Alaska/Pacific Coast
New report studies impact of women in fisheries Report includes findings of Gulf of Alaska focus groups Cordova Times by Margaret Bauman - February 22, 2020 A new federal study with an eye on historical data concludes that women participate in Alaska fisheries differently than men, often in essential work not captured in fisheries statistics. https://www.thecordovatimes.com/2020/02/22/new-report-studies-impact-of-women-in-fisheries/ National American consumption of fish rises slightly to 11-year high AP News by Associated Press - February 21, 2020 Americans’ consumption of seafood has risen to its highest point in more than a decade. People in the U.S. averaged 16.1 pounds of seafood in 2018, an increase of a tenth of a pound from 2017, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Friday. The increase brought seafood consumption to its highest point since 2007, the agency said. https://apnews.com/14c88b6b01235dfb03d09a03737f3a93 Seafood Consumption at Highest Level Since 2007, According to NOAA's 2018 Fisheries Report Urner Barry by Amanda Buckle - February 21, 2020 NOAA released their annual Fisheries of the U.S. Report for 2018. According to the numbers, seafood consumption was up compared to 2017 – although very slightly. According to the government agency, seafood consumption jumped to 16.1 pounds, which is up 0.1 pounds from 2017. This number represents the highest consumption level since 2007, when total per capita consumption was at 16.3 pounds. Looking at the top consumed item, shrimp once again holds that title with 4.6 pounds consumed. That's a 0.2 jump from 2017. The report also reveals that overall fresh and frozen seafood consumption increased 0.2 pounds from the year prior. However, there was a slight decrease in consumption of canned seafood products. NOAA says this was driven by a decrease in canned salmon production in 2018. Check out the chart from NOAA below to see just how far seafood consumption has grown since NOAA started compiling the data in 1910:
The annual Fisheries Report also reveals that U.S. fishermen landed 9.4 billion pounds of fish in 2018, valued at $5.6 billion. While a 5.3% decrease in pounds caught compared to 2017, value increased 2.7% from 2017. Lobster is primarily to thank for the increase. NOAA reports lobster as the highest value species group, bringing in $684 million. Crabs was slightly behind with $645 million, followed by salmon at $598 million, scallops at $541 million, and shrimp at $496 million. Dutch Harbor, Alaska remained the port with the highest volume of seafood landed for the 22nd consecutive year, while New Bedford remained the port with the highest value of seafood landed for the 19th consecutive year. The Fisheries of the United States, 2018 Report can be found here. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1164655/Seafood-Consumption-at-Highest-Level-Since-2007-According-to-NOAAs-2018-Fisheries-Report International Despite the Coronvirus Outbreak, Online Seafood Sales in China Increase SeafoodNews.com by Amy Zhong - February 24, 2020 Due to the coronavirus outbreak, China’s seafood market has been sluggish during this Chinese New Year—and quite a number of industry participants are worried if they can survive the harsh winter. Though sellers encounter great challenges in brick-and-mortar store sales, there is an increase to different extents in the virtual ones within this market depression. For example, according to statistics from JD.com, its seafood product sales have increased by about 60% within this shopping carnival compared with the previous one. JD’s self-branded seafood gift baskets and certificates have more than doubled. Domestic seafood has witnessed an increase over 50% in sales, while that of imported ones has jumped by more than 30%. And in the import category, shrimp has turned out to be hot for sales. In spite of greater sales, e-commerce platforms in China are haunted by some problems in this period. And some outstanding ones are related to delivery. For example, under the influence of the prevalent disease, it takes longer to deliver seafood to consumers in some regions, while there is an increase in transportation costs. To improve the delivery, China has issued some policies, and one of them is to add live seafood to the list of life necessities which should be transported more rapidly. Local governments have been asked to take corresponding measures to ensure the implementation of this policy. Moreover, relevant associations, companies and e-commerce platforms are encouraged to further cooperate. Hopefully such action will stimulate online sales and fasten the recovery of this disease-haunted market. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1164732/Despite-the-Coronvirus-Outbreak-Online-Seafood-Sales-in-China-Increase Environment/Science New Study Shows Pacific Cod Eggs are Highly Vulnerable to Changes in Bottom Temperature NOAA Fisheries - February 20, 2020 The 2013 to 2016 marine heatwave—known as “The Blob”—is the largest warm anomaly ever recorded in the North Pacific. In the Gulf of Alaska, scientists have connected low numbers of Pacific cod larvae, juveniles, and adults to loss of spawning habitat. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/new-study-shows-pacific-cod-eggs-are-highly-vulnerable-changes-bottom-temperature Labeling and Marketing AFDF to present seafood competition awards Cordova Times - February 23, 2020 All winners in 2020 Alaska Symphony of Seafood competition will be honored on Feb. 24 at the annual legislative reception in Juneau co-hosted by Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation and United Fishermen of Alaska. https://www.thecordovatimes.com/2020/02/23/afdf-to-present-seafood-competition-awards/ Federal Register Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/24/2020 NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2020 total allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 620 in the GOA. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/02/24/2020-03561/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pollock-in-statistical-area-620-in-the-gulf-of
Ann Owens Pacific Seafood Processors Association Office Manager 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. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. *Inclusion of a news article, report, or other document in this email does not imply PSPA support or endorsement of the information or opinion expressed in the document.