Saving Seafood

JOHN FIORILLO: Are plant-based seafood labels really misleading? Judge for yourself.

November 4, 2021 — Imitation may be the sincerest form flattery, as the proverb says, but when it comes to plant-based seafood look-alikes, imitation is nothing but controversy.

The seafood industry does not find the continued growth of plant-based seafood alternatives, which the seafood industry says are intentionally masquerading as fish and shellfish to fool consumers, flattering in any way. Rather, it is outright fraud, say seafood producers.

The issue was thrust back into the spotlight last week when the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the leading US seafood trade association, stepped up its call to stop plant-based seafood manufacturers from labeling their products as seafood and gaining an “unfair marketing advantage.”

NFI President John Connelly, speaking at the Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) annual meeting, said the issue is among the most frustrating he has dealt with in the seafood industry over the past five years.

I certainly agree that transparent and accurate labeling is a must for any product, and for sure many companies dance that fine line of marketing and misleading messaging.

Read the full opinion piece at IntraFish

National Fisheries Institute Statement on the Passing of Peter Cardone

August 23, 2021 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

With the passing, on 21 August, of Harbor Seafood founder Peter Cardone, the seafood community has lost a pioneer, a leader, and a truly charitable soul.

Pete started as a chef in New York City and built his vision into a company that sources globally and continues to innovate. He did so while helping others and an industry that he loved. Few NFI members could resist the “Cardone Call” when he would telephone asking they support a charitable cause. He is a past Chairman of the National Fisheries Institute and his guidance and generosity will be missed.

Pete’s wife, Josephine, his family, and his many, many friends are in our thoughts and prayers.

In lieu of flowers, the Cardone family requests donations be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church 215-35 38th Ave, Bayside NY 11361, In memory of Peter Cardone.

NFI Welcomes New Director of Public Policy

August 16, 2021 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The National Fisheries Institute announces it has hired Morgan Bell as its new Director, Public Policy. Bell spent four years as a part of Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton’s staff. Among other duties, she served as both a Regional Director and as a Fisheries Policy Advisor to the Congressman

“We’re thrilled to have Morgan on board,” said NFI’s Vice President for Government Affairs, Robert DeHaan. “She brings a unique perspective to our work that combines fisheries policy and sustainability with trade and commerce. It’s a valuable mix that will greatly benefit NFI’s members.”

Bell earned a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University’s Fletcher School of International Affairs.

“Morgan was the local, district, and federal fisheries liaison for a Hill office. She knows fisheries from water to table,” said NFI Chairman, Seattle Fish President & CEO, Derek Figueroa. “Seafood isn’t just wild capture or aquaculture, imports or exports.  It’s all of those things. Having a professional who understands that policy impacts the entire value chain is vital. I am excited to see Morgan bring her expertise and passion to NFI’s important work representing our members.”

Bell grew up in Gloucester, Massachusetts and did her undergraduate studies at Wheaton College in Massachusetts.

“From policy and funding matters on the Hill, to promotion of sustainable aquaculture and blue technology innovation, seafood is a common thread running through my professional and academic work as well as my personal background,” said Bell. “Joining NFI is a natural next step, and I am excited about the challenge.”

NFI members will have the opportunity to meet Bell during the association’s 2021 Political Conference in Washington, D.C., starting September 20.

National Fisheries Institute Statement on NOAA’s IUU Report to Congress

August 13, 2021 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

NOAA’s 2021 Biennial Report to Congress on Improving International Fisheries Management, released today, is an example of a tool used to effectively fight Illegal Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing.

The report identifies 31 nations and or entities that are either engaged in pirate fishing or not doing enough to stop destructive fishing practices.

Enforcement of rules that deny dubious actors entry to U.S. ports and institute import restrictions are key to successfully rooting out IUU. At the same time, the report lauds countries like Ecuador and Korea for redoubling their efforts to stop IUU fishing in their waters.

NOAA Fisheries’ commitment to cracking down on IUU is on display in this report and should be applauded.

