StarKist Ordered to Pay $100 Million Fine for Price-Fixing Scandal

StarKist was sentenced to pay a maximum criminal fine of $100 million for its role in a canned tuna price-fixing conspiracy. The company was also sentenced to a 13-month term of probation.

According to the Wall Street Journal, StarKist CEO Andrew Choe said that the company takes full responsibility and had cooperated with the investigation.

After StarKist’s attorneys tried to lower its criminal fine in June, U.S. District Judge Edward M. Chen found that StarKist had not proven that its financial situation justified a smaller...

FDA Advises Not to Eat Yellowfin Tuna Steaks From Kroger Stores in Multiple States

The FDA is advising consumers not to eat Yellowfin tuna steaks from Kroger stores.

Multiple people who purchased tuna steaks from three different Kroger stores in Ohio developed scombroid poisoning, leading to the company to remove the product from stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Any consumers who purchased the product with sell by dates ranging from August 29, 2019 – September 14, 2019, should discard the product immediately...

University Study Shows Longline Fishing Hampers Shark Migration

Longline fisheries around the world are significantly affecting migrating shark populations, according to an international study featuring a University of Queensland researcher.

The study found that approximately a quarter of the studied sharks' migratory paths fell under the footprint of longline fisheries, directly killing sharks and also affecting their food supply, according to a university press release. Pelagic longline operations typically target tunas and swordfish.

Dr. Bonnie Holmes, from UQ's School of Biological Sciences, wanted to find out why shark numbers have been declining...

NFI Releases "Proper Perspective" On Latest Mercury Study About Cod and Tuna

A study recently released by Harvard scientists reports that climate change and overfishing are increasing toxic mercury levels in cod and tuna. News outlets looking at the study published headlines like: "Toxic Fish: Is climate change making cod and tuna dangerous to eat?" and "The scary reason why fish and chips could become a thing of the past." The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) is now speaking out on the "hyperbolic reporting that lacks a complete understanding of the findings and often ignores needed perspective...

VIDEO: Tuna Price Fixing Lawsuit; NOAA Whale Meetings; Salmon Catch Update and More

Join SeafoodNews Weekly Video hosts Lorin Castiglione and Ryan Doyle as they discuss the latest ruling on the tuna price-fixing lawsuit; NOAA whale meetings; salmon catch numbers from Alaska; and the new Louisiana imported seafood labeling laws.

This episode was brought to you by Maine Lobster. Maine Lobster season is here, and although the traditional butter and lemon pairings are delicious, there are many ways to enjoy lobster. Grill it as a main course to accompany refreshing sides...

In Defeat for Tuna Companies, Calif Court Certifies Class Actions for Damages from Tuna Price Fixing

The plaintiffs who are suing the three major tuna companies over damages from a price fixing conspiracy won a major court battle this week when Southern California District judge Janis Sammartino ruled they did have standing to pursue their claims as a class.

These ‘direct purchasers’, number in the thousands of companies across the US, were found to meet the legal standards for a class action, although this determination was opposed vigorously by the three tuna company defendents...

Study Predicts Climate Change Could Result in Decline of Hawai'i's Bigeye Tuna

Love ahi poke bowls? Well, according to a new study looking at climate change, the popular dish may be at risk. Scientists from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, the University of Hawai'i, and the University of Tasmania developed a model of the ecosystem in which Hawai'i's bigeye tuna fishery operates. Based on the model, warming waters and a decline in plankton could result in a decline of catch in Hawai'i's bigeye tuna fishery.

The researchers found that "climate change led to...

Chicken of the Sea's Basil Infusions Named 'Best Tuna' in PEOPLE's Food Awards

Chicken of the Sea's new Basil Infusions Tuna has been named one of the "Best Supermarket Products of the Year" by PEOPLE's editors.

The editors at PEOPLE reviewed more than 1,200 different items to create their 2019 Food Awards, which highlights the "most delicious new grocery products." This year Chicken of the Sea's Basil Infusions was named the winner in the "Best Tuna" category.

Chicken of the Sea Infusions is a single-serving cup of wild-caught tuna that initially launched in August 2018...

WPRFMC Managers Recommend Removing Bigeye Tuna Limit for U.S. Pacific Territories

In a move considered a win for U.S. Pacific Territories, Hawaii longliners and a fund for fisheries development projects, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council this week recommended removing the 2,000 metric annual catch limit for longline-caught bigeye tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean for the U.S. Pacific Territories of American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Removal of the catch limit would bring parity between the U.S. Territories and other Territories and Small Island Developing States in the region...

WPRFMC Responds to News Media Series, Acts on Kona Crab Fishery, Protected Species

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council fired back at a local non-profit news service when the Council met this week in Honolulu.

The online news outlet Civil Beat recently published a lengthy three-part series suggesting members of the Council's Executive Committee engaged in decision-making for self-profit. The non-profit media service says, "Our goal is to challenge our leaders to do better. We are the watchdogs of the public’s trust and we take seriously the mission to...

