Saving Seafood

Massachusetts: Seafood expo cut short, still a success

March 14, 2018 — The first casualty of Tuesday’s fierce snowstorm actually came late Monday afternoon, when Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken opted for safety reasons to cut short the city’s presence at the massive Seafood Expo North America at the convention center in South Boston.

“We don’t want any of our people getting hurt trying to come in here to staff our booth or the people coming in to meet with us,” Romeo Theken said even before leaving the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center Monday. “And really, we’ve gotten most of what we wanted to get done.”

Following Monday’s session, the Gloucester contingent, led by Economic Development Director Sal Di Stefano, broke down the city’s booth and hauled everything back to Gloucester.

The third nor’easter of the past fortnight, however, did force the city — again for safety reasons — to cancel its annual Wednesday-after-the-Expo visit to the city by a contingent of largely foreign seafood processors, dealers and fishermen in Boston for the three-day seafood show that features 1,341 exhibitors from 57 countries around the globe. Cumulatively, they occupy 258,360 square feet of exhibition space.

“It’s really for the safety of our guests and out of respect for people who will be involved in snow removal around the city,” Di Stefano said. “The last thing we want to do is put somebody in danger. And you know what? They can always come back.”

The city, he said, made a strong showing in the first two days of the show, capped off Monday by its VIP luncheon tasting that drew 75 into a glassed suite overlooking the sprawling convention floor.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Times

 

U.S. fisheries’ leader Oliver asserts ‘business-minded’ stance at Boston 2018

March 13, 2018 — BOSTON — The US’ top regulatory authority on fishing used his first appearance ever at a Seafood Expo North America (SENA) conference on Sunday to describe how he was reshaping the mission at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create more of a pro-business environment.

Commercial fishermen largely applauded the Donald Trump administration’s selection of Chris Oliver to serve as NOAA’s assistant administrator of fisheries in June 2017. But Oliver, who was confirmed in his new role in July, has maintained a relatively low profile since, his office not responding to requests for interviews.

In November, he told Alaska fishermen at a public meeting that he supported regulatory flexibility. The month before he had demanded the retraction of an article suggesting US seafood exported to Japan includes a high number of illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fish.

On Sunday, in Boston, he made it clear that he was using his leadership role to both follow the administration’s charge to combat excessive regulation and also looking out for harvesters.

“I’m a firm believer in a science-based approach to fisheries,” Oliver said. “… For 40 years, the North Pacific [Management] Council has been using annual catch limits, and I firmly believe those are the cornerstone to sustainable management. But I also believe that there is room for flexibility and a greater role for common sense frankly in our approach to fisheries management. And I want to bring a more business-minded approach to that process.”

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

 

A monkfish proves seafood show is about building relationships

March 13, 2018 — BOSTON — Hours before the doors opened for the massive Seafood Expo North America, even before city Fisheries Executive Director Al Cottone ventured onto the ever-scenic stretch of Route 1 southbound, potential calamity emerged.

For the fourth consecutive year, the city of Gloucester was announcing its presence with authority at the international show in the hope of building its brand as a seafood supplier to the world. And much of the day depended on the elegant allure of the colossally ugly monkfish.

Monkfish stew being doled out at the city’s booth. The VIP, invite-only lunchtime tasting in the glassed-in suite overlooking the expansive exhibition floor featuring monkfish arancini, bang-bang monkfish and monkfish tacos from Todd Snopkowski’s crew at SnapChef.

Only one problem:

The city planned to use a freshly caught monkfish as a centerpiece display at the swanky tasting. Cottone was to bring it with him. But, because the foul weather of the last fortnight had kept almost all of the city’s boats from fishing, there wasn’t fresh monkfish to be found.

“I went everywhere and asked everybody,” Cottone said. “Nobody’s been able to go out, so nobody’s got them.”

The abbey was fresh out of monks.

Fisheries Commission Chairman Mark Ring had an idea for a possible solution.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Times

 

Marine data to empower fishermen with profitable information

March 13, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Commercial fishing in New England isn’t an industry that provides an aura technological advancements. However, Port Director Ed Anthes-Washburn in connection with Spherical Analytics looks to change that.

