Top Story: Bad news for Alaska Fisheries as Parnell make terrible appointment, court allows ballot on Cook inlet salmon

News Summary Monday July 28, 2014

Friday brought a load of bad news for Alaska’s fisheries, and those who care about maintaining the steller reputation of the nation’s largest commercial fisheries. First, in a slap in the face to Bristol Bay, Gov. Parnell appointed the spokesperson for the Pebble mine as his new ‘fisheries’ advisor. Secondly, the Alaska superior court overturned a ruling that the Cook Inlet fish grab was not a permissible ballot measure, and has allowed the sport fishing groups to begin collecting signatures in a drive to outlaw setnet fishing in Cook inlet. 

In other news, Urner Barry hiked their quotes last week for chix and quarter lobsters, the smallest sizes, on ‘Asian demand’. It turns out that much of that demand was generated by a new online sale of lobsters with direct door to door delivery, inaugurated by Zhangzidao and its partners and subsidiaries. The idea of online ordering for home delivery of live products has a tremendous potential in China, and the service was introduced with a special on ‘Boston lobsters’. 

Pink salmon prices are pretty weak, leading a number of Bristol Bay boats to pass on the fishery this season. With a posted price of 28 cents, they say it is not worthwhile. Last week, the state asked the USDA to recommit to a pink salmon buying program. 

Thai Union (TUF) hosted analysts and institutional investors at its Samut Sakhon processing facilities, to showcase its commitment to sustainable development. Expect more Thai companies to show their stakeholders they are committed to environmental and social responsibility. 

ISSF has provided their comments on the results of the latest Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission meeting, where they found some signs of progress despite the commission stonewalling on a number of conservation measures. 

Finally, in two stories from Canada, the Nova Scotia Packers Association is asking for an explanation as to why the Province wants to legislate a 5 cent lobster levy, rather than the 2 cents the industry in all provinces agreed upon. Also, the Cohen commission, which came about after the collapse of the Fraser river sockeye run in 2009 (just before the record year of 2010), came in about 30% over budget at a total cost of $37 million.

John Sackton, Editor And Publisher , Lexington, Massachusetts 

Seafood.com News 1-781-861-1441 

Email comments to jsackton@seafood.com

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