Alaska Seafood Newsbrief

Message from the Executive Director

Greetings-

Attending the European Seafood Exposition is a great way to check the pulse of the international seafood trade. Alaska companies showcase their finest seafood products and newly created value added offerings, there are new product competitions (a top winner this year was a product using wild Alaska sockeye salmon), conference sessions on issues of interest to the industry, and an opportunity for ASMI and the participants in the Alaska Pavilion to share information about Alaska Seafood with traders from Europe, Asia and the U.S. It's clear that interest in sustainable seafood from Alaska is strong, and that customers around the world are hungry for more information about our products and the way our fisheries are managed, information we are providing through a new collection of resources on sustainability.

Here in Alaska spring is finally arriving, and the harbors are becoming busier, as fishermen ready their vessels for salmon fishing. Projections for the salmon harvest are strong, and there should be a plentiful supply of wild Alaska salmon for discriminating salmon lovers around the world.

See you over the next swell,

Ray Riutta

Alaska Pavilion at ESE Stimulates Export Sales

Interest in Alaska's wild seafood products was strong, at this year's Alaska Pavilion at the European Seafood Exposition (ESE). Alaska companies estimated $31 million in onsite sales and $125 million in projected sales for the ensuing year resulting from the show. Participating in the Alaska Pavilion were: Trident Seafoods, Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Palomino Foods, EE Foods, Northern Keta Caviar, Pacific Seafoods, Peter Pan Seafoods, Intersea, and Icy Strait Seafoods. In addition, over a dozen other Alaska companies who did not have their own booths met clients at the ASMI booth, as did newcomers 10th & M Seafoods and Kwik'Pak. MORE

Rockfish Seafood Grill restaurants in Texas and North Carolina kicked off a promotion of wild Alaska seafood with two new Alaska Halibut menu items and one new Alaska Salmon menu item. The promotion will run through May and early June. MORE .

ASMI Takes Part in Anchorage Trade Mission to China

An Anchorage Economic Development Corporation- sponsored delegation of Anchorage business people visited China to explore prospects for business relations with China. The Alaskans met with Chinese officials and business organizations in Beijing and Tianjin in April. The mission to China was arranged by the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation to foster the development of trade, particularly in the tourism and seafood sectors, and to further explore transportation prospects, including direct shipping and transportation routes between Anchorage and Beijing. Joe Jacobson, ASMI Asia Marketing Coordinator, accompanied the trade mission during the Beijing portion of the itinerary, including meetings with U.S. Embassy officials. A highlight of the trip was an ASMI reception at Shangri-La Hotel Beijing that provided Alaska businesspeople an opportunity to meet with Chinese government and business officials while enjoying Alaska Seafood delicacies prepared by Alaska Chef Felix Zollinger.

Chef Rob Kinneen to represent Alaska at 2008 Great American Seafood Cook-Off

Governor Sarah Palin has named Chef Rob Kinneen to represent Alaska at the 2008 Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans in August. Chef Kinneen currently plies his trade at the Crow's Nest at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage. Stay tuned for developments!

Coastal Living Explores Wild Alaska Seafood

Coastal Living magazine's last issue explores wild Alaska seafood, and covers recipes and preparation tips supplied by Alaska's dynamic duo of chefs participating in the 2007 Great American Seafood Cook-Off: Chef Naomi Everett and Chef Stefani Marnon.

New Sustainability Materials and Resources Debut

New resources and materials detailing why Alaska fisheries are a model of sustainability are now available in printed form as well as electronic form. You can explore this information on ASMI's web site as well as download the information and you can also order printed materials. Learn more about why the Alaska model of fishery management represents a standard that meets or exceeds standards that others strive to emulate. Careful stewardship of marine resources has been the hallmark of fishery management in Alaska since achieving statehood nearly 50 years ago. The new sustainability materials were in great demand by Alaska seafood customers at the International Boston Seafood Show and (in French, German and English) at the European Seafood Exposition.