The global whitefish supply should get a boost in 2012, thanks to increased quotas for several key fisheries.
“It looks like the whitefish resource is pretty healthy,” said one West Coast groundfish supplier, adding that the market is led by Alaska pollock (Theragra chalcogramma).
Alaska’s fishery is enjoying its larger quota this year. The total allowable catch (TAC) for Bering Sea pollock is 1.252 million metric tons, of which approximately 89 percent had been landed as of 6 October, according to NOAA Fisheries. The season was expected to close by Nov. 1. Last year’s fishery, which had a TAC set at only 813,000 metric tons, closed by mid-September.
Europe, the world’s biggest whitefish market, can’t seem to get enough pollock and, coupled with a still-strong euro (USD 1.37 at press time) there’s a lot of fish flowing their way. U.S. pollock exports through August were booming, up 53 percent overall, compared to the same period in 2010, to a total of 283.7 million pounds. Germany is devouring more U.S. pollock than in years past (49 percent more) so are Japan, China, the Netherlands and Ukraine, among others.
Skinless and boneless Alaska pollock shatterpacks were priced in the low-USD 2 range in October, roughly the same as last year. IQF Atlantic pollock fillets were priced at about USD 1.30 to USD 1.40 a pound.
The 2012 Alaska pollock quota should be set next month at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Anchorage. Released in September by NOAA Fisheries, the 2011 Bering Sea groundfish survey found only a “slight” decline in the pollock biomass from last year, totaling 3.11 million metric tons (6.86 billion pounds) this year.
The whitefish supply will be strengthened by other sources as well. Russia is expected to increase its Far East pollock quota for 2012, and the Barents Sea cod resource shared by Norway and Russia will churn out about 8 percent more fish next year (about 751,000 metric tons). Joint surveys conducted by scientists of both countries have detected large stocks of cod in areas farther north than usual.
As expected, New Zealand increased its hoki quota to 130,000 metric tons. Also, the blue whiting quota for Norway, the EU, Iceland and the Faroe Islands was increased tenfold to 391,000 metric tons.
