Russia Proposes Controversial Plan to Lift Trawling Ban to Raise Crab Catch 27% by 2018  Russia announced a controversial plan to lift a ban on trawling in order to raise its crab catch to 72,000 metric tons a year by 2018. According to the proposed plan developed by Russian fishery officials with Rosrybolovstvo, red king crab production in Kamchatka would quadruple from current levels to 20,000 metric tons. This increase would help Russia meet its overall production goal by 2018. However, scientists with the Kamchatka Research Institute said lifting the trawl ban could result in long-term depletion of Kamchatka's crab biomass Thai Union Group named Valentin Ramirez CEO of Tri-Union Seafood, the processing and distribution arm for its Chicken of the Sea International brand.“The appointment of Valentin Ramirez as CEO of one of our key North American subsidiaries reflects our long-term commitment to the market. With his depth of experience and expertise in the industry, Ramirez will be able to significantly contribute to building the Chicken of the Sea brand and the overall business growth of Thai Union Group,” said Thiraphong Chansiri, CEO of Thai Union. In other news, CP Prima expects to grow its export revenues about 8 percent through higher sales of ASC-certified shrimp to the EU market. The company is planning to expand its ASC-certified shrimp sales to markets in Italy, Cyprus and Scandinavia. "With this certificate, our products will sell better in the international market, especially in Europe," said CP Prima president director Irwan Tirtariyadi. Meanwhile, Peggy Parker recaps the new and returning members to the eight regional fishery management councils. The Department of Commerce announced the appointments yesterday. The three-year terms for each council member will start on August 11. Finally, the Pacific Fishery Management Council hired Chuck Tracy to take over as Executive Director of the Council during its meeting today in Tacoma, Washington. Tracy replaces Dr. Don McIsaac who retired earlier this year. Tracy was working as interim executive director since McIsacc's announcement. He has worked both at the Council and in other state fishery management agencies for 34 years.