Alaska Bering Sea snow crab fishing to resume, but at an ultra-low level to encourage repopulation After an unprecedented two-year closure, there are enough snow crab to support a ‘conservative’ harvest, while the allowable harvest of red king crab has increased a bit Alaska Beacon by Yereth Rosen - October 16, 2024 After a two-year hiatus forced by low stocks, the Bering Sea snow crab harvest is back on.The decision to reopen the harvest, announced on Oct. 4 by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, is based on signs of recovery in the crab populations. The official harvest opening was Tuesday. https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/10/16/bering-sea-snow-crab-fishing-to-resume-but-at-an-ultra-low-level-to-encourage-repopulation/ Kodiak Setnet Fleet Saves Season by Linking Up With Silver Bay Seafoods Fishermen's News - October 16, 2024 Veteran salmon setnetters in Kodiak, Alaska’s Alitak District have struck a deal with Silver Bay Seafoods after long-time buyer OBI dropped the Alitak setnet fleet from its roster, citing economic concerns. https://fishermensnews.com/kodiak-setnet-fleet-saves-season-by-linking-up-with-silver-bay-seafoods/ Trident Seafoods sells Kodiak plant to Pacific, likely to keep Saint Paul facility closed through 2025 Seafood Source by Cliff White - October 15, 2024 Trident Seafoods is selling its seafood-processing plant in Kodiak, Alaska, U.S.A. to Pacific Seafoods. Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based Trident has been seeking a buyer for its Kodiak plant since December 2023, when it announced a broader pullback from operating in Alaska. It subsequently sold off its processing facilities in Petersburg, Ketchikan, and False Pass, and in May 2024, it said it had advanced negotiations on the sale of its Kodiak plant. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/processing-equipment/trident-seafoods-sells-kodiak-plant-to-pacific-likely-to-keep-saint-paul-facility-closed-through-2025 *Requires Subscription Judge rules Peter Pan sale to Rodger May can proceed as planned Peter Pan's Port Moller, Alaska plant was part of a contentious receivership debate. Intrafish by Rachel Sapin - October 14, 2024 Washington state King County Superior Court Commissioner Jonathan Lack on Monday denied a creditor's appeal to stay the sale of a key Alaska processing facility in the transfer of Peter Pan's remaining assets to co-owner Rodger May as part of a contentious receivership process. https://www.intrafish.com/legal/judge-rules-peter-pan-sale-to-rodger-may-can-proceed-as-planned/2-1-1724105 *Requires Subscription National Looking to the Future, Living in the Present: Supporting a Thriving and Resilient Seafood Industry Fall is a good time to pause and reflect—not just on the past, but also on what lies ahead. Assistant Administrator, Janet Coit, shares her thoughts on how NOAA Fisheries is working to ensure a bright future for the seafood community. NOAA Fisheries - October 15, 2024 October is National Seafood Month, and the hard-working people around our nation who provide healthy, sustainable seafood for our tables deserve to celebrate and be celebrated. If you’re not sure how to join in, we’ve got some suggestions. And if you’re not sure why we observe this month, read on! https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/leadership-message/looking-future-living-present-supporting-thriving-and-resilient-seafood-industry International Russia plans to increase pollock quota despite scientific advice Seafood Source by Chris Chase - October 15, 2024 Russia’s Ministry of Agriculture has announced a quota increase for pollock caught in its Far East Basin fishery in 2025, a move counter to both scientific advice and requests from some national fishing groups. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/russia-plans-to-increase-pollock-quota-despite-industry-scientific-advice *Requires Subscription Hokkaido Surimi Production up 30% to 5,700 Tons in January-August SeafoodNews.com by Tom Asakawa - October 11, 2024 According to member reports compiled by the National Surimi Manufacturers Association, the cumulative frozen surimi production volume in Hokkaido from January to August was 5,749 tons, up 30% from the same period last year. Alaska pollock was up 42% to 5,459 tons, and Atka mackerel was down 75% to 90 tons, Minato Shimbun reported.However, the total for August alone was 154 tons, down 13% from the same month last year, the first decrease in six months. Until now, good catches of Alaska pollock in the Okhotsk Sea have been the driving force behind increased production, but "September was not good, so surimi production was only about half of the same month last year," said a significant manufacturer. Landings in the Kushiro Tokachi region are still sluggish, and the association is worried about what will happen to landings in Hokkaido after October. On the other hand, Atka mackerel is being used as frozen fish, which can be purchased at a higher price than for surimi.Hokkaido surimi shipments in August alone were 879 tons, 2.6 times higher than the same month last year, and 5,302 tons in total from January to August, up 12% from last year. Last year, Alaska pollock production was low, and supplies were tight, so surimi product manufacturers shifted to surimi from the United States and Russia. This year, with increased production, another major manufacturer said, "We were worried that we would have excess inventory, so we lowered prices in the summer to promote shipments."At the end of August, inventory was 1,339 tons, 2.5 times higher than the same month last year, of which Alaska pollock was 1,235 tons, 2.6 times higher, and Atka mackerel was 16 tons, down 53%. Alaska pollock production was low in September, so it is said to be at an appropriate level.The price delivered to dealers for grade 2 land-based Alaska pollock surimi is currently negotiating price increases with buyers due to sluggish production, rising fish prices, and a sharp price increase in competing American surimi produced in autumn. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1287624/Hokkaido-Surimi-Production-up-30-percent-to-5700-Tons-in-January-August
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