Coastal Villages Fund Sponsors New Report to Reopen Question of Fish Allocations Among CDQ Groups

SEAFOODNEWS.COM  [SeafoodNews]  April 20, 2018

Coastal Villages Region Fund has commissioned and released a report examining economic need among the areas served by each of the six Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) groups. Coastal Villages is sharing the report with attendees at the Arctic Encounter Symposium in Seattle on April 19-20 and will follow up with a series of community meetings across Western Alaska over the coming months.

The CDQ program was created in 1992 to alleviate poverty and to support economic development in Alaska Native communities along the coast of the Bering Sea. It allocates 10% of federal groundfish fisheries to 65 communities served by six designated CDQ groups that provide their residents a means to invest in the fisheries.

CVRF says that the way the program’s benefits are distributed does not reflect the communities’ relative populations or need, but rather the political influence they wielded in the 1990s.

“Coastal Villages has known for years that the program’s benefits flow disproportionately to the two CDQ groups serving the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands...

Jack Ventola Attorneys Claim Jail Sentence Would Lead to Demise of National Fish

SEAFOODNEWS.COM  by John Sackton  April 20, 2018

Jack Ventola, founder and President of National Fish and Seafood, now a subsidiary of Pacific Andes, pled guilty to falsifying income tax returns between 2007 and 2013 in December, 2017.

The sentencing hearing will be held on April 27, 2018.  The memo suggests that guidelines would mean a prison sentence of 24 to 30 months, plus the $1 million in restitution prosecutors won as part of the plea deal.

The sentencing memorandum filed by Ventola’s attorneys argues that jail time should be waived in this case, and Ventola should be placed on probation only.

As part of his plea, Ventola agreed to pay more than $1 million to the government in fines and penalties, of which he has already placed $200,000 in an escrow account.

The memorandum from his attorneys first makes the case that Ventola is a self-made man who started unloading trucks with a 9th grade education, and eventually founded and became president of National Fish..

A Short History of National Fish and Seafood, as Described by Jack Ventola Attorneys

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafoodnews]  April 20, 2018

The sentencing memorandum for Jack Ventola also details the history of National Fish and Seafood.  It is a quintessential New England fish business story, and for that reason, we publish the entire description here.

In working his way up from a gofer waiting in gas lines  for Mass Coastal Seafoods to a salesman with a national client base in the course of just five years, Mr. Ventola developed wide-ranging knowledge, skills, and expertise in the seafood business. He understood sales, transportation, industry control, and retail and “breaded” product lines. So, when Mass Coastal closed, Mr. Ventola decided to go into business on his own. He started NFS in 1979 when he was 31 years-old, just shy of his 32nd birthday.

In the beginning, NFS had only one employee: Mr. Ventola. He rented a windowless office with no bathroom for $200/month. His office supplies were just pads, pencils and three phone lines. He did not even have a desk. He sat on the floor with his back against the wall,...

China, Norway Work On Better Seafood Trade Relations, More Direct Flights

SEAFOODNEWS.COM[Guancha, Hainan] translated by Amy Zhong - April 20, 2018

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson was asked about the recent salmon smuggling case during the ministry’s regular news conference on April 12. According to the journalist, a Norwegian was seized for smuggling salmon from Vietnam into China on March 27. The odd part is that the suspect has passports of both China and Norway; so should she have been arrested as a Norwegian or a Chinese citizen? Is the smuggling her personal decision or her company’s? And is this case going to affect trade or even bilateral trade relations between the two countries? 

The spokesman said he didn’t know the details or answers to those questions yet. But one sure thing is the cooperation has been going well between China and Norway. 

Although the jury is still out on the smuggling case, China and Norway are on the way to further cooperation....

VIDEO: British Sustainable Seafood; Houston Restaurants Caught; Norovirus Outbreak; Scallop Plan 

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - April 20, 2018

Check out the top stories of the week in the SeafoodNews.com Weekly Recap Video. This week hosts Amanda Buckle and Nicole Christie talk about sustainable seafood at British supermarkets; Houston restaurants in trouble for illegally purchasing game fish; the BC norovirus outbreak; and the approval of the 2018 scallop plan.

This video is sponsored by Urner Barry's new Comtell app. Download the Comtell app today on the Apple app store for iOS or Google Play for Andriod.

Earth Day: What's Trashing Our Oceans?

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - April 20, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – Plastic bags are one of the biggest things trashing our oceans.

Sunday, April 22 is Earth Day and it’s also the day that a plastic bag ban begins in Kodiak.

