| Alaska pollock earns some of the highest scores in the MSC program during recertification review |
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SEAFOOD.COM NEWS [GAAP] Seattle, Washington - Jan
13, 2010- Alaska pollock, the largest U.S. commercial fishery and
one of the top five seafoods eaten in the United States, has been deemed
sustainable under the criteria developed by the Marine Stewardship Council
(MSC) by the certification body, Moody Marine, and a team of three
independent experts. The evaluation of the fishery was conducted as part
of the five-year recertification of Alaska pollock under the MSC
sustainability program and was submitted for public comment today. Moody
Marine reaffirmed that Alaska pollock continues to be responsibly managed
when measured against the rigorous MSC sustainability standard,
recommending that Alaska pollock products continue to be eligible to carry
the MSC eco-label. Fishery recertification is required every five years in
the MSC program. The fishery was first certified as sustainable in 2005,
and has passed four annual audits since then. For recertification, Moody
evaluated and approved the fishery on three MSC principles the
sustainability of the fish stocks; ensuring the structure, productivity,
function and diversity of the ecosystem on which the fishery depends; and
the effectiveness of the fishery management system to respond to changing
circumstances and maintain sustainability. The comprehensive assessment of
the fishery was peer reviewed by two additional independent experts prior
to its issuance for public comment.
'After an extensive review, an independent team of scientists has
given the Alaska pollock fishery some of the highest average scores for
any fishery in the MSC program,' said Jim Gilmore, Director of Public
Affairs of the At-sea Processors Association, and client for the MSC
certification. 'The fishery remains a model for how fisheries around the
world should be managed.' Founded in
1995 by the World Wildlife Fund, the now independent MSC is recognized as
the leading certifier of sustainable fisheries worldwide. The MSC standard
for sustainability certification is based on the U.N. Food and
Agricultural Organization's Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and
other international conservation instruments. Alaska pollock is consumed widely in the
United States in fish sticks, fish sandwiches, fish and chips and in
surimi seafood products. Alaska pollock is also one of the most
significant U.S. fishery exports, with sustainability and quality top
priorities for Alaska pollock consumers in the EU, U.K. and Japan. 'We are
pleased that an independent evaluation of the Alaska pollock fishery has
once again affirmed that our fishery is well managed, said Pat Shanahan,
Program Director for the Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers. 'As we start
our 2010 fishing season, the many grocery chains, restaurants and
consumers who want sustainable seafood can be assured that Alaska pollock
continues to be the best choice they could
make.' |
“Alaskans continue to pay some of the highest fuel prices
in the nation,” Governor Parnell said. “We need to ease the burden placed on our
residents while we work to find long-term solutions to the high energy costs
across our state.” The tax was suspended as part of an energy assistance bill
in 2008, when Alaskans faced ballooning costs for both transportation and home
heating fuels. The suspension lapsed in September 2009.
| Surimi outlook for 2010: bumping along the bottom |
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SEAFOOD.COM NEWS [BANR JAPAN REPORTS] Jan 13,
2010 - Market trend of some major seafood commodities in Japan in
2009 and outlook for 2010: Surimi. Production cutback anticipated in major
producing places; sales forecast to remain stagnant except for special
sales products. Last year,
production and supply of surimi remained restrained across the board,
while production of surimi products continued to be at a low level,
leading to further contraction of surimi supply and demand. However, some market sources point out
that signs are beginning to emerge that the surimi product market in Japan
has hit the bottom. For this year,
industry watchers believe that uncertainty will persist around surimi
supply both in Japan and overseas and, mainly because of the protracted
economic downturn. Cargo movement will be slow except for special sales of
products at mass retailers. In 2009,
supply of surimi from major sources saw an extensive decline. Production
and supply of U.S. DAP surimi decreased as a result of the record low
level of pollock catch quota. Production and supply of surimi in Asian
countries also dwindled as adequate amounts of raw material fish were not
made available due to declining beach prices. Surimi production in
Hokkaido diminished due to increased exports of pollock to China and
declining prices. On the other hand, special sales of surimi products were
revived after a long interval because the move of surimi prices, which saw
a steep rise two years ago, subsided. Under the impact of slow,
deflationary economy, however, only special sales products saw any active
trading. Producers came to be increasingly polarized, with some major
producers selling actively to mass retailers while small- and medium-scale
producers continued stagnant sales. On the whole, it is considered
that surimi product output in Japan in 2009 stayed at the lowest level in
recent years. For 2010, analysts foresee the low level of surimi supply
will continue because of low-level U.S. DAP pollock quota as last year and
the widening price gaps between pollock surimi and fillet. It is also
difficult to expect for increased production in Hokkaido in view of the
ongoing stagnant prices.With respect to Asian-produced surimi, there is
reportedly scanty enthusiasm among fishermen to go out to the sea, and
producers are wary of possible beach price increases. Thus, the
possibility is quite low for surimi supply to expand this year unless the
yen further appreciates against foreign currencies, including the dollar.
Amid fears over a second economic bottom, the prevalent view is that only
special sales and private-brand products will sell, indicating that demand
for surimi products will stay in a limited range. There is small room to
expect a rise in surimi prices even when supply decreases, and it seems
hard to stimulate surimi production on the strength of prices.
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