Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture: Shrimp Sector in Crisis due to Organized Crime

Cámara Nacional De Acuacultura (CNA), a non-profit organization aiming to promote Ecuadorian aquaculture highlighted the impact organized crime has had on the country’s shrimp industry.

The country’s top non-oil export and an industry that employs thousands of citizens, is going through a crisis due to organized crime, according to the organization. In particular, the provinces of Guayas and El Oro recorded the highest number of criminal incidents last year.

According to states from the CNA and Shrimp Producers of El Oro, 68 engines were...

China Continues to Take Severe Action Against Seafood Smuggling

According to Beijing customs in early January, the agency has cracked down on a seafood smuggling case worth more than 200 million yuan (~$29 million USD), while the tax evasion exceeds 40 million yuan (~$5.8 million USD). Customs held 15 suspects in custody and seized more than 20 tons of frozen seafood. This gang is said to have illegally brought in frozen seafood such as shrimps and fish from regions like South America and Vietnam, according to media reports.

In addition to ...

Minh Phu Has Not Received Official Documents From CBP, Vows to Work With Agency During Investigation

Minh Phu Seafood Corporation, the largest exporter of shrimp in Vietnam, is speaking out after a letter from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding an investigation into the company for allegedly evading duties began circulating earlier this month. 

Local media in Vietnam reports that Minh Phu has not yet received any official documents from CBP related to the allegations of duty evations. According to the report, Minh Phu said that the “CBP made the decision only based on information provided by the...

Clearwater, Quin-Sea Partner for Shrimp Processing Venture

Clearwater Seafoods and Quin-Sea Fisheries announced they have agreed to form a joint venture to gain control of the St. Anthony Seafoods Limited Partnership plant in St. Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada.

The St. Anthony plant processing shrimp and according to a press release from Clearwater, is “ideally located on the Great Northern Peninsula with a highly experienced workforce and proximity to the resource.” The partnership brings together to major companies that will better match the plant’s capacity.

“Our partnership with Clearwater will ensure a stable and long term..."

Georgia's Commercial Shrimping Season to Close January 15

Georgia's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced earlier this week that the commercial and recreational shrimp season in state waters will close on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 6 p.m.

The DNR's Coastal Resources Division made the decision after consulting with the Shrimp Advisory Panel, which is comprised of commercial and recreational shrimpers. The recommendation was given to close the fishery in order to maintain the health of the shrimp population, as well as allow smaller shrimp to "grow to more marketable sizes...

Ecuador White Shrimp Struggling in Chinese Market After Peak Prices, Oversupply and New Rules

November has seen Ecuador’s white shrimp export to China set a new high record within the past decade. It has ballooned by 305% to reach 45,796.27 tons compared with the same period of 2018, while it has skyrocketed by 11,350 tons from 34,446 tons in October.

As statistics show, Asia is a main buyer of Ecuador’s white shrimps, and its purchase makes up 66% of Ecuador’s total sales from January to November of 2019. And among all Asian countries, China is an important player...

Study: Americans Looking For Healthier Food Choices to Help Mind and Body

Americans are always looking for healthier food options, but according to a new study from Nielsen, Millennials have different views about what eating healthy means.

For Millennials, eating healthy is not just about nutrition and diet – it encompasses mental wellness, stress management, saving money, and saving time. What a perfect opportunity to push seafood!

Tuna is considered a "top brain food" since it's one of the leanest kinds of fish, offering anxiety support, depression support, brain health, and sleep support. And since tuna is comprised of...

NaturalShrimp Ends the Year With A Newly Redesigned Website

It was a big year for Texas-based aquaculture company NaturalShrimp – from ramping up production at their Lacoste facility, to working towards growing other aquatic species. Now, the company is ending the year with a newly redesigned, and informative, website.

NaturalShrimp grows shrimp indoors in enclosed, salt-water systems. Using patented technology, they're able to produce natural shrimp that does not contain antibiotics or toxic chemicals. Their new website was designed to not only provide information about their farm-to-table sushi grade shrimp, but to offer updates about...

