Shipping Companies Push Back Against CBP Motion to Reinstitute Fines in Jones Act Pollock Case

Klooesterboer International Forwarding (KIF) and Alaska Reefer Management (ARM), a pair of American Seafoods-affiliated shipping companies have urged the court to keep the Bayside Canadian Rail route in operation during the litigation process that involves pollock shipments heading across the country.

A motion filed by KIF and ARM opposed a recent motion filed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) which would dissolve an injunction that halted the CBP from issuing fines on the shipping firms using the route...

Hokkaido Fishermen on Verge of Serious Loss Due to Russia’s Decision to Suspend Fisheries Agreement

The Japanese fishermen from the island of Hokkaido are on the verge of massive bankruptcies due to the recent decision of the Russian government to suspend the existing Fisheries Agreement with Japan.  

According to analysts, the biggest negative impact of such a move will be on Japanese fishermen from the island of Hokkaido, which is located in close proximity to the Kuril Islands. These waters were traditionally used by Japanese for the annual catch of hundreds tonnes of cod, octopus and crabs annually...

Russia Increasing Domestic Output of Pollock Products

Russia is actively increasing domestic output of pollock products as the demand for them is steadily growing both in the domestic market and abroad.  

As Alexey Buglak, head of the Russian Pollock Association, said in an interview with the Russian Fishnews magazine, the biggest growth this season was observed in case of pollock fillets, which output has grown by 50% compared to the previous year. A significant growth was also observed in case of mince and surimi, made from pollock.  

According to estimates of Buglak, the share of pollock, which was sent...

GAPP to Hold 4th Annual Wild Alaska Pollock Meeting in October; SeafoodNews Editor to MC

The fourth annual Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers’ (GAPP) Wild Alaska Pollock meeting will take place in Seattle on October 17, the group announced on June 14.

The meeting will be held at the Westin Seattle and bring together representatives from all areas of the Wild Alaska Pollock industry. Marketing experts, and visionary speakers will also be present that will work to tackle industry challenges.

The theme for the 2022 meeting is “Strategically Building Awareness and Demand for the Perfect Protein...

CBP Wants to Reinstitute Fines in American Seafoods Jones Act Case

After a U.S. District Judge ruled in favor of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in a case involving American Seafoods affiliates for violating the Jones Act last month, the CBP is looking to reinstate fines for the violations.

Prior to the ruling, District Judge Sharon L. Gleason ordered an injunction that halted fines from the CBP on the shipping companies affiliated with American Seafoods that were using a 100-foot railway to comply with a Jones Act waiver on shipments from Alaska to the East Coast...

April Pollock Surimi Production Keeps Slowing Down in Hokkaido

The April production of land-based surimi from Hokkaido announced by the National Surimi Manufacturers Association dropped sharply in Alaska pollock surimi. The January-April cumulative total was almost the same as the previous year. Suisan Keizai Shimbun reported that the strong performance until February was utterly overshadowed, and the growth rate of Atka mackerel slowed down.

Production in April was 514 tons for Alaska pollock surimi, down 19.3% from the same month of the previous year and decreased by 20% for the second consecutive month. Atka mackerel surimi...

Russian Crab Sector to Face Dark Ages  

The Russian crab sector is on the verge of collapse due to the forthcoming introduction of the U.S. ban on the imports of crab from Russia and the lack of suitable alternatives for the re-direction of crab supplies from the country.   

According to the Russian Kommersant business paper, so far, several leading domestic crab producers have reported serious difficulties with the sale of frozen crab to the US market. According to them, serious problems with the deliveries to the US and the EU -  which together accounted for up to 48% of all...

USDA Spends Just Shy of $10 Million in Latest Alaska Pollock Purchase

The latest purchase award description from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that it bought over 3.2 million pounds of Alaska pollock products for just shy of $10 million.

Back on May 4, the USDA shared its latest invitation for offers to sell pollock products as it eyed frozen fillets, frozen sticks, bulk containers and breaded frozen sticks.

Nearly all of the purchase came from Trident Seafoods which sold 3,094,400 lbs. of pollock products for $9,690,268. Meanwhile, American Seafoods sold 118,000...

USDA Looking to Buy Over 3.2 Million Pounds of Alaska Pollock 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shared its latest invitation for offers to sell pollock products to be used in the National School Lunch Program and other Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs.

In all, the USDA is looking for 3.2 million pounds of frozen Alaska pollock products including frozen fillets, frozen sticks, bulk containers and breaded frozen sticks.

The USDA said acceptances will be announced by midnight on May 18 and deliveries are scheduled from September 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023...

Russia Sharply Increases Manufacture of Pollock Products This Year

Despite the ongoing military conflict and unprecedented sanctions, Russia is increasing production of fish products this year, particularly those made from pollock.

Several days ago, the pollock fishing season officially ended in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. The growth of catch was equivalent to 1.5% compared to last year's level up to 880,000 tonnes. A more significant growth was achieved in the processing sector, as the production of the majority of the most demanded products, among which are fillets, minced meat, surimi frozen headless pollock, grew by several times...

