Seafood

Carlos Perez, a well-to-do businessman, has been farming shrimp in Ecuador since 1979. He has seen the industry boom: Ecuador exported about $1.2 billion worth of shrimp last year, and its shrimp farmers employ about 102,000 people. He has also watched as shrimp farms have played a major role in the destruction of two-thirds of the country’s mangrove swamps — rich ecosystems that serve as buffers against storms, store carbon, and support fish, birds, and small mammals. …

After 18 months of regulatory hoop-jumping, a pair of fishermen have joined one of the most tightly regulated — and potentially lucrative — industries in the state. In March, Todd Osten and Rob Taylor became the first locals to harvest and sell clams for human consumption in 20 years. …

Twenty Maine restaurants from Kittery to Bar Harbor put Acadian redfish dishes on their menus in June, and 23 eateries served up menu items with Atlantic mackerel in July as part of an effort to raise public awareness and demand for unappreciated fish species. …

Salmon fishermen are reporting increased landings of California king salmon with the population rebounding from the low numbers seen since 2007. According to Aaron Newman, Chairman of the California Salmon Council, "the salmon are finally back in larger numbers, which is good news for consumers." …

Commercial fishermen up and down the Keys are hoping for a third straight year of abundant catches and storm-free weather after the eight-month spiny lobster season opened Monday morning. …