ASMI’s Salmon Update: Alaska Landings Improve After Slow Start this Summer

“Last week’s harvest of 22 million salmon was double the entire harvest of the eight prior weeks,” notes Garrett Evridge, the author of The Weekly Salmon Harvest Update and an economist at the McDowell Group. 

“While optimism has increased, statewide production continues to lag comparable years with some areas well below normal harvest.”

Statistical week #28, ending July 11, saw sockeye harvests of 18.3 million fish, bringing the current season within 20% of the 5-year average. 

“Incredibly productive fishing in Bristol Bay saw records fall across the region... 

Majority of Salmon Still in Sunken Cages Following Severe Storm at Blumar’s Caicura Farm

A large number of salmon still remain in sunken cages at Blumar’s Caicura farming center after a massive storm came through the Seno Reloncaví, Hualaihué commune, Palena province, Los Lagos region in the early morning of June 27.

As SeafoodNews reported late last month, the storm ended up sinking 16 of Blumar’s salmon cages, which held 875,144 fish, with an average weight of 3,828 kilos. The company immediately notified the maritime authorities, the National Fisheries Service (Sernapesca) and the Superintendency of the Environment of the incident...

REPORT: Price Setting Panel to Provide Decision on ASP’s Shrimp Price Reconsideration Request Today

On Friday the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) submitted a request to the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel to reconsider the July 2 decision made on shrimp pricing. 

As SeafoodNews previously reported, ASP had initially proposed $0.70 per pound, a 57.6% reduction from the minimum price in summer 2019. The group’s position was that the “normal comparison of summer to summer market pricing is no longer adequate to establish pricing for 2020.” Instead, they felt that the Panel should establish pricing in line with 2014...

Texas Brown Shrimp Season Opens Tomorrow in State and Federal Waters

After closing in mid-May to protect brown shrimp not yet at market size and during their major period of migration from the bays to the Gulf of Mexico, state and federal authorities are opening up the season Wednesday, July 15. The closure helps to prevent waste caused by the discarding smaller-sized shrimp and to allow the outmigration to happen. 

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Coastal Fisheries Division evaluated recent samples collected during routine trawls and bag seines in June.

Following the evaluation of those samples...

JAPAN: Surimi Product Exports to the U.S. Down 57% in May

According to the Ministry of Finance trade statistics, the monthly export value of surimi products (excluding fish sausages) in May was 621.83 million yen ($5.82 million), down 12% from the same month of the previous year. The spread of the new coronavirus infection continued to impact exports to the U.S., which was previously the largest export destination. Exports to the U.S. fell 57% to 108.81 million yen ($1.02 million). On the other hand, Hong Kong increased by 15% to 208.93 million yen ($1.95 million), and...

New Compliance Policy Guide for FDA’s The Seafood List Now Available

Yesterday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) called, “ Use of The Seafood List to Determine Acceptable Seafood Names.” This update finalizes a draft CPG issued in November 2016.  CPG is intended for use with The Seafood List and provides consistency, accuracy, and clarity for determining acceptable market names for seafood sold in interstate commerce.

The guide includes:

A reminder to FDA staff that USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service regulates fish of the order Siluriformes, including catfish, and products derived from ...

Study: COVID and Brexit-related Fishing Slowdown, Can Help Rebuild UK’s Fish Stocks

Findings from a recent study suggest that the slowdown in fishing in the United Kingdom due to COVID-19 and Brexit negotiations can help replenish the nation’s fish stocks.

The study by the University of Southampton, the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research and the Sea Around Us initiative at the University of British Columbia sets out how the UK Government can take a new approach to manage its fishing waters.

Following Brexit, the UK will be able to create its own fisheries policy...

Japanese Mackerel Exports to China Jump 22 Times in May

In May, the monthly export volume of Japanese mackerel was 19,370 tons, down 17% from the previous month. It, however, increased 8% compared to the same month last year when exports were sluggish. Until the past year, Nigeria, which was the largest market, dropped 71% year-on-year, while Vietnam, the largest export destination this year, grew 1.4 times, and China 21.5 times. The number for the Philippines also increased 4.1 times, according to the Minato Shimbun report.

The average export price for the same month was...

Global Salmon Initiative Looks to Boost Sustainability Efforts

As it looks towards its future, the Global Salmon Initiative (GSI) said it will launch new projects to address challenges in climate, food and nutrition security in hopes to put the farmed salmon industry as one of the global leaders of sustainable proteins.

GSI’s new project includes establishing a reporting framework of industry and supply chain climate impact with help from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). This will be a first-of-its-kind effort in the food sector, the GSI said. The framework will be used to enhance climate mitigation strategies...

ASC Responds to Fish Welfare Report Published by GAA in May

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is responding to a fish welfare report that was released by the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) in May.

The report, which was authored by scientists at the University of Stirling, looked to provide guidance on “identifying and strengthening best practices for animal welfare in aquaculture.” Within the 56-page document, the researchers determined that of the three major international standards ⁠— ASC, BAP and GlobalGAP ⁠— ASC has the “least focus on welfare.”

“The ASC Standards include a number of requirements for animal welfare,” ASC wrote...