Russia Considering Taking Measures for Prevention of Fish and Seafood Shortage in Domestic Market

Russia is considering taking measures for the prevention of fish and seafood shortages in the domestic market, which could be the result of unprecedented sanctions, imposed on the country.

According to recent statements of Alexey Buglak, head of the Russian Pollock Association, which were made in an interview with the local RBC business paper, the deliveries of certain fish and seafood species to the domestic market, such as shrimp, Atlantic herring and mackerel can be partially replaced by domestic products, as Russian fishermen produce them...

Russia to Face Shortage of Salmon and Other Premium Fish in Domestic Market This Year  

Russia may face a significant reduction of fish and seafood range in the domestic market this year as unprecedented sanctions imposed on the country lead to a significant decline of fish imports.

According to a recent study conducted by the Russian Pollock Association, only in the case of red fish, this year its imports to Russia will be reduced by 30%.

In addition to Atlantic salmon and trout, there is a possibility of a significant decline of foreign supplies of mackerel...

Tokyo Central Wholesale Markets February Fish Roe Sales: Ikura Salmon Caviar Price 15% Lower

In February, after the year-end high demand season, Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market's salted fish roe sales slowed down. The price of ikura salmon caviar calmed down while sales of salted pollock roe and spicy pollock roe were favorable. Herring roe in the off-season was expensive, and sales of salmon roe products struggled, reported Suisan Keizai.

Sujiko salmon roe

Although the inventory was heavy, the selling price was sticking to the high price due to the high manufacturing cost...

Russian Fish Processors Call on State to Limit Fish Exports From Russia  

Leading Russian fish processors have called on the national government to limit exports of fish due to a possible shortage of raw materials for their needs.   

The initiators of the idea expect that this will allow them to reserve at least 2.9 million tons for the domestic market, which will prevent a sharp rise in prices and will allow them to stay afloat amid the current conditions.  

Alexander Panin, chairman of the Russian Fish Union, a public association which unites...

GAPP Announces New Partnership Program With Trident Seafoods, Nordstrom Restaurants

The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced on Thursday that they’ve entered into a new partnership with Nordstrom Restaurants and Trident Seafoods for Earth Month.

Team members from GAPP and Trident Seafoods met with Nordstrom chefs in January to develop recipes ideas featuring Wild Alaska Pollock. The chefs competed for which dish would be part of the April menu, with options ranging from grilled to blackened and breaded Wild Alaska Pollock. Ultimately the restaurants will feature Blackened Wild Alaska Pollock with Cajun Risotto...

Fish Imports To Russia Will Decline By At Least 30% This Year  

According to recent statements made by the Russian Pollock Association, fish imports to Russia this year will decline by at least 30%, while there could also be serious problems with the replacement of a number of fish species, such as Atlantic salmon and tuna.

In 2021, Russia imported 579,000 tons of fish products for $2.1 billion. According to analyst forecasts, this year deliveries will decrease to 385,000 tonnes and US$1.5 billion. 

As president of the association...

GAPP Appoints Global Seas CEO Bob Desautel As Board Chairman

Global Seas CEO Bob Desautel has been named Chairman of the Board for the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP). Desautel will be replacing out-going chair Mikel Durham of American Seafoods, who was pivotal in securing the increased industry investment for GAPP four years ago.

“It’s been incredible to watch the new GAPP Strategic Plan come to life over the last several years,” said Desautel. “In conversations with industry, with customers, and with even friends and family, their knowledge of Wild Alaska Pollock has markedly...

Latest USDA Purchase Request Calls for 7.6 Million Pounds of Alaska Pollock

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invited offers to sell pollock products for use in the National School Lunch Program and other Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs under Section 32.

The solicitation shows that the USDA wants to buy a total of 7,638,000 pounds of Alaska pollock products. It is eyeing 5,320,000 pounds of frozen Alaska pollock sticks, 912K pounds of frozen Alaska pollock nuggets and just over 1.4 million pounds of frozen Alaska pollock fillets.

Acceptances will be announced by midnight, June 28, 2022. Deliveries...

Judge Denies CBP Push to Remove Injunction in BCR Route Pollock Case

U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason denied the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)'s push to remove an injunction that allowed Alaskan pollock companies to continue to use the Bayside Canadian Rail (BCR), a 100-foot railway, without fear of fines while the case was still in court.

The CBP filed a motion in court earlier this month calling for Gleason to remove the injunction because the judge had ruled that the transportation of frozen seafood on the BCR Route does not comply with the Third Proviso of the...

GAPP Seeking Proposals For Next Round of Partnership Program Funding

The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) is once again looking for “cutting edge” proposals for their next round of Partnership Program funding. This time around GAPP has expanded the program to focus on global opportunities for wild Alaska pollock, with specific emphasis on project ideas in “growth areas” for the fish as identified through GAPP’s proprietary research.

