GAA Debuting Documentary Short Film About Indonesian Shrimp Farming

The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) is giving their members a peak into what goes on at an Indonesian shrimp farm. The organization announced on Monday that their fifth documentary short film – about Rosida Idriss, her daughter Aanisah Idriss, and their network of black tiger shrimp farms in East Kalimantan, Indonesia – will debut at the end of the month.

GAA has been producing films since 2016, but their upcoming release stands apart from the rest in that it features “overlaying plotlines” and “tension” ...

Applebee's Launches Catering; Offers More Shrimp Options With Bigger, Bolder Grill Combo Menu

Planning a holiday party just got a little easier thanks to Applebee’s. The casual dining chain announced that they are now offering Applebee’s Catering, a “convenient way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank.”

“With the pressures of holiday spending and entertaining just around the corner, we know our guests are looking for delicious dishes both in-restaurant and at home at a great price,” Joel Yashinsky, Chief Marketing Officer at Applebee’s said in a press release.

Catering portions are served in party-ready packaging and ...

Texas Shrimp Producer NaturalShrimp Conducting Final Tests in Enclosed Salt Water Systems

Texas shrimp producer NaturalShrimp is making progress on their system to grow top-grade shrimp without toxic chemicals. The agro-technology company, which produces an eco-friendly fresh Pacific white shrimp, announced on Tuesday that they are running the final tests on their indoor all-natural patented system at their production facility near San Antonio.

“NaturalShrimp has spent the past several years developing its new, unique technology of growing shrimp in enclosed salt water systems,” the company said in a press release ...

LISTEN: Alaska Fish News; Mexico Shrimp Production; October Refusals; and More

This week on the SeafoodNews Podcast, co-hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione talk about Alaska’s senators applauding a $30 million Alaska pollock procurement contract for nutrition programs; Alaska fishing jobs; two Alaska fishermen in trouble; Mexico’s shrimp production; October refusals; a new COO at Atlantic Capes Fisheries; and a very, VERY expensive crab.

This week’s episode is brought to you by Urner Barry’s Reporter, the quarterly newsmagazine for the food industry professional packed with the latest industry headlines, analysis and trending articles ...

Mexico May Produce Nearly 140,000 Tons of Shrimp, Up About 15%, but it’s Not Coming to the US

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by John Sackton - November 8, 2018

Mexican shrimp production appears to be up again this year, with some estimates that they may have produced 140,000 tons, up from around 120,000 tons in 2017.  This marks the continuation of a strong recovery from disease issues.

But this shrimp is not coming to the US.

Currently there is some price weakness on 26-30 count and smaller, and Urner Barry reported a little weakness on Latin American farmed ...

Japan Eyes Increasing Seafood Imports from Russia’s Sakhalin and Kurile Islands

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by Eugene Gerden - November 7, 2018

Japan plans to significantly increase the volume of fish and seafood imports from Sakhalin and Kurile Islands during the next several years, according to recent statements by some Japanese business officials and senior officials of the Russian Federal Agency of Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo).

According to Tatsuki Kato, general director of HOKO, a leading food and fish producer in Japan, the company is particularly interested in the increase of supplies of pink salmon and crab from both Sakhalin and Kurile Islands, with the ...

John Kerry and Julie Packard Discuss their 5 Nation Asia Aquaculture Initiative

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [The Boston Globe] by John F. Kerry and Julie Packard - October 30, 2018

Tip O'Neill said, “All politics is local." It is just as applicable to global environmental diplomacy as it is to local ward politics. You have to go to the source of the problem to solve a challenge as vast as the health of the world's oceans. That's exactly what the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Monterey Bay Aquarium are doing — starting in Southeast Asia, the region from which ...

White Shrimp Prices Drop in Guangxi, Where Farmers Hope for Better Winter Market

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Shuichan] translated by Amy Zhong - October 22, 2018

The year of 2016 was greatly successful for Guangxi’s white shrimp aquaculture. The success rate was close to 70 percent in the first round, which encouraged local farmers and strengthened their confidence. However, they were disappointed again in the mid round with the success rate having plummeted to about 20 to 30 percent.

