Other News Archives - Saving Seafood

US operator to slash Pacific tuna fleet, citing lack of gov’t support

July 3, 2019 — The South Pacific Tuna Corporation (SPTC), a major player in the US-flagged tuna fleet based in the US territory of American Samoa, will sell eight purse seiners and lay off a dozen captains by year-end, the company said.

The company will also make cuts at its corporate office in San Diego, California, as it cuts its fleet to six vessels.

Doug Hines, SPTC’s executive director, cited a lack of US government interest and support as the major drivers behind the decision.

“Our fleet reduction is due in part to the US government’s continued lack of support and the lack of interest in ratifying the 1988 South Pacific Tuna Treaty, renegotiated in 2016,” said Hines said. “Despite our efforts to work with the Trump Administration, the National Marine Fisheries Service has not reciprocated and continues its overly aggressive compliance and enforcement actions.”

SPTC suggested in a press release that the diminishing of the US fleet in the western Pacific will mean a decline in US influence in the region during a time when China, Korea, and Russia take a larger role.

“In the global priorities of the US Government, the Western Pacific has become an afterthought,” said Hines. “But as president Ronald Reagan recognized in 1988, the South Pacific Tuna Treaty is a critical step to ensuring American vessels and commerce continue to lead in the region and the world. The reduction of the U.S. fleet will be a devastating blow for the international policy community as well as the Western Pacific sustainable fishery ecosystem.”

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

VINEYARD WIND: July 9th Notice to Mariners and Fishermen

July 3, 2019 — The following was released by Vineyard Wind:

We wanted to let you know that Vineyard Wind will begin geological surveys on or about July 9th. The estimated duration is approximately 4 days, ending on July 12, 2019. Surveys will take place nearshore in Centerville Harbor. Please see the full notice to fishermen and mariners here.

We encourage fishermen who may be working in the survey area to contact the fishery liaison.

This survey will gather data on the subfloor conditions that will assist in characterizing the subsurface conditions along the proposed offshore horizontal directional drilling (HDD) route.

Vineyard Wind is committed to communicating and working with the local fishermen in the region during all stages of development of the proposed offshore wind farm.

If you have any questions, please contact Erik Peckar, Fishery Liaison via email at erik@vineyardpower.com or via cell phone at 703-244-9585.

Watching Whales Sensibly for Ten Years June 26, 2019

June 27, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

As humpback whales make their way back to New England and Mid-Atlantic waters from their winter breeding grounds, whale watch companies’ seasons are swinging into high gear along the Atlantic coast. Marine wildlife viewing tours are one of the highest revenue-producing tourism industries in the northeast, with more than one million whale watchers in New England alone.

This year we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Whale SENSE, a program that promotes responsible whale watching practices and ocean conservation. The goal of Whale SENSE is to allow people to experience these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, while respecting their space and not interfering with their natural behaviors.

Whale SENSE began in 2009 with three Cape Cod, Massachusetts companies. NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary developed the program, in which whale watch companies agree to annual training of all naturalists and captains, an annual evaluation of the company’s behavior around whales, and completion of an annual stewardship project.

Participants in the program use a Whale SENSE logo on their promotional materials, and are listed on the Whale SENSE website. By choosing a Whale SENSE company, passengers know that they are making a responsible choice that benefits the whales and the marine environment as a whole.

Read the full release here

Development of cell-based shrimp snagged by a bottleneck

June 25, 2019 — Shiok Meats, based in Singapore, made headlines when it unveiled a small quantity of lab-grown shrimp meat in the form of “siew mai” dumplings at the Disruption in Food and Sustainability Summit in March. Only three people – all associated with the company – got a taste, but it was a proof that the goal was achievable.

The company may have a leg up on competitors working on beef, as CEO Sandhya Sriram has confirmed to SeafoodSource that fish and crustacean cell culture is easier than in mammals because they tolerate lower oxygen levels and temperatures. Diffusion of oxygen to tissues becomes a problem when cells are grown in three-dimensional shapes. The cells’ ability to tolerate lower temperatures also reduces heating costs.

Despite these advantages of working with shrimp, the cost is still exorbitant; the eight dumplings, containing a small amount of cultured shrimp cells, cost around USD 5,000 (EUR 4,386) and took a few months to produce. The main barrier to cost-efficient production, according to Sriram, is the media.

“The cells grow in a nutrient mix/broth/soup called ‘media’ which is a mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats – this mix currently is only produced by pharmaceutical companies as the clean meat industry is an extension of the stem cell industry used for therapy and organogenesis,” Sriram said. “Since this media now is pharma-grade, it is extremely expensive. The cost of production will go down once we find plant-based, edible and sustainable sources of nutrients in which the cells will grow.”

Organogenisis is the production of organs for transplant in the medical industry. The term “clean meat” is meant to contrast lab-grown meat from that grown in farmed, or even wild conditions, as these may contain antibiotics, pollution or parasites.

