2024 Wild Salmon Season: Unraveling the Causes Behind Declining Landings

The 2024 Alaskan wild salmon season experienced significantly lower landings across all species, including Chinook (king), chum (keta), pink, coho, and sockeye. With the season largely wrapped up through September 7, landings for sockeye across Alaska were down 20% compared to 2023, with pink landings falling 44% from 2022 YTD and the chum catch dipping 32% year-over-year, respectively, according to Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute's Weekly Alaska Salmon Updates produced by the McKinley Research Group.

Back in September, McKinley Research Group noted that the harvest of lower than 100...

Whole Foods Forecasts 2025 Food Trends with a Splash of Seafood Innovations

Whole Foods Market debuted its top 10 anticipated food trends for 2025, and some interesting seafood trends landed on the list.

The trends were developed by the Whole Foods Market Trends Council, which is made up of over 50 company team members, from foragers and buyers to culinary experts. The predictions are created through a combination of “deep industry experience, keen observation of consumer preferences, and collaborative sessions with emerging and established brands.”

“Our tenth anniversary of trend forecasting marks an important milestone for us...

Proximar Seafood Standing Biomass Growing, Remain on Track for Daily Harvesting Later this Month 

Proximar Seafood, a land-based salmon farmer in Japan, provided further updates after its successful trial harvest in late September. 

The company said that at the end of Q3 2024, its standing biomass was 735 metric tons, more than double the 360 MT it showcased in Q2 2024.  

“We are very pleased to see the positive development in our biomass continuing through the third quarter of 2024. The water quality remains good although the turbidity is still an issue...

Norwegian Salmon Exports Strong in Q3 Despite Headwinds; Farmed Cod Outpaces Wild-Caught

The Norwegian Seafood Council said it just wrapped up the best third quarter ever for seafood exports.

“Thanks to a historically high export value in September, we have put behind us the best third quarter ever. This time there is virtually no currency effect from a weak Norwegian krone, since we are comparing with the same period last year. High volumes of salmon, trout, mackerel and prawns are driving up the export value," said Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council...

Japan: Salmon Roe Prices Surge; Wholesale Price of Russian Pink Salmon Roe Rising by 40%

This year, the price of imported salmon and trout roe is expected to soar due to tight supplies. Trading companies have expressed concern about the future, saying, "We may not be able to secure enough new raw materials," reported Minato Shimbun.

According to the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fishery and Oceanography (VNIRO), as of September 17, the landings of pink salmon were 136,030 tons, down 5.5% from the same period last year, and chum salmon were 41,262 tons, down 30.6% from the same period...

Chilean Salmon Gains Access to the Australian Market

Chile’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) announced that the country’s salmon farmers now have access to Australia as an export market.

Sernapesca said the move followed a lengthy audit process carried out by Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Chile is now approved to export salmonids, including Atlantic salmon and coho salmon, to Australia, with Sernapesca overseeing the exporters' certification process.

This implies the inclusion of Chile in the list of countries that comply with the biosecurity standards for the importation of salmonids to Australia (BICON), which authorizes...

Japan’s Proximar Seafood Completes First Harvest of Atlantic Salmon

Land-based salmon farmer Proximar Seafood announced that it has achieved its first commercial harvest, a pivotal milestone for the firm, which boasts a salmon facility near Mount Fuji in Japan.

“Proximar is the only supplier of domestically produced Atlantic salmon in Japan, years ahead of competition. We have since October 2022 proven great production capabilities and fish growth, and I am now immensely proud to see all the hard work from our excellent team being commercially validated through the first harvest,” said Joachim Nielsen, CEO of Proximar Seafood...

Mowi Sets 600,000 MT Volume Goal for 2029, Looking to Cut Costs by EUR 400 Million

Mowi, the world’s largest salmon farmer, announced at its Capital Markets Day that it plans to grow its volume from 500,000 metric tons to 600,000 metric tons by 2029. The company also said it would work on further cost-cutting in the range of EUR 300-400 million.

