Trump White House Supports Delaying Right Whale Regulations for Maine Lobster Fishery Until 2035

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has announced it "strongly supports" legislation that would delay new fishing regulations affecting Maine's lobster industry from 2028 to 2035, giving the sector additional time to adapt to North Atlantic right whale protection measures.

The endorsement backs H.R. 8509, introduced by Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME), which would extend the current regulatory moratorium by seven years. In a Statement of Administration Policy published May 1, the OMB said that "if H.R. 8509 were presented...

Chicken of the Sea Achieves Full MSC Certification Across Retail Tuna Portfolio

Chicken of the Sea will complete Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification across its entire retail tuna product line by year's end, making it the first of the three major US tuna brands to achieve 100% MSC certification, the company announced May 4.

The milestone positions Chicken of the Sea ahead of competitors StarKist and Bumble Bee in sustainable sourcing commitments. MSC certification ensures that tuna comes from fisheries that demonstrate environmentally sustainable practices, minimal ecosystem impacts, and effective management...

Atlantic Menhaden Fishery Receives MSC Recertification

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has recertified the Atlantic menhaden fishery following a rigorous audit, confirming that it continues to meet MSC standards.

The fishery was first certified in 2019. While certification is typically valid for five years, regular surveillance audits — sometimes conducted annually — are required to maintain that status.

The menhaden fishery is concentrated primarily in Virginia and in federal waters off New Jersey. In Virginia, the Reedville purse seine fleet has operated since the 1870s, harvesting menhaden for products such as fish meal...

FDA Warns Against Eating La Serranita Blood Clams From Ecuador Over Hepatitis A Risk

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning restaurants, food retailers, and consumers not to serve or eat La Serranita brand fresh-frozen blood clams, or concha negra, from Ecuador because of possible Hepatitis A contamination.

The product has been linked to a hepatitis A outbreak under investigation by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Illnesses associated with the shellfish were reported from July 2025 through February 2026, although officials said no new cases...

Commerce Sets Preliminary Antidumping Margins for Indian Shrimp at 2.36-4.30%

The US Department of Commerce has preliminarily determined that Indian frozen warmwater shrimp producers sold products below fair value during the February 2024-January 2025 review period, setting dumping margins ranging from 2.36% to 4.30% for individually examined companies in the 20th administrative review of the longstanding order.

Commerce assigned a 2.36% margin to the Devi Group companies (Devi Fisheries Limited, Satya Seafoods Private Limited, Usha Seafoods, and Devi Aquatech Private Limited) and 4.30% to Sandhya Aqua Exports Private Limited...

Japan's Tuna and Skipjack Fishery Organizations Request Measures to Address Rising Fuel Prices

According to a report by the Minato Shimbun, the Skipjack and Tuna Fisheries Promotion Measures Council, comprised of three skipjack and tuna fisheries organizations, requested measures to address soaring fuel prices at a general meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party's Skipjack and Tuna Fisheries Promotion Parliamentary League (chaired by Shunichi Suzuki) held at the LDP headquarters on April 28th. The council explained that the worsening international situation has caused crude oil prices to soar, and that fuel prices for overseas and offshore refueling have risen...

Expana's Weekly Top 10

It was another busy week across global markets, with developments that ripple well beyond the headlines. From trade policy and geopolitical tension to seafood recoveries, retail demand signals, and major corporate moves, this week’s Top 10 captures the stories shaping decisions up and down the supply chain. Here’s a glance at some of the biggest headlines curated by Expana's journalists.

10. Expana remains your go-to hub for all news concerning the war in the Middle East. Stay in the know here.

Catch up with daily recaps of days 59 and 60...

NAIA Names Bradley George Executive Director 

The Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) has announced the appointment of Bradley George as its new Executive Director, effective May 11, 2026.

“Bradley is joining NAIA at an exciting time for aquaculture in our province. Following record-high production volume in 2025, the aquaculture sector is expected to continue to grow through responsible and sustainable development. I look forward to working closely with Bradley to increase awareness, support, and growth in Newfoundland and Labrador’s blue economy” stated Sheldon George, President NAIA.

George is a senior leader with...

Russia May Face Sharp Drop in Black Sea, Azov Basin Fish Catch Due to Infrastructure Attacks

Russia may face a significant decline in fish catches from the Black Sea and Sea of Azov this year due to unprecedented attacks on local port infrastructure by Ukrainian armed forces.

Ukrainian drones conducted their fourth attack in recent weeks on the city of Tuapse, a seaport on the northeastern shore of the Black Sea, targeting oil infrastructure. The strikes have resulted in a massive oil spill covering up to 80 square kilometers of the Black Sea. The spill is currently moving southward...

