Chinese Shrimp Market Looks More Promising During the October’s Festivals

After depression earlier this year, the Chinese shrimp market has finally started hustling again in the recent National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival. Large domestic shrimp are seemingly the biggest winner, though the situation is also bettering for small, mid-sized as well as imported ones during the holiday shopping.

According to one Guangxi farmer, prices of some large shrimp have even set a new record compared with previous festival data. Those at the size of 27 shrimp/jin (1 jin=0.5 kilo) were sold at 36 yuan/jin...

Newly Released Documents Reveal Proposed Federal North Atlantic Right Whale Protections for Maine

Maine lobstermen have their livelihoods on the line as they wait to hear back from NOAA regarding the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.

In April 2019, at the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team (ALWTRT) meeting, Maine's Department of Marine Resources was charged with reducing the risk of North Atlantic right whale entanglement in Maine's portion of Lobster Conservation Management Area (LCMA) 1. The ALWTRT set a target of a 60% risk reduction, however, when the Department of Marine Resources submitted their plan...

LISTEN: Qingdao Coronavirus Update; CBP's Determination on Minh Phu; Seafood Analysis and More

Join SeafoodNews Podcast co-hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione as they talk about the CBP's determination that Minh Phu evaded antidumping duty orders on frozen shrimp from India; the recent success of Boston lobsters in China; a new study revealing that shoppers are buying seafood to stay healthy; and the latest detection of coronavirus on packaging of frozen seafood. Plus, listen for a pangasius and king crab analysis from UB market reporters.

This week's episode is brought to you by Urner Barry's COMTELL...

PCFFA Supports Stakeholder Involvement in Gov. Newsom's Executive Order

A California fishing group says Gov. Newsom's recent executive order will give the seafood industry a chance to be involved in the process to conserve the state's land and coastal waters.

"Last week Governor Newsom signed executive order N-82-20, which establishes a goal for the State of California to conserve at least 30 percent of California’s land and coastal waters by the end of the decade," the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations said in a statement about the executive order.

"The principles of conservation ...

Trump Administration, EPA Release Global Marine Litter Strategy

At a Florida event, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler released the Trump Administration’s Federal Strategy for Addressing the Global Issues of Marine Litter.

The U.S. strategy focuses on four pillars for tackling the marine litter issue including building capacity, incentivizing the global recycling market, promoting research and development and promoting marine litter removal.

“Internationally, up to 28 billion pounds of waste makes it into our oceans every year, harming marine life and coastal economies,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler...

Albertsons Invests in PickUp Lockers, Growing its E-Commerce Options

Albertsons Companies announced it will be piloting PickUp lockers in a number of Chicago and Bay Area Safeway stores, providing another fulfillment option for e-commerce orders made through Albertsons’ websites and apps.

Before the locker introduction, Albertsons noted its in-house Delivery, third-part delivery partnerships and Drive Up & Go options. The added option for customers comes right off the heels which reported a 276% increase in digital sales in its first fiscal quarter and continue to add Drive Up & Go stores throughout the country, as it looks..."

EU Council Reaches Agreement on 2021 Baltic Sea Catch Limits

The Council of the European Union agreement on 2021 fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea with a focus on the recovery of fish stocks. EU ministers agreed to decrease fishing opportunities in a number of Baltic Sea fish stocks to boost recovery.

The agreement includes continuing the closure of the Eastern Baltic cod fishery and to provide only a by-catch quota, which was again significantly reduced compared to last year’s. According to a press release, the largest cuts in the total allowable catches (TACs) were for...

Friend of the Sea Renews Certification for GC Rieber Oils

Friend of the Sea renewed its certification of GC Rieber Oils of Norway for its Omega-3 concentrates.

The certification standard said that GC Rieber has recommitted to sustainable sourcing as part of the recertification process. With the new certification, the company can put the Friend of the Sea logo on its VivoMega products that contain Omega-3 oils.

“We have a strong alignment with GC Rieber Oils,” said Paolo Bray, Director of Friend of the Sea. “As a company, they are building their brand based on sustainability, which is a win-win for business and the environment..."

China's CDC Reports Detection of Living Coronavirus on Outer Packaging of Imported Frozen Cod

Over the weekend China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that they detected living novel coronavirus on the outer packaging of imported frozen cod. The alleged discovery was made in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao and marks the first time that the live new coronavirus has been isolated on the outer packaging of cold-chain food.  Authorities in China are now warning that contact with the outer packaging of frozen foods contaminated by the coronavirus can cause infection.

OPINION: Dr. Al Gross Will Talk Truth, Not Tow the Party Line

Alaskans should not be surprised that it took Dan Sullivan a decade to say he opposes the Pebble Mine. That came only after the Pebble Tapes revealed mine backers boasting about how Sullivan was hoping to “ride out the election” and that “he’s off in a corner being quiet.” 

Remember that it was Dan Sullivan as Commissioner of the AK Dept. of Natural Resources in 2012 who removed the words “conserve,” “enhance,” and “future Alaskans” from the DNR mission statement, sidestepping a state law requiring legislative approval...