Plastic bags are one of the top items trashing our oceans and waterways, according to reports by the Ocean Conservancy.

For over 30 years the Conservancy has spearheaded the world’s largest International Coastal Cleanup where volunteers from more than ...

Portion of Louisiana Offshore Waters Opening April 24 For Shrimp Season

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - April 20, 2018

Louisiana shrimpers will want to mark their calendars for April 24. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife announced on Friday that shrimp season will reopen at 6 a.m. on April 24 in a “portion of state outside waters seaward of Vermillion Bay.”

According to the press release, the portion open for shrimp season “extends from the inside/outside shrimp line seaward to the 3-mile line, from the Atchafalaya River Ship Channel at Eugene Island as delineated by the channel red buoy line westward to the western shore of ...

Norwegian Government Rejects Marine Harvest's Cargo Ship Fish Farm Concept

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - April 20, 2018

In June 2016 Atlantic salmon producer Marine Harvest sent an application to the Norwegian government seeking to turn an old cargo ship into a salmon farm. Now, almost two years later, the Norwegian Fisheries Directorate has rejected their application for licenses.

Sea lice has not only threatened farmed fish in open waters, but young wild salmon as well. In 2017 the country began to freeze certain productions that caused a severe threat to wild salmon. While Marine Harvest was using “cleaner fish” to feed on ...

Opinions Far Apart on Upcoming Newfoundland Northern Cod Quota; With Decision Up to Minister

SEAFOODNEWS.COM by John Sackton  April 19, 2018

After recent industry /DFO meetings in St. John’s, positions on how the DFO should approach the Northern Cod quota this year are far apart.

Earlier this year the scientific information presented was gloomy, with an unexpected 30% estimated decline in the spawning biomass of the Northern Cod stock.

This halted the growth trajectory that the stock had been on for a number of years.

The Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council, representing major harvesting and processing companies like Icewater...

Ice Still Holding up Crab Fishery Around PEI and New Brunswick

SEAFOODNEWS.COM  [SeafoodNews] April 19, 2018

SEAFOODNEWS.COM  [SeafoodNews] April 19, 2018

Strong northeast winds have packed ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Northern New Brunswick and the Northumberland Strait. 

The Canadian Coast Guard anticipates 5 to 7 more days of ice operations around the Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick, said Trevor Hodgson, acting superintendent of Ice Operations Atlantic.

As a result it looks like another week before the main crab ports of Shippigan and Caraquet can get operating.  Soon after that, on April 28th, a large area of fishing zones 12 and 19 will be closed to protect right whales.

This is making for a difficult year for New Brunswick crab fishermen after a banner year in 2017 that saw both record prices and record landings. 

 According to a report in the Journal Pioneer, Trevor Hodgson, acting superintendent of Ice Operations Atlantic...

Newfoundland Keeps its Lobster Price Formula for Another Year, in Victory for Harvesters

SEAFOODNEWS.COM  by John Sackton April 19, 2018

New ISSF Report Gives Tuna Purse Seine Fleet Recipe For Becoming MSC Certified

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] by Peggy Parker - April 19, 2018

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has published a comprehensive report of recommendations, with an emphasis on floating devices called fish aggregating devices or FADs usage, for purse-seine fisheries seeking Marine Stewardship Council certification.

Approximately 65% of the world’s tuna is harvested by purse seines and about two-thirds of the catch is made on FADs. They have been the center of a recent controversy highlighted by On the Hook Coalition ...

Novia Scotia Lobstermen Seeking Response From DFO on Industry-Led By-Catch Monitoring Program

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - April 19, 2018

The Southwest Lobster Science Society (SWLSS) is demanding some change from Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) regional management. The group, which is comprised of lobstermen in Southwestern Nova Scotia, is rallying to make some changes to the at-sea observer program to monitor bycatch.

Last year the DFO announced that they would be implementing an at-sea observer program to monitor bycatch in the lobster fishery. The program, which would go into effect in the fall of 2018, would require fishermen to ...

Price Quotations for Alaska 5-8 Snow Crab Restarted by Urner Barry for First Time Since 2016

SEAFOODNEWS.COM by John Sackton - April 18, 2018

Urner Barry has begun quotations for Alaskan 5-8 Snow Crab for the first time since 2016.  

In order to establish a quote, Urner Barry requires that their be enough product being traded on the spot market by a sufficient number of sellers to establish a price. 

During 2017 that never happened, as whatever Alaskan product was available was on allocation to specific customers. It was the first time in 10 years that Urner Barry was unable to establish ...

