Seafood Business articles from February 2006

Seafood Business archives from February 2006

Shrimp traders pinched.(Top STORY)
February 1, 2006... A controversial U.S. Customs Border Protection policy adopted in mid-2004 is pulling millions of dollars out of the shrimp-supply chain. It is forcing the shrimp-importing business to consolidate and thrusting America's favorite seafood to...

U.S. upholds tariffs on salmon from Norway.(TRADE)
February 1, 2006... The U.S. International Trade Commission dashed Norway's hopes of regaining a foothold in the U.S. farmed-salmon market last month when it voted to uphold tariffs on Norwegian-raised Atlantic salmon. The tariffs were enacted in 1991 to...

Group fears bird flu from Asian fish farms.(HEALTH)
February 1, 2006... Some farm-raised seafood could transmit the avian influenza virus, suggests an international migratory bird protection group. Aquaculture representatives counter that there is no risk of that happening. BirdLife International, a Cambridge,...

Wal-Mart commits to MSC-certified seafood.(Late NEWS)
February 1, 2006... The world's largest retailer last month pledged that its North American stores will begin selling wild seafood from fisheries certified under the Marine Stewardship Council's sustainability standards. Wal-Mart intends to purchase seafood...

Fish oil may not help prevent cancer.(Late NEWS)
February 1, 2006... Omega-3 fatty acids appear not to reduce the risk of cancer after all. A recent assessment of 38 studies published between 1966 and 2005 found there isn't enough evidence to support the cancer-fighting claim. The assessment, published in the...

FDA: canned light tuna is low in mercury.(Late NEWS)
February 1, 2006... Mercury levels in canned light tuna and other commercial seafood species remain well below federal limits, according to an updated report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, which...

Canadian restaurateur wins oyster-shucking event.(Late NEWS)
February 1, 2006... A Toronto restaurateur shucked 24 oysters in just over three minutes to capture first place in the third annual Mohegan Sun Oyster Open in Uncasville, Conn., on Jan. 22. Patrick McMurray, owner of Starfish Oyster Bed & Grill, walked away with...

FedEx uses Maine lobsters as leverage in TV ad: overnight carrier targets the seafood market.(MARKETING)
February 1, 2006... A new TV ad touting FedEx's overnight shipping services co-stars a boatload of one of America's most sought-after seafood items: lobsters. The 30-second spot, launched Jan. 2 during the college football Bowl Championship Series on ABC,...

Consumer reports pans organic seafood: grocer markets shrimp as "organic everywhere but California".(MARKETING)
February 1, 2006... Organic seafood is "not worth buying," according to a Consumer Reports article that reviews a wide range of organic products. "When it pays to buy organic," published in the February issue of the magazine, scrutinizes organic foods and...

Caspian, Black Sea caviar barred: CITES halts 2006 quotas on sturgeon products.(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Until exporting countries in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions prove that their sturgeon harvests are sustainable, 2006 export quotas for caviar and other sturgeon products will not be released. The Convention on International Trade in...

Paradise shrimp Co.(Biz BRIEFS)
February 1, 2006... Paradise Shrimp Co. of Marco Island and Bonita Springs, Fla., is working with HMSHost to sell its gourmet, ready-to-eat seafood products, including "carry-out/carry-home" items packed for travel, at Palm City Market in the Southwest Florida...

High Liner Foods.(Biz BRIEFS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... High Liner Foods and Alexander Keith's Brewery, both Nova Scotia companies, have partnered to develop beer-battered seafood products, featuring haddock, cod, Alaska pollock and shrimp in a batter made with Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale. The...

Custom Culinary Solutions.(Biz BRIEFS)
February 1, 2006... Custom Culinary Solutions of New Jersey was formed when Flavor Solutions and Custom Cuisine combined science and culinary arts to offer clients culinary innovation and promotion, product presentation, trend forecasting, new business development...

Transport Industries Holdings of Dallas changed its name to Greatwide Logistics Services.(Biz BRIEFS)
February 1, 2006... Transport Industries Holdings of Dallas changed its name to Greatwide Logistics Services, a $1 billion provider of transportation, third-party logistics, warehouse/distribution and truckload brokerage services with a new corporate logo and new...

