Seafood Business articles from December 2008

Seafood Business archives from December 2008

Year in review.(Editor's Note)
December 1, 2008... What a difference a year makes. There's no better time for reflection than at the end of the year before the big guy in the red suit squeezes into his sleigh. Here are the events, reports and topics from 2008 that will have a long-term impact...

FDA oversight may expand: surveys: consumers losing confidence in U.S. food supply.(food safety)
December 1, 2008... The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is likely to monitor food imports more carefully under the Obama administration and a Democratic-led Congress, according to various news reports last month. The agency has come under fire from lawmakers...

Seafood linked to China milk scare: import alert includes breaded food products.(food safety)
December 1, 2008... The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in mid-November issued an import alert detaining all milk products, milk-derived ingredients and finished food products containing milk from China. Some breaded seafood products, including shrimp, produced...

Stevens loses tight re-election bid: ocean steward's political career spanned 40 years.(legal)
December 1, 2008... Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens narrowly lost his re-election bid in late November to Anchorage Mayor and Democratic rival Mark Begich. Just over a week before the Nov. 4 election, the Senate's longest-tenured Republican was convicted by a federal...

Pacific Seafood Group.(Biz BRIEFS)
December 1, 2008... Pacific Seafood Group has acquired a steelhead farm in Nespelem, Wash., located on the Columbia River within the Colville Tribal Territory, the Clackamas, Ore., supplier's first foray into aquaculture. The farm will operate using sustainable,...

Clearwater Seafoods.(Biz BRIEFS)
December 1, 2008... Maruha Nichiro Holdings has cancelled a capital tie-up with Clearwater Seafoods after the Bedford, Nova Scotia, seafood company was unable to complete its privatization plans due to the uncertainty surrounding Icelandic bank Glitnir.

Mar-Lees Seafood.(Biz BRIEFS)
December 1, 2008... Mar-Lees Seafood of New Bedford, Mass., received a $4.1 million state loan to help it expand and create 53 jobs. The company will use the Mass Development funds to complete renovations to a 62,000-square-foot building it originally purchased in...

Icelandic Group.(Biz BRIEFS)
December 1, 2008... Icelandic Group's board of directors voted to allow the investment firm Eignarhaldsfelagid IG to acquire a majority stake in Iceland's largest seafood company.

Choice Canning Co.(Biz BRIEFS)
December 1, 2008... Choice Canning Co. announced for the 52-week period ending Oct. 4 that its Tastee Choice brand of frozen, cooked aria raw shrimp achieved the No. 1 spot among all other retail brands, with the highest dollar and unit sales for the selected...

Organic seafood closer to reality: NOSB approves standards for feed, net pens.(aquaculture)
December 1, 2008... The U.S. National Organic Standards Board last month voted to approve criteria for organic seafood production, a move lauded by fish farmers and opposed by some environmental groups. The federal advisory board pushed forward amended farming...

Red Lobster turns on wood-fire grill: eight items added to menu to renew growth.(foodservice)
December 1, 2008... Red Lobster is introducing wood-fire grilled items to the menus, in all of its 680 restaurants. The initiative, which the company is trumpeting as its largest ever systematic change, is part of a plan to renew growth at the casual-dining...

Council unanimous on IFQs: processors get 20 percent of whiting quota.(aquaculture)(individual fishing quotas)(Pacific Fishery Management Council )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The Pacific Fishery Management Council voted unanimously at its meeting in San Diego last month to give individual fishing quotas (IFQs) to commercial fishermen from Morro Bay, Calif., to Washington's Puget Sound. Beginning in 2011, the...

Whole Foods Market.(Line ITEMS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Whole Foods Market in November launched a pre-holiday "Shrimpsgiving" campaign in its seafood departments nationwide. Celebrating that the pilgrims and Native Americans enjoyed seafood at the first Thanksgiving feast, Whole Foods featured...

Legal Sea Foods'.(Line ITEMS)
December 1, 2008... Legal Sea Foods' "Really Fresh Fish" campaign, featuring wisecracking seafood, received a gold award at the Ninth Annual Out of Home Media Plan Awards. The campaign, created by the New York advertising agency DeVito/Verdi, ran throughout Boston...

First Annual National Shrimp Festival Chef's Challenge.(Line ITEMS)
December 1, 2008... The winner of the First Annual National Shrimp Festival Chef's Challenge was announced at the 37th Annual National Shrimp Festival presented by Zatarain's. Executive Chef Geno McNeely and Sous Chef Zack Compton of Geno's Fresh Catch Grill won...

Marlin boycott aimed at chefs, retailers: campaign intended to stop marlin overfishing worldwide.(supply)
December 1, 2008... Three nonprofit recreational-fishing and conservation groups launched a campaign late last month to persuade U.S. chefs and retailers to stop selling marlin permanently. Dubbed "Take Marlin Off The Menu," the campaign--organized by the...

M&S launches new Web site: Fox Sports Grill founder named new CEO.(foodservice)
December 1, 2008... McCormick & Schmick's fans can now order fresh seafood from the comfort of their own homes. Last month, the Portland, Ore.-based company launched a Web site called "McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Market" offering a variety of seafood--including...