Some Shrimp Farmers in China Relieved with Better Market Prospects; Others Upset by Decreasing Prices

In early December, shrimp prices have plummeted in several main aquaculture regions of China due to cold weather and its resulting high incidence of diseases. Anxious farmers tried to sell out shrimps as soon as possible. But as statistics show, for example, daily sales of Rudong county reached 1 million jin (1 jin=0.5 kg) back then.

Luckily, around mid-December, China’s weather has gotten warmer and more stable, and shrimp prices have started to rebound in ...

More Chinese Turning to Online Platforms for Seafood Purchases

E-commerce platforms are playing an increasingly important role in China’s seafood sales. As available statistics show, the country’s online seafood sales reached 27.126 billion yuan ($3.8 billion USD) in 2018, which accounts for 1/3 of its total sales of fresh food. And during the first half of 2019, sales has jumped by 22.9% compared with the same period last year, to 17 billion yuan ($2.4 billion USD).

Shrimps, crabs and fish are the top three seafood items regarding sales value last year, while shellfish has outrun others ...

Shrimp Fisheries in Southeast Alaska

Four varieties of shrimp are taken at various times throughout the year by those with permits, with recent catches topping a million and a half pounds, worth nearly $3 million at the docks.

“We have 19 different areas around Southeast and each has its own appropriate harvest level for sustainability.”

Dave Harris is area manager with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Juneau.

In fact, shrimp trawling is Southeast’s longest ongoing fishery since 1915.

Beam trawlers target tiny northern, or pink, shrimp and larger sidestripes, mostly near Petersburg and Wrangell...

Shrimp Prices Rise in China but Suppliers Hesitate to Export to Oriental Market

Recently China has witnessed an obvious increase in shrimp prices. Statistics from the October point to an increase of about 3,000 yuan to 4,000 yuan per ton ($427.98-$57.64/ton USD) for its domestic shrimp, and local farmers are holding shrimps longer, waiting for higher prices. The increase is between USD $0.40 to $0.50 per kg for those imports from Ecuador, Vietnam and India.

Its price increase is mainly a result from shrimp shortages, which in turn is caused by several factors. Diseases, for example, ...

David Guas Crowned 2019 Wild American Shrimp Chef of the Year

David Guas, owner of the Bayou Bakery Coffee Bar & Eatery in Arlington, Virginia was named the Wild American Shrimp Chef of the Year.

Guas will now reign as the American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA)’s “Admiral of Advocacy”. Guas will spearhead efforts to promote the benefits and quality of wild-caught U.S. shrimp.

Guas is a New Orleans native and has a strong reputation as both a chef and a TV personality. He is a regular “The Today Show,” “The Talk” and Food Network. He also received praise from top...

Restaurants Can Now Carry Healthier Famous Shrimp Burger with Big Shake's New Partnership

Known for some of the best fried chicken and famous shrimp burgers, Big Shake's Hot Chicken & Fish has entered into a new partnership with Performance Food Group. The partnership will help the restaurant expand, by giving other restaurants an opportunity to carry their famous shrimp burger. The partnership and growth is being fueled by their new and improved shrimp burger, which is currently available at several restaurant locations.

"We are excited to partner with Performance Food Group and look forward to bringing...

Rioting in Ecuador Hinders Shrimp Exports, Affecting Chinese Markets

Ecuador’s white shrimp industry has undergone a lot within the past few months. Earlier, shrimp from several main processing plants were temporarily banned from China, one of the largest importers, since it began strengthening its inspection procedures. Now, domestic riots in Ecuador hit the industry hard and have also taken a toll on its buyers, according to several media reports.

Although about 80% of the processing plants in Ecuador can continue operating as usual, most are filled with panic and they are challenged by problems with ...

AquaMaof Reveals Land-Based R&D Facility for Shrimp Production

Following years of research, AquaMaof Aquaculture Technologies is ready to debut its land-based shrimp farm in 2020.

