ANALYSIS: February US Shrimp Imports Hold Steady as Ecuador Fills India's Peeled Shortfall

February warm-water shrimp imports totaled roughly 139 million pounds, reflecting a modest 0.3% year-over-year decline that was smaller than our forecasted 0.5% drop. Beneath the stable headline, however, significant compositional shifts continued to reshape the import mix: Ecuador gained substantial peeled share while India's peeled volumes contracted sharply, and shell-on flows remained below model expectations. These dynamics underscore the ongoing rebalancing as tariffs, certification issues, and origin-level supply patterns drive substitution across both countries and product forms...

Alaska Peninsula Communities File Suit to Void Conflicted Fisheries Regulations 

Oil Spill Prompts Protests and Government Response in Veracruz

Residents of Veracruz, Mexico, marched on Easter demanding answers and aid following an oil spill that has spread for hundreds of miles across the Gulf of Mexico, affecting the Mexican coastline.

In a video published by The Star, protester Santa Hernandez states, "Is is Easter and our lagoons are still polluted. Yesterday, oil reached the beaches of El Salado and the coral reefs. Two new dead turtles appeared on the beaches of Punta San Juan. Fish in the sea with tar stains show that the spill is still affecting the...

Trump's Proposed 2027 Budget Slashes NOAA by $1.6B Despite Maritime Investment

President Trump's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget delivers massive cuts to NOAA, reducing Operations, Research, and Grants programs by $1.6 billion while providing a comparatively modest $135 million increase for shipbuilding and unmanned systems.

The budget represents a net reduction of approximately $1.465 billion to NOAA, with the administration targeting what it calls "Green New Scam programs" while attempting to refocus the agency on core fisheries management and maritime infrastructure.

The $1.6 billion in cuts eliminates educational grants, climate adaptation programs, and research initiatives...

Aquaculture Tech Giant AKVA Group Considers Sale Following Strong Growth

AKVA Group, an aquaculture tech group, announced that its board of directors has initiated a strategic review to maximize shareholder value, which could lead to a potential sale or “value creative business” combinations.

AKVA Group said today that, after years of investments in technology, operational scale and system integration, the firm has entered a period of “strengthened commercial momentum” across all of its business segments.

Revenues have increased from NOK 3.4bn ($357 million) in 2023 to NOK 4.4bn in 2025, representing a CAGR of 13.7%, accompanied...

The Retail Rundown: Pre-Summer Lull Ahead of Seasonal Grocery Spike

With Easter behind us, the retail sector is settling into its somewhat of a seasonal slowdown, offering grocers a brief breather before the summer sales rush kicks in.

The next few weeks are expected to be relatively calm, though early indicators, like warmer weather and evolving promotions, hint at rising demand as Memorial Day nears.

Even amid the lull, retailers are actively adjusting their merchandising strategies, shifting focus from cold-weather products to grilling and outdoor cooking essentials. Items like steaks and burgers are increasingly taking center stage as...

VNIRO: Saury Stock Recovery Expected Within 4-5 Years in Russian Waters

Russia expects to see a recovery in catch volumes for some key fish species this year after several years of serious production declines.

Saury catch is receiving particular attention. In 2025, saury production in the Japanese zone increased to 65,000 tons from 17,000 tons the previous year. Scientists are recording signs of saury population recovery, which may contribute to increased Russian catches this year.

Alexey Baitaluk, deputy director of the Russian fisheries research institution VNIRO, said the situation with depleted saury stocks in the North Pacific is generally...

Cousins Maine Lobster Expands in Wisconsin After Strong Milwaukee Debut

Cousins Maine Lobster, a fast-casual lobster roll brand, is expanding its reach in Wisconsin following an enthusiastic welcome in Milwaukee last year that exceeded expectations.

The brand will celebrate the grand opening of its new location in the Madison market on April 18 at noon at Rusty Bee Lounge in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.

