Friday, September 3, 2021

PSPA will be closed on Monday, September 6, 2021 in observance of Labor Day. Alaska Alaska’s 2021 Salmon Catch Now Eighth Largest in Recent History SeafoodNews.com by Peggy Parker - September 2, 2021 The latest data from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game show 210.4 million salmon caught so far this year, ranking 2021 as the 8th highest since 1975. There are only nine years where Alaska’s fishing industry brought in more than 200 million salmon. This year, so far, ranks just below 2007’s 212.62 million and well above 2019’s 204.4 million. This year’s total includes 144.3 million pink salmon, 53.93 million sockeye, 10.1 million chum, 1.8 million coho, and 224,000 Chinook landings. On a poundage basis, however, this year’s landings will likely fall short of others in that 200-plus-salmon group. Bristol Bay's average sockeye size in 2021 -- just 4.65 pounds according ADF&G -- is the lowest since at least 1979, notes Dan Lesh of McKinley Research Group on behalf of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. When accounting for smaller fish, estimated Bristol Bay sockeye harvest volume is the lowest since 2014 at 187.6 million pounds. “Tight supplies are being reported as a result,” Lesh said. “Similarly, average pink salmon sizes in Southeast Alaska are among the lowest on record, at just 2.9 pounds. "While 2021's YTD harvest of 40.6 million pinks in Southeast would be the most numerous harvest since 2013, by weight 2014, 2015, and 2017 all beat 2021's YTD harvest volume. Average fish size data in 2021 is unfortunately not yet available for most other regions and species. This year’s harvest has exceeded pre-season projections for sockeye (116% realizerd) and pink (113% realized) but are below preseason projections for chum (64% of forecast), coho (43% of forecast) and Chinook (72% of forecast.) https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1207160/Alaskas-2021-Salmon-Catch-Now-Eighth-Largest-in-Recent-History Bristol Bay Wild Market, Alaskan Seafood to Appear in Seattle’s New Climate Pledge Arena Urner Barry by Ryan Doyle - September 3, 2021 Hockey fans, concert-goers and the like will be able to grab a bite of wild Alaskan seafood thanks to the new ‘Bristol Bay Wild Market’ that will be located in Seattle’s new Climate Pledge Arena. The new seafood marketplace was a collaboration between the Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC), Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA) and Bristol Wild Seafood Company (BWSC). The new marketplace was described as a “perfect partner” for the Alaskan seafood organizations and the sustainability goals of Climate Pledge Arena. “Bristol Bay Native Corporation is proud to share the unique tastes of our region with visitors to Climate Pledge Arena” says BBNC President & CEO Jason Metrokin. “As a proud partner of the Seattle Kraken, creating the marketplace with our incredible partners is the natural next step in promoting the best of Bristol Bay while educating arena visitors about Alaska and the bold, cooperative spirit of our people.” During every event or game at the new arena, which is home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken and WNBA’s Seattle Storm, and the host of concerts and other events, guests will be able to try seafood on a menu developed by the Arena’s executive chef Molly DeMers. “We are developing a culinary program at Climate Pledge Arena that showcases the best of the Pacific Northwest – which is why we’re excited to partner with Bristol Bay to offer fresh, sustainably harvested Alaska seafood,” said Molly DeMers, executive chef for Delaware North at Climate Pledge Arena. Here’s a look at the menu: - Wild Alaska Panko Cod Street Tacos - Grilled Wild Sockeye Street Tacos - Wild Alaska Cod Fish N Chips - Bristol Bay Wild Sockeye Fillet + Baguette - Seasonal Clam + Bering Sea Wild Alaska Cod Chowder “Bristol Wild Seafood is committed to the highest quality product - handling each fish with care and reverence,” adds BWSC President Everette Anderson. “The respect given to the environment and treatment of fish results in a better-quality product and will help our customers understand what sustainable fishing means for future generations. We’re very excited that this is something millions of arena visitors will soon learn.” https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1207256/Bristol-Bay-Wild-Market-Alaskan-Seafood-to-Appear-in-Seattles-New-Climate-Pledge-Arena National USDA Looking to Buy Various Pacific Seafood Products Urner Barry by Ryan Doyle - September 3, 2021 The USDA is looking for offers to sell Pacific seafood products, per a September 1 solicitation. The products are set to be used in the National School Lunch Program and other Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs. Acceptances are to be announced by midnight on September 29 and deliveries are to be made between October 16, 2021 and January 31, 2022. To kick off the solicitation, the USDA is eyeing to purchase 23,4000 cases of