Interview: Talking All Things Tinned Seafood With Ocean Brands

This week we’re happy to welcome Nola Martin, Vice President of Marketing at Oceans Brands and Kelly Burling of Matiz and Culinary Collective to the SeafoodNews Podcast. Nola and Kelly join co-hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione to talk about Ocean Brand’s recent launch of Ocean’s line of wild caught tinned seafood in the U.S. Take a listen!

This episode of the SeafoodNews Podcast is brought to you by the fourth annual Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers’ Wild Alaska Pollock meeting, taking place at the Westin Seattle in Seattle, Washington on October 17, 2022...

Russia May Ease Rules for Foreign Fishermen to Conduct Catch in its Territorial Waters 

Russia may ease rules for foreign fishermen to conduct catch in its territorial waters, providing some concessions to fish companies from so-called unfriendly states.  

An example of this can be found in recent statements from some Russian and Japanese media about the plans of Japan to resume fishing off the southern Kuril Islands. For this purpose, Tokyo already paid for quotas for the catch of Atka mackerels in the territorial waters of Russia, while the catch is expected to be resumed shortly...

MSC Study Finds American Consumers are Changing Shopping Habits Due to Environmental Concerns 

A new study commissioned by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is shedding some interesting light on shopping habits. The study, which was conducted by consultancy group GlobalScan for the MSC, found that Americans are “increasingly changing their diets for environmental reasons as concerns over climate change grow.”

Of those surveyed, 31% who changed their diet in the past two years did so for a variety of environmental reasons. Some of those environmental reasons include the desire to eat more sustainably sourced food (17%)...

Lund’s Fisheries Now Able to Conduct Own Food Safety Inspections

New Jersey-headquartered seafood firm Lund’s Fisheries landed accreditation to conduct its own food safety inspections on all seafood that the company harvests, processes and ships.

Lund’s invested in lab equipment and testing protocols over the past year that meet “internationally recognized standards and can now be used to test all Lund's products before going directly to consumers.”

Typically, Lund’s explained that seafood products are required to be tested for various microbiological contaminants including E. coli, listeria, and salmonella. These tests...

Norway’s Salmon Evolution Just Weeks Away from Landmark First Harvest

Salmon Evolution, a land-based salmon farmer headquartered in Norway shared that its first harvest is expected to take place at the end of October or early November in a Q3 operational update.

Alongside the news of its impending harvest, the company was pleased to share that the strong biological performance its fish witnessed throughout Q2 of this year has continued into this quarter.

“As per 30 September 2022 the batch #1 average weight is estimated to around 3.3 kg with observed individuals well above 4...

Current Foods Debuts Plant-Based Smoked Salmon Retail Product at Expo East

Plant-based seafood company Current Foods debuted its first retail product, sliced smoked salmon, at Expo East from September 28 – October 1.

The company’s product features peas, algae, potato, and bamboo and Current Foods claims it can go “fin-to-fin with the taste and texture of ocean-caught salmon.”

Current Foods shared that its first retail partners for the product include Showfields, Fairway Market and Gourmet Garage in NYC, as well as a major retail group in California, will all be launching...

Compassion in World Farming Welcomes First Fish Certification Welfare Standards 

Animal group Compassion in World Farming is pleased with the first fish certification welfare standards. The group, which was founded in 1967, is praising schemes from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Friends of the Sea as “an important step forward.”

ASC recently announced a draft humane slaughter standard for fish, which includes a ban on the use of ice slurry. Meanwhile last year Friends of the Sea announced that they were the first certification scheme to introduce species-specific welfare standards to improve fish rearing...

REPORTER: Will AB5 Spread Across the U.S.?

This article was originally featured in the Fall 2022 Edition of Urner Barry's Reporter magazine. Want a FREE subscription? Click HERE.

The trucking industry has taken its lumps over the last several years be it due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of drivers, chaos at ports due to ongoing supply chain issues, and other factors. Now comes the potential impact of a bill that has been around for a couple of years and is finally starting to make significant waves in California, the state where it was enacted. It’s called...

