Russia Eyes to Become A Major Player in Global Surimi Market  

Russia has increased the production of surimi this year by almost four times, which is mainly due to the increase of the number of fish processing trawlers.  

Alexei Buglak, President of the Russian Pollock Association (ADM), said in an interview with the Russian Vedomosti business paper that by mid-November 2022, Russia had produced more than 24,000 tons of surimi. This, according to him, is about four times higher than the figures for the same period last year when...

JAPAN: October Frozen Chilean Coho Sales Continue to Drop by 40% at Tokyo’s Toyosu Market

In October, sales of fresh and frozen salmon and trout at the Tokyo Central Wholesale Market declined due to high prices, while salted salmon and trout recovered. Frozen Chilean coho, the main product, dropped 40% from last year for two months. On the contrary, salted coho recovered sales volume despite high prices remaining unchanged, reported Suisan Keizai.

Fresh

Overall sales volume was 873 tons, down 9.6% from the same month of the previous year. Still, the rate of decrease was slightly...

FDA Advises Against Selling, Consuming Oysters from Korea Due to Potential Sapovirus Contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released an advisory that warned retailers, restaurants and consumers to not eat or sell certain oysters from the Republic of Korea due to possible sapovirus contamination.

The oysters in question are frozen half-shell oysters harvested on February 6, 2022 from Designated Area No. II, and exported by Dai One Food Co.

On the consumer front, the FDA warned those living in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New York, New Jersey...

Seafood Canner Frinsa Investing $21 Million in Florida for U.S. Headquarters

Frinsa, a seafood canner with operations across the globe, plans to invest $21 million to build a plant in Lakeland, Florida with the town also serving as its U.S. headquarters.

Local publication lkldnow, reported that the Lakeland Economic Development Council is working with Frinsa on the project. According to a memo from the City Attorney’s Office, Frinsa’s facility will be 180,000 square feet and will create 110 new jobs in the town.

According to the Lakeland Economic Development Council website, Frinsa’s investment is the largest the town has...

Ongoing Legal Battles Put Maine Lobster Fishery in Crosshairs, Hurts Markets

An announcement released yesterday by the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC) said in the contentious battle between conservationists and federal lobster managers over Atlantic right whales, Maine’s lobster fishery has been caught in the middle. 

“…[W]hile the industry has complied with all regulations in good faith,” MLMC said, an independent auditor who had just found Maine’s lobster fishing as “well-managed and sustainable” acknowledged that it could no longer be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) as a result of a July 2022 court case.

“An independent ...

OPINION: New AFAC Can Oversee S-K Funding and Launch a National Seafood Promotion

The American Fisheries Advisory Committee (AFAC) was passed and signed into law by President Biden in May 2022. This committee of seafood industry experts was an original part of the Saltonstall Kennedy Act (SK) of 1956. The statute charges the Committee to “Promote and Develop Seafood Products” with the goal of “increasing the free flow of domestic seafood products through Commerce.” 

AFAC’s primary charge with the SK grant program, also in statute, is to design and conduct a grant program that includes the “...expansion of domestic ...

Red Lobster Shares 'Greatest Gift' for the Holidays That Combines Iconic Menu Item with Shrimp

Red Lobster said it has provided its guests with “the greatest gift of all this holiday season” but you can be the judge.

However, fans of their iconic Cheddar Bay Biscuits will likely be happy with Red Lobster’s gift which is the introduction of its new Cheddar Bay Shrimp just in time for the holiday season.

"Everyone loves our Cheddar Bay Biscuits, and our shrimp is a close second favorite, so it just made sense to finally put the two together...

Nova Scotia Government Urges Safety As Lobster Season Begins

The Nova Scotia government is urging lobstermen to follow safety measures as their season begins.

“Boarding boats in the cold and dark, at the mercy of the weather and the sea, makes fishing dangerous work,” said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minster Steve Craig. “One tragedy is one too many, so we urge fishing captains and crews to make sure they follow their safety training and take every precaution so they are able to come home safely to their loved ones.”

Occupational health and safety laws require fishing crews to wear...

Cargill Acquires Owensboro Grain Company

Fifth-generation family-owned soybean processing and refinery company Owensboro Grain Company (OGC) has entered into a deal that will see the company be acquired by Cargill.

The company is located in Owensboro, Kentucky and will be added to Cargill’s North American agricultural supply chain business.

OGC was founded in 1906 as a small grain merchant and today operates a fully integrated soy processing facility, producing soy products, including protein meal and hull pellets for animal feeds, crude and degummed oil, lecithin, various blends of refined vegetable oil for human consumption, biodiesel, glycerin...

USCG Conducts Medical Evacuation of Vietnamese Fisherman from Purse Seiner in Micronesia

A Vietnamese fisherman is in better shape thanks to a U.S.Coast Guard boarding recently in the Pacific.

The crew of the USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) medically evacuated a 31-year-old Vietnamese fisherman from the F/V Ocean Galaxy to a higher level of medical care in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, on Nov. 20.

The Frederick Hatch boarding team learned of the fisherman's injuries while conducting a bilateral fisheries boarding with an FSM Marine Police Officer aboard the Ocean Galaxy ...

