Friday, September 27, 2024

Alaska Shutdown of key Alaska pollock fishing area will have 'devastating' impactIn addition to a significant amount of pollock taken out of the global market, the local fleet and community have big challenges ahead. Intrafish by Drew Cherry and Rachel Sapin - September 26, 2024 The closure of a key Alaska pollock harvesting area will leave tens of thousands of metric tons of fish uncaught, and have a “devastating” impact on the local economy, according to an association representing vessels and processors operating in the area.https://www.intrafish.com/whitefish/shutdown-of-key-alaska-pollock-fishing-area-will-have-devastating-impact/2-1-1716268 *Requires Subscription U.S. Department of Commerce Allocates $39.5 Million in Funding for Alaska Fishery Disaster Funds will support Alaska’s Bering Sea snow crab fishery. NOAA Fisheries - September 25, 2024 U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced today the allocation of $39.5 million to address a fishery resource disaster that occurred in the Alaska Bering Sea Snow Crab Fishery from 2023 to 2024. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/media-release/us-department-commerce-allocates-395-million-funding-alaska-fishery-disaster Labeling and Marketing Seafood Nutrition Partnership ramps up retail campaignSeafood Source by Christine Blank - September 25, 2024Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A.-based nonprofit Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP) has announced plans to scale up its successful “Fall In Love With Seafood” campaign in 2025 after the marketing effort saw success in U.S. grocery chains such as H-E-B and Hy-Vee this year. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/foodservice-retail/snp-ramps-up-retail-campaign-readies-for-annual-symposium Federal Register Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 09/26/2024 NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) length overall using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/09/26/2024-22112/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pacific-cod-by-catcher-vessels-greater-than-or FYI’s Innovation and networking at the 2024 Pacific Marine Expo National Fisherman - September 26, 2024 With over 300 exhibiting companies showcasing everything from equipment to propulsion and building supplies, the Pacific Marine Expo is your chance to see what’s new in the commercial fishing industry. Three free education program days hosted by National Fisherman will cover vital topics such as marine safety, business management, and regulatory issues. Don’t miss the chance to connect with old and new friends during the special events and networking opportunities. Below are the many reasons… https://www.nationalfisherman.com/innovation-and-networking-at-the-2024-pme *Requires Subscription Politics Take Center Stage at Wild Alaska Pollock Annual Meeting Seafood News from The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) - September 27, 2024 Working to get the word out about the aptly named “freedom fish” was Senator Dan Sullivan’s challenge to the Wild Alaska Pollock industry at its sixth annual gathering this morning, hosted by the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP). Speaking live via zoom to the nearly 300 attendees—both in person at the W Hotel, Seattle and joining virtually—Senator Sullivan talked about how the U.S. industry needs to keep up the fight against “Russian fishermen trying to disguise their fish as our perfect Wild Alaska Pollock, our freedom fish.”Politics took center stage throughout the meeting’s morning sessions, as speakers capitalized on the election-year themes for both amusement and motivation.Chants of “We heart Wild Alaska Pollock” rang out during GAPP Chief Executive Officer Craig Morris’ remarks where he talked about GAPP’s efforts to ensure that consumers—or voters—vote for Wild Alaska Pollock every day, all day around the world. In a rousing speech, Morris spoke with attendees about major milestones for GAPP over the past year and emphasized “make no mistake, we’re not letting up in our quest to be the world’s best fish and continue to solidify our consumer base of support.”That commitment to continue advancing Wild Alaska Pollock was shared earlier by Senator Sullivan who spoke of the important issue of fair-trading practices and his efforts to close the loophole in the U.S. for Russian seafood.“Russian imports in the United States were almost duty free, before now. The good news, now, is that there is no Russian seafood, regardless of where it’s caught or processed, coming into the United States,” said Sullivan. “What we’re starting to see is that the places in the U.S. that were importing Russian fish, they’re now reaching out to our Alaska fisheries instead. That’s exactly what we want to happen.”Both Senator Sullivan and Senator Murkowski, who provided video remarks for the Annual Meeting, emphasized the work yet to be done to close loopholes to Russian fish around the world, noting recent trips to discuss this critical issue with countries including Canada, Japan and the E.U. Said Senator Sullivan, “Rest assured, we’re going to continue to work on this one.”Turning to critical domestic policy, Senator Murkowski emphasized her work to ensure that Wild Alaska Pollock is not only to be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food programs but is a be bigger part of such programs going forward.“This year USDA is purchasing more than 28.8 million pounds of Wild Alaska Pollock for National School lunches and related programs,” said Senator Murkowski in opening video remarks to the nearly 300 meeting attendees. “This is the second largest USGA purchase of Pollock in history, and we're shooting for more next year. This is a big deal, and it helps to showcase the health benefits, the value and potential of Alaskan Pollock to the American people and the lucky kids that are eating it.”Speaking of the upcoming Farm Bill, Senator Sullivan noted the discrepancies about how U.S. agricultural commodities are treated and the benefits and programs available to them compared with those accessible by seafood commodities like Wild Alaska Pollock.“Our fishermen have so many of the same challenges that farmers have but they don’t have analogous programs to help them de-risk their operations,” said the Senator. “We need to establish an Office of Seafood Policy at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish those same programs that exist for farmers, for fishermen. We think that’s an idea that’s time has come, we think it’s a fair idea, and we’re making progress on it.”Both Senators emphasized the need for the industry to continue its work to get the word out about the positive attributes of the fish and fishery, emphasizing that Wild Alaska Pollock has an incredible story to tell about management, sustainability, labor and the healthful and versatile attributes of the fish itself.“We simply have to get the word out,” said Senator Sullivan.The meeting once again brings together representatives across all segments of the Wild Alaska Pollock industry for a day-long agenda at the W Hotel, Seattle. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1286514/Politics-Take-Center-Stage-at-Wild-Alaska-Pollock-Annual-Meeting

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