The new facility marks the successful adaptation of its successful RAS technology for the commercial production of shrimp. AquaMaof said in a press release that the new facility provides high rates of survival and disease-free results.

“We decided to adapt our proven integrated RAS technology for the indoor production of shrimp,” David Hazut, CEO of AquaMaof said. “Moving production indoors in a closed containment environment, has enabled..."

NaturalShrimp Inks Postlarvae Hatchery Contract 

Texas-based aquaculture company NaturalShrimp entered into a 12 million postlarvae (PL) shrimp annual contract with Sea Products Development. The deal means Sea Products will deliver up to one million PLs per month, shipments of the PLs for stocking in NaturalShrimp’s facility will begin next month.

"Year-round weekly shrimp production requires stocking PLs in our nursery tanks on a regular year-round basis,” Tom Untermeyer, Chief Technology Officer of NaturalShrimp, said. “This contract with SPD can provide NaturalShrimp on a regular basis with healthy PLs that have been selectively-bred with..."

CBP Formally Investigating Minh Phu For Anti-Dumping Duty Allegations

In May Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood submitted a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan regarding Minh Phu Seafood Group possibly evading duties. Months later the CBP has launched a formal investigation into the largest exporter of shrimp in Vietnam.

As SeafoodNews initially reported in June, Minh Phu was accused of "circumventing antidumping duties on frozen shrimp from India. Minh Phu allegedly purchased substantial quantities of frozen shrimp from India, minimally processed that shrimp in Vietnam, then sold the shrimp to the U.S. as a Vietnam...

Red Lobster Introduces New 3-Course Shrimp Feast Event

Red Lobster is kicking off 2020 with a three-course shrimp feast event available every day. Guest can now select a soup or salad, a select shrimp entrée and a Triple-Chocolate Brownie dessert for $14.99.

The options are extensive. Guests can try two new dishes, the Hawaiian-Style Garlic Shrimp and the Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut shrimp. They can also stick with the favorites like the Garlic Shrimp Scampi or Crunchy Popcorn Shrimp.

"We are kick-starting the new year by offering our guests a three-course meal"...

Ruby Tuesday's Brings Back $7.99 Shrimp Fajitas

New Year, new menu options! Beginning January 6, Ruby Tuesday diners can take advantage of $7.99 shrimp fajitas.

The new menu item is part of Ruby Tuesday's limited time "Fajita Fiesta" promotion. Guests can choose from three options – shrimp, veggies or chicken – for just $7.99 each. 

"Whether our guests are spicing up date night, enjoying an outing with family or just taking a break from the kitchen, we believe every meal should be fun," said Jennifer Boyd Harmon, chief marketing officer for Ruby Tuesday...

China’s Imported White Shrimp Trade Changing Quickly, Frustrating Suppliers

In early December, prices of imported white shrimp began to contract in the Chinese market and local importers and traders have gotten more cautious. One main reason for this decline is said to be excessive stock. Importers bought too many white shrimps earlier due to their overestimation of domestic demand and also due to their concerns about unstable foreign supply, according to media reports.

Within recent years, demand for imported white shrimp has skyrocketed in China, which in turn lured a great number of businessmen to enter the industry...

$226 Million in Projects Approved in Second Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Restoration Plan

Eighteen marine life restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico are being funded by Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds.

The Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group released the Final Open Ocean Restoration Plan 2 recently, selecting the projects totaling almost $226 million. The projects will help restore fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and mesophotic and deep benthic communities injured by the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a press release...

Mazzetta Company Highlights Their Oishii Shrimp in New Video

Mazzetta Company is giving their customers a look at how their Oishii shrimp gets from farm to table. On Monday the seafood processor and importer released a video highlighting the farms that produce their latest product – Oishii shrimp.

Mazzetta Company launched Oishii Shrimp last January. Pronounced "Oh-ee-shee," the new line means "delicious" in Japanese. The shrimp are 100% chemical free with no added hormones, phosphates, antibiotics or artificial preservatives.

