Boston Lobster Price Increases Dramatically in Beijing; Some Importers Switch to European Lobsters

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [FishFirst] translated by Amy Zhong - September 25, 2018

The price of large Boston lobsters over 2 jin each (1 jin=0.5 kg) exceeds 135 yuan/jin ($39.28/kg USD) in Beijing and importers are not willing to offer any discount, according to data collected on Sept. 14. These lobsters are sold at 135 yuan/jin ($39.28/kg USD), 138 yuan/jin ($40.15/kg USD) or even as high as 140 yuan/jin ($40.73/kg USD), depending on their qualities ...

Todd Putman Named as New Executive Vice President at Bumble Bee Foods

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 25, 2018

Bumble Bee Foods, one of North America’s premium seafood companies, has announced Todd Putman as the company’s executive vice president and chief growth officer. The addition highlights the company’s commitment to bolster its executive leadership team for continued long-term growth, Bumble Bee said in a statement.

Putman is a veteran in the consumer products industry, bringing more than 25 years of experience to his role at Bumble Bee. He joins the executive leadership team from the ...

Record Breaking Pay Day for Salmon Fishermen at Bristol Bay

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - September 25, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – It’s a record breaking pay day for salmon fishermen at Bristol Bay, topping $280 million at the docks.

That’s 242 percent above the 20 year average - and the number will go higher when bonuses and post season adjustments are added in.  Bay fishermen averaged just under $215 million at the docks last year.

According to a summary by the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, the 2018 sockeye salmon run ...

Senate Recognizes September 25th as National Lobster Day for 4th Straight Year

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 25, 2018

National Lobster Day is here – again!

Although some celebrate on June 15, the U.S. Senate has recognized September 25 as the official National Lobster Day for the fourth year in a row.

Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King introduced a resolution to designate September 25, 2018 as National Lobster Day back in July. The resolution, which aimed to recognize the “historic and economic importance of lobster in the United States,” was sponsored by ...

Production Starts at Cermaq’s New Closed Containment System in Horsvågen

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 25, 2018

Cermaq, one of the world's leading companies in salmon and trout farming, aims to be leading in technology development that contributes to sustainable food production. This weekend, Cermaq transferred smolt into its new closed containment system in Horsvågen, Norway.

With this closed containment system, Cermaq takes a first step toward developing closed farming technology. The closed containment system is built to provide maximum bio-security and fish welfare. Water will be pumped into the pen from 13 meters deep, preventing ...

ASMI Announces Partnerships Ahead of National Seafood Month

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 25, 2018

October is right around the corner and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute is getting ready to celebrate National Seafood Month. The organization announced that they are collaborating with a variety of partners to offer promotions, discounts, event and recipes throughout the month.

For beer and wine lovers, Villa Maria New Zealand and Kona Brewing Company will be launching a sweepstake called “Raise a Glass to Wild.” Those over 21 years of age have an opportunity to win a cruise for two from Seattle to Alaska ...

Natural Water Biology Offers Healthier Aquatic Species and Better Growth, Claims Blue Aqua

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Feedinfo News Service] - September 25, 2018

According to Dr. Farshad Shishehchian, CEO of Blue Aqua Group, the current crop of aquaculture systems is unsatisfyingly lacking in diversity: “They either have a clean water culture and spend a lot of money on equipment like what we have in Norway, or they do extensive [rather than high-productivity intensive farming.]” He believes that there is merit in a philosophy which unites the two: rather than controlling water quality to eliminate all but the target species under cultivation ...

National Lobster Day? Free Lobster and Langostino Pizza at Red Lobster? What a Combination!

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 25, 2018

This is the fourth year celebrating National Lobster Day -- and what better way to celebrate than at a restaurant featuring seafood, specifically lobster?

According to NationalDayCalendar.com, "In 2014, Senators Angus King and Susan Collins of Maine drafted a joint resolution designating September 25 as National Lobster Day. Recognizing the men and women in an industry with a long and rich heritage, the proclamation celebrates the lobster from sea to table."

Red Lobster is carrying on that tradition by officially ...

Maine's Bristol Seafood Expands Sales Team With 4 New Business Development Managers

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 25, 2018

Bristol Seafood, of Portland, Maine, announced recently that it recently bolstered its sales organization with four new business development managers.

The new hires include Shawn DuBose in the Midwest, Chris Hinson in the South, and Kimberly Moore in the Mid-Atlantic, each of whom was most recently employed by Handy Seafood. Also, John Pierce, who most recently led sales at IncredibleFresh Seafood, will cover the Northeast region.

The new team members join James Benson on the West Coast and ...

Shrimp Exporters Find Optimism in Chinese Market Due to Several Changes

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [FishFIrst] translated by Amy Zhong - September 24, 2018

More and more countries are selling white shrimp to China. According to a recent report, the country has received its first batch of white shrimp from Peru -- about 18 tons in total. These shrimp are sold northern China after passing 27 quality tests and inspections. Peru used to export most of its shrimp to the U.S., but this has changed. And what are the factors that have lured so many Peruvian exporters to the Chinese market ...

