New Zealand’s Sanford Limited Releases Full Year Results for FY18

New Zealand’s Sanford Limited released their full year results for FY18 on Thursday. The company is reporting net profit after tax of $42.3 million, an improvement of 12.9% from last year, which can be credited to the insurance settlement from the Kaikoura earthquake that damaged their Havelock mussel processing facility. Meanwhile, the company’s adjusted earnings before interest and tax increased 1.5% to $64.7 million.

According to Sanford, sales revenue increased by 7.7% from $477.9 million to $515 million. The increase can be credited to ...

Symphony of Seafood Debuts 10 New Products

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – From spring rolls to seafood noodles – Alaska’s Symphony of Seafood unveils new products.

The 26^th Alaska Symphony of Seafood attracted 10 entries in its annual competition. They were judged privately last night (Wednesday) in Seattle in three categories: retail, food service and Beyond the Plate. As always, the innovation is off the charts.

“I have not seen a spring roll product entered before. Alaska sockeye salmon spring roll by Tai Foong. And Fishpeople Seafoods entered a salmon jerky ...

Nordic Aquafarms Responds to Opposition in November Newsletter

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - November 6, 2018

Nordic Aquafarms is using their latest newsletter to respond to opposition.

Nordic Aquafarms is in the process of building a new facility in Belfast, Maine. While the company has been holding informational meetings in an effort to be transparent about the U.S. aquaculture facility, there are still some local residents with concerns. Nordic Aquafarms decided to take out an advertisement in The Republican Journal to “separate facts from fear.”

“From day one we have been open and transparent, holding public ...

Greater Demand Matches up with Improved Shipping Logistics for Norwegian Salmon in China

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [3g.163 and zjnews] translated by Amy Zhong

Roughly 3.9 tons of Norwegian salmon landed in Hangzhou recently after three days of travel. After customs clearance, they entered local supermarkets and restaurants in no time. Zhang, an experienced freight forwarder, is in charge of these kinds delivery and is increasingly optimistic about the market prospects and more salmon will be imported from Norway, he believes.

As a matter of fact, China’s imports of Norwegian salmon have been rising continuously with greater demand. According to statistics from local customs, Hangzhou ...

Chinese Eat 1/10th as Much Salmon as Americans and Norway Aims to Change That Rapidly

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [FishFirst/Sohu] translated by Amy Zhong - October 26, 2018

According to statistics from Chinese customs, the country has imported 1,924 tons of frozen salmon from Norway in January alone. The number far exceeds its import from Chile, 1,474 tons, and it has ballooned by 1,613 percent compared with the same period last year when the import was only 112 tons. Its salmon import from Norway has skyrocketed by 682 percent within the first seven months ...

Pier Fish Co. Names Beth Hickam to Vice President of West Coast Sales

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - October 24, 2018

Pier Fish Co. Inc., a leading processor of fresh and frozen seafood in New Bedford, Mass., has announced that Beth Hickam has joined the company as Vice President, West Coast Sales. In her new position, she will be responsible for further developing Pier Fish’s business with existing customers and also for establishing new relationships with retailers, wholesalers/distributors and foodservice operators throughout West Coast market areas.

Founded in 1910 and one of the oldest, continuously operating companies in the U.S. seafood industry, Pier Fish offers a ...

Nordic Aquafarms Opens Corporate Office as They Continue to Move Forward with Belfast Facility

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - October 15, 2018

Nordic Aquafarms announced in their October newsletter that they are now operating out of their corporate office in Portland, Maine. The new office will serve as their U.S. headquarters, focusing on the development of the Belfast facility, as well as additional growth opportunities in the future. Nordic Aquafarms CEO and founder Erik Heim, who moved to Maine earlier this month, as well as Director of Operations Marianne Naess, will be dividing their time between the Portland office and Belfast ...

Bristol Bay Chilling Rate for Salmon Likely to Be Higher Than Last Year's Record

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - October 9, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch –

The chilling rate for salmon at Bristol Bay jumped from 24 percent 10 years ago to a record 73 percent last year. The rate will will surely be higher this season.

Processors are requiring it and paying nice bonuses of up to 30 cents a pound for the top-quality fish. The fisherman is the first link in the cold chain and RSW, or ...

October is National Seafood Month

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - October 1, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – Is your town celebrating seafood month?

October is National Seafood Month – a distinction proclaimed by Congress more than a quarter century ago to recognize one of our nation’s oldest industries.

Government figures show that nationwide, the seafood industry contributes $60 billion to the U.S. economy each year. 

Pacific salmon, sea scallops, shrimp and lobster contributed the most to total revenue. For poundage, Alaska pollock, menhaden and Pacific salmon accounted for more than half of ...

Commerce Department Makes Several Fishery Failure Determinations for West Coast Fisheries

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by Susan Chambers - September 26, 2018

Salmon and sardine fisheries off the West Coast have been closed or severely curtailed in the years since The Blob -- an unusual mass of warm water -- stuck around for most of 2014 and 2015. While not the only odd ocean change, it was blamed for many fisheries problems.

