VIDEO: FCF’s Bumble Bee Bid; Tuna Price-Fixing Settlement; First Coronavirus Case in U.S. and More

Join SeafoodNews Weekly Video co-hosts Andraia Torsiello and Ryan Doyle as they talk about FCF's successful bid for Bumble Bee Foods; a California judge's denial of a potential settlement between commercial food preparers and Chicken of the Sea stemming from the tuna-price fixing scandal; the first Coronavirus case landing in the United States and a look into the aquaculture industry in the U.S.

This episode was brought to you by COMTELL, which will be receiving a complete redesign in 2020...

'Tuna King' Pays Over $1.8 Million At Toyosu Fish Market's First Auction of 2020

Kiyoshi Kimura, also known as the "Tuna King," started off the New Year by dropping a pretty penny at Toyosu Fish Market's first auction of 2020. According to reports, Kimura paid $1.8 million (193 million yen) to purchase a 608-pound bluefin tuna that was caught off the coast of northern Japan. And while that's certainly a pricey fish, Kimura has actually paid more in the past.

Last year Kimura, the president of sushi restaurant chain Sushi-Zanmai, paid a record-setting...

FDA Issues Update on Investigation of Scombrotoxin Fish Poisoning Linked to Yellowfin Tuna

In November the FDA announced that they were investigating incidents of scombrotoxin fish poisoning linked to yellowfin tuna. Now, with additional illnesses reported, the FDA is releasing a list of importers who may have sold the tainted tuna.

As SeafoodNews previously reported, Truong Phu Xanh Co., a Vietnamese tuna supplier, was placed on Import Alert after an investigation linked scombrotoxin fish poisoning to the company's yellowfin tuna. For those unfamiliar with scombrotoxin fish poisoning, it occurs when fish are not properly chilled or preserved...

StarKist's Charlie the Tuna Gets His Own Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure

StarKist mascot Charlie the Tuna is finally being recognized for the pop culture icon he is. The tuna brand announced that they have partnered with Funko to create a limited-edition Charlie the Tuna Pop! Vinyl figure.

Funko is a company that manufactures licensed pop culture collectibles like vinyl figures and bobbleheads. Their popular line of collectibles includes Marvel, Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Harry Potter characters. But in addition to popular characters from TV and film, Funko also has a line of "Ad Icons"...

The Winding Glass: Tuna Case Shows Private Equity and Seafood are Not Always a Good Fit

Chris Lischewski, the former CEO of Bumble Bee Foods, has been convicted of conspiring to fix tuna prices in violation of the Sherman anti-trust act following his recent trial in California.  Chris is now going to appeal, and a sentencing date has been set for April.

I was struck by the prosecution argument, and also the testimony of Ken Worsham, a Bumble Bee Senior vice president who pled guilty, by the pressures Lischewski faced after the company was bought by...

Chicken of the Sea Won’t Face Fine Due to Whistleblower Status

With questions surrounding top tuna suppliers and other shelf-stable seafood industry leaders following the bankruptcy filing of Bumble Bee Foods, Chicken of the Sea International released a statement regarding its status with the price-fixing scandal.

The company said it has resolved the investigation with the Department of Justice and as the whistleblower on the case, it will not have to pay a fine. 

Chicken of the Sea, Bumble Bee and Starkist were involved in a conspiracy to fix prices on canned tuna from 2011-2013...

Tuna’s Carbon Ratios Indicate Changes in Oceanic Food Web

The ratio of carbon isotopes in a trio of common tuna species has undergone drastic changes since 2000. The shift signals a change in the phytoplankton population, which is the base of the oceanic food web.

If phytoplankton are changing, the impacts will be felt throughout the rest of the food web, according to a research team including Nicolas Cassar, professor of biogeochemistry at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.

“The change we observed in tuna, which are near the top of the marine food web, reflects profound changes...

Mical Seafood Expands Tuna Recall Due to Possible Scombroid Poisoning

Florida-based Mical Seafood has initiated an expanded recall of frozen, wild-caught yellowfin Tuna Loins, Tuna Poke, Tuna Steaks, Tuna Ground Meat, and Tuna Saku, because they may have elevated levels of histamine.

The recall expansion was announced on Oct. 15.

High histamine levels in fish products can lead to an allergic reaction of scombroid fish poisoning which can lead to many symptoms including facial swelling, rash, hives, itchy skin and vomiting.

The products that were recalled were wholesaled to customers that lived in the following states...

Republic of Marshall Islands’ Bigeye and Yellowfin Tuna Fishery Achieves MSC Certification

A Republic of Marshall Islands-based fishery achieved certification to the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) standard for sustainable fishing.

Longline vessels with an eye for bigeye and yellowfin tuna that are under the management of the Marshall Islands Fishing Venture, are now MSC certified.

“This certification is a significant moment in our company’s history and marks the culmination of five years hard work,” Joe Murphy, senior vice president of marketing of Liancheng Overseas Fishery said.

