FCF’s Bid for Bumble Bee Foods Successful, Following DOJ Objection

Taiwanese tuna company FCF Fishery Co.’s “stalking horse” bid for Bumble Bee Foods was successful, according to a filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

The auction for Bumble Bee that was scheduled for January 23 was canceled as no other bids were submitted before the Jan. 20, 5 p.m. ET deadline. The successful bid will be presented by Bumble Bee’s debtors at a Sale Hearing on January 23 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Four days prior to the announcement of the successful bid...

Korea Confirms Case of Pneumonia Linked to Wuhan; Travelers Being Screened Ahead of Chinese New Year

The first case of novel coronavirus linked to Wuhan, China, has been reported in the Republic of Korea.

National IHR Focal Point for the Republic of Korea confirmed the case on Monday. The patient is a 35-year-old female Chinese national who resides in Wuhan. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the patient was initially diagnosed with a cold after visiting a hospital in Wuhan on January 18 for a fever, chills, and muscle pain. The following day the patient traveled to...

Minh Phu Has Not Received Official Documents From CBP, Vows to Work With Agency During Investigation

Minh Phu Seafood Corporation, the largest exporter of shrimp in Vietnam, is speaking out after a letter from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding an investigation into the company for allegedly evading duties began circulating earlier this month. 

Local media in Vietnam reports that Minh Phu has not yet received any official documents from CBP related to the allegations of duty evations. According to the report, Minh Phu said that the “CBP made the decision only based on information provided by the...

Alaskan Legislature Convenes, Updates on Fish Bills

Today begins the 31st Alaska legislative session in Juneau and at least two fish bills will resurface. A priority is resolving the conflict of interest issue for the state Board of Fisheries – House Bill 35.

“You can see it at every BOF meeting you go to. When you have a board member who has an expertise in a certain area and is conflicted out and can’t even express his knowledge to other board members, what’s the point of having him on the board.  So this bill will allow them...

NaturalShrimp Inks Postlarvae Hatchery Contract 

Texas-based aquaculture company NaturalShrimp entered into a 12 million postlarvae (PL) shrimp annual contract with Sea Products Development. The deal means Sea Products will deliver up to one million PLs per month, shipments of the PLs for stocking in NaturalShrimp’s facility will begin next month.

"Year-round weekly shrimp production requires stocking PLs in our nursery tanks on a regular year-round basis,” Tom Untermeyer, Chief Technology Officer of NaturalShrimp, said. “This contract with SPD can provide NaturalShrimp on a regular basis with healthy PLs that have been selectively-bred with..."

Alaska Seafood’s Economic Impact Continues to Grow in U.S. and Globally

Juneau, AK -- The 2020 update of The Economic Value of Alaska’s Seafood Industry, released yesterday, shows continued growth and positive impacts to state, national, and international economies. Prepared by the McDowell Group for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), the report updates the economic snapshot from 2015/2016. It has tracked the sector since 2013.

Approximately 5.7 billion pounds of seafood worth $2.0 billion was harvested annually in 2017/2018, and processors turned this harvest into product worth $4.7 billion. In 2016, those numbers were 5.6 billion...

LISTEN: Seafood Industry Reacts to Phase One Trade Agreement; Carlos Rafael Update and More

It was a big week for the seafood industry as the U.S. and China signed the Phase One trade agreement. Listen as SeafoodNews co-hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione break down all the news surrounding the trade agreement, including the seafood industry's reactions. Plus: find out the latest on the sale of Carlos Rafael's vessels; learn about the CBP's investigation into Minh Phu; and more!

This episode of the SeafoodNews Podcast is brought to you by Urner Barry's COMTELL. COMTELL will be receiving a...

Injured North Atlantic Right Whale Calf Given Antibiotics, But Prognosis 'Poor'

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the prognosis is "poor" for a North Atlantic right whale calf suffering from injuries.

