Coronavirus Traps Fishing Crew of Japanese Long-Distance Tuna Vessels

The global spread of the novel coronavirus is beginning to significantly affect the activity of pelagic tuna fisheries, according to the Suisan Keizai Shimbun, a Japanese fisheries industry newspaper. The number of countries that regulate boarding and disembarking of crewmembers at major supply ports overseas has increased. In the current situation, where boats are moored at overseas ports, crewmembers are unable to return to Japan by air. Some vessels are having trouble deciding whether to hurry to return to Japan or continue...

An Increase in Home Consumption Pushed February Seafood Sales at Japanese Supermarkets

According to supermarket sales statistics released by three small and medium-sized supermarkets in Japan, existing store sales in the seafood division in February were ¥74.552 billion (US$669.39million), up 4.1% year-on-year. It is the first time in four years that the year-on-year result exceeded one point. Sales grew in response to a growing demand for in-home consumption due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection. In marine products, sashimi such as tuna and bonito...

Western Pacific Council Recommends 2020 Bigeye Tuna Catch, Allocations for U.S. Pacific Territories

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council in Honolulu recommended that the federal catch limits for longline-caught bigeye tuna for the U.S. Territories of American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for fishing year 2020 remain at 2,000 metric tons each and the allocation limits be up to 1,500 mt each with a cap of 3,000 mt overall.

Previously, the allocation limits were up to 1,000 mt for each Territory. The new allocation limits and cap ensure that the potential environmental impact ...

Ocean’s Tuna Steaks Named Best Frozen Fish Product by BrandSpark International

Canadian tuna provider Ocean’s took home the Best Frozen Fish Award in BrandSpark International’s Best New Product Awards (BNPA).

BrandSpark is a market research firm that interviewed over 16,000 Canadians to come up with winners in its 17^th annual awards showcase. Consumers voted on the latest beauty, health, personal care, food, beverage, household, pet, home goods and tech products in 70 different categories.

Ocean’s Yellowfin Tuna Steaks took home the seafood prize on the list. The company features three variations of the streaks on its website including Black Pepper...

These are the Top 10 Seafood Items Consumed in the U.S. for 2018

On Friday the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released their Annual Fisheries of the U.S. Report for 2018, and the report detailed how U.S. seafood per capita consumption has hit 16.1 lbs.  Now, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) is doing a deeper dive into exactly what seafood items Americans are consuming.

The top consumed seafood item – once again – is shrimp, with 4.6 lbs. eaten per capita. This is a record-high. Second on the list is...

MSC Adopts On the Hook Campaign Change; Bans Compartmentalization by Fishing Practice

Changes are coming to the Marine Stewardship Council's Fisheries Certification Process in March, pushed for by the On the Hook campaign for more than two years.

The MSC's Board of Trustees said Friday they approved a new version of their Fisheries Certification Process. The updated process removes the possibility for a vessel to catch both certified and non-certified catch using different practices, known as compartmentalization. The On the Hook campaign has campaigned for this change for the past two and a half years, the organization...

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Launches FIP for Indonesian Longline Tuna

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) announced the launch of a longline tuna fishery improvement project (FIP) in Indonesia.

The industry-led, national-level FIP is being implemented by the Indonesia Longline Tuna Association (ATLI) and focuses on:

- Albacore, yellowfin, and bigeye longline fisheries in the Indian Ocean, within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Indonesia and international waters

- Yellowfin and bigeye longline fisheries in the Western Central Pacific Ocean, within the archipelagic waters and EEZ, as well as on the high seas.

The FIP’s goals include four areas of focus including...

Thai Union Partners with Local Chili Paste Brand to Introduce New Tuna Flakes Flavors 

Thai Union Group has launched five new flavors in its tuna flakes product line.

Thai Union’s SEALECT Tuna partnered with Pa Waen, a well-known Thai mixed chili paste brand to launch a first of its kind product. The spicy chili tuna flakes combine tuna with local flavors. The flakes are currently available in Thailand and online retailers.

“At Thai Union, we do not limit our product innovation only to the lab, and responding to local demand is something we always look at,” said Saran Rattanarungruengchai...

'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...

As Canned Tuna Fly Off Shelves, Operations of U.S. Boats Are Compromised

Consumers bracing against Covid-19 have raised demands not only for health and safety products but also for many food staples, including tuna. According to a recent National Public Radio report, tuna sales were up more than 31 percent last week compared to the same time last year.

StarKist Samoa, located in the U.S. Territory of American Samoa, supplies tuna for the U.S. market.

“The StarKist Samoa operation relies on the U.S. tuna fishermen and direct fish deliveries to the cannery are a major component of our business ...

WPFMC Leaders Express USCG Appreciation for Combatting IUU Fishing in Western Pacific Region

Western Pacific Fishery Management Council Chair Taotasi Archie Soliai and Executive Director Kitty M. Simonds laud the US Coast Guard's recent success in combating illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing in the Western Pacific Region.

On Monday, the Maritime Executive reported that for the first time since 2012, the Coast Guard's Honolulu-based 14th District intercepted foreign vessels illegally operating within the U.S. exclusive economic zone waters off Guam and Hawai'i.

"While regulation compliance among U.S. fishers is near 97 percent, some of the lowest ...

Study: Marine National Monuments Caused No Economic Harm to Hawaii’s Longline Tuna Industry

Recent findings released in the Nature Communications journal show that the expansion of the Pacific Remote Islands and Papahānaumokuākea marine national monuments did not hurt the pockets of Hawaii’s longline tuna fishing fleet.

The study, supported by Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, marked the first economic look at two of the biggest protected areas on the planet. According to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the protected areas are larger than Alaska, Texas and California combined.

The study’s lead author, John Lynham, of the University...

PBS Segment Highlights Hurdles Facing Tuna Industry in American Samoa

In a recent PBS News Hour Weekend edition segment, reporter Mike Taibbi and producers Laura Fong and Mori Rothman explored the seafood industry in American Samoa.

American Samoa is home to a StarKist cannery which employs 2400 locals, about four percent of the entire population. Consider other industries directly related to the cannery, StarKist’s government relations manager Archie Soliai estimated it creates 4500 jobs.

The cannery has become a staple in the region for 56 years, as Taibbi described in the report. However, it faces a litany of issues...

Bumble Bee, FCF and Ocean Outcomes Team up for FIP to Improve Indian Ocean Tuna Fisheries

Bumble Bee Foods, FCF Co and Ocean Outcomes launched an initiative to improve the sustainability of Bumble Bee source fisheries in the Indian Ocean.

Ocean Outcomes explained the initiative as “the first of its kind in the region for longline vessels catching albacore tuna.” Currently, no albacore tuna or longline fishery in the Indian Ocean is certified as sustainable.

The team hopes to improve the sustainability of Bumble Bee’ fisheries in the region in the coming years. Through a new fishery improvement project...

Bumble Bee Foods Officially Acquired by FCF; CEO Jan Tharp Releases Statement

Taiwanese tuna trader FCF Co. officially announced its acquisition of Bumble Bee Foods on January 31.

The sale was initially approved on January 23 after FCF ended up as the only bidder for the San Diego-based company. Bumble Bee confirmed the price tag of $928 million. The 120-year-old tuna and protein business will now be owned by its longtime tuna supplier. 

“This day marks an exciting new chapter for Bumble Bee, our loyal customers, trusted partners and our valued employees,” said Jan Tharp...

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...

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 ...