Scientists Recommend Removing Catch Limits for Pacific Territory Longline-Caught Bigeye Tuna

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee made recommendations regarding bigeye tuna catch limits and allocation amounts for the U.S. Participating Territories for the fishing years 2020 to 2023 when it met last week in Honolulu.

For bigeye tuna, the SSC recommended no catch limit be set for longline-caught bigeye tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) convention area from 2020 to 2023 for any U.S. Pacific territory. It also recommended that each territory be allowed to allocate up to 2,000 metric...

International Effort Brings Electronic Monitoring to Chinese Tuna Longliners

Bumble Bee Foods, FCF Fishery Company, Clover Leaf Seafoods and Ocean Outcomes have launched a new longline tuna fishery improvement project (FIP) for approximately 200 Chinese and Chinese Taipei longline albacore and yellowfin tuna fishing vessels in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. 

The project will increase electronic observer coverage of vessels over time, with a long-term goal of 100 percent coverage. Electronic monitoring will improve data collection and, the group said, “will help drive the fisheries towards the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard.” 

Human observers on vessels currently gather...

Fire at Thai Union Tuna Oil Refinery Plant in Germany; No Report of Injuries

A fire occurred at Thai Union Ingredients' tuna oil refinery plant in Rostock, Germany, on Saturday, June 1.

According to a statement from Thai Union, the plant was not in operation at the time, and no staff were scheduled to be on site. The fire was controlled and extinguished by the local fire brigade, and there were no reports of injuries.

Thai Union's marine ingredients arm was launched in 2017 to meet the market demand for "natural, seafood-derived byproducts beneficial to human...

South African Fisheries Scientist Awarded Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun 

 For his work on conservation and management of bluefin tuna, Emeritus professor Doug Butterworth from the University of Cape Town was given Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, yesterday in Cape Town.

The award was established in 1875 by the Japanese government and recognizes people around the world who have made distinguished contributions to Japan. It is the third highest order bestowed by the Japanese government and the highest ordinarily conferred order.

"I am very honoured to be recognised in such company and pay...

Atlantic Natural Foods Proclaims April 30 'World TUNO Day'

The UN's World Tuna Day is coming up on May 2, but this year Atlantic Natural Foods will be celebrating World TUNO Day on April 30.

Atlantic Natural Foods is the producer and manufacturer of plant-based, shelf-stable food, including Loma Linda's tuna alternative, Tuno. According to the company, their decision to proclaim April 30th World TUNO Day is a "symbolic gesture to encourage consumers to eat more sustainably and bring awareness to the long-term need to create alternative protein sources...

Jensen Tuna of Louisiana Recalling Frozen Ground Tuna Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local officials, are currently investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections linked to frozen ground tuna.

The frozen ground tuna in question was imported into the U.S. by Jensen Tuna of Louisiana from JK Fish of Vietnam. Jensen Tuna is voluntarily recalling their frozen ground tuna, which is individually packaged in clear plastic one-pound bags, and sold in white wax 20 lb. boxes...

Thai Union Launches New Tuna Infusions in Thailand

Thai Union Group PCL has launched its ready-to-eat Tuna Infusions in Thailand, where it expects its tuna business to grow 12 percent by the end of 2019 as a result of new products that focus on taste and convenience.

Tuna Infusions by SEALECT Tuna is sold at 7-11 convenience stores, Tops Supermarket and WE Fitness outlets, in both Thai chili and sun-dried tomato flavors. It comes in a recyclable transparent cup with built-in fork. Each cup of tuna flakes infused with olive oil contains...

VIDEO: Chinese Tariff Lists; Salmon Catch Update; Tuna Analysis; and Captain Neill’s Owner Guilty

Join SeafoodNews Weekly Video hosts Lorin Castiglione and Ryan Doyle as they discuss seafood products included on the USTR's Chinese tariff list; latest salmon catch numbers out of Alaska; the latest analysis on the tuna market; and a guilty plea from the owner of Captain Neill's Seafood.

This episode was brought to you by Maine Lobster. Maine Lobster season is here, and although the traditional butter and lemon pairings are delicious, there are many ways to enjoy lobster...

Number of Purse Seine Vessels Fishing for Tuna Worldwide Decreases Slightly From 2018 Analysis

According to the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), as of June 2019 there are at least 1,843 purse seine vessels fishing for tuna worldwide. The number is calculated based on data from the five tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO).

The number released this week is a slight decrease from the number calculated last year – 1,871 purse seine vessels. ISSF reports that the decrease in purse seine vessels fishing for tuna is mainly due to the removal from...

Coast Guard Completes Marathon Tow to Rescue Albacore Vessel Off Oregon Coast

U.S. Coast Guard crew members aboard three separate vessels rescued a 50-foot albacore tuna fishing vessel disabled 116 miles west of Newport, Ore., Wednesday.

The 41-ton vessel, Ruby Lily, which reported 6 tons of albacore tuna and three crew members aboard, was safely moored in Yaquina Bay Wednesday evening after a four-day operation, the USCG said in a press release.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received notification at 4:35 p.m. Sunday from the ...

Thai Union Shows Off Yellowfin Tuna Slices, Tuna Infusion at Thailand Industry Expo

Thai Union used their booth at Thailand Industry Expo 2019 in Bangkok last week to show off two of their innovative seafood products: Yellowfin Tuna Slices and Tuna Infusion.

