GFC

Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Announces
New Third-Party Certification Assessment Process For Industry
 
Juneau, Alaska. March 3, 2010 - The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) Board of Directors announced today that Global Trust Certification Ltd. has been chosen to perform an independent, third-party certification of Alaska's fisheries management systems.
 
Under the agreed model, each major Alaska fishery will be assessed for conformance to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the FAO Guidelines for Ecolabelling Fishery Products.  The substantive requirements of the FAO Codes are the world's most widely recognized sustainability principles.
 
"For over 50 years Alaska has been the leader in sustainable fisheries management," said Ray Riutta, Executive Director of ASMI.  "Now, as a service to the entire Alaska seafood industry, we expect to be able to offer a robust certification, for those markets where third-party certification is required or desirable."
 
Because it's being provided through ASMI, there will be no logo-licensing fees, which means certification will be free to all Alaska customers.  Global Trust certification will not obscure the Alaska origin, but rather enhance it as a leading source of sustainable seafood. This critical component is in line with ASMI's stated mission of increasing the value of Alaska Seafood.
 
"Maintaining the Alaska connection is key for us," said Riutta.
 
ASMI invited certifiers to submit competitive bids for third-party certification through an open Request For Proposals process, and selected Global Trust because of their extensive experience in certifying other best-practice fisheries around the world.
 
Iceland has already begun an assessment process through Global Trust.  With the addition of Alaska, now two of the world's leading sustainable fisheries are taking a new approach of certifying their management structure directly against the FAO Codes.
 
"This is not a new standard," said Peter Marshall, founder and CEO of Global Trust.  "The FAO Codes are recognized and respected.  GT offers a refreshed, high-integrity certification process backed by accreditation, which is of interest to 'best in class' fisheries.  Both Alaska and Iceland are recognized as world models of best fisheries management practices. We are extremely honored to bring Alaska on board."
 
Alaska intends to certify the management structure of its major commercial fisheries; salmon, shellfish, groundfish and halibut and black cod. The first fishery certification is scheduled to be completed in 2011.
 
Global Trust Certification is an internationally recognized and accredited certification body with operational projects in over 15 countries. Global Trust Certification leads the world in seafood standards development, certification and facilitation. The Ireland-based company was founded in 1998 by the current CEO, Mr. Peter Marshall, to service the needs of industry and to bridge confidence through certification.  For more information visit www.gtcert.com.
 
The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) works in the U.S. and key overseas markets promoting Alaska Seafood and offering seafood industry education.  For more information about Alaska Seafood, please visit www.alaskaseafood.org.

It is with great pleasure, that I introduce you to Kearin Schulte, my new (and only) partner of Global Food Collaborative, LLC.    The partnership became final on January 1st, 2010 and she has already been active (behind the scenes) in the business.  I know most of you are anxious to meet her, if you have not already.      She will be participating with me next week at the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim and the International Boston Seafood Show the following week.

Her title may explain that we're taking connecting the supply chain to a higher level.   

Kearin Schulte, Connections Manager

Please read on and introduce yourself to Kearin.  I know you will find her genuinely interested in your respective businesses and helpful to your growth and success.     -  Robin

HOUSE BILL NO. 383

BY REPRESENTATIVE RAMRAS
Introduced: 2/23/10 Referred:

IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED

 "An Act relating to the powers and duties of the Department of Natural Resources, including transferring certain powers and duties to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development."

See entire bill attached.

The bar is definitely being raised at the Farm Service Agency.    While it has been a staple of Alaska's Agricultural industry, it is lesser known outside of their traditional farm family constituents.   As the new Alaska Director of the Farm Service Agency, Danny Consenstein is working hard to raise the access for more Alaskans, but not just any Alaskans.

Marine Stewardship Council
News Release
 
Feb. 19, 2010 (Seattle, WA)—The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has been informed by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) that the AFDF board voted today in favor of AFDF serving as the client for the purpose of maintaining MSC certification for the entire Alaska salmon fishery.  AFDF will immediately begin work with an independent certifier to conduct the required annual audit for the fishery.  Successful completion of the audit will ensure an unbroken supply of MSC-certified Alaska salmon.
 
MSC had previously been in discussions with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), which had made a provisional commitment to become the client.  At their December 3 board meeting, however, new issues extending beyond the established MSC program structure were introduced by ASMI regarding client cost sharing.  ASMI indicated the issues could have an impact on their state funding relationship, and the board voted to further postpone decision on whether to become the client for MSC certification of Alaska salmon.
 
