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Issue link: https://seafoodbusiness.epubxp.com/i/139359
News Recap WASHINGTON, D.C. In BRIEF U.S. sets preliminary CVD shrimp rates Supreme Crab & Seafood of Weston, Fla., joined the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council, a group of importers founded in 2009 to fund blue-swimming crab sustainability projects. An Alaskan nonproft community development quota corporation bought Seattle-based seafood processing and marketing company Cannon Fish Co. The Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association's board of directors voted in favor of the acquisition, which was expected to close by press time. Scientists at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University developed a new method of detecting Vibrio tubiashii, a bacteria that can decimate farmed oyster crops. The new detection method involves the use of a "dipstick" that uses monoclonal antibodies that recognize the toxin. High Liner Foods is investing $6.6 million to further modernize and expand its manufacturing facility in Newport News, Va. The renovation aims to increase production needs in order to meet customer demand. As part of the expansion, High Liner will create 57 new jobs to support increased production capabilities. The Seafood Industry Research Fund board of directors created a research fund in memory of Mike Voisin, owner of Motivatit Seafoods in Houma, La., and a fxture in the Louisiana seafood community. Voisin passed away in February of complications following a heart attack. He was regarded as the voice of the industry in Louisiana, frequently promoting the industry and making an annual pilgrimage to Washington to meet with legislators. The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program will recommend seafood carrying the mark of other well-known sustainability programs, listing on its "buy" list species that bear the Marine Stewardship Council, Aquaculture Stewardship Council, NatürLand, Canada Organic and Friend of the Sea eco-labels. Direct QUOTE They just need to understand what's required of them and then they need to get on and do it. Having good relationships with your employees, it's not rocket science. It's having a commitment and getting on and doing it. — Dan Lee, Best Aquaculture Practices standards coordinator, Global Aquaculture Association he U.S. government in early June announced preliminary countervailing duty (CVD) rates on shrimp imports from seven countries under investigation. Rates ranged from less than 1 percent — or de minimus, in which no duties are collected — to more than 62 percent. Te U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced its preliminary determinations on frozen warmwater shrimp from China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tailand and Vietnam. In China, Zhanjiang Guolian Aquatic Products Co. and its afliates received a rate of 5.76 percent; all other producers and exporters in China were also assigned a preliminary subsidy rate of 5.76 percent. In India, Devi Fisheries Limited and Devi Seafoods Ltd. received cash deposits of 6.1 percent and 5.72 percent, respectively. All other Indian producers and exporters were assigned a preliminary rate of 5.91 percent. Te DOC originally set subsidy rates higher, but determined that certain subsidy programs had been terminated. In Malaysia, Asia Aquaculture (M) Sdn. Bhd. and Kian Huat Aquaculture received subsidy rates of 10.8 percent and 62.74 percent, respectively. All other Malaysian producers and exporters were assigned a preliminary rate of 62.74 percent, the highest rate set by the DOC. In Tailand, Marine Gold Products Limited and Tai Union Frozen Products received subsidy rates Snap SHOTS Photo courtesy of EJF T Final countervailing duties should be determined by mid-August. of 1.75 percent and 2.09 percent, respectively. All other Tai producers and exporters were assigned a preliminary rate of 2.09 percent. Tailand is by far the United States' largest shrimp supplier. In Vietnam, Minh Qui Seafoods Co. and Nha Trang Seaproduct Co. received subsidy rates of 5.08 percent and 7.05 percent, respectively. All other Vietnamese producers and exporters were assigned a preliminary rate of 6.07 percent. For the subsidy investigations in Ecuador and Indonesia, however, the DOC did not set any subsidy rates higher than 1.22 percent. Tese rates are de minimus, resulting in preliminary negative determination that applies to the countries as a whole. Te DOC and U.S. International Trade Commission will issue fnal determinations on Aug. 12. "Counteracting these subsidies is essential to leveling the playing feld for American shrimp producers," says Eddy Hayes, partner at the frm of Leake & Andersson and counsel to the Coalition of Gulf Shrimp Industries, the organization that in late December fled petitions seeking trade relief. — James Wright Photo and caption by Melissa Wood Landry's Restaurants acquired 10-unit seafood and steak restaurant chain Mastro's Restaurants, based in Woodland Hills, Calif., for an undisclosed price. Each unit for its two main banners, Mastro's Steakhouse and Mastro's Ocean Club, take in about $13 million annually, according to Landry's CEO and chairman Tilman Fertitta. Straight up, no ice: Iceland President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (center) visited Portland, Maine, in late May to celebrate shipping company Eimskip's decision to make Portland its North American operation center. Grímsson, keynote speaker at Maine International Trade Day, called Portland a key shipping link, adding that polar melting may actually help such northern ports as the opening of Arctic shipping lanes could speed international shipping by 40 percent during warmer months. The company will be bringing more international trade direct to Portland. (see Top Story, page 18) 6 SeaFood Business July 2013 For updated NEWS, go to www.SeafoodSource.com