USDA Works to Update Contingency Plans Ahead of Possible Partial Government Shutdown

Time is rapidly winding down for Congress to avert a partial government shutdown, which will begin on Sunday if lawmakers fail to reach an agreement on spending legislation or approve a stopgap bill known as a continuing resolution (CR), to extend funding through November 17. 

As the Democratic-led Senate and House Republicans continue to work at odds, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is preparing for a potential partial shutdown that could cause widespread disruptions for millions of Americans and impact key reports that protein traders rely on to conduct their day-to-day businesses...

GAPP Annual Meeting Panel Talks about How to ‘Bring Sexy Back’ to Surimi

Linking surimi seafood to Japanese culture and Asian flavors and tapping into trendy, affluent and ‘foodie’ consumers with innovation and new messaging will be the key to increasing consumption of Wild Alaska Pollock surimi seafood, say expert panelists this morning at the fifth Wild Alaska Pollock Annual Meeting hosted by the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) at the Four Seasons, Seattle, today. Panelists from Aquamar, Angulas Aguinaga and the University of Oregon, moderated by Urner Barry’s Angel Rubio, talked of the opportunity to overcome consumer perceptions...

GAPP Announces New 2023-2024 Partnership Program Funding Recipients at Annual Meeting

At its fifth-ever Wild Alaska Pollock Annual Meeting, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced today the names of the companies who have been awarded fiscal year 2024 Partnerships.  The more than 200 attendees were the first to hear the news about which programs are funded for the coming round of partnerships and heard from current partners about the programs that are currently underway.  

“The Partnership Program is one of the most important ways GAPP builds demand and awareness of Wild Alaska Pollock and...

As Millennials Turn 40, ‘Provenance’ of Wild Alaska Pollock Matters Greatly

In a shocking statistic, the oldest millennial turned forty this year and shifting how we view this demographic will be critical to converting seafood-aware consumers to seafood-craving consumers, said data experts from Ketchum Analytics at the Wild Alaska Pollock Annual Meeting this morning in Seattle.  During the fifth-ever meeting, hosted by the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP), experts Mary Elizabeth Germaine and Lauren Hasse discussed how provenance, sustainability and affordability are key in targeting both millennials and the multicultural consumer and shared that...

Coast Guard Rescues 2 from Water 50 Miles Offshore Savannah

A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah aircrew rescued two men, Thursday, after their 34-foot fishing vessel sank 50 miles offshore Savannah, Georgia.

Coast Guard Sector Charleston watchstanders received a report from Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders of an emergency position indicating radio beacon activation from the fishing vessel Lady Diane plotting 50 miles offshore Savannah. District Seven watchstanders contacted the vessel’s registered owner who stated the vessel was offshore fishing with approximately two people aboard...

ANALYSIS: Ecuador Shrimp Producers Strengthen Position in Europe

As shrimp producers suffer from sluggish demand this year, and high inventories in Western markets, Ecuador continues to sell more shrimp abroad. According to CNA data released this week, Ecuador's shrimp exports from January to August climbed 15.4 percent year-on-year. This represents 804,713 metric tons of vannamei shrimp sent around the globe, 94 percent of which went to China, Europe, and the U.S. While European imports progressed by 8.3 percent and 1.2 percent for the U.S., Ecuador increased sales to China by 29.0 percent, which boosted the overall percentage...

Japan: August Sales of Ikura and Pollock Roe Increased, Herring Roe Price Highest in Recent Years

According to a report by the Suisan Keizai Shimbun, sales of salted fish roe at the Tokyo Central Wholesale Market in August increased slightly for Ikura salmon roe due to the arrival of new products, and for Pollock roe, which also increased despite the increase or decrease in unit prices. Herring roe also had a noticeably high price.

Sujiko salmon roe

The sales volume is low as it is pending the arrival of the new North American product, and the unit sales price...

Washington Rep. Introduces Safety Bill Aiming to Protect Washington’s Fishermen

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez introduced the Bryson Fitch Fisherman Protection Act, a bill that honors missing Pacific County crabber Bryson Fitch and aims to improve safety measures aboard fishing vessels.

“Fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, and it’s our responsibility to make sure these hard working men and women are protected on the job,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “This bill will help ensure more fishermen are equipped with the personal safety equipment they need to be located during an emergency. I’m continuing to keep...

