Chinese tariffs on seafood hiked
China imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on U.S. seafood imports, bringing total tariff to 35 percent. Chinese tariff increases were ordered beginning in July in response to U.S. tariffs on China’s products imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Seafood imports from the U.S. dropped 35 percent after the July tariffs, with a $340 million loss of sales, much of which was borne by exporters of Alaska fish products.

Rising interest in mariculture
Interest in Alaska mariculture, or ocean farming, is increasing fast although the industry is in its infancy. New mariculture permits are for 2,000 acres this year, double what they were two years ago, with the bulk of the applications for kelp-farming sites as well as for Pacific oysters. Those are now grown at sites in Southeast, Prince William Sound and Kachemak Bay. A test harvest of kelp near Kodiak resulted in sales of 15,000 pounds of kelp in 2017, increasing to 90,000 pounds in 2018. Most of the kelp sales were to Blue Evolution, a California food-specialty firm. Two larger seafood firms, Sitka Sound Seafoods and Ocean Beauty, are now getting involved in mariculture. Despite its infancy, Alaska ranks 14th among the states in aquaculture, according to federal data.

Ferry cuts curtail fisheries
Winter service curtailments for the state ferry system will affect the fall silver salmon season in Cordova, local officials say. A one-week extension was granted to Oct. 1, but the ending of service will still cause a premature end to fishing. Many permit holders in the fishery are Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Borough residents who depend on the ferry system to move vehicles and boats. Under the new winter schedule Cordova will be without ferry service all winter.