With Gloomy Overseas Markets, Vietnam’s Basa Industry is Looking for a Way Out

Under the influence of COVID-19, Vietnam has been suffering in basa exports. Though its exports to England increased this year, and that to America also started to rebound recently, the situation is still tough and it is expected to see obvious contraction in exports this year.

As statistics show, from this January to August its exports to England has increased by 23.8% compared with the same period last year, while that has even jumped by 56.3% in August alone. The average export price is...

Coast Guard Medevacs 58-Year-Old Crewmember Off Baffin Bay, Texas

Last week the Coast Guard medevaced a 58-year-old crewmember from a fishing vessel located 15 miles off Baffin Bay, Texas.

On Thursday, October 15, watchstanders with Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi received a report at approximately 8:30 p.m. that a crewmember from the Los Nietos, a 77-foot fishing vessel, had suffered a head injury. The watchstanders subsequently launched a Sector/ Air Station Corpus Christo NH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to assist the injured crewmember. The Dolphin crew hoisted the man and...

Eight Fifty, Parent Company of Young’s Seafood Acquires Greenland Seafood; Grows Presence in Europe

The parent company of UK seafood processor Young’s Seafood, Eight Fifty Food Group, announced it has acquired Germany-based AliSa International, trading as Greenland Seafood.

Greenland Seafood is one of the largest producers of frozen seafood products in mainland Europe, employing about 600 people at its two manufacturing sites in France and Germany.

The addition of Greenland under Eight Fifty’s umbrella gives the company a strong platform in mainland Europe, alongside its UK division led by processing giant Young’s...

Even With a Pandemic, NOAA and Alaska Fisheries Science Center Plan for Surveys to Resume in 2021

Although a semi-final draft plan for Alaska's surveys won’t be ready until December, Dr. Robert Foy, Science Director at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, gave a presentation to the North Pacific Council earlier this week on data that had been collected this year and how plans are building for a close to full complement of survey vessels to be operating next year.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Foy and his team had been analyzing various options for data gathering, which led...

OPINION: Visa Restrictions Are Threatening the Survival of the U.S. Shrimp Industry

It’s our busy season right now in the Texas shrimping industry. Seventy percent of our income is made between July and October, and during this time we need workers. Lots of them. Of course, we’d like to hire from our state’s growing pool of unemployed workers, but that’s not possible. Shrimpers need years of experience to safely operate a boat. That’s why we look abroad—we need seasoned fishermen. They travel from Central and South America to work on our boats for three months...

GAPP ROI Study Reveals Marketing Impact For Wild Alaska Pollock Fillet, Wild Alaska Pollock Surimi

A "Return on Investment" study conducted by Dr. Harry Kaiser of Cornell University is shedding some light on the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers' (GAPP) marketing efforts.

According to Dr. Kaiser's study, for each dollar invested by the Wild Alaska Pollock industry into its marketing organization during the past two years, there was a return of $28.04 in Wild Alaska Pollock fillet and Wild Alaska Pollock Surimi revenue back to the industry. This is impressive considering that the study found...

NOAA Fisheries Develops Tools to Help Display Impact of Offshore Wind on Fishing Industry

NOAA Fisheries announced it has created new tools and analyses to help educate the public on the fishing impacts that will be associated with offshore wind development.

One of the ways NOAA said it analyzed how fishing could be impacted by offshore wind was combining vessel logbook and dealer report data from 2008-2018 compared to current offshore wind energy project areas.

“We identified where and when fishing occurred relative to these areas and estimated landings and fishing revenue associated with each project area,” NOAA explained...

Group of Six Fisheries in Ecuador Improve Thanks to Fishery Improvement Project

According to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), six small pelagic species in Ecuador saw a significant improvement in stock status over the last two years. The improvement stems from voluntary management measures developed by the Ecuador Small Pelagics Sustainability Fishery Improvement Project (SPS-FIP).

Prior to the SPS-FIP’s establishment in 2018, 100% of the stocks in questions were overexploited, with half of them being overfished. Following the FIP, only 67% of the species are overexploited while none are currently overfished, per 2019 data...

Sea Lions Feasting on First Chinook Salmon Arriving at Columbia River

A study from the University of Washington and NOAA Fisheries has found that sea lions are having the biggest negative impact on early-arriving Chinook salmon in the lower Columbia River.

Sea lions have learned to swim upriver to get an easy meal of migrating salmon by the Bonneville Dam, the University explained.

"We investigated whether mortality rates varied depending on the specific threatened Chinook salmon population, determined by when they arrive in the river," said lead author Mark Sorel, a doctoral student at the UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences...

Test Fishery for Golden King Crab at Prince William Sound

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch –

Fishermen and state managers are testing the waters for another crab fishery at Prince William Sound.

Now through the end of November, they will drop pots for golden king crab. That fishery has been closed since 1989 and the last survey on the stock was in 2006. But stakeholders say they are seeing signs of increased abundance. 

“We believe that there is some golden king crab out there and our stakeholders proposed a few things at the last Board of Fish...