AquaBounty Reviewing FDA’s Amended Environmental Assessment

AquaBounty is once again on a rollercoaster with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On November 16 the FDA announced the “availability of a draft amended Environmental Assessment (EA) for an approved application concerning Atlantic salmon with an intentionally altered genome, and a subsequent virtual public meeting to obtain public input on the draft amended EA.”

The FDA had approved an application for AquaBounty’s AquAdvantage Salmon (AAS), which contains an intentional genomic alteration, back in November 2015. As part of the process of evaluating the application...

Plans for Discharge of Fukushima Water Updated With IAEA Review, China Still Concerned

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Task Force that was set up last year to review the safety of Japan’s policy to to handle the treated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station will now be reviewing updated technical plans for the water discharge.

The updates by Japan include changes to the radiological environmental impact assessment prior to the discharge and the associated monitoring programs. A report on that review will be made available within three months. IAEA will publish a comprehensive assessment on the ...

ANALYSIS: Shrimp, Crab Meat and Frozen Tuna Face Slow Sales, Backed Up Inventory

‘Tis the season to be jolly! But with slow sales and backed up inventory, not everyone may be feeling the holiday spirit.

The shrimp market has come under significant pressure in recent weeks amid the realization supplies are burgeoning. Imports in the last 10 years have grown by CAGR 5.29 percent, but in 2021 surged 19.8 percent. And January through April were 17 percent higher. While imports have since slowed, and year-to-date imports are even with the prior year, that’s still 20.5 percent more shrimp than January through September 2020...

SeafoodNews Closed on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25

SeafoodNews will not be publishing on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25. We will return to our normal publishing schedule on Monday, November 28.

In the meantime, catch up on our recent major news stories by checking our Featured Stories page. 

You can also watch all the latest SeafoodNews Weekly Videos here or listen to the latest SeafoodNews Podcast episodes here.

China Fisheries & Seafood Expo Postponed to 2023 Due to COVID Concerns

The 26th China Fisheries & Seafood Expo (CSFE) has officially been postponed until 2023.

CSFE was initially supposed to take place October 26 through October 28. However, in mid-September Peter Redmayne, the President of Sea Fare Expositions, the overseas organizer of China Fisheries & Seafood Expo (CFSE), announced that they would be postponing the event by two weeks due to COVID-19 restrictions in Qingdao. Earlier this month Redmayne confirmed that they would have to reschedule due to the ongoing restrictions and lockdowns to stop outbreaks...

First Batch of 2023 Alaska Symphony of Seafood Winners Announced
CORRECTION 11/23/22: The kelp chimichurri used on Peter Pan Seafood's winning dish was developed completely in house. Below is the correct photograph of the dish. 

The winners of Alaska Symphony of Seafood  Seattle People's Choice, Retail, Foodservice and the Bristol Bay Choice Awards were announced last week at Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle on November 18, 2022.

Peter Pan Seafoods swept the Retail Category with their Wild Caught Alaska Salmon with Ribbon Kelp Chimichurri ...

Photo of Wild Caught Alaska Salmon with Ribbon Kelp Chimichurri courtesy Peter Pan Seafoods

Red Lobster Releases Holiday Collection of Gifts For the Cheddar Bay Biscuit Lover in Your Life

Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuits are fan-favorites. And this year you can gift the Cheddar Bay Biscuit lover in your life with something from Red Lobster’s 2022 Holiday Collection. 

The seafood restaurant released their curated selection of apparel and accessories, and they are absolutely mouthwatering. From lobster and Cheddar Bay Biscuit ornaments an a a Red Lobster tote bag or beanie, there is something for everyone in Red Lobster’s Holiday Collection.

“We’re thrilled to bring back our holiday shop this year...

National Fisheries Institute President John Connelly Passes Away After Battle With Cancer

National Fisheries Institute (NFI) President John Connelly has passed away after a battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, cholangiocarcinoma. He was 61-years-old.

Connelly has served as the President of NFI since 2003. In January 2022 he announced that he intended to retire in 2023. However, in September he confirmed to NFI members that he had been diagnosed with cancer in late March. He said at the time that he started chemotherapy in early April and had been...

Third Freshwater Fishery in Canada Lands MSC Certification

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) announced that the Cedar Lake Walleye and Northern Pike Fisheries have achieved eco-certification to the MSC sustainable fishing standard.

According to the MSC, the fishery became the second freshwater fishery in Manitoba, and the third in Canada overall to land certification.

The move comes after a 13-month assessment that was independently certified by third-party auditor Lloyd’s Register that scored the fishery against 28 detailed MSC performance indicators related to stock health, overall environmental impact, and effective management, per the MSC...

Port Orford Releases Request for Proposals for Crane Replacement Project to Retain Highliners, Serve Offshore Wind Sector

A small port in Oregon continues moving forward with bigger, better plans for its seafood economy.

The Port of Port Orford, on the Southern Oregon Coast, has published a Request for Proposals to carry out the Port’s Crane Replacement Project. Qualified bidders are encouraged to submit bids to the Port for consideration before the deadline at 4 p.m. Pacific Time on Jan. 2, 2023.

