NPFMC Announce 2024 TAC Recommendations For Pollock

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) met last week and issued total allowable catch recommendations for pollock in 2024.

Looking specifically at the Gulf of Alaska, the recommendation for acceptable biological catch (ABC) is 200,489 metric tons. The recommended total allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in 2024 is 195,720 metric tons. This is an increase from 156,578 metric tons in 2023.

As for the Eastern Bering Sea, the advisory panel is proposing a change from 1,300,000 MT to 1,320,000 MT; an increase of 20,000 MT...

Russia Continues Active Imports of Salmon This Year

Russia continues imports of salmon this year despite good volume of catch this year and tightening sanctions. At the same time the current range of suppliers is significantly lower those prior to February, 24 2022.

Prior to the Russian-Ukranian military conflict, a significant part of imported salmon to Russia were supplied from the Faroe Islands. However, in recent months the situation has changed, as most of importers have decided to leave Russia since that time.

As Ilya Sosnov, CEO of Inarctica, one of Russia’s salmon producers, said...

Study Proposes Changes in Length of Food Chain May Explain California Anchovy Cycles

Up one year, down the next. Or every few years. Regardless, explaining why northern anchovies are prevalent one year but disappear the next has been difficult to discern -- until now.

New research from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists discovered ecological correlations that could help explain the booms and busts of California’s anchovy population. If the correlations hold up to further research, they could one day help inform management of California’s anchovy fishery and improve ...

UPDATED: A Timeline of the Trade Petitions Addressing Antidumping Duties on Shrimp

In late October the American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA) filed trade petitions seeking antidumping duties on imported frozen warmwater shrimp from Ecuador and Indonesia, and countervailing duties on imported shrimp from Ecuador, India, Indonesia and Vietnam. 

ASPA said in a news release that the U.S. shrimp market has “been overwhelmed by massive quantities of underpriced shrimp imports, resulting in unsustainably low dockside prices, falling domestic market share, significantly lower profit margins, and historically high inventory levels.” To counteract this...

Whales, Turtle Further Delay California Crab Season

Pots are on the dock and ready to be put on vessels to fish for Dungeness, but California-permitted crabbers have no place to put their gear yet. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham on Thursday declared a continued delay of the commercial season due to whales and sea turtle entanglement risk.

The assessment this week included the Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group reviewing the Department's preliminary assessment. According to the Working Group report, one proposal received only limited support ...

Cooke Aquaculture Lands GSA’s Steven Hedlund as Director of Public Affairs

Cooke Aquaculture has landed Steven Hedlund as their Director of Public Affairs. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Steven to Cooke Aquaculture USA in Maine,” said Joel Richardson, VP of Public Relations at Cooke. “He brings an impressive set of skills from decades of experience in the seafood industry, and he is passionate about environmentally sustainable seafood production, promoting the benefits of aquaculture in the local food system, and preserving Maine’s heritage of a vibrant working waterfront.”

Hedlund started his career in seafood with...

Japan: Oyster Exports in 2023 Remain Strong But Hit a Plateau

There is a feeling that oyster exports have reached a plateau. In 2021 and 2022, the volume and value reached record highs, but in 2023, the pace is slightly lower than last year (January-September cumulative total). The main reason was a decrease in oyster production in the first half of the year due to sluggish growth in Japan's principal producing areas. Furthermore, China has suspended imports of Japanese marine products due to the release of ALPS-treated water into the ocean. The main export destinations are...

Russian Fish Sector Shows Stable Growth Rates This Year

Despite the ever tightening sanctions, Russia is actively increasing exports of its fish and fish products this year and achieving good production dynamics.

According to official data of Rosrybolovstvo, over the 11 months of this year fish exports from Russia grew by 13% in annual terms and amounted to 2.1 million tons.

Frozen fish accounted for 1.6 million tons of this volume (+14% year-on-year), and fish fillets and other fish meat accounted for 202,000 tons (+1%). In value terms, exports increased by 1% to...

Reflecting On 2023 King And Snow Crab Market Dynamics

The U.S. economy has continued to defy expectations, showing resilience in the face of uncertainty. The third--quarter GDP growth surged to an impressive 5.2% offering a hopeful signal that a recession might be averted, even as inflation takes a cooling stance. However, economist now expect growth to slow in the fourth quarter as consumers pull back on their spending. The Federal Reserve has not confirmed but most economist believe that they have enough leeway to hold interest rates steady in December in spite of being above the 2% goal...

CNA Issues Warning To Ecuador Shrimp Sector About Tax Reform Project

Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) is warning the shrimp sector that changes are coming with the Tax Reform Project.

Late last month CNA notified industry members about the National Assembly’s “Law of Economic Efficiency and Employment Generation,” which creates a new sales tax. According to CNA, this new tax could decrease working capital and subtract liquidity from the entire value chain. 

“Imposing a 3% sales tax would result in the decrease of our limited working capital, leaving us without the necessary liquidity to operate...

