DFO Delays Snow Crab Season in Newfoundland and Labrador Until April 20

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced on Thursday that there will be a delayed opening to the Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab season.

“While the management approach for the 2020 Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab fishery has not been finalized, the fishery will not open before April 20, 2020,” reads a statement from the DFO. “A decision on the 2020 management approach is expected in the near future and once finalized the details will be communicated broadly.”

As SeafoodNews previously reported, FFAW-Unifor sent a letter...

Seafood Expo North America Rescheduled; Boston Seafood Show to Take Place in September

Diversified Communications, the organizers of Seafood Expo North America (SENA), announced on Thursday that the event has been rescheduled for September.

SENA, also known as the Boston Seafood Show, was scheduled to take place from March 15-17. However, Diversified ended up postponing the event in early March due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

“After many weeks of monitoring the evolving situation around COVID-19 and evaluating the full spectrum of feedback we received among hundreds of calls and emails, we, Diversified Communications, have decided that...

Are 'Family Meal Deals' at Restaurants the New Normal?

Independent and chain restaurants have been adjusting to the change in traffic due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). A majority of states have mandated or suggested that restaurants close their dining rooms in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Although sales are not where they would normally be, many have been able to transition to a take-out model, offering meals through curbside pickup, delivery or drive-thru services. But with self-distancing measures being extended and more states putting in place...

ANALYSIS: Pollock Block Market Thriving Amid COVID-19

The market for reprocessed pollock blocks has remained steady amid all the disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak. The Alaskan pollock "A" season runs from January through April in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea with many vessels currently headed back home after finishing their first fishing season of the year, as planned, with supply intact. With fleets having been out at sea since January, there has been little threat or exposure to the crew aboard the vessels to the virus...

ANALYSIS: February Shrimp Imports Grow 20.1 Percent

February imports were released today and show a 20.1 percent increase in the amount of shrimp entering the U.S from a low February 2019 base. There were relatively few restrictions during this time and most of the product was already in transit.

Of our top five trade partners, India (+29.2%), Indonesia (+27.4%), Ecuador (+45.4%), Vietnam (+22.5%), and new country Mexico (+11.1%) all shipped more. Meanwhile, Thailand (-20.1) again shipped less and moved into sixth place in February 2020.

India again accounted for over 40 percent of trade...

COVID-19: Updated Compendium of Closures/Meeting Changes

Several state and federal agencies and private businesses made announcements over the past month about closures and changes to schedules or logistics due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. SeafoodNews.com staff broke the story about the coronavirus in January and have kept our readers updated about how the pandemic is affecting the seafood industry. In that vein, the SeafoodNews staff is keeping a list of meeting and event changes and announcements that could affect your business. We will update the list as new announcements are made ...

Canada Names Seafood Industry As Essential Service, Amid Announcements of Wage Supports

In a joint statement from the Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC) and the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA), members thanked the government for their “collaborative hard work to support the fish and seafood sector, especially in light of today’s recognition of the Canadian fish and seafood industries as essential services as announced by the latest COVID-19 guidance.”

Federal recognition of the industry’s wild harvest and aquacultur workers is an important milestone for Canada’s seafood producers as seasons open on both coasts for fisheries and shellfish. The “essential”...

Rutgers University Team Finds Species of Oysters, Clams Can be Farmed Side-by-Side

A recent study out of Rutgers University showed that Eastern oysters and three species of clams can be farmed alongside each other and perform well, which is good news for shellfish farmers.

Rutgers noted that most bivalve farms in the United States grow crops as monocultures, however growing multiple species could help boost the pockets of American shellfish growers, according to the study appearing in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series.

"Farming multiple species together can sustain the economic viability of farm operations and increase profitability..."

Long John Silver’s Offering Truck Drivers Discount, Curb-Side Pick-Up 

Truck drivers are some of the essential workers continuing to deliver much needed products and equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to thank them, Long John Silver’s is offering discounts and dining options.

Truckers will be able to take advantage of a 10% discount every day of the week and a 20% discount on Thursdays. This offer is available at the nearly 200 corporate owned Long John Silver’s locations, as well as at participating franchise locations. 

With a majority of dining rooms being closed down due to...

Alaska’s Coastal Communities Prepare for 2020 Fishing Season as COVID-19 Cases Rise

With 143 cases of COVID-19 statewide and strict travel and quarantine mandates in force since March 13, 2020, Alaska's coastal communities are beginning to lay out plans for the intense days ahead when millions of salmon are harvested and processed across the state.

In Bristol Bay, home of the largest salmon run in the world, the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association is working with processors, city and borough officials, and state and federal agencies to coordinate the protocols needed to meet two goals...

These are the Top Operational Changes Restaurants are Making in Response to the Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused a massive disruption to daily life. Some states have issued stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, and a majority have implemented social distancing measures, like closing down restaurant dining rooms, in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. As a result, the National Restaurant Association says that 3% of restaurants have already closed for good—and an additional 11% of operators could permanently close in the next 30 days. Those that remain open have...

