Former Disney Exec Enters New Partnership to Bring Fully Traceable Fresh Iceland Seafood to U.S.

Approximately six months after founding Niceland Seafood, former Walt Disney exec Oliver Luckett is in the process of introducing fully traceable fresh Icelandic seafood to more people. Working alongside Seattle Fish Co., Niceland Seafood has now entered into a partnership with King Soopers and City Market to bring fully traceable fresh Icelandic seafood products to 65 locations in the U.S.

This past June, Luckett, the former head of innovation at the Walt Disney Company, and founder and CEO of social media management agency theAudience...

NPFMC Adopts Groundbreaking Ecosystem Management Plan for Bering Sea

The latest regional council to adopt an ecosystem-oriented management plan is the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council for the Bering Sea. Ecosystem considerations while managing a single population of fish have become critical as fisheries habitats -- and the behavior of other species in that area -- change. The Bering Sea is one of the planet’s fastest changing habitats and one of its most productive for seafood.

The NPFMC has used an ecosystem approach for years, as have other regional councils, but the Anchorage-based council formalized their effort...

Green Plains and Optimal Fish Food Form Optimal Aquafeed Company in New Joint Venture

There is a new player in aquaculture feed. On Wednesday Green Plains Inc. and Optimal Fish Food LLC. Announced that they have formed Optimal Aquafeed, a 50/50 joint venture to “produce high-quality aquaculture feeds utilizing proprietary techniques and high-protein feed ingredients.”

“Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, and we have an opportunity to become a key supplier of high-quality protein aquafeed,” Green Plains president and CEO Todd Becker said in a press release...

8 Maine Fishermen’s Organizations Urge Incoming Governor to Keep Current DMR Commissioner Keliher

Maine has elected a democrat, Janet Mills, to be governor, bringing to a close the period when Paul LePage was governor for eight years. 

LePage had a reputation as loud, obnoxious, and contentious, and repeatedly refused to implement programs voted by referendum or the legislature that he didn’t like.  But during his terms the seafood industry prospered in Maine, and Commissioner Keliher became a leader in advocating responsible positions for east coast fisheries.

With the change in administration, eight organizations, including the Maine Lobstermen’s Association...

Over 250 Retailers and Restaurant Companies Send Letter to Congress About QIP Correction

Over 250 retailers and restaurant companies, including Red Lobster Hospitality, have sent a letter to members of the House and Senate urging them to fix a mistake in last year’s tax reform law.

“The undersigned organizations urge you to support inclusion of technical corrections to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in the end of the year legislation,” the letter reads. “Ways and Means Committee Chairman Brady introduced the Retirement Savings and Other Tax Relief Act, which included five technical corrections to TCJA...

Canadian Government Announces Aquaculture Management Initiatives

The Canadian government announced on Monday that they will be moving forward with initiatives that will ensure that the aquaculture sector is “economically successful and environmentally sustainable.” The initiative is part of Canada’s efforts to not only protect wild salmon, but meet the growing global demand for seafood.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making aquaculture more effective, efficient and environmentally sustainable,” the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, said in a press release.”

Key initiatives include...

2019 Pollock TACs up in Bering Sea, Down in GOA, Cod TACs Down in Both Regions

The North Pacific Fisheries Management Council set specs for the 2019 season on two dozen groundfish species, but it's pollock, cod and flatfish that get all the attention.

In the Bering Sea, the pollock TAC for 2019 will be 1.397 million mt, up 2.4% from 2018’s 1.364 mmt. Current catch as of late November, however, is already above that at 1.378 mmt. 

The pollock TAC for the Aleutian Islands in 2019 stayed the same as 2018 at 19,000 mt ...

West Coast States Delay Dungeness Crab Season — Again

Citing spotty meat recovery rates, the fish and wildlife agencies of Washington, Oregon and California said Friday the commercial Dungeness crab season from Point Arena, Calif., to the U.S./Canada border start will be delayed until after Dec. 30.

Testing showed light crab primarily in southern Oregon and northern California. Some areas had crab that were close to the threshold for a mid-December opening, but many fishermen and processors urged managers to hold off until the whole coast could open at once.

"This decision was based on...

'Boston' Lobsters Again Shine in China's Singles Day Sales Last Month

Boston lobsters shine again in China’s online shopping carnival this year.

November 11th has been witnessing online shopping frenzy of Chinese consumers as well as their deep pockets. This year buyers have set new records during the shopping carnival. One is that the turnover has reached 100 billion yuan ($14.4 billion) within the first two hours for online stores on Alibaba’s T-mall platform. Meanwhile, sales value has also skyrocketed on other virtual platforms that day.

Imported fresh food used to be rare in China...

Total FDA Refusals Decrease Slightly in November 2018

Total refusals of shipments decreased 1.6% from November 2017 to November 2018. Year-to-date there are 61 line item refusals compared to 62 at this time last year.

Tuna had the biggest YTD increase in November, with 203 line item refusals compared to 135 at this time last year; a 50.4% increase. Mahi Mahi refusals also increased, with 168 YTD compared to 126 last year YTD.

Unclassified fish, tilapia, lobster, snapper and shrimp are all down YTD. Unclassified fish had a 64.4% drop...

Cermaq Canada Frees Humpback Whale From Empty Salmon Cage

Earlier this month employees at Cermaq’s Millar Channel farm site rescued a healthy humpback whale that somehow ended up in an empty sea cage.

Employees made the discovery at approximately 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 2. Due to inspections that occur throughout the day, the employees were able to determine that the whale was in the cage system for less than 18 hours. Upon seeing that the whale was in good health, not entangled, and not exhibiting any signs of stress, the crew made the decision to...