About 20 people assembled in a large space on the fourth floor Monday at 555 Pleasant St. to look at the future of data in Ocean Clusters, specifically within fishing.

“In the future, fishermen and farmers will own and control the data about their operations,” CEO of Spherical Analytics Chris Rezendes said. ”…It won’t be NOAA that owns or controls the best data about commercial fishing operations in the waters of the United States of America. It will be the fishermen.”

Those within the city should recognize Rezendes’ name from his work with ImPACT Labs and the Internet of Things. The organization recently merged with Context Labs, which specializes in supply-chain data.

Rezendes plans to bring this kind of data to Buzzards Bay this spring with Ocean Clusters.

He introduced the term “digital twin” to those in attendance, using a gumball machine as an example. The machine’s digital twin would provide data to its owner of its location, its properties, how many gumballs were distributed and more.

“Going forward people are starting to imagine more things might need digital twins. More things might be worth investing in digital twins. How about the lowly oyster?” Rezendes said. “How about if every single oyster could have a digital twin? Not realistic today, but what if you could get a digital twin for the bag of 50?”

With this technology, specific portions of catch could be tracked from sea to port to distributor to restaurant.

The technology debuting through pilot programs funded by Spherical Analytics this spring will establish data through water variations from currents to climate. The hope is to discover why some portions of water offer more abundant marine life than others.

“It’s a way where data can help an aquaculture owner to build up profitability in their product,” said Liz Wiley, the food security/climate resilience lead for Spherical Analytics.”

While businesses look toward increased management with a new world of data, Rezendes views the most useful tool as risk management.

He provided an example of temperature of seafood. If an alert is sent of a sudden increase in temperature, the business can immediately address the issue or abort the delivery saving any future cost associated with issue, which could include anything from the cost of delivering an unusable product, tarnishing a reputation, or causing the consumer to get ill.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

 

WEATHER UPDATE: NEFMC Program Review, Tuesday, March 13 modifications

March 12, 2018 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

IMPORTANT WEATHER UPDATE – COUNCIL PROGRAM REVIEW

Due to the incoming winter storm, the New England Fishery Management Council will provide an opportunity for members of the public to speak remotely via webinar during scheduled public comment periods on Tuesday, March 13 during the first day of the Council Program Review.  Here’s what you need to know.

WHEN AND WHERE:  The Council Program Review is scheduled to take place March 13-16, 2018 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Boston Logan Airport. Panel members will be arriving in advance of the storm, and the review meeting will proceed on schedule.

WHAT HAS CHANGED:  The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the first day of the meeting, which will make travel difficult for members of the public who were planning to attend in person. Therefore, the New England Council is expanding the webinar option to accommodate remote public comments during the storm. At present, this option will be available only on Tuesday, March 13.

HOW WILL THIS WORK:  In order to provide remote comments, please follow these steps:

  • Register for the webinar at Council Program Review webinar. This is essentialsince the meeting is not set up to accommodate telephone comments.
  • Review the agenda, which contains specific blocks of time when public comment will be accepted by subject matter. Visit agenda and meeting materials.
  • Email Council Deputy Director Chris Kellogg at ckellogg@nefmc.org. The Council is requesting that members of the public provide advance notice of their intent to comment in order to facilitate scheduling.
  • When the time comes to comment, click on the webinar’s “raise your hand” symbol so the webinar administrator knows you are ready. Program Review Chairman Dan Hull will call on individual commenters who are in the queue. When your name is called, your connection to the meeting will be unmuted so you can speak.  Please limit comments to three minutes or less.

WEBINAR PROBLEMS:  Email Chris Kellogg at ckellogg@nefmc.org if you experience problems with the webinar during the meeting.

FIND OUT MORE:  Additional details about the meeting are available at Council Program Review Information Page.

 

Upcoming Free Safety Trainings for Commercial Fishermen in Marshfield, Massachusetts

March 12, 2018 — The following was released by Fishing Partnership Support Services:

Fishing Partnership Support Services is a non-profit organization devoted to the health, safety and economic security of commercial fishermen and their family members.

