ANALYSIS: Shrimp Market Prices Generally Stable

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Urner Barry] by Angel Rubio - July 21, 2017

Although the shrimp market has remained relatively stable throughout the year, we have seen slight price declines in recent weeks for some HSLO sizes as well as value-added products.

Record imports for peeled shrimp have placed downward pressure on prices for P&D product on some specific count sizes. 16-20 count Asian shrimp has adjusted down 10 cents down since the end of June. Sizes 21-25ct and 26-30ct have...

ANALYSIS: Imported Mahi Mahi Prices Remain Near Record High Levels Amid Limited Production

SEAFOODNEWS.com [Urner Barry] Nicole West - July 21, 2017

The traditional season for fresh mahi in Central & South America runs from October through March and it is not atypical for prices to spike during the summer months. However, in 2017 amid back to back years of limited production of mahi, we are seeing prices spike near record high levels. In 2016, we saw total fresh imports drop drastically, down 22.6%, mostly due to a weather phenomenon called El Nino. The El Nino which of the 2015-2016...

NOAA Locates Crabber F/V Destination Wreckage; Coast Guard Hearing Set for August

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] by Susan Chambers - July 21, 2017

The F/V Destination, an Alaskan crabber based out of Seattle, has been found near where it sank in Alaska.

Two NOAA ships, en route to scientific missions in Alaskan waters, helped locate the missing vessel at the request of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation. The Destination and its six crew members were lost February 11, 2017, while fishing for opilio crab (snow crab) northwest of St. George, Alaska.

NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson, a fisheries survey vessel, conducted the first survey from April 30 through May 1, according to ...

New President of B.C. Wildlife Federation Aims for Stability

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Vancouver Sun] by Larry Pynn with additional information by Peggy Parker - July 21, 2017

Harvey Andrusak, the new head of the B.C. Wildlife Federation, a group that supports many research projects that affect the province's fishing industry, is a former senior provincial fisheries biologist.   

The new president of the 50,000-member B.C. Wildlife Federation replaces Jim Glaicar, who resigned last month after a series of controversies.

Andrusak, a resident of Nelson and vice-chair of the non-profit Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, said Wednesday he worked 20 years as a fisheries biologist for the province, including as director of fisheries, but now operates a...

Clean Seas Seafood Rebrands and Launches New Kingfish Campaign

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - July 21, 2017

Clean Seas Seafood Limited has rebranded its premium Kingfish and launched a new marketing strategy based on the unique provenance of the fish as Spencer Gulf Hiramasa Kingfish. 

The new campaign will promote the kingfish, also known as amberjack, in Australia, Europe, North America and Asia. Clean Seas' cultured Hiramasa Kingfish will be marketed not only as from the cold clean waters of South Australia's Spencer Gulf, but also for its culinary excellence, versatility and sustainability.

The brand story is based on the concept of “The Duality of One”, explains David Head, Managing Director and CEO of Clean Seas. ...

ANALYSIS: Chilean Market Continues to Weaken to Levels Now Below 2016

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Urner Barry] by Janice Schreiber - July 20, 2017

The Chilean fillet market has been trended lower since Memorial Day weekend in the U.S. At the end of May, the average on 2-3 pound Chilean fillets was $5.68, currently the market is at $5.08; a 10.5 percent drop.

In addition, the market on Chilean fillets is now lower than where it was at the same point in time in 2016. In the middle of...

Senators Collins, King Introduce Resolution to Designate September 25, 2017, as National Lobster Day

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Federal Information & News Dispatch] July 21, 2017

U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins today introduced a resolution that would designate September 25, 2017, as "National Lobster Day." Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) also sponsored the resolution, which recognizes the historic and economic importance of lobster in the United States.

"Maine's lobster industry helps drive our economy, supports our coastal communities, and is an integral part of our state's heritage," Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. "The ...

Australian Heard and McDonald Islands Toothfish Fishery is Recertified Under MSC

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - July 21, 2017

The Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) Patagonian toothfish fishery has received recertification to the MSC standard for sustainable fishing. Originally certified in 2012, the fishery was once riddled with illegal and unregulated fishing for the valuable species, found across the southern ocean. 

But due to robust and collaborative management, there has not been illegal fishing in the region since 2006, according to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the international science-based body with 25 member nations tasked with managing Antarctic resources.

