MA SEAFOOD FOOD EXPORT
PROGRAM:
A FOCUS ON
LESSER-KNOWN
NEW ENGLAND SEAFOOD
Story R. Reed
July 13, 2015
June 23, 2015
Slide 1
Introduction
• Long tradition of Cod, Haddock, and Sole
fishing in the Commonwealth
• Commercial fishing, recreational fishing, and
seafood processing are an important part of the
Commonwealth’s history, culture, and economy
• The Commonwealth is the 2nd ranked state in
the US in terms of landings value
• New Bedford is the top valued port in the
country
• Destination for recreational anglers
June 23, 2015
Slide 2
Commercial Seafood Industry
MA Commercial Seafood Industry Economic Impact¹
¹3.1 Economic
$2,500,000,000
$1,500,000,000
$1,000,000,000
$500,000,000
Year
Economic Impact
June 23, 2015
Ex-Vessel Value
2012
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
1978
1976
1974
1972
1970
1968
1966
1964
1962
1960
1958
1956
1954
1952
$0
1950
Economic Impact (2012 Dollars)
$2,000,000,000
SOURCES:
-NMFS Office of Science and Technology Commercial Fisheries
Statistics Query Tool and ACCSP Data Warehouse
-Bureau of Labor and Statistics
-¹Dyck, Andrew J. and U. Rashid Sumaila. 2010. Economic Impact of
ocean fish populations in the global fishery. Journal of Bioeconomics
Slide 3
Top Commercial Species in 2012 by Value
Rank
Species
1
SCALLOP, SEA
2
LOBSTER, AMERICAN
3
COD, ATLANTIC
4
Live Pounds
Value
305,944,169
$364,895,602
14,482,740
$53,345,841
8,983,602
$18,558,123
SURFCLAM, ATLANTIC
95,598,601
$16,074,267
5
GOOSEFISH (MONKFISH)
11,582,869
$13,595,613
6
OYSTER, EASTERN
4,125,447
$12,069,381
June 23, 2015
Slide 4
2015 Seafood Buyers Mission Program
• March 12th orientation presentation for MA Seafood Food Export
program to foreign buyers in conjunction with MA Department of
Agricultural Resources
• Program held during Seafood Expo North America show in Boston
• Focused on lesser-known species, including tasting
• New Bedford port visit
• One-on-one meetings between buyers and processors followed
June 23, 2015
Slide 5
Lesser Known Species: Affordable and Available
•
•
•
•
•
Emerging markets for healthy and under-utilized species
Species include Redfish, Scup, and Dogfish
Generally steady supply throughout the year in the Northeast
Readily available supply and quota
Opportunity to increase market share for
these species
• Increased markets may benefit fishermen
and consumers
• Science-based management, federal and
inter-state management plans
June 23, 2015
Slide 6
A Closer Look at Spiny Dogfish
•
•
•
•
Declared as a fully rebuilt stock by NOAA Fisheries in 2010
Roughly 48 million pound coast-wide quota
Only 46% of available quota was landed in the 2014/2015 fishing year
Roughly half of the 2014/2015 Atlantic harvest was landed in
Massachusetts
• Migrate seasonally
• Managed by annual catch limit and daily trip limits
• MSC certified as a sustainable seafood
Source: NOAA Fisheries Fishwatch
June 23, 2015
Slide 7
The Spiny Dogfish Fishery
• Mostly caught as bycatch in gillnet, trawl, and longline fisheries for
groundfish species
• Some targeted day boat longline and gillnet fisheries in recent years
Picture Courtesy of www.capecodfishermen.org
June 23, 2015
Slide 8
Spiny Dogfish Products & Packaging
•
•
•
•
Sweet, mild flavor with firm but flaky texture
Low-fat source of protein
Available fresh or frozen
Products available include: backs, fillets, loins, medallions, flaps, fins and
tails
• A variety of sizes and packaging available depending on product type
Sources: NOAA Fisheries Fishwatch & Zeus Packing
June 23, 2015
Slide 9
Spiny Dogfish Landings & Value (New England)
Year
Dogfish Landings
Dogfish Landings Value
Ex-Vessel Price per LB
2011
12,521,168 lbs
$2,749,285
$.22
2012
16,611,369 lbs
$3,630,511
$.22
2013
7,854,180 lbs
$1,256,111
$.16
Source: NOAA Fisheries
June 23, 2015
Slide 10
A Closer Look at Redfish
•
•
•
•
Declared as a fully rebuilt stock by NOAA Fisheries in 2012
Managed by an annual catch limit
70% of annual quota was left unharvested in 2010
Currently there is a limited market
Source: NOAA Fisheries Fishwatch
June 23, 2015
Slide 11
The Redfish Fishery
• Primarily harvested in the trawl fishery along with other groundfish
• Selectively targeted through fishing practices to avoid other species with
lower quotas
• The Division of Marine Fisheries has participated in REDNET project to
develop selective trawl gear to target redfish
June 23, 2015
Division of Marine Fisheries
Slide 12
Redfish Products & Packaging
•
•
•
•
•
Firm, flaky, mild, slightly sweet fish, white when cooked
Low in saturated fat, high in protein
Available fresh or frozen
Whole fish and fillets available
A variety of sizes and packaging available depending on product type
Sources: NOAA Fisheries Fishwatch & Zeus Packing
June 23, 2015
Slide 13
Redfish Landings & Value (New England)
Year
Redfish Landings
Redfish Landings Value
Ex-Vessel Price per LB
2011
4,432,708 lbs
$2,746,353
$.62
2012
8,453,519 lbs
$5,666,449
$.67
2013
7,872,300 lbs
$4,317,245
$.55
Source: NOAA Fisheries
June 23, 2015
Slide 14
A Closer Look at Scup
•
•
•
•
•
•
Declared officially rebuilt in 2009
Managed by annual catch limit and daily trip limits
Available year-round on the east coast
Small, mild-tasting, white flaky flesh
Generally sold whole, scaled and dressed
Excellent for pan frying or sautéing whole
Source: NOAA Fisheries Fishwatch
June 23, 2015
Slide 15
The Scup Fishery
• Mainly caught by otter trawls with some fish pot and hook and line harvest
• Harvest occurs in both state and federal waters
• Only 49% of the available quota has been caught in the current federal
period
• Commercial harvest has room to increase under the current quotas
June 23, 2015
Division of Marine Fisheries
Slide 16
Scup Landings & Value (New England)
Year
Scup Landings
Scup Landings Value
Ex-Vessel Price per LB
2011
8,223,231 lbs
$4,520,163
$.55
2012
9,219,649 lbs
$6,107,046
$.66
2013
9,954,917 lbs
$5,188,793
$.52
Source: NOAA Fisheries
June 23, 2015
Slide 17
Positive Results
• All three lesser-known species were well received by the buyers
• One-on-one meetings held with 25 regional seafood suppliers
• Onsite sales to foreign buyers of $6 million, with $14.3 million in sales
projected over the next 12 months
• Suppliers reported establishing 117 new business relationships and
making 40 first-time sales to a foreign market
June 23, 2015
Slide 18