ADF&G Predicts Strong Prince William Sound Pink Run, Average Copper River Sockeye

Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) issued its 2026 forecast for the returning salmon runs in Prince William Sound and nearby Copper River last week, with positive news for pink salmon harvesters this summer and less positive for the wild sockeye salmon caught by the Copper River drift fleet, whose season opens in mid-May for Alaska’s first-of-the-year Chinook and sockeye salmon.

Returns to the Copper River this year are predicted to be “average” for sockeye salmon at 1.455 million fish...

ANALYSIS: Orange Roughy Outlook Constrained by Tightening Quotas and Whitefish Supply Pressure

Although orange roughy represents a relatively small-volume fishery, it plays a critical role in serving a niche segment of the market that values premium whitefish. Amid tightening global supplies and firm pricing across the broader whitefish complex, the reduced availability of orange roughy only amplifies overall supply constraints, especially for buyers seeking alternatives to cod, haddock, and similar species.

The market is entering a period of heightened pressure as New Zealand, the dominant supplier, moves toward substantial quota reductions for the 2026...

GSMC 2026: Farmed Salmon Faces Growing China Demand as Buyers Adjust Sourcing

Buyers and producers at GSMC 2026 painted a picture of a salmon market in flux: wild runs are tight and commanding premiums, while farmed volumes and shifting trade flows, notably surging demand from China and other Asian markets, will largely determine where product lands in 2026. Panelists warned US buyers to expect constrained farmed supply, price pressure and the need for proactive sourcing decisions as Chilean and Norwegian harvests flatten after strong 2025 performances.

The conversation, moderated by Richard Barry of the National Fisheries Institute...

Sysco Delivers Solid Q2 Performance, Driven by Volume Growth and Margin Expansion, Raises Outlook

Sysco Corp. reported solid financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, driven by improved volume performance, margin expansion, and continued execution of company-specific growth initiatives.

The company posted second-quarter sales of $20.8 billion, up 3.0% year-over-year (YOY). Gross profit increased 3.9% to $3.8 billion, with gross margin expanding 15 basis points to 18.3%, reflecting effective management of product cost inflation and strategic sourcing efficiencies. Operating income declined 2.8% to $692 million, while ...

Captain D’s Expands US and UK Footprint With Gainesville and Maidstone Openings

Captain D’s opened a pair of restaurants in recent days as the company continues to grow its footprint in both the US and the United Kingdom.

On January 21, the company announced its new end cap location in Gainesville, Florida. The new site is a 2,172-square-foot restaurant that features a drive-thru and dining room seating for 36.

"Gainesville is a dynamic city, and if you're in the food business, you have to have a presence here," said Achebe. "We know Captain D's will quickly become...

Maine's Elver Fishery Lottery Offers New Opportunities for the 2026 Season

Twenty lucky Maine residents will soon have the chance to join the state's lucrative elver fishery.

The Department of Marine Resources is holding a lottery from January 26, 2026, through February 20, 2026, where winners will have the opportunity to apply for an elver license for the upcoming 2026 season beginning March 22 through June 7.

When the lottery was established, the legislature also set a cap of 425 state-issued licenses. The twenty available licenses result from licenses not renewed...

GSMC 2026: Sourcing Flexibility, Daypart Expansion Seen as Keys to Seafood Foodservice Resilience

A wide-ranging discussion featuring executives in the seafood foodservice sector drilled into how operators are managing tariffs, shifting dayparts and evolving menu tactics to keep seafood relevant and profitable.

Panelists included Michael Seidel, VP of procurement at Performance Food Group; Matt Livesay, chief supply chain officer at Red Lobster; Janet Duckham, chief supply chain officer at Captain D’s; and Melissa Rodriguez of Circana.

Tariffs, the panel agreed, have forced another layer of supply planning, but for many operators the shock has been manageable because “nimbleness...

Japan's Frozen Cod Imports Plummets 80% in January-November Amid Sluggish Global Fishery

According to a Minato Shimbun report, imported frozen cod prices soared last year due to a global catch shortage, causing a sharp decline in imports. Trade statistics for January to November 2025 showed that the unit price was 860 yen/kg ($5.52/kg), up 38% from the same period last year, while the total volume was 838 tons, down 81%. In particular, the unit price of Russian fish rose 46% to 873 yen ($5.61/kg), while volume...

