Christmas may be just around the corner with many starting to wind down for the festive season, but the news never stops in the seafood world.
And as always, IntraFish was here to catch it all, both the good, the sad, and the confusing, this week.
Christmas is a time for giving, but it is also the time for… smoked salmon, and IntraFish gave an overview on how this year is shaping up for the sector in both the European and US markets – and in both regions things are looking pretty positive.
Land-based salmon – once again – was key to the news agenda last week and IntraFish’s Lola Navarro was on the ground in Miami, blogging live from Aquaculture Innovation 2018, which focused heavily on the subject, as well as visiting the famous Atlantic Sapphire facility to see it in action.
The topic was also a feature of this week’s IntraFish podcast, which also included discussions on the landmark acquisition of Chilean salmon farmer Australis by Chinese giant Legend Holdings and the recent drop in European seafood consumption, reported in AIPCE’s latest finfish report.
The on/off trade war between the United States and China, continued to make headlines, mainly by causing confusion, while Canada appears to be reaping the benefits of the situation.
Alaska pollock TACs were finally settled, with the North Pacific Fishery Management (NPFMC) approving recommendations from its advisory council. The Eastern Bering Sea (EBS) quotas were set slightly higher than last year.
Movers and shakers
Last week also saw some people moves. It brought the news that East Coast Seafood CEO Chris Maze is to take up the reins at Pescanova USA and he will be replaced at East Coast by Brad Hudson.
Also during the week, New World Currents -- the Chilean salmon joint venture between Australis, Blumar, Camanchaca, Marine Farms and Yadran -- named Los Fiordos executive Nicolas Terrazas as its new CEO, replacing outgoing managing director Erwin Campos.
Sadly, the week also brought the news that Glacier Fish founder Erik Breivik, one of the pioneers in the Alaska groundfish sector, died early on Wednesday.
But not to end on an unhappy note -- we also continued to roll out our CEO outlooks for the coming year, hearing from the likes of Thomas Farstad, CEO of Milarex; Tom Mazzetta, CEO of Mazzetta Company; Achim Eichenlaub, CEO, Regal Springs Group; and Seattle Fish Company CEO James Iacino.