The emphasis on plant-based media is important because the majority of media currently used for in-vitro cell culture of eukaryotic cells is fetal bovine serum (FBS), which comes from blood drawn from a bovine (cow) fetus at the slaughterhouse. As an example of the high cost of this media, a case of 10 500 milliliter bottles of Corning-brand fetal bovine serum is available from a supplier for USD 5,150 (EUR 4,517).

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Eric Schwaab Joins Environmental Defense Fund as Senior VP of Oceans Program

June 19, 2019 — SEAFOOD NEWS — The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has hired Eric Schwaab, former head of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), as their new Senior Vice President of the Oceans program.

“Eric’s passion for the oceans, his deep technical and management expertise on fisheries issues and his experience as a leader makes him a perfect fit,” said Amanda Leland, EDF’s Executive Vice President in an announcement yesterday. “Over more than two decades, he has worked in nearly all aspects of conservation and he understands what is required to drive impact at scale.”

Schwaab rose through the ranks at Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources from fisheries enforcement officer to become Deputy Secretary. In 2010 he was appointed head of NMFS, serving two years before moving to Acting Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Management at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

As the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, he focused on rebuilding the Nation’s fisheries stocks, ending overfishing, enhancing protection of endangered species, marine mammals and sea turtles and improving aquatic habitat conditions on which these resources depend. He led efforts with the regional fishery management councils and the fishing industry to establish annual catch limits for all commercial fisheries, and to protect the jobs and livelihoods that depend on our nation’s fisheries by promoting management approaches that achieve both sustainable fisheries and vibrant coastal communities.

In June 2013, Schwaab left government service to become Senior Vice President, Chief Conservation Officer for the National Aquarium, where he led coastal, ocean and fisheries activities for the nation’s ocean science and management agency through 2015. He was hired by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to lead their conservation grants programs for the next three years, followed by a a short tenure as Chief Program Officer for the Naitonal Park Foundation.

Schwaab’s conservation credentials were earned throughout his career along with a reputation for crafting solutions that address concerns of various sectors.

“Eric was critical to the success we achieved during my time as NOAA Administrator,” said Dr. Jane Lubchenco, University Distinguished Professor, Oregon State University and former EDF Board Trustee. “His unflappable get-it-done approach makes him notably effective working with a range of stakeholders from fishermen to global leaders.”

As EDF’s new Senior Vice President for Oceans, Schwaab leads a team of scientists, economists and advocates around the world who are partnering with fishing communities, academics and government leaders to achieve EDF’s vision of creating thriving, resilient oceans in our lifetimes.

“I’m excited about the opportunity for what we can achieve at EDF,” said Schwaab. “This team and the global network it is building have the tools and passion to reverse overfishing and make our oceans – and all those who depend on them – more resilient, even in the face of climate change.”

Internationally, Schwaab has represented the U.S. in global fishing treaties like the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), as well as in bilateral negotiations with other countries and on U.S. fishing operations on the high seas. A hallmark of his career has been a drive for win-win solutions to environmental problems.

“I joined EDF because its mission is focused on people and nature,” said Schwaab. “I have always believed in the power of ideas that benefit both. What EDF does so well is to put those powerful ideas into action in a way that creates a brighter future for all.”

Schwaab holds an undergraduate degree in biology from McDaniel College and a master’s degree in environmental planning from Towson University.

This story was originally published on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.

How Do I Chum You Up?: Dewey Hemilright, Long Line Fisherman of Wanchese

June 19, 2019 — Sitting in the wheelhouse of the 42-foot FV Tarbaby in Wanchese, NC, we found Captain Dewey Hemilright, pelagic longliner, member of one the most highly restricted fisheries in the U.S. if not the world. As his girlfriend’s dog Annie angled for back-scratches, Captain Dewey pointed to a large console of equipment that makes up his mandatory Video Monitoring System, recording his every move when in Bluefin territory. He flipped through a notebook containing swordfish, Atlantic tuna, snapper grouper, large coastal sharks, and Spanish mackerel permits. He listed all of his U.S. Coast Guard safety requirements, and showed us his federal sea turtle de-hooking certification.

“Every 3 years I’ve got to be re-certified or I don’t get my permits renewed,” he explained. “For this sea turtle class, we have to de-hook a cardboard box!”

Above and beyond all the permit requirements, monitoring, and fishing regulations, it takes much more to stay afloat in the fishing industry. To Captain Dewey, it comes down to an emphasis on “we”, not “me,” and active participation in management.

“Your fishery is on the agenda, like it or not. So we better be involved.” Hemilright has been involved in fisheries management since 1997. “I’ve had a few people enable me to go to meetings early on, and I don’t know whether to thank them or kick them in the ass.” He currently serves as one of three voting delegates from North Carolina on the federal Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and is on six Council advisory committees. He’s also a liaison to the South Atlantic Council, as North Carolina is a “swing state” ecologically, and is subject to federal management of northern and southern species.

Read the full story at Raising the Story

Former NMFS chief replaces McGinty in EDF’s top oceans role

June 18, 2019 — The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has hired Eric Schwaab, the one-time head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), to serve as the new leader and senior vice president of its oceans program.

