Florida Seafood Executive Indicted Over Alleged Stone Crab, Spiny Lobster Price-Fixing Conspiracy

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted Dennis Dopico, a Florida-based seafood executive, alleging that he participated in a conspiracy to fix the prices of stone crab claws and spiny lobsters, which involved multiple companies.

The DOJ alleged that Dopico “knowingly joined and participated in a conspiracy with other persons and entities, known and unknown to the US, to suppress and eliminate competition by fixing prices paid to fishermen for stone crab claws and spiny lobster harvested in Florida...

Open Ocean Aquaculture Backers Rally on Capitol Hill to Urge Passage of MARA Act

Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS), a group advocating for open ocean aquaculture in the US, began a two-day legislative fly-in on Capitol Hill on September 10.

SATS stated that seafood industry leaders and allies met with members of Congress and their staff to lobby for fish farming in federal waters.

"Federal legislation that supports open ocean aquaculture provides the US a chance to prove that we can sustainably produce more seafood in our own ocean waters," said Drue Banta Winters, campaign manager of SATS...

Chile Supreme Court Upholds Ruling, Fines Caleta Bay Mar for False Salmon Harvest Information

Chile’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of its National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca), ordering salmon farmer Caleta Bay Mar to pay a fine for providing false information about one of its harvests.

Sernapesca stated that irregularities were detected during its inspection process. It said the quantity of fish harvested didn’t match the amount reported at the time of stocking or the mortality rate recorded during harvest. Sernapesca reported the incident to the First Civil Court of Puerto Montt as a result. Sernapesca also noted that...

Larry’s Catch Expands Across Canada, Pushing MSC-Certified, Flash-Frozen Canadian Seafood

Larry’s Catch, a Canada-based seafood delivery and subscription company, said its services are now available across Canada.

The brand stated that it works exclusively with certified sustainable family fisheries. The company boasts its ability to offer an alternative to grocery store seafood with its wild-caught, flash-frozen Canadian seafood.

“Operating with intentional sourcing at the heart of its business, Larry's Catch partners directly with Canadian fishing families who have been on the water for generations,” the company wrote...

Major Restaurant Chains Ramp Up Market Expansion

This week, big players in the foodservice industry, including Chipotle, TGI Fridays, and Qdoba, have unveiled ambitious expansion plans.

By stretching accessibility and strengthening their global presence, these companies are ramping up efforts to reach international markets.

First, Qdoba announced its largest development deal in its brand's history.

The company partnered with Barry Dubin of B Wild Investments in an agreement to develop 50 new QDOBA restaurants across the states of Alaska, Utah, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico.

It also announced that B Wild Investments has signed...

ANALYSIS: Strong YTD Frozen Tuna Imports Meet Escalating Trade and Compliance Challenges

Frozen tuna fillet imports from Vietnam and Indonesia reflect a nuanced market picture—short-term divergence layered atop strong year-to-date growth. In July 2025, Indonesia posted a modest 1.3% year-over-year gain, while Vietnam saw a sharper 12.9% decline. However, on a broader scale, import volumes tell a more bullish story: year-to-date, Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. are up 30.8%, while Indonesia has climbed 15.2% over the same period. This aligns with the broader trend, as total imports from all countries are up...

NOAA Highlights US Leadership at IATTC; Advances Tuna Management and Data Initiatives

NOAA Fisheries highlighted the US' work at the annual Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) that was held last week. The IATTC comprises 21 member nations and manages tuna fisheries in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

The US, represented by NOAA’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries, Andrew Lawler, and NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Ryan Wulff, led discussions on managing bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna. NOAA Fisheries said the US landed $1.8 million in funding for the Regional Tuna Tagging Program...

SalmonChile Represented in Chilean Capitol Hill Delegation to Advance Trade Talks

SalmonChile, a Chilean salmon industry association, visited Capitol Hill in the United States to discuss trade relations, tariffs, and other issues with US representatives.

The Chilean delegation was led by the Industrial Development Association (SOFOFA), and its president, Rosario Navarro, and its secretary general, Rodrigo Yáñez. The group met with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), where parties discussed the negotiation of a free trade agreement and the current tariff status. The delegation was also received at a reception by the Chilean ambassador to Washington...

Louisiana Fish Fry Joins Forces with GRAMMY-Winning Musician Trombone Shorty

Louisiana Fish Fry, a leading manufacturer and distributor of authentic, Louisiana-inspired food products, announced their partnership with GRAMMY-winning artist Troy Andrews, also known by the stage name Trombone Shorty - bringing together two Louisiana icons to celebrate a shared commitment to culture, creativity, and community.

