Bristol Bay Run Nears 5 Million Fish, Nushagak Surging, Naknek Still Waiting

SEAFOODNEWS.COM  by John Sackton June 27, 2017

The Bristol Bay sockeye run is off to a good start, as numbers from Port Moeller appear to be tracking the large 2015 run to some extent; and fishing is reported excellent in the Nushagak river system.

Through yesterday, the total run is now 4.7 million fish, with both the Nushagak and Wood Rivers having met their escapement goals.

Total catch on Monday was 737,000 fish; and the cumulative harvest is now 2.8 million...

Oregon Fishing Industry Uncertain about Future Access to International Terminal in Newport

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - June 27, 2017

Fishermen continue to grow increasingly concerned about their future access to Newport’s International Terminal as Port of Newport leaders appear to be giving priority access to shipping operations without consideration of the needs of the commercial fishing industry–the primary users of the facility for the last 30 years.

“The Port is preparing to sign leases and agreements to develop log shipping operations from the terminal that will potentially tie the port’s hands for the next 20 years,” Midwater Trawlers Cooperative Executive Director Heather Mann said in a press release. ...

China's JD.com Fresh Food Unit Inks Agreement with Norway for Salmon

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [China Securities Journal] translated by Amy Zhong - June 27, 2017

Norway is the second largest seafood exporter worldwide and it has always aimed to further developed Chinese market. Its Minister of Fisheries has visited China together with the unprecedentedly large group of representatives recently in hope of raising its future seafood export volumes to China.

On June 21, the JD.com fresh food unit has officially inked a strategic agreement with Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC). This makes JD the first Chinese company to sign an agreement with Norway after the normalization of China-Norway ties.

It is said that there are nearly 600 Norwegian ...

ANALYSIS: May and Year-to-Date Gulf Shrimp Landings Surge

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Urner Barry] Jim Kenny - June 26, 2017 

The National Marine Fisheries Service is reporting May 2017 landings (all species, headless) of 14.59 million lbs. compared to 10.27 million in May 2016. The cumulative total now stands at 30.25 million lbs.; 6.7 million pounds or 28.43 percent above the Jan-May 2016 total of 23.56 million lbs. This is the largest five-month total in any of the years since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. However, anecdotally market participants suggest that the bulk of the ...

Changsha Airport Imports Large Quantities of Norwegian Salmon as Norway-China Agreement Takes Hold

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Sina] translated by Amy Zhong - June 27, 2017

Hanshou Sanjian Aquatic Food has imported 2,094.57 kg (2 metric tons) of frozen salmon from Norway recently.

These salmon enter China through Changsha Huanghua International Airport. After the sampling and examination of Hunan Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, they are available in the local market. This is the first time that Changsha has imported frozen salmon in large quantities.

To ensure the smooth import of salmon, the bureau ...

Russian Crab Quota Auction Challenged Over Corruption After Primorye Producers Secure Few Pounds

SEAFOODNEWS.COM by Eugene Gerden  June 26, 2017

Dmitry Dremlyga, a well-known Russian fishing tycoon and a former owner of Dalmoreproduct, one of Russia’s largest fish producers, will challenge the results of the recent auctions for the sale of crab quotas in Russia, due to numerous violations, that were conducted during their organization.

To date, the businessman has already sent a claim to the Moscow Arbitration Court against Rosrybolovstvo with a demand to cancel the results of the auction.

Details of the claim, that will be considered during the next several weeks, are currently not disclosed.

In the meantime, according to Alexander Duplyakov, head of the Association of Crab Producers of the Far East...

ANALYSIS: Ecuadorean Shrimp Exports Reach Monthly Record High

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [URNER BARRY] By Paul Brown, Jr - June 27, 2017

It is no secret that Ecuadorean exports have grown tremendously over the last few years, particularly due to the strong demand for shrimp in China. With this expansion in production, Ecuadorean shrimp exports to China have surpassed the combined shipments to the U.S. and Europe. Also, total monthly exports have also reached a monthly back-to-back record in April and May of 2017, reaching 79.8 and 85.9 million pounds respectively; now, compared to May 2016, exports this year were up 12 percent or nearly 10 million pounds. On a year-to-date basis, exports are 14 percent above those recorded last year.