AFDF was able to move forward with a commitment to become the client, which removes further delays and uncertainty about management of the certificate.  MSC appreciates the commitment of ASMI, United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA) and the other Alaska fishing industry representatives in addition to AFDF who have worked to ensure an ongoing MSC certificate for Alaska salmon.  MSC will continue to work in cooperation with the state’s fishery managers, processors and fishermen to help highlight and add market benefit to this important and sustainable fishery.
 
AFDF takes over the role of client for MSC certification of Alaska salmon from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), which served as the client since Alaska salmon was first certified to the MSC standard in 2000.  ADFG was in the unusual role of a government fishery management body serving as an MSC certificate holder, and indicated that it wanted to transition that role to another entity.
 
MSC is an international nonprofit organization that operates a widely recognized sustainability and eco-labeling program for wild-capture fisheries.  Under the program, fisheries voluntarily seek an independent, third-party assessment by an accredited certifier who leads an objective, scientific evaluation of the fishery to determine if it meets the MSC standard for sustainable, well-managed fisheries.  If certified, fisheries may use the MSC ecolabel in marketing and promoting their products provided they continue to meet the standard.  MSC fishery certifications are valid for five years, subject to annual audits.
 
The Alaska salmon fishery was recertified in November of 2007.  If the fishery successfully completes the current and subsequent annual audits as planned, the existing MSC certificate will be valid until November of 2012.  To continue certification beyond 2012, the fishery will have to pass a recertification assessment and obtain a third five-year certificate. There has been no break in the status of the current certificate in this client transition, and all Alaska salmon caught since the original certification in 2000 has been eligible to carry the MSC ecolabel.
 
AFDF will maintain the scope of the current certificate so that it will continue to cover all Alaska salmon fisheries and species.  They will take responsibility for conducting yearly audits and meeting the requirements of the MSC program, and will keep use of the certificate available to all Alaska salmon harvesters.  AFDF, which currently serves as the client for the MSC-certified Alaska Pacific cod fishery, has indicated they will be establishing a similar cost share mechanism for use of the MSC certificate by members of the Alaska salmon industry.  AFDF will prorate across participants joining the client group the costs associated with maintaining the Alaska salmon fishery certificate.
 
“The MSC very much welcomes AFDF’s decision to become the client for the Alaska salmon fishery,” said MSC Chief Executive Rupert Howes. “Markets globally will welcome this announcement and MSC looks forward to working with AFDF, ASMI, ADFG and other partners involved in the Alaskan salmon fishery. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank ADFG for their leadership in engaging with the MSC program in our early years. A bold move that led to Alaskan salmon being amongst the first few fisheries in the world to achieve MSC certification.”
 
Will Martin, Chair of the MSC Board of Trustees, said "We're grateful to both ASMI and AFDF for the support and consideration they have given to the client role, and are pleased that AFDF has agreed to accept and maintain this certificate. Alaska salmon is an iconic brand, nationally and internationally, and the industry and the fishery managers are some of the most committed and involved in the MSC program. The decision by AFDF is important for many in the industry, and recognizes the benefits that are at the heart of our approach of using the market to promote and reward responsible fishing practices."
 
 
About Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
 
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international nonprofit organization set up to promote solutions to the problem of overfishing. The MSC runs the only certification and ecolabeling program for wild-capture fisheries consistent with the ISEAL Code of Good Practice for Setting Social and Environmental Standards and the United Nations FAO guidelines for fisheries certification.  The FAO “Guidelines for the Eco-labelling of Fish and Fishery Products from Marine Capture Fisheries” require that credible fishery certification and ecolabeling schemes include:
 
- Objective, third-party fishery assessment utilizing scientific evidence
- Transparent processes with built-in stakeholder consultation and objection procedures
- Standards based on the sustainability of target species, ecosystems and management practices.
 
The MSC has offices in London, Seattle, Tokyo, Sydney, The Hague, Edinburgh, Berlin, Cape Town and Paris.
 
In total, more than 160 fisheries are engaged in the MSC program with 63 certified and more than 100 under full assessment. Another 40 to 50 fisheries are in confidential pre-assessment. Together, fisheries already engaged in the MSC program record annual catches of close to seven million metric tons of seafood, representing more than 12 percent of global capture production for direct human consumption. The fisheries already certified catch nearly four million metric tons of seafood—more than seven percent of the total global capture production for direct human consumption. Worldwide, more than 3,800 seafood products, which can be traced back to the certified sustainable fisheries, bear the blue MSC ecolabel.  For more information, visit www.msc.org.
 