This is the second fishery on the globe to achieve MSC certification...

New Global Catch Database Shows Alarming Tuna Fishing Trends

In a study published in Fisheries Research, scientists from the Sea Around Us found a significant increase in global tuna catches, increasing by over 1,000 percent over the past six decades. The group found that the massive expansion of the catchers is not sustainable fishing habits for tuna.

In the last few years, six million tonnes of tuna have been caught. Findings from the research showed that tuna fisheries around the globe are operation well overcapacity.

“The continuation of tuna fisheries’ catch, employment numbers and revenue figures at levels similar..."

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...

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...

8 Indonesian Tuna Fisheries Entering MSC Certification Process

The International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF) has confirmed that eight Indonesian pole-and-line and handline tuna fisheries will be entering the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification process.

IPNLF has been working alongside their local partner, Asosiasi Perikanan Pole & Line dan Handline Indonesia (AP2HI). Together the two groups have aided the Indonesian tuna fisheries in improving data collection and monitoring. This plays into the MSC Fisheries Standard's three core principles: sustainable fish stocks, minimizing environmental impact, and effective fisheries management.

"Getting these eight fisheries to this crucial point has required a...

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...

Ecuador Introducing Satellites to Combat IUU Fishing

This past October the European Commission issued Ecuador a "yellow card" warning, saying that the country had "shortcomings" in fighting illegal fishing. Now, Ecuador is stepping up their actions to combat IUU fishing – and satellites are set to play a big role.

According to Ecuador's Ministry of Production, the country will be using the Satellite Monitoring Centre (CMS) to control fishing and keep an eye on illegal activity. The satellites will allow Ecuador officials to collect, record and analyze maritime traffic of industrial vessels, as well as issue...

Ecuador Adopts Tuna Action Plan Following EU Yellow Card

Ecuador’s Ministry of Production, Exports, Investments and Fisheries adopted the National Tuna Action Plan (PAN TUNA). 
The plan will work as an administrative tool that allows the country to establish objectives and strategies that will improve the conservation and certification for the sustainability of the country’s tuna fishery.

According to TUNACONS, a tuna conservation group, Ecuador is the primary producer of tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the second largest worldwide. With around 300,000 tons of catch per year, it has the largest tuna fleet and processing capacity...

FDA Hits Vietnamese Tuna Company With Import Alert After Scombrotoxin Fish Poisoning Outbreak

The FDA placed Truong Phu Xanh Co, a Vietnamese tuna supplier on Import Alert following an investigation of incidents of scombrotoxin fish poisoning linked to yellowfin tuna.

The Import Alert now allows the FDA to detain any yellowfin tuna products without examination. The product will not be able to enter the US unless Truong Phu Xanh can prove it meets US food safety standards.

The FDA urged the company to initiate a voluntary recall of all its imported yellowfin tuna...

Western Pacific Council Urges NMFS Use New Model for Swordfish Fishery; Reference Point for Albacore

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council discussed changes related to the interaction of sea turtles in the swordfish fishery and the South Pacific albacore fishery when it met in American Samoa last week. Both require the National Marine Fisheries Service to agree with Council's action to move forward.

The Council urged NMFS, on the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery consultation under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) consider all anticipated scientific information in ...

Scientists: Hawai'i Swordfish Fishery Has No Discernable Impact on Sea Turtle Populations

Sea turtle populations are safe from the Hawaii swordfish fishery, according to scientists.

Scientists from throughout the Pacific meeting this week in Honolulu found that mortality by the Hawai'i shallow-set longline fishery on loggerheads and leatherbacks are "trivial" and have no impact on their population levels.

The fishery, which produces 55 percent of the domestic US catch of swordfish, was shut down on March 19, 2019, after it reached the annual limit of 17 physical interactions with North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles. All 17 were ...

Industry-Led Tuna Coalition Created to Clean Up Supply Chains

Top tuna companies from across the globe initiated the Global Tuna Alliance. The new coalition is an independent group of retailers and supply-chain companies with an eye to stomp out illegal fishing. The alliance aims to improve social and environmental conditions and work with governments around the globe to solve the problem.

Ahold Delhaize, METRO and New England Seafood International have initiated the foundation of the Global Tuna Alliance. Coop UK, Tesco, Marks & Spencer, World Wise Foods, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Asda and Princes also played a role in the group’s...

USCG Cutter Active Returns to Washington After 52-day Albacore Fishery Patrol

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Active returned to its homeport in Port Angeles, Wash., Friday after patrolling the albacore fishery off of Washington and Oregon. The patrol included 61 boardings and a number of safety and fisheries violations

Active’s crew executed the 52-day fast-paced patrol enforcing federal fisheries regulations as part of Operation Pacific Fortune.

The operation is focused on ensuring the vitality of Pacific Northwest fish stocks, maintaining a level playing field amongst fishers, and safeguarding the commercial and recreational fishing industries. These industries contribute...

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...