Alaska pollock versus Cod

─ an outline of the genus Gadus and possible consecuences for the market

Øystein Valanes

analyst market access

- Established in 1991

- Owned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries

- The Minister of Fisheries is the general assembly

- Financed by fees levied on exports of seafood

- Approx. 70 employees of which 19 is located abroad

20.09.2017 Presentasjonstittel 3

“…he [US delegate] considered that now was a good time to

initiate this change, as the outcome of the new HS review cycle

would enter into force in 2022, giving administrations sufficient

time to adapt their regulations on the marketing of fisheries

products to reflect scientific developments”.

- source: RSC WCO -

Alaska pollock versus Cod 5

November 2014 – 47th session of RSC WCO

Norwegian Maritime Institute (HI)

Alaska pollock versus Cod 6

«The genetic differences between Theragra y

Gadus are insignificant, hence, the genuses

are considered to be synonymous».

«As a member of the genus Gadus it would be

appropiate to name Alaska pollock as “cod”».

«However, because the two species belongs to

different stocks, it would be reasonable to

use distinct common names, and

furthermore, separate commercial names to

distinguish between the species».

“The change of the scientific name in the AFSIS list will be implemented only when Gaduschalcogrammus is accepted by the majority of taxonomists and the number of recent scientific documents surpass those documents referring to Theragra chalcogramma”.

Statement from FAO to WCO, October 2014

Salmon HalibutMackerel ClamTuna PollockCarp SaitheCod SeabreamPangasius CatfishSardine TilapiaTrout AnchovyHerring CapelinSprat FlounderPrawn OtherSea bass

46% 46%

54%

36%33%

38% 39%

76% 76%

85%89%

77% 76% 77%81%

13% 12%9%

20% 18%21%

18%

2%5%

8% 7%

24%20% 20%

22%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2013 2014 2015 2012 2013 2014 2015 2012 2013 2014 2015 2012 2013 2014 2015

Chech Republic Germany Sweden UK

Cod Pollack

Alaska polloc versus Cod 9

Considerations for weekday dinner

5%7%

11%

6%

3%2%

3%

25%

28%29%

28% 28%

32%

29%

32%

1%1% 1%

2%1% 1% 1%

0% 0% 0% 0%

2%1% 1% 1%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

2013 2014 2015 2012 2013 2014 2015 2012 2013 2014 2015 2012 2013 2014 2015

Chech Republic Germany Sweden UK

Cod Pollack

Alaska pollock versus Cod 10

Preference for dinner

Who represents «Norway»?

Norwegian Seafood Council shipping companies

producers

exporters

trade associations

fishermens sales organizations

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries

Norwegian Directorate of Customs

Alaska pollock versus Cod 12

Collaborating partners of «Norway»

Germany:

Theragra

Gadus

However, (for now…)

Gadus chalcogrammus=

Alaska pollock

13

The US demands…

Alaska pollock versus Cod 14

Change the scientific name of Alaska

pollock

At the same time, maintain separate HS-

numbers for «Alaska pollock».

Exclude the gadus chalcogrammus from

the HS-numbers that include other

members of the gadus genus - gadus

morhua/macrocephalus/ogac.

0302.51 -- Cod (Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus macrocephalus), excluding Alaska

pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus)

0302.55 -- Alaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus)

Alaska pollock versus Cod 15

…which would end up in this:

– Alaska pollock against, or

together with, the Cod?

Conventional

products

The HS-position that challenges the commercial name of cod

Alaska pollock versus Cod 17

Dried Cod(Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus

macrocephalus, Gadus chalcogrammus)

Clipfish of Cod(Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus

macrocephalus, Gadus chalcogrammus)

Salted Cod(Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus

macrocephalus, Gadus chalcogrammus)

A general evaluation:The demand appears to be illogicalas it proposes a separate classification for fresh, frozen and filets, denoting the name ‟Alaska pollock”, while the same fish as dried and/or salted would be named «Cod».

The solution?Same structure for all products:

- separate names- - separate HS-numbers

- - satisfaction of potential cientific demands- - fulfilment of demands related to statistics and

exchange of trade information-

Protection of the characteristics of thecod in relation to quality, assortment, volum –and from this– value and price

Alaska pollock versus Cod 19

20.09.2017 Presentasjonstittel 20

Origin – Identity – True value

Alaska pollock versus Cod 21

Takk for idag!Thank you!