Saving Seafood

Premium scallop line, rebranding effort part of the next chapter for Northern Wind

March 15, 2018 — New Bedford, Massachusetts-based seafood supplier Northern Wind, celebrated a milestone 30-year anniversary at the 2018 Seafood Expo North America event in Boston, Massachusetts. Company founders Ken Melanson and Michael Fernandes, along with Northern Wind’s co-CEO George S. Kouri, said they look forward to blossoming the success of Northern Wind even further in the years to come.

“We’re looking forward to the next chapter, because the first 30 years have been so robust and fruitful for the company,” Kouri said. “The next chapter for this company brings a lot of different opportunities for us – it brings opportunity for change; it brings opportunity to increase channels of distribution; it brings opportunities for new product sourcing; it brings opportunity for our re-branding efforts in packaging, re-facing the company in the image we want to project. It goes on and on, including Fair Trade.”

Besides scallops, the supplier has established a wide-ranging portfolio including ahi tuna, Atlantic salmon, North American lobster, monkfish, headfish, skate, and value-added seafood offerings. But the business has made its name with scallops.

“We have strict and strong historical relationships with vessels. We have state-of-the-art facilities with very well-financed capital improvements that enable us to process and produce probably more scallops than anyone in this industry,” Kouri said. “We’re very much known for our quality, our credibility, our loyalty to our supply side, and our customer service.”

A year ago, the company was the first scallop producer in the nation to receive Fair Trade certification. Building off demand from the foodservice sector for premium scallops, the company has launched its Captain’s Call Five-Star Premium Scallops.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

 

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

 

US suppliers in love with ‘seafood speed dating’

March 8, 2018 — The meeting Steve Costas had with a South Korean buyer at Food Export-Northeast’s 2017 “seafood speed dating” event, in Boston, Massachusetts, lasted just 20 minutes, scarcely more than a brief flirtation.

But less than a year later Marder Trawling, the New Bedford, Massachusetts-based supplier for which Costas is an account executive, wound up selling the Korean company a container filled with a mix of its wild-caught fish products.

Of course at seafood speed dating, there’s also the chance that the object of your affection will be swept away by another suitor.

“It’s always a friendly event and I believe there is a camaraderie amongst the suppliers even though you know in 30 minutes your customer or a potential customer will be meeting with a competitor who in most cases will be offering them the same species,” Costas told Undercurrent News.

Costas is back again in Boston, Massachusetts, this week along with representatives for no less than 17 seafood suppliers from the northeastern US, all hoping to move containers of fish and, fingers crossed, establish long-term relationships with one or more of the 15 buyers from no less than 13 countries also there.

South Korea will be represented again, as will China, Japan, Colombia, Spain and the United Arab Emirate to name a few. Almost all of the buyers are looking to acquire scallops and lobsters, though some also come from countries where dogfish, monkfish and skate are in demand, all products sold by Marder Trawling using its recently acquired dock in Chatham, Massachusetts.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

 

Ugly delicacy? Industry touts weird looking Monkfish

March 1, 2018 — Now serving sea monsters.

That’s the message from members of the fishing industry, environmentalists and regulators who are trying to convince U.S. consumers to eat more of a particularly weird looking creature from the deep — monkfish.

Monkfish have been commercially fished for years, but recent analyses by the federal government show the monster-like bottom dweller can withstand more fishing pressure. However, U.S. fishermen often fall short of their quota for the fish.

A lack of reliable markets for the fish and convoluted fishing regulations make it difficult to catch the full quota, fishermen said. Nevertheless, the U.S. government is upping harvesters’ limits for monkfish for the next three years.

Some New England fishermen switched to targeting monkfish in recent decades when traditional species such as cod began to decline, said Jan Margeson, a Chatham, Massachusetts, fisherman who made such a switch himself. He said the availability of monkfish represents an opportunity for the industry.

“It is healthy. We can’t even catch the quota,” he said. “We had to find an alternative species once groundfish died years ago.”

