Salmon spawning in the US Northwest - a weakened phenomenon.

Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena. (Photo: US Congress)

Low salmon run triggers congressional appeal for federal relief

UNITED STATES
Monday, March 10, 2008, 20:10 (GMT + 9)

West Coast congressmen appealed for a federal declaration of fishery failure on Thursday, prompted by a Sacramento River fall chinook run so low the commercial season might be closed entirely.

The industry is “basically in a crisis," said Allen Grover, a biologist with the federal agency that regulates fishing.

The lawmakers want Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez to approve the disaster designation quickly, so that they can include federal emergency assistance money in upcoming budgets, reports the Sacramento Bee.

Past experience with slow federal action on low salmon runs motivated the lawmakers to organise for early action, said Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena.

"When we had record lows out the Klamath River in 2006, it took months and months for the secretary to declare the season a failure," Thompson said in a statement. "As a result, fishing families and businesses on the North Coast are just now getting federal relief."

The Sacramento River run is among the lowest in history, so low that the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) is considering partial or total closure of the commercial season in April. A decision on the closure was expected as early as last weekend, after the PFMC meeting in Sacramento.

A full or partial closure would mean high salmon prices at the market and hard times for commercial fishermen.

"The implications of a precipitous decline to the Sacramento River chinook salmon stocks would be detrimental for the commercial salmon fishing fleet and related businesses along the entire West Coast of the continental United States," the congressmen said in a bipartisan statement.

Only 88,000 salmon were counted last fall in the Sacramento, compared to 268,000 the year before and 394,000 in 2005, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.   

The cause of the low run is unknown, although biologists suspect that it could be due to a change in cold-water currents that disrupted the food chain. Fishing groups blame water diversions of the Sacramento that left what they say is too little water in the river.

Related articles:

- Chinook season in Sacramento River faces full closure
- Rising restrictions likely to follow decline in salmon

By Elana Fiske
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

Pacific Council Chairman Don Hansen says forecasts for the fishery are looming. (Photo: NOAA/StockFile)

Chinook season in Sacramento River faces full closure

UNITED STATES
Wednesday, March 05, 2008, 16:40 (GMT + 9)

A full closure of the Sacramento fall chinook salmon season may be necessary to combat what the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) predicts will be an-all time low in salmon population in 2008.

"This is very bad news for West Coast salmon fisheries," said Pacific Council Chairman Don Hansen in a statement to the press. "The word disaster comes immediately to mind, and I mean a disaster much worse than the Klamath fishery disaster of 2006."

The salmon population, which reached an all-time high five years ago, recently dropped by more than 88 per cent for reasons that are still unclear. Some scientists believe unusual weather patterns disrupted the ocean food web in 2005.

The council will meet in Sacramento the week of 9 March to discuss and develop management options for the fishery.

"I won't be surprised to see the council look at the 'totally closed' option as one option," said Council Vice-Chairman Dave Ortmann. "That is, closed to both sport and commercial fisheries."

The forecast of low population is based on low abundance of “jack” - or two year old males - that returned to the river in fall 2007. Jack salmon indicate the population for the following year. In 2007 the river saw a record low of 2,000 returning jack. The previous low was 10,000 jack, in 2006.

Comparatively, over the previous ten years, the average adult return to spawning areas was 416,000 salmon.

"The biological situation for Sacramento River fall Chinook salmon is unprecedented in our experience," said Donald McIsaac, Executive Director of PFMC.

The economic impact will be huge to California and Oregon fishermen who are still reeling from the disastrously low Klamath River chinook returns in 2006.

Sacramento River salmon are known as one of the most abundant stocks on the west coast of the United States, and they are not listed as endangered. They are generally caught off California and Oregon, and can be found in Washington and even British Columbia.

The PFMC will discuss proposals in Sacramento next week, and set the final regulations for the season when it meets in Seattle in April.

Related articles:

- Rising restrictions likely to follow decline in salmon
- Feds prepare to disburse salmon disaster aid

By Elana Fiske
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
                   

PFMC Executive Director Donald McIsaac says some will cite rising sea lion populations a potential cause of the decline. (Photo:pcouncil/ODFW

Rising restrictions likely to follow decline in salmon

UNITED STATES
Thursday, January 31, 2008, 01:30 (GMT + 9)

Plummeting salmon populations in the Central Valley of California might lead to severe restrictions in commercial and recreational fishing in California and Oregon, according to an internal memo obtained from the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC).