Seafood Volume Sales Flat, But Bright Spots for Fresh Shrimp, Scallops and Flounder

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] By Amanda Buckle - April 18, 2018

Despite a boost in sales from Lent, Nielsen reports that seafood volume sales are flat.

According to Nielsen’s report, dollar sales of seafood have increased 3.4% in the 52 weeks ending February 24, 2018. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the volume of seafood sold has increased. Volume sales are reportedly down 1.1% over that 52 week span, and Nielsen credits the dollar sales boost to an increase in average retail price.

But while volume sales are unimpressive, there is a “bright spot” in ...

NOAA Tells NE Management Council That Sectors 7 and 9 Plans May Not be Approved Until Mid-Summer

SEAFOODNEWS.COM by John Sackton - April 18, 2018

NOAA is discussing the fate of the vessels in sectors 7 and 9 with the New England Fishery Management Council this morning.

This has been the subject of a stand-off in which NOAA has demanded the illegal fishing is sector 9 due to Carlos Rafael be accounted for before vessels, including those formerly in the sector, will be allowed to lease quota or operate.

Meanwhile, players in New Bedford who have been hurt by the enforcement action have been trying ... 

Sustainable Shark Alliance Condemn Fin Ban, Push For Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act 

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - April 18, 2018

Should shark fin sales be banned in the U.S.? That’ the current debate.

On Tuesday members of the Sustainable Shark Alliance (SSA) testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans to support legislation that would promote shark conservation and oppose the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act.

As we previously reported, chefs and restaurant owners from over 30 states have sent a letter to Congress asking that they ...

Seafood Companies in Zhejiang Developing New Markets at Home and Abroad

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Shuichan] translated by Amy Zhong - April 18, 2018

Wenling city of Zhejiang, China, has exported 74 batches of seafood products weighing 1,056 tons and worth US $7.5 million in January and February, according to the local inspection and quarantine department. The value has risen 17.9 percent from that of the same period last year. And in addition to the EU, seafood companies there have developed new markets in Russia, South America and the Middle East.

Most seafood products of Wenling have been sold to the E.U., its main market, in the ...

Florida Keys 'Who Caught It?' Campaign Aims to Stop Seafood Fraud

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - April 20, 2018

Florida Keys fishermen want you to ask one question when buying your seafood: “Who Caught It?”

The City of Key West has been working alongside Florida Keys commercial fishermen and the Three Hands Fish sustainable seafood program to prevent seafood fraud. Together they launched the “Who Caught It?” campaign, which encourages people to question their fresh and local seafood. The group explains that if a restaurant or market claims that their seafood is “fresh” and “local,” then they should be able to answer a simple question ...

Norwegian Seafood Council Launches "Seafood From Norway" Quality Logo

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [The Nation] - April 20, 2018

The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), the representative of the world’s number one salmon exporter, in partnership with Thammachart Seafood Retail Co Ltd, has introduced the “Seafood from Norway” country-of-origin logo, as a trademark of quality.

The NSC works with the Norwegian fisheries and aquaculture industry to develop markets for Norwegian seafood. In Thailand, Thammachart is using the NSC’s Seafood from Norway brand, particularly for salmon. “Nobody knows salmon like the Norwegians”, said Jon Erik Steenslid, NSC’s regional director. “Norway is a country with a long, celebrated tradition of ...

South Australian Sardine Fishery Begins Assessment For MSC Certification

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - April 20, 2018

The South Australian Sardine Fishery is taking their first steps towards becoming Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified. The fishery is entering full assessment to the MSC Standard for Sustainable Fishing, which will subject them to third party independent assessment by MRAG Americas, an accredited certification body.

“Our fishery has been operating for 25 years and has always had a culture of sustainability,” Marcus Turner, Executive Officer of the South Australian Industry Association (SASIA) said in a statement. “MSC is a natural extension of this commitment and the values of our ...

NOAA Gives Final Approval to 2018 Scallop Plan Which Will Result in 60 Million Lb. Harvest

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - April 19, 2018

NOAA Fisheries and NMFS have approved measures included in Framework Adjustment 29 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management plan. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on Thursday and sets an annual catch limit of 60 million pounds of scallops for FY 2018. In comparison, the 2017 fishing year was set at 51.7 million pounds.

Framework 29 sets management measures for the Atlantic Sea Scallop fishery for the remainder of the 2018 fishing year ...

