Letter to the Editor: 300-400% Higher Cost is the Problem with Alaska Observer Program

To the Editor: 

As the representative of 80 family-owned vessels and 95 IFQ holders taking part in the observer program and an 8-year member of the Fishery Monitoring Advisory Committee (formerly the Observer Advisory Committee) at the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council, I'd like to provide some context for Ms. Bonney's comments published by SeafoodNews on October 23, 2019. 

Considering that the trawl fleet is being subsidized by the fixed gear industry to take observers in the partial coverage program by a cost ...

Trade War Taking a Toll on Seafood Industries in Both the U.S. and China

After President Trump initiated a trade war against China, drastic changes have occurred to the trading between these two large economies. Both parties are suffering with no winner from either country, according to several media reports, and the seafood industry is among the biggest victims. Industry participants in both countries are feeling the pressure.

In China, for example, tilapia prices have decreased due to the coming harvest season and America’s higher tariffs. According to one processing plant in Zhanjiang, the price of live tilapias...

NOAA Awards $2.3 Million for Bycatch Reduction Research

NOAA Fisheries awarded $2.3 million to support 16 bycatch reduction research projects through its Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program.

The impacts of bycatch are well known. It can hurt the environment, fishermen’s pockets along and cause negative social impacts. Fisheries managers and environmentalists both want to limit bycatch across the globe.

NOAA said that they have worked alongside fishermen to develop solutions to some of the top bycatch issues in the United States. They highlighted past projects like, the creation of a bycatch avoidance too for cod in the...

Board of Fisheries Begins Annual Meeting Cycle

The state Board of Fisheries begins its annual meeting cycle  today (Wednesday) at the Egan Center in Anchorage with a work session that will last through tomorrow.

The seven member board sets the rules for subsistence, commercial, sport, and personal use fisheries and takes up issues by region every three years. This cycle focuses on lower and upper Cook Inlet, Kodiak, plus statewide king and Tanner crab fisheries and supplemental items.

In all, the board will address 276 proposals – 44 directed at lower Cook Inlet in early December, 36 for Kodiak in January...

Humpback Whale Population Rising After Flirting with Extinction, Study Says

A population of humpback whales in the South Atlantic are in the middle of a bounceback, according to a new study authored by University of Washington scientists.

Led by Alex Zerbini of the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center’s Marine Mammal Laboratory, his team of Phillip Clapham of Alaska Fisheries Science Center and Jennifer Jackson of the British Antarctic Survey, Grant Adams, John Best and André Punt of UW’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences showed the western South Atlantic humpback population has reached 25,000...

NaturalShrimp, Inc., Performs Final Testing of Next Generation Electrocoagulation Units

NaturalShrimp, Inc. and F&T Water Solutions, LLC, the aquaculture companies that developed and patented the first commercially-operational RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) for shrimp, announced today the final testing of two additional next generation electrocoagulation (EC) systems for installation at its pilot plant in La Coste, Texas.

NaturalShrimp, Inc. witnessed successful final testing of the two new EC systems on October 17, 2019 at the IP Automation Inc. facilities located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition, NaturalShrimp has ordered three smaller EC systems to provide isolated filtration of the...

Protests in Chile Slowing Salmon Shipments

Throngs of protests throughout Chile have begun to impact the seafood industry. Urner Barry industry sources have told SeafoodNews that salmon shipments are heavily being impacted due to the demonstrations.

The outrage from the country’s city was sparked by increasing metro fares, which further frustrated citizens over rising costs of living. Violence erupted in the country on Sunday as the death toll rose to 11. Looting and fires also broke out in multiple cities, according to reports. Interior Minister Andrés Chadwick noted that 110 supermarkets were looted throughout the country as well...

Offshore Wind Developer Hires Fisheries Liaison 

Hoping to effectively engage with the fishing industry, EnBW North America hired Beth Casoni as the company’s Fisheries Liaison.

EnBW also announced its membership in the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance’s (RODA) joint industry task force, which is devoted which is addressing issues of mutual interest to commercial fisheries and offshore wind farms.

