Seafood

The Fort Bragg Groundfish Association and the Central Coast Sustainable Groundfish Association announced last week the formalization of a new community-focused fishing agreement — called a risk pool — that pioneers a cooperative approach between local fishery stakeholders to keep fishing communities in business, keep local seafood on our tables and help protect our marine resources. …

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) is concluding an oyster cultch plant, which is a process that is part of a continuing effort by the MDMR Shellfish Bureau to rebuild and refurbish Mississippi oyster reefs. The project began in August 2011 and will be finished by Sept. 30, 2011, which is an ideal time for oyster larvae to attach to cultch material and grow. …

The popular "dolphin-safe" labels used to market tuna sold in the U.S. are illegal because they restrict too much trade, a World Trade Organization panel ruled Thursday in handing a partial victory to Mexico. …

Several Alabama catfish producers attended a ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 9 for Auburn University’s new Center for Aquatic Resource Management, a $9 million addition to the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture’s E.W. Shell Fisheries Research Center. …

The Gulf & South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation has been given $5 million to come up with a plan for Gulf states to work together. "Gulf seafood does not have a cohesive national brand," said Joanne McNeely, seafood marketing coordinator for the foundation, contrasting it with Maine lobsters or Alaska salmon and crab. …