Alaska/Pacific Coast
Alaska Salmon Catches Break 105 Million Fish Mark But Pinks Still Below Expectations SeafoodNews.com by Peggy Parker - August 6, 2019 The latest catch numbers out of Alaska show just over 105.5 million salmon have been landed as of August 4. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s forecasted 213.4 milion salmon will likely not be reached this year, but it was a banner year for sockeye and very good for Chinook, a species that has shown disappointing returns in recent years. A total of 211,000 Chinook have been landed to date, compared to a pre-season forecast of 250,000 fish. The harvest pace on all species, according to Garret Evridge of the McDowell Group, is about 10 percent ahead of 2018. Overall production of “less than a million fish per week is expected through the end of the season,” Evridge noted. The pink salmon harvest, at 41 million, is about a third of the 137.8 million forecast. “Based on historical data,” Evridge said, “Alaska is unlikely to produce the 25 million fish per week needed to reach the 138 million fish foercast by the end of the season.” However, Kodiak landings of pinks has been good at 10.5 million so far, and earlier in the year the South Peninsula harvest was 11 milion pinks. “If Kodiak can match 2017’s production through the end of the season,” Evridge said, “that area is on track to meet its forecast of 27 million fish. “Prince William Soudn and Southeast are 47 percent and 73 percent behind the YTD 2017 harvest, respectlvely,” he said. Chum salmon (or keta) harvests are 10.4 milion fish so far, about 20 percent behind YTD 2018. A forecast of 29 million keta may be reached, but only if fishing improves significantly in the coming six weeks. All areas except PWS are below expectations for chum. In PWS, chum landings exceeded the per-season forecast by 75 percent. Southeast Alassa has harvested two million keta, roughly 10 percent of their forecasted amount. The Akaska-Yukon-Kuskokwim harvest for chum is 57 percent lower than last year’s strong season and 43 percent below their five-year average. They’ve landed just under 700,000 salmon, about 570,000 of that keta. "Although coho volume is about half the five-year average at this point, at least eight weeks of harvest remain," Evridge said. Harvest of 822,000 coho so far this year compares to pre-season a forecast of 4.6 million statewide. Coho landings to date have been from Southeast Alaska and the Westward Region. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1149097/Alaska-Salmon-Catches-Break-105-Million-Fish-Mark-But-Pinks-Still-Below-Expectations International Trump’s trade war with China takes a big bite out of Alaska and US seafood sales Anchorage Daily News by Laine Welch - August 6, 2019 It’s been one year, so how’s that trade war with China working out for the nation’s seafood industry? As with farmers, there’s not much winning, and ongoing tweeted skirmishes have global fish markets skittish. https://www.adn.com/business-economy/2019/08/06/trumps-trade-war-with-china-takes-a-big-bite-out-of-alaska-and-us-seafood-sales/ International Joint Commission launches ‘fact-finding mission’ into B.C. transboundary mining Alaska Public Media by Jacob Resneck - August 6, 2019 Alaska’s U.S. Senators hosted members of an international commission charged with investigating transboundary water disputes. https://www.alaskapublic.org/2019/08/06/international-joint-commission-launches-fact-finding-mission-into-b-c-transboundary-mining/ Environment/Science Years of data suggest ecosystem shifts in the Northern Bering Sea KNOM by Davis Hovey - August 5, 2019 Scientists say based on years of observations and data gathered in the Northern Bering Sea, as well as a recent research cruise, they can see warming waters and biological changes going farther north. This seems to indicate a shift in the Northern Bering from one type of ecosystem to another. https://www.ktoo.org/2019/08/05/years-of-data-suggest-ecosystem-shifts-in-the-northern-bering-sea/ Labeling and Marketing Seeking Wild Alaska Pollock Surimi, Roe Proposals for 3rd Round of Partnership Funding Urner Barry by Amanda Buckle - August 6, 2019 The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) is once again seeking out companies that have an innovative new product or channel that they are seeking to place Wild Alaska Pollock in. Earlier this year the GAPP Board of Directors approved $1 million in funding for the second round of the North American Partnership Program. Now, the Association is searching for proposals for the third round of funding. "We are thrilled to be able to partner with even more companies to continue to build upon the incredible excitement for Wild Alaska Pollock in the domestic market today," said GAPP CEO Craig Morris. "The Board is seeking truly innovative proposals that highlight our amazing fish in new and exciting ways – or bring it to new consumers who have never before tasted our perfect protein." The GAPP Board of Directors created the North American Partnership Program as a way to provide support for companies who are "looking to bring new, innovative products to market or introduce the fish to food influencers and decision-makers at forums where it hasn't previously had visibility." In April the second bout of funding attracted a "record number of applicants." Ultimately the board selected 12 proposals to receive funding. Partners chosen during the second round included High Liner Foods and True North Seafood, who were granted funds to bring new products to market. Fishpeople, American Seafoods, Gorton's Seafood and Trident Seafoods also received funding to promote various products and projects. GAPP has approximately $1.7 million in funding remaining for 2019-2020 for the third round of partnerships. "We are looking for companies with a passion for Wild Alaska Pollock who need resourced to put our amazing protein, in all of its forms – from fillet to surimi to even Wild Alaska Pollock roe – in front of new customers and consumers in new ways," Morris added. "We're also looking for companies with a collaborative spirit, who are looking to share learnings and, proverbially speaking, raise all boats in terms of building demand and awareness for the incredible Wild Alaska Pollock. Creating a recognizable brand for Wild Alaska Pollock is going to take us all, pulling together and the GAPP North American Partnership Program is designed to help us do just that." Those interested in submitting a proposal have until October 1, 2019. Applicants will be notified on the outcome of their application no later than December 15, 2019. More information about submitting an application can be found. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1149089/GAPP-Seeking-Wild-Alaska-Pollock-Surimi-Roe-Proposals-for-3rd-Round-of-Partnership-Funding
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