The HIMI fishery is managed by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) in accordance with measures set by CCAMLR....

Bakkafrost Shuts Down Salmon Harvesting Due to Listeria; Market to be Short Large Fish

SEAFOODNEWS.COM by John Sackton July 19, 2017

Bakkafrost, the major salmon producer in the Faroe Islands, discovered listeria bacteria in its production last week.

This was confirmed by the CEO Regin Jacobsen, to the ilaks newsletter.

“It is true that we have found listeria bacteria in production last week. Therefore, the entire production line was washed.”

The company is not certain how much of the fish was shipped before the listeria was discovered, but Jacobsen says the testing showed small amounts, less than 10 parts per million per gram. Under 100 parts per million listeria is destroyed by ...

High Quality Shrimp Breeding Farm Set Up in Mekong Delta

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Vietnam News Summary] July 20, 2017

Construction on the first high-quality breeding shrimp farm began in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang on July 18.

Invested by Viet-Uc Corporation (VUC) at a total cost of 120 billion VND (5.21 million USD), the farm will sit on a site of over 23ha in the first stage which will be completed in June 2018, producing around 5 billion breeding shrimps per year and generating jobs to roughly 400 local workers.

The second stage, which will start in late 2018, will extend to more than 60ha.

Luong Thanh Van, Chairman of the VUC Board of Directors and General Director, said VUC has produced about ...

New Study Quantifies Impact of Different Types of Bottom Trawls on Seabed Ecosystem

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] by Peggy Parker - July 19, 2017

In a new study, an international group of scientists found that comparing four types of fishing gear that touches the seafloor, otter trawls are the most benign and usually result in the best recovery times for animal life at the bottom.

“We found that otter trawls penetrated the seabed 2.4 cm on average and caused the least amount of depletion of marine organisms, removing 6% of biota per trawl pass on the seabed," said lead author Professor Jan Hiddink from Bangor University (UK).

"In contrast, we found that hydraulic dredges penetrated the seabed 16.1 cm on average and caused the greatest depletion, removing 41% of the biota per fishing pass.”

Depending on the type of fishing gear, penetration depth, and environmental variables....

China Research Vessel Leaves Tomorrow for First Circumnavigation of Arctic Rim

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - July 19, 2017

In a first ever attempt to circumnavigate the top of the world, Chinese research vessel and icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, will leave its home port in Shanghai tomorrow to head for the Northeast Passage and return via the Northwest Passage to attempt its first circumnavigation of the Arctic rim.

Since 2009, the Northeast Passage, across the northern shore of Russia, has been used by shipping companies from Asian regions with cargo to Russia and Europe. The first commercial transit of the Northeast Passage was made by two German cargo ships that sailed from South Korea for Europe via Vladivastok and the Russian Northeast Passage. At that time, Russian permission was...

Bristol Bay Run Exceeds 50M, Catch Over 33M, Season Not Over Yet

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [KDLG.org] by Dave Bendinger - July 17, 2017

The Bristol Bay sockeye run sailed past 50 million sometime Sunday, July 16, with a cumulative catch of 33 million sockeye. This exceeds both the ADF&G preseason forecast of 27.5 million fish and the University of Washington's 30.5 million sockeye estimate.

The 800,000-fish daily catch on Saturday was under a million fish for the first time since July 2. With escapement still strong, and another two million sockeye expected in the Naknek-Kvichal District, the 2017 season could be among the top three largest since 1995.

Trident, Icicle, and at least one buyer in Togiak confirmed Sunday that they are posting a $1 per pound base price for Bristol Bay's catch this year. That's up a quarter from last season...

Gulf Reef Fishermen Support Conservationists Lawsuit Against NOAA Fisheries on Red Snapper

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - July 18, 2017

The Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance today announced their support of the lawsuit brought against the Department of Commerce's decision to re-open the federal recreational red snapper season. The lawsuit was filed yesterday by the Environmental Defense Fund and the Ocean Conservancy.

"We share the concerns raised in this lawsuit," the Reef Fish Shareholders Alliance wrote, "and believe the recent action by the Commerce Department could have a major, negative impact on red snapper stock in the Gulf of Mexico.

"We have long believed that decisions related to fisheries management must be founded on sound science and broad stakeholder input.

