Hokkaido Sea of Japan Herring Exceeds Record-Breaking 5000 Tons

Herring fishing along the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan (Northern Shiribeshi-Soya) in Hokkaido continued to progress mainly in the Rumoi area in April. The catch as of the end of the month (preliminary figures by Hokkaido) increased by 64% from the same period of the previous year to 5075 tons. It exceeded 5,000 tons for the first time since 1996 when the resource enhancement project (seedling release project) started, reported Suisan Keizai.

It further increased from the 4000 ton level...

Standing Fish Price Setting Panel Releases Decision for 2022 Sea Cucumber Price

On May 18th the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel released their decision for the 2022 sea cucumber price.

FFAW-Unifor and the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) entered into negotiations earlier this month but were unable to reach an agreement. ASP submitted a price of $0.55/lb, while FFAW submitted a price of $0.68/ lb. The Standing Fish Price Setting Panel ultimately sided with FFAW, accepting the price offer of $0.68/lb, based on a  27.5% reduction for water...

Foreign Fishermen Unable to Begin Catch in Russian Territorial Waters This Year

Foreign fishermen are unable to begin their catch in the Russian territorial waters this year due to ongoing military conflict between Ukraine and Russia and sanctions, imposed on the latter.

The biggest problems are currently observed in the case of pollock fishermen from South Korea, which traditionally begin their fishing season in Russia in the middle of May. There is a high possibility that their fishing season in Russia will fail this year, as most fishermen have not even been able to transfer funds for...

Crabs and Electromagnetic Fields, Sea Urchin Farming Among Studies Receiving Oregon Sea Grant Funding

From sea urchin farming to mud blister worms, five Oregon State University researchers will benefit from Oregon Sea Grant awards for new studies informing fisheries, aquaculture and living on Oregon's coast.

Oregon Sea Grant awarded $1.15 million to scientists studying sea urchin farming techniques; electromagnetic fields’ impact on marine life; effect of low oxygen conditions on crabs; prevention of beach erosion; and mud blister worm infestation of oysters, the organization said in a statement.

Oregon Sea Grant receives a share ...

Sea Grant, Federal Agencies Eye Projects Related to Fisheries and Offshore Wind in Northeast

The Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and Water Power Technologies Office, and NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, announced six projects to advance social science and technology research related to offshore renewable energy in the Northeast United States.

This funding opportunity, first announced in March 2021, seeks to catalyze research for the coexistence of marine energy—including wind, current, tidal, and wave energies—with Northeast fishing and coastal communities. The funding partnership applies the Sea Grant model to connect ...

Class Action Targeting Retailer ALDI’s Salmon Sustainability Claims Moves Forward

A class-action lawsuit that targets marketing claims made by retailer ALDI for its fresh Atlantic salmon products will move forward following a decision by District Judge Jorge L. Alonso in the U.S. District Court of Illinois on May 17.

Alonso tossed ALDI’s motion to dismiss the class action that alleges the supermarket “falsely and deceptively markets its Atlantic Salmon products as sustainably sourced.”

The law firm representing the plaintiffs on the case, Richman Law & Policy, which is involved in several seafood sustainability-linked lawsuits, said this was...

McDonald’s Agrees to Sell Russian Assets to Existing Licensee

Days after McDonald’s announced it would exit the Russian market and sell its entire portfolio, the company reached a sale and purchase agreement with its existing licensee Alexander Govor.

Govor will acquire the entire Russian McDonald’s restaurant portfolio and operate the restaurants under a new brand. Govor has served as a licensee since 2015 and has operated 25 restaurants in Siberia.

McDonald’s said the agreement remains subject to certain conditions, including regulatory approval, with closing expected to occur in the coming weeks...

FFAW Pushes Back On St. Mary’s Crab Plant Opposers With Their Own Facts

FFAW-Unifor wants to present their facts when it comes to the proposed crab plant in St. Mary’s.