Local farming was depressed both last year and this one as well. Great changes have occurred to the industry ...

Biomar Opens New Shrimp Research Unit in Ecuador

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - October 16, 2018

Biomar announced on Monday that they are increasing their shrimp research capabilities with the opening of a new Aquaculture Technology Centre in Ecuador.

The new facility will be focused on shrimp feed, the development of shrimp diets and global farming practices as BioMar expands their production capacity in Ecuador.

“We see a significant growth potential in the shrimp feed segment,” said Carlos Diaz, BioMar Group CEO. “Our new research facilities will help us continue to evolve our shrimp feed range while ...

NOAA Seeking Public Comment on Proposed Traceability Program for U.S. Farmed Shrimp, Abalone

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - October 11, 2018

NOAA Fisheries announced that they are now seeking public comment on a proposed rule to establish a first-ever traceability program for U.S. farmed shrimp and abalone.

Currently the rule, which would serve as a domestic counterpart to shrimp and abalone import requirements under the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), is only proposed. If finalized, it would provide traceability for U.S. farmed shrimp and abalone from the “point of production to entry into U.S. commerce ...

Mazzetta Sues Government Over Vietnam Shrimp Tariffs; Says Black Tiger Pricing is Not Comparable

SEAFOODNEWS.COM  [SeafoodNews] by John Sackton  - October 11, 2018

The Mazzetta Company has sued the dept.of commerce in the International Trade Court over its determination of duties on Vietnamese shrimp.

Because the US does not consider Vietnam to be a ‘market’ economy, it has used surrogate countries to try and establish a comparable input value to calculate shrimp raw material margins, and whether shrimp from Vietnam is subject to anti-dumping duties or not.

The duty rates for Vietnamese shrimp are calculated ...

New Product from INVE Aquaculture Can Protect Shrimp From Health and Stress Threats

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - October 3, 2018

Mexico and Thailand now have access to INVE Aquaculture’s Sanocare FIT product, a phytochemical mixture that can not only protect shrimp larvae but protect post-larvae against stress and health threats.

When used in a culture tank, Sanocare FIT stimulates the production of Heat Shock Proteins, which according to INVE, “constitute the first line defense mechanism of shrimp (post-)larvae.” Heat Shock Proteins can repair damaged proteins and increase survival offs after a stressful event ...

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 ...

Shrimp Exporters Find Optimism in Chinese Market Due to Several Changes

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [FishFIrst] translated by Amy Zhong - September 24, 2018

More and more countries are selling white shrimp to China. According to a recent report, the country has received its first batch of white shrimp from Peru -- about 18 tons in total. These shrimp are sold northern China after passing 27 quality tests and inspections. Peru used to export most of its shrimp to the U.S., but this has changed. And what are the factors that have lured so many Peruvian exporters to the Chinese market ...

10% Tariffs on $200 Billion Chinese Exports Take Effect; Some Pollock and Cod Products May be Exempt

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by John Sackton - September 18, 2018

The Trump administration, over tremendous industry opposition, went ahead with a new round of punitive tariffs on Chinese products sent to America.

The new tariffs were set at 10% initially, and will rise to 25% on Jan 1, 2019.

Despite over 6000 comments opposing the tariffs, few changes were made in the list to accommodate individual companies or industries.  The exception was Apple, which secured exemptions for its watch, airpods, and ...

Alaska Fall Fisheries Gearing Up as Salmon Season Draws to a Close

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Fish Radio with Laine Welch] - September 13, 2018

This is Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch  - Fall means even more fishing across Alaska.

As Alaska’s salmon season draws to a close, lots of fall fisheries are gearing up. The total Alaska salmon tally mid-week was 112 million fish in a season that was a bust in most regions. Exceptions were Bristol Bay, Norton Sound and Kotzebue. The values of the 2018 salmon fishery will be out next month ...