Russia Seeks to Diversify and Increase Efforts with Coldwater Shrimp

Russian leading fish producers are considering diversifying their activities into areas that have been previously uncommon for them -- such as coldwater shrimp -- according to recent statements of producers and some market analysts in the field of fish business.

Producers say due forthcoming reforms in the Russian fish industry and the introduction of auctions that will replace the existing historical scheme of quota distribution, forces them to pay more attention to new directions for business, even though they could be less profitable than pollock and crab production but more reliable.

According to producers, many ...

Groundfish Enterprise Council Changes Name to Atlantic Groundfish Council

The Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council (GEAC) unveiled its new name prior to its annual meeting: Atlantic Groundfish Council®. The rebrand includes a new website and tagline 'Responsibly Harvesting for Tomorrow', emphasizing the association’s commitment to a balanced, sustainable groundfish industry that puts the responsible management of the resource first and foremost. 

The industry association represents year-round groundfish harvesters in Atlantic Canada.  The nineteen member companies include the largest offshore groundfish quota holders, including Ocean Choice International, Icewater Seafoods, Clearwater, and others...

BAP Seafood Officially Launches in Japanese Market

Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certified seafood is available in Japan. According to the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), shrimp and pangasius from BAP certified facilities is now being sold at the employee cafeteria at Japanese electronics manufacturer Hitachi.

“The importance of sustainable seafood sourcing policies is rapidly progressing in Japan,” Global Aquaculture Alliance VP Steve Hart said in a statement. “That’s why we are excited to make this the first official launch of BAP in the Japanese market.”

Hitachi is working with its food service provider...

John Henderschedt to Leave NOAA’s International Division for Former Company Phoenix PLP

John Henderschedt, director of NOAA’s International Affairs and Seafood Inspection program, will leave his federal post for a position with a former employer on January 30, 2019.

Henderschedt was the first director under NOAA's newly organized office, incorporating international affairs and seafood inspection. He started in April 2015. Last Tuesday, Henderschedt sent an email to his staff, saying he was “returning to work in the private sector. 

“I will be joining the company for which I previously worked, now as its Vice President and COO...

Russia Tightens its Trade Relationship with Hunchun as Chief Chinese Port of Entry for Live Crab

There has been dramatic increase in Russia’s export to Hunchun city of China’s Jilin province during the first three quarters of this year. Live crabs are one of the winners with the export growing by 277 percent to reach 683 million yuan (~$99 million USD) compared with the same period last year.

In total, 32 companies in Hunchun specialized in seafood trading with Russia. Their total import value has skyrocketed by 1.5 times to reach 1.254 billion yuan...

Alaska State Cod Winter/Spring TAC Near 8 Million Pounds After Reallocation from Bering Sea

The Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game has announced the TACs for the inshore state water cod season for 2019.

The three fishing areas are Kodiak, Chignik, and the South Peninsula.  The allocations are divided between pot and jig vessels, with most being allocated to pots.

For Kodiak, the total is 2.1 million lbs, evenly divided between pot and jig.  There is no size limit on vessels, but pot gear vessels greater than 58 feet, such as most of those that...

Poke One of Grubhub's Top Foods of 2018

Pass the poke! Online and mobile food-ordering and delivery company Grubhub released their annual “Year in Food” report, and based on their findings, poke was one of the top 10 foods ordered this year.

Grubhub analyzed orders placed by more than 16 million diners on their platform and surveyed customers across the country on their ordering tastes and eating habits. While chicken was a popular food preference for many Grubhub users, taking up 5 of the 10 spots on the list...

Captain D’s Debuts New Restaurant Prototype in Louisiana

Captain D’s announced on Monday that they have debuted their innovative new restaurant type at their newest corporate-owned location in New Iberia, Louisiana.

The new restaurant protype was designed to help franchise operators save money and improve efficiency. Features include a smaller footprint than the brand’s traditional locations, and a new design that makes more use of vertical space in the restaurant’s kitchen, which in turn cuts costs for franchisees and allows for “quicker development.” The prototype also features a newly designed customer service area, which the company believes will...

Shrimp Continues to Pour into the US, With Another Record Year for Imports Likely

The latest shrimp import numbers confirm that 2018 will likely be the 5th year of record shrimp imports into the US.

Through October, the US has imported 1.247 billion pounds of shrimp, which is 5% over the figure from October, 2017.

In the last five years, the total volume of shrimp imports has risen 35.6%.

In 2018, the bulk of the increase was in cooked shrimp, and in peeled raw shrimp.  HLSO volumes have been relatively flat...

Russia Says Six Pollock Factories Will Aim to Push Chinese Pollock from EU in 2020

Russian pollock producers plan to increase their share of the European Union market and to push Chinese competitors out during the next several years, they say. The plan will take place through a significant increase of the quality of exported products, according to recent statements of some Rosrybolovstvo senior officials and local producers.

According to Petr Savchuk, the deputy head of Rosrybolovstvo, the quality of Russian pollock products will be significantly higher than those offered by Chinese competitors...

LISTEN: Seafood Retail Features Analysis; 2019-20 Scallop Plan; Thai Union's Lobster Lab and More

Join Seafood News staff writer Amanda Buckle and Urner Barry seafood market reporter Lorin Castiglione for a new episode of the SeafoodNews Podcast. This week on the podcast we take a look at seafood retail features, discuss the 2019-20 scallop plan, talk about Thai Union's Lobster Lab and much more.

This week’s episode is brought to you by Urner Barry’s Reporter, the quarterly newsmagazine for the food industry professional packed with the latest industry headlines, analysis and trending articles...