As SeafoodNews previously reported, plant workers have voiced their opposition to the proposed new fish processing capacity, which would create 200 new jobs. Derek Butler, the Executive Director of the Association of Seafood Producers, released a statement this week saying that “if new processing capacity is approved, stability of the industry will come into question.”

“New capacity would mean fewer hours for existing workers...

Latest Acosta Report Indicates Consumers Dining Out Less Due to Inflation

Acosta, a sales and marketing service provider for the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, shared its latest findings which showed that 54% of consumers are dining out less due to inflation.

The group also noted that one-third of respondents chose to trade down, rather than trade out. This means that consumers are deciding to opt for less expensive restaurant and meal options to counter rising prices.

The findings stem from Acosta’s sixth edition of The Why? Behind the Dine, a research report providing foodservice-specific insight bolstered by...

It Takes a Village: Unalaska Keeps 20-Year Salmon Data Set Going Even Without a Commercial Fishery

Sockeye salmon runs are so important to the residents of Unalaska that the mayor, city council members, Unalaska Native Fishermen's Association (UNFA), APICDA the regional CDQ group, the local Fish and Game Advisory Committee, and local business leaders made sure that the annual surveys counting returning salmon would continue even after the McLees Lake weir was shut down in 2018. 

The salmon returning to the island’s three lakes are caught only for subsistence purposes for the remote island's 4,400 residents. Unalaska is 800 ...

This Week in Retail: Beef Ads Lag Leading Up to Memorial Day

The Memorial Day holiday is just one weekend away and grocers are gearing up for the unofficial start to the summer grilling season.

This major retail occasion typically drives sales from the meat case, with items like burgers and hot dogs stealing the spotlight.

Beef features account for 28% of total protein ad volume this week, up slightly from the previous week. Pork and seafood are tied for second with 25%. Chicken claims 16%, even with the week prior. 

While beef holds the top spot in retail buying opportunities, market participants have reported lackluster beef features for this time of year. May is typically the strongest period of the year for beef demand...

While beef holds the top spot in buying opportunities, market participants have noted lackluster beef features for this time of year. May is typically the strongest period of the year for beef demand...

Thai Union Invests in Leading Micro-Algae Ingredients Producer Mara Renewables Corporation

Thai Union Group announced on Wednesday that they have invested CAD $10 million in Mara Renewables Corporation as part of Mara’s CAD $39.5 million growth funding round. The investment from Thai Union and other industry-leading financial partners will help accelerate Mara’s expansion of their micro-algal products and unique innovation.

The Nova Scotia-based company, which launched in 2012, is one of the world’s leading producers of sustainably grown algae-based bio-products. Since their inception they’ve built a portfolio of micro-algal strains...

Green Plains, Key U.S. Trout Producer Partner to Expand Aquafeed Production in Idaho

Green Plains announced a partnership with the Riverence Group, owner of Riverence Farms LLC and Riverence Provisions LLC, collectively the largest trout producer in the Americas, to expand aquafeed production in Idaho.

The new joint venture will lead to trout and salmon feed production for the Riverence Group, utilizing wholesome, sustainable ingredients including the 60%+ fermented protein product recently announced after the success of the development trial at Green Plains Wood River.

“This partnership is yet another validation of our transformational path, creating...

Lineage Logistics Named to CNBC Disruptor 50 List for Second Year in a Row

Lineage Logistics appeared on CNBC Disruptor 50 list in back-to-back years the company announced on May 17. The company landed on the #3 spot after debuting at the #17 spot in 2021.

CNBC’s list displays the 50 fast-growing private companies in a number of industries. 

Companies named as a CNBC Disruptor 50 are selected by CNBC and CNBC.com editorial staff using a proprietary blend of quantitative and qualitative information submitted by more than 1,400 nominated companies, Lineage shared in a press release...

ASP Backs Plant Workers Who Oppose New Fish Processing Capacity

The Association of Seafood Producers is doubling down on their opposition of the potential St. Mary’s crab plant. Last week the trade group, which represents seafood producers in Newfoundland and Labrador, said that a proposed crab plant in St. Mary’s “would result in less hours of work for those in existing facilities, and is the wrong way to build stability in the industry.” The group is standing by their statement and supporting the plant workers who oppose it.