frozen Pacific Rockfish fillets. Next up, it wants to land 9,900 cases of Pacific salad shrimp. The largest and final purchase included in the solicitation is 140,400 cases with frozen Pacific whiting fillets. In all, the USDA is looking for 173,700 cases of Pacific seafood products. Back in May 2021, the USDA announced it would purchase up to $159.4 million of domestic seafood. At the time, the fishing industry was pleased with the announcement after the industry was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. "The USDA purchases will help supplement and stabilize our existing markets, allowing us to keep American fishing and processing families working through difficult times," West Coast Seafood Processors Association Executive Director Lori Steele said. "The USDA and public get healthy, nutritious seafood from sustainable stocks. It truly is a win-win." On the West Coast, the WCSPA, Midwater Trawlers Cooperative, Oregon Trawl Commission and Fishermen's Marketing Association sent a letter to USDA in early March, asking the AMS to specify Pacific pink shrimp, Pacific rockfish and Pacific hake (whiting) as USDA Section 32 “bonus buys.” In an April letter to Secretary Vilsack, 10 members of the West Coast congressional delegation supported the seafood industry, as SeafoodNews’ Susan Chambers wrote at the time. "This is just the beginning of the West Coast seafood industry’s relationship with the USDA and it’s very exciting!" Steele said. "We have a number of products that are ideal for these markets, and we are excited about working with the USDA to continue to bring a greater diversity of high-quality seafood to their programs." Of late, the USDA has issued multiple open purchase requests. An August 2 request found the USDA looking to buy 7.942 million pounds of Alaska pollock products. A quick breakdown of the bid invitation shows the USDA looking for 2.356 million pounds in frozen Alaska pollock fillets, 2.736 million in frozen Alaska pollock nuggets and 2.850 million in frozen Alaska pollock sticks. In July, the USDA issued a request for 320,000 pounds of catfish. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1207262/USDA-Looking-to-Buy-Various-Pacific-Seafood-Products Labeling and Marketing Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Monthly Marketing Update August 2021 All Hands On Deck Goes Virtual, Upcoming Events, Alaska Seafood in the News, Spinach and Salmon Pot Pie, New Resources, ASMI Activities, Highlights from the media library... https://mailchi.mp/alaskaseafood/august-2021-monthly-update?e=fd023624e1 Federal Register North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 09/03/2021 The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Partial Coverage Fishery Monitoring Advisory Committee (PCFMAC) will meet September 17, 2021. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/09/03/2021-19092/north-pacific-fishery-management-council-public-meeting FYI’s Marine Advisory Program’s Gabe Dunham taking statewide role Alaska Sea Grant by Anne Gore - August 29, 2021 A few changes are taking place within Alaska Sea Grant’s Marine Advisory Program (MAP). Gabe Dunham, the MAP agent in Dillingham, will shift his focus from regional to statewide and is moving to Juneau. Alaska Sea Grant is recruiting a new Dillingham MAP agent to fill the vacancy Dunham will leave in Bristol Bay. https://alaskaseagrant.org/2021/08/29/marine-advisory-programs-gabe-dunham-taking-statewide-role/ GAO urged to review Coast Guard vessel delays Cordova Times - September 1, 2021 A congressional committee has asked the Government Accountability Office to review significant delivery delays of Offshore Patrol Cutters and Polar Security Cutters for the Coast Guard, as well as related significant budgetary issues. https://www.thecordovatimes.com/2021/09/01/gao-urged-to-review-coast-guard-vessel-delays/ Scientists discover fossil of a 4-legged whale with a raptor-like eating style Alaska Public Media by Deepa Shivaram, NPR - August 27, 2021 We regret to inform you that your nightmares are about to get worse. A team led by Egyptian scientists have dug up a 43 million-year-old fossil in the Sahara Desert in Egypt of a now-extinct amphibious four-legged whale. https://www.alaskapublic.org/2021/08/27/scientists-discover-fossil-of-a-4-legged-whale-with-a-raptor-like-eating-style/ 2021 Belugas Count cancelled Cordova Times - August 29, 2021 NOAA Fisheries has cancelled its popular beluga whale count in Anchorage for 2021, citing safety concerns as numbers of infected people continue to rise in the COVID-19 pandemic, but is still offering guidelines on how to help count these endangered whales. https://www.thecordovatimes.com/2021/08/29/2021-belugas-count-cancelled/ Pacific Seafood Processors Association 1900 W Emerson Place Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98119 Phone: 206.281.1667 E-mail: admin@pspafish.net; Website: www.pspafish.net Our office days/hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. 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