"After reaching a milestone 500,000 tonnes of salmon harvested in 2024, we are now looking ahead to the next milestone of 600,000 tonnes which we aim to fulfil in 2029," Mowi CEO Ivan Vindheim said...

Russian Fish Exports in Steady Decline Throughout 2024

Fish exports from Russia are steadily declining due to the ongoing pressure from sanctions and the existing import duties on Russian fish in the EU and the UK. In the first half of 2024, Russian exports dipped 7% in volume, year-on-year. Through eight months, that figure has dipped 13% lower from 2023.

As Artem Daushev, assistant to the head of the Russian agricultural regulator Rosselkhoznadzor, said during the recent International Fishery Industry Forum in Russia,

"The volume of fish exports from Russia in January-August 2024...

Norwegian Seafood Council Rolls Out Campaign with Soccer Superstar Erling Haaland

The Norwegian Seafood Council announced that its first major campaign with Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland has begun to roll out in the South Korean market.

Back in April, the council partnered with the goal-scoring star for the Premier League’s Manchester City on a two-and-a-half-year deal to help promote farmed salmon, as SeafoodNews reported.

The council has collaborated with several grocery chains in South Korea and Norwegian exporters, with SalMar being one of the first firms to feature Haaland...

The Retail Rundown: Going All-Out for Autumn

Fall is just around the corner, with the official start of autumn this Sunday, September 22. As cooler weather sets in and travel plans wind down, grocers are ramping up their offerings of seasonal favorites to align with the change in consumer preferences. 

According to the Expana Retail Activity Index, seafood continues to lead for the fourth week in a row, making up 30% of total protein ads. Beef and pork are close behind, each at around 25%, while chicken accounts for 14%. Eggs represent 2.8% of retail opportunities, and turkey has 2.3%...

Airport Workers Begin Strike at Santiago Airport Ahead of Chilean Holiday 

The union representing airport workers at Santiago Airport, the largest airport in Chile, announced that workers began a strike on September 12 after negotiations between the union and Nuevo Pudahuel, the company that runs the airport, fell apart.

Nuevo Pudahuel said in a statement that it has an agreement to ensure that operations continue without impacting “the experience of passengers and users of the Santiago Airport.”

The strike began just ahead of the Fiestas Patrias holiday in Chile and could linger throughout the holiday...

Mowi Scotland Highlights Lowest Monthly Mortality Rate in Over 8 Years

Mowi Scotland announced that it had recorded a significant drop in salmon mortality in August 2024, coming in at about one-third of that recorded in recent years as the region has been severely impacted by El Niño conditions.

Mowi explained that the marine heat wave linked to El Niño led to gill disease and mortality throughout 2023 and 2024. Although, the company did note that fewer incidents of viral, bacterial and parasotic incidents were reported during that time frame.

Last month, the company said it...

Whittier Seafood Files for Bankruptcy; Citing Ukraine War, Salmon Market Downturn

Alaska-based seafood fishing and processing company Whittier Seafood filed for bankruptcy last month with the owner citing impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and volatility within the wild salmon market in Alaska.

According to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in U.S. District of Alaska Bankruptcy Court, Whittier Seafood owner Alexey Kozlov said Whittier and affiliated companies were hit hard by a dramatic drop in salmon prices in recent years.

“The salmon market has historically experienced price fluctuations with lows...

Chilean Presidential Candidate Takes Issue with Government Approach to Salmon Industry

Chilean Presidential candidate Evelyn Matthei made a recent stop to the Los Lagos Region in Chile and criticized the government’s treatment of the salmon industry in a local newspaper, El Llanquihue.  

Matthei claimed that the current authorities overseeing salmon farming in Chile are “destroying the industry,” per an article from Salmon Expert. The candidate and long-time politician explained that salmon farming is a critical industry for the country as it is the second largest export behind copper. Matthei also said the industry was a key...

