The Winding Glass: Destruction of NMFS Cancels Trump’s Order Supporting American Fisheries

[The Winding Glass is the opinion and commentary column by John Sackton, Founder, SeafoodNews]

Staff firings and budget cuts are dismantling the fishery management regime established through the Magnuson Stevens Act.  In 2005 when NOAA implanted a system for monitoring the sustainability of fish stocks, only 38% of US commercial stocks were not overfished or within 80% of their biomass targets.  By 2023, this had increased to 78% of the monitored commercial stocks.   

This record was achieved despite climate factors decimating some important commercial fish species, such as pacific salmon, crab, and American lobster.  That means that while total commercial landings have...

ASC Launches New Farm Standard

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) recently launched its new certification standard for farmed seafood, setting the benchmark for responsible seafood farming. The certification aligns ASC’s twelve species standards, rolling them into one global standard.

The formal launch was announced at last week’s Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, Spain.

The new benchmark is built on four pillars: fish, farm, people, and planet. By focusing on these areas, the ASC Farm Standard “empowers producers to meet regulatory and market demands, enhance farming practices and fish health, prioritize worker and community wellbeing, and protects biodiversity,” said Michiel Fransen...

Dept. of State Releases Annual Determination and Certification of Shrimp-Harvesting Nations

The U.S. Department of State has determined that wild-caught shrimp or shrimp products harvested in the following fisheries/nations are eligible to enter the United States, effective May 12, 2025:

* Australia (Northern Prawn Fishery, the Queensland East Coast Trawl Fishery, the Spencer Gulf, and the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery)

* France (French Guiana)

* Italy (giant red shrimp)

* Japan (shrimp baskets in Hokkaido)

* Republic of Korea (mosquito nets); and

* Spain (Mediterranean red shrimp).

For any nations, economies, and fisheries not listed above, the U.S. is only accepting farmed shrimp...

Russian Crabbers Increase Domestic Prices, Hope to Resume Exports to the US

Crab prices in Russia are steadily growing, mainly due to the country's ongoing export growth. According to analysts, in the first three months of 2025, Russia exported 17,000 tons of crab worth more than $440 million, which is almost by 25% more in both volume and value terms than the previous year.  

That contributes to the growth of crab prices in the domestic market.  

According to recent statements made by Valentin Balashov, Chairman of the Interregional Association of Coastal Fishery Industrialists of the Northern Basin, in an interview...

The Retail Rundown: Pre-Grilling Season Retail Insights

With Memorial Day fast approaching, retailers are ramping up promotions to jumpstart the unofficial kickoff to the summer grilling season—a crucial window for driving foot traffic and boosting meat department sales.

The next two weeks are key, as market participants closely watch consumer demand ahead of what is typically one of the busiest periods for beef sales. Protein items are being prominently showcased alongside vibrant seasonal produce, enhancing the appeal of in-store displays.

Seafood leads the protein feature mix this week, accounting for nearly 30% of all advertised protein items...

Les Hodges: Canadian Snow Crab is Open for Business

As the first quarter of 2025 concludes, early indicators offer insights into market direction for the remainder of the year. Despite high crab prices in various segments, market conditions remain generally favorable. Norwegian red king crab is currently the only red king crab listed on the Urner Barry Price-Current, as inventories of Alaska red and golden king crab are limited and held by only a few hands. 

Total red king crab quotas for 2025 across the U.S. and Norway stand at 5.408 million pounds, while Alaska’s golden king crab adds...

ANALYSIS: Vannamei Shrimp Seasonal Price Decline Meets Strong Ecuadorian Exports in Early 2025

The price of 40-50 head-on shell-on vannamei prawns exported from Latin America to Europe has seen a moderate decline, falling 1.1% year-on-year (- USD $0.06/kg) and 9.9% quarter-on-quarter (- USD $0.53/kg). A notable 14.5% drop occurred over 16 weeks following mid-December, with prices decreasing from USD $5.67/kg on December 16, 2024, to USD $4.85/kg by April 7, 2025. This trend reflects a typical seasonal dip in demand after the Christmas holidays, observed not...

Maruha Nichiro Acquires VDL Group for €40 million

Japanese seafood company Maruha Nichiro Corporation (MNC) recently acquired Netherlands-based seafood company Van der Lee Seafish Beheer B.V. (VDL Group) for €40 million (USD $44.36 million).

The decision to acquire the VDL Group was announced at MNC’s Board of Directors meeting on May 12, where the Board resolved on a capital injection in the amount of €40 million for MNC’s consolidated subsidiary Maruha Nichiro Europe Holding B.V (MNEH) to acquire a majority stake in Van der Lee Seafish Beheer B.V. (VDL Group), and for MNEH’s subsidiary Seafood...

Russia Actively Increases Exports of Pollock Fillets and Minced Meat

Russia is actively increasing its exports of pollock fillets and minced pollock meat as the demand for such products remains high.