Vega Salmon First in Europe To Achieve BSP Certification

Vega Salmon has reason to celebrate this week as they have achieved Best Seafood Practices (BSP) certification for their processing plant in Handewitt, Germany. Vega Salmon is the first in Europe to be certified to BSP.

BSP is a third-party certification program developed by the Global Seafood Alliance. Launched in 2021, it’s the world’s only certification program capable of linking responsible wild-capture fisheries to certified processing plants and certified vessels.

“We are proud of being the first BSP salmon processor in Europe and proud of being...

Pokemoto Opens First Tennessee Location; Enters South Carolina 

It’s another month of expansion for Pokemoto. The Hawaiian poke bowl restaurant concept announced on September 22 that they opened their new location in Gallatin, Tennessee. But they’ve got more locations in the U.S. on the horizon.

Gallatin marks the fifth opening announced by the company since August. 

“Gallatin is a growing city full of culture, entertainment and places to dine, a major draw for those looking for something to do,” said Pokemoto franchisee Amindra Wijayanayake. “We’re excited to bring our delicious poke bowls and boba tea to the...

VIDEO: MSC Lobster Certificate Audit; Bristol Bay Salmon; Scallop License Allocation

Join SeafoodNews Managing Editor Amanda Buckle as she takes a look at three of the most read stories of the week, including Maine Lobster's MSC certificate expedited audit; the record Bristol Bay salmon season; and the scallop license allocation not moving forward.

This episode of the SeafoodNews Weekly Video is brought to you by the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers’ fourth annual meeting, taking place in Seattle on October 17, 2022. The meeting will bring together representatives from all segments of the Wild Alaska Pollock industry...

Russia: Analysts Expect Growth of King Crab Population in Arctic Seas

The population of Kamchatka crab is steadily growing in the Arctic seas of Russia and other countries of the region amid the conditions of global warming and the ongoing climate change.  

During the 1960s, these crabs were delivered to the Barents Sea from the Far East. Thirty years later, the volume of their reserves allowed to start their commercial fishing in the Northern Basin.  

In the case of Russia, the volume of king crab has been steadily growing in recent years. In Norway the local authorities were unhappy...

Beijing Seafood Vendor Sentenced to Prison for Obstructing the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19

Yang Moumou of Beijing Trading Co. was sentenced to one year and six months in prison for obstructing the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

According to a report from Beijing News, between April and November 2021,  Moumou and others associated with Beijing Trading Co. imported frozen hairtail from Thailand and other countries and stored the product in a cold storage facility belonging to Beijing Commercial and Trading Co. in the Fangshan District of Beijing. Moumou reportedly did not submit nucleic acid tests or...

Alexa Dayton Named Executive Director of Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries

Alexa Dayton has been named the new Executive Director of the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries. In the role she’ll be responsible for leading a 10-person staff and operations of the organization. Dayton will also be responsible for fundraising for the Stonington-based organization.

“The MCCF Board is delighted to welcome Alexa Dayton as our new Executive Director,” said Jane Osborne, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Alexa’s background, experience, connections and excitement about the MCCF mission make her a great person to lead MCCF...

Woody Harrelson Among New Investors in Wicked Kitchen

Wicked Kitchen, the company that just recently acquired plant-based seafood brand Good Catch, has raised $20 million in bridge funding. Among the new investors is none other than actor Woody Harrelson. 

Co-founders, brothers and chefs Chad Sarno and Derek Sarno plan on using the funding to further ramp up global brand awareness initiatives and expand retail distribution and other channels to include foodservice. Currently Wicked Kitchen products can be found in more than 6,500 retail stores across the U.S.

“I have known Chad and Derek for many years...

NEFMC Not Moving Forward With Scallop License Allocation

The New England Fishery Management Council is not moving forward with the development of a scallop license allocation leasing program for a limited access fishery. 

