Looks like we're about to see more processor consolidation at Bristol Bay, home of the state's most valuable sockeye salmon fishery.
Snopac Products Inc. today sent the following email to its fishermen announcing the company's pending sale to Icicle Seafoods Inc.
From: Jenna Hall
Date: Tue, Feb 28, 2012 at 1:03 PM
Subject: Snopac Update
Dear Snopac Fishers,
It has been a busy winter for us here at Snopac and we are writing to bring you up to speed on some significant developments to our 2012 plans and fishing operations.
Tomorrow, a press release is going to be issued by Icicle Seafoods regarding their intention to buy Snopac (we have attached a copy to this email for you to read prior to its release). We have signed a Letter of Intent with Icicle, and are now in the midst of a customary "due diligence" process that will take several weeks. Hopefully the sale will close as both parties intend, however until that happens, it is not final.
Should the sale finalize, we will do everything we can to ensure a smooth transition for our fishers and tenders. There will be many operational details to be sorted out and both Icicle and Snopac intend to do so with the most positive impact for our fleet.
Should the sale not finalize prior to the season, we have made arrangements with Icicle to jointly operate in Bristol Bay in 2012 by consolidating resources and expanding services, which will benefit both our operation and our fleet. Icicle is a very competitive market who boasts short tender lines, great offload capacity and high limits. Working with them will give our fleet access to these benefits.
Either way, you can be assured that you have a competitive market in 2012. In addition, Snopac will be announcing a 2011 retro shortly and we will also be coming out with pre-season logistics as far as northbound freight and other timely issues.
Ben and I will be making telephone calls to each of you to personally address any questions or concerns, but feel free to call Greg, Jenna or Ben at anytime.
Thank you for your fish and your continued support.
All the best,
Jenna
Jenna Blakey Hall
Snopac Products Inc.
Seattle
Showing posts with label Bristol Bay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bristol Bay. Show all posts
One Bristol Bay processor swallows another
At long last, we have official confirmation of a rumor that's been knocking around for months.
North Pacific Seafoods, a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Marubeni, is buying Yardarm Knot's Red Salmon cannery at Bristol Bay.
Here's the press release.
North Pacific Seafoods, a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Marubeni, is buying Yardarm Knot's Red Salmon cannery at Bristol Bay.
Here's the press release.
Here's the 2012 Bristol Bay sockeye forecast
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is forecasting a catch of 21.8 million sockeye salmon next year.
That compares to this year's catch of 21.9 million sockeye on a preseason forecast of 28.5 million.
That compares to this year's catch of 21.9 million sockeye on a preseason forecast of 28.5 million.
A leadership change in Bristol Bay
Here's an announcement today from the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association:
In September, BBRSDA board member Nick Lee (Seat D, Non-Alaska Resident) resigned his position, which opened up a vacancy for appointment. Our bylaws give responsibility in cases like this to BBRSDA President Robert Heyano. President Heyano asked the other board members to submit to him the names of S03T permit holders who might make good board members and would be willing to serve. After reviewing the submitted names, President Heyano appointed Matt Luck to fill the vacant seat and serve out Nick Lee's term, which ends in 2013. Matt runs the F/V Meg J in Bristol Bay, where he has fished (as crewman and operator) for 12 years. In addition to his work in the Bay, Matt's fishing experience includes longlining, seining and drifting in Prince William Sound, Southeast, Kodiak and Togiak. He is a founding member of the Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation, and past chairman of the Copper River/PWS ADF&G Advisory Committee. We hope you'll join us in thanking Nick Lee for his many years of volunteer service to the fleet, and in welcoming Matt to the board.
