Seafood Business articles from March 2007

Seafood Business archives from March 2007

A sustainable debate.(Editor's Note)
March 1, 2007... Many seafood-related conversations these days revolve around sustainability. Not a day passes without someone calling or e-mailing me about sustainable seafood. In January, I attended the Seafood Choices Alliance Seafood Summit for the first...

Correction.(Correction notice)
March 1, 2007... Our Top Story "Ahead of the curve" (January SFB, p. 22) reported that Alaska's salmon industry spent $250 million on Marine Stewardship Council recertification. The correct figure is $250,000. We regret the error.

U.S. seafood consumption drops in 2005: shrimp keeps its title as America's favorite seafood.(supply)
March 1, 2007... U.S. seafood consumption dropped to 16.2 pounds per capita in 2005, down 2 percent from 16.6 pounds per capita in 2004, according to data the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released in early February. Although per capita...

Pinnacle acquired for $2 billion: deal includes Van de Kamp's and Mrs. Paul's.(retail)
March 1, 2007... The parent company of Van de Kamp's and Mrs. Paul's frozen seafood brands was acquired on Feb. 12 by The Blackstone Group, a New York private equity firm, for $2.16 billion in cash and assumption of debt. The deal is expected to close by mid...

Contessa sues Chicken of the Sea: lawsuit alleges unfair competition.(legal)
March 1, 2007... Contessa Premium Foods of Los Angeles on Feb. 5 filed a lawsuit against Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods of El Segundo, Calif., and its parent company, Thai Union International of San Diego, for misappropriation, unfair competition and other...

Taylor Shellfish Farms in February acquired a majority interest in Fanny Bay Oysters Ltd. of Union Bay, British Columbia.(Biz BRIEFS)
March 1, 2007... Taylor Shellfish Farms in February acquired a majority interest in Fanny Bay Oysters Ltd. of Union Bay, British Columbia. The purchase allows the Shelton, Wash., company to increase its annual oyster production by 20 percent, to more than 50...

Glitnir.(Biz BRIEFS)
March 1, 2007... Glitnir in February announced plans to open its first U.S. office in New York by the end of May as part of the bank's reorganization. Glitnir reorganized into four business units, three support units and four geographical units. Glitnir has...

FKI Logistex[R].(Biz BRIEFS)
March 1, 2007... FKI Logistex[R] in January won a contract to supply FKI Logistex Condor[TM] very-narrow-aisle automated storage-and-retrieval systems for six new Preferred Freezer Services[R] facilities. With the contract, FKI Logistex Condor cranes will be in...

Whole Foods does about-face on live lobsters: Maine lobstermen insulted by natural foods retailer.(retail)
March 1, 2007... Whole Foods Market, which banned sales of live lobsters last June after it said traditional handling methods were inhumane, in late January found a supplier that meets its animal-compassion standards. Its decision, however, raised the ire...

CITES lifts beluga caviar export ban: environmentalists, chefs condemn the move.(trade)
March 1, 2007... The United Nations on Feb. 5 lifted a year-long ban on beluga caviar exports after the five Caspian Sea nations agreed to reduce the 2007 export quota by 29 percent, to about 8,300 pounds, compared to the 2005 export quota. The U.N.'s...

DNA test for U.S. shrimp debuts: WASI aims to prevent species substitution.(supply)
March 1, 2007... Wild American[R] Shrimp announced on Feb. 6 that DNA testing for domestic white, brown and pink shrimp will be available commercially by the end of April. The Charleston, S.C., group, which markets U.S.-caught Gulf and Atlantic shrimp, has...

The National Fisheries Institute.(Line ITEMS)
March 1, 2007... The National Fisheries Institute on Jan. 29 announced the formation of an organic seafood committee to support the sustainable production, trade and consumption of organic seafood. Founding member companies include Kona Blue Water Farms of...

Clear Springs Foods.(Line ITEMS)
March 1, 2007... Clear Springs Foods of Buhl, Idaho, named Dennis Biernat & Associates of Los Angeles as Broker of the Year for 2006. The selection was based on an overall performance against sales goals, which included new product penetration, product mix and...

Seafood Champion Awards.(Line ITEMS)
March 1, 2007... Two companies and two individuals were honored at the Seafood Choices Alliance's second annual Seafood Champion Awards. The winners are: Fedele Bauccio, CEO of Bon Appetit Management Co., Palo Alto, Calif.; Peter Redmond, divisional merchandise...

Calif. to appeal Prop 65 ruling: tuna canners seek to avert mercury warnings.(legal)
March 1, 2007... The top three U.S. tuna canners will reenter a California courtroom to defend themselves against the state's Proposition 65 food-labeling requirements regarding potentially harmful ingredients. The California attorney general contends that...

Inland Seafood grows value-added brands: new production facility, office space in the works.(distribution)
March 1, 2007... Inland Seafood Co. has overhauled its Bimini Island Seafood brand of value-added seafood entrees under the Inland Market Premium Foods line, which is available nationwide to retailers and foodservice customers. The Atlanta company, which is...

Dutch Harbor remains No. 1 port: New Bedford still top port in landings value.(supply)
March 1, 2007... Dutch Harbor, Alaska, in 2005 retained its status as the United States' top seafood port for the 17th consecutive year, according to figures the National Marine Fisheries Service released in early February. Fishermen landed 887.6 million...

Sushi 101.(Off THE SHELF)(The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy)(Brief article)(Book review)
March 1, 2007... Any book striving to revel in the beauty and deliciousness of sushi cannot contain just recipes. According to author Sasha Issenberg, it has to , be a celebration of globalization. His narrative, "The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making...

A healthy fish appetite?(One Man's Opinion)
March 1, 2007... Last month fishcrats in Washington, D.C., finally released their annual "Fisheries of the United States" report. Since it's 2007, one would think the report would be for 2006, but it's actually for 2005. Not that long ago, it took the feds six...

Future of sustainability relies on farmed fish.(Point of View)
March 1, 2007... Sustainability seems to be the latest catchphrase for the seafood industry in 2007. Yet members of the National Fisheries Institute are taking a closer look at the issue and are debating what seafood sustainability is and what it means for...

Abundant Gulf shrimp supply forces prices down: total U.S. imports increased by 11.6 percent, to 1.3 billion pounds, in 2006.(shrimp)
March 1, 2007... As the spring Gulf shrimp harvest nears, suppliers and fishermen harmed by the 2005 hurricanes hope to continue their rebound. Shrimp landings bounced back in 2006 to a total of 160.4 million pounds, the biggest haul over the past five years,...

Healthy Klamath run expected: West Coast king fishery may not be a bust again this year.(salmon)
March 1, 2007... Finally, there's good news for the Oregon and California king salmon fishery: More than 500,000 Klamath River salmon are estimated to be in the ocean, about five times as many as a year ago. About 60,000 fish are expected to return to the...

Tilapia market continues expansion: total U.S. imports increased by 17 percent last year.(whitefish)
March 1, 2007... Tilapia ranked No. 6 on the National Fisheries Institute's 2005 Top 10 list of U.S. seafood consumption by species, at 0.85 pounds per capita, up from 0.69 pounds per capita in 2004. Despite a competitive field--five of the 10 most popular...

Mudbug outlook improves: cold, bait-fish shortage may hinder harvest.(FOCUS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Timely summer rains and a mild winter are expected to lead to an above-average crawfish harvest in Louisiana this season. However, a recent cold snap and a bait-fish shortage may prevent production from reaching its potential. The recent...

Winter elevates live lobster prices: U.S. imports of Canadian product drop slightly in 2006.(shellfish)
March 1, 2007... Live Maine lobster supplies were barely adequate to meet the Valentine's Day demand, which was active despite the high prices. As poor fishing weather continues in the Northeast, expect live lobster prices to remain high well into the spring....

Holiday home preparation fuels sauce/seasonings sales: sauces/marinades peak dollar share at Christmas, seasonings/spices/breadings tops at Easter.(sauces/seasonings)
March 1, 2007... A small yet important category in the seafood department, sauces and seasonings consists of the two subcategories sauces/ marinades and seasonings/spices/breadings. The category averaged 0.20 percent of total national seafood-department dollar...