“If new processing capacity is...

Genova Premium Tuna Teams Up with Top Chef Judge to Create Mediterranean Dinner Party Collection

Genova Premium Tuna is looking to take advantage of the rise of dinner parties with its latest partnership with Top Chef judge and cookbook author, Gail Simmons.

The duo has curated a dinner party collection during Mediterranean Diet Month filled with an easy-to-make recipe guide and beautiful table settings inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle, this one-of-a-kind collection is perfect for summer entertaining.

Starting now through June 30, dinner party host veterans or newcomers can enter to win one of 75...

First of the Year Copper River Salmon Hits Market at High Prices, Low Volume

The thrill is back! Freshly-caught Copper River Chinook and sockeye salmon met the red carpet in Seattle as Alaska Airlines delivered the eagerly-awaited fish to market. Like the first strawberries in spring, Alaska’s Copper River salmon are prized for their taste, and given VIP treatment right to the plate. 

The season began Monday morning in a 12-hour opener when 12,800 sockeye and 2,706 Chinook were caught in the waters  ...

Photo Credit Alaska Airlines. Greg McDole, Copper River Seafoods, with the celebratory first fish in Seattle.

More Snow Crab Grid Closures Announced in Gulf of St. Lawrence This Week

Right whale sightings and acoustic detections have temporarily closed additional grids in the Gulf of St. Lawrence this week.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced on Monday that two full grids and a portion of two other grids would be closing on May 19, 2022 at 5 p.m. Full grids HE39 and HE40, as well as a portion of HF39 and HF40 are the latest to be impacted as part of the DFO’s 2022 North Atlantic right whale management measures. Those closures...

U.S. and Japan Coast Guards Strengthen Their Alliance, Focus on Indo-Pacific Region 

On Wednesday in Tokyo, Vice Adm. Michael McAllister, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, and Vice Adm. Yoshio Seguchi, Japan Coast Guard vice commandant for operations took part in a signing ceremony that expands the two countries’ alliance and establishes a
a new perpetual operation. 

Japan and the U.S. have had a memorandum of cooperation between the two sea services since ...

Photo: McAllister, Seguchi, and members of their staffs pose in front of the Japan Coast Guard Ship Bukou (PL 10), May 18, 2022. Courtesy USCG

White Cane Sockeye Salmon Issues Recall Over Undeclared Allergens

White Cane Smoked Salmon, an Idaho-based firm, recalled Wild Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon because it contains undeclared Wheat and Soy, a pair of undeclared allergens on May 19.

The affected Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon had been sold at farmer’s markets Green Valley, Udall Park, Oro Valley, and Rillito Park in Arizona. The affected product was last sold on 5/15/2022.

The affected Alaskan Cooked and Smoked Salmon is packaged in vacuum bag, sold frozen, and there is no...

Benin, Global Fishing Watch Partner to Combat IUU Fishing in West Africa

Benin, a West African country, and the Global Fishing Watch have partnered to improve the country’s monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing activities within its waters.

The pair signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) where the Global Fishing Watch will provide tech support that includes fisheries analysis, capacity building and training on its vessel monitoring tools. In return, the country will develop a vessel monitoring system, or VMS, and has formally agreed to share its data via the Global Fishing Watch map...

Lund’s Fisheries to Be Featured On Outdoor Channel’s “The Fishmonger,” Airing May 23

Make sure you’re in front of your TV at 8:30 p.m. on Monday night. Lund’s Fisheries will be featured on the Outdoor Channel’s latest episode of “The Fishmonger.”

“The Fishmonger” is hosted by Tommy Gomes, aka Tommy the Fishmonger. Gomes is determined to put San Diego “back on the map as a major fishing port,” and in season one the show followed him as he explored the challenges being faced by San Diego commercial fishermen, as well as...

USDA Spends Just Shy of $10 Million in Latest Alaska Pollock Purchase

The latest purchase award description from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that it bought over 3.2 million pounds of Alaska pollock products for just shy of $10 million.