Ocean Quahog Growing Quicker Thanks to Climate Change, According to New Study

The Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCEMFIS) said a pair of recent studies indicate that climate change has changed the life cycle of ocean quahogs, one of the longest-living species under the sea.

The pair of studies, funded by SCEMFIS, found that the species is growing “much faster and maturing much earlier” with global temperatures rising over the past 200 years, which SCEMFIS said is “one of the clearest examples yet on how climate change is affecting marine life...

What the Potential Government Shutdown May Mean for Agricultural Price Reporting 

A potential government shutdown is just days away, raising concerns among those who depend on critical data to make timely market assessments and business decisions. A shutdown will begin on October 1 at 12:01 a.m., the start of the federal fiscal year, if Congress does not pass a funding plan that President Biden signs into law.

The Senate is currently preparing its own bipartisan plan for a stopgap measure to keep offices funded after Saturday’s deadline. Failure to reach an agreement on a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal...

Japanese Market Stumbling in Purchasing New Season’s Chilean Coho

The procurement activities for frozen Chilean coho salmon remain calm, pending new product arrival. While the production volume is almost fixed, and there is no longer any concern about the supply of new products, the fate of the domestic market is still uncertain. The mainstay dressed fish in 6 to 9 pounds suggests a wholesale price of less than 900 yen/kg ($6.02/kg) in some cases, according to Suisan Keizai Shimbun.

According to Chilean producers, the number of coho salmon stocked in ponds for...

Russian Fishing Sector Continues to Move Towards Consolidation

The Russian fishing sector continues to move towards consolidation as leading local players expand their fleets and increase the volume of quotas under control.

One of such companies is Norebo, one of Russia’s leading fish producers, which may become a new owner of unfinished trawlers along with fishing quotas of its local rival The Murmanseld-2 fishing company.

According to the Russian Vedomosti business paper, the company is currently negotiating the “transfer” of a series of four unfinished trawlers.

Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program 2024 Funding Opportunity Open

NOAA Fisheries announces the availability of about $2.3 million for collaborative bycatch reduction projects. We invite non-federal researchers working on the development of improved fishing practices and innovative gear technologies that reduce bycatch to apply and encourage applicants to include and demonstrate principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We’re looking for proactive, meaningful, and equitable community engagement in the identification, design, and/or implementation of proposed projects...

Oceano Seafood Acquires Sea Fresh USA

Peru-based Oceano Seafood has acquired Sea Fresh USA, a processor of wild-caught Loligo Squid in the U.S. Antarctica Advisors LLC, a seafood industry-focused M&A advisory firm, acted as the exclusive banking advisor to Sea Fresh USA.

Sea Fresh operates out of Rhode Island, with docking operations in Galilee, as well as a BRC-certified processing facility in North Kingstown. The company has been in business since 1981, providing fresh and frozen squid products that are distributed through both retail and foodservice. Antarctica Advisors Managing Partner Ignacio Kleiman says that...

LocalCoho Secures Funding From Cuna del Mar; Plans Expansion In New York

Land-based aquaculture start-up LocalCoho announced this week that they have secured significant new funding from Cuna del Mar, a company that invests in businesses that have the potential to create disruption in aquaculture.

“Cuna del Mar is a pioneer in supporting aquaculture companies helping to preserve the health of our oceans by using innovative approaches to growing fish,” commented CEO Michael Fabbro. “That such an industry leader vetted us thoroughly and believes in our strategy and team truly validates what we are doing...

Western Pacific Council: Status Quo Regs Preferable for Proposed Pacific Remote Islands Sanctuary

Sanctuaries happen. That doesn't mean fisheries regulations should change within their boundaries, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council said.

At its September meeting, the Council reviewed data on current fishing in the proposed Pacific Remote Islands sanctuary and the multitude of fishing regulations that govern the area. It concluded that the regulatory scheme in place may already satisfy the proposed goals and objectives presented by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

The NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center shared data with the Council that ...

The Retail Rundown: Pork and Seafood Share the Spotlight Next Month

Pork and seafood will share the spotlight next month, as October is recognized as both National Pork Month and National Seafood Month. Retailers are expected to increase feature volume for the two proteins in the weeks ahead to promote spending this fall. 

October is reserved for National Pork Month to help move product when hog supplies are large. While a seasonal expansion in supplies typically takes place around this time of year, ongoing liquidation efforts may keep a lid on supplies this fall and winter.

Weekly hog slaughter levels...