Top Story: Purse Seine Vessel owners plan to end MSC client relationship for salmon certification at end of this season
In a positive turn of events for the Alaska salmon industry, the Purse Seine Vessels Owners association is planning to drop its role as client for the MSC salmon certification in Alaska. Although a formal vote was not taken at a recent Board meeting, discussions are for a single company - Silver Bay, to take over as client. Silver Bay also has begun getting RFM chain of custody, bringing it in line with other Alaskan salmon processors. Meanwhile, the current attempt to re-certify Alaska salmon is way behind schedule, and the certificate may not be issued until August, and it would expire 90 days later at the close of the 2013 season.
Other West Coast news is the purchase of Cannon Fish by APICDA. APICDA is the Community development Corp. that serves the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands, and already operates plants in Atka and False Pass. They recently upgraded the False Pass facility, and plan to hook up with Cannon's distribution system and customer knowledge. ??Pete Cannon said “We have always considered an expansion of the company to operate in Alaska because Alaska seafood is the driver for virtually everything we do. I'm very excited to be associated with an Alaska company, particularly a group like APICDA.” Cannon will stay on under the new ownership arrangement.
Restaurants and rentals are full, but plane travel is down 8% this weekend says AAA. It could be a banner year for East Coast beach tourism, with benefits to seafood restaurants. Many locations are seeing a lot of activity, although some may be displacement from Hurricane Sandy.
Eric Barratt, who is leaving his long tenure as Sanford's Managing Director at the end of this year, gave a very upbeat 6 month management report. Sanford is doing well on strengthening mussel prices and demand, and has benefited from strong tuna prices.