"Commercial fishermen rely upon sustainable fisheries for our livelihoods, and American businesses and consumers depend on our efforts for reliable supplies of seafood. That is why we support a long-term solution to this situation that improves access to red snapper...

ASMFC Blasts Secretary Ross Decision on Summer Flounder in Favor of New Jersey’s Recreational Sector

SEAFOODNEWS.COM by Peggy Parker - July 17, 2017

Decision overturns a 75 year precident on collective state management of fishery resources.

In a stunning decision to grant New Jersey’s recreational summer flounder fishery a waiver from new regulations to conserve the stock, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has shattered a 75-year practice of honoring the scientific process of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The letter was written to Executive Director Robert Beal and signed by Chris Oliver, Assistant Administrator NOAA Fisheries on July 11, 2017.

Oliver notes that the Atlantic Coastal Act's compliance process rests on two criteria -- whether or not New Jersey has failed to carry out its responsibility under the management plan and if so, whether the measures the state failed to implement are needed for conservation purposes of summer ...

Chinese Mainland Demand for Crayfish is High; Industry Employs 5 Million

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [163] translated by Amy Zhong - July 18, 2017

There is great demand for crayfish in mainland China, which contributes to a business worth tens of billions of dollars and creates jobs for about five million people. It is reported that around 879,3000 tons of crayfish have been consumed in China last year alone. And the number of young consumers is on the rise, which will promote rapid growth of this industry with value as high as 146.6 billion yuan (~ $22 billion U.S.) . The crayfish output is close to 900,000 tons in the mainland during 2016, which has made China ..

News Summary July 20, 2017 

Today's Main Story: Booming Demand for Lobster Means Record Catches and High Prices 

Today's lead item reports that the lobster business is booming in Maine. Lobstermen are hauling in record catches, while prices are near all-time highs. That's because the industry is also seeing record demand. U.S. lobstermen have seen their yearly haul quintuple over the last 30 years. They brought in 131 million pounds of the crustacean in 2016, more than 80 percent of that was caught in Maine. The industry made a huge push to increase demand, both domestically and around the globe. And they've had great success, especially in China, where distributors are marketing Maine lobster as a clean source of quality protein. It also helps that the Chinese word for lobster is similar to the word for dragon, it resembles the mythical creature and when cooked, it turns the lucky color red.

In other news, the Bristol Bay Sockeye run is not over yet, with word Monday that the Kvichak River seemed to finally “pop”, but this year’s fishery is shaping up to be one of the largest ever and certainly one of the most valuable in a long time. The total run was predicted to be 41.5 million, allowing for a harvest of 27.5 million sockeye, but through Monday the fleet had hauled in over 34 million and the total run was already past 51 million.

Meanwhile, it will be another week or so before ...

News Summary July 18, 2017 

Today's Main Story: Bristol Bay Run Exceeds 50M, Catch Over 33M, Season Not Over Yet 

Opening the news today is a look at the Bristol Bay sockeye run which sailed past 50 million sometime Sunday, July 16, with a cumulative catch of 33 million sockeye. This exceeds both the ADF&G preseason forecast of 27.5 million fish and the University of Washington's 30.5 million sockeye estimate. The 800,000-fish daily catch on Saturday was under a million fish for the first time since July 2. With escapement still strong, and another two million sockeye expected in the Naknek-Kvichal District, the 2017 season could be among the top three largest since 1995. Last year's harvest was 37.3 million sockeye out of a 54 million total run. In 2015, the sockeye harvest was 35.7 million out of a 58 million total run. 

In other news, the United States' Department of Homeland Security on Monday announced a one-time increase of 15,000 additional visas for low-wage seasonal workers for the remainder of this fiscal year, a seeming about-face from President Trump's "Hire American" rhetoric, following heavy lobbying from fisheries, hospitality and other industries that rely on temporary foreign workers. The increase represents a 45 percent bump from the number of H-2B visas normally issued for the second half of the fiscal year, said senior Homeland Security officials in a call with reporters. The visas are for workers taking temporary jobs in the seafood, tourism, landscaping, construction and other seasonal industries — but not farm laborers. 