Cooke wraps up deal with Marine Harvest: New Brunswick firm largest East Coast salmon farmer.(AQUACULTURE)
February 1, 2006... After seven months of on-and-off-again negotiations, Cooke Aquaculture finalized its acquisition of Marine Harvest's East Coast farmed-salmon operations on Dec. 30. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction, originally expected...

Darden adopts shrimp-farming standards: casual-dining giant joins Wal-Mart in requiring Best Aquaculture Practices.(FOODSSERVICE)
February 1, 2006... The world's largest casual-dining company announced early last month that it will begin requiring its shrimp suppliers to be certified under the Best Aquaculture Practices. Darden Restaurants of Orlando, Fla., joins Wal-Mart, the world's...

'Go Fish!' campaign promotes seafood for seniors: NFI, Meals On Wheels team up in educational effort.(HEALTH)
February 1, 2006... A program launched in January is promoting the health benefits of eating seafood to clients of the largest meal-services organization in the United States. "Go Fish!", a joint effort between the National Fisheries Institute and the Meals...

Illegal lobsters nabbed at U.S.-Canada border: six-day investigation delays holiday shipments, more inspections expected.(TRADE)
February 1, 2006... U.S. authorities increased live-lobster inspections at the U.S.-Canada border in Calais, Maine, from Dec. 18 to 23, delaying U.S.-bound shipments up to four hours during the busiest time of year in the lobster trade. Thirty-one of the 70...

Ruth's Chris adds Gulf oysters: steak chain's Metairie, La., location reopens.(FOODSERVICE)
February 1, 2006... Louisiana native Ruth's Chris Steak House added a fried-oyster appetizer to its seasonal menu in early January, in part to support the Gulf oyster industry, which took a heavy hit from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The appetizer is made...

Captain D's goes global.(Line ITEMS)
February 1, 2006... Captain D's Seafood, a Nashville, Tenn.-based fast-casual restaurant chain, opened its first international unit last month. Located in Point-a-Pierre, Trinidad, the restaurant is the first of three Captain D's franchises planned by the Pizza...

Bivalve bash for Puget Sound.(Line ITEMS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The 16th annual Anthony's Oyster Olympics is slated for Tuesday, March 21, in Seattle. The fundraiser benefits the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, which works to protect the sound by halting discharge of pollutants. It will be held from 3 to 9 p.m....

Annual report a valuable industry tool.(Off the SHELF)
February 1, 2006... The 2005 Annual Report on the United States Seafood Industry, 13th Edition, is the definitive overview and statistical analysis of fisheries, seafood and aquaculture in 2004. Published in November 2005 by H.M. Johnson & Associates, the Annual...

Maine pinks in abundance, but nobody's buying: U.S. market for the tiny crustacean is limited after prior years' short supply.(SHRIMP)
February 1, 2006... The abundance of northern shrimp in the Gulf of Maine this season has done little to expand the market for the tiny crustacean. Some buyers may find it difficult to procure, even though the estimated biomass is at a 20-year high. Despite a...

Prices of canned pinks hit a four-year high: robust sales drain inventories in 2005, but the trend shouldn't continue.(SALMON)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Canned Alaska pink salmon is fetching as much as it has in years, the result of vigorous sales until mid-2005, when the market resisted rising prices. The average price of canned pinks hit a four-year high of $41.32 per case, up $1.02 from...

Catfish supplies remain tight for spring: production falls 5 percent; price increases slightly.(WHITEFISH)
February 1, 2006... As production dipped for the second year in a row in 2005, catfish farmers still were confident that supplies would meet demand for the Lenten season, when catfish typically commands a higher price. Production in 2005 fell to 600.7 million...

Mahi season strong: imports rise again in 2005.(FOCUS)
February 1, 2006... All signs point to a fruitful mahimahi season, which peaks this month. Fisheries in Central and South America have been very productive thus far. "It's hot and heavy right now" one processor said in late January. "Everybody and their...

