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Glenn Cooke: Industry must unify to combat environmentalists’ unscientific claims

October 5, 2023 — The head of one of Canada’s biggest seafood companies believes the fishing and aquaculture sectors need to work together to push back against unscientific claims made by environmental groups.

Speaking at the Responsible Seafood Summit in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, Cooke Inc. CEO Glenn Cooke said

“We’ve got to work together because we now have the same common enemy,” Cooke said. “These environmental groups now have turned very strongly against wild fishing, so now the same groups that are hitting the farming are hitting a lot of fishing. The sooner we can coalesce into a major, stronger force to take them on, the better in my mind.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

National Seafood Month 2023: Celebrating Past Successes, Preparing for Future Challenges

October 5, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

In many parts of the country, October is the real onset of autumn. Some regions see temperatures begin to drop and leaves start to turn vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange, while others experience a change in the patterns of wind and rain. In each case, the natural world is preparing for the winter ahead. My love of seafood is a year-round passion, but this year it seems fitting that we celebrate National Seafood Month during this season of transition. On a much broader time scale, our fisheries and the communities that rely on them—for food, cultural heritage, and economic security—are also in a season of transition, driven by the impacts of a changing climate. Those changes require us to work together to build resilience in our fisheries and communities. One simple way to support our commercial fishing sector is to eat more seafood!

The U.S. commercial seafood industry supports 1.1 million jobs and generates $155 billion in sales in seafood and across the U.S. economy. Our nation harvests and farms about 8 billion pounds of seafood for consumption each year, with a dockside value of around $6 billion. By adding more U.S. seafood to your diet, you can feel good knowing you’re eating a healthy, responsibly farmed or fished product. You’re also directly supporting an industry that is sustainably managed and critical to our food system. And that’s certainly something to celebrate!

With all this on the line, there is more interest than ever in how science can keep up with management and how management can be responsive to the changes. Those are primary areas of focus at NOAA Fisheries—and you can be sure we are investing in them. Just as the plants and animals are preparing for the changing conditions of winter, we at NOAA Fisheries have been working to respond to the many challenges facing the U.S. seafood industry.

In August, we released the National Seafood Strategy, which was developed with significant public input. The strategy outlines our comprehensive vision for what we can do to support seafood businesses and communities along the supply chain—and we are committed to carrying out that work. It underscores NOAA’s strong commitment to seafood sector resilience and aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals for economic recovery, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience.

The strategy also reinforces our critical science and management support to the seafood sector. Our stakeholders recognize that the science we conduct to support the management of wild capture fisheries and seafood farming is essential for the well-being of the U.S. seafood sector. What is new in this strategy is an emphasis on climate change and a refocus on vital industry services. We will increase support of partners and the seafood sector by funding projects such as critical habitat restoration that supports healthy and productive fisheries. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, NOAA Fisheries will see an unprecedented investment in climate and conservation measures. The positive impacts of these initiatives will no doubt be felt across the seafood sector.

So, as we start the fall season, let’s celebrate National Seafood Month by recognizing our past successes and our active preparations to meet the challenges that lie ahead. I am optimistic that these efforts, and our collaborative engagement with partners across the supply chain, will serve to strengthen our seafood communities for the future. Follow along throughout October by visiting our Seafood Month page or join the conversation by using #SeafoodMonth on social media. And remember to enjoy delicious, healthy seafood this month and every month!

Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries

Responsible Seafood Summit Panel Talks About Issues With Certifications

October 3, 2023 — The topic of certifications came up on stage at the Global Seafood Alliance’s Responsible Seafood Summit in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.

Moderator James Wright, editor of the Responsible Seafood Advocate, was joined on stage by Megan Sorby who recently left Kingfish Maine to launch a new RAS project, Brice Phillips of Phillips Foods and chair of the National Fisheries Institute’s Crab Council, and Curtis Brown of Ready Seafood, for a panel called “Not All Sustainable Seafood Stories Are Simple.” All three individuals brought up some recent challenges that their companies have faced and the importance of outreach in order to educate and connect with both the buyers and consumers. For Kingfish Maine that’s the ongoing court-based issues for the Jonesport aquaculture facility. For Ready Seafood, Brown has been very vocal in Maine lobster’s fight against the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch’s red listing and the subsequent MSC suspension. And for Phillips, it’s been the education on Fishery Improvement Projects (FIP).

“There is a role in the market for [certifications],” explained Brown. “It’s on us as producers and suppliers to make those connections with our customers.”

Read the the full article at Seafoodnews.com

Veteran Interns Build Their Skills Supporting NOAA’s Habitat Restoration Efforts

September 27, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

For years, NOAA and partners have worked to provide opportunities for military veterans to build their skills and work experience contributing to habitat and fisheries restoration projects along the West Coast. Through paid internships and training programs, veteran interns have worked with NOAA to:

  • Support the recovery of threatened salmon and steelhead
  • Learn about the science and policy of habitat restoration and salmon recovery
  • Network and collaborate with agency, tribal, and nonprofit partners
  • Build a portfolio of outreach and communications products
  • Advance their GIS skills

NOAA partners with several groups to recruit, hire, and support veteran interns throughout Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska. In 2023, we have several interns supported by one of these groups, Mt. Adams Institute. This Washington-based non-profit is dedicated to providing diverse internship opportunities for veterans. Their VetsWork program is an 11-month career development internship program for military veterans interested in the natural resources management, public lands, and environment sector.

