Alaska/Pacific Coast
Hatchery hauls: Alaska’s statewide salmon catch gets $118 million boost National Fisherman by Laine Welch - March 25, 2020 Alaska salmon that got their start in hatcheries made up 25 percent of last year’s total statewide catch. https://www.nationalfisherman.com/alaska/hatchery-hauls-alaskas-statewide-salmon-catch-gets-118-million-boost/ Seawatch: Halibut, sablefish openings start strong Homer News by Cristy Fry - March 25, 2020 As the novel coronavirus continues to dominate headlines worldwide, halibut and sablefish got off to a surprisingly strong start in terms of pounds, but not so much on the price side of things. https://www.homernews.com/news/seawatch-halibut-sablefish-openings-start-strong/ Bristol Bay fishermen urged to delay travel as communities, industry formulate COVID-19 plan KTUU by Grant Robinson - March 26, 2020 ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - This summer 48.95 million sockeye salmon are forecast to run in Bristol Bay, but with the coronavirus pandemic rapidly expanding in the United States, non-local fishermen are urged to delay traveling to the region while processors, local government leaders and other stakeholders work to formulate a plan to prosecute the fishery in the wake of COVID-19. https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Bristol-Bay-fishermen-urged-to-delay-travel-to-region-amid-COVID-19-pandemic-569152571.html NOAA Fisheries Issues Emergency Action to Waive Observer Coverage on a Case-by-Case Basis NOAA Fisheries addresses fisheries observer coverage during the COVID-19 outbreak. NOAA Fisheries - March 24, 2020 Today, in response to the spread of COVID-19, NOAA Fisheries issued an emergency action to provide the authority, on a case-by-case basis, to waive observer coverage, some training, and other program requirements while meeting conservation needs and providing an ongoing supply of fish to markets. We are taking this emergency action to protect public health and to ensure the safety of fishermen, observers, and others. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/noaa-fisheries-issues-emergency-action-waive-observer-coverage-case-case-basis National US supermarkets seeing record seafood sales Seafood Source by Christine Blank - March 26, 2020 As Americans rush to stock their pantries due to shelter-in-place orders in numerous states and cities, U.S. grocers are realizing record seafood sales. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/foodservice-retail/us-supermarkets-see-major-uptick-in-seafood-sales?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWXpNNU5XWTFNV0U0TURZMyIsInQiOiJjNW5maHpHT054Y2lLTTVm OUp3aFhFWjhuWUFMdGFyWWJwUVFvXC9qUUljVFFzTU9aZmZHYno0VXJuT0w2MlB1 QkYzRGdrVVFVMDh3K2RVNnVPXC83UGpGSEYybGd3M1NmeFpvS0U4SFdvWUZjdHF PZ1JGMTZDV1FZZWt0a3UzeGpWIn0%3D MSC to end certification of fishing vessels engaged in compartmentalization by 2023 Seafood Source by Ned Daly - March 25, 2020 Fishing vessels certified by the Marine Stewardship Council will no longer be able to target a stock using non-certified fishing practices, beginning in 2023. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/environment-sustainability/msc-to-end-certification-of-fishing-vessels-engaged-in-compartmentalization-by-2023 Coronavirus Cases Continue to Impact Foodservice and Retail Urner Barry by Andraia Torsiello - March 26, 2020 Cases of COVID-19 are continuing to surface as the virus spreads and more tests become available. States across the country are still enforcing restrictions and guidelines, encouraging people to social distance. Retailers have gone from limiting hours to closing completely until further notice. Grocery stores are struggling to keep shelves stocked as consumers continue to panic buy and stockpile essentials. Amid all the hysteria, restaurants are creatively finding new ways to serve guests and generate income. As of March 18th, the National Restaurant Association predicts that the foodservice industry could lose up to $225 billion and 7 million jobs. Mandatory restaurant closures have caused companies to adapt to drive-thru, takeout, delivery, and contactless delivery models. According to the latest coronavirus update from Datassential, consumer concerns have spiked dramatically in the past week, again. Awareness of coronavirus in the United States has effectively reached 100%, with 79% feeling they are "very familiar" with the situation. This represents an increase of 8 points in four days, and a 13 point increase over one week. Also, the public's concern over the virus has risen sharply, climbing 12 points in four days. As of March 18th, 61% of consumers are "very concerned" about the risk, and "hugely" worried about their personal health. In last week's Datassential update, about 27% of Americans surveyed stated they will avoid eating out entirely. Now, 47% will “definitely avoid” eating out. That is an increase of 20 points in just four days. The spike is particularly pronounced among Boomers, jumping a massive 31 points. Meanwhile, 24% have “no concerns” with dining out whatsoever, and 29% are “slightly nervous.” However, most consumers would still consider getting food from the drive-thru at 57%. Consumers are often viewing their car as another protective barrier from people. Boomers, who are most fearful of contracting the virus, are particularly open to drive-thru and pickup orders at 69%. When ordering from a restaurant, almost half of customers would purchase extra meals for days ahead. The desire for extra meals was found to be stronger among females, Millennials, and Gen X. Whether due to fear of sharing or the need for convenience, consumers willing to order multiple meals prefer the food to be packaged in individual containers. About 60% of consumers want multiple orders placed in individual containers, while 40% prefer bulk or family-sized serving trays to be eaten over several meals. During these unprecedented times, cleanliness is beating taste. Typically, how the food tastes is what consumers care most about when choosing a restaurant. Today, cleanliness sits at the top of the list when consumers are choosing where to eat. This is quite remarkable, as 45% of consumers now consider how clean and sanitary a restaurant is above taste, location, value, and service. At this point in time, consumers are least concerned about if the establishment is local or independently owned at 13%. Rather than the food visuals restaurants have relied on to promote themselves, it may be more effective to lead with a message around sanitation and safety going forward. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1167317/Coronavirus-Cases-Continue-to-Impact-Foodservice-and-Retail FYI’s Highlighting Women in Electronic Technologies: Part 1 We are highlighting women that support electronic technologies in U.S. fisheries in a two-part series to celebrate Women’s History Month. NOAA Fisheries - March 24, 2020 Electronic monitoring and electronic reporting technologies are being developed to support science-based management decisions in commercial and recreational fisheries. NOAA Fisheries is working with fishermen and industry organizations, fishery management councils, and many other partners. We will improve the timeliness, quality, cost effectiveness, and accessibility of fishery-dependent data by integrating technology into fishery reporting and monitoring programs. Learn about nine women from around the country that are helping shape the future of electronic technologies in U.S fisheries. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/highlighting-women-electronic-technologies-part-1 Extended Deadline Requested for Final Pebble EIS Fishermen's News - March 25, 2020 Commercial fishermen and other leaders of the Bristol Bay region are asking the US Army Corps of Engineers to formally relax the timeline for development of their final environmental impact statement (EIS) and extend the deadline for cooperating agencies to comment on the preliminary final EIS. http://fnonlinenews.blogspot.com/2020/03/extended-deadline-requested-for-final.html
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