Scallop allocation leasing would have allowed a boat owner to sell days and tonnage from a fishing license to another vessel owner to harvest in restricted zones. The topic has been up for debate for months before it was ultimately discussed on Tuesday at the September Council Meeting in Gloucester. 

Prior to the meeting, the council said that of the 286 commenters who spoke out during the...

China’s Pollock Processing Business Recovering as H1 Imports from Russia Doubled

According to the Hokkaido Trawl Fisheries Cooperative Federation, China's Russian pollock business, which was temporarily depressed due to the new coronavirus, is heading for a complete recovery, reported Suisan Keizai.

In the first half of this year (January to June), China imported about 340,400 tons of frozen Alaska pollock, double that of last year. The fish seems to be primarily dressed pollock from Russia. The average CIF price of Russian fish imported by China from January to July was $1,280 per ton, and the single month...

Partnership With Talabat Allows Pokeworks to Expand in Middle East, North Africa

Pokeworks is heading to the Middle East and North Africa thanks to a new partnership with talabat. 

The fast casual brand already has more than 65 locations across 20 states, Taiwan and Mexico. Now, thanks to talabat, a leading tech delivery platform in the Middle East and North Africa, Pokeworks will be entering a new region.

“At Pokeworks, our goal is to bring our Poke Your Way experience to consumers everywhere,” said CEO Steve Heeley. “That is why we have partnered with the largest online food ordering operator in the Middle East. Our plan is to enhance our brand’s online visibility and reach, while benefiting from talabat’s robust technology and large logistics network. This new collaboration with talabat will soon enable our fans to enjoy poke wherever they may be!”

Groups Hire Counsel to Protect Endangered NARW From Offshore Virginia Wind Project

Fewer than 350 North Atlantic right whales are believed to remain, and a coalition of public interest groups are working to make sure that they’re protected from an offshore wind project planned off the coast of Virginia. 

The Heartland Institute, the Committee For a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT), and the American Coalition for Ocean Protection (ACOP) has hired counsel to explore a lawsuit protecting the right whale from Dominion Energy, which is spearheading the offshore wind project. The groups have retained the counsel of the law firm of...

Facing the Unthinkable, Bering Sea Crabbers Go to Feds and State as Council Gets Underway
Last updated at 11:24 a.m. PDT

The stakes could not be higher for Bering Sea crab fishermen and processors as they face a second year of low survey numbers and high uncertainty in population models. Last year with a closure of Bristol Bay red king crab (BBRKC) the fleet lost $200 million in ex-vessel prices. The cost of lost revenue to processors, communities and businesses and schools within them, and markets is not included in that number. 

Snow crab has all but ...

Frozen Seafood Brand Scott & Jon’s Expanding Distribution With Walmart

Frozen shrimp entree brand Scott & Jon’s is expanding their distribution agreement with Walmart. 

The retail giant will increase distribution of the frozen seafood brand to almost 4,000 stores, as well as increase the brand’s frozen shelf presence to eight items. In addition, Sam’s Club will begin selling Scott & Jon’s products in all of their 590 U.S. locations. Shrimp lovers can expect to see the products in the frozen aisle no later than January 2023.

The expanded distribution agreement comes as Scott & Jon’s claims the #1 dollar ranking for...

Pokemoto Opens First Tennessee Location; Enters South Carolina 

It’s another month of expansion for Pokemoto. The Hawaiian poke bowl restaurant concept announced on September 22 that they opened their new location in Gallatin, Tennessee. But they’ve got more locations in the U.S. on the horizon.

Gallatin marks the fifth opening announced by the company since August. 

“Gallatin is a growing city full of culture, entertainment and places to dine, a major draw for those looking for something to do,” said Pokemoto franchisee Amindra Wijayanayake. “We’re excited to bring our delicious poke bowls and boba tea to the...

