Friday, January 10, 2025

Alaska Alaska cities reach agreement on Bering Sea snow crab harvest Seafood Source by Nathan Strout - January 9, 2025 The cities of Unalaska and St. Paul in the U.S. state of Alaska have reached an agreement to share revenue collected from the processing of 1.6 million pounds of Bering Sea snow crab. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/processing-equipment/alaska-cities-reach-revenue-sharing-agreement-on-bering-sea-snow-crab-harvest Juneau Assembly votes to oppose Board of Fish proposition to limit hatchery numbers by 25% KTOO by Yvonne Krumrey - January 8, 2025 The Juneau Assembly voted this week to formally oppose an Alaska Board of Fisheries proposition that would limit Southeast Alaska hatchery production of pink and chum salmon by 25%. https://www.ktoo.org/2025/01/08/juneau-assembly-votes-to-oppose-board-of-fish-proposition-to-limit-hatchery-numbers-by-25/ Relief comes for Alaskan fisheries via FISHES Act KTUU by Hannah Lee - January 6, 2025  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The FISHES Act, which expedites the distribution of federal disaster relief following fishery disaster declarations, was signed into law over the weekend by President Joe Biden. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/01/06/relief-comes-alaskan-fisheries-via-fishes-act/ Fish & Game could get funds to study Gulf of Alaska Chinook as part of larger budget boost KMXT by Davis Hovey - January 7, 2025  The Alaska Department of Fish & Game is slated to receive another funding boost as part of Governor Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026. Part of that potential money will support research for crashing Chinook salmon stocks. https://www.kmxt.org/news/2025-01-07/fish-game-could-get-funds-to-study-gulf-of-alaska-chinook-as-part-of-larger-budget-boost 60° North is upbeat about 2025 fishing season Cordova Times by Margaret Bauman - January 6, 2025 An Alaska Board of Fisheries decision that delays the famed Copper River opener for a week this May has many harvesters in that fishery worried about competition for other salmon fisheries that will also be open then – but according to Rich Wheeler of 60° North Seafoods LLC, it will be just fine. https://thecordovatimes.com/2025/01/06/60-north-2025-fishing-season/