Normally considered to be one of the healthiest fish stocks on the west coast of the United States, new data from state and federal biologists suggests that the chinook (or king) salmon populations are in “unprecedented collapse.”

“What is not clear at this time is the reason for the apparent collapse, although it is notable that both hatchery and naturally produced fish have been negatively affected,” states the memo sent by Donald McIsaac, Executive Director of the PFMC.

McIsaac’s memo suggested that increasing water exports from California by the state and federal governments were the primary cause of the rapid fish decline.  He cited the record 6.4 million acre feet of water exported in 2005 alone, the Associated Press reports.

The memo also listed as potential factors “ocean conditions,” rising sea lion and harbor seal populations, the invasion of the predatory Humbolt squid, and the Delta food chain collapse that since 2005 has sourced low stock numbers of smelt, longfin, juvenile striped bass, and threadfin shad.

“The magnitude of the low abundance... is such that the opening of all marine and freshwater fisheries impacting this important salmon stock will be questioned,” said McIsaac in the memo.

Only about 90,000 salmon returned to the Central Valley in 2007, a huge drop from the 277,000 salmon that returned in 2006, the memo reads. The record run stands at 804,000 returning salmon, set five years ago.

Pending verification of the data, the coming year could see severe restrictions imposed on commercial and recreational salmon fishing in California and Oregon ocean waters and on recreational salmon fishing in Central Valley rivers. California fishermen already face strict restrictions on many fish, including rockfish, lingcod and other groundfish.

“If the Council closes salmon fishing completely, it will put more pressure on the rockfish population,” said Jim Martin, West Coast Regional Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance.

Upcoming PFMC meetings will establish regulations for the 2008 salmon seasons. The Washington State salmon season is unlikely to be changed.

By Elana Fiske
www.fis.com

I only buy farmed Salmon now.  It's going to take years for the Chinook to recover.  At least taking steps now will prevent extinction.  Also, Native American fishing rights need to be observed which is political issue here and with the First Nations in Canada. 

They should go to Norway and learn from their experience with salmon fishing and 'farming'. The Norwegians have a better solution than just farming fish they take advantage of their rich waters and have large  areas dedicated to natural breeding of salmon that are fished and exported all over the world. I went there myself out of interest and became highly impressed by their success, technology and ecological responsible approach.

New Loch Fyne Salmon

  (UNITED KINGDOM, 11/14/2009)

Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd, Scotland’s leading seafood producer, have partnered with their neighbors at Glengoyne Distillery to produce the perfect highland addition to their range.

Loch Fyne New Whisky Marinated Salmon and premium oysters

Loch Fyne Whisky Marinated Salmon combines the brand’s bestselling smoked salmon with a specially selected 21 year old malt whisky to give seafood lovers an indulgent Scottish treat just in time for Christmas. Bringing together the best of both brands, the whisky’s smooth, well balanced taste perfectly complements the salmon to create a distinctive yet subtle infusion of flavours. The succulent new product is available in two pack sizes; a 200g and a 1-1.5kg sliced side.

Loch Fyne well stocked farm shop in Cairndow

  Produced with Freedom Food Salmon from the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), an accreditation which ensures the fish is superior in taste, quality and colour, each salmon will be traditionally hand-filleted and cured in a mixture of sea salt and organic sugar before being marinated in Glengoyne’s single malt whisky.    

Oyster farm, Loch Fyne

Produced at the Glengoyne Distillery, the premium spirit flows from the stills at half the average rate to capture only the very best distillate. After filleting, the salmon is hand rinsed in fresh highland spring water before it is delicately smoked for ten hours using oak wood shavings from retired whisky casks to add smoky overtones.   Loch Fyne are confident that the product will become a firm favourite due to the increasing consumer demand for provenance and distinctive premium produce, qualities which are already synonymous with Loch Fyne Oysters.  