Monkfish, also known as goosefish, are predatory fish that camouflage themselves on the ocean bottom and can grow to be about 5 feet long. With a gaping maw and uneven, jagged teeth, its appearance is the stuff of nightmares.

Read the full story at ABC News

 

Nominations Sought for NEFMC

January 16, 2018 — The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) is seeking nominees for upcoming open seats. The NEFMC is one of eight regional councils established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) in 1976, and is charged with conserving and managing fishery resources from three to 200 miles off the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The MSA specifies that council nominees must be individuals “who, by reason of their occupational or other experience, scientific expertise, or training, are knowledgeable regarding the conservation and management, or the commercial or recreational harvest, of the fishery resources of the geographical area concerned.” Council members are directly involved in:

  • Developing and amending fishery management plans.
  • Selecting fishery management options.
  • Setting annual catch limits based on best available science.
  • Developing and implementing rebuilding plans.

The NEFMC manages: sea scallops, monkfish, Atlantic herring, skates, red crab, spiny dogfish, Atlantic salmon and groundfish** . Please note that the NEFMC does not manage summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, bluefish, striped bass or tautog.

MAINE
One obligatory (state) seat currently held by Terry Alexander of Harpswell, ME. Mr. McKenzie is completing his second of three possible consecutive 3-year terms.

MASSACHUSETTS
One obligatory seat currently held by Dr. John Quinn of New Bedford, MA. Dr. Quinn is completing his second of three possible consecutive 3-year terms.

Qualified individuals interested in being considered for nomination by the Governor to the Council should contact Samantha Andrews (617-626-1564, samantha.n.andrews@state.ma.us.) Nomination application kits will be made available upon request. All applications are due to DMF (c/o Samantha Andrews, 251 Causeway St, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114) by the end of day on Monday, February 12, 2018. As part of the application process, the Commonwealth will conduct an initial background review.

Read the full story at The Fisherman

 

Monkfish RSA Accepting Proposals

November 7, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Competition for monkfish research support opened today in a program unique to Northeast fishery management. Projects selected through the competition are awarded fishing days rather than dollars, and use the proceeds from catch made using those days to fund their work.

This year’s priorities include monkfish life history, stock structure, migration patterns, interactions with other species, population surveys, bycatch, sources of catch mortality, and gear studies to reduce unwanted bycatch.

The full description of the program, its priorities, deadlines, and how to apply can be found here.

To learn more about NOAA visit their site here.

 

Fishermen will be allowed to catch more monkfish

July 17, 2017 — Federal fishing regulators will allow fishermen to catch a little bit more monkfish over the next three years.

The monkfish, also known as goosefish is a popular food fish that’s native to the East Coast. They’re a staple of displays in New England fish markets, where they often stick out because of their bizarre appearance.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says it’s increasing the monkfish quota in the northern fishery management area by 8 percent. The quota’s going up in the southern fishery area by 1 percent.

Monkfish are caught from Maine to Virginia, with most of the catch coming to shore in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The harvest was worth more than $19 million in 2015.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at the Portland Press Herald

NOAA Fisheries Announces Monkfish Quotas for 2017 to 2019

July 11, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA:

NOAA Fisheries announces monkfish quotas for the fishing years 2017 through 2019 (May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2020).

This action also approves possession limit and days-at-sea (DAS) increases for limited access monkfish permit holders.

Northern Fishery Management Area

We are increasing the monkfish quota in the Northern Fishery Management Area by about 8 percent. Incidental landing limits for vessels fishing on a groundfish DAS would also increase:

  • Category C: from 600 to 900 lb tail weight/DAS
  • Category D: from 500 to 750 lb tail weight/DAS 

Southern Fishery Management Area

We are increasing the monkfish quota in the Southern Fishery Management Area by approximately 1 percent. Fishermen can now fish five more DAS in the Southern area; an increase from 32 to 37 DAS. Southern Area trip limits also increase for limited access vessels:

  • Category A and C: from 610 to 700 lb tail weight/DAS
  • Category B and D: from 500 to 575 lb tail weight/DAS

These management measures are designed to increase monkfish landings, provide operational flexibility, and increase economic efficiency.