“We are thrilled to add Beth Casoni’s deep experience and keen insight into the fishing industry to our team as EnBW North America works toward responsibly developing clean offshore wind energy here in the Northeast,” EnBW North America Managing Director Bill White...

Japanese Delegation Markets Buri Yellowtail, Scallops in France

A group of Japan Fisheries Association and the Japan Aquatic Products Export Council representatives promoted Japanese buri yellowtail and scallops in France earlier this month.

They traveled to the A4 Seafood Pavilion at Rungis market in France on a cold morning of October 2, after arriving at midnight.

World Sushi Skills Institute Director General Mr. Hirotoshi Ogawa, also a chef in charge of the World Sushi Cup, stood behind a long table provided by local seafood wholesaler R&O. Semi-dressed buri yellowtail and shucked scallops had been delivered from...

SalMar Names New CEO, Ervik Shifting Focus to Ocean-Based Fish Farming Subsidiary

SalMar tabbed Gustav Witzøe to become the company’s new CEO, effective immediately. Former CEO Olav Andreas Ervik was named managing director of a new ocean-based fish farming subsidiary, SalMar Ocean AS.

SalMar’s initiatives in ocean-based fish farming have to date been organized as a business area within SalMar and headed by Gustav Witzøe. These activities will now be transferred to a subsidiary that Ervik wanted to lead, SalMar said.

“We are convinced that ocean-based farming will play an important role in future food production..."

New Hope Liuhe Opens Aqua Feed Plant in Egypt- Xinhua

China's New Hope Liuhe officially inaugurated its latest aquafeed venture New Hope Egypt Aquatic Technology Co., Ltd. last week.

According to state news outlet Xinhua, the EYP 180 million (USD 11 million) facility in Gamasa can produce 100,000 tons of fish feed annually, and also provides technical assistance for its feed customers.

New Hope has grown its overseas footprint for over 20 years, and now boasts subsidiaries in 30 countries. This is reportedly its fourth Egyptian installation...

ANALYSIS: Seafood Items Swimming Upstream in October

October, as many say in the industry, is called National Seafood month for a reason, demand is quiet. School is in session and the U.S.’s appetite for seafood tends to wane during the Fall.

There are several seafood items, however, that are swimming upstream this fall. Each species has its own story to tell, but the theme circles around a lack of supply coupled with what appears to be an insatiable demand.

King and Snow Crab

Both king and snow crab demand has been active over the past several weeks...

Large Players Purchase Majority of Quota During Russian Crab Auctions

More than RUB 142 billion (US$2.22 billion) were allocated to the Russian federal budget as a result of recently completed crab auctions in the country, according to recent statements of producers, which participated in the auctions, and some Russian media reports.

As a result of the auctions 35 out of 41 lots, (which were initially put up for sale), were distributed, while each lot provides quotas for crab catch for the 15-year period. The companies will start crab catch under new quotas from 2020...

Coast Guard Medevacs Man from Alaska Ocean Vessel 15 miles West of Coos Bay

A U.S. Coast Guard aircrew medically evacuated a 28-year-old man Friday morning off the catcher-processor Alaska Ocean which was operating 15 miles west of Coos Bay, Ore.

A Coast Guard Sector North Bend aircrew hoisted the man after he experienced chest pains and seasickness, according to a USCG press release

Watchstanders at the 13th Coast Guard District Command Center were notified at 3:15 a.m. by Glacier Fish Company, the ...

Canadian Seafood Company, Owner Pleads Guilty to Illegal Importing Fish into U.S.

Canadian-based seafood company Seven Seas Fish and its owner John Heras pleaded guilty to importation of previously refused food into the U.S.

The company and Heras admitted to illegally importing 9,000 pounds of potentially adulterated food into the country between October 2014 and August 2015.

Seven Sea bought 12,100 pounds of fish from a Mexican seafood company for just over $36,000 in 2014. The fish, frozen Corvina, a whitefish that has similarities to sea bass, was initially rejected entry into the U.S. because the FDA declared...

