US Tries to Get Mini-Deal Tariff Relief on Lobsters from EU, but No Dice

The US trade representative Robert Lighthizer tried to get a mini-deal done with the EU that would have lifted tariffs on US lobster for export to the EU.

Currently Canadian lobster, both live and frozen, can enter the EU duty-free, while US lobster faces an 8% tariff on live, and a 6% tariff on frozen.  This has been enough to radically shift markets in France and Italy to Canada, which enjoys a significant tariff price advantage.

According to a report that first appeared in Politico Europe, the US proposed a mini-trade agreement covering lobsters and some chemicals, in which the EU would drop tariffs on these...

VIDEO: Chilean Salmon in US; Harbor Seafood Wins Award; Right Whales Act; WC Dungeness Season Delay

Join SeafoodNews Weekly Video hosts Lorin Castiglione and Ryan Doyle as they discuss Chilean salmon reaching the US market despite firms struggling with logistics as protests and strikes continue throughout the country; Harbor Seafood won US Foods' Center-of-the-plate Award; a Senate Committee's passing of the SAVE Right Whales Act and the primary west coast Dungeness crab season delay.

This episode was brought to you by COMTELL, which will be receiving a complete redesign in 2020...

US Investigating Salmon Price-Fixing; Mowi, SalMar Receive Subpoenas

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) will subpoena Mowi as the DOJ investigates alleged price-fixing of Atlantic salmon. SalMar has already received a subpoena from the department.

The latest investigation comes after an inspection by the European Commission (EC) which claimed the companies have engaged in anticompetitive price-fixing.

According to a press release from both Mowi and SalMar, the DOJ Antitrust Division is opening an investigation involving allegations of similar conduct.

Both companies said, “there are no basis for the EU inspection and that the class action...

CEO of Samherji Steps Aside as Company Launches Investigation Into Corruption Allegations

Thorsteinn Mar Baldvinsson, CEO of Icelandic fishing conglomerate Samherji, will “step aside” from his position as the company launches an internal investigation into allegations of corruption for the company’s actions in Namibia.

Until “key material facts of the matter” are revealed through the internal investigation, Björgólfur Jóhannsson will function as acting CEO of Samherji.

Jóhannsson has been the CEO & President of Icelandair Group, Chair of Fisheries Iceland (SFF), Chair of The Icelandic Employers Association (SA) and CEO of the seafood company Icelandic Group. He will focus on meeting...

Alexa Cole Named Director for International Affairs and Seafood Inspection

After six months of serving as Acting Director, Alexa Cole has been named Director of NOAA’s International Affairs and Seafood Inspection Division. 

Cole will lead the office’s work to ensure sound management of global marine resources. She will promote international engagement and cooperation to achieve responsible marine stewardship and ensure sustainable fisheries management on a global scale. She will also oversee the office’s seafood inspection services, which support seafood safety.

“We are incredibly pleased to announce Alexa as our new director for the Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection,” ...

Russian Government Plans to Allocate Additional Support to Domestic Crab Producers This Year 

The Russian government plans to allocate additional RUB 10-15 billion (USD$150-200 million) for support of domestic crab producers who are building ships for their needs at Russian shipyards in the Far East, according to recent statements, made by some senior officials of the Russian Rosrybolovstvo and industry analysts.

As ​​Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev has recently said, the building of such ships in the Russian Far East at present remains very expensive for domestic fishermen, compared to the building of similar...

New Report Looks at Problem of TAC-Setting Above Scientific Levels in Europe

Advocacy group Client Earth issued a new report yesterday listing those members of the EU who routinely set catch limits above sustainable levels, adding to the crises in fisheries management in Europe. 

In 2013, the European Commission agreed to a Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to end overfishing by 2020 at the latest. Last July, the EC reiterated the benefits of sustainably managed fish stocks, noting the benefits to fleets, communities, and fish stocks in the north but describing the situation in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas ...