Salmon Group Taps Langeland as CEO as Øen Becomes New US Envoy for Seafood Council

The Board of Norway’s Salmon Group has hired Jan Olav Langeland as the new CEO of the network. Langland has experience from both national and international work in management, sales, marketing and branding. He was marketing manager at feed manufacturer EWOS and has worked Kavli, Synnøve Finden, Altibox and BKK brands. Today, Langeland runs the labor market company Grønneviken AS, a company with 140 employees. 

Langland will begin his new job August 1, 2020. 

The outgoing CEO of the Salmon Group, Anne-Kristine Øen, was...

Restaurant Prices in Canada Expected to Fall Due to COVID-19

In December Dalhousie University and the University of Guelph released the 10th edition of Canada’s Food Price Report, a guide published annually that forecasts increases in food prices for the upcoming year. With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) sweeping the country, the team at Dalhousie and Guelph have issued an update to their report. According to the researchers, they do not believe that the overall forecast for food prices in 2020 will change. However, restaurant prices are expected to fall.

Back in December, the report anticipated that...

Luke’s Lobster Launches E-Commerce Platform to Send Seafood Across U.S.

Can’t get to a Luke’s Lobster location? No problem. The restaurant chain, which has over 25 locations across the U.S., has just launched an e-commerce platform to send sustainably sourced seafood right to your door. 

“In response to the global pandemic, we're officially launching our e-commerce platform to deliver fresh lobster and premium sustainable seafood right to your door,” the company announced. “We'll deliver Maine lobster shipped anywhere in the continental U.S. making your #LukesAtHome dreams a reality.”

Russian Fish Processors Call on Government to Lift Restrictions on Fish Imports to Domestic Market  

Russian leading fish processors have called on the national government to lift the existing embargo on the imports of fish to the domestic market – in a move to ensure regular supplies of raw materials for their needs and to create conditions for the reduction of prices for fish and seafood in Russia, according to recent statements, made by representatives of some of Russian leading fish processors and local analysts.  

So far, the petition, signed by processors was sent to the office of the...

Land-based Farm Pure Salmon Poland Earns Ocean Friendly Label

Land-based salmon farm Pure Salmon Poland's fish was recommended by Ocean Wise Seafood programs as an ocean-friendly farmed fish option.

Pure Salmon Poland is based in Warsaw and is co-owned by aquaculture company AquaMaof and private equity funds from 8F Asset Management.

The Ocean Wise Seafood program is a conservation program that helps consumers and businesses choose sustainable options.

Ocean Wise's symbol on a seafood item gives buyers peace of mind as it was harvested with the environment and the health water sources around the globe in...

The Winding Glass: Processors Now Key to Lobster and Crab Survival in Canada

[The Winding Glass is an opinion and commentary column by John Sackton, Founder of SeafoodNews]

This week economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic will become more visible, and the success or failure of economic decisions will have a big impact on our lives, as much as the success or failure of pandemic containment actions.

The big money fisheries in Atlantic Canada are lobster and snow crab, and how these fisheries navigate the next few months will be critical to the survival of many shore communities and... 

Canadian Government Ensures Support for Seafood Industry During COVID-19 Pandemic

Canadian Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan and a plethora of provincial ministers ensured the support and safety of the seafood sector as the coronavirus continues to impact life in the country.

“We continue to work together, across all levels of government, and in partnership with harvesters, processors, seafood farmers, and industry, to keep Canadians safe and communities supported,” the statement said. “The seafood sector, and the hard working women and men behind it, are essential to our collective food security and to Eastern Canada’s economies...”

Kodiak Tanner Crab is a Wrap, Dungeness Up Next

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – Kodiak wraps up Tanners; Dungies are up next.

Kodiak’s Tanner crab fishery wrapped up a few weeks ago after a longer than usual two month opener in one region. As expected, it was slow going for 49 boats that dropped pots for a 400,000 pound catch limit. The average CPUE (catch per unit of effort) was 12 crabs per pot.

“Everyone who wanted to go went out and gave it a good shot for a...

Observer Waiver for Vessels With Northeast Fishing Permits Extended Through April 18

In late March NOAA Fisheries announced that they would temporarily be waiving the requirement for vessels with Northeast fishing permits to carry a fishery observer or at-sea monitor until April 4. The government agency has now announced that they will be extending this waiver.

“Consistent with the agency’s emergency rule on observer waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic and under the authority granted to the Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator, NOAA Fisheries ie extending the waiver granted to vessels with Greater Atlantic Region fishing permits to...

NOAA GARFO Office Helping Fishermen Sell Direct to Consumers

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing the way that many people do business—including fishermen. The NOAA Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office sent out a bulletin on Friday to remind fishermen that they not only remain fully staffed and operational, but are available to help them get the appropriate permits that they need. 

