Fishermen’s News – Page 3

Pacific Cod Fish and Chips Proving a Popular Menu Item

22Jan

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Pacific Cod Fish and Chips Proving a Popular Menu Item

Pacific cod harvested by pot and longline fishermen since their season opened on Jan. 1 has been a popular lunch and dinner item these days in Anchorage restaurants. And the groundfish fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands that opened on Jan. 20 are anticipated to soon be delivering their catch to wholesalers and retail shops. As of Jan. 20, 10th & M, a popular retail seafood shop in downtown Anchorage, manager Tito Marquez said they were selling about 700 pounds a week of fresh Pacific cod fillets for $8.95 a pound, down from $12.95 at this time a year ago. Fred Meyer supermarkets had fresh Pacific cod fillets for $10.99 a pound and Costco was offering the fillets for $7.99 a pound. Several Anchorage restaurants have Pacific cod fish and chips entrees on their...

Alaska Pacific Cod Season Underway with Lowered TAC

22Jan

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Alaska Pacific Cod Season Underway with Lowered TAC

Alaska’s Pacific cod A season got underway in January, with an overall total allowable catch set lower than for 2024. It’s a total decrease of just over 14,000 metric tons, or 31 million pounds. Based on historical trends, the online market insight website Tradex on Jan. 20 estimated the total Alaskan harvest of Pacific cod would range between 133,000 and 150,000 metric tons. At the lower end, this would represent a 10% decrease from the 2024 harvest, while the higher end would align closely with last year’s total. The Russian Pacific cod 2024 harvest in metric tons, by comparison, was 105,200 metric tons, or 72% of their total allowable catch and 61% of Russia's 2023 harvest of 107,900 metric tons. For 2025, Tradex noted, Alaskan cod may be in for some further price pressu...

GAPP Planning Ahead for Lenten Seafood Promotions

22Jan

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GAPP Planning Ahead for Lenten Seafood Promotions

Lent doesn’t begin until early March, but Craig Morris, chief executive officer of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP), said Jan. 20 that his organization is ready with several collaborative seafood promotion to provide those observing Lent from March 5 through April 17. Morris said that Gorton Seafood plans a “The Sea Belongs to All of Us” campaign at retail to direct Lent-conscious consumers to the frozen seafood aisle with its iconic yellow bags of seafood, including their anchor, Alaska pollock battered fish fillets. Harbor Seafoods will promote the Skipper’s line of Wild Alaska pollock for sale at convenience stores and restaurants for those who prepare seafood for Lent, and High Liner Foods will promote its foodservice line of Alaska pollock products for limited time me...

Off-the-Boat Crab Sales at SF Fisherman’s Wharf Now More Accessible

22Jan

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Off-the-Boat Crab Sales at SF Fisherman’s Wharf Now More Accessible

Aficionados of fresh Dungeness crab in the Bay Area now have easier access to purchase it from commercial crabbers thanks to installation of a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) float for off-the-boat sales at Fisherman’s Wharf. The port is completing the first phase of the Wharf J9 Replacement Project, featuring the new ADA-accessible float and road upgrades along Al Scoma Way in conjunction with this year’s off-the-boat sales. “We’re excited to deliver the first phase of this project to support our local fishers, increase public access and ensure the Wharf remains a vibrant hub for the community and local businesses,” Port of San Francisco Executive Director Elaine Forbes said. Wharf J9 lies in the protected shoreline harbor of the Outer Lagoon area of Fisherman's Wha...

Desautel Transitions to Chair of Global Seas; Towne Named President

15Jan

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Desautel Transitions to Chair of Global Seas; Towne Named President

Bob Desautel, the co-founder of Seattle-based vessel operator and ship management company Global Seas has transitioned away from his post as the organization’s chief executive. The company’s chief financial officer, Jeb Towne, has taken on the position of president. The changes in leadership were announced by the company Jan. 7. In a statement, Desautel said Towne has been an invaluable asset to Global Seas as the company has grown and that he’s excited to see what the former CFO’s fresh eyes will bring to the business. “This transition is one that we have been anticipating for some time and I know the family of companies under Global Seas will continue to thrive as I work with Jeb to navigate this new chapter with confidence and competence,” he said. Desautel is also chair...