The partnership blends Trombone Shorty's innovative musical style with Louisiana Fish Fry's rich heritage and dedication to bringing the authentic taste of the bayou to kitchens everywhere. Together, they will promote the company's array of products...

Binzer to Lead Royal Greenland as CEO; Board Cites Global Expertise and Local Insight

Royal Greenland has appointed Toke Binzer as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective December 1.

Previously, Binzer held senior roles at IBM and TDC, as well as a director position at Tusass. The company said his previous experience gives him “the best qualifications to lead a global company like Royal Greenland.”

“The Board looks forward to the opportunities his experience and leadership style will bring,” Chairman of the Board Niels Thomsen said. “We share the ambitions of high professionalism...

E-Commerce Drives Growth and Strategy for Private Brands in Food Retail

The Food Industry Association (FMI) released findings from its new report entitled, "The Power of Private Brands 2025: Industry Strategies to Sustain Momentum."

This report highlights the impact of e-commerce on the growth of private brands at food retailers and the tools businesses are using to boost sales and shopper loyalty.

According to the report, food retailers are increasingly recognizing the value of e-commerce and anticipate it may eventually outpace in-store purchases. It stated that sales of private brand...

Oregon Goes to Court Again to Protect Columbia Basin Salmon

Another lawsuit over Columbia River salmon? Must be a day that ends with a “y.” 

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced on Thursday that the state is resuming litigation against the federal government following its withdrawal from the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement, which was brokered during the Biden administration. The federal government's decision abandons a collaborative plan developed with Oregon, Washington, four Lower Columbia Treaty Tribes, and conservation partners to restore salmon runs, honor treaty obligations, and meet clean energy needs...

Kaldvik Lands ASC Certification for Pair of Salmon Farms; All Farming Sites Now Certified

Kaldvik, an Icelandic salmon farmer, announced that it has achieved Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification for two of its farming sites.

The company said the move confirms that its operations meet “the strict ASC requirements for social responsibility, animal welfare, and environmental protection.” The two additions bring the company’s ASC-certified sites total to seven.

“Achieving ASC certification for our final two sites is an important milestone,” said Sandra Eiðsdóttir, Quality Manager at Kaldvík. “ASC is about farming in a way that is good...

Rep. Mace Amendment Would Force Pentagon to Buy Only American‑Caught Seafood

Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require the Department of War (DoW) to purchase only American-caught seafood.

“For too long, foreign competitors have undercut American workers, threatened our economy, and exploited loopholes in federal law. Our amendment ends it,” said Congresswoman Mace. “If the Pentagon is buying seafood, it will come from American waters, caught by American hands, not from our adversaries.”

Mace’s office noted the Berry Amendment...

Barents Sea Catch Growth Could Shape Kamchatka Crab Outlook Despite Export Hurdles 

Russia is banking on stable catches of Kamchatka crab in its Northern Basin in despite tough business conditions domestically. 

Particular attention will be paid to the increase in catch in the Barents Sea. 

Also, the marketing opportunities for Kamchatka crab caught in the Northern Basin are currently limited. Prior to the imposition of sanctions, most of it was supplied to the European and US markets, which primarily purchased it in frozen form. Currently, the primary sales markets for Kamchatka crab are China and Japan...

Commissioner Sid Miller Advocates for Public Comment on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness

Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller highlighted an opportunity to shape the future of our American seafood industry. NOAA Fisheries has opened a public comment period on President Trump’s Executive Order, “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.” Particularly in Texas, where the seafood industry has struggled, Commissioner Miller is urging those with feedback to submit public comments as soon as possible.

“Our Texas seafood industry is on life support,” Commissioner Miller said. “When government stands between producers and their livelihoods, that’s a problem...

Alaska Seafood Roundtable Highlights Push for Domestic Competitiveness Under Trump Administration

Alaska’s seafood sector took center stage as a September 9 roundtable brought together state lawmakers, industry leaders and senior Trump administration officials to chart a path for strengthening the domestic fishery supply chain, addressing aging fleets and bolstering international competitiveness under President Trump’s April 2025 Executive Order on 'Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.'

Top officials, including US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, signaled a "whole-of-government" approach to keeping Alaska's wild fisheries resilient amid global pressures and regulatory challenges...