Russian Fishermen Put Big Hopes on Japanese Market in 2024

Russia has reached an agreement with Japan on fishing quotas within a 200-mile zone for 2024, according to a recent report from the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.

The annual negotiations, which have been taking place since 1984, began on November 27. The countries set fishing quotas and the number of vessels that can fish within a 200-mile zone.

According to the agreement, in 2024 Russia and Japan will reduce fish catch in quotas by 6,000 tons...

StarKist Debuts New Tuna Pouches and Kits

StarKist is introducing some new options for tuna lovers that are always on the go. 

“At StarKist, we’ve always been dedicated to not only offering the highest quality products but also innovating with tuna, salmon and chicken to meet the growing consumer demand for nutritious, convenient and flavorful protein options,” said Tom Aslin, the Vice President of Marketing & Innovation at StarKist. “Our new products in the ‘Creations’ Pouch and ‘Lunch-To-Go’ Kit line embody this commitment, bringing convenience and lean protein without sacrificing taste.”

StarKist’s Tuna Creations line is expanding with a...

U.S. Representatives Pingree, Wittman Reintroduce Keep America’s Waterfront Working Act

On Wednesday U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Rob Wiggman reintroduced the Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act.

Pingree had introduced the Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act in 2019 to address the preservation and accessibility of waterfronts in coastal states. The 2019 bill directed NOAA to establish a Working Waterfront Task Force to identify and address critical working waterfront needs. It also directed NOAA to establish a Working Waterfront Grant Program, which would allow NOAA to award grants to coastal states who have approved working waterfront plans...

Global Shrimp Council Finds Home Within National Fisheries Institute

The creation of the Global Shrimp Council was announced at the Global Shrimp Forum, a 3-day industry event in the Netherlands, this past September. Now, this new council has a new partner: The National Fisheries Institute (NFI).

NFI confirmed Tuesday that they will be home to the Global Shrimp Council “as the group begins work to create a precompetitive partnership designed to promote U.S. shrimp consumption.”

“We are excited to get started on this work,” said Brandon Phillips, NFI’s Vice President of External Affairs and Councils. “Creating a structure...

Norway Sees Strong Growth For King Crab In November

The Norwegian Seafood Council released some data from November 2023, which reveals strong growth for king crab.

Last month Norway exported a total of 236 tonnes of king crab worth NOK 102 million. The biggest market for the product was the U.S., which imported 105 tonnes of king crab from Norway worth NOK 50 million. Of those 105 tonnes, 73 tonnes were live king crab with an average price of NOK 395 per kg.

But while the U.S. was the biggest market for king crab in November, exports to the U.S...

Nissui Acquires Maxima Seafood

Nissui has acquired Netherlands-based Maxima Seafood. While Nissui has yet to mention the news on their website, Maxima Seafood revealed on their own site that “we are happy to inform you about joining the Nissui group. More information will come soon.”

Last December Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. changed its name to Nissui Corporation. The move was part of a move to “pursue possibilities in food solutions beyond the limits of fisheries.” The company has since developed Nissui Global Links, which “links marine resources and dining tables of consumers around the world.” Nissui Global Links includes...

Biden-Harris Administration Makes $106 Million Available for Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund

Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA are announcing the availability of up to $106 million in funding through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) for Pacific salmon and steelhead recovery and conservation projects. This funding — which includes funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) — will support state and tribal salmon restoration projects and activities to protect, conserve and restore these fish populations and their habitats.

“Restoring Pacific salmon populations and...

New UNH Research: How Could Ocean Acidification Impact New England’s Fisheries?

In colonial New England, the American lobster was so plentiful and cheap that it was used as garden fertilizer and fed to prisoners and servants. While no longer the case today, the crustacean remains a quintessential New England delicacy and a key economic industry for New Hampshire, making up close to 70 percent of the state’s annual commercial fisheries catch and more than $32.5 million of landed value in 2022 according to NOAA Fisheries. Officials project that New Hampshire’s lobster fishery contributes $132 million toward the...

Japan: Imported Crab Sales Are Brisk; Orders Surge for the End of the Year

Lower prices for crabs, including those from Russia, have led to more active crab shipments when demand is high at the end of the year. Minato Shimbun interviewed multiple trading companies, manufacturers, and processors. It found that "crab sales have increased by 50% compared to the previous year," said manufacturer sources, and "We have received many additional orders, which has increased by 50% compared to the original order volume up to around September." Several processors indicated that the business is doing well...

Better Seafood Board Names Dave Wier As New Chair; Welcomes New Board Members

Ahead of the new year, the National Fisheries Institute’s (NFI) Better Seafood Board (BSB) is welcoming a new chair and new board members.

Dave Wier, the Executive Vice President at The Fishin’ Company, and a current BSB member, has assumed the chairmanship of the group. In addition to Wier’s new appointment, BSB has also welcomed five new members to their board as their 15-member board rotates five seats annually. The new additions to the board can be found listed below...