GAPP: Positive Perception of Alaska Pollock Growing

15Jan

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GAPP: Positive Perception of Alaska Pollock Growing

An influencer campaign on social media and related efforts by the industry have put the Wild Alaska pollock industry on track for an increased return on investment in 2025, according to the 2024-25 annual report by Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP). A major investment in its partnership program and bringing more product into domestic markets, was coupled with an increased focus on international marketing in 2024, along with targeted consumer research in key European markets. GAPP Chief Executive Officer Craig Morris cited those factors in comments included in the report, which was released Jan. 6. GAPP’s largest-ever international partnership program investments were in international markets such as Asia, Latin America and Europe, he said. The Alaska Pollock Fishery Alli...

Oregon’s Dungeness Crab Fishery Now Open Through Aug. 14

15Jan

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Oregon’s Dungeness Crab Fishery Now Open Through Aug. 14

Oregon’s multi-million dollar commercial Dungeness crab fishery is scheduled to run through Aug. 14, barring any emergency closures, after a late start prompted by pre-season testing that showed the crab were insufficient in meat yield to open before Jan. 15. Tests showed that the crab were too low in meat yield in four regions, and domoic acid was elevated in crab viscera (internal organs) in two areas of the south coast, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin found in shellfish, also known as amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), can cause a range of symptoms from vomiting and abdominal cramps to seizures and coma. Last year’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery paid over $90 million in ex-vessel value to harvester...

USDA Could Buy Up to $50M in Alaska Pollock

15Jan

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USDA Could Buy Up to $50M in Alaska Pollock

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute is hailing a federal decision to purchase up to $50 million of Alaska pollock for food bank programs as a benefit to both hungry Americans and a fishing industry struggling with reduced demand and increased marketplace competition. “We all appreciate the quick response by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to address the needs of the seafood industry, and at the same time food-insecure Americans, by committing to purchase what may be more than 15 million pounds of wild Alaska pollock products,” ASMI Global Food Aid Director Bruce Schactler said Jan. 8. The purchase of fillet portions, fish sticks and nuggets, he said, strengthens the nutrition profile of USDA offerings as recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, while at the same...

Washington Bans Open Sea Net Pen Salmon Farms

15Jan

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Washington Bans Open Sea Net Pen Salmon Farms

The Washington State Board of Natural Resources has adopted a rule prohibiting commercial finfish net pen aquaculture on state-owned aquatic lands. The action comes more than seven years after the collapse of a net pen array off Cypress Island released over 250,000 Atlantic salmon into Puget Sound. “The crisis of our Puget Sound and salmon and orca populations calls for avoidance,” Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz said. “Avoidance is our legal and moral responsibility.” Franz noted that the famed orca Tahlequah, who captured hearts worldwide in 2018 when she carried her dead calf for 17 days and over 1,000 miles, displayed a similar act of mourning in January 2025, carrying a baby calf birthed on Christmas Eve. The Seattle Times reported that the calf was confirmed dead ...

Alaska Hydropower Dam Helps Sustain Salmon Habitat

8Jan

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Alaska Hydropower Dam Helps Sustain Salmon Habitat

A hydropower dam now providing the bulk of electric power for a fisheries community on Alaska's Prince William Sound also serves to sustain spawning habitat for the fish that have made Cordova famous with seafood aficionados. The Power Creek hydroelectric plant, seven miles east of Cordova, with installed generating capacity of 6.0 megawatts, provides about 60 % of the power for Cordova from the Cordova Electric Cooperative. Humpback Creek hydropower plant, located seven miles north of Cordova with a generating capacity of 1.25 megawatts, provides about 10-15 %. A diesel generation facility just outside of the city provides the remaining percentage. The Power Creek dam is unique in that it is made of a giant inflatable rubber barrier that can be lowered to let the river return...