WWF adds kampachi, cobia to talks: Aquaculture Dialogues now include 12 species.(aquaculture)
December 1, 2008... Aquaculture Dialogues will be launched for seriola and cobia in Seattle in February. The announcement by the World Wildlife Fund last month marks the 11th and 12th species to be covered by the Dialogues, a process of creating credible standards...

Extreme endorsement.(Snap SHOTS)(Callan Chythlook-Sifsof)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, a 19-year-old U.S. Snowboard Team snowboardcross racer and the new face of Ocean Beauty Seafoods, credits her success in part to a healthy diet consisting of wild Alaska salmon. A Yup'ik/...

How bad will it get?(One Man's Opinion)
December 1, 2008... The global seafood industry is sailing in uncharted waters. Like the price of oil, seafood prices are plummeting as the global economy contracts. Take Maine lobster, for example. Boat prices tanked to less than $2.50 a pound in late...

Global economic crisis hits Thai shrimp industry: Pacific white, black tiger prices tumble after peaking in August.(Market Report)
December 1, 2008... The global economic crisis taking hold of the Thai shrimp industry--the world's largest shrimp exporter is looking at limiting shrimp production next year. Thailand's 2009 shrimp exports are projected to total less than 350,000 metric...

Lower Bristol Bay sockeye run forecasted: Alaska predicts 21 percent fewer fish Statewide in 2009.(Market Report)
December 1, 2008... A total of 33.8 million sockeye salmon are expected to return to Bristol Bay in 2009, according to projections released in mid-November by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. A run of that size can produce a total harvest of 25 million...

Bering Sea pollock quota cut imminent: Biomass projected to rebound in coming years.(Market Report)
December 1, 2008... Expect this year's tight global groundfish market to get even tighter in 2009. Federal scientists last month recommended a 19 percent cut in the Bering Sea pollock quota, to 815,000 metric tons. If approved by the North Pacific Fishery...

Squid supplies abundant: glut drives prices down.(FOCUS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Squid catches in the Southwest Atlantic and their impact on the world market mirrored the results of the 2007 season. Illex landings were plentiful, but Argentine traders were unable to take advantage of the good...

Lobster industry fights lean times: credit woes, penny pinching hurt supply chain.(Market Report)
December 1, 2008... It's a rough time for the Maine lobster industry, perhaps the roughest ever. Everyone's hurting--from fishermen to brokers to end-users struggling to move the crustaceans. The root cause goes beyond simple supply-and-demand economics. Due...

Fish n' chips, sandwiches push pollock use: sales of the ubiquitous whitefish surpass overall seafood department growth.(Retail Report)
December 1, 2008... Consumers may not recognize pollock, but the ubiquitous whitefish is commonly used in fish 'n chips, fish sandwiches and fish tacos and as the main ingredient in surimi seafood. Pollock is included in "other fresh fish," the fifth largest...

Health message debate continues: scientists say the public health message should be which fish at-risk populations should eat.(Top Story)(Cover story)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Customers shopping for seafood at Highland Park Market in Connecticut now see signs and posters encouraging them to eat seafood because it's healthy and to be cautious about species high in mercury. Women who are...

Restaurants hope for change: economy weighs heavily on foodservice operators.(Foodservice Survey)(Survey)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you had asked foodservice buyers at the beginning of the year how their business would fare for 2008, most probably would have said "fair." Toss in a global economic crisis and restaurant operators' outlook has...

Cod: Iceland's problems shake cod industry, but demand remains strong.(Top 10 Species)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When it comes to cod processing, Iceland rules. And anyone looking for signs of financial troubles in Iceland would have been wise to look at the cod market, where signs of financial troubles were seen way before...

Brown bagging it: as the recession takes hold, homemade lunches are on the rise.(Trend Watch)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Many consumers have cut back on spending as the reality of an economic recession sinks into the American consciousness. The daily lunch hour is one place where eating habits are changing. According to a July NPD...

Low-income retail renovations: self-serve strategy leads to profits at Boyer's Food Markets.(Case Study)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the last couple of years, John Boyer and his staff have revamped Boyer's Food Markets, an independent chain of 17 grocery stores in rural northeastern Pennsylvania. "We wanted to make the stores more...

Legal goes green: new salads spark life into seafood chain's menu.(In the Kitchen)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Innovative seafood salad offerings, along with a variety of salad Sizes, are sparking new life into the menu at Legal Sea Foods, the 40-year-old seafood restaurant [chain based in Boston. "We have just begun...

Mackerel: weak runs, strong overseas demand hurt mackerel imports.(Product Spotlight)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Despite being considered one of the Most healthful fish species due to Its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids remains an underutized species in the United States. Most suppliers sell mackerel only fish. Richard...

Marine Harvest.(People in the News)
December 1, 2008... Marine Harvest appointed Jorgen Christiansen communications director. Christiansen has extensive experience, most recently as director of communications at Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken in Norway. He will begin his new position Jan. 1.