Stolt Sea Farm Begins Construction To Expand Hatchery in Galicia, Spain 

Stolt Sea Farm has started construction on the expansion of their sole hatchery in Galicia, Spain. 

The company announced their plans to expand their hatchery operations in late July after getting the greenlight from the regional government. The project was initially expected to start in October, but officially commenced on November 28.

“This is a date that will forever remain in our memory; it is a truly special moment for us all at Stolt Sea Farm,” commented Jordi Trias, President of Stolt Sea Farm. “Expanding broodstock and hatchery capacity for sole is an essential milestone...

ANALYSIS: October U.S. Shrimp Imports Reach High Single-Digit Growth Again

In data released today, U.S. shrimp imports in October followed last month’s trend with high single-digit growth rates. At 167.961 million pounds, this was 9.8 percent above last year. This was the fourth straight month of gains after the long period of year-over-year declines. This year-to-date figure of 1.433 billion pounds compressed to 8.8 percent below last year through October.

It marked the first time that all top five trade partners were net gainers together since...

CAIA: Ottawa Anti-Salmon Farming Billboards Removed for False Advertising

Anti-salmon farming billboards around Ottawa have been removed for false advertising. The false statements included claims from eco-activist group Wild First that “Open-net pen salmon farms are banned in Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska.” Based on this inaccurate information, the ads called on Ottawa to “remove all salmon farms from B.C. waters.”

The letter of complaint filed by the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) has provided clear evidence that the farming of finfish (including salmon) is not banned in California, Oregon, or Washington...

FFAW Responds to NL’s MOU to Advance Offshore Wind Power

This week Dr. Andrew Furey, the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Jonathan Wilkinson, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on offshore wind. The MOU allows NL to “take the regulatory lead on offshore wind projects within its inland bays to enable the development of offshore wind projects in NL that will power the province’s economy forward.”

“Newfoundland and Labrador is rich in renewable energy resources that make us well positioned to meet our net-zero targets...

Bumble Bee Seafoods Partners With “Even Stevens” Star Christy Carlson Romano

Millennial Disney icon Christy Carlson Romano is the latest star to partner with Bumble Bee Seafoods. Ahead of the holidays, the seafood brand is encouraging consumers to turn to tuna before their meals with their new “Eat BEEfore You Eat” campaign. 

“I know that for my family, the days leading up to the big holiday celebrations are filled with errands, to–do lists, and a lot of time in the kitchen preparing for big meals,” said Carlson Romano. “That’s where Bumble Bee can come in handy, in a..

Oregon Opens Dungeness Crab Season in Southern Half of State

Some fishermen may not be so crabby after Dec. 16: After consultation with industry and other tri-state managers, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials announced Tuesday the Dungeness crab season opening  from Cape Foulweather south to the California border.

The split at Cape Foulweather, just south of Depoe Bay, will give Newport crabbers something to consider, as it also splits their traditional fishing grounds. The meat quality in the "Newport North" area did not meet the threshold, but the "Newport South" area was good.

"Pre-season ...

The Retail Rundown: Season’s Gr-eatings

Season’s gr-eatings! The holiday season of spending is underway, giving rise to retail sales and food purchases.

This year’s holiday spending has already made history. A record 200.4 million shoppers stepped out over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend, according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Consumers shopped both online and in-store throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, with 121.4 million people visiting physical retail locations to browse and make in-store purchases—consistent with 2022. Online shoppers totaled 134.2 million, up by four million...

Founder Robin Samuelsen Steps Down as Chair of Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation

The Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation announced early last month that its founding chairman H. Robin Samuelsen, Jr. was stepping down. He has held the position for 31 years according to BBEDC, including working as chief executive officer from 1997 to 2013.

Samuelsen is also a Bristol Bay Native Corporation board director and a Curyung chief. Throughout his more than three decades as chairman, Pebble Mine has been in the background as the corporation has built programs to strengthen the economy through “sustainable use of the Bering ...

Trident Seafoods, Channel Fish Processing Land USDA Pollock Contract

Trident Seafoods and Channel Fish Processing both were awarded a contract for Alaska pollock by the USDA. The total dollar amount between the two companies is $1.75 million.

Channel Fish will be supplying the USDA with 380,000 lbs of frozen breaded Alaska pollock sticks worth $988,559. Trident Seafoods will be supplying the USDA with 435,600 lbs of bulk surimi worth $759,924.

The USDA issued the bid invite in early November. The pollock will be used in the National...

BlueNalu Adds Saudi Prince To Corporate Advisory Board

BlueNalu announced on Tuesday that they have added His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud to their corporate advisory board. The announcement was made in Dubai at the meeting of the Conference of Parties.

“I am excited to join forces with BlueNalu and its distinguished corporate advisory board to further its mission to bring ethical cell-cultured seafood to global markets,” said Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed. “The potential to transform today’s food industry to one that is resilient and food secure is essential, and I believe...