Slight Caution sounded on Fraser sockeye run this week
There were mixed signals about the Fraser River sockeye run this week, as the Fraser River Panel slightly reduced its previous estimates of both the early and summer runs. They have not issued a forecast on the late summer run, the main event, although they may do so later today. Earlier in the week the DFO cancelled an expected purse seine opening, disrupting some fresh shipments. On the other hand, they had the first 24 hour gillnet opening in five years. Water temperatures are still a concern - they could be keeping fish from migrating up river. Also US fishermen are getting shut out - with the run 94% on the north side of Vancouver Island, very few salmon are passing through the boundary waters.
The Seafood Harvesters for America have noted a red-flag issue in the Senate version of Magnuson - a proposal by recreational interests to review allocations every five years. The bill would put such a review in place in the Gulf and South Atlantic councils. The impact would be to kill financing for commercial harvesters, who simply cannot borrow money with a only a five year time horizon- following which their allocations could be cut. The commercial sector has rebuilt sustainable US fisheries with NOAA- based on catch accountability and accurate reporting. Neither exists in the recreational sector. Now the recreational lobby wants to come in and grab that fish off consumers plates.
We noticed that fresh Alaskan halibut is scarce at Fulton market this year, as prices for Fresh Atlantic and Alaskan halibut have converged. Canadian halibut stocks are improving, and imports are up about 10% year to date. We look at what the price data is telling us - that less Alaskan halibut is being sold on the East Coast.
With the Market Basket drama resolved, major vendors such as Boston Sword and Tuna are working overtime to get stores quickly resupplied with perishables. The team spirit and loyalty shown between the restored management, employees, customers, and vendors bodes well for future Market Basket Success.
Finally, Russian inspectors are now looking at another 100 McDonald’s stores, and very well may force more closures. This ramping up of commercial harassment will strengthen the case for retaliation by the US - perhaps with more targeted moves than a total seafood boycott. One option would be to reclassify Alaska Pollock so that the name could only be used commercially in the US to refer to fish from Alaska.
Monday is the end of summer labor day holiday, and we will be closed. Have a great weekend. See you in September.
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