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...

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...

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...

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...

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...