Alaskans Enjoy the Journey of the First Copper River Salmon of the Year

After a long, white winter, summer colors are starting to show. The air smells different. Alaskans are starting to stay up later, maybe a little too late on these final school nights. The sun and all of its promises are being revealed. And, the first taste of the season is finally here: Copper River salmon.

Thursday morning Skip Winfree from 10th & M Seafood climbed into an Alaska Central Express plane along with a Channel 2 crew to chase the salmon in Cordova.

Excitement filled the air...

Benchmark's New Land-Based Salmon Egg Production Facility to Open Next Week

Norway's Benchmark is set to open their new land-based salmon egg production facility next week.

The facility, SalmoBreed Salten, has been under construction for a little over a year. Located in Sørfold in Northern Norway, SalmoBreed Salten was designed with the highest standards of biosecurity in mind. The facility, which has the capacity to produce 150 million eggs annually, can hold stock from egg to final mature broodfish. According to the company, the production is equivalent to approximately half a million tons of harvested salmon...

Pebble Mine vs. Salmon Fishermen Gets Heard in Court, No Judgment Yet  

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – Pebble Mine versus Alaska salmon fishermen gets a day in court. The state sides with Pebble.

If Governor Mike Dunleavy was giving his position on the Pebble Mine to a room full of  Bristol Bay fishermen  he would say “rather than developing minerals across the globe, in locations with little or no environmental safeguards, we should be doing our part here to allow Alaska resources to move safely to market.”

That’s according to spokesman, Matt Shuckerow...

Increasing Acidity in Oceans Mean Bad News for Pink Salmon

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – Pink salmon diets take a direct hit.

Argue all you want about climate change – even a child’s chemistry set will prove that the oceans are more acidic.  Recent reports cited dissolving oyster larvae that are devastating west Coast shellfish growers. A new federal study reveals findings on how corrosive oceans are  affecting sea life – and it points to big trouble for pink salmon.  NOAA recently announced the first evidence that the high acid content in the Pacific Ocean is dissolving the shells of...

Pebble Mine Comment Period Extended to June 29; Toxic Copper Dust Not Mentioned in Analysis

Bulldozers, blasters, excavators, vibrators, jaw crushers, drillers, graders, crushers, huge trucks and other heavy equipment are tools of the trade when building and operating large mines ­ and they all kick up a lot of dust.

In the case of the Pebble Mine, the project is expected to generate 8,300 tons of so-called fugitive dust in its annual mining operations. Another 5,700 tons will come from building the 83 mile main road to Cook Inlet, and the 35 daily round trip trucking of mineral concentrates will churn out 1,500 tons of road dust each year.

When it’s blowing in the wind, the dust will land on at least 1,500 acres of wetlands...

Alaska Fishing gearing up as Copper River Opens Next Week

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch…May means even more Alaska fishery openers.

Alaska’s 2019 salmon season will officially open on Thursday, May 16 with a 12 hour opener for sockeyes and king salmon at Copper River. The 500 plus drift fleet is hoping to catch just under 800-thousand reds and 31-thousand king salmon this summer.

Salmon openers in other Alaska fishing regions will quickly follow.

Trollers in Southeast began targeting spring king salmon in various regions starting May 1...

Salmon Season Starts in Two Weeks, Togiak Herring Wrap, Call for Jobs

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

It’s hard to believe but Alaska’s 2019 salmon season officially gets under way in just two weeks!

The first opener for sockeyes and kings at the Copper River near Cordova is set for the week of May 12 where the 500 plus drift fleet is hoping to catch just under 800-thousand reds and 31-thousand king salmon this summer.

Last year’s Copper River fishery totaled 13-thousand kings and just 47-thousand sockeyes, 97 percent below the...

Over 200 Businesses Urge U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Reject Proposed Pebble Mine

Business leaders from Seattle and beyond released a letter today calling on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to suspend its federal permitting process for the controversial Pebble Mine project and to protect Bristol Bay’s salmon fishery - the largest and most valuable in the world. The letter states:

“Given the ecological sensitivity of the Bristol Bay watershed, it deserves the most rigorous, science-based environmental impact assessment possible. Anything less jeopardizes the economic stability of our industries and bottom lines… 

The Winding Glass: If Your Only Tool is Anti-Trust, Everything Looks Like Price Fixing

This week Euclid fish launched a US class action price-fixing suit against the major salmon companies.

Over the past several years, we have seen several major price fixing or anti-trust cases.  The one that has legs is the tuna price-fixing case, in which a conspiracy to control competition and limit discounts was discovered by the Dept. of Justice, and the three companies involved all pled guilty.

Several tuna executives have pled guilty as well, and currently, Chris Lischewski, former CEO of Bumble Bee...

Alaska Seafood Industry Snapshot

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch - An updated snapshot of Alaska’s seafood industry.

Alaska’s seafood industry puts 60,000 people to work, meaning $1.5 billion in earnings for fishermen on more than 9,000 vessels and workers at 87 large shoreside processing plants.

The seafood industry supports at least $150 million a year in taxes and fees.

