U.S. Seafood Catch Reaches a 17-Year High in 2011

The U.S. seafood catch hit a 17-year high with the catch of 10.1 billion pounds of seafood last year, according to a report released this week by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  All fishing regions of the country posted an increase, which appears to show not only an increase in the catch volume, but the harvest value as well.

Dutch Harbor, Alaska brought in the highest catch volume (5.4 billion pounds), while New Bedford, Massachusetts was the highest valued port, and has $369 million worth of seafood arrive at it's docks.  Alaska led all states in catch volume, followed by Louisiana, California, Virginia and Washington.  

Even with these rising numbers, Americans still consume approximately 91 percent of their seafood from imported sources.  This is up from 86 percent in 2010.  Americans are also eating a bit less seafood, an average of 15 pounds per year in 2011, down from 15.8 pounds in 2010.

Get to Know...California Spiny Lobster

The California Spiny Lobster (Panulirus interruptus) is found in waters off the coast of Monterey Bay, California to the southern tip of Baja California. The lobsters are often found in depths ranging from 2 - 70 meters.  Colors vary from almost black to reddish purple to light red.  Deep grooves are found in the tail.

Fishing season is highly regulated, and is typically from October-March in order to avoid the breeding season.  The legal size for a California Spiny Lobster in the United States is a 3 1/4-inch, or 8 cm, which equates to a 20 cm total body length. 

Dungeness Crab Season

Although not as close as the California Spiny Lobster season, Dungeness Crab season is also quickly approaching.  Make note of these dates for the 2012-2013 season:

November 3rd: First day of recreational Dungeness Crab season in California

November 15th: First day of commercial Dungeness Crab season in California (south of Mendocino County)

December 1st: First day of commercial Dungeness Crab season in California (Mendocino County northward), Oregon(if test results OK), and Washington.

Now is the time for commercial fisherman to start preparing!  Cal Fish Exports offers large quantities of crab bait.  We have Humboldt Giant Squid, mackerel and more!  Contact sales@calfishexports.com for more information on our current inventory.

California Spiny Lobster Season

California Spiny Lobster season is just around the corner, with the first day of this season falling on Saturday, Septeber 29, 2012.  However, illegal lobster catches have already taken place, with citations having been issued the past couple of months.  On August 1, two citations were issued in Rancho Palos Verdes for unlawful posession of a lobster, and in July, a ten lobster haul in Santa Monica landed a man in jail on suspicion of violating the state Department of Fish and Game Code.

Remember that once the season does open, Cal Fish Exports has large quantities of lobster bait at amazing prices.  Contact sales@calfishexports.com today to place your bait order for the 2012-2013 season!

Get to Know...Pacific Mackerel

Pacific Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) is very similar to Atalantic Mackerel, through typically smaller.  Found throughout the Pacific, as well as much of the Atlantic, supplies are best in the fall when their fat content is highest and after spawning has occured (in the spring).  Pacific Mackerel are a little less oily and drier tasting than Atlantic Mackerel.  

Pacific Mackerel are excellent as a broiled seafood item, but also make great lobster bait.  With California Lobster season quickly approaching, Cal Fish Exports currently has a good stock of the fish, in a variety of sizes.  Full truckloads are now available for purchase.  Please contact sales@calfishexports.com for more information. 

Exporting to Asia

Cal Fish Exports exports full container loads of seafood products to China, Japan, Thailand, as well as other countries throughout Asia.  If you are interested in shipping seafood to Asia, please contact sales@calfishexports.com for more price quotes and more information on the products that we have to offer.  

Lobster bait

California lobster season is right around the corner!!  

Get your bait orders into us now to ensure that you'll be covered for the entire 2012/2013 season.  We have Salmon Heads, Humboldt Giant Squid, and Pacific Mackerel available and in stock for purchase. 

Contact sales@calfishexports.com for photos and pricing information.

Looking for Yellow Croaker?

Cal Fish Exports has Yellow Croaker in stock for immediate shipment. This product is available for export from the United States.  Contact sales@calfishexports.com for a price quote and photos of our current inventory.

Tuna Import Volumes to the U.S. Declining

In the first four months of 2012, the U.S. imported 79,600 tons of tuna from 49 different countries.  This is a 15 percent decline in volume compared to the same period a year ago according to fis.com.  Officials are blaming a shortage of raw tuna, increased production costs and and higher fish prices for the decline.

However, the value of the species has increased.  Fis.com reports that the imported tuna was worth an estimated $451.7 million, which is a 12 percent increase in the value of the product.

America's Heatwave is Killing Fish

The ongoing summer heatwave that has gripped much of the nation the past two months, is now being blamed for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of fish.  July 2012 was the warmest month on record, and the heat has not only dried up rivers, but has also caused water temperatures to soar to nearly 100 degrees in some spots.

Iowa officials have reported that the water temperature reached 97 degrees two weeks ago, leading to the deaths of approximately 40,000 Shovelnose Sturgeon.  Meanwhile, in Illinois, the carcasses of dead fish caused an intake screen to clog near a power plan.  The plant was then forced to shut down one of it's generators.

Typically a single dry year isn't enough to hurt fish populations, and it is likely that stocks will rebound.  However, dry conditions have persisted in some states, such as Nebraska, leading officials to wonder if this is a trend.