Multivac.(People in the News)
December 1, 2008... Brian Key has been promoted to manager of parts operations at Multivac. Key's previous responsibilities included supervising training programs and service personnel in the western United States. He will continue to report to Michael Krieger,...

Endeavor Seafood.(People in the News)
December 1, 2008... Chris Martin has joined Endeavor Seafood as a sales associate. Martin previously worked as a commodity lumber broker for Seaboard International Forest Products and spent more than two years trading truckloads and railcars of lumber. His primary...

East Coast Shellfish Growers Association.(People in the News)
December 1, 2008... The East Coast Shellfish Growers Association elected Robert Rheault, Ph.D., aquaculturist and owner of Moonstone Oysters in Wakefield, R.I., as executive director. Rheault has served as the association's president since its inception and...

Harvest Select Catfish.(People in the News)
December 1, 2008... Harvest Select Catfish announced realignments and new roles for management personnel. Lee Ballard was assigned to work with the parent holding company, where he's responsible for the oversight of certain properties within the organization. Bret...

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.(People in the News)
December 1, 2008... Effective Nov. 1, William J. Brennan became acting under secretary of commerce for ocean and atmosphere and acting administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Brennan formerly served as assistant secretary and deputy...

HQ Sustainable Maritime Industries.(People in the News)
December 1, 2008... Eugene Hill has been appointed VP of finance at HQ Sustainable Maritime Industries. Hill has more than two decades of financial services experience. Prior to joining HQS, he served as corporate treasurer for Knowledge Learning Corp. and as...

Rolling down the line.(PROCESSING EQUIPMENT)(SpanTech MC300 Conveyor )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... SpanTech's MC300 Conveyor offers options to fit a wide range of processing needs. Available in lengths from 2 to 12 feet and 11.8 inches wide, the conveyor is available with smooth or high-friction chain types. It is powered by low-profile...

Chilling out.(REFRIGERATION)(KM-61BAH Self-Contained Cuber )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The KM-61BAH Self-Contained Cuber with built-in storage bin from Hoshizaki America produces up to 71 pounds of ice per 24 hours and has a storage capacity of 38 pounds. The durable, stainless-steel cuber features the Hoshiguard Antimicrobial...

Halfshell delights.(SHELLFISH)(K&B Seafood Kumamoto oysters )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Kumamoto oysters for foodservice applications are available from K&B Seafood. Kumamotos are grown in the waters of Baja California, Mexico, and have a flavor profile like coldwater oysters due to the California current, which brings nutrients...

Bacteria beater.(SANITATION)
December 1, 2008... Biosafe Systems' SaniDate Ready To Use (RTU) is a pre-mixed liquid sanitizer. The product eliminates a broad range of bacterial diseases including human health pathogens like STREP and pneumonia. Available in 1-quart spray bottles, SaniDate RTU...

Dip in.(VALUE-ADDED)(Cape Cod Chowder Co. sauces)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Cape Cod Chowder Co.'s new line of sauces for retail or foodservice applications includes two seafood-based selections. Red Clam Sauce includes fresh clams, tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, Italian seasonings and spices. White Clam Sauce is...

Shrimp on the grill.(VALUE-ADDED)(Gorton's added two flavors to its flame-grilled frozen shrimp line)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Gorton's added two flavors to its flame-grilled frozen shrimp line. Classic Grilled with real herbs and spices and Scampi with butter and garlic are available at retail outlets in the Southeast and Texas. The easy-open, resealable packages...

Crab clusters.(VALUE-ADDED)
December 1, 2008... Fishery Products International's line of fully cooked, ready-to-use crab products for foodservice applications include snow, rock and Atlantic crab products. Snow crab is available in a variety of products including hand-picked meat, clusters,...

Leave the barbecue off.(VALUE-ADDED)(WorldCatch now offers a retail line of grilled seafoods)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... WorldCatch now offers a retail line of grilled seafood, including: Yellowfin Ahi Tuna Steaks, Salmon Burgers, Smoky Barbecue Salmon Fillets, Coconut-Crusted Mahi Mahi, Maryland-Style Crab Cakes, Lemon Tilapia, Dijon-Crusted Tilapia and Herbed...

Flavor on base.(VALUE-ADDED)(Advanced Food Systems' line of dry bases )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Advanced Food Systems' line of dry bases can be used to produce retorted sauces, soup and ready-to-eat meals for foodservice or retail. The Chef-Ready Retortable Bases are specifically formulated with ingredients that maintain flavor, color and...

Seafood calendar.(Calendar)
December 1, 2008... 2009 JANUARY Jan. 25-28 International Foodservice Distributors Association Partners Executive Forum Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Fla. (703) 532-9400 www.ifdaonline.org FEBRUARY Feb. 1-3 ...

Stan Crais: National Frozen & Seafood Category Manager Performance Food Group West Creek, Va.(One on One)(Interview)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Stan Crais is competitive by nature--he once battled a 38-pound wahoo on a hand line and had it mounted for his son. Such tenacity may explain Crais' ability to endure 35 years in the seafood industry. He joined...