He replaces Kathleen “Katie” McGinty, a former US Senate candidate who held the post for less than a year after serving as an environmental advisor to former vice president Al Gore and president Bill Clinton, an EDF spokesperson confirmed to Undercurrent News. Johnson Controls, a $32 billion multi-national conglomerate specializing in electronics and HVAC equipment with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, announced last week that it had hired McGinty to serve as its head of global relations.

Schwaab rose through the ranks at the US state of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources to become its deputy secretary in early 2007, serving three years in the position before being named assistant administrator of fisheries for NOAA in February 2010, a position he held for almost two years.

EDF’s press release credits Schwaab for leading a transformation at NMFS, including the “widespread adoption of science-based catch limits and catch shares,” efforts advocated for by EDF.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

Boaty McBoatface makes major climate change discovery on maiden outing

June 18, 2019 — Boaty McBoatface’s maiden outing has made a major discovery about how climate change is causing rising sea levels. Scientists say that data collected from the yellow submarines’s first expedition will help them build more accurate predictions in order to combat the problem.

The mission has uncovered a key process linking increasing Antarctic winds to higher sea temperatures, which in turn is fuelling increasing levels.

Researchers found that the increasing winds are cooling water on the bottom of the ocean, forcing it to travel faster, creating turbulance as it mixed with warmer waters above.

Experts said the mechanism has not been factored into current models for predicting the impact of increasing global temperatures on our oceans, meaning forecasts should be altered.

Boaty McBoatface – the publicly named robotic submersible carried on the research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough – took its first expedition in April 2017, studying the bottom of the Southern Ocean.

Read the full story at The Telegraph

Southwind Foods Joins GSSI

June 17, 2019 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative, Southwind Foods, and Great American Seafood Imports Co:

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative is pleased to announce that Southwind Foods has joined the GSSI Global Partnership as a Funding Partner.

Southwind Foods is a U.S. owned and operated seafood company servicing U.S. grocery, distributor and food service customers fresh and frozen seafood certified by GSSI recognized schemes BAP, ASC and MSC.

“We are excited to partner with GSSI and further our commitment to sustainable, socially responsible, safe and traceable seafood,” said Paul Galletti, Co-Owner and EVP, Sales & Marketing. “Our family owned, and operated company represents 4 generations that has made its living from commercial fishing to wholesale, processing, and distribution. We have witnessed first-hand how global seafood consumption has increased and it is crucial that we do our part to keep fish populations thriving and our seafood industry healthy for years to come.”

ABOUT SOUTHWIND FOODS

Southwind Foods is a U.S. owned and operated company supplying our grocery, distributor and food service customers the finest fresh and frozen responsibly harvested seafood from around the world.

Our corporate office and world-class 160,000 square feet BRC Global Standard, HACCP approved processing, storage, and distribution facility is located in Carson, California. We also operate sales offices in New York, Texas, and Arizona along with processing and distribution facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Las Vegas, Nevada that supports our sales and distribution in all 50 states.

Southwind Foods import division, Great American Seafood Imports Co., was established in 2003 and operates as the company’s overseas procurement division. The brand consists of a diverse line of cooked, raw, and breaded, bulk and packaged shrimp, fillets, steaks, portions, whole fish, crab, shellfish, and aquatics along with value added and innovative products such as meal kits, planks, skewers, poke and more.

Our highly skilled and ethical marketing and procurement associates work closely with our customers and suppliers to supply the highest level of quality, service and value.

To learn more, please visit www.southwindfoods.com.

THE GSSI GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) is a global, Public-Private Partnership, working towards more sustainable seafood for everyone. For more information on our Global Partnership and how to become a partner, please visit our website or contact us: secretariat@ourgssi.org.

2019 SeaWeb Seafood Summit wrap-up: Attendees recognize Thailand’s Labor Rights Promotion Network; event organizers look to what’s next

June 14, 2019 — “This is a celebration – not a competition,” said Diversified Communication’s Ned Daly of the Seafood Collaboration Project, which seeks to improve networking and collaboration in seafood and provide a platform for under-represented voices.

On 13 June, the final day of the 2019 SeaWeb Seafood Summit – taking place in Bangkok, Thailand – eight organizations participating in the Seafood Collaboration Project shared their stories with attendees to wrap up the event. Among the participating organizations were Mexico’s Impacto Colectivo para la Pesca y Acuacultura en México, Stella Maris of Thailand, the International Transport Workers Federation of Thailand, the Labor Rights Promotion Network of Thailand, Sailors for the Sea – Japan, Teng Hoi of Hong Kong, Sustainable Fisheries Trade of Peru, and the Asian Seafood Improvement Collaborative (ASIC) of Southeast Asia.

Following presentations from each of the organizations, summit attendees were asked to vote for one to receive a USD 10,000 (EUR 8,871) prize – not in the spirit of contest, but rather to further recognize the amazing, collective work already underway around the world in the name of seafood sustainability, Daly explained.

“We are here to celebrate the people, organizations, partnerships, and collaborations that are driving improvements in ocean resources and seafood supply chains,” he said.

Read the full story at Seafood Source