Canadian Government Invests in Partnership With Indigenous Peoples in Next Phase of Oceans Protection Plan

The Canadian Government is investing $50 million to directly support Indigenous partnerships as part of the Oceans Protection Plan. 

The Oceans Protection Plan was created to help Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities in protecting, preserving and restoring oceans and waterways. The new funding will be open to Indigeous communities and organizations, and can be used to support capacity for their continued involvement in discussing and building relationships that advance marine safety and environmental protection. Funding will also go towards supporting...

Shellfish Harvesting Georgia Temporarily Closed Due to Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida on Wednesday afternoon as a category 4 storm, bringing with it 150 mph winds. As the storm advances, it’s expected to hit the Georgia and South Carolina area, where forecasters say it will make a second landfall on Friday afternoon.

The southern states are facing threats of coastal flooding due to the storm surge, as well as inland flooding due to torrential rains.

Because of the potential hurricane-associated rainfall and surge, Georgia’s Department of...

NFI Supports WH Goals on Hunger and Health, Says Seafood Must Be Central to Its Success

National Fisheries Institute President John Connolly is applauding the White House’s Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health. Connelly said, “Federal programming and education that clearly and consistently support advice to eat more seafood – fresh, shelf-stable, and frozen – must play a central part in this ambitious goal.”

Yesterday’s Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health was only the second in more than 50 years. In 1969 the first White House hosted conference on these subjects resulted in the school lunch program, the ...

NaturalShrimp Announces Partnership With US Foods

On Wednesday NaturalShrimp announced that they had entered into a partnership with US Foods, South Texas area. The partnership means an exclusive grow out program for their customers in Austin, Houston and San Antonio.

“We are very excited to build this channel-specific program for a leading national distributor,” said Marco van den Berg, VP of Sales and Marketing. “This is in line with our strategy to deliver our quality product to restaurants inside a 300 mile radius, within eight hours from harvest at our production facility in La Coste. There has been...

Woody Harrelson Among New Investors in Wicked Kitchen

Wicked Kitchen, the company that just recently acquired plant-based seafood brand Good Catch, has raised $20 million in bridge funding. Among the new investors is none other than actor Woody Harrelson. 

Co-founders, brothers and chefs Chad Sarno and Derek Sarno plan on using the funding to further ramp up global brand awareness initiatives and expand retail distribution and other channels to include foodservice. Currently Wicked Kitchen products can be found in more than 6,500 retail stores across the U.S.

“I have known Chad and Derek for many years...

Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Increase Export Budget Request

In its FY2023 budget request, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) requested JPY 14.13 billion ($97.72 million) for export-related items, an increase of 31% from the initial budget for FY2022. The budget request is based on three pillars: "strengthening overseas sales capabilities through joint efforts of the public and private sectors," "supporting businesses that take on the challenge of exporting with a market-oriented concept," and "overcoming obstacles to exports through governmental cooperation," Minato Shimbun reported.

In 2020, the government formulated a strategy to expand exports of agricultural, forestry...

Oregon State Researchers Discover Probiotics Dramatically Increase Oyster Larvae Survival

Probiotics aren't just good for humans -- they also help young oysters survive.

Oregon State University researchers discovered oyster larvae survival rates were significantly boosted by treating them with specific combinations of probiotics.

With only a one-time application, the probiotics also boosted larval growth, metamorphosis and settlement, meaning that in addition to more oysters surviving past the larvae stage, they also fared better at transitioning to juveniles and anchoring to shells and other surfaces.

The findings ...

Giant Eagle Partners With ProChile on “Chile on Board” Campaign

Giant Eagle has partnered with ProChile, the institution in charge of promoting Chilean exports, to boost seafood consumption in the Northeast and Midwest regions. Together they have launched the “Chile on Board” campaign, which will run in Giant Eagle stores throughout Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia throughout November 9.

“Seafood is a common product on both coasts of the United States, but not so much in the hinterland of the country,” said Alexander Grabois of ProChile. “With this campaign, we want the consumer unfamiliar...