Captain D’s Brings Back Family Meal, Launches $3.49 Snacks

Whether you’re grabbing dinner for the family or just a quick snack, Captain D’s has you covered. The fast-casual seafood chain announced earlier this week that they are not only bringing back their 10 Piece Family Meal season special, but offering new $3.49 snacks.

Captain D’s 10 Piece Family Meal, created to “solve mealtime dilemmas” during the busiest time of the year, features the restaurant’s signature batter dipped fish, a choice of two family-style sides and “plenty” of hush puppies – all for $19.99 ...

ASC Celebrates China's 10th ASC-Certified Farm

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) had good reason to celebrate at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo earlier this month. Thanks to Weifang-based Green Life Foods and Pengcheng Marine Products Company in Guangdong, China now has 10 ASC-certified farms that together produce over 40,000 tons a year.

ASC first launched in China in 1012 with the help of the China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance and WWF. The initial goal was to improve the practices at tilapia farms, however, the country now ha ASC-certified farms for bivalves and shrimp ...

October 2018 Tuna, Mahi Refusals Up YTD; Shrimp Refusals Drop Slightly

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - November 9, 2018

Total refusals of shipments increased 52.4% from October 2017 to October 2018. Year-to-date there are 96 line item refusals compared to 63 at the same time last year.  

Tuna had the biggest YTD increase in October, with 197 line item refusals compared to 125 in October 2017. That’s a 57.6% increase. Mahi Mahi refusals also increased, with 160 line item refusals in October 2018 compared to 121 a year ago.

Unclassified fish, tilapia, lobster, snapper and shrimp are all down YTD ...

China Pressures Ecuador on Shrimp Prices; New Smuggling Crackdown Hits Vietnamese Border

SEAFODNEWS.COM  [SeafoodNews] by John Sackton – November 7, 2018

Ecuadorian shrimp is very prominent at the Chinese Seafood Expo this year, but a slowdown in the Chinese economy is leading to price pressure.

In addition, just prior to the show six Southern China customs departments cooperated to shut down nine smuggling groups, and arrested 25 people, all accused of illegally brining in shrimp through Vietnam.

Vietnam and the port of Haiphong used to be a major conduit for Ecuadorian shrimp into China ...

LISTEN: October Seafood Market Highlights and September Imports 

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - November 5, 2018

This week on the SeafoodNews Podcast, co-hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione take a look at six seafood markets that trended higher in October - contrary to seasonal pattern. Plus, listen for an update on September 2018 lobster and shrimp imports.

This week’s episode is brought to you by Urner Barry’s Reporter, the quarterly newsmagazine for the food industry professional packed with the latest industry headlines, analysis and trending articles. Contact advertise@urnerbarry.com to be a featured sponsor in the spring edition of the Reporter ...

Thai Union Group, COSFF, Monterey Bay Launch $73 Million Sustainability Push, Initially on Blue Crab

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - October 30, 2018

BALI, INDONESIA — Thai Union Group PCL, Chicken of the Sea® brand and Monterey Bay Aquarium announced the launch of SeaChange® IGNITE, a collaboration to advance new sustainability initiatives and improvements throughout the supply chain and further contribute to Thai Union’s SeaChange sustainability strategy, according to a press release. The combined commitment for the initiative is USD $73 million through 2025, with a focus on improvements in Southeast Asia and other key seafood producing regions.

SeaChange IGNITE will also ...

West Coast Pink Shrimp Fishery Improved This Year: Better Landings, Better Shrimp

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by Susan Chambers - October 19, 2018

This year's coldwater pink shrimp season was a definite improvement over last year, according to fishermen and processors.

So far, Oregon's landings stand at 34.93 million pounds, according to Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission's PacFIN preliminary data. That's roughly one-third more than last year's landings at 23.06 million pounds. Washington's landings also are up, at 8.42 million pounds in 2018 from 6.9 million pounds in 2017.

