It is looking likely that 2016 will be a good year for Alaska pollock, the largest fishery in the United States.
The pollock season began on 20 January with an annual quota of 1.34 million metric tons (MT) for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands, this was several hundred thousand tons less than federal fishery scientists determined can be sustainably harvested.
In addition, there was a near 30 percent increase in the total allowable catch (TAC) in the Gulf of Alaska to 257,852 MT. At the same time, Alaska pollock again achieved re-certification to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Fisheries Standard. The Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska pollock fisheries have been certified to this standard since 2005.
Another feather in the product’s cap has come with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration making an important change to seafood labeling laws whereby only pollock caught in Alaska waters can now be labeled “Alaska pollock.” Alaska waters are defined the Alaska-adjacent Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) three to 200 miles offshore, according to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which governs U.S. federal fisheries.Those closely connected to the industry believe the move, aligned with the high quota and sustainable certification will make it easier to define and market to consumers – both domestically and overseas.
Despite Alaska’s pollock supply growing steadily since 2010 and expected to exceed 1.6 million MT in 2016, Russia is the world’s leading producer with around 1.7 million MT.
