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...

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...

Wild Planet Foods Honored by Whole Foods for Their Sustainable Seafood Sourcing Efforts

Whole Foods Market announced the winners of their seventh annual Supplier Awards, and one of this year's honorees in seafood company Wild Planet Foods.

Whole Foods' Supplier Awards honor suppliers that "embody the company's mission and values through their proven commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, organic integrity, innovation and partnership."

"We're proud to recognize these suppliers who offer outstanding products aligned with our mission, values and the high quality standards that we've championed for nearly 40 years...

Thai Union, WWF-UK Release 4th Annual Partnership Progress Report

Thai Union and WWF-UK have reason to celebrate this week – the release of their fourth annual partnership progress report.

Thai Union and WWF formed a partnership in 2014 to work on improving the sustainability of seafood supply chains. Through the partnership they developed Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) to improve fisheries and fishing practices to meet the MSC standard. Since that development, more than 90% of Thai Union's tuna to the European market is engaged in a FIP or MSC certified. In addition, Thai Union now has...

Pacific Catalyst Launches, Announces Projects to Strengthen Fisheries Management

Pacific Catalyst, a partnership of fishery management experts in collaboration with the University of the South Pacific (USP), has officially launched. The Fiji-based consortium is seeking to work alongside policymakers, and they've already announced several projects to strengthen fisheries management.

"Through USP we will support the next generation of students and professionals who will manage Pacific fisheries for years to come," said founding director Transform Aqorau. "Although Pacific Catalyst is just getting started, our team has over 100 years combined experience in fisheries education...

Bumble Bee Foods and SAP Create Blockchain to Track Fresh Fish from Ocean to Table

SAP SE and Bumble Bee Foods recently announced that Bumble Bee Foods is using the SAP Cloud Platform Blockchain service to trace the journey of yellowfin tuna from the Indonesian ocean to the dinner table. Together, SAP and Bumble Bee continue to innovate and improve upon seafood traceability as more and more consumers demand to know their food is safe and sustainably sourced, the companies said in a press release.

With SAP’s blockchain technology, consumers and customers will be able to easily access...

Two New Trustees Named Int’l Pole and Line Foundation

LONDON -- The International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF), the charity that is committed to developing and supporting responsible one-by-one tuna fisheries and supply chains, named Jurgita Rhodes and Rahim Hoosen to its Board of Trustees.

Rhodes is Senior Partner at Marquis Media Partners and Hoosen is the Trading Head of Groceries, Household, Pet, Personal Care, Print Media at Woolworths South Africa. their appointments are effective immediately.

Rhodes has extensive experience across fintech, media and disruptive technologies, and has led pioneering commercial transformation programmes at the forefront of ...

Stavis Seafoods Launches SeaTru Lifestyle Seafood Brand Ahead of Boston Seafood Expo

Stavis Seafoods announced on Wednesday the launch of their new lifestyle seafood brand: SeaTru.

According to the company, SeaTru products meet in-depth brand standards and are “completely traceable, socially responsible and sustainably sourced.” So far the initial products featured in the line include retail-ready pasteurized crabmeat, fresh Norwegian salmon, as well as the Prime Cuts Portion Program, which includes high quality salmon, halibut, swordfish and tuna portions. Each produced is sourced from a sustainable certified, ranked or domestic fishery, or from a fishery involved in...

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...

StarKist Fined by EPA For Failing to Comply With 2018 Settlement

StarKist will have to pay $84,500 in penalties for violating the terms of a 2018 settlement, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The 2018 settlement was related to deficiencies in environmental compliance at StarKist's tuna processing facility in American Samoa. StarKist initially paid a $6.5 million penalty to resolve the violations of federal environmental laws. The company had also agreed to make upgrades to reduce water pollution and the risk of releases of hazardous substances, in addition to providing American Samoa with...

The Winding Glass: Chris Lischewski Fights Back Against Tuna Price-Fixing Charges

This column from SeafoodNews Founder and Publisher John Sackton is a new trial feature that may continue as John retires from active management of SeafoodNews. 

All three major tuna companies have pled guilty to a complex price-fixing scheme that the government says kept canned tuna prices higher than they would have been had the companies not agreed to forego competition.

The scheme was uncovered when Chicken of the Sea, owned by Thai Union, submitted a proposed purchase of Bumble Bee for anti-trust review...

Producer of Plant-Based Tuna Alternative Hires Former Bumble Bee Exec, Chicken of the Sea Manager

Atlantic Natural Foods, the U.S. producer and marketer of plant-based products, including Loma Linda's tuna alternative, Tuno, is beefing up their executive and management team. The company announced on Wednesday that they have hired four new executive and management team members – including a former Bumble Bee Seafoods executive and Chicken of the Sea manager.

Gabe Montesano, who previously held variously financial roles at Bumble Bee Seafoods, is joining Atlantic Natural Foods as their new Vice President Finance...

Federally Managed Fisheries in Hawai'i, U.S. Pacific Islands Face a Mixed Future

The future is both bright and bleak for Hawaiian and U.S. Pacific Islands fisheries -- depending on the fishery.

Federal fishery managers concluded the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council meeting in Honolulu last week after dealing with a mixed bag of good and bad news fisheries in the region.

On the good side, a 2018 stock assessment estimates the Hawai'i Kona crab maximum sustainable yield at 73,069 pounds. While fishermen routinely landed 70,000 pounds in the 1970s, the fishery has reported catch below...

Western Pacific Managers, Fishermen Grapple with Closures, Slow Federal Pace of Reports

At 9:40 a.m. Wednesday, minutes after Kitty M. Simonds completed the executive director's report to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, the Hawai'i-based fishery was closed due to the fishery's interaction with a 17th loggerhead turtle this year.

The Hawai'i-based shallow-set longline fishery for swordfish has a federal observer on every vessel for every trip. The North Pacific loggerhead population is growing annually at 2.4 percent, but a court settlement in May 2018 reduced the fishery's ...

Change Is in the Air: Western Pacific SSC Suggests New Approaches for Suite of Issues

The Scientific and Statistical Committee of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council concluded a three-day meeting last week in Honolulu with a suite of recommendations to more effectively address issues facing fisheries in the U.S. Pacific Islands. The Council will consider those recommendations this week.

Regarding false killer whales, the SSC recommended inclusion of a population variability analysis to supplement the use of and reduce the variability of potential biological removal estimates.

The Southern Exclusion Zone (SEZ), a 132,000 square mile...