“The global food sector is now, perhaps more than ever, ripe for disruptive innovation and break-through promotions,” said Craig Morris, GAPP CEO...

April Salted Fish Roe Sales at Tokyo Central Wholesale Markets Better Than a Year Ago

Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market sales of salted fish roe in April increased from the same month of the previous year, except for ikura salmon caviar, which remained high. In particular, salted Pollock roe and spicy Pollock roe continued to expand as their handling increased despite the high unit price, reported Suisan Keizai.

Sujiko salted salmon roe

Sales centered on high-cost carry-over inventory, but in April, there was a slight increase in sales...

Foreign Fishermen Unable to Begin Catch in Russian Territorial Waters This Year

Foreign fishermen are unable to begin their catch in the Russian territorial waters this year due to ongoing military conflict between Ukraine and Russia and sanctions, imposed on the latter.

The biggest problems are currently observed in the case of pollock fishermen from South Korea, which traditionally begin their fishing season in Russia in the middle of May. There is a high possibility that their fishing season in Russia will fail this year, as most fishermen have not even been able to transfer funds for...

These Are The Top 10 Seafood Items Consumed In The U.S. For 2020

Seafood consumption figures are in for 2020, revealing how the pandemic helped - and hurt - the industry.

When the coronavirus began spreading in the U.S. in early 2020, the government took extreme lockdown measures, shutting down all non-essential businesses. While restaurants were allowed to remain open, their dining rooms were closed. This was a major blow to the seafood industry, where fish and shellfish thrived at dine-in. However, retail seafood purchases did increase with many people using the lockdown to learn how to...

Hokkaido March Surimi Production Slow Down in Pollock, Atka Mackerel Up 5-Times YOY

The production of land-based surimi in Hokkaido in March, announced by the Hokkaido Surimi Manufacturers Association, slowed down slightly as the mainstay Alaska pollock surimi fell significantly below the same month last year for the first time in two months. The cumulative increase in Alaska pollock from January to March was slightly below a year ago. The overall increase rate, including other species, decreased from 16.0% at the end of February to 7.1%, reported Suisan Keizai...

Tokyo Central Wholesale Market Salted Fish Roe Sales Up In Pollock Roe, Down In Salmon Roe Products

In March, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market, the unit price of salmon roe products continued to rise and the sales volume dropped. Still, the quantity of pollock roe products increased a little even if they were slightly high priced, and the sales of herring roe products were mixed. Overall, the unit price of fish roe products continues to be high, Suisan Keizai reported.

Sujiko salmon roe

It is said that extensive domestic inventories were still left, but due to high costs...

JAPAN: U.S. Alaska Pollock Surimi Price May Rise 50-70 Yen Per Kilo

The market price of Alaska pollock frozen surimi from the United States, the primary raw material for surimi products such as kamaboko, is expected to rise gradually this spring. The price increase for small-lot users in Japan is expected to be around 60 to 70 yen/kg ($.47-.55/kg) for high-end products and 40 to 50 yen/kg ($.31-.39/kg) for low-end products compared to March. Due to the reduction in production in the United States, the world's largest surimi...

Japan: February Surimi Production in Hokkaido 700 MT, Up 31%

According to the member report of the National Surimi Manufacturers Association, the production of frozen surimi in Hokkaido in February increased by 31% from the same month of the previous year to 705 tons, surpassing the same month of the previous year for six consecutive months.

Alaska pollock increased by 29% to 638 tons due to the increase in the landing of raw material fish, the first increase in two months. "The catch of Alaska pollock in Hokkaido increased by 35% to about 9,100 tons. The Tokachi Kushiro area increased...

Watch Us Eat Wild Alaska Pollock Fish Jerky From Neptune Snacks

SeafoodNews Managing Editor Amanda Buckle and Urner Barry Seafood Market Reporter Lorin Castiglione are chowing down on fish jerky from Neptune Snacks in the latest "Watch Us Eat!" video. Made with Wild Alaska Pollock, these snacks feature an impressive 25g of protein and are packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids. You can try them yourself by ordering from NeptuneSnacks.com.

Japan: February Imports Continued to Rise In Value, Down In Volume Except Russia

According to the February trade bulletin released by the Ministry of Finance on March 16, the import volume of fish and shellfish (excluding non-edible marine products) fell sharply for the first time in four months. Meanwhile the import value continued to increase significantly. Procurement costs continue to rise sharply, Suisan Keizai reported.

In February, the import result was 124,852 tons, 115,671 million yen ($929.86 million), a significant decrease of 10.3% in volume compared to the same month of the previous year and...

Japan’s Russian Seafood Imports: 10% of Total Imports May Disappear

The United States, which was the first to ban the import of Russian marine products due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, announced that it would postpone the embargo by three months, as previously reported. The U.S. Treasury has postponed the grace period from March 25 to June 23, considering importers. On the other hand, the Japanese government has suspended the import ban because it will significantly impact the local economy. Still, trade with Russia is in trouble practically due to the exclusion from the bank settlement transaction network and the...