Captain D’s Reaches the Next Frontier in Utah

Fast-casual chain Captain D’s it signed a new franchise development agreement with MH & Sons Enterprises, led to Maqsood Merchant, to bring the Captain D’s to Utah for the first time.

Maqsood Merchant is a veteran multi-unit with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Merchant will develop three new restaurants in the Salt Lake City market, which will mark Captain D’s westernmost expansion in the company’s history.

"We're at a significant point in Captain D's history, with this agreement marking a very special milestone for our brand...

Pollock Parts Plug Body Holes, Clean Lead From Soil

Fish Radio likes to spotlight fish parts that go well beyond dinner plates and can add up to more value than fillets.

Pollock, for example, Alaska’s largest fishery produces millions of pounds of fish sticks, surimi and roe – but other pollock parts are being used to seal holes in lung and blood vessels. 

Researchers at Japan’s National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) have discovered that gelatin from pollock skins makes a sealant that is 12 times stronger than conventional uses.

A big plus is the fish gelatin remains liquid at room...

Tuna’s Carbon Ratios Indicate Changes in Oceanic Food Web

The ratio of carbon isotopes in a trio of common tuna species has undergone drastic changes since 2000. The shift signals a change in the phytoplankton population, which is the base of the oceanic food web.

If phytoplankton are changing, the impacts will be felt throughout the rest of the food web, according to a research team including Nicolas Cassar, professor of biogeochemistry at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.

“The change we observed in tuna, which are near the top of the marine food web, reflects profound changes...

Cantwell Language to Improve Legislation Getting Fisheries Disaster Aid to Fleets Passes Committee

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) is determined to improve the process through which the nation’s fishing fleets survive fisheries disasters. Earlier this week, her provisions to reform the process passed the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Cantwell is a ranking member of the committee. 

In September, Cantwell highlighted issues with the current process, including small business charter fishermen being excluded from the 2016 Coho fisheries disaster, an event that cost Washington State an estimated $100 million.

Cantwell’s provisions would expand and protect...

Zoneco Says 80 Percent of Scallops Found Dead; Cause Unknown

China-based Zoneco announced 80 percent of its scallops had died due to “unidentified” reasons. The massive die-off was found on a farm in the sea between China and Korea, according to a statement sent to the Shenzen stock exchange.

Listed as Zhangzidao Group on the exchange, Zoneco is currently assessing the situation, however, the company said the cause of death is thought to be natural.  According to Bloomberg, the value of the affected scallop is valued at $43 million...

Farmed Fish Fail to Reduce Pressure on Wild Stocks, Study Says

The push to convince consumers that the best way to protect wild fish is to eat farmed has gotten new life by a company called LoveTheWild.  

The Boulder-Colorado based group launched its oven-ready, farmed fish meal kits in 2014 and just announced they will be available at Whole Foods stores nationwide next month.

Among their investors is actor Leonardo DiCaprio who claims that “the exploitation of our oceans has left many marine ecosystems on the brink of total collapse” and that LoveTheWild is...

Russian Sakhalin and Kuril Islands May Face Salmon Shortage in Years Ahead

Russia may face a shortage of salmon during the next several years, due to climate change and overproduction seen in recent years, according to recent statements from leading local analysts in the field of fishing and state officials.

The biggest decline of salmon catch is expected in the Sakhalin Island, which is a main harvest area for salmon in Russia.

The news was confirmed by recent predictions of the Sakhalin branch of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography. They say the overall stock of pink...

Swedish Study Improves Nutrition and Sustainability for Farmed Lobster, Wolffish

A new study by doctoral candidate James Hinchcliffe at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg finds ways to improve nutrition to two high-value farmed species while increasing sustainability in fish farming and the ocean’s foraging fish.

Hinchcliffe’s report notes that an important challenge in aquaculture is access to fishmeal. Demand outweighs supply today due to the rapid expansion of aquaculture.

His thesis studied farming Atlantic wolffish and European lobster.

"These two species are popular among consumers and have a high market value in Sweden. The goal of the studies was to ...

