Saving Seafood

Consumption trends transforming in “uncertain times”

May 1, 2020 — In the days and weeks ahead, much of the United States will begin incrementally easing back isolation restrictions enacted to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Now that federal stay-at-home mandates have been lifted, as many as 31 states are moving forward with plans to partially reopen, CNN reported on 30 April. Restaurants in Georgia and Tennessee have already begun to open their doors to patrons for dine-in service, mostly at limited-capacity, with other states aiming to follow suit – some more cautiously than others – as the summer season approaches.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Floating factory would process invasive Asian carp

December 28, 2016 — MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Leaping from rivers and lakes like aquatic projectiles and ravaging the food base of native fish, Asian carp are loathed by outdoors enthusiasts and state wildlife officials alike for being not just a nuisance, but a threat to boating and fishing industries worth $2.9 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, in Tennessee.

Enter Joe Gillas. He sees the invasive fish as an opportunity.

Gillas’ company, Riverine Fisheries International, plans to moor a factory fishing vessel at the Port of Cates Landing, located on the Mississippi River near Tiptonville, Tenn., about 100 miles north of Memphis. The nearly 350-foot-long boat would process Asian carp caught in the Mississippi and other rivers and lakes into food products to be exported to some 20 countries, including China and Russia.

“I think there’s a good business model here,” said Gillas, 53, who was born and raised in Alaska and has fished all over the world. “I think we can do something good and make money at the same time.”

The Corps of Engineers early next year likely will approve the company’s application for a permit under the Rivers & Harbors Act authorizing the mooring of the vessel, said corps biologist and project manager Randy Clark.

Riverine Fisheries is an $18 million venture that includes “catcher” vessels that would help harvest the fish and a warehouse, logistics center and administrative headquarters in nearby Hickman, Ky. Gillas said the company could hire more than 100 people and begin harvesting and processing carp in February.

Read the full story at USA Today