Kelli Valade Appointed President and CEO of Women's Foodservice Forum

Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) has announced the appointment of Kelli Valade as its new President and CEO. She will succeed Theresa Gearhart, who announced plans to retire last year.

"Kelli is uniquely qualified to lead WFF at this pivotal time," said Dawn Rasmussen, Chief Revenue Officer of Woodland Gourmet and Chair of the WFF Board. "She brings a proven record of leadership, a deep understanding of our industry, and a long-standing commitment to WFF's mission of helping members connect, grow and be...

GSMC 2026: Whitefish Panel Discusses Reshuffling Supply Amid Cod Decline, Growing Pollock Momentum

At GSMC 2026, the Whitefish Panel, led by Expana’s own Angel Rubio and Paul Jewer, CEO of High Liner Foods, underscored a major reshuffling underway in whitefish supply as cod availability tightens globally. Panelists highlighted pollock's rising prominence, greater familiarity, and growing integration into consumer-facing menus, as cod faces persistent supply constraints and higher prices.

Rubio set the stage with data showing continued declines in global Atlantic and Pacific cod harvests over the past decade, driven by strong ongoing demand and constrained supply...

Expana's Weekly Top 10: Stories Making Waves Across Global Markets

Throughout the week, Expana’s team of dedicated journalists connects the industry with the “how” behind market dynamics, providing a comprehensive space for the market-moving stories shaping global headlines.

With so much information to filter through, Expana is connecting the dots with its weekly roundup of the top ten stories making waves — in no particular order.

10. USDA Launches New World Screwworm Grand Challenge

The USDA announced the launch of the New World Screwworm (NWS) Grand Challenge following reports that the flesh-eating parasitic...

Nova Scotia: Tougher Penalties to Combat Illegal Fisheries Activities

Nova Scotia is cracking down on illegal fisheries activities with new, tougher penalties to protect the province’s seafood industry and economy.

Thirty-one new summary offences with higher fine amounts have been designated under the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act and related regulations.

"We’ve heard the concerns of the seafood industry and are taking strong action," said Kent Smith, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Designating new summary offences with significant fines reflects our commitment to combatting illegal activities. This step, along with others, will ensure that our seafood industry continues...

GSMC 2026: Seafood Volumes Slip in Foodservice, But Sushi, Shrimp, and Deli Items Show Promise

Seafood volumes in US foodservice fell in 2025, with shellfish driving most of the decline, Melissa Rodriguez, VP Perimeter at Circana, told attendees at the Global Seafood Market Conference. Total seafood servings were down year‑over‑year, as a 5.9% drop in shellfish outpaced a 2.1% gain in fish. Restaurants, which account for nearly three‑quarters of total seafood pound volume, saw their volumes decline even as dollar sales increased, a sign that menu price inflation is masking the pullback in consumption...

Operation River Raid Targets Illegal Catfish Harvest and Pay Lake Operations

Utilizing surveillance and shared intelligence, multiple agencies conducted a collaborative investigation dubbed Operation River Raid. The effort involved Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Game Wardens and Fisheries Division employees from across the state, along with district and circuit courts in numerous counties. The investigation has identified 25 individuals to be charged with violations related to the illegal commercial harvest and sale of catfish from public waters and the unlawful operation of pay lakes across Kentucky.

"This case reflects our commitment to safeguarding Kentucky's natural...

Russia Hopes for Stable Production and Exports of Mackerel This Year

Russia hopes for stable production and exports of mackerel this year, as the demand for this fish steadily grows in both domestic and foreign markets.

In recent years, the migratory range of mackerel has significantly expanded, allowing Russian fishermen to begin harvesting this fish in new areas such as the Sea of Japan and parts of the Norwegian Sea, which are accessible to Russian trawlers. Previously, the Black Sea was a key location for mackerel fishing, but the focus for Russian fishermen has shifted predominantly...