Among the current free programs it has scheduled are two trainings this month in Massachusetts. A team of U.S. Coast Guard-certified marine safety instructors will lead both programs.

A summary of the programs is provided below:

Safety and Survival Training for Commercial Fishermen; Thursday, March 22, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Harbormaster’s Office, 100 Central St., Marshfield

Hands-on training offered at no cost to commercial fishermen by Fishing Partnership Support Services.  Trainers are Coast Guard-certified marine safety instructors.  Includes on-board firefighting, man overboard recovery, rescue helicopter hoist procedures, flooding and pump operations, proper use of survival suits, life rafts and accompanying equipment. Pre-registration recommended.  Contact: Lori Caron, 781-635-0011.

Drill Conductor Training for Commercial Fishermen; Friday, March 23, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Harbormaster’s Office, 100 Central St., Marshfield

One-day course meets latest drill conductor certification requirements for commercial fishermen.  Offered at no cost by Fishing Partnership Support Services.  Conducted by Coast Guard-certified marine safety instructors.  Participants must have attended safety/survival training within past 12 months; upon successful completion, they will be certified to conduct emergency drills.   Session includes classroom instruction and practice drills aboard local vessel.  Pre-registration recommended. Contact: Lori Caron, 781-635-0011.

Scary and True

Falls overboard are the most common causes of death for fishermen at sea, which is why the Fishing Partnership always includes a module in its training programs devoted to showing fishermen how to recover a crew member who has gone overboard.  There are specific steps that must be taken immediately after a fall overboard.  According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 545 commercial fishermen in the U.S. who died from 2000 to 2010; of those fatalities, 170 (31%) died because they fell overboard.

That is why Man-Overboard Recovery Procedures are one of the centerpieces of Safety and Survival Training.

In addition to the topics listed above, this training also includes a module on Basic First Aid.

Drill Conductor Training – What Is It For?

Prepares and certifies fishermen to conduct emergency drills at sea.

Federal regulations require monthly drills on commercial fishing boats operating beyond the U.S. boundary line.

Emergency situations addressed in this training include: Man Overboard; Fire; Damage Control; Abandon Ship.

There will be an emergency procedures class in the morning and practice drills aboard a docked vessel in the afternoon.

 

New Bedford’s seafood passion wows international buyers

March 12, 2018 –Fish buyers from around the world – 11 countries to be exact – congregated early Friday morning at the Wharfinger Building. While most partaking in the 14th annual fish buyer’s tour spoke English, an attribute of New Bedford communicated to all 30 people.

“They’re really passionate about their own businesses and what they sell to the people,” said Peter Lai, who traveled from Hong Kong to represent Sea and Earth Food Sources.

This year’s tour made stops at BASE New England Seafood Auction, Oceans Fleet, Northern Wind and Bergie’s Seafood.

Those on the tour also enjoyed a seafood lunch at the Waterfront Grille, which included a presentation from Kevin Stokesbury, a professor at UMass Dartmouth’s SMAST.

He offered a presentation that featured the latest research on trying to aid the groundfish fishery through the implementation of cameras.

It tied into what the buyers heard at nearly every stop on the trip regarding quotas, fishing seasons and regulations.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

 

Northern Wind and Bristol Seafood Celebrate One Year of Fair Trade Scallops; Give Back to Fishing Communities

March 9, 2018 — The following was released by Northern Wind and Bristol Seafood:

Northern Wind and Bristol Seafood are celebrating one year of selling Fair Trade Certified scallops. A year ago, the two companies came together to form a Fair Trade fishing association called the Northwest Atlantic Sea Scallop Fisheries. As part of their participation in the program, the association commits to reinvest a portion of their Fair Trade profits back into the fishing community. Northwest Atlantic Sea Scallop Fisheries chose to dedicate a portion of the premium of their Fair Trade Certified scallops to the Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF), which represents over 250 full-time scallop fishermen.

FSF works to ensure the long-term health of Atlantic sea scallops and the scallop fishery by partnering with the industry, regulators, and scientists. It promotes sustainable management while helping to make the scallop fishery one of the most valuable in the United States. The Atlantic sea scallop fishery is the first American fishery to be awarded the Fair Trade designation.