Live-lobster prices remain 'extremely' high: Colder-than-average waters delay the molting process and the fishery.(SHELLFISH)
February 1, 2006... A late-year surge in Maine's lobster catch has thrown the live-lobster market for a loop. Instead of their customary drop in late summer and early fall, live-lobster prices shot up, due to an abnormally lethargic fishery. Even when...

Blame it on Byrd.(Editor's NOTE)
February 1, 2006... The industry rumor mill always kicks into high gear this month, leading up to The International Boston Seafood Show in March. In the past, pre-show speculation has been about companies on the brink of going belly-up, industry consolidation and...

Don't forget that the consumer comes first.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... I would like to comment on two articles in your January, 2006 issue of SeaFood Business. First, "A happy New Year ahead for the fish business" (One Man's Opinion, page 18). It is a great thing that Americans are consuming more and more...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2006... In the blue-crab price graph in our December "Species Focus" article (page 44), the color keys were inadvertently reversed, making it appear that the price of imports took a dive in 2004 and went up in 2005, which is the opposite of what...

Sorry, you've just been rationalized.(One man's OPINION)
February 1, 2006... Fish is an irrational business, so it's no surprise that from time to time managers, regulators and stakeholders weigh in with plans to "rationalize" a fishery. The latest instance of this is the Alaska king and snow crab fishery in the Bering...

Benefits of farmed fish outweigh any risks.(Aquaculture FORUM)
February 1, 2006... Presentations and debates at the international Seafood and Health Conference in Washington, D.C. in December brought dear focus to very important and controversial aquaculture matters. A principal issue was the appropriate meaning of the...

The killer equation.(Top STORY)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Under Customs' new policy, continuous bonds are calculated by multiplying the value of a company's imported product from the previous year by the tariff. So if Company X imported $30 million worth of shrimp subject to a 10 percent tariff in...

Government steps up import inspections: preparedness helps seafood clear port-of-entry hurdles.(Seafood FAQ)
February 1, 2006... The United States is the world's third-largest importer of seafood products, behind the European Union and Japan. In 2004, U.S. seafood imports exceeded 2 million metric tons worth more than $11 billion. And every bit of it passed through...

School lunch program a tough sell for seafood: but low-fat fried-fish products that appeal to kids are winning over budget-conscious school boards.(National School Lunch Program)
February 1, 2006... Bill Stride was in a quandary just a few months ago. The president of Good Harbor Fillet Co. of Gloucester, Mass., was deeply frustrated with his efforts to bid for and supply seafood products to the National School Lunch Program. Good...

Flying J's upgrades fare with seafood: truck-stop customers embrace salmon and shrimp specialties on enhanced menu.(in the KITCHEN)
February 1, 2006... Bayou Salmon & Shrimp--pan-seared Atlantic salmon dusted with Cajun seasonings and topped with six sauteed shrimp, hollandaise sauce and green onion. If you don't think that sounds like truck-stop food, you're right. That salmon dish and...

Seafood departments freshen grocers image: supermarkets aim to reclaim customer base with upgraded presentation of perishables.
February 1, 2006... Sleek, brushed stainless steel, bright tile and deep glass cases define modern seafood departments at U.S. supermarkets. Retail designers report many traditional grocery chains are using their seafood departments to help create a flesh image of...

See North America's biggest seafood show: Boston is where you'll find top vendors and buyers from around the globe in March.(IBSS PREVIEW)
February 1, 2006... The International Boston Seafood Show returns to its new home at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center March 12 to 14. For three days, foodservice operators, retailers and distributors can view and taste innovative seafood products on...

Dorsal fin removal.(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2006... AirShirz[R] Pneumatic Scissors from Bettcher Industries increase worker productivity while reducing muscle fatigue. Lightweight yet powerful, AirShirz[R] provides clean, accurate cutting, snipping and trimming of dorsal fins--all while...

Tuna dark meat removal.(Advertisement)
February 1, 2006... Whizard[R] Series II Trimmers from Bettcher Industries are specially designed for tuna dark meat trimming and other seafood brown meat removal applications. Operators add measurable value to their products, along with enhancing yields, when...