And here’s why state budget watchers should care about fish prices:  In 2017, for example, the average dock price per pound for all Alaska seafood was 41 cents. If it had increased by one penny, it would...

Ecojustice sues Province of Newfoundland Over Mowi Stephenville Salmon Hatchery Expansion

Newfoundland is one of the places in the world seeing a major expansion of net pen salmon production and infrastructure.  Part of this is because the Provincial government is fully behind the development of an aquaculture industry, and both land and water sites are available. A recent McKenzie report on growth strategies suggested the Province could see 100,000 tons of salmon production annually by 2030 if potential was realized.

Part of their recommendations involved using and expanding existing sites.  This is what Marine Harvest (Mowi) is attempting to...

Salmon Permit Values Increase For All But A Few Alaska Regions

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

Nearly all Alaska salmon permits have gone up in value since last fall and broker action is brisk.

“We’re as busy as we’ve ever been in the last 20 years. Boat sales are doing well and between IFQs and permit sales, we’ve got a busy year going.”

Doug Bowen runs Alaska Boats and Permits in Homer.

The permit interest is fueled by a forecast this year of over 213 million salmon, an 85 percent increase over 2018...

New Zealand King Salmon Mourns Death of Director Thomas Song

New Zealand King Salmon is mourning the death of founding director Thomas Song, who passed away following a sudden illness.

Song had been a member of the New Zealand salmon industry for over 20 years. He was brought in to aid a then-struggling Regal Salmon, and was appointed as CEO during that time. As CEO of Regal Salmon he was an essential facilitator in the merger between Regal and Southern Ocean Seafoods. The merger resulted in the formation of NZ King Salmon under the ownership of Oregon Group...

Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance Issue Position Statement on GE Salmon

Following news that the first genetically modified salmon is set to hit Canadian stores, the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) issued a position statement on GE salmon products.

"Salmon farmer members of CAIA, representing virtually all farmed salmon in Canada, do not farm or sell GE farmed salmon, and are not growing or researching GE salmon," the statement reads.

As reported earlier this month, AquaBounty Technologies confirmed that their Rollo Bay facility for the commercial manufacture and grow-out of AquAdvantage Salmon was approved by...

Alaska April 2019 Fishing Updates

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

Lots of fishing is underway in April all across Alaska. 

One sad exception is the roe herring fishery at Sitka Sound where seiners have yet to wet their nets. Typically the fishery has come and gone by mid-March and the harvest called for a nearly 13,000 ton haul.

The herring, which are valued for their eggs, are showing up but they are too small to call an opener. The latest Sitka herring fishery ever occurred on April 15 in 2002...

US Admin Threatens Another Tariff Headache for US Seafood Importers: Salmon Fillets, Octopus from Europe

As many in the seafood industry know, our own government has been hurting both American consumers and exporters with seafood tariff wars that have resulted in significant disruption and dislocation for some segments within the US seafood industry.

This is likely to continue if Washington goes through with retaliatory tariffs against Airbus.  The US Trade representative published a list of items being considered for a tariff to counteract subsidies that the US claims the EU provides Airbus...

Seven Seas International USA Recalls Biltmore Smoked Salmon Due to Possible Health Risk

Seven Seas International USA, LLC of St. Petersburg, Florida, announced on Wednesday that they are recalling their 4 oz. Biltmore Smoked Sockeye Salmon because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The 4 oz. Biltmore Smoked Sockeye Salmon was sold in black printed carton sleeves and has the "Biltmore" brand name printed on the front. The product was distributed in Florida by Publix Grocery stores and can be identified by the 4-digit product code...

Mowi's Scotland Aqua Feed Plant Set to Start Trial Production This Month

Mowi's Chief Strategy Officer, Glenn Flanders, confirmed to investors that the company's aqua feed plant in Skye, Scotland, is set to start trial production this month.

It was reported this past February that the facility was nearly completion with the goal of starting production in Q2. The company invested an estimated EUR 110 million into the plant, which will deliver feed to Mowi's farmed salmon operations in Scotland, Ireland and the Faroe Islands.

"This facility will afford us some flexibility in terms of the types of...

Potential China Tariffs Set for Friday Could Kill Tilapia Market

[News analysis]  Just when most importers felt the situation with China was moving towards a resolution, the US abruptly filed to impose tariffs of 25% on the $200 million worth of Chinese goods that are currently taxed at 10%.

Originally these tariffs were to go into effect on January 1^st, and the prospect of a serious trade war contributed to the 20% sell-off in the stock market last fall.   With the postponement, markets recovered.

Unless there is a last minute change or this was a brinkmanship negotiating tactic, the Trump Administration will impose the 25% tariff as of midnight Thursday night, May 9th.

This means any shipment from China currently on the water and subject to the 10% tariff will see that tariff rise to 25%...

Despite Setbacks, China is Determined to Develop its Salmon Farming Industry

In April, Yantai city of China started a marketing campaign to boost the development of the local marine industry. Journalists were invited to visit local companies and conduct interviews. The government plans to carry out 10 projects of marine ranches as flagships, and also promote seafood such as live salmon.

One of the interviewed companies was Oriental Ocean, which has achieved some success in its marine ranch project. This project is said to have been in operation since 2008, and so far ...