Ecuador Forms COVID-19 Oversight Taskforce After China Suspends Shrimp Imports From 3 Companies

Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture has formed a COVID-19 Oversight Taskforce (COT) in response to positive COVID-19 samples that China found on the outside of shrimp packaging belonging to three Ecuadorian companies. The taskforce has been formed to implement and monitor hygiene and food safety policies for the shrimp industry.

The taskforce was formed directly under the lead of Ministry of Production, Trade, Investment and Fisheries, the Ministry of Health, the Secretary of Quality and Control and the National Chamber of Aquaculture of Ecuador...

New Poll Shows Alaska Voters Oppose Construction of Pebble Mine by Two to One

A new research study by David Binder Research of likely voters in the November 2020 election, confirms that opposition to the Pebble Mine project is “broad and intense.”

Alaskans oppose the construction of the mine, including almost half (48%) who strongly oppose that. Further, 57% support a veto from the Environmental Protection Agency, while 34% oppose.

The online survey was conducted in early June of 500 likely November 2020 voters in Alaska. The demographics and partisan composition of the survey reflect that of...

FDA Prepping to Resume Domestic Inspections Following Four-Month Halt 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn M.D. said preparations have begun for the return of domestic inspections of FDA-regulated facilities.

Domestic inspections were scaled back in March as COVID-19 outbreaks began to shut down the country. As of July 10, the FDA is looking to restarting on-site inspections during the week of July 20.

The start date is subject to change as inspections will rely on “data about the virus’ trajectory in a given state and locality and the rules..."

Nova Austral Fined For Misreporting Mortalities to Sernapesca

Chilean salmon company Nova Austral has been fined 3,000 UTM (more than 150 million pesos) after providing Sernapesca with unreliable information related to fatalities at their farming center in Magallanes in 2019.

Alicia Gallardo Lagno, the National Director of Sernapesca, filed a complaint against the company for the delivery of unreliable information. The company also received a complaint for providing the information to Sernapesca after the deadline. Gallardo Lagno requested the maximum possible sanction under the Fisheries Law, which would equate to a fine of...

Russian Pollock Roe from the Previous Fishing Season Increased by 10% to 34,000 Tons

The new Russian Pollock roe's production volume is estimated to be 33,000 to 34,000 tons this year, which is an increase of 2000 to 3000 tons, up to six to ten percent, from the previous period. The high-grade product's median market price was $6.00 to $7.20/kg in the March-April bid but dropped to no more than $5.50/kg after mid-May. As for off-grade, buying in South Korea was weak, and the feeling of affordability became...

Nemuro Sockeye Salmon Aquaculture Starts in the Second Year

On July 3 the Nemuro City Sockeye Salmon Culture Council, which is organized by the City of Nemuro and four fishery coops in Nemuro, started the second year experimental mariculture for sockeye salmon at Nemuro Port. It will develop the knowledge of aquaculture technology by comparing and verifying the growth status, increase in fat, survival rate, among others compared to last year, reports Suisan Keizai Shimbun.

The experiment is to demonstrate the sockeye salmon aquaculture technology on the open ocean, which an institution researched in response to...

Chile: 8.1 Tons of Mussels Found Hidden in Dairy Truck 

Chilean police conducting roadside control in the city of Osorno were surprised to find 8.1 tons of cholgas, also known as ribbed mussels, in a truck labeled as belonging to Soprole, a well-known dairy brand.

The discovery by police was made in the early hours of July 2. The police then contacted Sernapesca for additional support. However, the driver could not provide the fisheries agency with the legal origin of the fresh mussels, or any documentation. 

Two subpoenas were...

Port Moller Test Fishery Says Bristol Bay Run May Reach 60 Million Sockeye in 2020

Yesterday’s increased catch indices at the Port Moller Test Fishery’s inside stations have resulted in a current interpretation that the run is “4-6 days late and greater than 50 million,” report Scott Raborn and Michael Link, managers of the test fishery.

“Sustained Port Moller indices are edging this forecast towards 60 million or at least the high 50s assuming the run-per-index (RPI) has not inexplicably declined,” they reported yesterday evening.

More data will come today as the research vessel Ocean Cat conducts  ... 

NOAA Cancels Surveys on Sea Scallops, Clams, and the Ocean’s “Twilight Zone” in Northeast

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, NOAA Fisheries “is continuing to assess the status of other surveys in the region” but have decided to cancel annual surveys for sea scallops and Atlantic surfclam/ocean quahog that would normally be underway now in the Northeast.

“These are difficult decisions for the agency as we strive to balance our need to maintain core mission responsibilities with the realities and impacts of the current health crisis,” the agency said in a press release dated July 10.

“Since March, we have...

Video Game Developers Invest in Ace Aquatec

The heads of Scotland-based video game developer 4J Studios, Chris van der Kuyl and Paddy Burns have invested in Ace Aquatec a company providing technological developments to aquaculture and other marine industries.

van der Kuyl and Burns lead the studios behind the insanely popular Minecraft Console Edition video game. The investment gives the pair a 10% stake in Ace Aquatec, valuing the company at £15.4 million, according to The Herald.

