ASMI Pushes Back Against British Campaigners Who Object to Alaska Salmon Processed in China A statement from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Insitute explained why Alaskan salmon sold at grocery stores in the UK is processed in China. This response was prompted after Tesco explained its supply chain practices to customers on social media who wanted to know why its wild Alaskan salmon fillet products carry a Country of Origin label that says China. The grocer's response triggered some blowback about the carbon footprint that is created to produce Alaskan salmon for the UK market. But ASMI defended the industry's practices. "'Salmon... are exported to China because it is the most efficient means of providing a quality product," an ASMI spokesperson said. They added that hand filleting provides a better yield than machine filleting, which "offsets the CO2 footprint and means more of the fish is consumed and utilized." An updated set of fishing data sheets compiled by United Fishermen of Alaska emphasizes the importance of commercial fishing and seafood processing to many Alaska communities, including Cordova. “Alaska’s commercial fisheries bring millions in fishing and processing revenue and employ may thousands in the major fishing ports every year,” said Jerry McCune, president of UFA. “Alaska’s seafood industry is also a significant contributor for tax revenues and indirect jobs for virtually all Alaska communities." In other news, federal fishery officials in Chile enacted algae monitoring protocols in the Gulf of Penas after a toxic strain was detected last week in 149,000 dead salmon smolt. Surveillance is now underway for waters in the Gulf of Penas, which is a major shipping lane that salmon producers use to transport fish by boat. The salmon were infected with the Karenia mikimotoi strain of algae during transport since the boats recirculate the Gulf waters into the salmon holding tanks during the relocation process. Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard is still searching for a Seattle-based crab boat with six crew members aboard that apparently sank in rough seas about two miles northwest of St. George Island, Alaska. The 98-foot crab boat the F/V Destination sent out an emergency beacon Saturday morning from an area where 30 mph winds, below-freezing temperatures and snow had whipped up 5- to 8-foot seas. The boat is based in Seattle and two Seattle residents are listed among its ownership group. The Coast Guard said the boat operates out of Sand Point, Alaska. Finally, Maine-based Bristol Seafood was named the "2016 Vendor of the Year" by major West Coast seafood distributor Santa Monica Seafood. "They have a very high fulfillment rate, little to no quality issues, and they are great at not only providing us market data, but also presenting us several options before we make a strategic purchase," said Roger O’Brien, CEO of Santa Monica Seafood. Bristol also named Ted McDermott as the Regional Sales Manager for its new branch on the West Coast.