Rioting in Ecuador Hinders Shrimp Exports, Affecting Chinese Markets

Ecuador’s white shrimp industry has undergone a lot within the past few months. Earlier, shrimp from several main processing plants were temporarily banned from China, one of the largest importers, since it began strengthening its inspection procedures. Now, domestic riots in Ecuador hit the industry hard and have also taken a toll on its buyers, according to several media reports.

Although about 80% of the processing plants in Ecuador can continue operating as usual, most are filled with panic and they are challenged by problems with ...

CA Congressman Huffman Introduces The Salmon FISH Act

In early October, Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) held a public meeting in Arcata to discuss updating the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). A roundtable of regional and local officials were candid about the problems, many pointing to essential fish habitats that needed protection.

Yesterday, Huffman, Chair of the House Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife and Co-Chair of the Congressional Wild Salmon Caucus, introduced The Salmon FISH Act, intended to identify, restore, and protect the most important salmon rivers and watersheds in America. The bill will also...

Cod or Haddock? UMass Amherst Taste Test Looks at ‘Name Bias’ and Fisheries Sustainability

Could you taste the difference between cod and other whitefish, such as haddock or hake, if you didn’t know what you were eating? The answer may have implications for supporting local fisheries and food sustainability in New England, says UMass Amherst environmental conservation graduate student Amanda Davis.

A research fellow at the UMass Amherst-based Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, Davis is exploring the reactions of UMass Amherst students and staff born between 1980 and 2000, in a scientific sensory evaluation of five different whitefish species ...

Vistgate Acquires Majority Interest in W Stevenson and Sons

Vistgate Limited, one of the top fish processors in the United Kingdom announced its acquisition of the majority interest in W Stevenson and Sons Limited.

W Stevenson and Sons own one of the biggest beam trawl fleets in Europe and Newlyn market auctioneers.

Vistgate, which trades as Ocean Fish and is the supplier of the major UK and European retailers and wholesalers, sees the acquisition as being a “significant step towards a dynamic improvement of the supply and catch sector.”

“The Lakeman and Stevenson families hold very similar..."

Land-based Salmon Farms Set to be a Game Changer

Just as farmed salmon toppled markets for wild fish a few decades ago, land-based farming is set to change the game again over the next decade.

It will come in the form of recirculating aquaculture systems, or RAS, and it could cause even more disruption to world markets. The systems include recirculating tanks of constantly recycled water in closed facilities taken from deep wells, rivers or aquifers, along with pumps, oxygen control, filtering and feeding systems. 

That is the conclusion of Rabobank, a Netherlands-based global leader in...

Opinion: Oceana Twists the Facts on Observer Program

The recent opinion piece by Jon Warrenchuk with Oceana noted that at its October meeting, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) increased the partial coverage observer sector fee from the current 1.25% to 1.65% of ex-vessel value. However, Mr. Warrenchuk failed to report the highly critical first action taken by the Council where they identified observer program cost efficiency as their highest priority for the partial coverage sector. The Council outlined an intent to both increase fee revenue and decrease observer cost per day, for the benefit of a sustainable...

Thai Union Group Invests in Alternative Protein Startup, Flying Spark

Flying Spark Ltd., a FoodTech startup, and Thai Union Group PCL, one of the world's largest seafood producers, headquartered in Thailand, are leveraging their expertise and capabilities to develop an important entry in the alternative protein market. Thai Union will also invest in Flying Spark, enabling the startup to move ahead with its insect growing and processing capabilities in Thailand and dedicate efforts towards cost reduction and process improvements.

The Flying Spark and Thai Union announcement includes both a strategic partnership and investment to promote larval insect protein as a...

Fisheries Board to Get Update on Impacts of Climate Change

Hundreds of fishery stakeholders and scientists will gather in Anchorage next week as the state Board of Fisheries begins its annual meeting cycle with a two-day work session.

