Clackamas, Oregon, U.S.A.-based Pacific Seafood has halted seafood processing at its plant in Eureka, California.
“Our Eureka facility has historically processed groundfish, crab, and oysters. However, an unfavorable regulatory environment in California has led to a decrease in the number of commercial fishing vessels in the state,” Pacific Seafood Director of Communications Lacy Ogan said in a statement.
That unfavorable regulatory environment has led to California fishing vessels facing more stringent restrictions on gear and bycatch, along with more expensive permits, according to Ogan.
Pacific executives first made the decision this spring to pause groundfish processing at the plant due to a reduced number of commercial fishing vessels and a weak groundfish market in the state.
Now, the company has decided to halt all processing, but the Eureka facility will continue to operate in a limited capacity, focusing on unloading oysters, crab, and groundfish, as well as icing vessels, Ogan said. The products unloaded will then …