Bruce Davison and Loch Fyne superb quality oysters

  “Loch Fyne are delighted to be working with Glengoyne to produce this fantastic new product. Loch Fyne Whisky Marinated Salmon is an excellent addition to our portfolio of high quality smoked salmon and will give consumers more choice than ever before”, Bruce Davidson, Managing Director, Loch Fyne said.   About Loch Fyne  

Andy Lane and the late John Noble

Loch Fyne started with one inspirational idea – to grow oysters in the clear, fertile waters of Loch Fyne. It has since developed into a cluster of businesses whose success is built on an honest approach to superb quality food.   All Loch Fyne businesses abide by the guiding environmental principles established by John Noble and Andy Lane. The companies work together to ensure that only the very best produce is farmed and fished to the highest quality and environmental standards.   At their base at Cairndow are the Loch Fyne Farm shop and the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, the genesis behind the Loch Fyne Restaurant group, owned by Greene King with whom Loch Fyne Oysters have both supply and licence agreements in place.     Loch Fyne Oysters work closely with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and is one of their Oceans 25 Ambassadors.   Related Articles Loch Fyne Oysters Acquires Simson's Fisheries

More about:

Phone: +44 1499 600264
Fax: +44 1499 600234
E-Mail: info@lochfyne.com

I read these lines from an 1863 British Royal Commission on the subject of banning commercial trawling:

If any trawling ground be over-fished, the trawlers themselves will be the first persons to feel the evil effect of their own acts. Fish will become scarcer, and the produce of a day’s work will diminish until it is no longer remunerative. When this takes place (and it will take place long before the extinction of the fish) trawling in this locality will cease, and the fish will be undisturbed…

It goes on to essentially say because of natural economic forces, there is no need for government intervention.

It is believed the fishing would halt “long before extinction.”

The government was close, but when dealing with things like fish populations, close will not get the job done.

Granted, the vast majority of us would quit when the cost outweighs the reward. But as more and more of us quit, the reward gets higher. Eventually you have just one player searching for the very last fish.

They always catch the fish.

This also is a good lesson to ponder elected leaders (and plenty of non-elected leaders) that try to regulate everything.

COMPANY OF THE WEEK: Another Record For Thai Union Frozen Products

  (THAILAND, 11/13/2009)

Thai Union Frozen Products PLC (TUF) (BAK:TUF), Thailand’s leading producer and exporter of canned and frozen seafood products, announced yet another record-setting performance, with the third quarter net profit breaking the one billion baht mark, hitting 1,017.9 million baht.

The figure represented 12 per cent growth from the same period last year. The remarkably profit growth was primarily a result of a higher proportion of higher value-added products that led to sustained expansion of the company’s profit margin and strong performances at TUF’s subsidiaries. It is expected that net profit for this year should certainly set a new record, simply because net profit for the first 9 months of 2009 surged to 2,625.4 million baht that already surpassed the previous annual record set in 2003.

Thiraphong Chansiri

TUF’s president, Thiraphong Chansiri, revealed, “The company net profit in Q3 reached 1,017.9 million baht, up 12 per cent from last year’s 911.9 million baht as earnings per share for the period attained 1.15 baht, also up 12 per cent  from last year’s 1.03 baht in spite of slightly lower sales revenues in both Thai baht and US dollar term. In Thai baht term, Q3 sales fell 8 per cent  from 18,430.7 million baht in 2008 to 16,931.4 million baht this year while in US dollar term, sales revenues also dropped 8 per cent  from 544.9 million US dollar last year to 499.8 million dollar this year. Total revenues for the third quarter declined by 7 per cent  from 18,548.5 million last year to 17,217.9 million baht this year.”

Khun Thiraphong added that net profit for the first nine months of 2009 rose to 2,625.4 million baht, up 39 per cent from 1,893.4 million baht for the same period last year. Sales for the nine-month period in Thai baht term amounted to 51,792.8 million baht, representing 2 per cent increase from last year’s 50,638.6 million baht. In US dollar term, sales revenues during the period dropped 3 per cent from 1,541.4 million US dollar in 2008 to 1,495.6 million US dollar this year. Total revenues, nevertheless, grew 3 per cent from 51,080.3 million baht for the first nine months of 2008 to 52,416.5 million baht for the same period this year.

Regarding the significant net profit growth for the first nine months of this year, Khun Thiraphong revealed, “This year, our net profit should break all past records. We are confident that the total net profit for the year could reach 3 billion baht, easily surpassing the record 2003 net profit of 2,279 million baht. Overall performance during the third quarter is promising, especially with 12 per cent growth in net profit from the same quarter last year, despite the fact that TUF has booked shutdown expenses worth 7 million US dollar due to the closure of its American Samoa tuna plant. That sent the administrative costs to a higher than usual level.

To watch a Video of the company, please click here

Sales in US dollar or Thai baht term showed minimal growth from the same period last year, mainly caused by generally lower raw material prices that led to lower product selling prices. Nevertheless, thanks to a growing proportion of higher value-added products in our portfolio that was driven by our strong customer base, we managed to expand our product variety and margins. The combination of these factors, in addition to strong performances at our subsidiaries, contributed to a very satisfying overall performance for the quarter. After all, we are confident that TUF can continue to grow our sales and profits consistently and in a sustainable manner.”

 For Q3 of 2009 alone, tuna products remain the largest item in the company’s product portfolio at 43 per cent, followed by frozen shrimp (21 per cent), canned seafood (8 per cent) and frozen cephalopod (3 per cent). Main export markets include the US (49 per cent), Japan (12 per cent), European Union (11 per cent), Africa (5 per cent), the Middle East (3 per cent), Oceania (3 per cent), Asia (2 per cent), and Canada, and South America at 1per cent each. The domestic market accounts for 13 per cent of total sales.

In addition, Khun Thiraphong announced that the relocation of production from the American Samoa plant to a new facility in the state of Georgia, USA, has been completed. The Georgia plant has started manufacturing canned tuna, with an output capacity of 4 million standard cases per year. The existing plant in American Samoa will be utilized as a cold storage facility for raw materials. That is expected to help save costs and enhance the group’s competitiveness.

Khun Thiraphong concluded,” Based on what we have seen in the past 9 months, the company is realizing its high profit-generating potential. That convinces us that we will set a new record for this year.”

Related Articles

Thai Union urges government to set up FTAs

Thai Union Frozen sees doubled Q2 profit

Thai Union, shrimp farms seal major deal

Thai Union Group Is Thailand’s 1st Seafood Producer With ACC’s 3 Star Certification

More about:

Phone: +66 2 298 0024, 298 0537
Fax: +66 2 298 0548, 298 0550
E-Mail: contact@thaiunion.co.th

Dramatic Benefits for Seafood Processors

  (UNITED STATES, 11/15/2009)

Avure Technologies, Inc. High Pressure Processing (HPP) systems allow modern seafood processors to experience dramatic benefits by enhancing product offerings and expanding market opportunities.

687L-300 HPP system can be mounted on factory ships for at-sea-processing

High pressure processing can achieve clean, virtually 100 per cent meat separation from lobsters, oysters, clams, and other fresh products by denaturing the specific protein that holds the meat to the shell.

The 320L-400 and the 687L-300 systems are specifically designed for the seafood industry. These systems help to dramatically reduce labor costs associated with shucking and shelling of shellfish.   "Our customers see tremendous labor related savings through using our patented HPP shucking process", stated Glenn Hewson, Vice President of Global Marketing for Avure.  "Equally importantly it is an effective technology for pathogen inactivation in seafood.  One example is that it eliminates Vibro in raw oysters.  The FDA is considering action to include post-harvest processing to protect consumers against Vibro.  HPP is the best process for this as it does not change the flavor or texture of the oyster."  

High pressure sucked oyster

Through the application of high pressure, 100 per cent of the meat is separated from the shell allowing the processor to increase yields as well as to kill many seafood borne pathogens such as vibrio found in oyster. Typical shucked products include oyster, clam, mussel, crab and lobster.   The 320L system has a vertical orientation which minimizes space requirements and leverages hoisting mechanisms typically found in seafood operations.The 687L system has a horizontal orientation which is ideal for processors with low roof lines.  The 687L has also been mounted on factory ships for at-sea processing.  

High pressured processed lobster

  HPP allows maximum product yield without causing any mechanical damage to the product regardless of size. By adjusting processing conditions, beneficial texture changes can also be created by improving the moisture retention ability of proteins, thus resulting is less water loss during storage or cooking. The use of HPP is only limited by your imagination.   HPP technology is recognized by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), and international food safety agencies.  

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About Avure Technologies, Inc.  

Avure Technologies, Inc. factory

For more than 50 years, Avure has been the global expert in applying high pressure technology to industrial and consumer goods manufacturing. Avure has an installed base of over 1,200 presses - more than all other high pressure competitors combined - and 98 percent of the company’s presses sold since the 1960s are still in operation.   Avure was the first company to create commercially viable systems for high pressure removal of food borne pathogens, substantially extending the shelf life of packaged foods without chemical additives or preservatives.

Source:
fis.com/fis/techno/newtechno

By Margaret Stacey

More about:

Phone: +1 253 981 6350
Fax: +1 253 981 6230
E-Mail: info@avure.com

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