Now, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has determined those salmon and sardine fisheries are indeed fishery failures due to natural resource conditions, the department said in a press release ...

Beard House Hosts 6th Annual Skuna Bay ‘Salmon Seduction’ Event

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 25, 2018

Salmon has never looked this good. On Tuesday, October 2, the historic Beard House will be hosting their sixth annual Skuna Bay Salmon Dinner, an event featuring a “seafood-savvy lineup of standout chefs from across the country.”

This year’s dinner features James Beard Awards semifinalist Chef Noah Sandoval from the two Michelin Star Oriole in Chicago; James Beard Awards semifinalist Chef Sylva Senat from Maison 208 in Philadelphia; James Beard Awards nominee Chef Sarah Rinkavage from Marisol in Chicago ...

Production Starts at Cermaq’s New Closed Containment System in Horsvågen

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 25, 2018

Cermaq, one of the world's leading companies in salmon and trout farming, aims to be leading in technology development that contributes to sustainable food production. This weekend, Cermaq transferred smolt into its new closed containment system in Horsvågen, Norway.

With this closed containment system, Cermaq takes a first step toward developing closed farming technology. The closed containment system is built to provide maximum bio-security and fish welfare. Water will be pumped into the pen from 13 meters deep, preventing ...

LISTEN: Lobsters on Weed, a "Codfather" Update, Farmed Salmon Analysis and More

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 24, 2018

Join SeafoodNews podcast hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione for a wild ride as they discuss the debate over getting lobsters stoned and a study where researchers gave octopuses ecstasy. Plus, we’ve got an update on the trade war with China, the latest news regarding Carlos “The Codfather” Rafael, and an analysis on the farmed salmon fillet market. Don’t miss a minute of it!

The SeafoodNews Podcast is available to download for free via SoundCloud or iTunes ...

Symphony of Seafood Calls for New Alaska Seafood Products

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - September 21, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – 

The call is out for new Alaska products to be showcased at the annual Symphony of Seafood.

“It’s our 26^th year and that’s exciting. We’re really looking forward to seeing what new products are out there this year because I’ve been hearing some rumors about some really fun stuff.” 

Julie Decker is director of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation which hosts the seafood event. It   provides a level playing field for small ‘mom and pops’ ...

ANALYSIS: Imported Volume of Farmed Salmon Fillets at all Time Highs Amid 6 Weeks of Steady Pricing

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by Janice Schreiber - September 19, 2018

Consistency and growth in the farmed salmon market out of Chile have been the theme as of late. This is a bit of an anomaly in comparison to previous years. The farmed fillet market would typically see unsold product hitting the spot market in fairly regular spats or, on the other hand, product in the spot drying up due to disease issues, labor strikes, or natural disasters ...

Cod Catches, Hatcheries Shuffle Alaska Fish Board Line Up

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - September 18, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch … 

The state Board of Fisheries has a packed early line up when it meets for five days next month in Anchorage.

This year’s meeting cycle focuses on fisheries at Chignik, Bristol Bay, the Alaska Peninsula and the Bering Sea but others also are on the list – notably hatcheries.

Some stakeholders believe increased numbers of hatchery fish pose a risk to wild salmon stocks and a major study is underway ...

Bristol Bay Sockeye Forecast Reduced for 2019, Board of Fish Update 

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – A reduced Bristol Bay salmon forecast for next year and some big ideas for the Board of Fish.

Next summer at Bristol Bay, a run of just over 40 million sockeye salmon is projected which would allow for a catch of 26.1 million at Bristol Bay and 1.49 million in the South Peninsula fisheries. That’s down eight percent from the 10 year average of 30 million reds.

There could be a few changes to the fishery ...

Bristol Bay, Area M Only Bright Spots for AK Salmon Permits 

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - November 2, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch.

An off kilter salmon season has added to dampened enthusiasm in the permit market that’s lasted all year.

“All of these salmon fisheries here in the Gulf, both gillnet and seine permits, had a lousy year. And we see that in the lackluster permit market in the Gulf.” 

Doug Bowen runs Alaska Boats and Permits at Homer. Further west, Bristol Bay with its back to back record breakers, is one exception ...

Columbia River Fishery Patrols Lead to Multiple Citations, Arrests

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by Susan Chambers - October 30, 2018

As a result of numerous complaints of illegal gillnetting on the Columbia River at the Deschutes River Sanctuary, law enforcement officers conducted nighttime boat patrols to address the illegal gillnetting complaints.

The Oregon State Police, Columbia River Inter Tribal Fisheries Enforcement (CRITFE) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police conducted operations on September 12, 13, 19 & 20, 2018.

As a result of the saturation patrols, at least one commercial fishing boat was contacted inside the sanctuary on ...

NOAA Co-Hosting Lecture to Launch East Coast Celebration of the International Year of the Salmon

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - October 24, 2018

NOAA is co-hosting an event with the New England Aquarium, Atlantic Salmon Federation and Downeast Salmon Federation to launch the U.S. East Coast celebration of the International Year of the Salmon.

