This year’s International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) annual meeting, as well as the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS) plenary meeting, have been canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a letter from the organization’s commission chairman, Raul Delgado.

The SCRS meeting was to be held from September to October, and the annual meeting was to be held in November.

Delgado wrote that the next regular meeting of the commission would be held next November.

Delgado also provided a path forward for stakeholders in light of the cancellation.

Author: Ben Fisher / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

Ideal Foods has signed a new supply agreement with Mowi Consumer Products UK.

Cornwall, Liskeard, UK, Ideal Foods exports fish, shellfish and fish by-products to more than 40 countries worldwide. In the last financial year, the company sold 11,520 tonnes of fish, 87% of which was sold overseas.

In a press release, it wrote that that it has a new supply for salmon heads, bellies and collars from Mowi subsidiary Rosyth, Scotland-based, Mowi Consumer Products UK. Ideal Foods is now able to increase its stock availability by up to an additional 5,000 tonnes per year.

It added that the increased stock availability will add pressure to its cold store in Grimsby.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Even as some large grocery chains are reducing the number of different frozen products they carry, many retailers are still seeking new frozen seafood meals, portions, and other items.

Sales of frozen seafood products increased faster than all other frozen food categories for the week ending 24 May, 2020, compared to a year ago, according to Information Resources Inc. (IRI) data presented by 210 Analytics Principal Anne-Marie Roerink.

Frozen seafood sales surged 62.6 percent for the week ending on 24 May, while volume increased 55.7 percent.

Capitalizing on the trend, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.-based Wixter Seafood’s new frozen portion seafood line is getting pickup from regional retailers. 

Author: Christine Blank / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

With high-energy aquaculture sites to oversee in Scotland’s Western Isles, Mowi Regional Seawater Manager Kris Laird wanted to see for himself how Faroese Fish Farmers operate in highly exposed environments that regularly withstand exceptional hostile conditions.

Early last year he arranged a trip with some Mowi colleagues from Scotland to the Faroe Islands, visiting key suppliers to the Faroese aquaculture sector and to see how fish farms operate under the tough conditions around the islands, with year-round strong currents and wild weather that is a feature of the Faroese winter months.

Mowi subsequently chose Vónin to be a preferred supplier of moorings and nets, with JT Electric and KJ Hydraulic also supplying equipment to a number of sites in Scotland.

Author: Quentin Bates / Fisker Forum | Read the full article here

The latest report from the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) presents the large scale that the Chinese long-distance fleet DWF has acquired alongside gaps and challenges in China's governance capacity. Experts using specific examples review the findings and implications of this key fleet in West Africa

A recently released report by the London-based research center (ODI) highlights problems of scale and governance of the long-distance fleet. The authors analyzed data from 2017 and 2018 using big data analytical techniques, ensemble algorithms, and geographic information systems (GIS). Some of its key findings are that China's DWF fleet could be much larger than the estimated 3,000 ships, with a significant percentage marked out to other countries, primarily African nations.

Source: EuropaAzul | Read the full article here

Skretting has expanded its scope of activity beyond the food supply. It has done so with a new line of products, AquaCare, specifically focused on offering practical solutions to improve water quality in fish and shrimp farming systems. “In certain regions, aquaculture faces an increasing challenge in terms of access to clean and safe water. Thus, the AquaCare concept was born as an essential part of our commitment to improve the sustainability of the industry, ”says Skretting. And, as you recall, water is a vital resource that faces increasing demand and a changing climate. The data is there. According to the United Nations, in the last 100 years the world demand for water has multiplied by six, "with which - added the same sources - the responsible administration of water has become a global priority".

Source: iPac.acuicultura | Read the full article here

There are some signs that talks at the World Trade Organization on ending harmful fishery subsidies may restart next month after being suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

A Heads of Delegation meeting has been announced by the negotiations chair for 25 June to begin discussing the latest draft proposal for a deal. A follow-up meeting for delegation leaders on 21 July will set a potential Autumn work program for negotiators.

“We’re basically waiting for the WTO to fully open up again,” a Western delegate to the talks told SeafoodSource. “They’ve taken the first step, setting up a big room for meetings with one person per delegation, but that won’t work for the fisheries negotiations. I’ve heard speculation that maybe we start meetings [of regular delegation members] again in July. There’s some work being done behind the scenes, but my sense is that it’s somewhat limited.”

Author: Mark Godfrey / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

Kantar presents the 2020 edition of its Brand Footprint report

The consumer panel consultancy Kantar has presented the 2020 edition of its Brand Footprint report, which determines the ranking of the Consumer Goods brands that are most often purchased in Spain and in the world. And in the ranking of the first 10 is Pescanova, which has obtained a total of 54 million CRP consumer contacts or CRPs (Consumer Reach Points), reaching 63.4% of buyer households with a 4.7 purchase frequency. Pescanova remains in position number 8 in the ranking, same position as in the 2019 edition of the report.

Source: IndustriasPesqueras | Read the full article here

“Salmon is becoming like tonnes of hot potatoes for them, depreciating on a daily basis”.

CGTN writes that Beijing authorities held the 121st press conference and discussed the latest measures to contain a new COVID-19 outbreak in the capital, with more than 100 coronavirus cases reported.

Though the discovery of coronavirus on a chopping board for imported salmon in Beijing, has created major challenges and headaches for salmon exporters.

Author: Owen Evans / SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Former Bumble Bee President and CEO Chris Lischewski was sentenced to 40 months in prison and given a USD 100,000 fine (EUR 88,000) as part of his role in a conspiracy to fix the prices of canned tuna sold in the United States from 2011 to 2013.

The sentence comes after a three-week-long trial in December ended with a jury finding Lischewski guilty of being involved in a scheme between Bumble Bee, StarKist, and Chicken of the Sea to fix the price of tuna. Lischewski was facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of USD 1 million (EUR 887,500).

The sentence, according to U.S. District Court Judge Edward M. Chen, is in accordance to the severity of the conspiracy, which was “widespread, pervasive, and affecting the entire industry.”

Author: Chris Chase / SeafoodSource| Read the full article here