Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Coast river business journal. (Astoria, OR) 2006-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 2020)
COAST RIVER BUSINESS JOURNAL FEBRUARy 2020 • 9 COVER STORY now account for about 10%. Antich attributed the decline in salmon simply to a lack of supply. “Last year was our worst volume salmon season of all time,” he said. “The amount of fish we purchased was less than half of our previous worst year. It has to do with salmon policies, ocean condi- tions and opportunity,” There haven’t been any new products added in the past year, but a bigger push is being made on crab, which prompted an expansion by adding docks in Eureka and Crescent City in California. Coronavirus disrupts Dungeness crab exports to China The outbreak of a respiratory illness in China is impacting the commercial Dunge- ness crab fisheries in Oregon and Washing- ton. It appears to be resulting in more crab staying in the Pacific Northwest. The novel coronavirus, first detected in the city of Wuhan in December, was respon- sible for nearly 600 deaths as CRBJ went to press and 30,000 confirmed cases with the vast majority in China, according to the Cen- ters for Disease Control and Prevention. Uncertainty over the outbreak rip- pled through economic markets and dis- rupted worldwide trade and supply chains, from electronics to clothing manufacturers, according to the Wall Street Journal. China bans imports China banned live-animal imports as a result of the outbreak, and restricted travel to and from the country. The ban has been felt locally in the com- mercial crab fishery, where top dollar is fetched for live crab exported to the Chinese market, particularly during the month-long New Year celebration in January. The crab market is divided among four categories that each command a different price. Live crab is the most sought after and lucrative market, followed by whole, cooked and eviscerated crab. In Japan, Korea and China, live Dungeness can fetch as much as $30 per pound. “We were headed the right way with the live market, increasing in demand for the Chinese New Year [centered on Saturday, Jan. 25],” said Ilwaco Landing Fishermen co-owner Mike Shirley. “The tariffs were lowered, the demand was good and the price was headed up, and then it just completely stopped. The corona- virus has spread significantly across China, where a lot of the live crab goes. At this point they have stopped all imports of any kind of live animals,” he said. The impact of the live-import ban in China has already been felt by other fisher- ies worldwide. LUKE WHITTAKER South Bend Products General Manager Dean Antich, left, interacts with employee Hector Medina while processing crab Tuesday, Jan. 28 at South Bend Prod- ucts in Chinook. Medina has processed crab for the past 23 years, becoming one of the best, Antich said. A proficient ‘shaker’ can pick more than 160 pounds in a 7-hour shift, earning about $30 per hour. Taking care of your business... Just Got Easier! Mike Wallis, CPA Suzanne Corliss • Income Tax Preparation & Planning • Accounting Services & Financial Statements • Elder Accounting • Consulting Services for New & Existing Businesses • Payroll Services WWC Business Solutions, Inc. 1024 MARINE DRIVE • ASTORIA • 503.325.2200 ... Life Happens y We’re Here! That’s Wh Our friendly and dedicated Physicians and Physician Assistants are available for all of your routine healthcare needs, not just for emergency situations! If you have an on the job injury, suffered injuries in a car accident, or you are suffering from a headache, toothache, earache, backache, any illness or injury, are in need of a refill of your prescription medications, or even a sports physical or DOT physical, our dedicated staff is here to assist you! WE ARE OPEN Monday-Friday 7am to 7pm Saturday-Sunday 9am to 7pm We are located in the Park Medical Building East on Exchange Street. We accept most insurances, offer a cash discount and also accept the Oregon Health Plan and Medicare. 503-325-0333 2120 Exchange St. Suite 111, Astoria www.urgentcarenwastoria.com