The International Year of the Salmon is an initiative created to “inform and stimulate outreach and research that aspires to establish the conditions necessary to ensure the resilience of salmon and people throughout the Northern Hemisphere.”

The event, taking place at Simons IMAX theatre ...

Norway: Skretting Factory in Averøy Now Producing Salmon Feed with Insect Mealv

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Skretting] - October 19, 2018

Get Your Free Salmon Insider's Report!

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Urner Barry] - October 9, 2018

Is your business impacted by the salmon market or other species of seafood? Could insightful data, one-of-a-kind analysis, and commentary from expert market reporters make your organization more competitive and profitable? 

Then take advantage of a complimentary Salmon Insider’s Report from the team at Urner Barry!

Thai Union Group to Sell or Close Edinburgh Salmon Company

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - October 1, 2018

Thai Union announced on Thursday that they are planning to either sell or close their Scotland-based smoked salmon processing operation, Edinburgh Salmon Company.

“The company will actively pursue and explore all viable divestment opportunities in an attempt to avoid, reduce, and/or mitigate the potential impacts upon its valued employees,” Thai Union said in a statement regarding the potential closure.

Thai Union first invested in Edinburgh Salmon Company back in 2014, however, as of late ...

Hatcheries Under Assault, Alaskans Urged to Show Support

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - September 28, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – Alaska’s hatchery program is under assault.

Salmon that begin their lives in Alaska hatcheries often save the day for thousands of fishermen when wild stock returns are a bust. This year was a prime example when hatchery pinks and chums made up for shortfalls throughout the Gulf of Alaska.

Tina Fairbanks is director of the Kodiak Regional Aquaculture Association which operates two local hatcheries.

“Kodiak hatchery fish added up to more than ...

AKVA Gets Contract for Feed Systems for Grieg's Newfoundland Expansion

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 25, 2018

AKVA Group announced on Monday that they have entered into an agreement with Grieg NL Seafarms. The global technology and service company for the fish farming industry will become Grieg’s exclusive supplier of feed systems and feed barges up to 2026.

Grieg’s Newfoundland and Labrador aquaculture project produces salmon in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Canada. AKVA will build a minimum of eight barges locally. The number of barges could change based on the final number of licenses/sites that are approved by ...

Record Breaking Pay Day for Salmon Fishermen at Bristol Bay

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - September 25, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – It’s a record breaking pay day for salmon fishermen at Bristol Bay, topping $280 million at the docks.

That’s 242 percent above the 20 year average - and the number will go higher when bonuses and post season adjustments are added in.  Bay fishermen averaged just under $215 million at the docks last year.

According to a summary by the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, the 2018 sockeye salmon run ...

Nordic Aquafarms Sets Public Meeting Date for October 4

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 24, 2018

Nordic Aquafarms, which is building a state-of-the-art land-based salmon farm in Belfast, Maine, has set a public meeting date for Thursday, October 4.

The meeting, which will be held at Troy A. Howard Middle School at 6 p.m., is to “inform the public of the project and its anticipated environmental impacts, along with information about opportunities for public comment on the project.”

The scheduled meeting comes after the company announced earlier this month that ...

Typhoon Mangkhut Disrupts Transport in Southern China; Salmon Prices Rise

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [FishFirst] translated by Amy Zhong - September 21, 2018

Due to a recent typhoon, frozen salmon are very likely to arrive in South China later than expected in the coming few days. Deliveries of salmon arriving from Chile also are uncertain due to the festival there. Now salmon prices keep rising in China. Shenzhen airport has canceled its flights’ between Sept. 16 and the morning of Sept. 17. Things gradually returned to normal after 8 a.m on Sept.17.

By the evening of Sept. 15, salmon quotations were ...

Fishpeople Seafood Releases Oven-roasted Wild Alaskan Salmon Slices, Jerky 

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 19, 2018

Fishpeople Seafood, a company that only uses responsibly sourced and sustainably caught fish, has released some new sustainable snacks – Ready, Set, Salmon! and Wild Alaskan Salmon Jerky.

Fishpeople’s Ready, Set, Salmon! is oven-roasted and ready to take on the go. The wild Alaskan salmon slices come in three flavors – Slow-Roasted Original, Rainbow Peppercorn and Lemon Zest & Herb – and with 700 mg of omega-3s and 15g of protein, they are perfect to “toss, wrap and snack ...

ADF&G: Bristol Bay Return, Harvest, and Value Break Records

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 19, 2018

Superlatives don’t come close to describing the size and value of the 2018 Bristol Bay commercial salmon season, so we’ll let the numbers speak for themselves.

The metrics are even more profound in the context of sockeye runs that never materialized in the Copper River, at Chignik, and in fewer numbers across most of central and southeast Alaska. The overview on Bristol Bay doesn't address that enigma, but it does quantify the record-breaking season in the Bay ...