1. ASMI Seafood Technical Program Overview October 2016
Within ASMI, my role is to be the science liaison to the seafood industry by effectively communicating the environmental, regulatory, nutritional and research topics that affect the market of Alaska’s fisheries and the livelihood of the harvesters and processors that rely on the fisheries.
Michael Kohan
Seafood Technical Program Director

2. Seafood Technical Program
QUALITY
SAFETY
SUSTAINABILITY
In the past, the primary focus of the technical program was to support the Responsible Fisheries Management Certification initiative. Presently, the goal for the program is to reconnect with the industry and provide resources in multiple technical categories including: seafood contaminants, seafood safety, seafood quality, traceability and promoting innovative opportunities for Alaska seafood. An important component of the technical program is to provide support for the marketing programs on technical matters.
SCIENCE

3. Seafood Technical Overview
Applied Investigations
Research opportunities related to the quality and value of Alaska seafood
- seafood nutrition and quality
- product development
- processing issues
- environmental issues
Supplied Materials
Outreach and educational material related to Alaska seafood
- develop content, materials and provide guidance for technical issues of concern
- develop materials for industry on quality and processing techniques
Trade Education
Outreach and educational opportunities in seafood technical issues for the industry
- support educational opportunities to promote the seafood technical field
- collaborate with the fishing industry to develop cohesive strategies for the sustainable growth of Alaska seafood

4. ASMI All Hands 2015
Kodiak Seafood Marine Science Center Fisheries Industry Technical Center
A big topic in 2015 for the technical committee was the future of the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center formerly called the Fisheries Industry Technical Center. Unfortunately, it is still a prominent issue this year. To give a brief background, with budget cuts in Alaska, the University of Alaska proposed cutting funding to the facility. This facility and the staff that run it are integral to seafood safety training programs and product development opportunities for the Alaska seafood industry. ASMI was tasked to write a letter of support to the University of Alaska president last fall to consider alternative means of funding the facility. Through direction from the technical chair and co-chair this letter was signed by the board and presented to the University. As it stands now, the University sent out a RFI for possible options. A local non-profit board formed in Kodiak was the single respondent and since then no further action has been taken.
Non profit board (local folks)
University sent out a request for information- would like feedback on information on options for the FITC- who wants to be out there to help collaborate (last spring)
Non profit put together a RFI, no other university responded
Looked into the borough investing- borough sent an engineer over and there is a lot of maintenance so it was a show stopper
In trouble- SFOS is being less cavalier about dumping it than before, however, there is no plan

5. Applied Investigations
Research opportunities related to the quality and value of Alaska seafood
USDA NUTRITIONAL DATABASE &
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
USDA/FAS
QUALITY SAMPLES PROGRAM
SPECIALTY PRODUCTS PROJECT
PARASITE STUDY: TEMPERATURE THRESHOLDS FOR VIABILITY

6. Supplied Materials
Outreach and educational material related to Alaska seafood
- ASMI Seafood Buyer’s Guides
Quality Handling Videos
Gathering resources/feedback for new quality grading specs for Alaska seafood
WHITEFISH
Worked with the ASMI Sustainability program to develop an Alaska RFM Chain of Custody Standard and Program of Work
SALMON

7. Trade Education
Outreach and educational opportunities in seafood technical issues for the industry
Presentations
Support seafood science educational events
Ongoing updates to the website
 Provided support for FITC training including: HACCP, Better Processing Control School, Alaska Seafood Processor Leadership Institute, Roe Workshop, Smoked Seafood School and Seafood Processing Quality Control Training
Supported seafood science educational events including the student poster and presentation competition at the Pacific Fisheries Technologist conference hosted by Seafood Products Association and the Surimi School and Forum hosted by the Oregon State University Seafood Lab.
Supported and presented with AFDF at the Iceland Ocean Cluster Forum on utilization of crustacean shells at Seafood Expo North America.
Presented at the Salmon Ocean Ecology Meeting about integrating the fishing industry and the science community.

8. THANK YOU
Continue to build relationships to create opportunities for research projects to increase the value of Alaska seafood.
Continue to revamp and develop technical materials based on industry needs.
Continue to support seafood safety training and education.