In September, BBRSDA board member Nick Lee (Seat D, Non-Alaska Resident) resigned his position, which opened up a vacancy for appointment. Our bylaws give responsibility in cases like this to BBRSDA President Robert Heyano. President Heyano asked the other board members to submit to him the names of S03T permit holders who might make good board members and would be willing to serve. After reviewing the submitted names, President Heyano appointed Matt Luck to fill the vacant seat and serve out Nick Lee's term, which ends in 2013. Matt runs the F/V Meg J in Bristol Bay, where he has fished (as crewman and operator) for 12 years. In addition to his work in the Bay, Matt's fishing experience includes longlining, seining and drifting in Prince William Sound, Southeast, Kodiak and Togiak. He is a founding member of the Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation, and past chairman of the Copper River/PWS ADF&G Advisory Committee. We hope you'll join us in thanking Nick Lee for his many years of volunteer service to the fleet, and in welcoming Matt to the board.
Bristol Bay sockeye price reportedly reaches $1
Deckboss hears a major Bristol Bay processor, Yardarm Knot, has posted a base price of $1 a pound for sockeye, plus 15 cents for chilled fish.
Last season's average base was 95 cents a pound, the best price seen around the bay in quite a few years.
Last season's average base was 95 cents a pound, the best price seen around the bay in quite a few years.
Salmon rocks!
The statewide commercial salmon catch, all species, now totals right at 20 million fish, the Department of Fish and Game reports.
At Bristol Bay, the granddaddy of Alaska's salmon fisheries, the sockeye tally is 9.3 million.
At Bristol Bay, the granddaddy of Alaska's salmon fisheries, the sockeye tally is 9.3 million.
USCG medevacs injured Bristol Bay fisherman
From the U.S. Coast Guard:
July 1, 2011
Coast Guard medevacs fisherman with broken arm
KODIAK — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew this morning medevaced a 56-year-old fisherman reportedly suffering from a severely broken forearm aboard the 32-foot fishing vessel Miss Maria 14 miles west of Naknek.
Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders received a call via VHF-FM radio from the Alaska State Troopers patrol vessel Stimson stating the Miss Maria crewman reportedly suffered a double compound fracture to his right forearm. The troopers had safely transferred him to the Stimson.
The watchstanders directed the launch of the helicopter at 12:38 a.m. The helicopter crew arrived on scene at 2:53 a.m., safely hoisted the fisherman and flew to Kodiak.
The rescue crew arrived in Kodiak at 5:32 a.m. and safely transferred the man to awaiting emergency medical services who took him to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center for further medical care in reportedly stable condition.
Weather at the time of the rescue was reported as winds of 21 mph with 2-foot seas.
July 1, 2011
Coast Guard medevacs fisherman with broken arm
KODIAK — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew this morning medevaced a 56-year-old fisherman reportedly suffering from a severely broken forearm aboard the 32-foot fishing vessel Miss Maria 14 miles west of Naknek.
Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders received a call via VHF-FM radio from the Alaska State Troopers patrol vessel Stimson stating the Miss Maria crewman reportedly suffered a double compound fracture to his right forearm. The troopers had safely transferred him to the Stimson.
The watchstanders directed the launch of the helicopter at 12:38 a.m. The helicopter crew arrived on scene at 2:53 a.m., safely hoisted the fisherman and flew to Kodiak.
The rescue crew arrived in Kodiak at 5:32 a.m. and safely transferred the man to awaiting emergency medical services who took him to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center for further medical care in reportedly stable condition.
Weather at the time of the rescue was reported as winds of 21 mph with 2-foot seas.
Bristol Bay heats up
Looks like the sockeye are really starting to storm into Bristol Bay.
The daily catch topped a million fish on Sunday — 1,231,000, to be exact.
Monday's catch was 1,312,400 fish.
Track the fishery yourself here.
The daily catch topped a million fish on Sunday — 1,231,000, to be exact.
Monday's catch was 1,312,400 fish.
Track the fishery yourself here.
Those darned processors
Surely you caught the top news story today in Alaska: the public release of thousands of e-mails from Sarah Palin's time as governor.
Deckboss couldn't resist trolling through the e-mails for something interesting.
Here's a 2008 exchange between Palin and Cora Crome, now Cora Campbell, who was fisheries adviser to Palin and now is Alaska's fish and game commissioner.
Palin mentions yours truly, who at the time was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News.
The exchange is about processor buying limits at Bristol Bay, a rancorous subject for commercial salmon fishermen.
The Palins, of course, are Bristol Bay setnetters.
