Friday, August 15, 2025

Alaska

Kenai River bag limit for sockeye salmon increased through the end of the year

The bag limit for sockeye was set to decrease to three per day and six in possession on Aug. 16.

Peninsula Clarion by Jacob Dye - August 14, 2025 

Citing a continued strong run of sockeye salmon on the Kenai River, which wholly exceeded the escapement goal a couple of weeks ago, the State Department of Fish and Game on Wednesday announced it will maintain the increased sockeye bag limit through the end of the year.

https://www.peninsulaclarion.com/news/kenai-river-bag-limit-for-sockeye-salmon-increased-through-the-end-of-the-year/

International

Ship traffic in strait between Alaska and Russia shows adherence to new safety standards

A study of ship movements in the Bering Strait, where vessel traffic has boomed as Arctic sea ice diminishes, highlights a rare case of U.S.-Russia cooperation during strained times

Alaska Beacon by Yereth Rosen - August 13, 2025

In the narrow sea passage between Alaska and Siberia, there is a glimmer of U.S.-Russia cooperation despite otherwise icy relationships.

https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/08/13/ship-traffic-in-strait-between-alaska-and-russia-shows-adherence-to-new-safety-standards/

Russian Pollock Surimi Imports by Japan, China and South Korea Up 33%, Imports from US Down 11%

SeafoodNews.com by Tom Asakawa - August 14, 2025

According to trade statistics from the Japanese Ministry of Finance, the General Administration of Customs of China, and the Korea International Trade Association, the total import volume of frozen Russian pollock surimi (including frozen fish meat other than surimi, excluding fillets, for China) by Japan, China, and South Korea from January to June was 37,271 tons, up 33% from the same period last year. Meanwhile, imports from the US decreased by 11% to 46,530 tons, resulting in a combined total of 83,801 tons, a 5% increase, reported Minato Shimbun.Imports of Russian pollock surimi by Japan, China, and South Korea all increased, while imports from the US decreased. Imports of Russian pollock surimi by each country were as follows: Japan increased by 81% to 12,228 tons, China increased by 3% to 17,810 tons, and South Korea increased by 87% to 7,232 tons. Imports of US pollock surimi by Japan decreased by 7% to 38,333 tons, China by 57% to 771 tons, and South Korea by 17% to 7,426 tons.Prices have risen for both Russian and US products. The unit price of Russian products in Japan was 4% higher at 353 yen/kg ($2.40/kg), 12% higher at US$2.24 in China, and 26% higher at US$2.44 in South Korea. The price of US products in Japan was 27% higher at 410 yen/kg ($2.78/kg), 9% higher at US$3.17 in China, and 7% higher at US$2.72 in South Korea. In all three countries, Russian products are generally cheaper than those from the US.Russia has introduced an "investment quota" system, which grants fishing companies priority access to quotas for crab, Alaska pollock, and other fish, in exchange for their investment in processing vessels and facilities. In recent years, this system has seen a succession of new offshore surimi processing vessels and onshore factories being built, accelerating the movement to produce surimi domestically in Russia for export. According to the Russian Fisheries Company (RFC, Vladivostok), a major pollock fishery, Russia's total pollock surimi production is projected to increase dramatically from 8,000 tons in 2021 to 29,000 tons in 2022, a 3.6-fold increase. Imports of Russian pollock surimi to Japan, China, and South Korea during the same period also surged from 3,400 tons, of which 3,100 tons went to Japan, to 18,000 tons, with 16,000 tons to Japan. Production continued to increase, rising 1.6-fold to 47,000 tons in 2023. Exports to Japan, China, and South Korea totaled 39,000 tons, with 12,400 tons allocated to Japan. Production then increased 1.5-fold to 70,800 tons in 2024. A total of 55,000 tons for the three countries combined, with Japan importing 18,000 tons during the same period. This year, production is expected to increase further, with the All-Russian Association of Fishery Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters (VARPE) predicting it will reach 85,000 tons, a 1.2-fold increase from last year. By 2024, RFC will build five new super trawlers that will efficiently handle everything from catching fish to processing and freezing on board, producing approximately 40,000 tons of surimi per year. The sixth and seventh vessels are scheduled to begin operation in 2026, with a fleet of 11 vessels expected by 2028.In Japan, Alaska pollock surimi produced by RFC is handled by Daisui, a primary wholesaler at the Osaka Central Wholesale Market. The company has been exclusively selling Alaska pollock surimi produced by RFC since November 2021. It has also dispatched experts to the RFC's surimi vessels to provide instruction on manufacturing techniques and support the stabilization and improvement of quality. Thanks to these efforts, the stable supply system, high-quality products comparable to those of other countries, and affordable prices have been well received by business partners. An increasing number of surimi product manufacturers are adopting the product. The volume handled is also increasing year by year.At a financial results briefing for the fiscal year ending March 2013 held in May, Daisui's President Yamahashi said of the import and sales business of Russian Alaska pollock surimi, "Sales for the current fiscal year were up 40% compared to the previous fiscal year. In addition to an increase in the volume handled by each surimi product manufacturer, the number of newly added manufacturers has also increased. Sales have been steadily increasing over the past three years since the business started." He expressed hope for further market expansion, saying, "It depends on competing American products, but taking into account high costs and fishing quotas, we expect sales of Russian products to continue to grow in the future."

https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1316034/Russian-Pollock-Surimi-Imports-by-Japan-China-and-South-Korea-Up-33-percent-Imports-from-US-Down-11-percent-

FYI’s

Salmonfest donates a portion of its proceeds to Alaska organizations

KDLL by Hunter Morrison - August 14, 2025 

Nels Ure is Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay's deputy director. He says Salmonfest helps amplify the organization's pro-fish cause. The organization does not receive financial contributions from Salmonfest.

https://www.kdll.org/local-news/2025-08-14/salmonfest-donates-a-portion-of-its-proceeds-to-alaska-organizations

Registration for the 2025 Pacific Marine Expo is open

National Fisherman - August 14, 2025

Registration is now live for the West Coast's largest commercial marine trade show, serving commercial mariners from Alaska to California. Join industry experts and commercial fishermen from November 20-22 at Lumen Field in Seattle for the 2025 Pacific Marine Expo (PME).  Industry members can register for free HERE. This year you will find: Hundreds of Exhibitors. Hundreds of exhibitors will feature products in nearly every commercial marine category. Preview the exhibitor list. Free Expo…

https://www.nationalfisherman.com/registration-for-the-2025-pacific-marine-expo-is-open

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