Alaska
51M Fish Forecast for Bristol Bay Salmon Run
Fishermen's News - November 13, 2024
A Bristol Bay 2025 sockeye salmon run forecast estimating a return of 51.31 million fish and a potential harvest of 36.33 million fish was released Nov. 7 by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Multi-agency effort tracks coho salmon with radio technology
KDLL by Hunter Morrison - November 12, 2024
Radio tags for the multi-year project are inserted into the coho’s stomach through the mouth with an antenna that sticks out.
Strong sockeye salmon return expected next year in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region, biologists say
Alaska Beacon by Yereth Rosen - November 12, 2024
The world’s biggest sockeye salmon run will be larger than average next year, state biologists have forecasted.
Silver Bay Seafoods acquires Peter Pan Seafoods facilities from Rodger May
KUCB by Margaret Sutherland - November 12, 2024
Silver Bay Seafoods will acquire processing plants in Dillingham and Port Moller, along with fishery support sites in Dillingham and North Naknek.
https://www.kucb.org/industry/2024-11-12/silver-bay-seafoods-acquires-peter-pan-seafoods-facilities-from-rodger-may Court Rules for Halibut Industry and Feds on Bycatch Abundance-Based Management
SeafoodNews.com by Peggy Parker - November 12, 2024
Last Friday, Judge Sharon Gleason in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska ruled in favor of the defendants, National Marine Fisheries Service, on Amendment 123 to the BSAI Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, rejecting challenges from the Groundfish Forum, representing bottom trawlers in the Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands.The ruling underscores a new rule, implemented for the first time in January 2024 after nearly ten years of work at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, that halibut bycatch limits for the bottom trawl fleet will be set based on abundance of halibut in the Bering Sea. The rule affirms the limits that were set in Amendment 123 will remain in place.The Central Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association was an intervenor-defendant in the case, and more than any other group would have been impacted by a repeal of the rule.“CBSFA has worked for nearly a decade to have the management of halibut bycatch changed to be more responsive to changes in the health of the halibut resource – to be abundance-based – and now we finally have closure,” said CBSFA President Ray Melovidov in response to the ruling. “The halibut fishing families in our community can be assured that the halibut resource will continue to be managed more fairly and appropriately. We wanted improved equity and stability in the halibut fishery, and now we have it. Our future is brighter,” said Melovidov.The Groundfish Forum, a trade association that represents 17 trawlers owned by five companies — Fishermen’s Finest, North Star Fishing Company, Ocean Peace Inc., O’Hara Corporation, and U.S. Seafoods — argued that they were unfairly targeted to be the only sector to be impacted by Amendment 123, while other gear sectors — pelagic trawls, longline freezer vessels, and pot vessels — also caught halibut as a prohibited species, or bycatch. They claimed the amendment violated National Standards 4 — that allocations of resources must be ‘fair and equitable’ — and NS 9 — that management measures shall, ‘to the extent practicable”, minimize bycatch.“Upon review of the record, the Court finds that NMFS satisfactorily explained how Amendment 123 is rationally connected with the legitimate Groundfish FMP goal to manage bycatch and why any hardship imposed on the Amendment 80 sector was outweighed by the total benefits received by the directed halibut fishery and the halibut stock, particularly as bycatch mortality by the Amendment 80 sector in Area 4CDE (where Amendment 80 catches up to 90% of its halibut bycatch limit) has exceeded directed halibut fishery removal for many years. The Court therefore finds that the agency’s reasoning in the FEIS and the final rule is sufficient to support its finding that Amendment 123 is fair and equitable,” Gleason wrote in her decision.As for National Standard 9, the ruling agreed with both the NMFS and the North Pacific Council that “… while economics are a consideration in determining practicability, ‘practicable’ is not the same as zero cost.” In recommending the Preferred Alternative, “the Council and NMFS [were] cognizant that the potential [revenue] losses are substantial; yet, they [did] not believe those costs render the proposed action impracticable under the MSA.”“The ruling upholds the Council’s decision, and rightly so,” CBSFA’s Melovidov added. “The Council is where fisheries management decisions should be taking place. I hope this decision strengthens people’s trust in the Council process and the Council’s ability, and deters future attempts at fisheries management by litigation,” said Melovidov.
