Alaska Seafood Newsbrief

Message from the Executive Director

Greetings-

I look forward to seeing the members of ASMI's board and committees at the "All Hands" Meeting Dec. 1 - 3 in Seattle. We will be getting an update on the fishing season from Chris McDowell of the ASMI Seafood Market Information Service, and there will be presentations on all of our international and domestic marketing programs, seafood technical and communications programs, and global food aid activities. The presentations will be followed by meetings of our species and operational committees. On the third day, the Board of Directors will meet to consider the guidance from the various committees before taking action.

A special guest, Nancy Hirshhorn, of the Office of Trade Programs within the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, will be attending, and will address the board. The federal FAS program is vitally important to Alaska, providing the backbone of the Alaska seafood industry's international marketing effort. ASMI received more than $4.6 million through FAS this year for programs in European Union, Japan and China. We'll all be rolling up our sleeves to get the most out of our annual "All Hands" meeting. Like all ASMI meetings, it's open to the public, and the public is invited. As we will be in the Seattle area at the Doubletree Guest Suites Seattle Airport/Southcenter (16500 Southcenter Parkway), it is a great opportunity for Seattle-based members of the Alaska seafood industry to tune in to our activities, and we hope you will come by.

See you over the next swell,

Ray Riutta

ASMI looks for ways to promote Alaska Seafood while at the same time promoting travel to Alaska. ASMI's materials and key messages highlight the natural beauty of the Alaska wilderness and portray the startling magnificence of Alaska's landscapes and seascapes: in fact, after participating in an ASMI promotion in Japan, those surveyed were more likely to want to visit Alaska.

ASMI partnered with the World Trade Center Alaska for an Alaska campaign in Tokyo aimed at promoting trade between Japan and Alaska, and encouraging Japanese to visit Alaska. The four-sided kiosk of illuminated panels promotes trade, seafood and tourism while incorporating the themes of serenity, prosperity, purity and nature. It is installed in the Hamamatsucho transit station for train and monorail for one year. More than 100,000 commuters pass through the station on a daily basis. Alaska Travel Industry Association and Alaska's Office of International Trade within the Office of the Governor were also partners in the promotion.

ASMI and Holland America Line co-sponsored an evening of Alaska Seafood and entertainment for journalists participating in the Alaska Travel Industry Association's Alaska Media Road Show in California. Chef Jason Wilson (co-owner and chef of Crush Restaurant in Seattle) prepared black cod for the occasion, and delivered a presentation on the relationship he has developed with sustainable Alaska seafood informed in part by his experiences on an ASMI media tour to Anchorage and Homer last May. Journalists and writers covering travel often cover the "food beat" as well, and the writers in attendance shared a particular interest in Alaska.

Report on Successful Trade Mission to China

ASMI's trade mission to China allowed Alaska seafood industry members to make contacts in several regions of the country with seafood buyers who are using Alaska seafood to satisfy local demand (see press release).

Pacific Marine Expo and Photo Contest Results

The three days of this trade show flew by. ASMI and United Fishermen of Alaska co-hosted a conference panel on the Regional Seafood Development Associations. Elizabeth "Liza" Slotnick was one of the ASMI staff who greeted fishermen visiting the ASMI exhibit.

The results of the Pacific Fishing-Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute photo contest were announced at Pacific Marine Expo. Judges reviewed about 500 images. First place (and the first prize offered by Alaska Airlines of two tickets anywhere they fly) goes to Jason Merculief of St. Paul, for his photo of the F/V North Pacific. Well done, Jason! Second place was taken by Katy McGauley of Kodiak for a photo of the F/V Caravelle, and Third place goes to Britt Pedicord for a photo of her daughter holding up two halibut aboard the F/V Littleton. Ray Edens received the People's Choice Award for a wonderful shot of a super salmon set aboard the purse seiner F/V Lady Kay of Homer. Congratulations to all the winners.

Stay Abreast of Newest Promotional Materials

Make sure you keep up! ASMI has new posters with playful graphics, a new consumer "Quick & Easy" recipe leaflet on poaching, and a soon- to-be-available brochure explaining Alaska's sustainability story with simplified text accompanied by illustrations incorporating the work of popular Alaska artist Rie Munoz. Take the time to visit our Interactive Alaska map to help you "sell the sizzle" of your Alaska seafood. And if you haven't checked out www.cookitfrozen.com yet, ASMI's website to teach consumers how to prepare frozen seafood without thawing, we recommend you do so today!

Gillnet Quality Videos by Sea Grant and MAP On Line Gillnet Quality Videos by Sea Grant and Marine Advisory Program can be seen online for free at their website.