Southwest Nova Scotia Preseason Sampling Data For Lobster Quality in LFA 33 and 34 Released

The Coldwater Lobster Association and the Université Sainte-Anne Lobster Quality Centre recently released their Lobster Quality Preseason Sampling Program report for Southwest Nova Scotia LFA 33 and LFA 34. The report looks at samples from 8 locations within LFA 33 and LFA 34 through the preseason period of September 4 through November 14, 2023. Sampling is conducted by the Coldwater Lobster Association, which goes to designated ‘Inside’ and ‘Outside’ areas of Lobster Bay, St. Mary’s Bay, Yarmouth in...

Sernapesca Provides Update on Harmful Algal Blooms in Seno de Reloncaví

Chile’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service, also known as Sernapesca, is continuing to monitor the Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) impacting the Seno de Reloncaví area. 

The Reloncaví Estuary has been hit by multiple mortality events this month between ACS 1 and ACS 2. As SeafoodNews reported earlier this week, a new mass mortality event struck the Los Lagos region, impacting ACS 2 in Seno de Reloncaví. The ACS 2 area has 28 active farming centers with total biomass of live fish at 49,727 tons...

Scientists: Unnecessary Fishing Regs in Proposed Pacific Sanctuary Could Disadvantage U.S. Industry

Science advisers to the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council expressed deep concerns about the potential negative unintended consequences of adding more fishing limits in the U.S. Pacific Remote Islands.

The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee, tasked this week with evaluating current fishing regulations in the region of the proposed PRI sanctuary, commented on their comprehensiveness and assessing the scientific justification for more regulations. SSC members reaffirmed their recommendation ...

Japan: Land-based Surimi Production in Hokkaido Drops 30% in October

According to the Surimi Manufacturers Association, the production volume of land-based surimi from Hokkaido for Alaska pollock and Atka mackerel decreased by more than 30% in October compared to last year. The Suisan Keizai Shimbun reported that sales of the mainstay pollock surimi continued to fall short of the previous year's results, posting negative results for 14 consecutive months.

In October, production of pollock surimi was 540 tons, which was 36.5% less than the same month last year. Meanwhile Atka...

Clearwater Seafoods Fleet Achieves FISH Standard for Crew Certification

FISH Standard for Crew Inc. is pleased to announce seven vessels of the Clearwater Seafoods fleet have been awarded FISH certification. The fleet comprises Canadian flagged clam, lobster, and scallop harvesting vessels operating in Canadian waters in the northwest Atlantic. Certification body MRAG Americas awarded the certification after extensive policy and procedure review, on-site vessel inspections, and face-to-face interviews of crew members.

“We are very proud to be the first Canadian company to attain FISH certification, a recognition that is consistent with Clearwater’s commitment to our people...

VIDEO: Bakkafrost's Historic Flight; Bioriginal Acquires Softgel; Scott & Jon Goes Big

Join SeafoodNews Managing Editor Amanda Buckle as she breaks down the biggest stories of the week, including Bakkafrost salmon’s historic flight; Bioriginal’s latest acquisition; and Scott & Jon’s big changes coming in 2024.

This episode of the SeafoodNews Weekly Video is brought to you by Mintec’s new podcast, Agri-Food For Thought with Jamie Chadwick and Simon Duke. Released bi-weekly, this new podcast for agriculture and food professionals features market insights, trends and news. You can listen to the Agri-Food for Thought Podcast on Soundcloud and Spotify. 

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation Hires Kristy Clement as CEO

“Hello all mariners. Hello all mariners.”

That greeting and the distinctive voice over the radio was always a welcome sound if you were on a boat off Alaska in the years between 1960 and 2000. It came from Peggy Dyson (aka WBH-29 Kodiak) who gave fishermen the weather forecast from Southeast to the Bering Sea. Peggy left a legacy of sustainability, trust, and a touchstone to home. Fleets and processors set their watches on her broadcasts, at 0800 and 1800 every day, seven ...

 Photo of Kristy Clement courtesy of AFDF.

Letter to the Editor: Someone Call the Irony Police

Recent reporting on the Louisiana Seafood Safety Task Force includes impressive statistics about efforts to flight seafood fraud (Nov 23^rd Louisiana: State Seafood Safety Task Force Tackling Import Testing and Mislabeling.) The article even includes this quote, “They’re also tackling the issue of mislabeling products. According to Nungesser, there have been over 2,300 mislabeling violations over the last few years.” It doesn’t take too much digging to find out those violations were part of the group’s restaurant labeling requirement effort. They’re trying to make sure...

Dr. Nancy Leonard Promoted at Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is continuing to make changes to its employee roster.