GSMC 2026: Seafood at Retail Defined by Subdued Consumer Sentiment, Channel Shifts and Social Buzz

Anne‑Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, opened the Global Seafood Market Conference 2026 with a data‑driven look at retail seafood. Her core message: 2025 was defined by a subdued consumer environment and unpredictable price movements, making performance harder to forecast even as seafood posted modest dollar growth.

Shopper comments captured in the presentation emphasized “astronomical” prices and affordability fatigue — “It’s tough out there,” consumers were quoted as saying in video messages during Roerink's discussion. Retail inflation remained in the...

GSMC 2026: Statecraft, Tariffs and a K‑Shaped Economy Set the Macro Stage for 2026

Christian Lawrence, head of cross-asset macro strategy at Rabobank, said 2026 will be shaped by intersecting “regimes” across geopolitics, the economy and markets, with inflation staying close to 3%, growth near trend, cautious Fed easing, and continued use of tariffs and industrial policy as strategic tools. “We are going through some fundamental regime shifts,” Lawrence told GSMC 2026 attendees, citing statecraft, a K‑shaped economy, and “volatility suppression” in markets as the key frames for the year ahead...

Chilean Authorities Arrest Suspect in Million-Dollar Salmon Theft Investigation

A man was placed under arrest by Chilean Maritime Police after being charged with involvement in a massive salmon theft between Los Lagos and Aysen, according to local media outlet El Insular.

The publication said the arrest took place at a cultivation center in Puerto Chacabuco, following court orders. The arrest stems from an investigation carried out by the Los Lagos Regional Prosecution Office...

IPHC Lowers Pacific Halibut Quota in Canada, Maintains Low Levels in US for 2026 

At its annual meeting last week, the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) announced 2026 harvest quotas that maintained the status quo in all US areas and a 7.2% cut for British Columbia. That puts the total catch for 2026 at 29.33 million pounds, with the US portion at the same as last year (24.27 million pounds) and British Columbia at 5.06 million pounds (mlbs). The new total is 1.3% below the 2025 coastwide quota.  

The six-member panel also set this year's season dates, with an...

GSMC 2026: Keynote Barton Seaver Urges Industry to Own Seafood’s Positive Story

Award-winning chef and author Barton Seaver delivered a compelling keynote urging the seafood industry to embrace and own a positive narrative about seafood’s role as a climate-smart, nutrient-rich protein at the National Fisheries Institute’s Global Seafood Market Conference 2026.

Moving beyond sustainability as simply a challenge to be managed, Seaver called on the entire industry, from chefs to suppliers, to inspire confidence, celebrate culinary diversity, and position seafood as healthy eating.

Drawing on decades of global culinary experience...

FAO Welcomes New Treaty on Safeguarding Marine Biological Diversity in International Waters

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed the entry into force of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), and looks forward to contributing to its implementation.

Following two decades of negotiations, the BBNJ Agreement, which so far has 145 signatories and 81 Parties, came into force on 17 January 2026. It is a binding... 

Red Robin Delivers Dine-In Flavor at Drive-Thru Prices with New Big YUMMM Deals Menu

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers is introducing its Big YUMMM Deals value menu, designed to deliver the dine-in experience at a drive-thru price.

Launching Jan. 26, the new menu features entrées and specials starting at just $9.99. Guests can choose from fan favorites like Red Robin's hand-breaded Classic Crispy Chicken Sandwich, as well as new offerings such as the Cowboy Ranch Double Burger. Every Big YUMMM Deals meal includes a choice of standard bottomless side...

GSMC 2026: Datassential Reports Sharp Fall of Seafood LTOs as Chains Reframe Promotions

Seafood limited-time offers (LTOs) at major US restaurant chains plunged to 88 in 2025 from pre-pandemic highs exceeding 200 annually, and the 134 mark seen in 2024, according to Datassential’s 2026 Foodservice Trends report presented by VP of Customer Experience Kelley Fechner at GSMC 2026. The sharp reduction, driven by declines across all major seafood species, has raised concerns about promotional momentum for seafood.