According to Russian newswire Fishnews, the Russian Federal Center stated that exports between January and March 2025 increased by 72% year-on-year, exceeding USD $140 million, with the bulk of supplies accounting for pollock fillets and minced meat. In terms of volume, exports increased by 61%, amounting to 50,000 tons.

Among the largest buyers of Russian fish fillets are the Republic of Korea and China, where the...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #8

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #8."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...

Northline Seafoods Pays More Than $1.37M Bond to Release Seized Salmon Vessel

On May 6, Sayak Logistics (d.b.a. Northline Seafoods) paid more than $1.37 million for the release of its seized vessel, the Hannah, which had been confiscated by federal authorities due to outstanding welding bills owed to Leo’s Welding and Fabrication, LLC, in excess of $1.2 million.

This development comes after a federal judge in Washington state issued a warrant on April 30 for the arrest of the vessel, given its outstanding debt with Leo’s Welding. The Washington-based welding company performed work on the Hannah...

ANALYSIS: Balancing Growth Opportunities Against Inventory Risks for US Shrimp Imports

Total Imports by Country: Strong Growth Continues

Total shrimp imports in March 2025 reached 154.4 million lbs, a robust 10.7% increase year-over-year, surpassing our estimate range of 151.6-172.9 million lbs. This growth appears to be significantly impacted by importers frontloading ahead of the April 2nd tariff announcement. Indonesia showed the most dramatic growth at +32.0% to 27.7 million lbs, while India maintained its market leadership position with 55.0 million lbs (+7.0%). Thailand's volumes surged by 60.6% to 4.7 million lbs, though...

Gov. Newsom, CDFW Make Moves to Boost Salmon Production in California

Upgrading salmon hatcheries and releasing juvenile Chinook directly into the Sacramento River are integral to helping California’s ailing salmonid populations, according to state officials.

Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this week announced that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is upgrading 21 fish hatcheries to boost the state’s salmon and trout populations and to protect hatcheries from the impacts of climate change.

The project helps build the California salmon and trout supply, which are important to indigenous peoples, communities, and the state’s multimillion-dollar fishing industry, according to...

Hokkaido’s March Surimi Production Doubled, Reaching 490 Tons

According to member reports compiled by the National Surimi Manufacturers Association, frozen surimi production in Hokkaido in March 2025 increased 2.1 times compared to the same month last year, with the main product, Alaska pollock, increasing due to increased fish landings. Thus, frozen surimi production totaled 490 tons.

However, considering that the previous two years were sluggish and that the total production volume was 800 tons three years ago, a major manufacturer said, "it is by no means a large amount."

Alaska pollock landings were 2.7 times higher at 426 tons...

Profand Earns BSP Certification for Argentinian Fleet; First Certified Fleet in Country

Global fish company Profand recently obtained a Best Seafood Practices (BSP) Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard (RFVS) for its Argentinian fleet of squid and shrimp vessels, the first of its kind in the South American country, according to a recent press release from the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA).

The vertically integrated seafood company currently has a presence in 12 countries, with 24 vessels in Argentina, Morocco and the United States, three aquaculture sites in Ecuador, Greece and Galicia, and 13 seafood processing plants worldwide.

The third-party BSP certification...

Russia to Increase Exports of Deep-Processed Fish Products to BRICS Markets

This year, Russia will accelerate its efforts to increase exports of deep-processed fish products to key BRICS partners, among which are India, Brazil, and China.

According to earlier statements made by German Zverev, President of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), in an interview with Russian media, the biggest export potential is currently observed with pollock fillets, surimi, clipfish, and fishmeal.

Perhaps the biggest hopes are associated with supplies to the Indian market, where Russia estimates the annual supply of pollock fillets could reach...

Les Hodges: Canadian Snow Crab is Open for Business

Our top story today is Les Hodges’ monthly newsletter, where he discusses the progress of the snow crab market this month. He notes that as Q1 2025 concludes, early indicators offer insights into the market's direction for the remainder of the year, the conditions of which remain generally favorable despite high prices in various segments, with some prices surging 50% to 65% year-over-year, depending on size...

Chile's Joint Committee to Review Financing Formulas Amid Calls to Reopen Debate Over Hake Quota

A key session for the future of the fishing fractionation project will take place this Tuesday afternoon, when the mixed commission that deals with it will meet again to settle the pending points of the initiative.

The ten members of the instance are summoned from 15.00 to 16.00 hours in room 11 of the Senate, to discuss the lack of fiscal financing that meant the rejection of the commission to the bidding mechanism proposed by the Executive, which sought to generate an auction system...

Norway Announces Harmful Algal Bloom in Production Areas 9 and 10

Today, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) and the Directorate of Fisheries reported a new microalgal bloom related to the genus Phaeocystis and Chrysochromulina in Norwegian production areas 9 and 10.

According to the Norwegian government, the first mortalities caused by the algal bloom were reported from Øksfjorden at the end of April before spreading to Raftsundet and Kanstadfjorden in area 9 and moving north to Astafjorden in area 10.  

As evidenced by modeling data compiled by the Institute of Marine Research (IMR), many locations continue to show...

