The publicity surrounding the Alaskan King Crab market courtesy of TV’s "The Deadliest Catch" has distributors wondering how this year’s market will pan out. Japan will once again set the market for red kings as the yen is even stronger than last year. However, Japan’s economy is also under pressure and a local distributor doubts its buyers will take a big position. Yet inventories are low so that could change. Other factors affecting the market include:

"Ex vessel pricing was preliminary set at $4.67 compared to last year’s open of $5.00" .

The red king crab quota is set at 16 million pounds, down from 20.4 million pounds last year.

While the US market leans on imports, 90% come from Russia, there appears to be some trouble in the Russian fishing waters.

Perch fillets are being scrutinized for short weight. A statistical sample of tests show that 50% of the samples claiming to be 100% net weight were actually less. By contrast, the news on Pollock is much better with samples claiming to be 100% net weight were actually cloase to or over that benchmark. As we head into Lent, "Caveat Emptor" or "let the buyer beware".

Holiday office parties are likely to remain cut back this year according to a survey from the Associated Press. 70% of catering executives surveyed said they don’t expect any rebound in holiday catering business this year.

In an update, Congress has gotten involved in the FDA’s proposal to require post-harvesting processing on Gulf oysters, a measure which would halt the sale of the live shellfish for several months a year. Several senators from the Gulf states have spoken out against the proposal and are holding FDA funding as a possible "stick".

Ruby Tuesday, the casual restaurant chain which operates 670 restaurants in the US revealed a new upgraded menu, which includes several seafood dishes, including Salmon Florentine, Lobster New Orleans, crispy shrimp sampler, Crab Cakes, and Lobster Carbonara. Is this an indication of the future of casual dining? Could be.