The fishermen's concerns are certainly justified. A new study from the University of Washington reveals that a major expansion in farmed black cod would drastically undercut prices for the catch, and the value of quota shares in the U.S. and Canadian fisheries. The report was sponsored by a coalition of industry groups in both countries, spearheaded by Bob Alverson of the Seattle-based Fishing Vessel Owners Association. It is authored by Dr. Dan Huppert and Barbara Best, who say that the total world catch of black cod now averages only about 65 million pounds, nearly all of which goes to Japan. If just another one million pounds is brought to market, it would drive down fishermen's prices by 62 percent.

By far, Alaska fishermen lead the world for black cod catches, last year landing nearly 31 million pounds at an average price of $3.48 per pound. According to Huppert and Best's calculations, farmed production would push down the price to just $1.15 a pound. The total value of all sablefish fisheries in Alaska, British Columbia and Washington last year was $141 million.

Although the authors did not predict an impact, they said the outlook is also grim for the value of the quota shares that fishermen own, which gives them rights to harvest the fish. Quota shares held by fishermen in Alaska and British Columbia are valued at close to $460 million dollars today.

So far, the major roadblock to farming black cod is rearing the fish from egg to juveniles. Pacific Fishing magazine reports that only one researcher is known to have "closed the life cycle" to produce domesticated breeders, but B.C. hatcheries have been selling juvenile fish to farmers for several years. Island Scallop of Qualicum Beach reportedly is selling sablefish fingerlings at $2.85 each to grow out farms and expects to produce 300,000 per year. Sablefin Hatcheries, Ltd. on Saltspring Island claims it now has the capacity to deliver 2 million juvenile fish, and plans to eventually grow 10 million each year. That volume would be greater than the worldwide sablefish catch, said Eric Wickham, director of the Canadian Sablefish Association. Wickham called the move toward sablefish farming something that "could devastate marine ecosystems and a commercial fishery that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans ranks among the best managed in the world."

Growers in the British Columbia project said it will take two to three years to raise each crop of market-ready sablefish. Within five years, they expect to produce about 14.5 million pounds of sablefish at an estimated farmed cost of around $1.67 per pound.

Get juiced!

Generations of kids have long gagged at the prospect of taking brain-boosting cod liver oil. Now, scientists have found a way to take the pain out of swallowing the foul-tasting liquid. Their brainchild is called SupaJus, an orange juice beverage that is packed with fish oil, but tastes like fruit.

Dubbed the "think drink," the juice is fortified with the omega three fatty acid DHA, and is now being sold in vending machines in schools throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland. SupaJus, which is also fortified with vitamin E and green tea extract, retails for about $1.40 and comes in convenient squeeze pouches.

SupaJus is owned by the Natural Fruit and Beverage Company, a Scottish-based organic juice specialist. The package claims that one pouch of SupaJus contains half the recommended daily intake of omega-3 DHA, "which is essential for a healthy mind and body." The DHA is derived from Pacific Ocean tuna that is tested to ensure it is free of any heavy metals, like mercury, or other toxins.

Studies have shown that omega three fatty acids can improve attention deficit disorders and impulsive behavior, and is effective in the treatment of dyslexia, to name but a few uses.

It is estimated that the vending machine market in United Kingdom schools is worth over $5 billion dollars. Products like SupaJus will inevitably begin replacing the junky soft drinks found in so many American school vending machines, an issue that has become a battleground in the war on childhood obesity.

Add value, get grant money

A second round of funding is available under the USDA's Value Added Producer Grant Program. This year, a pool of $13.2 million is available to the program nationwide, according to Dean Stewart, director of Rural Development's Community and Business Programs. Four grants have been awarded in Alaska since the program began. The largest grant ($344,000) was awarded earlier this year to the Akiachak Fish Cooperative to be used to help form the co-op, set up an accounting system, conduct training and boost income by adding value to the region's fish products.

Three other grants were given in Alaska in 2002: the United Salmon Association of Kodiak for a fish-brand marketing study and creation of a business plan; the Kake Tribal Corporation for creation of a marketing plan for its new "Totem Soil" composting material, made from fish wastes and wood chips; and the Alaska Farm Bureau/Mat-Su Chapter, to study the potential market for value-added frozen vegetables.

This year, priority is being given to grant applications that have at least 51 percent of the project costs dedicated to planning activities for a bio-energy project, said USDA Rural Development Alaska State Director Bill Allen. In announcing the availability of the new funds, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman noted that the program is designed to support the development of value-added business ventures, while supporting President Bush's energy plan to develop alternative sources of renewable energy.

The deadline to apply is noon on July 30. For more information, contact Dean Stewart at (907) 761-7722 or visit USDA's Web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov.