News Summary: July 2, 2009

Today's Main Story: Nation's largest private employer, Wal-Mart, now supports employer health insurance


As the health care debate enters a decisive phase, Wal-Mart has reversed course and now supports key elements of a comprensive overhaul, including employer insurance.

Economists are now predicting a ''jobless recovery.'' June Labor Department data came in only slightly better than expected at a 9.5 percent unemployment rate. On a positive note, the National Restaurant Association predicted summer foodservice sector hiring will add 381,000 jobs.

Those involved with the FV Trident drew heavy fines for five 2006-07 trips when areas where they caught halibut and sablefish in Alaska were falsified.

We run two stories on innovative programs to recover and recycle unusable fishing gear.

Some high quality harpoon caught swordfish will be landed by the southern Nova Scotia harpoon fleet that is heading out to Georges Bank. The fleet numbers over 100 boats but the quota is only 95 tons.

The Atlantic swordfish fishery has been rebuilt but U.S. and Canadian fishermen, who have played by the rules, are at the mercy of an international management system. The U.S. is in danger of losing swordfish quota under the ''use it or lose it'' international regime, as management restrictions on longliners have resulted in inability of the U.S. to catch its quota.

We will resume publication on Monday July 6. To our U.S. readers, have a great Independence Day holiday weekend.

Ken Coons, Annapolis, Maryland
Seafood.com News 1-781-861-1441
Email comments to kencoons@seafood.com

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Ken Coons
Seafood.com
1-781-861-1441
kencoons@seafood.com