Anyway, for what's it's worth.
Deckboss couldn't resist trolling through the e-mails for something interesting.
Here's a 2008 exchange between Palin and Cora Crome, now Cora Campbell, who was fisheries adviser to Palin and now is Alaska's fish and game commissioner.
Palin mentions yours truly, who at the time was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News.
The exchange is about processor buying limits at Bristol Bay, a rancorous subject for commercial salmon fishermen.
The Palins, of course, are Bristol Bay setnetters.
Anyway, for what's it's worth.
Bristol Bay processors: We can handle 'em
Salmon processors say they can handle the 28.5 million sockeye gillnetters are expected to catch this summer at Bristol Bay.
And more.
That's the upshot of the Department of Fish and Game's annual processing capacity survey.
Near as Deckboss can remember, the processors always say they have enough capacity to deal with Bristol Bay's sockeye hordes.
But much depends on how evenly the salmon enter the fishing grounds.
The survey indicates the processors collectively can handle a little over 2 million fish per day.
If the run is heavy and catches exceed that level, especially on consecutive days, processors often must limit their purchases until they can work the excess fish through their plants.
This, in turn, can set off howls of protest from fishermen asked to sit idle just when the fish are running thickest. To them, it's money swimming up the river.
Anyway, for more details, read the survey. It's a quick eight pages.
And more.
That's the upshot of the Department of Fish and Game's annual processing capacity survey.
Near as Deckboss can remember, the processors always say they have enough capacity to deal with Bristol Bay's sockeye hordes.
But much depends on how evenly the salmon enter the fishing grounds.
The survey indicates the processors collectively can handle a little over 2 million fish per day.
If the run is heavy and catches exceed that level, especially on consecutive days, processors often must limit their purchases until they can work the excess fish through their plants.
This, in turn, can set off howls of protest from fishermen asked to sit idle just when the fish are running thickest. To them, it's money swimming up the river.
Anyway, for more details, read the survey. It's a quick eight pages.
More from Leader Creek
Here's a note Leader Creek Fisheries founder John Lowrance e-mailed yesterday to the company's Bristol Bay fishermen:
Dear Fishers,
Thank you for your support. As always, we would not be here without you. In recent years, large fish runs and increasing commodity prices for our products have given us all a pretty fine ride. Last year, you received $1.10 for well-handled reds, and this year you will receive a very nice increase over that. All these good things are the result of your continuous efforts to deliver better quality fish year after year, in combination with our commitment to keep pushing forward with quality initiatives, value-added products, and a first class production facility.
Leader Creek made a commitment to an all-refrigerated fleet, sockeye fillets, and a profit sharing relationship during the dark days following the $.40/pound 2001 season. It was a plan borne out of desperation. Prices for H&G in Japan had fallen to a level that would not support the processing/fishing industry as a whole. Fishers joined Leader Creek hoping that through hard work, a commitment to quality, the production of fillets, and the development of new markets in the United Sates, we could lift ourselves back into economic plenty. What you are doing on the water in terms of floating, bleeding, and sliding fish was unthinkable ten years ago. A plant producing 70% fillets was considered impossible. The idea of profit sharing with the fleet more often than not garnered the reaction: "are you crazy Lowrance" or my favorite, "he's ruining Bristol Bay". As you are all aware, the plan borne of desperation has worked out rather well for all of us, and in the process, we have changed Bristol Bay.
There is a price for all things, and you don't get to play the role I have without some cost. Our success has brought with it a huge financial and emotional commitment to running Leader Creek. More and more, I find it overwhelming.
I have decided to sell our stake in LCF in order to unload that financial commitment and risk. From amongst many potential buyers, we are lucky to have attracted the interest of the Canadian Fishing Company (Canfisco) and the Jim Pattison Group (you can read more about them in the attached press release).
Canfisco has no desire to merge or blend or combine Leader Creek with any other entity. They want us as we are: an independent, well-run, profitable enterprise. There are no plans to change anything beyond our normal organic growth. The profit sharing relationship and deal will remain the same. I will be running the company through 2011, and if I like it, I will stay into the future.