News Summary June 26, 2017

Today's Main Story: Iceland Raises Cod and Haddock Quotas, With Haddock Finally Seeing Some Improvements

Today’s news opens with a focus on how Iceland has significantly raised its cod and haddock quotas for the new fishing year which begins on September 1st. The decision, particularly on haddock, is certain to be welcomed by processors in the UK and Europe. Haddock remains a firm favorite in Britain. The Minister of Fisheries has decided that the catch quota for cod should be raised to 255,172 metric tons, up by around 11,000 tons on the current fishing year. Meanwhile, the haddock quota goes up by over 5,000 tons to 39,890 tons. This is the first significant haddock increase for some time and shows that the stock, which was causing some concern not so long ago, is now making a sustained recovery.

In other news, Dmitry Dremlyga, a well-known Russian fishing tycoon and a former owner of Dalmoreproduct, one of Russia’s largest fish producers, will challenge the results of the recent auctions for the sale of crab quotas in Russia due to numerous violations that were conducted during their organization. To date, the...

Some Tasmanian Chefs Take Local Salmon Off Menu Due to Environmental Concerns

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Mercury] by Alexandra Humphries June 26, 2017 

SOME of the state’s best-known chefs have taken Tasmanian salmon off the menu over concerns about transparency and sustainability.

Michelin-rated former MONA The Source executive chef and owner of A Tiny Place Philippe Leban and Aloft owner Christian Ryan have stopped offering salmon dishes in their restaurants, and according to Mr Leban they are not alone.

“I’m not using salmon at the moment, I want to get clarification on what is sustainable and what is being raised correctly,” Mr Leban said.

“There’s a lot of us in Hobart that have stopped using it for that very reason.”

Mr Ryan said Aloft was yet to offer salmon since opening 18 months ago.

Japanese Salmon Consumption Fell More than 10% in 2016-17; Supply Shrank Too

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Japan Reports] - June 26, 2017

Salmon supply and demand for the 2016-2017 salmon season (May 2016-April 2017) in Japan was nearly finalized as the import volume for April and end-April inventory (preliminary figure) were made public.

Supply plunged more than 10 precent due largely to the decrease in fall chum and Chilean coho, while consumption shrank by the same margin because of raw material and product price hikes, showing a general shrinkage in both supply and demand.

Overall supply of salmon in the 2016-2017 season, combined with ...

Perdue Volunteers and Oyster Recovery Partnership Fill 1,300 Shell Bags to Help Restore Bay’s Oyster Population

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Perdue Farms] June 26, 2017

More than 50 associates and family members joined with Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) representatives to fill about 1,300 oyster shell bags in support of the Marylanders Grow Oysters program, an initiative run by ORP and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to engage waterfront homeowners in helping to restore the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population. The 260,000 bagged shells will provide a home for approximately 2.6 million new oysters in the Bay.

“The Oyster Recovery Partnership has been a leader in efforts ...

Tesco Hikes UK Salmon Retail Prices, Following Sainsbury

SEAFOODNEWS.COM  [SeafoodNews] June 23, 2017

Tesco has raised prices on most of its salmon SKU’s, following other similar moves by British retailers.

Sainsbury’s did this several weeks ago raising prices by 14%

According to the Norwegian Seafood Export Council Director Jack Moller, retailers had to raise prices because salmon was such an important commodity for them.

Tesco’s private label smoked salmon was up 15% to £3.10 per 100 gm, while their Alaskan salmon fillet price rose 25% to £5...

Atlantic Capes Promotes Two Executives to Operations and Financial Roles

SEAFOODNEWS.COM  by John Sackton June 23, 2017

Atlantic Capes Fisheries, a producer of scallops, clams and oysters, and also an importer, announced two promotions this week.

Danny Cohen, Atlantic Capes Owner, said Chris Brown will become operations manager and assume all responsibility for fresh and frozen seafood processing at ACF’s scallop facility and custom IQF plant.  Chris will also continue to head up Atlantic Capes fresh seafood sales.