Fechner highlighted that shrimp promotions fell by 14 year over year, salmon by 13, lobster by 6, crab by 5, and tuna LTOs...

GSMC 2026: NFI General Counsel DeHaan Unpacks Seafood Tariff Policy Overhaul

Robert DeHaan, executive vice president and general counsel at the National Fisheries Institute, delivered a concise update on US tariff policy at GSMC 2026, outlining how the Trump administration implemented a year of “reciprocal tariffs” and new trade tools. 

DeHaan said today’s framework rests on four pillars. First are the reciprocal tariffs imposed on trading partners to secure leverage in negotiating non-tariff barriers. These levies range from about 10% up to 39% and, DeHaan noted, serve both as bargaining chips and...

GSMC 2026: India Tariff Uncertainty Keeps Shrimp Buyers Nimble as Ecuador Gains Ground

At the Global Seafood Market Conference in Hollywood Beach, National Fisheries Institute’s Richard Barry moderated a shrimp panel featuring Paul Jamieson (Director of Purchasing, Bloomin’ Brands), Gabriel Luna (Founder, Glunashrimp), Dr. Robins McIntosh (EVP, Shrimp Culture Tech, Charoen Pokphand Foods), Pete Palma (EVP, Foodservice, Southwind Foods), and Guy Pizzuti (Seafood Director, Publix).

Panelists said India’s 50% tariff has sharply reduced Indian shipments to the US, while recent FDA actions focused on Indonesia have pushed buyers to diversify, most notably toward Ecuador's expanding value-added capacity...

GSMC 2026: Retail Panel Eyes Meal-Planning Gap, Young Consumer Engagement to Drive Seafood Sales

Retail seafood leaders tackled the perennial challenge of growing consumption, this time with a sharper focus on meal planning, in-store visibility, and creating solutions for younger consumers at the 2026 edition of the Global Seafood Market Conference. The panel was moderated by Ken Pentheny, Director of Retail Sales, F.W. Bryce. Panelists included Anne-Marie Roerink, President of 210 Analytics; Jason Driskill, VP - Seafood, Sushi, Meal Simple at H-E-B; and Guy Pizzuti, Seafood Director at Publix...

Leadership Uncertainty and Market Headwinds Temper The Kingfish Company’s Q4 Results

The Kingfish Company N.V. has released its Q4 2025 trading and financial update.

Specializing in the production of yellowtail kingfish, the company is recognized as a pioneer in land-based aquaculture.

Just before the holidays, Expana reported that the company would welcome Karl Buiks as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective January 1, 2026 following news of Vincent Erenst's planned retirement. About a month later,  Expana reported Buiks's resignation.

Erenst, whose last day was scheduled for December 31, agreed to...

Maine Sea Grant Secures $2 Million for Lobster Research and Partnership Initiatives

The University of Maine has announced that its Maine Sea Grant Program has received $2 million in new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awards.

This support will bolster the University's research and outreach activities within the innovative NOAA Sea Grant-funded American Lobster Initiative (ALI). This initiative aims to bridge gaps in critical knowledge about the species, enhancing the resilience of fisheries. To date, it has funded over 40 projects in partnership with various stakeholders...

GSMC 2026: Shellfish at the Forefront as Tariffs, MMPA and Trade Shifts Reorder Markets

Shellfish suppliers and buyers at GSMC 2026 heard a consistent message from the members of the shellfish panel that was hosted by Annie Tselikis and Expana’s own Janice Schreiber: 2025 was a roller‑coaster year, and 2026 will be about managing volatility, from tariffs and regulatory holds to changing trade flows and pockets of outsized consumer demand. Panelists walked the room through species‑by‑species dynamics, urging versatility on menuing and merchandising as supply and prices keep swinging.

Here's a look at the main takeaways...

ANALYSIS: Retail Prices at Multi‑Year Highs Mark Potential Headwind for Shrimp Demand in 2026

Beyond our proprietary demand index, this week’s focus shifts to updated retail pricing using Circana data available on the Expana platform. Non‑discounted consumer prices have reached their highest levels since at least 2020 and, according to our broader retail feature database, are likely at levels not seen since the EMS period of 2013–2014...