Dr. Nancy Leonard is the latest change. She has been promoted to Senior Program Manager, taking over for Chris Wheaton, who will be retiring soon. Wheaton's portfolio of programs -- RecFIN, PikeMinnow, Smolt monitoring, etc. -- will be folded into Leonard's current portfolio of StreamNet, Regional Mark Processing Center, Klamath Basin Collaborative and Salmon Data Discovery Tool. Her new role begins in mid-December.

In an email to ...

Scott & Jon’s Introducing New Species, Bigger Portions in 2024

Scott & Jon’s is going big in 2024. The frozen seafood meal company announced this week that beginning early next year, consumers will get to enjoy 20% more food in every bowl.

The Maine-based company was founded by brothers Scott and Jon Demers. Together the two have taken over the frozen entree aisle with healthy and delicious seafood meals that are under 300 calories. Their line of products includes entrees like Shrimp Risotto, Shrimp Scampi, Shrimp Alfredo, and Garlic Butter Shrimp. They’ve also recently introduced new shrimp offerings...

ASC Concludes First Summit Visit to Vietnam

From October 23 – 28, seafood buyers from across North America embarked on a five-day commercial visit to Vietnam, one of the leading aquaculture producing countries in the world. Participants of the first ASC Summit to take place in Vietnam engaged with responsible farmers of shrimp and pangasius – known more commonly as swai.

The novel series of interactive ASC Summit activities included tours of certified seafood farms, processing facilities and feed mills all contributing to the responsible care and supply of ASC certified and labeled seafood to markets across the globe...

Russian Crab Fishermen Faced With Sharp Drop in Profitability 

The level of profitability of the Russian crab sector may significantly decline in the middle term due to ever tighthening sanctions pressure and the ongoing transformation of the industry.

According to recent statements to Forbes Russia made by German Zverev, head of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), the super-profitability of the industry, which had been observed in the last five years, became mainly as the result of a "fortunate combination of circumstances."

Zverev said that while other countries were reducing crab production, Russia was able to...

Dominique Bertolone Named President of Maggiano’s Little Italy, SVP of Brinker International

Casual dining restaurant brand Brinker International, which owns concepts Chili’s and Maggiano’s Little Italy, announced this week that they’ve appointed Dominique Bertolone to serve as one of their Senior Vice Presidents. In addition, Bertolone has also been named the President of Maggiano’s Little Italy.

“Dominique is the perfect leader to usher in the next wave of Maggiano's growth," said Kevin Hochman, Brinker International President and CEO. "His experience leading all types of foodservice concepts has direct application to accelerating the three Maggiano's channels of dine-in...

Slade Gorton Hires Annie Tselikis As Director of Marketing and Business Development

Seafood veteran Annie Tselikis is now the new Director of Marketing and Business Development at Slade Gorton.

“Annie is uniquely positioned to help us expand our engagement with chain operators, particularly within the commercial and non-commercial foodservice sector,” said Slade Gorton CEO Kim Gorton. “She is passionate about the seafood industry, and has a deep understanding of and appreciation for each step in the value chain – from the point of harvest to the end user.”

Tselikis joins Slade Gorton after serving as the Director of...

MSC Canada Releases First-Ever State of the Water Report

Consumer and industry demand have been catalysts of sustainability in the Canadian fishing industry over the last 15 years, a major report reveals today.

The MSC Canada State of the Water Report 2023 - the first of its kind from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - demonstrates the non-profit's unique ability to both drive and measure positive progress in fishing at scale. The MSC sets and manages a leading global standard for sustainable fishing against which fisheries are certified, and its blue fish label is the most globally recognized for...

Andfjord Salmon Gives Construction Update on Kvalnes Salmon Facility Expansion

Andfjord Salmon confirmed in their third quarter financial results that they remain ahead of schedule for the expansion of their land-based salmon facility at Kvalnes.

In June the company unveiled the specifics of their expansion plan, revealing that they were targeting a total production capacity of 40,000 tonnes through a gradual increase between 2025 and 2030. As part of this expansion the company had to establish waterways to support the production of 40,000 tonnes of salmon. 

Earlier this month Andfjord Salmon CEO Martin...

CDFW Takes Steps to Return Land to California Tribe

After years of discussion, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will transfer 40-plus acres of the historic Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery in Inyo County to the Fort Independence Indian Community, which is recognized as one distinct separate tribal government of the four Owens Valley Paiute Tribes.

The Wildlife Conservation Board approved the no-cost transfer last week. When the transfer is complete, it will mark CDFW’s first ever land return to a California Native American tribe, the agency said in a press release.

“This act is momentous ...