Still, this year's landings are a far cry from the boom year in 2015, ...

SeaPak Launches On-The-Go Shrimp Cocktail Nationwide

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - October 12, 2018

SeaPak Shrimp & Seafood Company is making it easier for consumers to snack while on the go. The company announced earlier this week that they have launched their new On-The-Go Shrimp Cocktail snack nationwide.

SeaPak’s On-The-Go Shrimp Cocktail was initially introduced earlier this year during an eight week marketing blitz in the Atlanta and Denver markets. The product was available at Denver-area King Sooper stores and Atlanta-area Kroger supermarkets, where consumers not only expressed interest, but had repeat purchases of ...

Red Lobster Reportedly Has a 'Secret' Endless Shrimp Menu

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - October 11, 2018

Red Lobster’s Endless Shrimp promotion started back up in September, but now over a month in the chain restaurant is releasing a “secret menu.”

As we previously reported, the Endless Shrimp promotion allows diners to indulge in classics like Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Shrimp Linguini Alfredo and Hand-Breaded Shrimp. This year the restaurant also added new offerings to the menu, like Crunchy Fiesta Shrimp, a dish featuring tortilla-crusted shrimp and topped with a creamy blend of three cheese and pico de gallo ...

Recap: August Shrimp Imports Higher; First Monthly Increase Since April

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - October 5, 2018

Imports of warmwater shrimp products increased for the first time since April, up 8 percent in the month of August. The eight-month total now stands 4 percent higher.

India (+13.4%), Indonesia (+34.5%), Ecuador (+43.6%), Vietnam (+1.8%) and China (+8.0%) all shipped more shrimp to the U.S. in the month of August. Thailand (-55.2%) was the only major supplying country to ship less shrimp.

Increases were seen ...

Urner Barry’s Seafood Import Workshop Speaker Scott Zimmerman Previews Upcoming Event in Boston

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - October 2, 2018

Urner Barry is heading to Boston on October 18 for their Seafood Import Workshop – a one day event for businesses to discuss the variety of compliance requirements faced by US seafood importers.

The Workshop, which is set to take place at the Hilton Boston/ Woburn, will feature speakers Scott Zimmerman (CEO and founder of Safe Quality Seafood Associates), Corey L. Norton (Thai Union’s Group Counsel for Responsible Sourcing), Michael Lieberman (SVP - Food & Beverage Practice Leader at Foa & Son Insurance Brokers) and ...

Neovia Acquires Ecuador Shrimp Feed Manufacturer Balnova

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 28, 2018

Ecuador-based shrimp feed manufacturer Balnova has been acquired by Neovia. The acquisition is part of Neovia’s efforts to consolidate both its strong international expertise in aquaculture and its location on one of the largest shrimp producing markets.

Balnova, which employs approximately 100 people, is part of the Nueva Pescanova Group. Balnova produces 40,000 tons of feed for shrimp a year at their plant in Guayaquil. For Nueva Pescanova, the transaction is part of the group’s plan to “divest non-strategic assets until 2020 ...

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Seeking Participants for 2019 Shrimp Bycatch Study

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 21, 2018

Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is seeking participants for their 2019 shrimp bycatch study.

The shrimp bycatch study is voluntary and part of the state’s efforts to support the sustainability certification of Louisiana’s shrimp fishery. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is urging commercial shrimpers to allow LDWF staff on board their vessels during designated trips in the 2019 shrimp seasons. Those staff members will collect a sample from each haul ...

Vietnam Shrimp Review Released in Federal Register

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - September 17, 2018

Last week local Vietnam news outlets reported that the U.S. Department of Commerce lowered antidumping tax on Vietnamese frozen shrimp to 4.78% from the previous 25.39% announced in March. The full notice from the Department of Commerce has now been posted by the International Trade Administration (ITA) in the Federal Register.

According to the notice, the Department of Commerce has determined that Fimex VN sold certain frozen warmwater shrimp from Vietnam at less than normal value during the ...