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...

FDA Removes Ecuadorian Shrimp Producer SONGA from Red List

The US Food and Drug Administration has removed Sociedad Nacional de Galápagos C.A. (SONGA) from Import Alert 16-81, ending the detention-without-physical-examination status that had subjected the prominent Ecuadorian shrimp producer's US-bound shipments to heightened scrutiny since February 6, 2026.

SONGA's removal from the red list indicates the company successfully demonstrated consistent compliance and provided sufficient corrective measures to address Salmonella contamination concerns that led to its original placement on the alert. The company's shipments can now proceed through normal import procedures without automatic detention at US ports.

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...

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...

Thai Union Posts 7.6% Q1 Sales Growth to $983M Despite Tariff, FX Headwinds

Thai Union Group announced a 7.6% year-on-year increase in sales to THB 32.1 billion ($983 million) in Q1 2026, showcasing growth despite headwinds including unfavorable foreign exchange rates, the Middle East conflict and lingering US tariff cost pressures.

Thai Union credited the sales jump to 2.8% growth in sales volume in the pet and frozen foods categories. Organic sales (excluding the impact of foreign exchange) grew by 9.3%, underscoring sustained demand recovery across core businesses, the company said in a May 5 update...

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...

Saladworks Adds Warm Roasted Chicken and Fire-Grilled Steak to Create Your Own Lineup

Saladworks, the leading create-your-own salad destination, is introducing two new proteins to its menu: warm roasted chicken and all-natural fire-grilled steak. Available across salads, wraps, sandwiches, and bowls, these additions bring even more variety and flexibility to the menu, building on Saladworks’ commitment to fresh, made-to-order meals.

“Warm, freshly prepared proteins are a meaningful shift for us,” says Chef Cole Thompson, Vice President of Culinary at Saladworks. “They give guests more ways...

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...

Alaska Rep. Begich Offers Bill to Add Four Seats to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council

Alaska’s sole representative in the U.S. House introduced a bill last Thursday to expand the number of voting seats on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) from 11 to potentially 15. The bill, titled the North Pacific Fishery Management Council Representation Enhancement Act of 2026, calls for “balanced representation” that includes “at least one representative each from recreational, small-scale commercial, rural subsistence, and urban subsistence user groups.” 

The bill was immediately referred to the House Natural Resources Committee, with the full text...

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...

Royal Greenland Returns to Profit After Divesting Chile, Norway Operations

Royal Greenland returned to profitability in 2025 following its strategic decision to divest operations in Chile and Norway as part of a broader streamlining effort to refocus on its North Atlantic core business. The company also resolved a long-standing tax case in Germany during the year.

The Greenlandic seafood company delivered a "positive result" in 2025 after two challenging years, reporting a modest DKK 6 million ($935,000) profit compared to a DKK 196 million loss in 2024. Revenue remained stable at DKK 5.7 billion ($888 million)...

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...

FFAW Welcomes Canada’s Renewed Investment in Small Craft Harbours

The Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union ( FFAW ) is praising the Canadian government’s renewed investment in small craft harbor following the release of the 2026 Spring Economic Update.

The union said the added funding is a welcome step toward repairing, maintaining and modernizing critical harbor infrastructure across the country, as many facilities face mounting pressure from climate change, aging assets and growing demand.

FFAW President Dwan Street said the investment is necessary for coastal communities and the harvesters who depend on safe, reliable working...

Mexico Sets Shrimp Fishing Closures in Gulf and Caribbean Starting in May

Mexico will begin a series of seasonal shrimp closures in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America) and Caribbean Sea starting in May, according to the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries, or Conapesca.

The agency said the restrictions were adopted based on technical guidance from the Mexican Institute for Research in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, or IMIPAS, to help protect shrimp populations. The measure was formalized through publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation.

Under the schedule, closed seasons...

FSIS Issues Health Alert for Misbranded Giovanni Rana Ravioli Over Undeclared Shellfish Allergens

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for certain ravioli products due to misbranding and undeclared shellfish allergens.

The alert covers 32-ounce packages of “Giovanni Rana RANA Rustic Beef Sauce & Creamy Burrata Cheese Ravioli,” which may actually contain shrimp-filled ravioli in lobster sauce. Neither shrimp nor lobster—both major shellfish allergens—are listed on the label.

The products were produced between March 10 and April 21, 2026, with “use by” dates ranging from...

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...