As SeafoodNews reported in early January, a number of right whale calves were spotted, sparking hope for the endangered whales. However, one calf photographed off the coast of Georgia was found to have two "s-shaped injuries," which experts say are consistent with a propeller. NOAA reports that they were able to relocate the injured calf and its mother, #2369, "Derecha," off Fernandina Beach, Florida...

Kodiak Loses Salmon to Chignik, Cook Inlet

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch –

Kodiak salmon fishermen are reeling after a Board of Fisheries decision that limits fishing in two traditional regions. The new rules are aimed at letting more salmon get to Chignik and Cook Inlet.

After hearing testimony by 150 local residents and spending an extra day for deliberations, the board put a mix of new time and catch limits on fisheries at Cape Igvak and the Katmai Alinchak section on the west side of Kodiak Island.

“We’re just stunned. I don’t know if we can really...

ANALYSIS: The Impact of Labor Issues, Tariffs and More on Imported Scallops

Imported scallops have been making headlines recently and prices are on the move. Below is a recap of the recent market happenings for the scallop markets of China, Japan, Canada and some insight into Peru.

China

The new crop of China bay scallops is pricing at a premium compared to last season's inventory. Increasing labor costs and the 25 percent tariff have brought prices up considerably, while the tight supply of smaller sizes available only adds pressure to the market...

ANALYSIS: Frozen Tuna Fillets Imports at Record High

YTD import volumes for frozen tuna fillets are the highest recorded in 12 years. Imports through November registered 82.3 million pounds; a 20.3% increase over YTD 2018, and are trending 49% higher than their 8-year average of 55.2 million pounds.

Although YTD import volume is at a record high, imports for the month of November registered 5.7 million pounds; a 37.4% decline from the peak monthly volume of 9.1 million pounds recorded in August. November imports are trending slightly below their...

Russia Puts Big Hopes on its White Fish Exports in Years to Come  

The Russian government plans to attract up to RUB 340 billion (US$5,48 billion) of private investments in the implementation of "New Cod Industry" – a state project, which involves the conduction of a large-scale modernization  of the existing capacities in Russia for the production of cod fish, according to recent statements, made by senior officials of Russian Rosrybolovstvo and industry’s analysts.  

In general, the project involves building up to 43 new fishing trawlers and 26 coastal fish production enterprises within the territory of the...

Maine DMR Holding Elver Lottery for 9 Licenses 

Maine residents who are interested in an elver license have until February 21 to apply. The Maine Department of Marine Resources announced that nine licenses became available after they were not renewed in 2018 and 2019. Those licenses are up for grabs through a lottery.

The lottery was initially authorized by legislation in 2017. Maine residents who are at least 15 years of age by the start of the 2020 season are eligible to apply.

Demand for elvers has increased in recent years, with demand bringing the price...

NOAA Investigates Effects of Ocean Acidification on Scallops

NOAA scientists and students and faculty at Massachusetts Maritime Academy partnered to study the impact ocean acidification has on Atlantic sea scallops.

The experiment was led by NOAA research chemist Shannon Meseck, who was the first to directly measure the response of juvenile Atlantic sea scallops to ocean acidification.

Juvenile scallops from Maine-based Pine Point Oyster Company were exposed to three different pH levels. The levels mimicked ocean acidity levels from 30 and 80 years into the future

Scientists measured various characteristics like growth, weight...

UK Calls on Governments to Join Initiative to Protect 30% of the Ocean by 2030

In September the UK announced their 30by30 initiative, a global alliance to help protect 30% of the world's ocean by 2030. Now, Environment Minister Rebecca Pow is calling on governments around the world to join them.

"Climate change is ocean change," Pow said at the Greenpeace launch earlier this week. "The blue lungs that cover our planet underpin all health and wealth worldwide – yet we're on track to lose the coral reefs that support over a quarter of marine species...