Back on May 4, the USDA shared its latest invitation for offers to sell pollock products as it eyed frozen fillets, frozen sticks, bulk containers and breaded frozen sticks.

Nearly all of the purchase came from Trident Seafoods which sold 3,094,400 lbs. of pollock products for $9,690,268. Meanwhile, American Seafoods sold 118,000...

Several Canadian Seafood Associations to Split $1.7 Million in Funding to Grow Export Markets

Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau announced more than CA$1.7 million in funding for six projects to help expand seafood exports to international markets.

The funding will head to six recipients in the seafood industry under the AgrMarketing program to help the organizations promote and market Canadian fish and seafood products to increase growth in the sector. Recipient organizations include:

- Atlantic Groundfish Council will receive up to $85,506...

Tiny Oregon Port Wins Big on Vessel Crane Replacement Project

Port Orford's small boats will have a safer, more reliable crane system to lift them out of the water in one of Oregon's smallest commercial fishing ports.

The Port of Port Orford said in a press release it launched a $2.3 million crane replacement project, with $1.6 million coming from from Connect Oregon and a loan of $694,000 from Business Oregon. The aging cranes will be replaced by new state-of-the-art upgraded cranes that will keep ...

Sanford Credits Post-COVID Recovery for Boosted First Half Results

New Zealand seafood giant Sanford Limited reported “solid recovery” in the first half of 2022 with its Adjusted EBIT reaching $19.2 million (US$12.3), a 79% increased when compared to the first half of 2021. Revenue also jumped 16% to $270.9 million, up from $233.5 million.

CEO Peter Reidie says the result is pleasing, although challenges continue on the domestic front.

“The uplift in EBIT and revenue is satisfying and we are pleased we have been in a good position to take advantage...

Atlantic Natural Foods Expands Assortment of Shelf-Stable, Plant-Based Foods For Foodservice

You can get them at your local grocery store, but Atlantic Natural Foods also wants to make sure that you can order their products at your favorite restaurant. The company, which is the manufacturer of shelf-stable, plant-based products, like tuna alternative TUNO, announced this week that they’ve expanded their Modern Menu offerings.

Modern Menu, which was designed specifically for foodservice operators, launched in July 2021. The line  offers an assortment of delicious and versatile meatless proteins and meal starters, which ship fully cooked...

Sysco to Deploy 800 Electric Trucks by 2026 for U.S. Customers

Food distribution giant Sysco signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with truck manufacturer Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) to deploy nearly 800 battery-electric trucks set to serve Sysco customers by 2026, both companies announced jointly on May 19.

"Sysco is committed to making meaningful investments to support achievement of our climate goals, including those that encourage the development of electric tractors and trailers. We are eager to partner with a like-minded industry leader like Daimler Truck North America to deploy battery electric trucks nationwide,” said Marie Robinson...

68-Year-Old Crewmember Medevaced From Fishing Vessel Near Cordova, Alaska

Aircrew with Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak was deployed earlier this week to medevac a 68-year-old crewmember from a fishing vessel near Cordova.

At 9:38 p.m. on Monday, personnel at the Sector Anchorage Command Center received a request for assistance from the crewmember’s wife. The wife reported that her husband had suddenly stopped texting after stating he was “in trouble” due to lack of oxygen on board the vessel. Coast Guard personnel made multiple attempts to communicate with the fishing vessel...

Thai Union Sells Assets of Dabrowa Chelminska Facility to Polish Seafood Manufacturer

Européenne de la Mer’s subsidiary, MerAlliance Poland SP z.o.o., which is part of the European chilled business of Thai Union Group, has sold the assets from its fish processing facility in Dąbrowa Chełmińska. The assets have been sold to Polish seafood manufacturer Dobry Pracownik Sp. z.o.o.

The decision to sell assets from the plant in Dąbrowa Chełmińska comes a little over seven months after Européenne de la Mer announced that they would be closing the plant, which is located near Bydgoszcz, Poland...