Cousins Maine Lobster is bringing wild-caught Maine lobster to customers nationwide as it continues to expand across the Southeast and Midwest. Most recently, the company announced a second truck in Minnesota...

Coast Guard Seizes $65K in Unreported Pollock Roe from American Seafoods Vessel

In a collaboration between the US Coast Guard and NOAA Fisheries office of Law Enforcement (OLE), federal officers seized 5.4 metric tons of unreported pollock roe, valued at over $65,000, from the catcher-processor Northern Eagle, owned by American Seafoods, in late March. 

The Northern Eagle was approximately 15 nautical miles north of Dutch Harbor, AK on Thursday, March 26, when the crew of the US Coast Guard Cutter Waesche boarded the trawler/processor. 

In a statement yesterday, the Coast Guard described the boarding as being...

Coast Guard Rescues Crew From Grounded Fishing Vessel Near Unalaska Island in Bering Sea

Last Thursday afternoon, a US Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter from Kodiak Island hoisted a crew of five from the 58-foot F/V Ocean Bay, which was taking on water after grounding near Umnak Island’s north shore, just southwest of Unalaska Island. 

The incident began at 4:45 that day, when the Ocean Bay called for help after running aground and taking on water. 

The Coast Guard sent an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew and an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Kodiak’s air station...

NFI Report: US Sushi Market Reaches $22 Billion as Growth Spreads Beyond Coastal Markets

The US sushi industry has reached $22 billion in total value, with restaurant sales alone accounting for $16 billion, according to the first comprehensive market analysis released by the National Fisheries Institute Sushi Council.

The landmark US Sushi Industry Report, conducted by market research firm Spheric Research, reveals sushi's transformation from a niche coastal dining option to a mainstream seafood category driving consumption across diverse demographics and geographic markets.

"Sushi's growth in the US is one of the most compelling...

Brazil Pivots Tilapia Strategy to Latin America Amid US Market Concentration Risks

Brazil's tilapia sector is accelerating its push into Latin American markets as a strategic response to overwhelming dependence on US exports, which currently account for 92% of shipments despite the industry achieving record 1 million ton production in 2025.

The diversification drive comes as Brazilian producers grapple with trade uncertainties following last year's tariff impacts that caused a 28% export decline, highlighting the risks of single-market concentration, according to PEIXE BR president Francisco Medeiros.

"We are entering the golden years of national tilapia farming...

Ikura Price Reached a Record High in 2025 Amid a Drastic Reduction in Hokkaido

The record-low fall chum catch has led to an unprecedented decline in Hokkaido-produced ikura salmon caviar, driving prices to record highs. According to estimates by the Hokkaido Fisheries Cooperative Association, last year's supply of Hokkaido-produced ikura (salted, soy sauce-marinated, and green frozen) is projected at around 440 tons, a 70% decrease from the previous year.

"Domestic fall chum ikura, specifically soy sauce-marinated ikura, is ultimately trading at around 20,000 yen/kg ($125.33/kg). Imports...

NOAA Rescinds Fishing Ban in Northeast Marine Monument, Restoring Commercial Access

On April 3, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) rescinded a regulation prohibiting commercial fishing within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument boundaries under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

This action is intended to align fishing regulations with the proclamation President Trump signed on Feb. 6, which restored commercial fishing access to all 4,913 square miles of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, located off the New England coast, according to Expana's report...

ANALYSIS: Crab Meat Market Faces Perfect Storm of Supply Constraints and Pricing Pressures

The US crab meat market is navigating a confluence of factors that are compounding pricing pressures as the industry enters the critical summer demand season in the Mid-Atlantic region. Firm pricing has become the market baseline, driven by a complex web of supply constraints, regulatory uncertainty, and cost pressures that show no signs of abating in the near term.

Raw Material Scarcity and Production Slowdowns

The recent completion of Ramadan in Indonesia, historically a major supplier, has not yet translated into accelerated production...