Chicken of the Sea, a Thai Union company, first introduced their deli yellowfin tuna slices at Seafood Expo North America Global in 2018. The ready-to-eat tuna slices, which are the "world's first pre-sliced, pre-seasoned tuna slices made from whole yellowfin tuna loins," took home the award for "Best New Foodservice Product" at the show...

Bolton Group Purchases Tri Marine’s Global Tuna Supply Operations

Bellevue, WA – The Bolton Group, long time partner and customer of global tuna supplier Tri Marine, is purchasing the company and its tuna supply busines, Tri Marine announced this morning.

Both companies are founding members of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) and their longtime partnership has improved the sustainability of tuna supply worldwide.

Tri Marine, a privately held company founded in 1971, operates one of the world’s most far-reaching tuna supply businesses, with subsidiaries around the globe. Bolton intends to retain the Tri Marine name and support the continued...

Why South Pacific Tuna Corporation Is Reducing Their Purse Seine Fishing Vessels By More Than Half

The South Pacific Tuna Corporation (SPTC) announced this week that they are reducing their purse seine fishing vessels by more than half. SPTC will be selling more than half of their 14 U.S.-flagged purse seine fishing vessels to foreign operators, which will ultimately reduce U.S. produced tuna by 70,000 tons.

"Our fleet reduction is due in part to the U.S. government's continued lack of support and the lack of interest in ratifying the 1988 South Pacific Tuna Treaty, renegotiated in 2016...

Grubhub Releases New Dining Trends Report, Forecast for the Remainder of 2019

Now that we're halfway through 2019, food-ordering and delivery company Grubhub has released their "State of the Plate" report, which details top dining trends to date. While vegan and vegetarian options are continuing to rise in popularity with diners, the report did reveal some winners in seafood.

Grubhub's "State of the Plate" report contains data from more than half a million orders placed on an average day through its platform. And according to the data, vegan-friendly foods ordered through Grubhub increased...

13 Environmental NGO's Call For 100% Observer Coverage on Industrial Tuna Fishing Vessels

A total of 13 environmental NGO's – including Fishwise, International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), Monterey Bay Aquarium, PEW Charitable Trusts and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership – are joining forces to request that Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMO) that regulate tuna fishing in the Indian, Pacific, Atlantic and Southern Oceans, require observer coverage on all industrial tuna fishing vessels.

According to these NGOs, many tuna fisheries lack independent monitoring of fishing activity. This means that illegal fishing, misreported or unreported catch, as well as bycatch of endangered, threatened and....

StarKist Battles Gov’t Demand for $100 Million Fine, Says it Should Pay $50 Million

StarKist is the last remaining corporate defendant in the tuna price-fixing lawsuit bought by the US government.  It is contesting a government filing asking for a $100 million fine.

At the same time, StarKist has made a number of settlements with customers that arose out of the price-fixing scheme.

During the first weeks in June Starkist announced a number of settlements.  On June 5th, StarKist settled with  CVS Pharmacy, Affiliated Foods, Associated Grocers of New England, Western Family Foods...

Lawsuit Challenges NMFS Exempted Fishing Permits for Two Pelagic Longline Vessels Off California

The Center for Biological Diversity and Turtle Island Restoration Network sued the Trump administration this week for permitting a new longline fishery -- two vessels -- in the Pacific Ocean.

The fishery, authorized in May by the National Marine Fisheries Service, would operate off California despite a federal ban on longline gear created in 2004 to protect sea turtles. This fishing will threaten endangered leatherback sea turtles, as well as olive ridley and loggerhead sea turtles and Guadalupe fur seals, the Center said in a press release...

CDC: Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Frozen Ground Tuna Appears to Be Over

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an update this week announcing that the Salmonella Newport outbreak linked to frozen ground tuna imported from JK Fish of Vietnam appears to be over.

As we previously reported in mid-April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC were investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections linked to frozen ground tuna. According to the CDC, a total of 13 people became ill between January 8, 2019 and March 20, 2019...

Consumers Sue Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea and StarKist Over 'Dolphin-Safe' Claims

Class action lawsuits were filed by consumers in California on Monday against tuna companies Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, and StarKist. The suits allege that despite the "dolphin-safe" claims on their products, the companies actually employ fishing techniques that kill or harm dolphins.

The consumers state that the dolphin-safe labels on products from Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, and StarKist, are not only false, but misleading, which violates the laws of several U.S. states. In addition, the lawsuits state that StarKist...

LISTEN: Red Lobster's New Partnership, Most Trusted Frozen Fish Brand, Live Lobster Market and More

Join SeafoodNews Podcast hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione for a brand new episode. This week on the podcast we talk about Red Lobster's new partnership with nonprofit group Ocean Conservancy; the most trusted frozen fish brand by consumers; the live lobster market; and more.

This week's episode is brought to you by Urner Barry's Executive Conference, taking place at the Bellagio in Las Vegas from April 28-30. The Executive Conference is a must-attend event for decision makers in the protein industry...