ANALYSIS: Q1 Frozen Tuna Imports Climb While Prices Defy Upward Trend

Total frozen yellowfin tuna imports in Q1 2025 climbed to 22.62 million pounds, a 33.6% increase over Q1 2024 and 12.96% above the five-year Q1 average. Importers accelerated shipments ahead of the April 2nd tariff announcement, continuing a pattern of precautionary buying shaped by President Trump’s tariff-focused trade policies since his first day in office. The move reflects persistent uncertainty surrounding future tariff actions and their potential to disrupt supply chains, driving buyers to secure inventory before costs or availability are further impacted...

California Closes Sardine Harvests Below Point Conception Due to Biotoxin

As summer approaches and ocean water temps start to rise, so do the risks of harmful algal blooms, such as domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin produced by the Pseudo-nitzschia alga. 

This time, state officials found high levels of domoic acid in Pacific sardines in Southern California.   

State health agencies determined that Pacific sardines sampled off Southern California contained elevated levels of domoic acid and recommended a fishery restriction for Southern California for the commercial and recreational take of sardines for human consumption in the area...

Gulf Shrimp Season Closes May 15

AUSTIN -- Commercial shrimp season for both Texas and federal waters in the Gulf of America will close 30 minutes after sunset May 15, reopening on a still-to-be determined date in July.

While July 15 is the statutory opening date for the gulf season, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Coastal Fisheries Division will sample shrimp populations this summer to determine the optimum opening date. The Texas shrimp fishery is closed annually to allow brown shrimp to reach a larger and more valuable size prior to harvest...

ANALYSIS: Illex Squid Market Update for Q1 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, both Argentine and international fishing fleets recorded adequate captures within Argentina's exclusive economic zone and international waters, leading to a decline in prices for Illex squid (Illex argentinus) through March. However, new catch conditions informed by market participants resulted in...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...

ANALYSIS: Farmed Salmon Market Sees Early Downturn Leading up to Mother’s Day 2025

Traditionally, the farmed salmon market experiences strong demand from December through Mother’s Day, after which it begins to slow as the U.S. approaches the unofficial start of summer with Memorial Day weekend. However, the 2025 market is showing signs of softening earlier than usual.

Both the fresh Chilean and European fillet markets have begun to slip, with supplies readily available and prices trending lower. Over the past week...

Scottish Salmon Farmer Loch Duart Creates New Standard for Small-Scale, Transparent Farming

Loch Duart Salmon (LDS) recently launched the ‘Loch Duart Standard,’ a new assessment process that is reflective of the Scottish company’s small-scale, low-density pens and welfare-led approach to salmon aquaculture.

Through this roll-out, the salmon company—who has its headquarters at Badcall Bay, Scourie—has created a new benchmark standard for salmon farming, highlighting transparency and sustainability throughout salmon farming operations like those of LDS.

According Loch Duart’s recent press release on the process, the ‘Loch Duart Standard’ is indicative of the company’s...

Russian Salmon Catch Not to Exceed 400,000 Tons, Says Russian Federal Fish Agency

According to Russia’s federal fish agency, Rosrybolovstvo, the country’s domestic salmon catch is not likely to exceed 400,000 tons this year. This expectation is in line with initial forecasts that were made by agency analysts alongside leading Russian fishery scientists.

Ilya Shestakov, the agency’s head, confirmed this, stating, “There are preliminary forecasts that our science is already providing. They will certainly be updated after the studies that will be held in May.”

At the end of November 2024, in an interview with the TV channel Russia-24...

Menhaden Fishermen Urge ASMFC to Cast Aside Environmentalists’ Misinformation

In a recent press release, the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition (MFC) provides details and insight on a May 2 letter that was signed by six shop stewards representing union fishermen members of United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400.

Ultimately, the MFC expresses support for the fishermen and their grievances and pleas, as they address the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Menhaden Management Board. In the letter, the fishermen call on the Board to protect working Virginia watermen. As part of the ASFMC’s 2025 Spring Meeting, the Board was scheduled to debate...

The Winding Glass: Destruction of NMFS Cancels Trump’s Order Supporting American Fisheries

Our top story today is SeafoodNews founder John Sackton’s monthly commentary piece, The Winding Glass, where he discusses the recent destruction that has befallen the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS, or NOAA Fisheries). Sackton delves into the impact of budget cuts on NMFS’ operations and the nation’s commercial fisheries, which are currently experiencing added hardships despite President Donald Trump’s recent executive order to support America’s fisheries...

Today’s Top Story: US and China Reach Deal to Temporarily Slash Tariffs, Easing Slump Fear

In our top story today, the United States and China have agreed to temporarily slash reciprocal tariffs in a deal that surpassed expectations as the world's two biggest economies seek to end a damaging trade war that has stoked fears of recession and roiled financial markets. Effective for 90 days, the U.S. will cut extra tariffs it imposed on Chinese imports in April this year to 30% from 145% and Chinese duties on U.S. imports will fall to 10% from 125%...