AP Story Documents Slavery in Thai Shrimp Peeling Sheds; Major US Companies Tainted by Association
A detailed AP story on abusive shrimp peeling sheds in Thailand has led to closures and arrests. However, many major US importers and their customers were implicated by association with the tainted shrimp. Thai Union said it will end use of outside peeling houses by January 1st. Others are going to have to follow suit if this problem is to be contained, as local corruption and the illegal status of migrants have made this a continuing problem according to John Sackton.
The New England Fishery Management Council recommended a slight increase in Days at Sea for the 2016 scallop fishery. At the same time, they left the allocation in the limited access areas to 51,000 lbs per vessel, the same as in 2015. Landings this past season were short of expectations mostly the result of smaller sized scallops. Many observers expect this trend to continue and think 2016 landings will be similar or just slightly above this season’s volumes.
In other news the US House passed a Conference Report that will move forward the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. According to John Sackton the legislation includes some long-sought changes in how Custom enforces anti-dumping and countervailing duty violations that have been pushed for years by US domestic shrimp producers.
We are sad to report the passing of Ken Conrad, well known to many in the seafood industry as former President and CEO of Libby Hill's Seafood Restaurants; he was 72. Conrad aksi served as the Chairman of the National Fisheries Institute in 2010 and was a general advocate for the seafood industry. "Ken's legacy is one of success and family, he will be greatly missed,” said NFI President John Connelly.
Finally, Ecuador’s shrimp exports to Asian markets—mostly to China—are up sharply in 2015. Ecuador producers have long had an incentive and preference to sell head on shrimp. This trend continues to squeeze the US market share for Ecuadorian product.
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