“I’m very pleased to promote Chris to operations manager. His hard work and dedication to quality have played a huge role in the success of our business. Chris is extremely knowledgeable..

China Shrimp Seed Stocking Drops 25% in First Half, Output to Be Stable on higher Quality seed

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Shuichan News] translated by Amy Zhong - June 22, 2017

A review of China’s white shrimp aquaculture within the first half of this year and a prediction about the second half.

The National Fishery Technical Extension Center (NFTEC) has set up 12 research centers of freshwater and seawater aquaculture in China to learn more about white shrimp farming and market during the first half of this year. Among them, five centers are located in the provinces of Hebei, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong and Guangdong. They mainly study freshwater aquaculture. The remaining ones...

NFI, Importers Dealt Setback by Court in Ruling over Seafood Traceability Rule

SEAFOODNEWS.COM  by John Sackton  June 23, 2017

NFI and the nine seafood importers who filed suit to halt the Obama administration rule on new seafood traceability requirements were dealt a blow in a Washington DC District Court yesterday, June 22nd.

The Judge, Amit P. Mehta, ordered the Dept. of Commerce to submit a signed statement to ratify the Seafood Traceability Rule.  Such a statement would then cure, after the fact, any failure of the DOC in making the rule in violation of Magnuson.

The plaintiffs had argued that since the rule was signed by an ineligible officer,...

ANALYSIS: Atlantic Salmon Frozen Fillet Imports Beginning to Rise

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Urner Barry] Janice Schreiber - June 22, 2017

We are beginning to see some changes in the Atlantic frozen fillet and portion markets. Imports look to be beginning to increase compared to the trend we have seen over the past almost year. The reduction in frozen imports is due to the strength of the Atlantic fresh fillet market; high prices have discouraged the need for suppliers to freeze fish. The incentive to sell fresh fillets at record highs has outweighed the need to produce frozen.

Zhanjiang Aquatic Products Exposition Draws Purchaser and Visitors from Around the World

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - June 22, 2017

ZHANJIANG, China -- The 2017 China International Aquatic Products Exposition (CIAPE 2017) & China Seafood Procurement Fair opened on June 18 at Zhanjiang International Convention and Exhibition Center.

With the mission to "connect the Chinese aquaculture industry with the world and let the whole world benefit from its boom," the CIAPE 2017 placed particular emphasis on the quality and safety of China's aquatic products and seized the strategic opportunity generated by the promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative to build an industry-wide, one-stop exchange platform for aquatic products and seafood merchants as well as fishing equipment manufacturers at ...

Norway Sees Rise in Export Values in May

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - June 22, 2017

Overall Norweigian exports of seafood rose in value in May -- and exports of many species also rose in volume.

Norway exported 163,000 metric tons of seafood with a value of $1 billion (NOK 7.6 billion) in May - the volume was at the same level as May 2016. However, the export value increased by $105 million (NOK 888 million) or 13 percent.

So far this year, Norway has exported 1.1 million tons of seafood worth $4.6 billion (NOK 39 billion). Export volumes have increased by ...

Acme Smoked Fish Introduces Ready-to-eat Hawaiian Smoked Fish Poke Bowls From Blue Hill Bay

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - June 26, 2017

Brooklyn, NY – Acme Smoked Fish Corporation, a family-owned and operated producer of premium smoked seafood specialties, is pleased to introduce two varieties of new Blue Hill Bay Smoked Fish Poke Bowls: Smoked Salmon and Smoked Tuna. Acme has added new flavors to the traditional Hawaiian favorite, seasoning its recipe to smoked perfection, according to a press release.

Acme’s ready-to eat poke bowls pair great taste with pre-portioned single-serve convenience. Bowls contain smoked fish cubes that are salt-cured and slowly cold smoked with a blend of ...

News Summary June 27, 2017

Today's Main Story: Bristol Bay Run Nears 5 Million Fish, Nushagak Surging, Naknek Still Waiting 

The Bristol Bay sockeye run is off to a good start, as numbers from Port Moeller appear to be tracking the large 2015 run to some extent; and fishing is reported excellent in the Nushagak river system. Through yesterday, the total run was reported at 4.7 million fish, with both the Nushagak and Wood Rivers having met their escapement goals. Total catch on Monday was 737,000 fish; and the cumulative harvest was 2.8 million.