National USDA to Purchase $50 Million in Wild Alaska Pollock Expana by Ryan Doyle - January 10, 2025 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an upcoming purchase of up to $50 million of Wild Alaska pollock. The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) highlighted that the purchase will support fishermen, companies and communities involved in the industry battling low pollock prices amid a dip in demand and increased competition from Russia.“We all appreciate the quick response by USDA to address the needs of the seafood industry and, at the same time, food insecure Americans by committing to purchase what may be more than 15 million pounds of wild Alaska pollock products,” said Bruce Schaller, ASMI’s Global Food Aid Director. “These nutritious seafood products, which may include fillet portions, fish sticks and nuggets, will strengthen the nutrition profile of USDA offerings as recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, while at the same time helping to address the extreme market challenges that are so present and causing so much disruption across the entire Alaska seafood industry.”The purchase will be made through Section 32, under the Secretary of Agriculture’s authority, a program that has benefitted U.S. fisheries in responding to supply chain disruptions and other market difficulties.Adding $50 million worth of pollock purchases means that the USDA has already pledged to purchase up to $105 million worth of domestic seafood products so far in 2025.Expana reported that the USDA would buy up to $30 million in farm-raised catfish products and $25 million in Gulf shrimp for distribution to various nutrition assistance programs.U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi released a statement on the matter, explaining how catfish producers and shrimpers in Mississippi have struggled due to high input costs, inflation, and unfair global competition, as have other commodity producers across the U.S.She said, “This new round of Section 32 purchases should work to help sustain their operations while also supplying more protein for nutrition assistance programs.” https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1294695/USDA-to-Purchase-50-Million-in-Wild-Alaska-Pollock The Retail Rundown: Post-Holiday Slowdown Influences January Spending Seafood News - January 8, 2025 January typically marks a slowdown in consumer spending as households transition from the holiday season to their regular routines.Early in the month, retailers experience a short-lived boost in sales, driven by replenishment efforts after the holiday food rush. As schools reopen and guests leave, families restock essentials for breakfast, lunch, and weeknight meals.This restocking coincides with New Year’s resolutions, especially those focused on healthier eating. Consequently, shoppers gravitate toward the perimeter of the stores where fresh items, including produce, proteins, and dairy, are featured. Although retail sales slow from December’s peak, dietary goals help sustain strong demand for the protein complex.However, consumer spending is reigned in as holiday credit card bills arrive, prompting many to tighten their budgets and cut back on discretionary spending. This impacts foodservice establishements as families opt for more economical, home-cooked meals.January also lacks any significant retail buying occasions. However, food-related spending is expected to pick up as the Super Bowl approaches in early February, just four weeks away. Last year, the National Retail Federation forecast Super Bowl spending to reach a record $17.3 billion, with spending on food and beverages being the largest category by far.Egg prices remain a hot topic given the dramatic spike in wholesale prices over the past three weeks. Expana’s Midwest large white shell eggs reached $6.14 per dozen on Tuesday, up 177.8% from last year and a fresh record high. Despite the sharp surge in wholesale costs, retailers have generally maintained stable shelf prices, fueling strong early-week retail demand for eggs. Additionally, wintry weather conditions earlier this week had further boosted egg purchases, Expana reports. Circana data indicates that White Grade A shell eggs retailed at $3.72 per dozen last week on a discounted basis.Production challenges persist due to the impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu. Two new outbreaks this week have affected a combined 3 million conventional layers in North Carolina and Ohio. Additionally, a commercial broiler farm in Delaware and two turkey farms in Michigan reported HPAI detections over the weekend, stoking concerns about the virus’s spread.Other protein categories are also encountering disease challenges, with widespread outbreaks of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) affecting hog producers nationwide and potentially influencing future pork production.In the broader protein complex, seafood leads retail promotions this week, featured in 30.4% of advertisements, followed by beef (23.9%), pork (19.5%), and chicken (18.6%). Post-holiday turkey promotions have doubled from the prior week, though whole bird features have largely disappeared as retailers pivot to promoting ground turkey instead.To view the latest week's feature activity, subscribers can access the complete breakdown for the various seafood, meat, and poultry cuts by clicking on the Retail dashboard on the COMTELL homepage. For COMTELL Retail Definitions, click here. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1294375/The-Retail-Rundown-Post-Holiday-Slowdown-Influences-January-Spending Health-focused consumers in the US are increasingly buying seafood, retail report finds Seafood Source by Christine Blank - January 7, 2025 Health-conscious grocery shoppers in the U.S., which account for an estimated USD 285 billion (EUR 274 billion) in annual spending at grocery stores, frequently look to the fresh seafood department when making food purchases, according to a new report from customer data science firm dunnhumby. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/foodservice-retail/health-focused-consumers-in-the-us-are-increasingly-buying-seafood-retail-report-finds *Requires Subscription International China Announces 2025 Tariff Increases on Key Seafood Imports Expana by Ryan Doyle - January 6, 2025 China’s State Council announced adjustments for tariff rates in 2025, with some of the adjustments leading to rate increases for key imported seafood items like shrimp, whitefish and abalone.Some key seafood items will see increased tariff rates from 2% to 5% in 2025. Specifically, the tax rate for frozen shrimp will see a 3% tariff jump, along with frozen Arctic shrimp, while fresh abalone will jump from 7% to 10%.EU SME Centre highlighted the following species with increased tariffs (all impacted items are frozen product): Greenland halibut, flounder, Atlantic herring, cod (Atlantic, Greenland, Pacific), Alaskan pollock and blue cod.The tariff rate for Ecuadorian white shrimp will double in 2025, but that will drop in the coming years as China and Ecuador’s trade agreement went into effect in the spring of 2024.Fish and Information Services explained that countries with free trade agreements with China were unaffected by the adjustments. As ASEAN countries, Peru and Honduras will have 0% tariffs and Asia-Pacific rate will jump to 2.5%The publication added that Indian shrimp tariffs will rise from 2% to 2.5% and Argentine red shrimp tariffs will more than double from 2% to 5%.As the EU SME Centre, which provides support for EU companies trading with China, explained, “The 2025 Tariff Adjustment Plan” will lead to a provisional import tariff rate lower than the Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate to apply to 935 items starting on January 1 as well.According to documents on the State Council’s website, “The ‘Plan’ will be implemented from January 1, 2025, which will be conducive to increasing the import of high-quality products, expanding domestic demand, promoting high-level opening up to the outside world, and solidly promoting high-quality development.” https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1294216/China-Announces-2025-Tariff-Increases-on-Key-Seafood-Imports Environment/Science Biden extends oil and gas leasing ban in Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea The Bering Sea move is part of a wider action that withdrew Atlantic and Pacific areas from the federal leasing program, expanding existing no-leasing policies Alaska Beacon by Yereth Rosen - January 7, 2025  The entire Northern Bering Sea is now off-limits to oil and gas leasing, under a presidential directive announced on Monday. https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/01/07/biden-extends-oil-and-gas-leasing-ban-in-alaskas-northern-bering-sea/ Alaska Hydropower Dam Helps Sustain Salmon Habitat Fishermen's News - January 8, 2025 A hydropower dam now providing the bulk of electric power for a fisheries community on Alaska’s Prince William Sound also serves to sustain spawning habitat for the fish that have made Cordova famous with seafood aficionados. https://fishermensnews.com/alaska-hydropower-dam-helps-sustain-salmon-habitat/ Young Salmon May Face Hungry New Competition from Juvenile Sablefish along Northwest Coast Sablefish eat larger prey for their size than salmon, and a lot more of it. NOAA Fisheries - January 07, 2025 There is a new mouth to feed in the coastal waters of the Northwest where juvenile salmon first enter the ocean, and it’s a hungry one. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/young-salmon-may-face-hungry-new-competition-juvenile-sablefish-along-northwest-coast Genetic diversity sparks hope for Alaska's red king crab recovery National Fisherman by Carli Stewart - January 8, 2025 Recent genetic research has unveiled significant diversity among Alaska's red king crab populations, indicating a potential resilience to climate change and shifting ocean conditions. https://www.nationalfisherman.com/genetic-diversity-sparks-hope-for-ak-red-king-crab-recovery Labeling and Marketing ASMI Receives $8.5M International Marketing Grant Fishermen's News - January 8, 2025 A $8.5 million federal grant announced in mid-December is earmarked by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute to increase its international marketing efforts over the next five years. https://fishermensnews.com/asmi-receives-8-5m-international-marketing-grant/ Federal Register Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 01/07/2025 NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) from vessels using jig gear, to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) management area. This action is necessary to allow the A season apportionment of the 2025 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/07/2025-00112/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-reallocation-of-pacific-cod-in-the-bering-sea

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