Lower tilapia production in China is pushing up costs, and US tilapia prices are again near their five year highs. For 3-5 oz fillets, Urner Barry is now quoting $2.35, up 24% from a year ago, and just shy of the five year high in 2010 after a major freeze in China cut production. Mike Ramsingh discusses this in our video.

The ISSF has released its status of tuna stocks report, and instead of trying to picture the global tuna fishery on the basis of selected problem stocks, the ISSF takes a global view. There are stocks that are overfished, and are subject to overfishing. But overall 94% of global tuna catches come from healthy fisheries that are neither overfished, nor experiencing overfishing.

There is some turmoil in the market for Chinese haanii crabmeat, which is a significant component of the US crabmeat market. Chinese producers are pushing up prices; some containers are being shipped to the US without an agreed price, and if the perceived shortage spills over to blue swimming crab, (pelagicus), it could upset the stability that has existed in the crabmeat market for the past year. The reason is not a shortage of new landings, but the current low inventory situation.

ASMI has hired Alexa Tonkovich, who formerly was ASMI's Asian market specialist, to run their entire international program. The position was filled after a search process. Mike Cerne, executive director, said ‘There were a number of strong applicants for the selection committee to consider, and I'm confident that Alexa will be outstanding in this new role.' Alexa will oversee ASMI's $8 million international market budget.

We note an editorial in the Juneau empire about the possible threat that new Fukushima radiation leaks into the Pacific may have on Alaska Seafood. This is a situation that has to be monitored closely -as even though there is no public health risk from tainted seafood in the wider Pacific, the perception of a problem could quickly impact consumers. It is unfortunate to have to spend so much time arguing over sustainability labeling - when in fact a much bigger threat to seafood sales may be looming that will cry out for consumer education.