My commitment to you is that the company you have dealt with in the past is the company you will see when you arrive in Bristol Bay in 2011. The deals will remain the same, and just like every other year, you will get pushed to produce even better quality fish.
Thank you again for all your cooperation and help over the years. This friendly, dynamic, symbiotic relationship we have is really the best part of it all. I am grateful to every one of you.
Sincerely, from a lucky guy (and gal)
John and Adele
P.S. The unsung heroes in all this are the 430 LCF employees, some of whom have been with us since the beginning. Without their continuous efforts, we would not have carried the ball this far. I am grateful to them as well.
Dear Fishers,
Thank you for your support. As always, we would not be here without you. In recent years, large fish runs and increasing commodity prices for our products have given us all a pretty fine ride. Last year, you received $1.10 for well-handled reds, and this year you will receive a very nice increase over that. All these good things are the result of your continuous efforts to deliver better quality fish year after year, in combination with our commitment to keep pushing forward with quality initiatives, value-added products, and a first class production facility.
Leader Creek made a commitment to an all-refrigerated fleet, sockeye fillets, and a profit sharing relationship during the dark days following the $.40/pound 2001 season. It was a plan borne out of desperation. Prices for H&G in Japan had fallen to a level that would not support the processing/fishing industry as a whole. Fishers joined Leader Creek hoping that through hard work, a commitment to quality, the production of fillets, and the development of new markets in the United Sates, we could lift ourselves back into economic plenty. What you are doing on the water in terms of floating, bleeding, and sliding fish was unthinkable ten years ago. A plant producing 70% fillets was considered impossible. The idea of profit sharing with the fleet more often than not garnered the reaction: "are you crazy Lowrance" or my favorite, "he's ruining Bristol Bay". As you are all aware, the plan borne of desperation has worked out rather well for all of us, and in the process, we have changed Bristol Bay.
There is a price for all things, and you don't get to play the role I have without some cost. Our success has brought with it a huge financial and emotional commitment to running Leader Creek. More and more, I find it overwhelming.
I have decided to sell our stake in LCF in order to unload that financial commitment and risk. From amongst many potential buyers, we are lucky to have attracted the interest of the Canadian Fishing Company (Canfisco) and the Jim Pattison Group (you can read more about them in the attached press release).
Canfisco has no desire to merge or blend or combine Leader Creek with any other entity. They want us as we are: an independent, well-run, profitable enterprise. There are no plans to change anything beyond our normal organic growth. The profit sharing relationship and deal will remain the same. I will be running the company through 2011, and if I like it, I will stay into the future.
My commitment to you is that the company you have dealt with in the past is the company you will see when you arrive in Bristol Bay in 2011. The deals will remain the same, and just like every other year, you will get pushed to produce even better quality fish.
Thank you again for all your cooperation and help over the years. This friendly, dynamic, symbiotic relationship we have is really the best part of it all. I am grateful to every one of you.
Sincerely, from a lucky guy (and gal)
John and Adele
P.S. The unsung heroes in all this are the 430 LCF employees, some of whom have been with us since the beginning. Without their continuous efforts, we would not have carried the ball this far. I am grateful to them as well.
Canfisco buys Bristol Bay processor Leader Creek
Here's the press release:
Dec. 1, 2010
Canadian Fishing Company (Canfisco) Buys Leader Creek Fisheries
Canadian Fishing Company (Canfisco), a privately owned seafood company of Vancouver, Canada is purchasing Seattle-based Leader Creek Fisheries, Alaska's leading producer of wild sockeye salmon fillets.
Canfisco has agreed to purchase Leader Creek Fisheries for an undisclosed price. The deal is subject to the successful completion of due diligence before closing in December.
Leader Creek Fisheries' founder, John Lowrance, started the company in 1999 and pioneered the production of fillets using Bristol Bay sockeye salmon. The Leader Creek Fisheries fleet employs special onboard techniques to produce premium quality salmon to ensure the company's reputation as Bristol Bay's top producer of sockeye salmon fillets. Lowrance will continue to lead the company and ensure a successful transition of ownership.