“Chris and Paddy’s experience growing digital businesses will be a significant asset to our team as we strive to blend..."

NOAA Taps Denit as New Director of Sustainable Fisheries Office

Kelly Denit was named the Director of NOAA’s Office of Sustainable Fisheries. Denit will oversee an office responsible for implementing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the management of Atlantic highly migratory species, and promoting U.S. seafood safety while supporting seafood-related commerce and trade.

Denit will work closely with regional offices and science centers alongside management councils, commissions and states to create effective management measures, set catch limits, ensure regulation compliance and reduce bycatch.

NOAA explained that Denit will ensure office activities support agency priorities...

Thai Union Pleased with Thailand’s Rating from Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch

The Thai Union Group welcomed Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch’s rating for farmed shrimp originating from Thailand. The country has reached a Yellow Good Alternative rating.

According to Thai Union, shrimp aquaculture methods have improved since the country was last assessed by the Seafood Watch group. Previously, the rating was Red but in recent years farmers in the country have improved water quality management, response to disease challenges and reduced water exchange with the environment.

The Seafood Watch’s report showed improvements in the sustainability of feed ingredients...

Sernapesca: Fishing Period for Sardines, Anchovies Comes to An End Until October

Sernapesca announced that the fishing period for minor pelagics in the Maule, Ñuble, Biobío and Los Ríos regions came to a close earlier this week. The reproductive closure for common sardine and anchovy occurs every year in the month of July and runs through October 4, when purse-seine fleets are allowed to resume operations.

"This fishery is defined as strategic in Sernapesca's national control plan, so we are very proud to be able to successfully complete this first period,” said Alicia Gallardo, National Director of Sernapesca...

Eleven New COVID-19 Cases at Valdez Plant, Most Asymptomatic, Active Cases in AK Approach 900

Alaska’s coronavirus cases continues skyward with another record breaking daily total of 116 resident and non-resident cases on July 11. That total includes 11 new positives from seafood workers in Valdez, bringing total seafood worker cases to 162. With total resident and non-resident cases at 1,793 as of midnight last Saturday, seafood workers represent 9 percent of the total cases in Alaska.

Late last Friday, Valdez received confirmation of 11 non-resident cases of COVID-19.

“All of the new non-resident ...

ANALYSIS: Farmed Salmon Taking a Hit as COVID-19 Cases Increase Around the Country

Farmed salmon has begun to take a hit from restaurant closures and upticks in COVID-19 cases around the country. Last week the whole fish markets out of both the Northeast, West Coast, and Chile adjusted drastically lower. 12-14 West Coast Seattle whole dropped 10.3 percent from last week or $0.30.  

After a large uptick from almost all farmed salmon items from the middle of June through the week of July 4, the market appears to be dealing with an oversupply situation...

ANALYSIS: Frozen Tuna Imports Decline 31% in May

Total imports of frozen tuna fillets for the month of May declined 31.6% from the previous month and are 45% less than compared to May 2019. YTD total import volume is down 8.4% compared to this time last year, registering 33.3 million pounds. However, for the first four months of the year, Jan-April 2020, total imports registered 28.5 million pounds, a 3% increase over the same period last year. It must be noted that 2019 recorded the highest import volume at 90 million pounds...

Connecticut Delegation Looking for USDA to Reverse Decision on Shellfish Farmer COVID-19 Aid

Politicians from Connecticut sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture asking to reverse the decision prohibiting the state’s shellfish farmers from receiving payments from the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).

Connecticut’s shellfish farmers were able to receive assistance from the CARES Act but additional direct payments through the CFAP could help the industry battle the negative impacts of the coronavirus, the delegation argued.

“Shellfish aquaculture is a $30 million industry in our state and this decision puts the long-term survival...

Coast Guard Medevacs Injured Fisherman 100 Miles off Coos Bay, Oregon

A U.S. Coast Guard aircrew medically evacuated a 26-year-old man Saturday morning off the fishing vessel McKenzie Rose 100 miles west of Coos Bay.

The fishing vessel’s captain used a marine radio to hail watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend at approximately 5:30 a.m. to report a member of the crew sustained a head injury and was in need of medical attention.

The McKenzie Rose began to transit toward shore to more quickly rendezvous with the Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew. A constant ...

Oregon Commission Adopts a Climate and Ocean Change Policy — the First in the Nation

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on Friday adopted a Climate and Ocean Change Policy Friday on a unanimous vote, making it the first state fish and wildlife commission in the nation to adopt such a measure.

The Policy approved Friday will be the framework under which ODFW will evaluate the impacts of climate change on the resources under its stewardship, adopt management practices to safeguard those resources and minimize the impacts to communities that depend on these resources. The Policy also includes...

China Suspends Ecuador Shrimp Imports After Allegedly Finding Positive Samples of Coronavirus

Almost a month after blaming a new outbreak of COVID-19 in Beijing on imported salmon, the Chinese Government is now suspending shrimp imports from Ecuador after allegedly finding positive traces of the virus on packaging.

According to China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC), samples of imported shrimp tested positive for the coronavirus.

“As of 24:00 yesterday, the customs houses across the country had collected 227,934 samples,” said Bi Kexin, Director...