Through this collaboration, NOAA is hosting three veteran interns this year:

  • Jodie Robinson in Portland, Oregon
  • Garret Engelke in Seattle, Washington
  • Jeremy Thatcher in Anchorage, Alaska

Below, Jodie, Garret, and Jeremy share their experiences and perspectives from their internships so far.

Remembering Frank J. O’Hara

September 26, 2023 — The passing of a fisheries icon

 Francis J. O’Hara Sr., president of the O’Hara Corporation, passed away on August 3, 2023 at his home in Camden, Maine, at the age of 91, peacefully surrounded by his family. If there is a name that’s synonymous with Maine’s fishing industry, it’s Frank O’Hara.

The O’Haras started building boats and developing a vertically integrated seafood company in the early 20th century. The family’s first boat, the F/V Francis J. O’Hara Jr., was built in 1904 and sunk by a German U-boat during World War I. Gradually the O’Haras moved from T-Wharf in Boston to Portland, Rockland, and Lubec, Maine. Over the century, the O’Hara Corporation increased its footprint to include New Bedford, Mass.; Seattle, Washington; Dutch Harbor, Alaska; and Zhuange, China.  The roots of the company, its headquarters, and Frank Sr.’s office remain in Rockland.

Born in 1932 in Boston, Mass., Frank O’Hara began working in earnest for his father’s company in Rockland at a young age. In those years the O’Hara vessels, including four 85-foot Eastern rig trawlers, caught and processed millions of pounds of redfish, breaking records for landings. The company froze much of that fish to feed U.S. troops during World War II.

From the company’s beginnings, the O’Haras had a knack for making the right moves.  That comes from a deep understanding of a business intrinsically connected to an unpredictable resource – wild fish. Many people have gone broke fishing, but the O’Haras have been surviving and thriving for over 100 years.

Frank Sr. worked with his brother on the docks through school.  After a stint at Boston College, he found his life-long mate, Jill, and they married and began their life together. Frank took the helm of the company in 1955. At that point, Maine fishermen followed the redfish past Newfoundland, and occasionally, all the way to the Labrador Sea. The O’Hara fleet operated out of Rockland and consisted of several side trawlers, all named after family members over the years. It was not long before a change in the fish stocks required their fleet to switch from ocean perch (redfish) to groundfish consisting of haddock, cod, pollock, and flatfish.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

Navigating the Waves of Industry Leadership: The Legacy of National Fisherman Highliners

September 25, 2023 — Across every industry, the demand for visionary leaders is evident. These individuals need to possess the capacity to continuously make lasting contribution to their field, while also facilitating the growth and empowerment of the next generation. National Fisherman Highliners represent the very essence of this type of leadership for the U.S. commercial fishing community, but they do so in a way that is connected to a larger legacy.

As the list of previous winners shows, a Highliner is someone who possesses an unparalleled expertise in the art and science of commercial fishing. They are the individuals who have honed their craft over the years, mastering the nuances of the trade, and consistently delivering impressive catches. Whether on a local, national, or even global scale, a Highliner works tirelessly to ensure that the industry remains viable for generations to come. They mentor the next generation of fishermen, advocate for policies that protect marine resources, and actively engage in conservation efforts.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

What women of Sea Grant want: science is in, spin is out

September 12, 2023 — Sea Grant is one of aquaculture’s best partners in the U.S. Founded in 1966, it is a joint effort of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and 34 university-based programs in every coastal and Great Lakes state, plus Puerto Rico and Guam.  

In a world of lobbyists and people tied to screens, Sea Grant stands out for its commitment to unbiased science and real-life connection.

One of its greatest assets is the broad array of women in its ranks. These scientists, lawyers, public outreach experts, educators, and other specialists thrive as an exchange, providing access to science and also transferring the priorities of various stakeholders, from aquaculture producers to local residents, back to their universities. Ultimately, their goal is to support sustainable seafood production, economic growth, and environmental stewardship through research, extension, and education.

Driving innovation
Among Sea Grant’s research initiatives have been those that invest in creating new technologies that will lead aquaculture forward.  In the lab, for example, one project assessed hatchery apparatus to enhance availability of seaweed seedstock.  In the field, another designed and built an open-ocean integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) platform to grow steelhead trout, blue mussels, and sugar kelp.

Lilian Elekwachi, a PhD candidate and teaching assistant at the University of Massachusetts Boston, was selected this year for the prestigious Knauss Fellowship Program. One of 84 fellows, in February she joined the Office of System Architecture and Advanced Planning in Washington, DC, which collaborates with U.S. Government agencies, international partners, and industry to leverage technology to meet NOAA mission needs. 