Dan Nomura, President of Canadian Fishing Company, said "We are excited to become the proud owner of Leader Creek Fisheries. Leader Creek is a successful company and we intend to continue operating the business in the same manner that has resulted in the company's accomplishments. We will build on the company's history of continued growth and success."
Canadian Fishing Company also owns Seattle-based Alaska General Seafoods, a salmon and herring processor with plants in Naknek and Ketchikan.
Canadian Fishing Company, the largest Canadian producer of Pacific salmon and herring, is a vertically integrated seafood company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and is owned by the Jim Pattison Group of Vancouver, Canada, a privately held and diversified corporation with investments in a number of businesses.
Dec. 1, 2010
Canadian Fishing Company (Canfisco) Buys Leader Creek Fisheries
Canadian Fishing Company (Canfisco), a privately owned seafood company of Vancouver, Canada is purchasing Seattle-based Leader Creek Fisheries, Alaska's leading producer of wild sockeye salmon fillets.
Canfisco has agreed to purchase Leader Creek Fisheries for an undisclosed price. The deal is subject to the successful completion of due diligence before closing in December.
Leader Creek Fisheries' founder, John Lowrance, started the company in 1999 and pioneered the production of fillets using Bristol Bay sockeye salmon. The Leader Creek Fisheries fleet employs special onboard techniques to produce premium quality salmon to ensure the company's reputation as Bristol Bay's top producer of sockeye salmon fillets. Lowrance will continue to lead the company and ensure a successful transition of ownership.
Dan Nomura, President of Canadian Fishing Company, said "We are excited to become the proud owner of Leader Creek Fisheries. Leader Creek is a successful company and we intend to continue operating the business in the same manner that has resulted in the company's accomplishments. We will build on the company's history of continued growth and success."
Canadian Fishing Company also owns Seattle-based Alaska General Seafoods, a salmon and herring processor with plants in Naknek and Ketchikan.
Canadian Fishing Company, the largest Canadian producer of Pacific salmon and herring, is a vertically integrated seafood company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and is owned by the Jim Pattison Group of Vancouver, Canada, a privately held and diversified corporation with investments in a number of businesses.
Sarah and sockeye
Tonight on the TLC channel, "Sarah Palin's Alaska" will feature the family's salmon setnet operation on Bristol Bay. Here's a preview.
State predicts 28.5 million Bristol Bay sockeye
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game today issued its 2011 forecast for Bristol Bay, and state biologists predict a commercial catch of 28.5 million sockeye salmon.
That's close to 1 million fish more than what the University of Washington Fisheries Research Institute predicted this week.
If either outlook holds true, it should be another fine season for fishermen and processors involved in the world's top sockeye fishery.
That's close to 1 million fish more than what the University of Washington Fisheries Research Institute predicted this week.
If either outlook holds true, it should be another fine season for fishermen and processors involved in the world's top sockeye fishery.
Big Bristol Bay sockeye catch forecast for 2011
Look for a potential harvest of 27.7 million sockeye salmon next year at Bristol Bay.
That's the forecast fresh out from the University of Washington Fisheries Research Institute.
If the prediction holds true, it would approach this past season's excellent catch of 28.6 million sockeye.
We should see the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's forecast any day now.
Deckboss tips his hat to the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association for sharing the FRI forecast.
That's the forecast fresh out from the University of Washington Fisheries Research Institute.
If the prediction holds true, it would approach this past season's excellent catch of 28.6 million sockeye.
We should see the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's forecast any day now.
Deckboss tips his hat to the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association for sharing the FRI forecast.
Best salmon tally in 18 years
This year's commercial salmon harvest generated a preliminary dockside value of $533.9 million, the best since 1992, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today.
The happy total comes on the strength of high market demand for Bristol Bay's huge sockeye harvest, plus a record catch of pink salmon in Prince William Sound.
Here's a press release with more details.
The happy total comes on the strength of high market demand for Bristol Bay's huge sockeye harvest, plus a record catch of pink salmon in Prince William Sound.
Here's a press release with more details.
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