Oil change: restaurateurs, producers eliminate trans fat from seafood with health, money in mind.(Top Story)(Cover story)
March 1, 2007... The anti-trans fat movement is spreading like a water-fed grease fire. Nora week passes without a restaurateur or food manufacturer announcing that it's emptying its fryers of artery-clogging partially hydrogenated vegetable oil and filling...

Making a menu: survey: what do consumers want for seafood when they eat out?(Consumer Research)
March 1, 2007... Ordering a meal at a restaurant can be a daunting task. A diner's decision can be especially challenging when seafood is an option, with so many finfish and shellfish species to consider, as well as a wide variety of preparation methods. When...

'Promise of plenty': MPEDA steps up effort to put India on the global seafood map.(India)(Marine Products Export Development Authority)
March 1, 2007... India's vast coastline provides fishermen with ready access to an array of fish and shellfish species from the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, large swaths of flatlands, especially along the country's east coast, are used for farming shrimp, the...

Flatfish: demand for value-added halibut, flounder, sole on the rise.(Top 10 Species)
March 1, 2007... Pacific halibut. Yellowfin sole. Yellowtail flounder. These are among the most commercially significant species under the broad flatfish banner. And with harvest restrictions tightening availability--quotas are down for summer flounder...

Green packaging: manufacturers, retailers consider recycled packaging materials.(Trend Watch)
March 1, 2007... Sustainability and eco-friendly have become buzzwords, touching a wide array of businesses and business practices. In the food and beverage industry, shipments of sustainable, or "green," packaging exceeded $37 billion in 2005, according to a...

Shoppers seek health guidance: is your seafood department saying all it can about seafood and health?(Case Study)
March 1, 2007... Dorothy Lane Markets in Dayton, Ohio, has for several years given its health-conscious customers lots of options when they want more information about seafood. They can consult a poster in the seafood department to find out the amount of...

No-frills seafood: Cami's restaurant experience produces high-quality, casual seafood at Grumpy Dick's.(In the Kitchen)
March 1, 2007... Having grown up in the business, Richie Cami knows a thing or two about seafood restaurants. He's putting it all to good use at Grumpy Dick's, a popular casual Florida-style fish restaurant and catering business in Plantation, Fla., that...

Eastern oysters: buyers play on the regional names of each Eastern oyster harvest area.(Product Spotlight)
March 1, 2007... In The Art of Eating, M.F.K. Fisher wrote, "A perfect oyster, healthy, of fine flavor, plucked from its chill bed and brought to the plates unwatered and unseasoned, is more delicious than any of its modifications." This has held true since the...

Seafood show means business: North America's premier seafood sourcing event is where top buyers and sellers meet.(IBSS Visitor's Guide)(Directory)
March 1, 2007... The International Boston Seafood Show is celebrating its 25th anniversary as the can't-miss event for the industry's top buyers. For the third consecutive year, IBSS will be collocated with Seafood Processing America at the Boston Convention...

Guide to show exhibitors: your category reference to companies at the Boston Seafood Show.(Product Directory)
March 1, 2007... The doors to the Boston Exhibition and Convention Center will open March 11 for the 25th International Boston Seafood Show and Seafood Processing America. Proper preparation before the show will ensure a successful show for everyone, from...

SPA: products, services, more: processing equipment buyers can find cutting-edge technology at work.(SPA Visitor's Guide)(Directory)
March 1, 2007... The third annual Seafood Processing America, the destination point for buyers interested in processing equipment, technology and services, comes to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center from March 11 to 13. The show lets you take care of...

Equipment buyer's directory: Seafood Processing America showcases equipment, technology and services.(Product Directory)(Directory)
March 1, 2007... The third annual Seafood Processing America, the destination point for buyers interested in processing equipment, technology and services, comes to Boston March 11 to 13. The show lets you take care of all of your product needs, as well as find...

IBSS 2007 conferences: foodservice, retail and food-processing tracks ensure educational opportunities for everyone.(Conference Schedule)(International Boston Seafood Show)
March 1, 2007... Visitors to the International Boston Seafood Show and Seafood Processing America have more than new products they're looking for; many use the show as their once-a-year training program. A wide variety of seminars round out this year's program,...