Meanwhile, the cold saltwater along Maine’s coast harbors a growing oyster industry that is riding the bivalves’ blossoming popularity and the state’s reputation for quality seafood. Experts predict that the industry, which had a record year in 2016, could triple in size within the next dozen years. “It is actually quite simple, the Maine oyster is viewed as the preeminent oyster in the marketplace because of water quality and low water temperature,” said Sebastian Belle, executive director of the Maine Aquaculture Association. 

Finally today, the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance announced their support of the lawsuit brought against the Department of Commerce's decision to re-open the federal recreational red snapper season. The lawsuit was filed by the Environmental Defense Fund and the Ocean Conservancy. The suit was filed yesterday in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against Commerce's decision to "increasing ...

West Coast Dungeness Crab Season: Rocky Start, Good Markets, High Value

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] by Susan Chambers - July 20. 2017

It's been a banner season for Dungeness crab fishermen on the West Coast, despite a rocky start due to the presence of domoic acid and live market problems with China.

The total for all three states is close to 58 million pounds so far, for a total value of $180 million for this season. By comparison, the total for the 2015-16 season was 42 million pounds and $149 million. West Coast crabbers and processors have been able to seize a huge market opportunity and overcome obstacles ...

BlueOcean Expanding Market for Pure Polar Shrimp Oil

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - July 20, 2017

Toronto, Ontario - BlueOceanNutraSciences is expanding its market to private labels for its Pure Polar(R) Double Strength shrimp oil.

The company announced yesterday that Pure Polar Labs, a wholly owned subsidiary, received its first private label order for the Pure Polar shrimp oil, to be marketed under the customer's brand.

BlueOcean’s strategy is to partner with a select group of customers who will market their formulas under private brands to markets that do not compete directly with Blue Oceans current...

VIDEO: Trident Seafoods Value; Bakkafrost Bacteria Outbreak; UK Seafood Fraud  

Canadian Fisheries Puts $8.9 Million in Upgrade, Expansion of St. Andrews Biological Station in NB

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafoodnews] July 20, 2017

Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard today announced that the Government of Canada continues to implement investments of $8.9 million at the St. Andrews Biological Station, Atlantic Canada's oldest marine research facility.

Minister LeBlanc also announced that 15 new scientists, biologists, hydrographers and other science professionals will be located at the Station. These new employees will support healthy fish stocks and ecosystems, and sustainable aquaculture...

UK Sushi Bars Accused of Mislabeling Some Seafood, but Not as Much as US

SEAFOODNEWS.COM  [The Times] by Elizabeth Burden July 19, 2017

Sushi bars are committing "seafood fraud" by serving customers the wrong fish, a study has found.

Researchers examined labelling practices in restaurants and found that in many cases fish was being mislabelled, or not labelled at all. Stefano Mariani, a conservation geneticist at Salford University, who presented his work to the Fisheries Society of the British Isles, said: "This is about transparency. People don't know what they are buying. There is now a huge trade in lesser-known species that have not been assessed. Imagine how impossible it is for a ...

Global Salmon Initiative Strengthens Global Presence with Acceptance of Four New Members

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - July 19, 2017

London, United Kingdom – The Global Salmon Initiative (GSI) announce the acceptance of four new members: Australis Seafoods S.A., Bjørøya, Midt-Norsk Ha vbruk AS and Nova Sea AS, bringing the GSI membership to 16 salmon farming companies and eight Associate Members.

“We are delighted to welcome four new members into the GSI,” Gerardo Balbontin, GSI Co-Chair and CEO of Blumar Seafoods, said in a press release. “It is a sign that what we ...

Chicago Tastemakers Meet Maine's Most Iconic Seafood: Lobster

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Seafood News] - July 19, 2017

PORTLAND, Maine -- The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC) headed to the Midwest this week and brought a taste of Maine to chefs and culinary influencers in Chicago during a Maine Lobster-inspired industry night event. The MLMC hosted the event to educate and inspire local chefs and industry leaders in one of the largest and most influential food hubs in the country.

In partnership with prominent Chef Giuseppe Tentori of GT Fish & Oyster, the MLMC hosted a "Maine After Midnight" celebration ...

Live Canadian Geoducks Arrive at New Airport Clearance Site in Qingdao For First Time

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Shuichan] translated by Amy Zhong - July 19, 2017

A batch of Canadian live geoducks weighing 374 kg arrived at Qingdao on July 3 for the first time. They are from the North Pacific of Canada with a value of $20,000 U.S.