“There is increasing demand for sustainably and responsibly harvested seafood, and we are proud to sell scallops with the Fair Trade Certified label,” said Ken Melanson, CEO of Northern Wind. “Seafood buyers need to know that the Atlantic scallop fishery meets the world’s highest standards.”

The program, operated by independent certification group Fair Trade USA, requires fisheries to meet stringent environmental, labor, and social responsibility standards. Certified fisheries must fish stocks that are sustainably managed, provide fair wages and benefits to employees, and maintain safe working conditions.

“Fair Trade certification is a key part of our commitment to promoting economically sustainable communities and environmentally sustainable fisheries,” said Peter Handy, CEO of Bristol Seafood. “Supporting the work of the Fisheries Survival Fund helps us to continue to safeguard the future sustainability of the scallop fishery.”

The Northwest Atlantic Sea Scallop Fisheries vessels participating in the Fair Trade program are the Hear No Evil, Let It Ride, Bountiful 2, Diligence, Sandra Jane, Concordia, Contender, Ambassador, Sea Ranger Vanquish and Vantage. The participating vessels land their Fair Trade scallops at Tempest Fisheries, Ltd. in the Port of New Bedford. 

“We’ve loved working with Bristol Seafood and Northern Wind over the past year,” said Ashley Apel, Senior Seafood Program Manager at Fair Trade USA. “We look forward to continuing to strengthen the livelihoods of fishermen and improve the wellbeing of fishing communities here in the U.S.”

About Northern Wind

Northern Wind is a direct off-loader, processor, and distributor of fresh and frozen scallops, along with additional seafood offerings. Founded in 1987 by Ken Melanson and Michael Fernandes, Northern Wind has since grown to a team of 100 full-time employees and operates a state-of-the art BRC facility on New Bedford’s historic waterfront. Since the very beginning, the Northern Wind Team has always dedicated themselves to consistently supplying customers with high quality products at superior service levels and competitive prices.

About Bristol Seafood

Bristol provides quality seafood to people who care about what they eat. Founded in 1992, the company enjoys a nationwide following due to steadfast adherence to its uncompromising Maine standards. Bristol pairs efficiency-building technologies with finishing done the old-fashioned way – by hand. In 2016, Bristol reported record sales for the second consecutive year, and shipped more than six million pounds of seafood from its facility on the Portland, Maine fish pier. The company is the first and only processor of mussels, scallops, or fillets in the state of Maine to earn a Safe Quality Food Institute certification, and the first company to introduce a Fair Trade certified seafood item harvested in US waters.

 

MASSACHUSETTS: New Bedford City Officials Draft New Business Plan For Fishing Port

March 9, 2018 — New Bedford city officials have unveiled a draft plan to expand the business opportunities for the city’s lucrative port.

The Port of New Bedford is the number one commercial fishing port in the country, hauling in $9.8 billion each year. Ninety percent of that economic value is tied to the fishing industry.

However, city officials are looking to diversify the port’s business and they’re betting on offshore wind.

Mayor Jon Mitchell said according to a study by the federal Department of Energy, one of the windiest spots along the Eastern seaboard is about 25 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard.

Read and listen to the full story at Rhode Island NPR

 

MASSACHUSETTS: Lobster catch declines, boat prices rise

State industry doing better than Maine’s

March 9, 2018 — As the summer of 2017 wore on, the word from local lobstermen was that the behavior of their prized catch had grown more unpredictable and landings were down.

Well, they were right: Landings and the value of the catch declined slightly across coastal Massachusetts in 2017, but a late fall run and higher off-the-boat prices helped mitigate the damage and keep declines well below those suffered by their lobstering contemporaries in Maine.

According to data supplied by the state Division of Marine Fisheries, Bay State lobstermen landed 16,565,126 pounds of lobster in 2017 with a total value of $81.54 million — for an average boat price of $4.92 per pound.

The amount of Massachusetts landings and their overall value are based on preliminary data complied by DMF from state lobster dealers. Even if the final numbers show a steeper decline, it’s highly unlikely they will approach what Maine lobstermen encountered in 2017.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Times