In other news, the Trump administration is poised to declare China among the world's worst offenders on human trafficking, U.S. officials said Monday, putting the world's most populous country in the same category as North Korea, Zimbabwe and Syria. China will be listed under "Tier 3," the ranking system's lowest category, which applies to countries failing to meet minimum standards to prevent human trafficking or making significant improvement efforts.

In Oregon, fishermen continue to grow increasingly concerned about their future access to Newport’s International Terminal as Port of Newport leaders appear to be giving priority access to shipping operations without consideration of the needs of the commercial fishing industry–the primary users of the facility for the last 30 years. The Port of Newport has been negotiating with log shippers to use the terminal. The Port recently reported access to some state and federal funds and other opportunities are expiring and should be used to improve the terminal.

Norway is the second largest seafood exporter worldwide and it has always aimed to further developed Chinese market. Its Minister of Fisheries has visited China together with the unprecedentedly large group of representatives recently in hope of raising its future seafood export volumes to China. On June 21, the JD.com fresh food unit has officially inked a strategic agreement with Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC). This makes JD the first Chinese company t

Global Aquaculture Alliance BAP is First Aquaculture Standard to Near GSSI Approval

SEAFOODNEWS.COM by John Sackton  June 26, 2017

The GSSI has published its benchmark report on shrimp, finfish, and crustacean farming standards certifications of GAA’s Best Aquaculture Practices for public consultation.

This is the fifth step in the GSSI approval process.  Once comments are received, GSSI will review the comments and make a recommendation to the Board.  In all prior cases, reviews which have reached this stage have been successfully completed.

For the GAA, the process began in December 2015 when BAP applied for GSSI recognition, step one of a seven-step process to determine whether the BAP Finfish and Crustacean Far

John Bullard - NOAA Admin for Atlantic Region, Says No Silver Bullet for Groundfish

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews]  [Opinion] by John Bullard June 26, 2017

After detailing the many listening sessions and meetings NOAA has held on the East Coast this year, Regional Administrator John Bullard summed up his thinking, in the opinion below.

To put it briefly: There’s no such thing as a silver bullet.

When people come up to me passionately lamenting that Amendment 18 will not do enough to address consolidation within the groundfish fleet, I understand their passion. The power of a very large fleet can be misused. But, I wonder if they are looking to Amendment 18 to be a silver bullet that will singlehandedly solve this problem.

Some blame sector management for our troubles. I don’t buy it. Instead, I see the ability of the private sector to manage quota with accountability, flexibility, and initiative. All of these are necessary ingredients for a healthy fishing industry, especially in tough times.

At many meetings, people line up to decry...

Japan Becomes Signatory of Anti-IUU Treaty; Pledges to Eliminate Illegal Fishing Activities

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Japan Reports] - June 26, 2017

The Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA)—an international treaty aimed at eliminating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing—took effect for Japan on June 18, 2017, after the government inked formal signature. The agreement itself went into force in June 2016.

It is an issue of paramount importance for Japan, a major fishing country and a massive consumer of fish, to work toward eradication of IUU fishing, which diminishes the effectiveness of conservation of fishery resources, and to ensure sustainable use of marine stocks. ...

News Summary June 23, 2017

Today's Main Story: NFI, Importers Dealt Setback by Court in Ruling over Seafood Traceability Rule

We open the news today with a look at how the NFI and the nine seafood importers who filed suit to halt the Obama administration rule on new seafood traceability requirements were dealt a blow in a Washington DC District Court yesterday, June 22nd. The Judge, Amit P. Mehta, ordered the Dept. of Commerce to submit a signed statement to ratify the Seafood Traceability Rule. Such a statement would then cure, after the fact, any failure of the DOC in making the rule in violation of Magnuson. The plaintiffs had argued that since the rule was signed by an ineligible officer, it was invalid under the DOC rulemaking powers.