Mowi Tabs Ivan Veindham as New CEO

Ivan Veindham was named CEO of Mowi ASA, effective November 12. Vindheim follows Alf-Helge Aarskog, who decided to step down after almost a decade at the head of the salmon farming giant.

 “I am delighted that Ivan has taken on this challenge,” Chairman of the Board Ole-Eirik Lerøy said. “Ivan has a strong commercial track-record and has the best qualifications for delivering on our corporate strategy. He also represents continuity.”

Vindheim has been the company’s CFO since 2012. He has years of experience in the seafood industry...

Japanese Snow Crab Season Opens, Auction Fetches ¥5 Million ($45,800) For One Crab

Japanese snow crab season opened on November 6 with an all-time record-setting price for the best crab sold at auctions. The top bid price reached ¥5 million per animal in Hyogo Prefecture at the season’s first auction, Suisan Keizai Shinbun reported. The fishing season is open through March 20 next year for male crabs and the end of this year for female crabs.

Crab is immensely popular in Japan, especially in winter. The best snow crabs brought to the season’s first day...

Bering Sea Region Returns Most Fish Bucks to Alaska

In Alaska’s fisheries, the regions of Southeast, Cook Inlet, Bristol Bay and Kodiak attract the most attention. But it turns out that the more far flung and remote areas provide some of the state’s biggest fish bucks – notably, the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands regions, called BS/AI.

 A new McDowell Group report measures the statewide economic impacts of shoreside processing operations in Dutch Harbor, Saint Paul, King Cove, Sand Point, False Pass, and other small communities.

 It turns out that that approximately 30 percent of the seafood industry’s total economic...

Pollution Ranked #1 Threat to Seafood by Customers, Strong Support for Ecolabels

Seafood lovers around the world believe that the biggest threat to the oceans is pollution, followed by overfishing. Those are some of the top takeaways from a recent survey of over 25,000 people in 22 countries.

The survey was done by the public opinion research firm GlobeScan for the Marine Stewardship Council.

The non-profit MSC led the movement starting 20 years ago towards certifying fisheries that are managed sustainably. Sourcing seafood from ‘earth friendly’ fisheries has become a requirement of doing business by most seafood buyers around...

SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Commit $900,000 To Protect Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales

PORTLAND, Maine -- Stepping in with nearly a million dollars to help test new gear to protect North Atlantic Right Whales, SeaWorld and the Busch Gardens Conservation Fund became the latest institution to support the remaining 411 animals left. 

The group announced yesterday that it has committed $900,000 over the next three years. Dr. Michael Moore of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Dr. Hendrik Nollens, Corporate Vice President of Animal Health and Welfare at SeaWorld and President of the SeaWorld Conservation Fund made the announcement ...

Primary West Coast Dungeness Season Delayed Until Mid-December at the Earliest

This year's warm water blob off the West Coast is dissipating -- or at least shrinking and moving offshore -- and helping out this year's Dungeness crab season. Most areas from Washington to California show relatively low domoic acid levels.

However, meat recovery rates have not been helping the fishery. Fishery managers from all three states talked this week and decided to delay the primary season from northern California to Washington until at least Dec. 16. Crab quality testing from all three states in early November showed...

CPF Reports Better-Than-Expected Q3 Earnings

Recent strengthening of the Thai baht contributed to lower overall sale revenue for Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC (CPF), but earnings increased by 23% in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. CPR reported Bt6,062 million ($201 million) earnings in the third quarter this year.

The gain in earnings happened despite lower sales revenue. In the quarter, sale revenue totaled Bt132.6 billion (US$4.4 billion), declining 6% on quarter. However, excluding impacts from the strengthening of Thai baht as well as the adjustment of financial reporting standards (TFRS), sale ...

Australia Reports on Largest Pacific Illegal Fishing Surveillance Operation 

The largest annual ocean surveillance operation in the world has just concluded, resulting in over 130 on-board inspections and at least four apprehensions of fishing vessels involved in illegal fishing. 