Salmon slicing.(Advertisement)
February 1, 2006... Wide-blade Whizard[R] Series 11 Model 1900 Trimmers from Bettcher Industries are specially designed for salmon slicing and other select seafood trimming applications. The tool's circular blade design enables operators to produce longer, wider...

Seafood processors have own showcase: Seafood Processing America returns for a second year, with a huge array of equipment and services.(SPA PREVIEW)
February 1, 2006... There wouldn't be an International Boston Seafood Show March 12 to 14 if it weren't for all the technology, logistics, services and machinery that get fish from the boat to the end user. And that's what the second annual Seafood Processing...

2006 conference schedule: foodservice, retail and food-safety tracks ensure a learning experience for everyone.(IBSS PREVIEW)(Calendar)
February 1, 2006... Visitors to the International Boston Seafood Show have an opportunity to do more than source products. The 2006 conference program offers a lineup of timely topics designed to help seafood professionals improve their bottom line by gaining a...

Grouper: dress it up, dress it down--this versatile fish is welcome anywhere.(market research of groupers)
February 1, 2006... You might think from its name that the grouper travels in large schools. Actually; it's more of a solitary fish that frequents coral reefs, which is why grouper is harvested by hook and line. The name comes from the Portuguese "garoupa."...

King crab: as landings rise and prices drop, more consumers discover the "wow" crustacean.(Species: FOCUS)
February 1, 2006... Mark Palicki, the general manager and divisional buyer for Shaw's Crab House, knows that one of the reasons customers like king crab--aside from its sweet, succulent taste--is the wow factor. "You crack open a leg, and there's a huge piece...

Processing machinery: seafood processing equipment saves time, labor and resources and delivers quality.(Equipment FOCUS)
February 1, 2006... Processing seafood is all about adding value to raw material as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, the goal being a high-quality product that will command a decent price. Seafood processors can choose from a wide range of U.S. and...

Weigh/bagging systems.(Advertisement)
February 1, 2006... Weigh/bagging systems from Gainco deliver heightened levels of accuracy, versatility and cost-saving performance. They're ideal for the full range of seafood bagging applications, including fresh and frozen fillets, nuggets and shellfish items....

Automated counting systems.(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2006... AutoCount systems from Gainco provide faster, more accurate counting of frozen fillets, nuggets and fish sticks as well as fresh and frozen shellfish products when batching into containers or measuring throughput. Operating at up to 160 pieces...

DuraWeigh[TM] heavy-duty scales.(Advertisement)
February 1, 2006... DuraWeigh[TM] bench and floor scales from Gainco are designed for harsh seafood processing environments. Equipped with our proprietary Infiniti[TM] weight indicators, they're perfectly suited for general weighing, parts counting, portion...

Smarter carrying.(CONVEYORS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Wire Belt Co. of America announces the Flex-Turn[R] 480, the newest conveyor belt in its CarrySmart line. The Flex-Turn 480 is ideal for handling small and delicate products. Stainless-steel construction, fully exposed drive assembly and...

Flex that muscle.(CONVEYORS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... KVP's PR620SPS plastic spiral belt boasts a radius strength 1.5 times greater than conventional spiral belts: 570 pounds in widths from 12 to 60 inches, compared with just 375 pounds for the closest competitor, according to the company. In...

Modular motion.(CONVEYORS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Belt conveyors from Meyer Machine combine proven design with durable construction. Meyer belt conveyors are available in a wide range of sizes and configurations to accommodate inspection, cooling, storing or transporting of product. Featuring...

Heat and serve.(VALUE-ADDED)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Dockside Classics (TM) Premium Seafood, a new retail line of refrigerated, flesh seafood entrees from Seafood America, comes in seven varieties: Premium Lump Crab Cakes, Gourmet Salmon Cakes, Southern Style Catfish Cakes (pictured), Maryland...

One-pot cooking.(VALUE-ADDED)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Tastee Choice Food Products recently launched a line of gourmet Mediterranean and Asian skillet meals for retail sale. Mediterranean selections include Shrimp and Pasta with Primavera-Style Vegetables and Shrimp and Pasta with...