Elekwachi is visiting ocean farmers nationwide to document the needs they have that technology might solve. “Each state has a unique challenge,” she said. But she sees big opportunities for technology to monitor fish health and water quality.

That was not the case in her native Nigeria, where most of the work was manual.  Still, at 24, she started a successful catfish farm where she fed, harvested, slaughtered and smoked the fish. When she returns to Massachusetts to continue her doctorate after her year-long fellowship, her goal is to perfect a hybrid solar/smoking technology that will be safe, climate-friendly, and cost-efficient.  

Read the full article at Aquaculture North America

Brian Helgeland’s ‘Finestkind’ is a New Bedford fishing story — and his most personal film yet

September 12, 2023 — Early in “Finestkind,” a Massachusetts-based family drama that recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, the crew of a New Bedford fishing boat huddles together, lit only by the glow of a flashlight. During a pause in the chatter, the boat’s rookie poses a crucial question to the group: “What the hell does ‘finestkind’ mean? You guys always say it.”

Brian Helgeland, the writer and director of “Finestkind,” is still sorting out the answer. “It means anything and everything,” he said over lunch just a few hours before his film’s premiere. “It’s kind of like you have to live the word to know what it means.”

Set and shot in New Bedford, “Finestkind” follows Charlie (Toby Wallace), a recent college graduate with an English degree, as he joins his older half brother, Tom (Ben Foster), on a commercial fishing boat named Finestkind. Tom, a huffy but experienced captain, accepts his kid brother onto his crew grudgingly; he believes that Charlie, who grew up wealthy, should be working a white-collar job instead. The pair nonetheless grow close, until a work mishap strains their relationship and puts them in the tough situation of needing a load of cash fast. The film also features Tommy Lee Jones as Tom’s cantankerous father, a veteran fisherman facing health issues.

Read the full article at the Boston Globe

Largest-ever Seafood Expo Asia opens for 11th edition

September 11, 2023 — The 11th edition of Seafood Expo Asia (SEA) kicked off the first day of the three-day expo on 11 September.

The show, running through 13 September at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Singapore, brought in 363 exhibiting companies from 41 countries. Featuring 26 national and regional pavilions – eight pavilions more than in the 2022 edition – event organizer Diversified Communications said the show is 86 percent larger by area than it was in 2022. (Editor’s note: Diversified Communications owns and operates SeafoodSource).

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

September 10-16 is #FindYourSeafoodWeek

September 6, 2023 — The following was released by The Local Catch Network:

The Local Catch Network (LCN), based in the School of Marine
Sciences at the University of Maine, is facilitating the third annual #FindYourSeafoodWeek
(#FYSW) to connect community members directly with fishing families and seafood harvesters
and to raise awareness of community-based fisheries across the United States and Canada.
Find Your Seafood Week is a social media campaign that runs from September 10-16 and
increases the visibility of domestic seafood harvesters and businesses that participate in direct
marketing — in other words, selling their catch directly to consumers, rather than relying on
convoluted supply chains.

The initiative is focused on highlighting the importance of community-based fisheries in building
resilient local and regional seafood systems. During the pandemic, while global supply chains
faltered, the direct-to-consumer businesses within the Local Catch Network saw an uptick in
engagement. During the first Find Your Seafood Week campaign, approximately 1,200 people
visited LCN’s Seafood Finder, an interactive directory of local seafood businesses, over the
course of a week. With media coverage by CNN, Good Morning America, and other local,
regional, and national outlets, the total potential media reach exceeded 234 million people
throughout the duration of the 2021 #FYSW campaign.

“Many families are motivated to eat quality seafood, but are concerned about the impacts to
people and the planet,” says Laughton Elliott-DeAngelis, Local Catch Network Coordinator,
“Through #FindYourSeafoodWeek we are able to connect these families to values-based
seafood businesses throughout our network that are committed to protecting our oceans and
supporting their coastal communities.”

The Local Catch Network invites community members to join the “boat-to-fork” movement by
using the Seafood Finder to learn more about community-based fishing businesses, the
locations they operate, the number of fishermen they partner with, and the types of catch they
offer during #FindYourSeafoodWeek and beyond.

For information on how to participate in #FindYourSeafoodWeek, download our campaign
toolkit and follow LCN on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

To access the Seafood Finder tool, visit https://finder.localcatch.org/.
About Local Catch Network

The Local Catch Network, based at the University of Maine, is an inclusive, values-based
network of 500+ seafood harvesters, researchers, and community organizations from across
North America. LCN members support and promote safe, direct, transparent and profitable
“boat-to-fork” systems of local and regional seafood distribution, such as Community Supported
Fisheries (CSFs) and similar models. Members of the Local Catch Network align with a set of core
values that aim to create a higher level of accountability and trust, both internally within the
network and externally to the public. LCN is governed by a volunteer Executive Committee
responsible for supporting the growth and development of the network, with backbone support
from the North American Marine Alliance. FMI: https://localcatch.org/.

For media inquires, contact Laughton Elliott-DeAngelis at info@localcatch.org