Japan: 2023 Frozen Salmon and Trout Roe Imports up 20% Each from the US and Russia

According to trade statistics from the Ministry of Finance, imports of frozen fish roe (excluding herring roe and pollock roe), which are believed to be mainly salmon and trout roe, in 2023 increased by 20% from the previous year to 17,758 tons. This is the second largest since records began in 1988, after 2021. The average import price (CIF) was 2,107 yen/kg ($14.58/kg), down 36%. Minato Shimbun reported that frozen salmon and trout roe are used as ingredients...

Chilean Court Confirms Fine Against Cermaq Chile for Violating ISA Control Rules

Chile’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) announced that a Chilean court has rejected an appeal from Cermaq Chile and confirmed a 50 UTM (monthly tax unit) fine for violating the infectious salmon anemia (ISA) control regulations.

The violations occurred at its plant in the Aysén region of the country and the complaint dates back almost five years to December 2019. According to a notice from Sernapseca, Chile failed to meet the expectations of the Sanitary Program for the Surveillance and Control....

Scott & Jon’s Unveils New Additions to Seafood Bowl Lineup

Scott & Jon’s has expanded its seafood bowl lineup with a pair of new flavors: Lemon Butter Dill Salmon and Baja Fish Taco Bowl.

The new additions will hit shelves in early 2025.

- Lemon Butter Dill Salmon: This indulgent dish offers a twist on a classic meal, featuring tender salmon in a creamy lemon butter dill sauce. It's the first-ever pasta bowl with salmon from Scott & Jon's, catering to those who crave a comforting and flavorful seafood dish.

- Baja Fish Taco Bowl...

Pacific Salmon Catch in Russia May Be the Lowest in Last 20 Years

The 2024 Pacific salmon catch in Russia may be the lowest in the last twenty years. According to earlier forecasts by Ilya Shestakov, head of the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries, it will not exceed 250,000-260,000 metric tons. That will be two times less than last year when the catch exceeded 600,000 metric tons. The salmon fishing season in the Russian Far East will be completed in the coming days.

In the meantime, as German Zverev, head of the All-Russian Association of Fishery Producers (VARPE)...

Japan's August Imports: Frozen Chilean Coho Up 3x Over a Year Ago; Frozen Yellowfin up 40%

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on September 27, the import volume of fishery products in August (preliminary figures, fish and shellfish and their preparations, fishmeal and seaweed) increased by 1% from last year to 155,690 tons. Fresh and chilled tuna, salmon, trout, shrimp, squid, octopus, etc., exceeded the same month last year. The total value also increased by 4% to 146,111 million yen ($1,018.39 million).

Minato Shimbun reported that fresh and frozen...

Washington Researchers Use Drones to Determine Marine Mammal Predation on Salmonids

Just how much salmon and steelhead do Washington’s seals and sea lions eat?

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife plans to use drones to help determine the answer.

WDFW recently finalized a drone use plan that authorizes staff to conduct pinniped research and management surveys in the state’s coastal and inland waters. Department staff and researchers will use drones to survey for seals and sea lions in the Department’s Southwest, Coastal, and North Puget Sound regions.

This fall, WDFW will fly drones in the Nisqually, ...

Commerce Announces Fishery Disaster Determination for 2023 Tribal Klamath River Salmon Fishery

Last year was a tough year for West Coast salmon, for salmon fishermen, and for Tribes that depend on salmon for subsistence and ceremonial use. At least five West Coast fisheries are in the queue to request a disaster determination for salmon fisheries.

Last week, the Secretary of Commerce announced one determination was complete: a fishery resource disaster occurred in the 2023 Pulikla Tribe of Yurok People Klamath River subsistence salmon fishery. The Pulikla Tribe was formerly known as the Resighini Rancheria. The determination is in response to ...

Canada Releases Plan to Phase Out Open Net-Pen Salmon Farming in British Columbia

After notable delays, Canada’s federal government released its transition plan to phase out open net-pen salmon farming in British Columbia. 