In other news, Notre Dame Seafoods reportedly shut its NL Twillingate Plant in response to low shrimp quotas. A union leader at the shuttered shrimp processing plant in Twillingate is "shocked" that the facility isn't opening this season, but is defiant at the suggestion the doors won't ever open again. Quota cuts, and not lingering sea ice, are blamed for the plant not opening this season. In a news release Wednesday, the Fish, Food and Allied Workers referred to the closure repeatedly as "permanent." Calls to Notre Dame Seafood were not returned Thursday.

FFAW wins Higher Summer Shrimp Price as Panel Sets $1.25 per Lb. as Benchmark

SEAFOODNEWS.COM  by John Sackton  June 23, 2017

The FFAW said they won the price panel decision on summer inshore shrimp prices.  On Wednesday, the Standing Fish Price Panel released its decision on shrimp prices and it chose the FFAW price of $1.25 per pound.

In the April, the price panel chose the Processor offer of $.95 per lb., however due to ice and the harvester preference for crab fishing, very little inshore shrimp has been harvested at that price.

The Panel had the choice between the FFAW position and ASP’s position of $1.04.

ANALYSIS: Live Lobster Market Following Seasonal Trends

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Urner Barry] by Nicole West - June 23,2017

The 4^th of July is right around the corner – a time of year typically met with peak demand for live lobsters. Traders in the US are reporting higher replacement costs for product and it appears lobster market prices are following their traditional seasonal trend. By the end of next week, the major producing Lobster Fishing Areas in Canada will be closed and supplies of hard shell live lobsters will be limited. So far reports indicate that Maine is not producing  ...

Chinese Engineers Finish First Semi-Submersible Aquaculture Pen for SalMar ASA

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Sohu.com] translated by Amy Zhong - June 23, 2017

With equipment made in China, seven people can raise 1.5 million salmon within one year.

Recently Chinese engineers from Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group have finished the engineering designing and constructing of the first and also the largest semisubmersible aquaculture facility for its Norwegian customer, SalMar ASA. This equipment was initially designed by the Norwegians. It is a combination of advanced aquaculture technologies, environmental concept and strong manufacturing capability.

The facility is a dodecagon with a ...

News Summary June 22, 2017

Today's Main Story: Copper River Seafoods Posts $1.35/lb as Bristol Bay's Catch Goes to 300,000

We open today’s news with a focus on Bristol Bay’s total sockeye catch this season is now over 300,000 through Tuesday. The Egegik fleet landed 95,000 sockeye, bringing the season total there to 278,000. The Naknek-Kvichak catch is 12,000 on the season, Ugashik is 7000, the catch at Igushik is still confidential, and Togiak has put about 1000 sockeye on the books. An email to KDLG Tuesday confirmed that Copper River Seafoods has posted a price of $1.35 per pound for best quality sockeye. Copper River COO Mark Hansen says they will continue to post a price each week for their fleet, the same as they did last year.

Brits All At Sea on Old Fish Names

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Marine Stewardship Council] June 22, 2017

A study of over 2,000 Brits found many are baffled by traditional fish dishes with over half (54%) not knowing, or incorrectly guessing what a kipper is.

The research conducted for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) aims to highlight the vast array of MSC sustainable seafood available in the UK. It shows that despite being avid fish consumers, many are baffled by traditional dishes such as bloaters, Cullen skink, rock salmon and kippers. Coupled with the mistaken belief (41%) that fish labelled as sustainable is more expensive, these findings could mean many are reluctant to sample new species. There are now over 1,000 MSC labelled sustainable seafood choices including kippers, Coquilles St Jaques and redfish in supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, Aldi and ...

Japan Frozen Salmon Market Weakens Ahead of New Season Production in Russia and Alaska

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews/John Sackton]  June 22, 2017

The price in domestic trading in frozen salmon in Japan, which peaked out late in March, has been declining steadily over the past two months.  This is causing Russian sockeye sellers to hold back on price quotes, and also suggests difficulties for Japanese buyers of Alaskan sockeye.

Frozen coho from Chile is still trading around 900 yen per kg. for the 4-6 lb fish, but larger sizes have weakened and are now below 800 Yen per Kg, with some sales reported at 770 Yen or lower.

The sales of fillet products have cooled as well, after a period of record high prices.

The weakening market is ascribed to the fact that...