Saving Seafood

ALASKA: Bering Sea commercial fleets taking extra precautions during pandemic

April 15, 2020 — Commercial fishermen who have embarked on the Bering Sea for the 2020 season are taking extra precautions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that has moved much of the world into isolation.

According to a report from The Bristol Bay Times, Bering Sea snow crabbers who are still out working the waters have been confined to their boats while making deliveries to processing plants. They’ve also been urged to avoid contact with plant workers to help prevent any potential spread of the deadly virus, the Intercooperative Exchange’s Jake Jacobson told The Times.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

RODA request pause in offshore wind development amid COVID-19 pandemic

April 15, 2020 — The Responsible Offshore Development Alliance – a lobbying group formed in January 2018 to represent the East Coast fishing industry in discussions over offshore wind energy development – has called for all a six-month pause in the regulatory process pertaining to offshore wind development in the Gulf of Maine due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The call for a delay came via a letter sent to governors of New England states, including Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, Janet Mills of Maine, and Chris Sununu of New Hampshire. The letter was also sent to Walter Cruickshank, the acting director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The letter sites the importance of public participation in regulatory decisions, which is hampered by measures many states are taking to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Bioriginal producing BioTide sanitizers for health authorities and retailers

April 15, 2020 — The following was released by Bioriginal:

Bioriginal, a division of Omega Protein that is now part of the Cooke Inc. family of companies, has gained the CRA and Health Canada approval to produce three different sanitizing products including a sanitizing gel for hands, a surface sanitizer that replaces rubbing alcohol for medical uses, and a workplace sanitizer for equipment.

Working closely with the University of Saskatchewan, Bioriginal developed a sanitizer formula guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) which is now being distributed to local health authorities, with retailers following in the coming weeks. The products are available under the name BioTide as licensed products deemed safe, effective and of high quality.

“We knew we wanted to step up in the best way we could to help with the demand. We worked with our existing suppliers to source the raw materials necessary to develop the approved formula,” said Joe Vidal, President of Bioriginal Food & Science Corporation.

“Over the past two weeks, the team has moved heaven and earth to make this product happen in a way that meets all regulations in Canada. Health Canada and other federal agencies have been very helpful in expediting this,” said Professor Martin Reaney, a Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program Chair at the University of Saskatchewan.

The Bioriginal manufacturing plant in Saskatoon underwent retrofits to prepare for production of the new substances. Some of the plant changes included a ventilated flammable proof processing area using skylights to provide illumination, pneumatic fillers, a new conveyor system using hydraulic power packs, the installation of true earth grounding to remove static electricity and explosion proof packaging. Bioriginal staff were trained on new safety protocols including procedures on safe handling of flammable liquids.

“The retrofits and renovations to the plant were something we were prepared to do in order to supply our health authorities during this pandemic,” added Vidal. “As a family company we are making every effort to support our local hospitals, clinics, and retail locations in our communities to ensure front line essential workers and the general public have access to certified safety products.”

For over 25 years, Saskatoon-based Bioriginal has been a global leader in delivering complete nutritional solutions to the food and nutraceutical industries, scientifically combining ingredients from all over the world. Bioriginal has facilities in Canada, United States, and Netherlands, developing and distributing a growing line of plant and dairy proteins, plant and marine oils and nutraceutical products to business customers worldwide.  The Cooke family of New Brunswick acquired Bioriginal in 2017 through the purchase of Omega Protein Corporation, a leading provider of specialty oils and specialty protein products.

San Diego’s Fishing Community Pivots to Stay Afloat

April 15, 2020 — The COVID-19 shutdown of many of the city’s restaurants has left much of San Diego’s commercial fishing fleet reeling, and right now they’re doing everything they can to stay afloat including shifting the way they’re selling fish at the weekly Tuna Harbor Dockside Market (598 Harbor Lane), which has remained open as an essential business.