The seven-member BOF sets the rules for the state’s subsistence, commercial, sport and personal use fisheries. It meets four to six times each year in various communities on a three-year rotation; this year the focus is on Kodiak and Cook Inlet.

The fish board and the public also will learn the latest on how a changing climate and...

Foodservice Roundup: Pokeworks Releases New Bowl, Sushi Sake Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

Top poke franchise Pokeworks announced a new menu-item, as summer winds down. The new Spicy Sichuan bowl is available at locations across the United States.

The spice-centric dish was made in collaboration with the award-winning alumnus of Bravo’s Top Chef and owner of Tin Rook in Maui, Chef Sheldon Simeon.

The bowl features a house-made sauce with red chili peppers, peppercorns and honey-infused soy. Simeon’s recent creation is part of the ongoing partnership with Pokeworks...

LISTEN: NOAA's Report on Recovering Endangered Species; Seafood Makes You Smarter and More

Join SeafoodNews Podcast hosts Lorin Castiglione and Ryan Doyle as they discuss NOAA Fisheries' report to Congress on recovering threatened and endangered species; the Climate-Ready Fisheries Act of 2019; Senator Maria Cantwell's call for better aquaculture management; California Representative Jared Huffman's Salmon FISH Act; and a group of studies that showed eating seafood makes you smarter.

This week's episode was brought to you by Foreign Trade Data. Reduce uncertainty, minimize risk and uncover opportunities with the only website designed for the seafood import and export community...

Though Profits Look Grim on Paper, Guolian has Rosy Prospects

According to Guolian’s October report, its net profit during the first three quarters is estimated to have plummeted by around 91% to 94% compared with the same period last year to only about 12,763,500 yuan (~$1.8 million USD) to 20,763,500 yuan (~$2.9 million USD). But this dive is far from alarming. As the company explains, it is mainly a result from last year’s share sales and this year’s greater investment.

Last year Guolian sold out its 30% shares in an investment company, which created ...

Maine Announces Opening of Scallop License Lottery

Maine’s Department of Marine Resources (DMR) announced the opening of two scallop licenses lotteries. One is for the scallop drag licenses and another for scallop dive licenses.

The DMR said that due to licenses that were retired in 2018, six scallop drag licenses, and 4 scallop dive licenses will be available for the 2019-2020 season.

Applicants can enter the lottery online at http://www.maine.gov/scalloplottery. There is an option to complete a paper application as well. Find that here.

The DMR said: "It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine their eligibility..."

NOAA Fisheries Releases Report to Congress on Recovering Threatened and Endangered Species 2017-2018

NOAA Fisheries announced yesterday the release of their report on efforts to recover all transnational and domestic species under their jurisdiction from October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2018.

The report summarizes the status of each species that has or will have a recovery plan, the status of the recovery plan, and the completion date for the last 5-year review.

The report had not been posted on line at press time, but should be available here shortly.

The summary gives the status of each species ...

VIDEO: Seafood Makes You Smart; Climate-Ready Fisheries Act; Aquaculture Management; Anchovies

Join SeafoodNews Weekly Video hosts Lorin Castiglione and Ryan Doyle as they discuss a new study that links seafood consumption to a higher IQ in children; a freshman politician's Climate-Ready Fisheries Act; Senator Maria Cantwell's warning regarding proper aquaculture management and an abundance of anchovies off California.

This week's episode was brought to you by Foreign Trade Data. Reduce uncertainty, minimize risk and uncover opportunities with the only website designed for the seafood import and export community...

Recaps of AK Salmon Fishery by Region

Prince William Sound’s salmon harvest this summer came in at about 58 million fish and nearly 50 million were pinks. The estimated fishery value was $114 million.

The fleet of 504 drift gillnetters averaged $81,600 per permit; Prince William Sound seiners averaged $218,000. 

At Copper River, a catch of nearly 1.3 million sockeye was 28% more than the previous 10-year average and the average sockeye weight of 5.5 pounds was the largest in the last five years.

Those are just a few of the details...