# # #
 
 
MSC media contact: Micaela Vivero, MSC Communications Manager, Americas; micaela.vivero@msc.org; 206.631.2904

Contact:USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623

Obama Administration Names Appointees to USDA's Farm Service Agency State Committee in Alaska

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 - The Obama Administration today announced the individuals who will serve on the Alaska Farm Service Agency State Committee. The State Committee members will oversee the activities of the agency, including carrying out the state agricultural conservation programs, resolving appeals from the agriculture community and helping to keep producers informed about FSA programs

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 8, 2010

From 1st July 2010, the organic logo of the EU will be obligatory on all pre-packaged organic products that have been produced in any of the EU Member States and meet the necessary standards.  It will be optional for imported products. Other private, regional or national logos will be allowed to appear alongside the EU label. The organic farming regulation will be amended in the coming weeks to introduce the new logo into one of the annexes.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 10, 2010

An Announcement from Dr. Jane Lubchenco

Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator

It gives me great pleasure to announce Eric Schwaab as the new assistant administrator for fisheries, starting February 16. We are excited to have someone with Eric’s experience and proven leadership to bring a fresh perspective to the management of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service. Eric will lead NOAA’s efforts to rebuild our fisheries and the jobs and livelihoods that depend on them. His immediate priorities include improving outreach and relationships with recreational and commercial fishermen, better aligning federal and regional fisheries priorities, restoring confidence in fisheries law enforcement, and promoting management approaches that will achieve both sustainable fisheries and vibrant coastal communities.

Eric brings more than 25 years of experience in local, state and federal natural resource management. He has spent the majority of his career at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, where he began as a natural resources police law enforcement officer in 1983. He eventually served as director of the Maryland Forest Service; director of the Maryland Forest, Wildlife and Heritage Service; and director of the Maryland Fisheries Service. In 2003, Eric left the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to serve as resource director for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies until 2007. He then returned to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as the deputy secretary. Eric has also served as a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee.

Eric is a creative and proven manager, consensus builder and leader. He has developed and implemented solutions to address challenges in regional habitat restoration, including Chesapeake Bay restoration issues, fish and wildlife conservation, public lands management, natural resources law enforcement, public agency administration, strategic planning and leadership development.

I am excited to welcome Eric to the NOAA family. He will work with NOAA leadership, the fisheries service, his fellow assistant administrators and our many constituents to further our efforts to protect and manage the nation’s fisheries, our other trust resources including marine mammals and sea turtles, and the ecosystems upon which they depend. Welcome Eric!

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to Dr. Jim Balsiger, the acting assistant administrator, for his superb and sustained leadership. Jim has led the fisheries service for over two years in this capacity, far from his home in Alaska, and done so with distinction. He was especially instrumental in engaging the fishery management councils in the process of developing the draft catch shares policy. Dr. Balsiger will soon return to his position as NOAA Fisheries’ regional administrator for Alaska, but before doing so will assist Eric with his transition into the fisheries service and NOAA. I’d also like to thank the entire team at NOAA Fisheries who have done an excellent job during this period.

The Farm Service Agency has been keeping us up to date with the progress of the Geographically Disadvanaged Farmer program.   As you may remember, it was included in the 2008 Farm Bill as a result of hard work and persistence done by our federal representatives.     The program recognizes that farmers and ranchers in Hawaii and Alaska are at a competitive disadvantage due to transportation costs for inputs and outputs.  The original 2003 report demonstrating this inequity is attached and the basis for the 2008 additional.     The Farm Bill now provides a mechanism to compensate for geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers by off-setting some in-bound and out-bound transportation costs.

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual:

Elisabeth Hagen

Nominee for Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety

Department of Agriculture

Dr. Elisabeth Hagen is currently the USDA’s Chief Medical Officer, serving as an advisor to USDA mission areas on a wide range of human health issues.  Prior to her current post, she was a senior executive in the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), where she played a key role in developing and executing the agency’s scientific and public health agendas.  She has been instrumental in building relationships and fostering coordination with food safety and public health partners at the federal, state, and local level.  Before joining the federal government in 2006, Hagen taught and practiced medicine in both the private and academic sectors, most recently in Washington, DC.  She holds an M.D. from Harvard Medical School, and a B.S. from Saint Joseph’s University.  Dr. Hagen completed her specialty medical training at the University of Texas Southwestern and the University of Pennsylvania, and is board certified in infectious disease.

Complete Release Here