House Hearing Spotlights Safer Shrimp Imports Act Amid Food Safety Push

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing last week titled "Healthier America: Legislative Proposals on the Regulation and Oversight of Food," featuring discussion of the Safer Shrimp Imports Act.

The legislation would require foreign shrimp exporters to meet US food safety standards and undergo inspections to prevent contaminated imports from entering US commerce. Expana highlighted the bill in March, noting strong support from the domestic wild-caught shrimp industry.

During the hearing, Representative Troy Carter (D-LA), a co-sponsor of the legislation, questioned Steven Mandernach...

NOAA Fisheries Opens Up to $99 Million for Pacific Salmon Recovery Projects

NOAA Fisheries announced up to $99 million in funding through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund to support projects that restore habitat and rebuild Pacific salmon and steelhead populations.

The funding aligns with the Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness and is intended to strengthen US fisheries, create jobs, and expand the domestic seafood supply. Projects must demonstrate clear benefits for fish populations while also supporting local economies, especially in rural areas.

“The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund has a strong...

Hokkaido's Herring Production in the Sea of ​​Japan Shows Clear Decline

As of April 10th, Hokkaido's herring catches along the Sea of ​​Japan coast of Hokkaido were down 15% year-on-year to 2,144 tons. The decline was especially sharp in Ishikari Bay, where fishing ended early and catches fell below 1,000 tons for the first time in 11 years, according to the Minato Shimbun newspaper.

The Hokkaido Fisheries and Forestry Department compiled data for the Shiribeshi, Ishikari, Rumoi, and Soya regions. Gillnet fishing in Ishikari Bay began in...

COSFF Taps Drew Watts as Foodservice VP, Expands National Broker Network

Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods (COSFF) announced April 30 that it has appointed Drew Watts as Senior Vice President of Foodservice & Wholesale and is expanding its national network of foodservice brokers as part of strategic investments to strengthen its presence in foodservice and wholesale channels.

The moves are designed to increase in-market coverage nationwide and deliver focused support for distributors and foodservice operators, the company said.

"These investments reflect our long-term commitment to building a stronger, more responsive foodservice and wholesale business...

Peru's Anchovy Season Faces Quota Fulfillment Risk as Juvenile Catches Disrupt Operations 

High levels of juvenile anchovy are disrupting Peru's north-central fishery and raising industry concerns about meeting an already-reduced quota, as fishing restrictions and voluntary suspensions challenge producers in the world's primary fishmeal supply region. 

As of April 26, incidental juvenile catches reached 167,542 tonnes while the fleet landed just 439,535 tonnes—only 23% of the 1.91 million tonne quota. With juvenile levels approaching one-third of the 488,000-tonne threshold that would trigger automatic closure, industry sources report mounting operational pressures...

Profand Completes Strategic Acquisition of Unión Martín

Spanish publication La Voz de Galicia reported that Vigo-based Profand was finalizing the acquisition of Canary Islands-based cephalopod specialist Unión Martín, a deal that was confirmed on May 4.

Spain's largest seafood company, Profand, has officially signed an agreement to acquire Unión Martín Group, marking a significant consolidation move that strengthens its position across the Canary Islands and mainland Spain. The acquisition, announced today, follows months of due diligence that began in March.

The deal adds approximately €150 million in revenue to Profand's operations and officially establishes the Galician...

BC Coastal First Nations Tell Ottawa to Reverse Trudeau-era Net Salmon Pen Ban

At a press conference on Wednesday from Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, Chiefs from the BC coastal First Nations Finfish Stewardship Coalition (FNFFS) unveiled a plan for greater Indigenous equity and leadership in salmon aquaculture.  Reversing the 2029 net pen ban is essential for sustainable financial growth.  

The FNFFS welcome the federal government’s $1.3 billion investment in wild Pacific salmon conservation, adding that support for aquaculture aligns with the Carney government’s federal priorities: attracting investment, creating jobs - including for youth, improving affordability, strengthening food security...

EU Review says Fisheries Policy Improved Management but Fell Short on Sustainability

The European Commission’s latest review of the Common Fisheries Policy found mixed results over the 2014-2024 period, highlighting progress in cutting overfishing and improving fisheries management, while warning that sustainability gains have fallen short.

The evaluation showed the share of fish stocks fished at sustainable levels rose from 50% in 2014 to 63% in 2022, and overall fishing pressure declined. Still, fish stock recovery has been slower than expected, limiting the economic benefits many in the sector had hoped to see.

Trade in EU...