Alaska Findings from pilot setnet fishery study inconclusiveThe study sought to see whether shorter nets could selectively catch sockeye salmon while allowing king salmon to pass below Homer News by Jacob Dye - February 28, 2024 A pilot study for the use of shallower nets to more selectively catch sockeye salmon in the east side setnet fishery — once described by State Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang as a potential solution to “a decadeslong struggle with a win-win for the resource and all the user groups” — didn’t produce statistically significant findings. https://www.homernews.com/news/findings-from-pilot-setnet-fishery-study-inconclusive/ West Coast Proposed Rule for Federal Salmon Regulations for Overfished Species Rebuilding Plans – Snohomish Coho Salmon; Request for Comments Proposal to remove the Snohomish River coho rebuilding plan NOAA Fisheries - February 28, 2024 NOAA Fisheries is proposing revision to the regulations that implement the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Council) Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to remove the Snohomish River coho rebuilding plan as the stock has now been rebuilt and is no longer considered overfished. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/proposed-rule-federal-salmon-regulations-overfished-species-rebuilding-plans-snohomish National FTC challenge of Kroger-Albertsons deal complicates retail landscape for seafood vendorsConcerns range from higher consumer prices to less competition to smaller seafood supplier being shut out of deals Seafood Source by Christine Blank - March 1, 2024 The U.S. Federal Trade Commission sued to block the USD 24.6 billion (EUR 22.7 billion) proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger on 26 February. The suit will almost certainly further delay the merger – originally proposed in October 2022. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/foodservice-retail/following-ftc-suit-analysts-outline-impacts-of-proposed-kroger-albertsons-proposed-merger-on-seafood-suppliers *Requires Subscription Environment/Science NOAA selects companies to compete for fisheries tech support funding Seafood Source by Nathan Strout - February 29, 2024 NOAA has selected 21 companies eligible for fisheries-related funding under a massive USD 8 billion (EUR 7.4 billion) program that will provide the agency a variety of professional, scientific, and technical support services. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/noaa-selects-companies-to-compete-for-fisheries-tech-support-funding Oregon State leads effort to expand ocean oxygen monitoring sensor use in fishing industry Oregon State University - February 27, 2024 CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University researchers are leading an effort to refine the design and expand use of oxygen monitoring sensors that can be deployed in fishing pots to relay critical information on changing ocean conditions to the fishing industry.https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/oregon-state-leads-effort-expand-ocean-oxygen-monitoring-sensor-use-fishing-industry Marine Debris Foundation Establishing Headquarters in Juneau Fishermen's News - February 28, 2024 The Marine Debris Foundation (MDF), established by Congress as a public-private partnership with NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, will have its headquarters in Juneau, Alaska on the campus of the University of Alaska College and Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, it was announced Feb. 21. https://fishermensnews.com/marine-debris-foundation-establishing-headquarters-in-juneau/ Labeling and Marketing ASMI Enters Into Partnership With Bob Evans For New Fish Fry Menu Items Urner Barry by Amanda Buckle - February 29, 2024 The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has engaged in yet another partnership to continue spreading the good word about Alaska seafood products. The latest partnership is with Bob Evans Farmhouse Kitchen, and is set to bring wild-caught Alaska cod dishes to the chain for the Lenten season.New to Bob Evans menus for a limited time is a Fish Fry Platter, which features three wild-caught fresh Alaska cod fillets in a light, flaky, pub-style batter. The platter also comes with two thick-cut onion rings, dill tartar sauce and a lemon wedge, and is also served with a voice of freshly baked bread. Sandwich lovers can enjoy the Alaska cod fillets on a brioche bun, along with a side of crispy French fries, if they order Bob Evans’ new Fish Fry Sandwich.Other returning seafood dishes for Lent include a Fried Shrimp Dinner, and Lemon Pepper Sole Fillets.As mentioned above, this is not the only partnership that ASMI has engaged in during Lent. Taco John’s has also partnered with ASMI this year for their Lent promotion: Alaska Flounder Fish Tacos.“The cold, glacier-fed waters of Alaska provide a healthy, natural habitat for millions of high-quality fish, famous for their delicious flavor and superior texture. Our state’s thriving, wild Alaska flounder population is a testament to our healthy fish habitats and responsible fisheries management practices,” said Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute marketing coordinator Sarah Wallace.ASMI has also partnered with White Castle for their Fish Slider, which is made with wild Alaska pollock.“ASMI is extremely selective regarding partnerships and is happy to partner with White Castle, a restaurant with a proven track record of serving quality meals to families for over 100 years,” Wallace said of the White Castle partnership.Lent started with Ash Wednesday on February 14 and ends on Easter, which falls on March 31 this year. During that period Catholics who observe Lent refrain from eating meat on Fridays, which in turn boosts seafood consumption during this time period. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1272713/ASMI-Enters-Into-Partnership-With-Bob-Evans-For-New-Fish-Fry-Menu-Items Federal Register North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/29/2024 The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Pacific Northwest Crab Industry Advisory Committee (PNCIAC) will meet March 15, 2024. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/29/2024-04282/north-pacific-fishery-management-council-public-meeting Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Alaska Prohibited Species Donation Program A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/29/2024 The Department of Commerce will submit the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, on or after the date of publication of this notice. We invite the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on December 4, 2023, during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/29/2024-04216/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-to-the-office-of-management-and-budget-omb-for
Pacific Seafood Processors Association 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-Friday8:00 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.