Northern Cod Stock Surges 20% in Single Year, Reaches 'Healthy Zone' Status

Canada's Northern cod stock has grown by approximately 20% in a single year and now sits firmly within the "Healthy Zone" under Fisheries and Oceans Canada's precautionary approach framework, according to the latest science assessment released April 1.

The milestone marks a dramatic turnaround just two years after the commercial fishery returned following a 32-year moratorium. At 540,000 tonnes, the Northern cod stock now represents the largest spawning stock biomass of any cod stock globally.

The assessment, covering the stock off the northeast coast of Newfoundland and Labrador...

Ventisqueros Joins Chile’s Salmon Council Strengthening Industry Collaboration

Productos del Mar Ventisqueros S.A. announced that it has accepted an invitation to join Chile's Salmon Council, an assembly of the country’s main producers—representing nearly 60% of the industry in Chile.

The company is recognized both nationally and globally as a leading producer in the industry. It is made up of nearly 1,300 workers and is part of a European holding company with an international presence. Its inclusion strengthens the Salmon Council as a space for unions to help shape long-term government policy supporting sustainable aquaculture.

Seafood Expo Global Reveals 38 Award Finalists from 17 Countries Ahead of Barcelona Show

Seafood Expo Global has announced 38 finalists for its 2026 Seafood Excellence Global Awards, representing 17 countries in a competition that highlights innovation trends across retail and foodservice segments ahead of the industry's flagship trade show in Barcelona.

The finalists span an expanded geographic footprint, with two additional countries represented compared to 2025, underscoring the global reach of seafood product development. Winners will be revealed April 21 during the opening day of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global at Fira de Barcelona's Gran Via venue...

Russian Pollock Roe Auction Bid Prices Around $5.00 Per Kilo in Busan, Korea

According to the Minato Shimbun, the auction for this season's new harvest of Russian pollock roe, which began in earnest in Busan, South Korea, in March, has seen contracted quantities of approximately 12,600 tons as of the first week of April, according to sources, falling below the same period last year at approximately 15,000 tons. This is believed to be due to delays in transport vessels and to production delays in January and February.

Auction prices so far have been around $5/kg..

Kura Sushi Posts Higher Sales and Continued Expansion in Second Quarter

Kura Sushi reported strong second-quarter sales growth and narrower year-over-year (YOY) losses as the revolving sushi chain continued expanding across the US.

For the quarter ended Feb. 28, total sales increased 23% to $80 million, while comparable restaurant sales rose 8.6% YOY. The company posted an operating loss of $2.2 million and a net loss of $1.7 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $3.8 million, or $0.31 per diluted share...

Commerce Initiates Administrative Reviews for Shrimp AD/CVD Orders Covering Thousands of Importers

The Commerce Department has initiated administrative reviews of antidumping and countervailing duty orders on frozen warm-water shrimp from China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam, affecting thousands of importers.

The March 31 Federal Register notice covers the period from February 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and includes extensive lists of importers and exporters subject to review across all four countries. The administrative reviews will assess whether current duty deposit rates remain appropriate given recent import activity and pricing data...

Champagne China Visit Accelerates Trade Momentum with Canada's Seafood Sector in Prime Position

Canadian seafood exports to China are poised for continued growth following Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne's productive visit to Beijing, building on tariff relief secured earlier this year that has already benefited lobster and crab shipments.

Champagne concluded his China visit on April 3, emphasizing the importance of diversifying trade partnerships with Canada's second-largest trading partner. The trip builds on Prime Minister Mark Carney's January visit, which the government called "a turning point" in bilateral relations and secured significant tariff reductions for Canadian seafood exporters...

Russia-Japan Salmon Agreement Points to Expanded Fisheries Cooperation

Russia and Japan plan to continue cooperation in fisheries in the coming years, despite existing political tensions between the countries.

In late March, the two sides reached an agreement on salmon fishing quotas for 2026, and further expansion of their fisheries cooperation is possible.