Safe Catch tuna mercury ad claims panned as misleading by BBB, NFI

July 20, 2021 — The Better Business Bureau’s National Advertising Division (NAD) has determined pouched and canned tuna supplier Safe Catch provided a “reasonable basis” for several mercury and sustainability ad claims, but recommended that others be modified or discontinued.

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI), a trade group representing the U.S. seafood industry including some of the largest processors of canned and pouched tuna in the United States, requested the review of Safe Catch’s ad claims.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

NFI Red Crab Council Renews Commitment to Improving Chinese Crab Fishery

July 20, 2021 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The National Fisheries Institute’s Red Crab Council and its partners –  Ocean Outcomes (O2) and Tao Ran on the ground in China – have renewed their annual contract to keep the comprehensive Red Crab Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) on track.

“For a number of years the Red Crab fishery has faced adversity from things like the pandemic, the market and tariffs,” said Newport International President Anjan Tharakan, the NFI Red Crab Council Chair. “But none of the companies we partner with, and certainly not O2 nor Tao Ran, have lost sight of the importance of working hard towards the most sustainable fishery possible. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again. If nothing, this is one committed group.”

The FIP is focused on improving crab production in Fujian Province, the leading harvesting region in China for red crab.

The NFI Red Crab Council funds the work by assessing a fee on its members based on the number of pounds they import each quarter.

“Despite all the external challenges this FIP has faced, we’ve never changed our ultimate objectives,” said O2 Founder and CEO Rich Lincoln. “We have dedicated companies supporting the work and experts on the ground executing it. Continuing this contract keeps us on track to seeing the best science-based strategies driving Red Crab fisheries management in the Fujian region”

The status of the Fujian Zhangzhou Red Crab FIP is updated biannually on fisheryprogress.org.

National Fisheries Institute Statement on the Executive Order “Promoting Competition in the American Economy”

July 12, 2021 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The National Fisheries Institute is pleased that the President’s Executive Order on competition and the economy directs the Federal Maritime Commission to, “vigorously enforce the prohibition of unjust and unreasonable practices in the context of detention and demurrage.”

We believe deeply in a free market economy but this year alone we expect seafood companies to incur an estimated $88 million in extra port-related costs, an amount 20 times higher than last year. Skyrocketing detention and demurrage charges coupled with untenable delays is not about economics and competition it’s about a problem in the supply chain that needs to be addressed.

Alaska pollock: Alaska product now 86 percent of U.S. consumption

July 6, 2021 — The Bering Sea TAC for pollock has been ratcheted back to 1.375 million metric tons — that’s down from last year’s 1.425 million and close to what it was set at in 2019. In the Aleutian Islands harvest area, the quota has been set at 19,000 metric tons, unchanged from last year. For the Gulf of Alaska waters, the TAC fell from the 115,930 metric tons to 113,227 metric tons for 2021.

In May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the purchase of $159.4 million in domestic seafood and agricultural products. Of that, seafood will account for $70.9 million. Alaska pollock products have always been high on the list of purchases by the USDA for school lunch and other institutional food programs, and pollock contracts in 2021 will tally up to $20 million.

Also in May, data released by the National Fisheries Institute indicated that pollock pulled ahead of tilapia to rank fourth place in domestic seafood consumption. Though shrimp, salmon and canned tuna continue to rank above pollock, NFI noted that consumption of pollock products increased by a quarter pound per capita from 2018 to 2019. Meanwhile, the NFI research conducted for the Seattle-based Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers found that wild Alaska pollock products comprised 86 percent of that national increase from 2018 to 2019.

Read the full story at National Fisherman

US FDA: PFAS chemical contaminant levels in fish “not a concern”

July 6, 2021 — The levels of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in fish do not represent a human health concern, according to a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration report.

PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally, were created as a solution to waterproof and grease-proof surfaces. They are still in use in a number of consumer goods and have been found to be contaminating water supplies across the United States. Medical studies have linked PFAS build-up in humans to cancer, liver and kidney harm, damage to human reproductive and immune systems, and other diseases, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Read the full story at Seafood Source