Starting today at 5 p.m., San Diegans looking to add fresh seafood to their meals will be able to access an online store to place pre-orders for locally caught seafood that will be portioned and ready for pickup at the outdoor market between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday. To test out the new pickup system, the variety available online will be limited to finfish like ahi tuna and opah plus sea urchins, crabs and spot prawns. The goal is to spread out the number of shoppers coming to the market at the same time.

Customers will also be able to purchase fish from the market during its normal hours of 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. under expanded protective guidelines: An extended 12-foot social distancing designation will be in place for those waiting to enter the market; there will be strict limits on the number of people (including staff) who will be allowed on the pier at one time; and customers are being asked to wear a face mask while shopping at the market.

“The commercial fishing fleet has always provided food for people and we’re still here,” says commercial fisherman Kelly Fukushima. “We want them to know they can rely on us to put food on people’s tables.”

Read the full story at Eater San Diego

Massachusetts lobster harvesters try direct sales again, triple results

April 14, 2020 — A second effort by lobster harvesters in Massachusetts to overcome coronavirus market challenges and sell directly to consumers, using Facebook, saw triple the results of the earlier attempt.

Troy and Doug Durr, the organizers of the South Coast Direct Source Seafood page, reported that well over 100 cars waited in line at the Union Wharf in the town of Fairhaven and bought almost 2,200 lobsters from four vessels on Easter Sunday, April 12. The harvesters set a price this time of $6.00 per pound for lobsters in the 1-1.45/lb range, and $7/lb for anything 1.5 lbs or larger.

The boats – the Intimidator, Miss Molly, Voyager and Cynthia Lee – began arriving at 1:30 p.m. and were sold out in four hours, according to the organizers, a Mattapoisett-based real estate agent and his uncle, a crew member on the lobster boat Mary Anne.

Another 200 lobsters from a late-arriving vessel were sold on Monday, Troy Durr told Undercurrent.

The Durrs previously organized a vessel direct sale effort on April 5 – also a Sunday — after processors stopped buying from harvesters due to the coronavirus-related closures of restaurants and the loss of export business, as reported by Undercurrent News. At the first event, which involved only the vessels Miss Molly and Mary Anne, 600 lbs of lobster were sold out at a price of $6.00/lb in 90 minutes.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

As Coronavirus Disrupts Seafood Supply Chains, Struggling Fishermen Seek Other Markets

April 14, 2020 — Scott MacAllister has mixed feelings about heading out to sea these days. This time of year, the 27-year-old dayboat fisherman primarily catches skate and monkfish from his home port of Chatham, Massachusetts. And while he certainly needs the income, MacAllister worries about exposing himself and his crew to coronavirus on his 40-foot boat, the Carol Marie.

“It’s a pretty small space [for] three or four people. If one of us gets it, we’re all going to get it,” he told Civil Eats. Still, MacAllister (pictured above) is grateful that the regional wholesaler who buys his catch, Red’s Best, still wants to buy his product.

Other fishermen in New England’s billion-dollar industry, which employs some 34,000 people, aren’t as lucky. Markets for lobster, oysters, and shellfish have collapsed along with restaurant closures and a sharp downturn in trade, leaving many fishermen struggling to make ends meet.

“There are certain things there are no markets for,” said Jared Auerbach, founder and CEO of Red’s Best, which buys solely from small, dayboat fishermen. While Red’s Best usually sells seafood fresh, the company is freezing fish in the hopes that international trade will eventually pick back up—or that the product will find new, domestic uses.

Read the full story at Civil Eats

ALASKA: Anchorage ‘hunker down’ order likely to be extended as frustration with distancing rises

April 14, 2020 — On the eve of the expiration of the city’s “hunker down” order, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz on Monday laid out a list of criteria for what must happen before Anchorage can go back to normal. That included a slower transmission rate, more testing and more access to personal protective equipment for health workers.

