Alaska Processors Appeal to MSC Board to Correct Egregious Violations by ASPA Client Group  Late last week the ten Alaskan salmon processors seeking to gain re-entry to the MSC program filed an appeal to the MSC’s Board after they were rejected by the Alaska Seafood Processors Association (ASPA) client group. "The group has therefore asked the MSC Board of Trustees to intervene by enforcing the MSC’s program requirements that promote inclusion", said Stefanie Mooreland, Director of Government Relations and Sustainability for Trident. John Sackton said the MSC Board held a meeting by telephone Thursday to discuss client group regulations, but no decision has been made about the how MSC plans to handle the ASPA and their move to deny the processors. ADF&G said on Saturday that the first Copper River opening on May 14th yielded 15,806 sockeye - less than half the volume on the first day in 2014. There may be two 24 hour openings this week - today (Monday) and then on Wednesday ADF&G will announce if there is a second opening. Hopefully the opening schedule should be similar to prior years. According to John Sackton with less fish to go around, there appeared to be fewer retailers and restaurants who wanted to jump on the bandwagon of the first fish. In other news Sysco could pay $1 billion in costs if its deal with US Foods is blocked by federal trade regulators. If the merger falls through Sysco would be on the hook for over $300 million in termination fees alone. Other costs associated with deadlines to close the deal, along with legal expenses are also adding up for Sysco to get the deal approved. Finally, there are more signs signaling that El Nino conditions are forming in the Pacific. Since March sea-surface temperatures have been quite warm along the equator from the coast of South America well out into the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Many long-range forecasters think this coming El Nino will be a strong one by next winter.