Alaska Salmon Fishery Achieves Fifth MSC Certification; Marks 25 Years of Program Engagement
Expana by Ryan Doyle - November 12, 2024
For the fifth time, the Alaska salmon fishery has achieved certification against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard. The milestone also means the fishery has reached 25 years of engagement with the MSC program.The Alaska salmon certificate is held by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF), per the MSC.The Alaska salmon fishery was described as a “pioneer of high standards for sustainable fishing and environmental stewardship.” Not only was it one of the first fisheries to join the MSC program, but it was also the first U.S. fishery to land MSC certification in September 2000.The MSC-certified Alaska salmon fishery includes five species of Pacific salmon: Coho-silver salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Sockeye-red salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), and Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). Seven gear types across 14 geographic areas are included in the MSC Alaska salmon fisheries certification.“Achieving our fifth MSC certification is more than just an accomplishment—it’s a testament to the Alaska salmon fishery’s legacy of sustainability and stewardship,” said Kristy Clement, CEO of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation. “For a quarter century, the Alaska salmon fishery has exemplified the MSC’s rigorous standard for sustainable fishing, rooted in practices that trace back to Alaska’s Indigenous traditions, where sustainability and stewardship are a way of life. This milestone reflects the dedication of our fishers, processors, and management partners who continue to uphold these essential practices, reaffirming Alaska’s commitment to responsible salmon fishing.”"The Alaska salmon fishery has been a true leader in the sustainable seafood movement with 25 years of engagement with the MSC,” said Nicole Condon, US program director at the Marine Stewardship Council. “This milestone is a testament not only to their leadership but also to the tireless efforts of everyone involved in the fishery to protect our ocean and fishery resources. Congratulations on this landmark achievement!”The fishery’s MSC certificate is valid until 2028 but will undergo annual audits by a third-party assessor to ensure it continues to meet the MSC standard, per a press release from MSC.“Alaska Salmon’s fifth certification deserves the highest recognition. 25 years in the MSC program is a powerful validation of long-term dedication to sustainable fishing,” said Dan Averill, Senior Fisheries Manager at the Marine Stewardship Council. “I commend the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for their statewide management of salmon, as well as all the fishermen and the processors who help to feed the world.”
A Look at the Top 10 Most Consumed Seafood Items in 2022
Expana by Ryan Doyle - November 12, 2024
The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) debuted its annual Top 10 List of the most consumed seafood in 2022. NFI’s list comes shortly after NOAA Fisheries unveiled its Fisheries of the U.S. 2022 Report, which saw Americans consume roughly 19.7 pounds of seafood, a slight downturn from the 20.5 pounds seen in 2021.Shrimp topped the Top 10 List once again despite a minor decrease in consumption. Salmon finished in second place, and it also witnessed a slight drop in consumption. In third place was canned tuna, which saw consumption rise, with NFI crediting the “tinned fish” craze that has swept across the nation.Pangasius and Cod saw the most significant gains in consumption, and staples like Tilapia, Catfish and Alaska Pollock held their place in the Top 10. Meanwhile, Oysters joined the NFI Top 10 List for the first time ever.
“The 2022 Top 10 List reflects the correction that took place following the 2021 supply surge which saw a 9% increase in available seafood,” NFI Programs Director, Richard Barry, said. “Since the previous year experienced record high supply growth, a slight dip the following year was expected. The 2022 per capita number; however, remains higher than pre-pandemic consumption, an encouraging sign of retained seafood consumers.”
The Top 10 List represents 779% of all seafood consumed in the country. The NFI said that displays how Americans are continuing to diversify their seafood experiences.
USDA Seeks Bids on Salmon and Alaska Pollock; Awards Catfish Contracts
Expana by Ryan Doyle - November 12, 2024
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is looking for bids on a notable amount of Alaska pollock and wild salmon products. Plus, it unveiled its purchase awards for 270,000 pounds of farmed catfish products.
Focusing on pollock, the USDA said it is looking for offers to sell pollock products, with bids due on November 13, 2024. In all, the USDA is looking for 920,000 pounds of pollock products ranging from frozen Alaska pollock sticks, fillets and bulk containers of product.On the salmon front, the USDA is seeking bids to sell 168,800 cases of canned pink salmon and 108,000 pounds of wild salmon fillets. Bids are due on November 15, 2024.Alongside the recent salmon and pollock purchase requests, the USDA awarded contracts on the recently announced purchase of 270,000 of domestic farmed catfish for over $1 million. Consolidated Catfish Producers took home $414,400 for 80,000 pounds of oven-ready breaded catfish strips. Heartland Catfish was contracted for the remaining 190,000 pounds, landing $722,000.
Could Trump tariffs threat be opportunity in disguise for seafood industry?
Seafood companies are trying to understand what the full impact of the incoming US president's tariff regime will mean.
Intrafish by John Evans - November 12, 2024
The threat of tariffs from the incoming Trump administration has prompted a sense of nervousness, resignation and even opportunity among seafood industry executives spoken to by IntraFish.
Labeling and Marketing
3MMI - President Trump, Global Seafood, Tariffs, Made In USA
Tradex Foods - November 11, 2024
--- With President-elect Donald Trump having won last Tuesday’s presidential election, the stage is now set for trade policy changes that will undoubtedly impact global seafood markets. Watch to Find Out More.
Alaska Symphony of Seafood Plans Gala for Nov. 19 in Seattle
Fishermen's News - November 13, 2024
Fifteen companies engaged in retail, foodservice and “Beyond the Plate” competition are scheduled for judging of their entries in advance of the Alaska Symphony of Seafood gala, slated for the King Street Ballroom in Seattle from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Nov. 19.
Washington Gov. Inslee Slated to Give Keynote Address Pacific Marine Expo
Fishermen's News - November 13, 2024
Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee is scheduled to give a keynote address on the latest in technologies and services in the blue economy during the final day of Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle on Nov. 22.
https://fishermensnews.com/washington-gov-inslee-slated-to-give-keynote-address-pacific-marine-expo/
Additional Training for U.S. Coast Guard Recommended by GAO
Fishermen's News - November 13, 2024
A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office recommends updates in training for the U.S. Coast Guard for emerging missions demands, such as Arctic operations, cybersecurity and modernizing its training efforts.
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