NFI Red Crab Council Implementing First FIP in China Thanks to New MoU With CAPPMA, O2

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - April 19, 2018

The National Fisheries Institute’s (NFI) Red Crab Council announced on Wednesday that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance (CAPPMA) and Ocean Outcomes (O2) to launch and implement a Red Swimming Crab Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) in China.

The NFI Red Crab Council, which grew out of NFI’s Crab Council, began planning FIP efforts with CAPPMA and O2 in 2016. The FIP efforts stem from the results of ...

Herring and Smelt Fisheries at Cook Inlet Fetch Nice Prices

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - April 19, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch. Herring and smelt fisheries at Cook Inlet fetch nice prices.

A food and bait herring fishery opens on April 20 in Upper Cook Inlet, and while it’s small – just 150 tons – it will pay out far higher than any other.

“They get $1 to $1.50 a pound or $2-$3,000 for a short ton. Those herring products are going primarily into the halibut commercial bait fishery or ...

Hawaiian Businesses Could Lose Billfish Sales to Mainland Under Proposed Federal Bill

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] by Susan Chambers - April 19, 2018

A federal bill, if passed, would eliminate Hawaiian sales of all billfish except swordfish to the mainland U.S.

The Billfish Conservation Act of 2012 has not been implemented yet but that hasn't stopped recreational organizations from trying to close what they see as a loophole.

Under S. 396, which passed the Senate in October 2017 and was referred to the House, all landings of billfish such as blue marlin landed in Hawaii (and other Pacific Insular Areas) ...

UK Aldi's Offer Largest Percentage of Sustainable Seafood

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - April 19, 2018

UK seafood lovers looking for sustainable options will want to head to discount supermarket Aldi. The store was just rated as the British supermarket that sells the most sustainably sourced products.

Every year the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) publishes the Supermarket Sustainable Seafood League, which rates British supermarkets on their sustainable seafood range. The League found that “just under 80% of Aldi’s seafood range is certified sustainable.” Sainsbury’s and Lidl trail just behind Aldi with 76% and 72%, respectively. Waitrose comes in just behind those supermarkets ...

CPF Acquires 40% Stake Brazil's Camanor for $17.5 million; Company Leads Shrimp Innovation in Brazil

SEAFOODNEWS.COM by John Sackton - April 18, 2018

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF) is continuing its push into high-tech shrimp breeding and high technology farms with the purchase of a 40% stake in Brazil's Camanor Products.

Camanor engages in shrimp farming and primary processing businesses in Brazil.  It has also developed shrimp farming technology called AquaScience®, which is a closed operating system raising shrimp in a high density environment without using chemicals or antibiotics, resulting in ...

Increase in Ukraine's Fish Imports Likely to Lead to Pollock, Whiting Opportunities for US

SEAFOODNEWS.COM  [Seafood News] by Eugene Gerden - April 18, 2018

Ukraine plans to increase its fish imports from the U.S., Norway and other major fish-producing nations this year, due to a small volume of domestic catch and the ever growing demand for quality fish in the domestic market, according to recent statements of senior Ukranian state officials and industry’s associations. 

After the annexation of the Crimea, the volume of fish production in Ukraine fell from 220,000 to 90,000 tonnes per year, figures that also include aquaculture, according to recent statements of the Association of Ukrainian Fish and Seafood Importers Director General Dmitry Zagumenny, who believes these figures are unlikely to grow in years to come. 

Instead, Ukraine and its importers pin their hopes on imports instead of domestic production...

Senator John Kennedy Wants President Trump to Add Chinese Crawfish, Shrimp to Tariff List

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - April 18, 2018

President Donald Trump has been imposing a series of tariffs since the start of the year, and Louisiana Senator John Kennedy wants him to consider adding Chinese crawfish and shrimp to the list.

On Tuesday Kennedy wrote a letter to President Trump requesting that Chinese crawfish and shrimp be “considered for addition to the product list if you decide to impose tariffs.”

“Including crawfish and shrimp would provide a much needed economic boost to the Louisiana seafood industry ...

Memorial Service Remembers Wilburn Hall, Pioneer in Dungeness and King Crab, who Died at 98

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] by Peggy Parker - April 18, 2018

Wilburn Hall, who ventured beyond his contemporaries in the early part of the last century to pot fishing in the open ocean, safety features on vessels, innovative gear design, and even vessel financing, died March 7 in Newport, Oregon. He was 98. 

Hall will be remembered for his innovation in the fishing industry -- modifying the shape and material used for Dungeness crab pots, test fishing for Dungeness in Alaska in 1961, forming a Russian joint venture for crab in ...