Australia’s Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) joined 14 other Pacific nations, led by the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to monitor 21.3 million square kilometres over 12 days. 

The FFA collaborates with the Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group, which comprises Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States of America.

The operation covered tuna fishing grounds throughout the Western and Central ...

Chilean Salmon Making Its Way to the States as National Strikes Stall the Country

Tuesday marked the 26^th day of demonstrations in Chile, led by a national strike that shut down the majority of the country.

According to Reuters, alongside strikes in major cities, truck drivers and other demonstrators barricaded two major highways. The highways connect the capital city of Santiago with other cities and ports, leading to huge backups throughout the country.

According to industry sources, logistics to get fish out of Chile remain a challenge. However, product is making its way to the U.S. market and is available...

Coast Guard Names a Pair of Cutters After 9/11 Heroes

Two Coast Guard Sentinel-Class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) will be named in honor of two men who lost their lives responding on 9/11.

The cutters will be named in honor of Port Security Specialist 2^nd Class Vincent Danz, who also worked for the New York City Police Department, and Machinery Technician 1^st Class Jeffrey Palazzo, a former firefighter for the New York City Fire Department.

Adm. Karl Schultz, Coast Guard commandant, made the announcement in New York City’s Battery Park alongside...

High-stakes Effort to End Harmful Fisheries Subsidies Under New Leadership at WTO

On Novemer 8, a new Columbian chairman was elected to lead the WTO’s decades long effort to eliminate destructive subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fisheries around the world.  Wills’ election marks the latest progress in an effort that started twenty years ago and now faces a 2020 deadline to conclude one of the World Trade Organization’s most ambitious goals.

"The world is watching what we do here and we simply cannot afford to fail both the health of the oceans and the credibility of this ...

Cooke Aquaculture's Northeast Nutrition Celebrates Expansion Boosting Output 50%

Northeast Nutrition, a Canadian feed business owned by Cooke Aquaculture, recently celebrated the expansion of its aqua feed plant in Truro, Nova Scotia with an open house.

The expansion was begun in 2016 as a five-year, CAD 20.3 million investment plan for the facility, boosting its production capacity to 100,000 metric tons of aqua feed (up from 65,000 tons previously). Among the most important investments made so far include...

Harbor Seafood Takes Home US Foods’ Center-of-the-plate Award

New York-based Harbor Seafood won the Center-of-the-plate Award at US Foods Supplier of the Year Awards, US Foods announced on Monday.

“Harbor Seafood is a trusted partner that has been a leader in the seafood industry since 1975. The company’s focus on responsible sourcing practices has created invaluable opportunities to strengthen the assortment of sustainably sourced seafood offerings for US Foods customers across the country,” the company said.

Winners of the awards were selected by US Foods field leadership, merchandising and sales associates who work...

What's Next for Amazon: Taking AmazonFresh Beyond Online and into Brick-and-Mortar Stores

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Market research firm Packaged Facts says dropping monthly fees associated with AmazonFresh and realigning it as a free benefit for Prime members, suggests that Amazon intends to to grow the brand beyond the limitations imposed by Whole Foods-Prime Now relationship. The firm recently published Amazon Strategies and the Amazon Shopper, 2nd Edition.

Behind the scenes, Amazon has clearly been trying to figure out how to balance AmazonFresh and Prime Now, its 1-2 hour delivery service. 

Since acquiring Whole Foods in 2017, Amazon ...

Applications Open for Future Leaders Canada 2020 Program

The Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC) announced the application period for Future Leaders Canada is open. Future Leaders Canada is designed to develop emerging leaders in the Canadian seafood industry through networking, programming and unique experience along the supply chain.

The seafood industry in Canada is diverse in many ways. It's diverse in geography, in the species the country harvests and in the size of Canadian seafood companies. The Future Leaders program looks to expose participants to various aspects of the industry and provide networking opportunities with fellow classmates...