Bering Select Seafoods.(People in the News)
March 1, 2007... Kathleen Lee has been appointed VP of sales at Bering Select Seafoods. Her responsibilities include management of Bering Select's Marine Stewardship Council program for the Pacific cod freezer longline fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian...

Robert Wholey Co.(People in the News)
March 1, 2007... The Robert Wholey Co. hired five sales reps as part of its expansion plans for 2007, which include new product lines and a focus on center-of-the-plate proteins. Dave Truby was named Wholey's center-of-the-plate specialist. Truby will help...

Smoki Foods.(People in the News)(has a new management team)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Smoki Foods created a new management team comprising three new executive officers: William Jones was appointed COO and general manager and runs international business operations. Bob Brazell was named CFO and has experience in seafood...

The Perishables Group.(People in the News)(promoted Sherry Frey and Kari Volyn, hired Jammie Kokesh and Jonna Parker)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... The Perishables Group recently promoted staff members Sherry Frey and Kari Volyn and hired Jammie Kokesh and Jonna Parker. Frey, former senior account director, was promoted to VP and directs the account teams in the Midwest and Eastern...

Glitnir.(People in the News)
March 1, 2007... Glitnir recruited Kristjan Hjaltason as seafood business director for the North Europe region. He works closely with Glitnir's seafood team in Iceland and globally to maintain and strengthen the growing network of seafood clients. Hjaltason has...

Kona Blue Water Farms.(People in the News)
March 1, 2007... Kona Blue Water Farms expanded its sales and marketing team. With over 20 years of sales management experience in the seafood industry, Curtis Smith was appointed VP of sales at Kona Blue Water Farms. Sylvia Dow was appointed East...

Leviton.(People in the News)
March 1, 2007... David Pomierski was appointed Southwest region specification engineer for Leviton's voice and data division. Pomierski has more than 29 years communications experience with an extensive background in construction and large-scale integration of...

Cherrystone Aquafarms.(People in the News)(promoted Ron Crumb and Tara Riley and hired Don Flax)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Cherrystone Aquafarms of Cheriton, Va., announced two promotions and a new hire. Ron Crumb was named director of sales and marketing. Formerly the sales and marketing manager, Crumb is responsible for the quality and service of product...

In memoriam.(People in the News)(Obituary)
March 1, 2007... Chad Ballard, aquaculture pioneer and founder of Cherrystone Aquafarms in Cheriton, Va., passed away on Jan. 29 at the age of 90. Ballard, whose family has been in the seafood business since the 1890s, grew up in Willis Wharf, Va., but...

Upscale sardines.(VALUE-ADDED)
March 1, 2007... Bela-Olhao sardines are available lightly smoked and in five varieties: Sardines in olive oil, lemon oil, tomato sauce, hot oil and skinless and boneless in olive oil. The Portuguese sardines are kosher certified by the Orthodox Union and are...

Last-minute meals.(VALUE-ADDED)
March 1, 2007... Blue Horizon Organic Seafood's Last Minute Chef retail product line features sustainable seafood and top-quality natural ingredients. The product line features organic shrimp grown in Ecuador that is free of hormones and antibiotics. Last...

Speedy skinning.(PROCESSING)
March 1, 2007... The ST6000VRU skinning and defrilling machine from Steen has been reshaped for flounder fillets. The top and bottom defrilling units have been modified to one piece for easier cleaning and the processing speed is more than 140 fillets per...

Large capacity combo.(PROCESSING)
March 1, 2007... The CS-10 big bucket model from CombiScale is a 10-head large capacity combination scale designed for products with weights of up to 6.5 pounds. The scale reduces product variations, has production speeds of up to 75 bags per minute, and...

Seafood Calendar.
March 1, 2007... MARCH March 25-27 American Culinary Federation Central Regional Conference Pittsburgh Contact ACF (800) 624-9458 www.acfchefs.org/Content/Events/RegionalConferences APRIL April 1-3 * New England...

Anne Forristall Luke.(One on One)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Washington, D.C., isn't known as a big seafood town, despite its proximity to Chesapeake Bay, land of the blue crab. The nation's capitol, however, is where business and government assemble to develop industry-shaping policies. The three...