The new route between Qingdao and Vancouver not only makes traveling and business trips more convenient but also helps the import of fresh food. Imported food will be delivered to different markets in China from here. For example, after clearance, these geoducks will be transported to markets in Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Qingdao airport has cooperated with relevant agencies ...

Russian Salmon Season off to Strong Start; up 30-40% Over 2015

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Japan Reports]  July 18, 2017

Reports from the Hokkaido North Pacific Development Association are that Russia's salmon season is off to a strong start, and the TINRO survey results point to a big run of pink salmon this year.

Russia’s salmon landings in the Far East aggregated about 15,600 tons as of July 3, kicking off a favorable start of the season with a 32% increase over the like period of 2015, the most recent odd-numbered year, according to Sapporo-based North Pacific Development Association.

By species, sockeye totaled about 12,300 tons, centering on Kamchatka, with 1,860 tons of chum, 1,000 tons of pink salmon, and 290 tons of king salmon.

The association also said that the Russian scientific institute made public the results...

Japan Claims China Exceeded International Management Measures for Mackerel

SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Japan reports] - July 18, 2017

The Japan Fisheries and Education Agency (JFREA) based in Yokohama unveiled on July 10 its estimate that Chinese fishing boats had caught 300,000 to 400,000 tons of mackerel on the North Pacific high seas off eastern Hokkaido and Sanriku in Miyagi Prefecture in 2016.

This amount corresponds to more than double 143,000 tons China reported to the North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC), an international organization governing management of mackerel in the North Pacific.

The Japanese government's Fisheries Agency expressed concern that the Chinese take could impact the mackerel stock in the Pacific as a whole and ... 

News Summary July 21, 2017 

Today's Main Story: Shrimp Market Prices Generally Stable 

Today’s lead story focuses on how although the shrimp market has remained relatively stable throughout the year, we have seen slight price declines in recent weeks for some HSLO sizes as well as value-added products. Urner Barry's Market Reporter, Angel Rubio, provides commentary and analysis on this commodity. 

In other news, on the Eastern Coast of the US some shoreline restaurants are dealing with a low supply of clams. Clam shacks reportedly said they haven't been able to get their normal supply of clams at the peak of the season. The demand is high and the prices are the same. To that end, Atlantic Capes Fisheries announced on Tuesday that the supply will increase this week thanks to the purchase of Mandy Lynn, which is a new two-truckload surf clam vessel which gives them seven ...

News Summary July 19, 2017 

Today's Main Story: Bloomberg: Trident Valued at $2.1 Billion, with Chuck Bundrant on Bloomberg Billionaires Index 

Headlining the news today is a look at Chuck Bundrant’s Trident Seafoods which is valued at $2.1 billion. Trident was formed in 1973 with two partners and one boat. Chuck Bundrant was a college freshman with $80 in his pocket when he drove halfway across the country to Seattle to earn a few bucks fishing. The year was 1961. He hasn’t stopped fishing since. And today, Bundrant, the founder and majority owner of Trident, is worth at least $1.1 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His wealth is due to a fair measure of pluck. Back in the early 1980s, he persuaded Americans to eat pollock, then considered a trash fish, at fast-food restaurants and, to this day, Trident ships it + along with salmon and cod + to chains including Costco and Safeway. 

In other news, Bakkafrost, the major salmon producer in the Faroe Islands, discovered listeria bacteria in its production last week. This was confirmed by its CEO Regin Jacobsen. The company is not certain how much of the fish was shipped before the listeria was discovered, but Jacobsen says the testing showed small amounts, less than 10 parts per million per gram. Listeria is destroyed by cooking in any amount under 100 parts per. This salmon, however, is not suitable for sushi. 

In the UK, sushi bars are committing "seafood fraud" by serving customers the wrong fish, a study has found. Researchers examined labeling practices in restaurants and found that in many cases fish was being mislabeled, or not labeled at all. Substitution levels in the UK were significantly lower, however, than those observed in North America. Research indicated that the average British fish-eater could only distinguish two out of six common fish. About half could tell a salmon from a mackerel, but only a third could identify cod. 

In a new study, an international group of scientists found that in comparing four types of fishing gear that touches the seafloor, otter trawls were found to be