To get all the details on these management changes, read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register today, supplemental documents, and the permit holder bulletinposted on our website. 

Questions? Contact Jennifer Goebel at 978-281-9175 or jennifer.goebel@noaa.gov

NEFMC Adopts Monkfish RSA Priorities; Shelves Amendment 6

June 20, 2017 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council today approved 2018-2019 priorities for the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program. The seven categories of priorities are equally ranked and cover:

  • Research on monkfish life history, focusing on: (a) age and growth; (b) longevity; (c) reproduction; and (d) natural mortality;
  • Studies related to: (a) stock structure and stock identification; and (b) implications for stock assessment and fisheries management;
  • Migration patterns focusing on: (a) short- and long-term movements with respect to management areas and off-shelf movements; and (b) habitat use;
  • Research concerning trophic interactions of monkfish with other species;
  • Cooperative research surveys to supplement current survey coverage;
  • Research concerning bycatch and discard mortality focusing on: (a) target species, including monkfish and groundfish; and (b) non-target species, including non-marketable monkfish or skates; and

Trawl and gillnet gear studies focusing on: (a) size and/or species selectivity; and (b) bycatch reduction, including reducing bycatch of and interactions with protected species. In late July or August, NOAA Fisheries will issue a notice soliciting research proposals from interested applicants. More information is available at https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/coopresearch/rsa_program.html.

Monkfish Amendment 6 “Shelved”

The Council also voted to “permanently shelve” Amendment 6 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan. The original purpose of Amendment 6 was to “consider one or more catch share management approaches for the monkfish fishery, including, but not limited to, individual fishing quotas (IFQs), sectors, and/or community quotas.”

Given the lack of consensus and limited support among industry members for pursuing some – or even any – of these approaches, the joint New England/Mid-Atlantic Monkfish Committee voted to “shelve Amendment 6 permanently.” The Mid-Atlantic Council concurred during its June 6-8 meeting in Norfolk, VA, and the New England Council followed suit during its June 20-22 meeting in Portland. Next, the Monkfish Plan Development Team will summarize state regulations and state waters landings for the Monkfish Committee to review. For more information, visit the Council’s monkfish website page at http://www.nefmc.org/management-plans/monkfish.

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Proposed Monkfish Management Measures

May 9, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA:

NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on a proposed rule to implement Framework Adjustment 10 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan. This action proposes to increase monkfish quotas for the next three fishing years.

The measures would increase quota in the Northern Fishery Management Area by 8.27% and would increase the incidental landing limits for vessels fishing on a groundfish Day-at-Sea:

  • Category C: from 600 to 900 lb tail weight/DAS
  • Category D: from 500 to 750 lb tail weight/DAS.

For the Southern Fishery Management Area, quota would increase by 0.96%, and the DAS allocation and trip limits would increase by 15 percent. Monkfish permitted vessels could fish in the SFMA for 37 DAS, up from 32. Trip limits would also increase:

  • Category A and C: from 610 to 700 lb tail weight/DAS
  • Category B and D: from 500 to 575 lb tail weight/DAS 

These proposed management measures are designed to increase monkfish landings, provide operational flexibility, and increase economic efficiency.

To get all the details on these proposed management measures, read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register today and the background documentsposted on our website.

We are accepting comments through May 24.

Please submit comments either through the online e-rulemaking portal or by mailing your comments to:

John Bullard, Regional Administrator

National Marine Fisheries Service

55 Great Republic Drive

Gloucester, MA, 01930.

Please mark the outside of the envelope, “Comments on the Proposed Rule for Monkfish Framework 10.”

Questions? Contact Jennifer Goebel at 978-281-9175 or jennifer.goebel@noaa.gov