The government said it would implement a ban on open net-pen aquaculture in B.C. by June 30, 2029. It will require new salmon aquaculture licenses to utilize closed containment technology.  

Canada’s Salmon Aquaculture Transition Plan for British Columbia consists of four themes:

- support for First Nations, workers, and communities in this transition 

- identifying economic supports for the adoption of innovative and clean aquaculture technology...

Norway Says Recapture Efforts Underway Following Recent Escapement

Earlier this week, Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries announced that an escape incident occurred at a Mowi Seawater Norway AS site at the Kveitskjeret locality in Frøya municipality in Trøndelag.

In an update on September 19, the directorate indicated that Blue Revolution Center AS owned the farmed salmon that escaped at a site operated by Mowi.

The government said that Mowi has deployed recapture nets since the escape was first discovered and reported a catch of 1,100 fish thus far. The remainder of the cage is set...

Mowi Salmon Escape Incident Reported in Norway

Mowi Seawater Norway AS reported an escape incident on September 17 at the Kveitskjeret locality in Frøya municipality in Trøndelag.

According to Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries, a large tear was discovered in a groove in connection with delivery to slaughter. The salmon in the cages weighed an average of 5 kg. The company has deployed recapture nets at the site.

The Directorate of Fisheries said it would follow up on the incident...

Brazil Opens Market to Norwegian Seafood Exports

Norwegian seafood now has access to one of the largest markets on the planet. 

Brazil and Norway have reached an agreement that will allow Norwegian seafood to enter Brazil. According to Norway’s Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet), producers will be able to export wild fish, farmed fish, and fish by-products to Brazil if they are approved by the Brazilian authorities (DIPOA). 

Brazil has a massive population and is considered one of the top destinations for Chilean salmon. With Norwegian products now in the mix, the country could see added interest for its staple...

Netflix Drama Featuring the Norwegian Salmon Industry ‘Billionaire Island’ Makes Debut

Could salmon farming and aquaculture become Netflix’s next big hit?

The Norwegian salmon industry will serve as the backdrop for Netflix’s latest original series, “Billionaire Island,” which debuted on September 12 to worldwide audiences.

According to the streaming giant, the Norwegian dramedy will depict Norway’s fish farming industry and was shot on the island of Frøya, Trøndelag.

The Wall Street Journal reviewed the series and indicated that it resembles popular dysfunctional family dramas like Succession and The Borgias. However, instead of fighting over media empires like the Roy...

Norway’s Opposition Party Wants to Cut Salmon Tax

Norway’s Conservative party, Høyre, said it wants to reduce taxes on aquaculture and improve the conditions in which the industry operates within the country.

The news comes after the Conservative party, the primary opposition, released its party program policy which proposed a cut on the current aquaculture tax from 25% to 15%.

“Taxes must be reduced, predictability increased and regulations must be simplified. In this program, we therefore prioritize removing the wealth tax on working capital, and are considering a partial switch to other business taxation. We propose...

Norway's Seafood Export Values Boosted By Weak Krone; Salmon Market Trends Cloudy

The Norwegian Seafood Council announced that Norway reached its highest export value for the month of August but that was largely credited to the weaker Norwegian krone.

“Compared with last year, higher salmon volumes and a weaker Norwegian krone drove up the value of Norwegian seafood in August. We also see that higher volumes of trout and mackerel are contributing positively, in addition to an increase in prawn exports. At the same time, the price of salmon measured in foreign...

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee Charts Salmon Recovery Successes

Everyone on the West Coast knows salmon are in trouble. Changing ocean conditions and habitat loss are just the tip of the iceberg.

Or, as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee writes in a press release post on his website, “Humanity has pushed salmon to the brink and must act in unison if salmon are to thrive.”

Inslee’s post notes the extraordinary journeys salmon take from Washington rivers and streams to the sea and back again, including all the predators they encounter on the way. However, he notes, manmade problems are creating much more ...