Cooke Aquaculture Scotland Welcomes New PR and Communications Manager

Cooke Aquaculture Scotland announced this week that they've appointed Andrew Watson as their new Public Relations and Communications Manager.

Watson joins Cooke Aquaculture Scotland after previously serving as the Head of Communications for Lowland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, an agency of the Ministry of Defense. He's an alumni of the University of Edinburgh, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

"We are excited to welcome Andrew to the Cooke Aquaculture Scotland team," said Colin Blair, Managing Director of Cooke Aquaculture Scotland...

CBP Formally Investigating Minh Phu For Anti-Dumping Duty Allegations

In May Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood submitted a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan regarding Minh Phu Seafood Group possibly evading duties. Months later the CBP has launched a formal investigation into the largest exporter of shrimp in Vietnam.

As SeafoodNews initially reported in June, Minh Phu was accused of "circumventing antidumping duties on frozen shrimp from India. Minh Phu allegedly purchased substantial quantities of frozen shrimp from India, minimally processed that shrimp in Vietnam, then sold the shrimp to the U.S. as a Vietnam...

Save Our Seas 2.0 Act Unanimously Passes Senate, Now On To the House

The atmosphere was celebratory earlier this week when Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) spoke on the Senate floor about the bipartisan efforts to pass the most comprehensive marine debris legislation to ever pass the Senate.

"This is a significant piece of legislation. It is, really, the most comprehensive piece of legislation to pass the Congress--to pass the Senate--that has dealt with ocean debris and ocean pollution--ever," said Sullivan. 

“I thank all of the Senate members...

ANALYSIS: Haddock Market Unsettled Amid Tariff Exclusion

On December 17, 2019 the Office of the United State Trade Representative released a notice stating:

"Pursuant to the product exclusion process, the U.S. Trade Representative has determined that the additional duties provided for in heading 9903.88.03 or in heading 9903.88.04 shall not apply to the following particular products, which are provided for in the enumerated statistical reporting numbers: (1) 0304.72.5000…"

HTS code 0304.72.5000 refers to frozen haddock fillets, originally listed on the $200 Billion Tariff Action (List 3) imposing a 10% tariff...

Wuhan Pneumonia Outbreak Update: 136 New Cases Confirmed a Week Before Chinese New Year

A total of 136 new cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China, was confirmed in the past two days, according to a report from the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission.

Wuhan, the capital of Central China's Hubei province, has been suffering from a mysterious pneumonia outbreak since mid-December 2019. Cases of pneumonia were initially linked to South China Seafood City, a seafood market in Wuhan. Authorities reported at the time that some of the patients were operating dealers or vendors at the seafood market...

IS Seafood and Z-Rou Meat Sign Distribution Agreement for Plant-based Foods in China

Two young entrepreneurs have teamed up to provide chefs and consumers in China with alternatives to meat products based on a shared vision to do less harm to the environment. 

Franklin Yao, the founder of Z-Rou Meat, launched the company last month in Shanghai in a joint campaign with the Vegan community. 

“Our plant-based meat is something that this community, China, and the world is craving right now and we take our responsibility to make Z-Rou Meat available seriously,” Yao said in December...

VIDEO: Phase One Trade Deal; Fortune's New Acquisition; Minh Phu Investigation; Good Catch Funding

Join SeafoodNews Weekly Video co-hosts Lorin Castiglione and Amanda Buckle as they talk about the Phase One trade deal; Fortune International's new acquisition; CBP's investigation of Minh Phu; and funding for plant-based seafood brand Good Catch.

This episode was brought to you by COMTELL, which will be receiving a complete redesign in 2020. Subscribers who utilize COMTELL to track market quotations, analyze trends and stay on top of key industry news will see a...

Hawaiian Swordfish Back in the Market After 9-month Absence; New Measures Protect Sea Turtles

The Hawai'i swordfish fishery is expected to land its first catch in nine months today. This healthy fishery produces approximately 55 percent of America's domestic swordfish and supplies 14 percent of the total US swordfish market.