Yonghui Superstores Purchase More Guolian Shares; Ownership Rises to 11 Percent

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [FishFirst] translated by Amy Zhong - September 24, 2018

According to an announcement from Guolian on the evening of Sept. 11 in China, Yonghui Superstores has purchased 7.894 million Guolian shares at an average price of 5.8 yuan ($0.73 USD) per share from July 6 to Sept. 11. This means that now Yonghui owns 11 percent of Guolian shares. But this will not influence other main shareholders and the company’s ownership, the announcement said.

On March 23, Yonghui bought in 41.8 million shares ...

Sysco Adds Portico Imperial Saddleback Lobster Tails to Cutting Edge Solutions Platform

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 24, 2018

Sysco is making it even easier to add lobster to restaurant menus. The wholesale distributor confirmed the addition of 10 new products to their Cutting Edge Solutions Platform – including Portico Imperial Saddleback Lobster Tails.

Sysco’s Cutting Edge Solutions Platform features new and exclusive products from Sysco that “offer on trend flavors, labor saving solutions and menu versatility.” The Portico Imperial Saddleback Lobster Tails, part of Sysco’s responsibly-sourced seafood brand, was added to the platform because it comes ...

NOAA Increases Winter Scup Quota to Almost 10 Million Pounds

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 24, 2018

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced late last week that they revised the Winter II commercial scup quota. The commercial scup quota is now set at 9,766,677 lbs., an increase of 155% from 3,822,816 lbs.

The quota revision for the Winter II period, which runs from October 1 to December 31, is due to only 45% of the Winter I quota being harvested. Winter I period, which ran from January 1 to April 30, had a quota of 10,820,000 lbs ...

NOAA Seeks $3 Million in Fines From Captains and Rafael Partners, Plus New Permit Revocations 

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by John Sackton - September 21, 2018

NOAA has prepared an updated civil penalty assessment against the fishing captains and partner vessel companies who worked with Carlos Rafael.

The superseding charging document in the civil adminstrative penalty case replace the original document issued last January.  It includes added charges and more people than the initial document.

NOAA now seeks to revoke 42 of Rafael's fishing permits, and to prevent Rafael or those associated with him from applying for federal permits in the future, and it increases...

Symphony of Seafood Calls for New Alaska Seafood Products

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - September 21, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – 

The call is out for new Alaska products to be showcased at the annual Symphony of Seafood.

“It’s our 26^th year and that’s exciting. We’re really looking forward to seeing what new products are out there this year because I’ve been hearing some rumors about some really fun stuff.” 

Julie Decker is director of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation which hosts the seafood event. It   provides a level playing field for small ‘mom and pops’ ...

Typhoon Mangkhut Disrupts Transport in Southern China; Salmon Prices Rise

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [FishFirst] translated by Amy Zhong - September 21, 2018

Due to a recent typhoon, frozen salmon are very likely to arrive in South China later than expected in the coming few days. Deliveries of salmon arriving from Chile also are uncertain due to the festival there. Now salmon prices keep rising in China. Shenzhen airport has canceled its flights’ between Sept. 16 and the morning of Sept. 17. Things gradually returned to normal after 8 a.m on Sept.17.

By the evening of Sept. 15, salmon quotations were ...

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Seeking Participants for 2019 Shrimp Bycatch Study

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 21, 2018

Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is seeking participants for their 2019 shrimp bycatch study.

The shrimp bycatch study is voluntary and part of the state’s efforts to support the sustainability certification of Louisiana’s shrimp fishery. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is urging commercial shrimpers to allow LDWF staff on board their vessels during designated trips in the 2019 shrimp seasons. Those staff members will collect a sample from each haul ...

FDA Opening Voluntary Qualified Importer Program Application Three Months Early

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 20, 2018

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Wednesday that they will be opening the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) application portal on October 1, 2018 – three months earlier than originally scheduled.

VQIP is a “voluntary fee-based program established by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).” The program aids eligible importers in expediting the review and importation of human and animal foods. In order to be eligible, importers must show that they maintain a “high level of control” ...

Beard House Hosts 6th Annual Skuna Bay ‘Salmon Seduction’ Event

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 25, 2018

Salmon has never looked this good. On Tuesday, October 2, the historic Beard House will be hosting their sixth annual Skuna Bay Salmon Dinner, an event featuring a “seafood-savvy lineup of standout chefs from across the country.”

This year’s dinner features James Beard Awards semifinalist Chef Noah Sandoval from the two Michelin Star Oriole in Chicago; James Beard Awards semifinalist Chef Sylva Senat from Maison 208 in Philadelphia; James Beard Awards nominee Chef Sarah Rinkavage from Marisol in Chicago ...

AKVA Gets Contract for Feed Systems for Grieg's Newfoundland Expansion

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 25, 2018

AKVA Group announced on Monday that they have entered into an agreement with Grieg NL Seafarms. The global technology and service company for the fish farming industry will become Grieg’s exclusive supplier of feed systems and feed barges up to 2026.