Traveling incognito.(VALUE-ADDED)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The maker of No Name Steaks[R] introduces No Name Tilapia[R] premium, deep-skinned, boneless fillets mildly marinated for any cooking style --broiled, fried, grilled, baked, poached, sauteed or steamed. Each box of No Name Tilapia contains five...

Speed and precision.(TEMP MONITORS)
February 1, 2006... The ProAccurate[R] QuickTip[TM] digital thermometer from Component Design Northwest ranges from minus 40 to 450 degrees E A Rapid Response feature provides readings accurate to +/- 0.5 degrees in less than eight seconds. The temperature sensor...

Safe shipping and storage.(TEMP MONITORS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... The HOBO[R] Pendant from Onset Computer Corp. is a miniature, low-cost data logger for monitoring temperatures during transport and storage of perishables. The waterproof HOBO Pendant offers 0.5 degree C accuracy and up to 52,000 readings, it...

Charting plant conditions.(TEMP MONITORS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Food processors can monitor temperature and humidity with Dickson's new KT8 line of K-thermocouple remote sensing 8-inch chart recorders and the TH8 line of 8-inch temperature/humidity chart recorders. Features include larger charts and digital...

Aquanor Marketing.(People IN THE NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Aquanor Marketing of Boston promoted Eric Kaiser to president of the company. Marion Kaiser,Aquanor's founder and president for 20 years, will assume the role of chief executive officer. Eric Kaiser joined Aquanor in 1995 and was promoted to...

American Pride Seafoods.(People IN THE NEWS)
February 1, 2006... To expand its sales staff, American Pride Seafoods hired Johnny Price as a regional sales manager and promoted Ray Renfroe to national accounts manager. Price manages the company's Southeast region, working with brokers in eight states. In his...

High Liner Foods.(People IN THE NEWS)
February 1, 2006... Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, seafood processor and marketer High Liner Foods appointed Mark J. Lamothe president and CO0 of the company's U.S. operations in Portsmouth, N.H. Lamothe previously served as marketing director and VP of business...

FKI Logistex.(People IN THE NEWS)
February 1, 2006... FKI Logistex, a global provider of integrated material-handling solutions with offices in the United Kingdom and Shanghai, appointed Bob Duplain president of the warehouse and distribution division of FKI Logistex North America in St. Louis....

Rubio's Restaurants.(People IN THE NEWS)
February 1, 2006... Sheri Miksa has resigned as president, chief executive officer and director of Rubio's in Carlsbad, Calif. Ralph Rubio, co-founder and chairman of the board, will oversee day-to-day operations until a successor is named.

Scanvaegt.(People IN THE NEWS)
February 1, 2006... Danish processing-equipment manufacturer Scanvaegt International recently strengthened its representation in Chile by appointing Martin Petersen general manager of Scanvaegt Chile in Santiago.

National Fisheries Institute.(People IN THE NEWS)
February 1, 2006... Tania Olsen, who came to NF1 last September as a contractor, has been hired full time to handle the organization's meetings. Cherylyn Harley LeBon, who helped NFI launch its communications effort in 2005, has left NFI to take a legislative...

Gainco.(People IN THE NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Gainco, a Gainesville, Ga., manufacturer of scales, automated sorting and other yield-enhancement systems, made two new appointments in service management. Reinhard Kieffer was named national service director, managing the company's Blue Ribbon...

Calendar 2006.(Calendar)
February 1, 2006... FEBRUARY Feb. 14-16 North Atlantic Seafood Exhibition and Conference Lillestrom, Norway Contact Einar Kvalheim, Norway Trade Fairs +47 66 93 91 00; EK@messe.no www.messe.no Feb. 25-March 1 AFFI's 2006...

Bob and David Kinkead co-owners, Sibling Rivalry.(One ON ONE)(Interview)
February 1, 2006... Hordes of industry professionals will descend upon Boston next month for the annual International Boston Seafood Show. Seasoned visitors who are in the habit of making dinner reservations prior to the big week will want to book a table at...