This project is part of the Port’s Redevelopment Plan, which includes plans for a high-capacity ...

Hong Kong Customs Seizes harry Crabs Worth An Estimated $2.4 Million

Earlier this month Hong Kong Customs officers partnered with the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environment Hygiene Department for a joint operation at Man Kam to Control Point. The joint operation resulted in the customs agency seizing suspected smuggled hairy crabs with an estimated market value of $2.4 million.

The hairy crabs were found mix-loaded with other goods that were properly declared. Upon further inspection, the customs agency discovered that the hairy crabs did not come with health certificates issued by the...

Captain D’s Opens New Franchised Location in Humble, Texas

Captain D’s announced last week that they have opened their newest franchised location in Humble, Texas. The restaurant is owned and operated by Irfan Ibrahim and Salman Iqbal of Checkout Food Stores, as well as Uzair Ibrahim, Development President, and Furqan Ibrahim, Director of Operations, who will be responsible for overseeing daily operations.

Together Ifran and Salman, along with their partners, have over 41 convenience store locations throughout South Texas and Western Louisiana. Last year they signed a franchise development agreement with Captain D’s to open 10 new locations...

USDA’s WIC Program Proposes Increased Access to Seafood, Public Comments Open

Updating food packages to include more seafood may finally be happening at the US Department of Agriculture’s Women, Infants and Children’s Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC). A proposed rule was released last week, outlining the updates — the first in the WIC program since 2009. 

These science-based revisions come from recommendations made by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.

“USDA is committed to advancing maternal and child health through WIC, helping mothers, babies and young kids thrive,” said Agriculture ...

JAPAN: October Sales of Fresh Tuna Imported from North America Up 40% to 608 at Toyosu Market

Jiji Press counted 805 imported fresh tuna on the fresh tuna auction floor at the Toyosu Market in October, an increase of 62% compared to the same month last year. In addition to bluefin tuna, there was an increase in southern bluefin tuna and bigeye tuna, Suisan Keizai reported.

The total number of bluefin tuna was 687, up 43% from October last year. Canadian fish was 400 (306 in the same month of the previous year), an increase of about 31%...

Rhode Island: Application Deadline Approaching For Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Funding

The application deadline for Rhode Island’s Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) programming funding is quickly approaching. 

LASA was created to help new and existing food businesses “grow and flourish.” The program has provided more than $1.4 million in funding since its creation 10 years ago, and this year they have nearly $700,000 to support projects that “help with the entry, growth and sustainability of small or starting green sector businesses. The deadline to apply is November 30...

Maine Delegation, Governor Mills Urge Retailers to Continue Selling Maine Lobster

Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, along with Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden and Governor Janet Mills, are encouraging retailers to continue selling Maine lobster despite the fishery losing its Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. The group released a statement following news that Whole Foods would stop purchasing Gulf of Maine lobster.

“We are disappointed by Whole Foods’ decision and deeply frustrated that the Marine Stewardship Council’s suspension of the lobster industry’s certificate of sustainability continues to harm the livelihoods of hardworking men and women up...

ANALYSIS: Key Shrimp Item Descends to All-Time Low Price

The market for 16-20 count, P&D, tail-on, white shrimp has fallen to a new all-time low. The bellwether item, used in a multitude of foodservice applications, fell to $5.00 per pound in Tuesday’s assessment.

There’s an array of factors contributing to the current, weak environment:

Imports have been growing at a rate of roughly 5.3 percent, per year, in the last ten years. In 2021, imports surged 19.8 percent, and January through April, they climbed another...

OP-ED: NWAA To Public Lands Commissioner Franz: You Got It Wrong!

Just four days after she announced that she would not renew Cooke Aquaculture’s fish farming leases, Washington state Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz held a press conference where, flanked by her anti-aquaculture supporters from the Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC), she declared an end to the proud 40-year tradition of fish farming in Puget Sound.

In response, the Northwest Aquaculture Alliance, joined by six other leading seafood trade associations—the National Fisheries Institute, National Aquaculture Association, Global Seafood Alliance, Best Aquaculture Practices, California Aquaculture Association...

Singapore 7-Eleven Launches 7-Select Fish Burger, Shrimp Burger

Something fishy is going on at 7-Eleven Singapore locations. The convenience store chain is launching five brand-new 7-Select grab-and-go burgers … and two of them feature seafood!

“Variety is the spice of life so we’re adding not one but two all-new seafood options to our burger menu,” 7-Eleven Singapore teased. 

First up is the 7-Select Fish Burger, featuring a “delicious white fish patty in crispy breadcrumb with cheese, diced onions and mayonnaise in a soft bun...

Scott & Jon’s Employees, Owners Give Back At Maine Food Bank

It’s the season of giving, and that’s exactly what the owners and employees of Scott & Jon’s did last week by joining the Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine in the fight against hunger.

This is the third year that Scott & Jon’s has partnered with the Good Shepherd Food Bank. The partnership includes them donating items and volunteering their time to come hand-sort fresh foods and packaged goods. This year the team at Scott & Jon’s created 4,582 complete meals for those affected by food insecurity...