News stories have been circulating about groups of fishermen working together to bring fresh seafood right to consumers. This not only provides a healthy and delicious protein for consumers, but helps local fishermen who are...

Chicken of the Sea Donates More Than Half A Million Servings Of Seafood to Vulnerable U.S. Groups

As they have done since early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, Thai Union Group is now donating shelf-stable tuna products to vulnerable populations in coastal Georgia and Los Angeles’ South Bay area schools. 

Thai Union’s Chicken of the Sea has partnered with Convoy of Hope, which serves families across the country, America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia and South Bay Area Schools in the Los Angeles region, to deliver “more than half a million servings of canned tuna... 

Maine’s Commercial Fishing, Processing and Aquaculture Remains ‘Essential’ Under New Executive Order

Patrick Keliher, the Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Marine Resources, is reassuring commercial fishing, processing and aquaculture businesses that they are still considered “essential” following Governor Janet Mills’ latest Executive Order.

As SeafoodNews previously reported, Governor Mills issued an Executive Order for Maine on March 24 mandating that all non-essential businesses and operations in the state close their physical locations that are public facing. The Executive Order also closed non-essential business sites that “require more than 10...

Local Catch Network Capitalizes on Pandemic to Broaden its Fresh Seafood Scope

During the coronavirus pandemic, some people are realizing they don’t have a strong relationship with the food system or local food producers.

Local Catch can help remedy that, University of Maine Assistant Professor of Marine Policy Joshua Stoll said in a press release.

The Local Catch Network is a community of fishermen, researchers and consumers committed to providing local, healthful, low-impact and economically sustainable seafood directly from harvesters.

The Seafood Finder map allows people to pinpoint where they can buy fresh...

Norwegian Seafood Sector Pivots to Frozen Fish as Production Continues During Pandemic

As the coronavirus creates a plethora of problems for the seafood industry across the globe, the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) provided updates on how the country’s seafood sector is weathering the storm.

According to the Council, the Norwegian government, transportation sector and the seafood industry are working to maintain production and supply of Norwegian seafood.

“Producers and their customers all over the world are finding solutions and overcoming hurdles to deliver nutritious and top-quality seafood, despite the crisis,” CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council, Renate Larsen said...

Voice Recognition Software Tracks Fish Catches

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – Tracking Alaska’s fish catches by voice, hands free. More after this -

“Leopard skate, 19.56… set weight 12.25…big mouth sculpin, 12.05…Table, count five…Edit row two…Set species – Pacific cod… Edit row three…Set species, northern rock sole” … (fade out)  

That’s a NOAA Fisheries scientist in a video showing the use of new voice recognition software that helps track data on fish coming over the rails.

During yearly trawl surveys each summer in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea, scientists must identify, sort and...

Haunted by the Coronavirus, Vietnam’s Seafood Industry Suffers

The coronavirus outbreak has exerted destructive influence on global seafood trade. Vietnam, one of the greatest victims, has seen about 50% of its overseas orders either canceled or postponed this March, though exporters have cut prices by about 25% to 30%. There is not enough space to hold all the unsold seafood, said one insider.

As the country’s customs statistics show, its aquatic export has contracted by 10% to US$0.989 billion during this January and February compared with the same period last year. Its lower exports to China is...

Bumble Bee CEO Appointed to Plant-based Food Company’s Board of Directors 

Bumble Bee CEO Jan Tharp is the newest addition to Gathered Foods’ Board of Directors. The announcement of her appointment comes less than a month after Bumble Bee announced a  joint distribution venture with the plant-based food company.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jan to our Board of Directors, as she brings years of leadership, innovation and superb operational expertise in the seafood industry, along with a shared passion for the health of our oceans," said Chris Kerr, CEO and Co-Founder of Gathered Foods...

Louisiana Oyster Task Force Reaches Out to Newsroom Ink to Tell Their Story

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force, through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, has enlisted Ed Lallo and Newsroom Ink to assist in their ongoing effort to tell the story of the of the Louisiana Gulf oyster, the people dedicated to ensuring its sustainability, as well as its importance to the State’s economy, culture and culinary cuisine.

“We know the work of Lallo since the days of the BP Oil Spill,” said Mitch Jurisich, chairman of the task force. “At that time his he and his partners...

Chicago Restaurant Owners File Lawsuit Against Insurance Company Over Business Interruption Policy

As SeafoodNews reported earlier this month, many business owners are trying to deal with the fallout from the coronavirus (COVID-19). A majority of restaurants across the U.S. have been forced to close their dining rooms and instead offer only take-out or delivery. The result has been a decrease in sales, a rise in unemployment, as well as permanent and temporary closures. These businesses are turning to their insurance policies for relief. Unfortunately, many are discovering that their business interruption policy does not cover losses due to...