Oishii shrimp are raised in Thailand by CP Foods, which boasts...

Shrimp Import Antidumping Duties Increase Over FY2018

The Gulf of Mexico and Southeast shrimp industry will see a slight increase in an annual distribution of antidumping duties collected in 2019.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently published information regarding the annual distribution under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act for fiscal year 2019. In total, CBP reports that $135,836.19 in antidumping duties collected on shrimp imports was made available for distribution this year. It's a slight increase from the $126,136.22 in antidumping duties collected FY2018 that ...

Gulf of Mexico Shrimp landings Improve but Remain One of the Worst Years on Record

The Gulf of Mexico shrimp landings improved in October vs. the same time last year, according to recent NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center data and the Southern Shrimp Alliance. NMFS recently released the landings data from October.

NMFS reported shrimp landings of 11.2 million pounds in the Gulf in October. They were higher than landings in October 2018 at 10.4 million pounds. However, these landings were the second lowest for any October going back to 2002 and were 22.8 percent below...

Red Lobster Celebrates the Holidays With New Offerings in Create Your Own Ultimate Feast®

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and with it, the holiday period of feasting can begin. Red Lobster is celebrating the season by offering seafood feasts without the fuss of cooking at home by bringing back their popular Create Your Own Ultimate Feast®.  

The limited-time event offers new entrees to choose from, plus a variety of seasonal cocktails as well as home or office delivery. In its second year, Create Your Own Ultimate Feast® lets guests choose their own seafood ...

Study Shows NaturalShrimp's Cost-Effective, Sustainable Method to Grow Shrimp Works Well

The aquaculture company NaturalShrimp, Inc., said recently it retained the international firm Trane, a subsidiary of Ingersoll Rand, to do a complete study of NaturalShrimp's methods to provide healthy and accessible product that is cost-effective and sustainable.

"We are sharing the report with our investors and potential shareholders," NaturalShrimp Chief Technology Officer Tom Untermeyer said in a press release. "It is available at https://naturalshrimp.com/ingersoll-rand-trane-submits-naturalshrimp-technology-report/."

Some highlights of the report include...

The Winding Glass: Ecuador Cements Position as the Top Global Shrimp Producer, and Will Remain So

I had the opportunity to attend the National Chamber of Aquaculture’s AquaExpo in Guayaquil last week.  The expo has grown to become the most important International expo in Latin America.  That is not surprising, given that shrimp has now surpassed bananas as Ecuador’s primary export, worth $3.2 billion in 2018.

Last year, at Conxumar’s FAO conference in Vigo, I predicted Ecuador would emerge as the top Global shrimp supplier. In 2018, Ecuador exported about 500,000 tons of shrimp, compared to 596,000 tons exported...

NaturalShrimp, Inc., Performs Final Testing of Next Generation Electrocoagulation Units

NaturalShrimp, Inc. and F&T Water Solutions, LLC, the aquaculture companies that developed and patented the first commercially-operational RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) for shrimp, announced today the final testing of two additional next generation electrocoagulation (EC) systems for installation at its pilot plant in La Coste, Texas.

NaturalShrimp, Inc. witnessed successful final testing of the two new EC systems on October 17, 2019 at the IP Automation Inc. facilities located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition, NaturalShrimp has ordered three smaller EC systems to provide isolated filtration of the...

New Seasoned Shrimp Line Launched by Pacific Seafood

Portland, OR -- Getting dinner on the table in five minutes is a goal few of us can achieve, but Pacific Seafood’s new value-added line of frozen seasoned shrimp (BAP 2 Star certified) available in Scampi and Honey Jalapeño may be a game-changer.

While 86% of U.S. consumers report eating seafood, only 28 percent feel confident in cooking and preparing it. That triggered Pacific Seafood to offer an easy and versatile meal solution. It is as ideal for the freezer case as it is for many food service applications.

“Today’s consumers ...