Christine Blank

Contributing Editor

Christine Blank, a veteran freelance writer and editor, covers all aspects of the seafood industry, from fishing to processing to selling and serving the final product. When she is not writing for SeafoodSource, Christine gets to taste scrumptious seafood dishes at U.S. restaurants for her food and travel blog, Flavorful Excursions (www.flavorfulexcursions.net). Christine loves to eat seafood of any kind, but lobster, crab and crawfish are among her favorites. In addition to SeafoodSource.com and SeaFood Business, Christine’s articles have been published in hundreds of leading magazines and newspapers, such as The New York Times, USA Today and Associated Press.

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Published on
December 13, 2023

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is inviting companies to bid on contracts to supply 405,000 pounds of wild salmon, in a continuation of the department's support for the Pacific Northwest commercial salmon fishery. The announcement comes soon after the agency awarded more than USD 2 million (EUR 1.85 million) in contracts to supply domestic catfish. 

The USDA wants to purchase 252,000 pounds of wild frozen salmon fillets and

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Published on
December 13, 2023

Acme Smoked Fish Chief Marketing Officer Teresa Low is confident that “snack kits are here to stay.”

To prove the Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.-based smoked fish supplier’s commitment to the convenient food option, the company recently launched “Lox in a Box” snack kits. The Lox in a Box snack kit includes two options: Acme’s smoked salmon with cream cheese or the smoked salmon with a guacamole spread, both of

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Published on
December 12, 2023

After a significant pollock purchase of USD 1.75 million (EUR 1.6 million) in November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking to buy more wild Alaska pollock with a deadline to receive bids of 13 December.

Simultaneously, the agency awarded a significant walleye contract worth more than USD 1.4 million (EUR 1.3 million).

In the new bid solicitation, the USDA is inviting offers to sell 230,000 pounds of frozen pollock fillets and sticks

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Published on
December 12, 2023

Prices on fresh seafood – particularly shellfish – and shelf-stable seafood continued to drop in November, but sales and volumes declined in all segments, according to data from research firm Circana.

Fresh seafood prices declined 2.4 percent in November, according to Circana OmniMarket Integrated Fresh and 210 Analytics. Shellfish prices dropped 10.3 percent on average, with fresh crab prices falling 19.9 percent in November and

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Published on
December 12, 2023

Former American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA) Director Charles David Veal was arrested on 7 December and faces a felony charge claiming he embezzled USD 3 million (EUR 2.8 million) from the association.

Veal, 79, served as executive director of the Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.A.-based organization, which represents U.S. wild-caught warmwater shrimp processors, for over a decade. He was arrested by Biloxi police on 7 December.

ASPA filed

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Published on
December 11, 2023

Shrimp and lobster is being featured by more U.S. foodservice distributors and restaurants this winter and holiday season.

Houston, Texas, U.S.A.-based Sysco recently launched two new entree menu items that are designed to save restaurants significant labor: Portico Classic Shrimp and Portico Classic Crispy Pollock.

“The holiday season is upon us and for restaurants, that means the busiest time of year. But, labor in the restaurant

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Published on
December 11, 2023

Scotland’s salmon-farming industry is defending itself against criticism from several Scottish chefs and NGOs concerned about fish welfare and environmental issues.

National trade and marketing body for the Scottish seafood industry Seafood Scotland, however, is defending the sector, pointing to a government report showing a decline in antibiotic usage among the country’s salmon farms.

Recent criticism of Scotland’s

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Published on
December 8, 2023

Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based cruise company Holland America Line plans to increase its purchases of seafood through an expansion of its fresh fish program and new partnerships with celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto, who will prepare several new seafood dishes for cruise guests to enjoy, and food home delivery company Vital Choice.

Holland America’s global fresh fish program now features 80 types of fresh fish, boasting locally sourced

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Published on
December 6, 2023

Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.A.-based seafood wholesaler and processor Eastern Fish has released a frozen appetizer lineup that fills a void the company recognized was prevalent in the Asian foods market within U.S. retailers and foodservice operations, according to Eastern Fish President Eric Bloom.

“When we reviewed products in this space, we determined there was a void of high-quality, seafood-first, handmade Asian appetizers and an

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Published on
December 4, 2023

Channel Fish Processing and Trident Seafoods split USD 1.75 (EUR 1.6 million) in Alaska pollock contracts awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on 1 December.

Braintree, Massachusetts, U.S.A.-based Channel Fish will supply USD 988,559 (EUR 913,854) worth of frozen pollock sticks, while Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based Trident will supply bulk surimi worth USD 759,924 (EUR 702,497).

The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock

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