Grieg’s Newfoundland and Labrador aquaculture project produces salmon in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Canada. AKVA will build a minimum of eight barges locally. The number of barges could change based on the final number of licenses/sites that are approved by ...

Aquaculture Stewardship Council Launches New Standard for Seabass, Seabream and Meagre

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 25, 2018

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) announced late last week that they have launched a new standard for seabass, seabream and meagre. According to the ASC, the standard was developed in response to stakeholder demand for the species.”

A combination of indicators from existing multi-stakeholder developed standards, as well as additional metrics to address specific impacts of farming the fish, was used to create the standard. NGOs and industry partners worked with the ASC to visit multiple sites in countries including ...

LISTEN: Lobsters on Weed, a "Codfather" Update, Farmed Salmon Analysis and More

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 24, 2018

Join SeafoodNews podcast hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione for a wild ride as they discuss the debate over getting lobsters stoned and a study where researchers gave octopuses ecstasy. Plus, we’ve got an update on the trade war with China, the latest news regarding Carlos “The Codfather” Rafael, and an analysis on the farmed salmon fillet market. Don’t miss a minute of it!

The SeafoodNews Podcast is available to download for free via SoundCloud or iTunes ...

Nordic Aquafarms Sets Public Meeting Date for October 4

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 24, 2018

Nordic Aquafarms, which is building a state-of-the-art land-based salmon farm in Belfast, Maine, has set a public meeting date for Thursday, October 4.

The meeting, which will be held at Troy A. Howard Middle School at 6 p.m., is to “inform the public of the project and its anticipated environmental impacts, along with information about opportunities for public comment on the project.”

The scheduled meeting comes after the company announced earlier this month that ...

Thailand Publishes List of All Fishing Vessels in Move to End Human Rights Abuse, IUU Fishing

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 24, 2018

The Government of Thailand announced on Monday that they have published a full list of all registered and licensed fishing vessels, as well as a watchlist containing vessels prohibited from fishing. The move is part of their efforts to end human rights abuse, as well as illegal fishing. Thailand is one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to publish a list.

“Transparency is one of the best guards we have against illegal fishing and ...

Government of Canada Establishes Ministerial Advisory Panel to Transform Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 24, 2018

In an effort to keep the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation providing economic benefits to fish harvesters and Indigenous communities, the Government of Canada has established a Ministerial Advisory Panel.

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced the establishment of the panel on Friday. The panel will “explore new governance and ownership models that support collaboration and cooperation amongst fish harvesters and involve them in decision-making ...

Researchers Studying What Climate Change Could Mean for Fisheries in the Northeast

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 24, 2018

Researchers with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center are studying warming ocean waters in an effort to understand what climate change could mean for “future stock conditions and the fisheries that depend on them.”

Congress recently provided the Northeast Fisheries Science Center with funding for a fisheries climate action plan that they released in 2016. Thanks to the funding, the Science Center now has 10 projects underway to “improve stock assessments through new modeling, better surveys, and more work to ...

VIDEO: Trade War Escalates; US Standards for Catfish; Farmed Salmon Fillets and More

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 21, 2018

Watch the latest Seafood News Weekly Recap with hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione. This week we talk about the trade war with China escalating and Vietnam, China and Thailand meeting U.S. standards for catfish. Plus, get an update on the salmon fillet market and learn more about Russian king crab exports.

This video is sponsored by Urner Barry’s Seafood Import Workshop, taking place in Boston on Thursday October 18, 2018. View more details and register at UrnerBarry.com/SIW or call 1-800-932-0617 ...

Alaska Snow Crab Survey Finds 60% Jump in Legal Male Crab; King Crab Numbers Will be Down

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

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch. Big drops for Bering Sea red king crab but a big bounce for snow crab.

Declines in Bering Sea king crab and Tanner crab stocks are being described as “substantial”, while snow crab appears to be on a big rebound.

That’s according to the results of this year’s annual survey which were presented to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s crab plan team last week ...

Garbo’s Fresh Maine Lobster Partners with Austin Whole Foods Market

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 21, 2018

Getting a taste of New England just got a little easier in Austin, Texas. Garbo’s Fresh Maine Lobster has partnered with Whole Foods Market to bring shoppers some New England cuisine.

Garbo’s Fresh Maine Lobster is the brain child of Heidi Garbo, who after growing up in the New England lobster industry, launched Garbo’s Grill food truck in Key West, Florida. Heidi ultimately moved her truck to Austin, Texas, where she later opened Garbo’s restaurant, serving up New England favorites like ...

Chinese Basa Prices Start to Rise in Advance of National Day

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [FishFirst] translated by Amy Zhong - September 20, 2018

China’s basa price is said to have risen by 5 yuan ($0.73 USD) per piece now. The price of the supply from Vietnam has also increased from the previous 28,000 per kg VND ($1.21/kg USD) to about 30,000 to 31,000 per kg ($1.29/kg - $1.33/kg USD) on September 10. But the supply of the small ones is very limited.

Early September has seen the price increase of live basa in Vietnam thanks to the coming of the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day in China. Accordingly, ...