Representatives from Japan and Russia agreed on salmon fishing quotas that will apply to Japanese fishermen in Japan's 200-mile exclusive economic zone in 2026...

ANALYSIS: India’s Five Year Black Tiger Shrimp Export Surge

According to the Indian Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), Indian exports of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) have expanded rapidly: volumes have grown on average about 60% per year since 2021. Indian customs recorded 6,059 MT in 2020 for HS codes 03061740 / 03063640 / 03096013; that figure doubled in 2021 and then rose by a further 80% in 2022. Growth moderated to a 59% year‑on‑year increase in 2023, then to 23% in 2024, and accelerated to 36% in 2025, bringing total exports to 58,221 MT...

AquaBounty Eyes Final Asset Sale After Exiting Salmon Operations

AquaBounty Technologies has received a non-binding purchase offer for its incomplete Ohio recirculating aquaculture system facility, marking a potential conclusion to the company's transformation from salmon farmer to asset liquidator.

The genetically modified salmon pioneer disclosed in its annual report that it received a Letter of Interest to purchase its Ohio subsidiary, which houses the company's last significant asset after systematically divesting all operational farms. The $145 million Ohio facility has sat incomplete since construction was paused in June 2023 due to escalating costs...

DoorDash and Family Dollar Expand Nationwide Access to Affordable Grocery Delivery With SNAP/EBT

DoorDash, a global leader in local commerce, and Family Dollar, one of the nation’s leading discount retailers, today announced that all eligible Family Dollar stores on the DoorDash Marketplace now accept SNAP/EBT payments for SNAP-eligible items. With Family Dollar locations available on DoorDash in 48 states and D.C., SNAP consumers across the nation can use their benefits to order on-demand delivery of eligible grocery items and essentials from their local store. This expanded offering bolsters DoorDash’s network of...

Newfoundland Snow Crab Opens at CAD $5.30/lb as Pricing Dispute Threatens Season Start

Newfoundland and Labrador's Standing Fish Price Setting Panel has set the 2026 initial snow crab price at CAD $5.30/lb ($3.80/lb.), according to its April 2 decision, after accepting the Association of Seafood Producers' (ASP) pricing submission.

The price represents approximately a 5-cent increase over the 2025 end-of-season settlement of $5.25/lb, but falls well short of harvesters' expectations. FFAW-Unifor, representing the province's fishery workers and harvesters, boycotted the panel process and did not submit a...

Red Lobster Considers Bringing Back Ultimate Endless Shrimp Promotion

Red Lobster's Ultimate Endless Shrimp promotion, which played a role in sending the brand into bankruptcy, could return as soon as this month, according to a Bloomberg report.

The infamous promotion may return as a limited-time offer as the brand continues to mount a comeback following its 2024 bankruptcy. The publication spoke with people familiar with the potential return of endless shrimp who were not authorized to speak publicly.

Red Lobster sent a statement to the Orlando Business Journal saying it has no announcements at this time and is listening...

Authorities Seize Nearly 4 Tons of Illegal Seafood in Lanco

Chilean authorities uncovered the illegal transport of marine species during an April 2 inspection.

"The controls we carry out in the region are strategic, in the sense that all the fishing that comes from the Los Lagos region passes through here to supply a large part of the country. In the context of Easter, we can report that we have inspected a total of 225,163 kg of seafood resources, of which 2.1% have been of illegal origin, that is, 4,774.6kg, in addition...

ASC Highlights Certification, New Label at Seafood Expo Global 2026

The industry is gearing up for the next major event: Seafood Global Expo, an annual conference of major players in the seafood space, set to run April 21–23 in Barcelona, Spain.

This year’s program will feature more than 20 educational sessions presented by top industry experts.

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is returning this year with a power-packed agenda at Hall 4, Booth A401. Experts will be on hand to help attendees understand certification requirements.

ASC local market specialists will...