Fiona Larkin Leaving CFO Position at Scottish Salmon Company

The Scottish Salmon Company announced on Monday that Chief Financial Officer Fiona Larkin will be leaving her position on October 1. 

Larkin joined the Scottish Salmon Company as their CFO back in 2014. During her five years with the company she became an integral part of the leadership team.

"It has been a pleasure working with Fiona and we will continue to build on the Company's strong financial performance," Scottish Salmon Company CEO Craig Anderson said in a press release. "Fiona has assembled a strong team in...

China Lures Global Salmon Suppliers with Rosy Market Prospects

As statistics show, prices of salmon imported to China have exceeded 90 yuan ($13.37 USD) per kg in China’s first tier cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in mid-April. Stocked salmon have been mostly sold out there, while some foreign suppliers have halted operation temporarily to celebrate Easter.

Most new salmon arrivals in China’s wholesale markets are from Chile and Scotland, according to media reports, while there is not a large supply of Norwegian salmon products until April 26. Higher cost is another reason for the ...

Chile Pledges to Cut Antibiotics in Farmed Salmon

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

Customer backlash has Chilean farmed salmon producers promising to reduce the use of antibiotics in fish farms by half by 2025. 

Members of the Chilean Salmon Marketing Council made the announcement last month at Seafood Expo North America in Boston. The group will work with the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program to secure a better rating in an effort called the Chilean Salmon Antibiotic Reduction Program (CSARP).

Chile is the world’s second largest producer of farmed salmon after...

Pet Owners Seeking Out Food Free from Wheat, Soy, Artificial Colors and More

Consumers have shifted away from purchasing food options with artificial products, and they're doing the same when it comes to purchasing food for their pets. According to a new study from Nielsen, more and more consumers are looking to buy pet food that is free from wheat, soy, artificial colors, fillers and corn.

Nielsen published data that shows consumers spent nearly $5 billion purchasing pet food with wheat-free claims. Soy-free food was right behind, with nearly $4.5 billion spent...

Iceland Expects 50% Expansion of Farmed Salmon This Year, Surge in the Future

Given the problems with sea lice in Norway, and the continued high demand for salmon, investment has flowed into new areas such as Newfoundland and Iceland where salmon farming has significant opportunities to expand.

The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority has said that it expects salmon production to reach 20,000 tons this year, up nearly 50% from the 13,448 tons produced in 2018.

Partly this is driven by new investments, and by more farms coming online.

Salmar has recently added to its stake in...

WDFW, Army Corps Collaborate on Restoration, Bridge Replacement to Benefit Salmon and Whales

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are moving forward with a 38-acre estuary restoration project on Hood Canal. Estuaries in Puget Sound and Hood Canal are critical habitat for Endangered Species Act-listed chum and Chinook salmon, a key prey of southern resident killer whales.

A design agreement signed by WDFW Director Kelly Susewind and Army Corps Colonel Geraldi allows the Corps to begin the design phase of a large restoration at the mouth of the Duckabush River...

Many California Crabbers Switching to Chinook Trolling as Salmon Seasons Are Set

From San Francisco to Crescent City, Calif., crab pots were being loaded onto trailers and stacked in port lots for storage as Dungeness crabbers were forced to stop fishing Monday.

But there may be a little light at the end of the tunnel: Many crabbers also fish for salmon, and California salmon trollers will have more than 25 percent additional opportunity this year. 

The Pacific Fishery Management Council announced the final West Coast salmon seasons Monday at its meeting in Rohnert Part, California...

Pacific Council Finalizes Generally Improved Salmon Seasons for 2019

Most salmon trollers can expect better ocean salmon seasons this year -- while also meeting conservation goals, fishery managers said Monday.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council finalized its recommendations for 2019 salmon seasons at its meeting in Rohnert Park, Calif., for seasons beginning in May.

The seasons must still be approved by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, but managers said that is expected.

The adopted regulations for Chinook salmon reflect the improved status of Sacramento River fall Chinook, Oregon managers said in a notice to industry. Rogue River fall...

StarKist Joins NFI'S Salmon Council

StarKist is the latest company to join the National Fisheries Institute's (NFI) Salmon Council, a coalition of seafood companies with a mission of promoting the health benefits of salmon.

NFI launched the Salmon Council back in 2013 as a way to "provide a strong voice to promote all salmon in the U.S. market." The council and its members not only focus on promoting the benefits of salmon but are committed to sustainable management of the oceans and to being stewards of the environment.

"The addition of StarKist brings another organization operating at...

Applebee's Brings Back Salmon and Shrimp Entrees on Bigger, Bolder Grill Combos Menu

Salmon and shrimp lovers can go "bigger and bolder" at Applebee's this month. The restaurant chain announced that they've brought back their Bigger, Bolder Grill Combos menu for a limited time.

Applebee's typically launches their Bigger, Bolder Grill Combos offer during tax season, but also brought back the special menu for a limited time this past November. This is the first time that the chain has brought back their Bigger, Bolder Grill Combos this year.

Starting at just $12.99, diners can enjoy their choice of...