"Without Hawai'i swordfish, US markets will increase their dependence on foreign suppliers," Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Executive Director Kitty M. Simonds said in a press release. "Our pelagic longline fisheries are well managed and rigorously monitored and regulations are enforced. International fishery management organizations consider ...

Trouble at Sea: Natuna Islands and Claims of Sovereignty  

Major confrontation on the cusp of the South China Sea hit headlines again last month as dozens of Chinese fishing vessels entered waters off the Natuna Islands, which falls within Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 

While tensions have eased over the resource rich waters, Chinese claims of sovereign rights within the jurisdiction threaten to escalate the situation.  

On December 30th friction reached boiling point as Indonesian warships and supersonic fighter aircrafts known as F-16 fighter jets were dispatched to patrol the territory...

China’s Wuhan City Gradually Rises to Prominence Among Seafood Sellers

Regarding Chinese cities with great seafood imports, people usually think of the country’s three first-tier ones: Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. But now, with an increase in household incomes of other cities, as well changes to overseas seafood’s positioning in this oriental market, there are some others which have impressed the public with strong demand.

A case in point is Wuhan, a central city with a large population and convenient transportation. According to available statistics, sales of imported commodities  in Wuhan makes up nearly 40% of total holiday sales...

Search Suspended for Two Missing Fishermen After Deadly Collision Near Galveston, Texas

A search for a pair of fishermen who went missing following a vessel collision near Galveston, Texas was suspended on Thursday.

The 81-foot fishing vessel Pappy’s Pride collided with a 600-foot chemical tanker, Bow Fortune on Tuesday afternoon. The collision killed one crewmember and left another two crewmembers missing.

Over the past three days, crews searched over 49 square miles for the missing fishermen.

“It is never an easy decision to suspend a search," said Cmdr. Jordan Baldueza, Sector Houston-Galveston search and rescue mission coordinator...

Cellular Aquaculture Firm BlueNalu, Nutreco Announce Strategic Partnership

BlueNalu, a cellular aquaculture company announced its strategic partnership with Nutreco, a top aquafeed company in a move to help commercialize cell-based seafood products.

Dutch-based Nutreco is the parent company of Skretting, a significant player in aquaculture feeds. With Nutreco’s expertise in aquafeed in tow, the partnership is intended to create a more stable and sustainable supply-chain solution.

Nutreco brings a breadth of knowledge and deep expertise to the partnership, including fish nutrition, raw materials expertise and ingredient procurement at competitive costs, BlueNalu said...

RODA Launches Pacific Advisory Committee with Members of West Coast Fisheries

On Thursday the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA) announced the launch of a Pacific Advisory Committee, a group of leaders from West Coast fisheries who will work together to improve the compatibility of new offshore development with commercial fishing.

RODA is a membership-based coalition of fishing industry associations and fishing companies who have an interest in improving the compatibility of new offshore development with their businesses. Members include a number of fishing vessels, as well as businesses like...

How Seafood Fits Into The Phase One Trade Deal With China

On Wednesday the United States and China signed the "Phase One" economic and trade agreement, a deal that requires "structural reforms and other changes to China's economic and trade regime in the areas of intellectual property, technology transfer, agriculture, financial services, and currency and foreign exchange."  A fact sheet released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative boasts that the agreement will "provide U.S. fishermen and seafood companies expanded access to China's rapidly growing market for imported seafood products."

The partial trade deal with China, which also...

ANALYSIS: Atlantic Salmon Retail Features Surge to Kick Off 2020

It’s not every year that the farmed salmon complex experiences an upward swing in January. The market has risen in just two of the past five years. The farmed salmon complex is 6.6 percent higher since the end of December 2019 and almost 27 percent higher since the end of November 2019.

An interesting point is that the market uptick is without the European market in a firming situation. The markets that are on the rise are the Canadian whole fish markets...