Cape Moreton Scarlet Prawns Named Best New Product by Australia's Delicious 

Cape Moreton Scarlet Prawns have been named the "Best New Product" by Australia's delicious. Harvey Normal Produce Awards.

The delicious. Harvey Normal Produce Awards recognize the best Australian produce and the people behind it.

"Following drought, bushfires, flood, then scaling back production due to COVID-19, there's never been a more important time to acknowledge just how hard Australian farmers, fishermen and artisans work at their craft," explained delicious. editorial director Kerrie McCallum.

Cape Moreton Scarlet Prawns were initially only...

ANALYSIS: King Crab Demand Improving During Pandemic

Upward pricing pressure continues to mount as supplies in the market for king crab remain extremely tight and inventories very thin. Supplies around the world are very light and reported demand continues to be insatiable. 

Imports released for August 2020 show a year-to-date slight decrease overall for king crab and more specifically a 0.6 percent decrease out of Russia, the dominant supplier of king crab to the U.S. market. Looking further at the breakdown between red, blue, and golden king crab from Russia...

NPFMC Narrows Focus on Abundance-Based Management for Pacific Halibut Bycatch in Bering Sea

The North Pacific Fisheries Management Council clarified their focus to tie the management of halibut bycatch in the Bering Sea to abundance in a new motion that, after one amendment, was passed unanimously. 

The final Council motion revised the purpose and need statement and the alternatives for an initial review analysis that will likely come at the April council meeting, scheduled for April 5-6, 2021.

The new Purpose and Need Statement reads as follows:

“Halibut is an important resource in the Bering Sea and Aleutian...

Letter to the Editor: Polar Opposite Fishery Advocates Fields and Bonney Support Sullivan for Senate

Dear Editor:

Alaska’s fishing industry encompasses fishermen, processors, processing workers, support businesses, and communities.  Seafood is the largest employer in our State and the continued success of the industry is vital for Alaska’s future and maintaining our vibrant coastal communities. All Alaskans know that different fishery user groups seldom see eye to eye.  We have often been diametrically opposed when it comes to regulating our constituency groups, whether it be before the North Pacific Fishery Management Council or the State of Alaska Board of Fisheries... 

CBP Determines Minh Phu Evaded Antidumping Duty Order on Frozen Shrimp From India

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has determined that there was substantial evidence that Minh Phu Seafood Corporation, through their related U.S. importer MSeafood Corporation, entered merchandise covered by an antidumping order on certain frozen warmwater shrimp from India into the U.S. through evasion. According to documents, there is substantial evidence that demonstrates MSeafood imported Indian-origin frozen shrimp that were transshipped and the country of origin claimed as Vietnam.

This story goes back to May 2019, when Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood's office sent a letter to...

Re Trump’s May Executive Order: North Pacific Council Prioritizes Surveys and Catch Monitoring

In response to Last May’s Executive Order 13921, the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (NPFMC) submitted a list of prioritized recommendations to “reduce burdens on domestic fishing and to increase production within sustainable fisheries.” At the top of their list is groundfish surveys in the Gulf and Bering Sea, and improved observer coverage and electronic monitoring.

The president’s “Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness Economic Growth” executive order tasked each of the nation’s eight, including a eight regional management councils with providing way to reach four goals and asked...

ANALYSIS: Pangasius Imports Flat, YTD totals Retreat

August import figures of 11.05 million pounds show pangasius frozen fillets came in flat to the previous month, trailing 1,270 lbs. from July. On a year-to-date basis, 2020 has totaled 72.9 million pounds from January through August, the lowest YTD total since 2010 brought in 71.5 million pounds for the same timeframe.

So far this year, each month has fallen well below the previous 3-year average for import volume, while wholesale prices gradually weakened the first half of the year...

Alaska Fish Meetings Focus on COVID Delays, Halibut Bycatch

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch –

Fall is the busiest time for fish meetings and while all are being done remotely due to Covid concerns, there is one plus: that those who normally could not attend can now tune in live.  

Today is the final day of the state Board of Fisheries work session when they will decide how to reschedule meetings to address Prince William Sound, Southeast, statewide shellfish issues and hatcheries.

The board will take up a slate of...

Public Health Agency of Canada Investigating Vibrio Outbreak Linked to Shellfish

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is working with provincial partners and other agencies to investigate an outbreak of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections, linked to shellfish occurring in four provinces.

According to PHAC, findings indicate that the outbreaks are linked to people who have eaten raw oysters harvested from the eastern coastal waters, they Agency is gathering data to determine the exact supply source and distribution of the oysters.

As of October 14, there are 21 confirmed cases of Vibrio in four provinces...

Sysco Hires Judith Sansone in Newly Created Executive Role

Judith Sansone, who previously served as Chief Merchandising Offer for CVS Health, has joined Sysco in a newly created executive role.

Effective October 26, Sansone will be the company's new Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. The role will require Sansone to lead Sysco's overall commercial strategies, including responsibility for merchandising, marketing, pricing, digital sales enablement, customer loyalty program development, customer personalization and exploring new channel sales development. In addition, Sansone will also be responsible for coordinating company-wide efforts to profitably grow sales by...