Alaska’s urban hub is not on the verge of meeting all of those criteria. While the “hunker down” order would expire Tuesday if left untouched, it’s almost certain that won’t happen. Berkowitz has repeatedly said he will extend the order, which requires many Anchorage businesses to remain closed, but he has not said until when.

“For the economy, we are not flipping this switch on a set date,” Berkowitz said Monday during a community briefing. “We are going to ease off on what the restrictions are. We are going to be very mindful, because the lessons of history are absolutely clear.”

On Tuesday, the Anchorage Assembly will vote on extending the emergency declaration period, which would allow Berkowitz to extend the “hunker down” order. Berkowitz on Friday asked to have the city’s emergency declaration period extended to Nov. 15, although that does not mean the “hunker down” order will be extended for the same amount of time.

Read the full story at the Anchorage Daily News

WASHINGTON: Coronavirus concerns play out in fisheries

April 14, 2020 — Fishermen are looking at a reduced ocean salmon season this spring because of low salmon returns. But the industry is also hoping to buy time for seafood markets that are reeling from the impact of the coronavirus.

The industry has had to shift how it does business and many are still adapting as local restrictions due to the pandemic shutter usual seafood outlets.

The markets are slow now, but they may reinvent themselves, said Michael Burner, the deputy director of the Pacific Fishery Management Council. “There is still a demand for seafood,” he said.

The council recently adopted ocean salmon season recommendations for commercial and recreational fishermen for most of the Pacific coast, which include “some very restrictive seasons,” according to Phil Anderson, the council’s chairman.

Read the full story at The Daily Astorian

NOAA Fisheries: Southeast Region Permit Office Update and Availability

April 14, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

The Southeast Region (SERO) Permit Office is still open, but due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic our operating processes have changed.

Office Phone Call Center – Due to limited staff in the office, we have suspended the live phone call center. Our main number now goes directly to voicemail. If you leave a message and contact information, someone from our office will call you back as soon as possible.

Submitting Your Application – We are experiencing up to a week delay with receiving applications, documents, and correspondence by mail. There is no delay in receiving applications via the Southeast Fisheries Permit System. We strongly encourage all eligible applicants to submit their renewal application, supporting document(s), and application fee via the online system. Permits can be renewed starting 60 days prior to their expiration date. We recommend starting the renewal process as soon as your permits are eligible.

Pending Applications – Due to the delay in receiving mail through the USPS, if you have an application pending due to deficiencies, we recommend using the online system for online applications to upload missing documents, or our fax (727-551-5747), if you submitted a paper application to transmit the missing information back to us. Be advised, we do not accept the following documents via fax:

  1. An entire application to renew, transfer, or request new permits.
  2. Original permits (for transfer applications).
  3. Payment (i.e. copy of check, money order, or credit card number).
  4. Reporting requirements – All logbooks are submitted to the Logbook Office at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Miami, FL. (877-376-4877 – Option 2).
  5. Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) requirements (i.e. power down exemptions) – All VMS related questions need to be asked to the Office of Law Enforcement – VMS Office. (877-376-4877 – Option 3).

Check Application Status – To check if we received your vessel or dealer application, visit our Application Status website. This website will also tell you the date we are currently processing applications on. If your application was received after this date, we have not started processing it yet.

MORE INFORMATION:

If you have further questions regarding this matter, please contact the SERO Permit Office by telephone at (877) 376-4877, weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., excluding federal holidays and leave a message.

Stimulus funding process proving tricky to navigate for smaller seafood operators

April 14, 2020 — The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the U.S. seafood industry being upended as restaurant closures drive down the prices of seafood, leading a number of food organizations to request relief from the government.

The U.S. government launched a relief package in late March consisting of USD 2 trillion (EUR 1.8 trillion) in aid for businesses in the U.S., including USD 300 million (EUR 273.5 million) earmarked specifically for the seafood industry. That package includes incentives to encourage employers to keep people on their payrolls, direct payments to low- to middle-income families, and aid to seafood companies that have lost revenue due to the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the full story at Seafood Source