Monday, November 17, 2025
- admin04655
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Alaska
In waters off Alaska, fishermen struggle to keep orcas from their catch
Fishing crews across a broad expanse of the world’s oceans, ranging from the South Atlantic to the North Pacific, report unwelcome encounters with whales.
Anchorage Daily News by Hal Bernton - November 16, 2025
UNALASKA — The orca pod that forages in the waters just north of this Aleutian island are quick to swarm any halibut boat with a skipper foolish enough to drop lines in their domain.
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West Coast
Oregon, Washington Advance Toward Dungeness Crab Decision as Test Results Roll In
SeafoodNews by Susan Chambers - November 17, 2025
West Coast crabbers and fishery managers are entering a decisive week for the 2025-26 Dungeness crab season, with a season-opening announcement scheduled for Friday, following the recent release of Washington test results.
According to an industry notice from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, crab from Long Beach did not meet the Tri-State meat recovery threshold for a Dec. 1 opener.
Crab from Westport did meet the criteria, with a 25% meat recovery result, but some crab is still soft. The shell grades showed more than half the crab with enough flex in the body and legs so as not to be marketable. Specifically:
- 5.8% of the crab registered as: 1A, no flex in body or legs; marketable;
- 32.7% registered as: 1B, slight flex in either body or leg; marketable;
- 61.5% registered as: II, some flex in both body and leg; not marketable; and
- 0% registered as: III, extreme flex in body and legs; not marketable.
Biotoxin testing showed that all the crab landed were below the 30 ppm threshold. WDFW plans a second Long Beach test by Dec. 7.
WDFW also said the Quinault Indian Nation announced a Nov. 15 opening for its tribal fishery.
Oregon Domoic Acid Results Clean So Far
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said Friday it has received domoic acid results for almost all of Oregon test areas with none exceeding food safety thresholds. The Oregon Department of Agriculture is analyzing more crab, with all results expected before a Nov. 19 crab industry meeting between fishery managers and the seafood industry. So far, with domoic acid levels below action levels and crab from all Oregon areas exceeding quality criteria, Oregon crabbers could be looking at a Dec. 1 season opening.
Washington, Oregon and California (Tri-State) managers will discuss the findings with their respective industry groups this week, then consider coordinated season openers during a Nov. 20 meeting. A final decision is expected Friday, Nov. 21.
National
Deal ending US gov’t shutdown includes funding for seafood inspections, industry liaison position...
Numerous seafood-related provisions were included in the legislation that reopened the US federal government on Wednesday...
Undercurrent News by Cliff White - November 14, 2025
The government funding bill that brought an end to the prolonged US federal shutdown contains several provisions that could have lasting effects on the seafood sector, including new inspection requirements and limits on certain imports...
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Labeling and Marketing
3MMI - Dungeness Crab December Opening? 2025 Harvest Plunge, “Blob” Threatens 2026
Tradex Foods - November 17, 2025
2025 total North American Dungeness crab harvest appears headed for a record low estimated at roughly 50% of the 5-year average.
FYI’s
Trident Seafoods rolls out premium Alaska pollock loins at Walmart
Trident co-launched the product with the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) Thursday.
Intrafish by Rachel Sapin - November 14, 2025
Trident Seafoods this month launched a new branded product into Walmart stores across the United States.
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Announcement of Interim Executive Director Appointment
NPFMC - November 2025
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council announces that Diana Evans will serve as Interim Executive Director, effective November 1, 2025, following the retirement of David Witherell, who has served as Executive Director since 2017.
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