Canadian Seafood Escapes Trump’s 35% Tariff, According to Multiple Reports on USMCA Exemptions

Key Canadian seafood exports will be exempt from President Donald Trump’s newly imposed 35% tariff on Canadian goods, according to multiple reports from CBC, The Wall Street Journal and Yahoo Finance.

While Trump’s tariff announcement last week sparked uncertainty over whether critical species like salmon, crab and lobster would be affected, officials confirmed that products compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will remain tariff-free.

The question of whether seafood would be faced with a 35% tariff rate followed the release of Trump’s tariff...

New Study Finds Minimal Impact of BC Net Pen Salmon Farms on Wild Populations

A new peer-reviewed study suggests net pen salmon farms in British Columbia have minimal impact on the region’s wild salmon populations.

The study, published earlier this week, was authored by six health experts from UC Davis, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Washington State University, and Oregon State University.

Findings from the study indicate that several articles written over the past two decades, linking the substantial impacts of pathogens transmitted from farmed salmon to wild salmon...

Canadian Officials Detect Dermo in PEI Oysters: Province's First Confirmed Dermo Case

On July 4, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of Dermo in oyster samples collected in Egmont Bay, Prince Edward Island (PEI), marking the province’s first confirmed case of Dermo.

This comes after the CFIA previously confirmed the presence of Dermo in oyster samples collected in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in November 2024. Also, just last month, Newfoundland and Labrador announced its first confirmed case of Dermo in oysters.

An aquatic parasite also known as Perkinsosis, Dermo can be transmitted from oyster to...

Groundfish Harvester in British Columbia Fined $37,000 For Illegally Catching and Selling Halibut

A commercial groundfish harvester in British Columbia was fined nearly $37,000 for illegally catching and selling halibut during a fishery closure last year in the Haida Gwaii Archipelago.  

According to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Stefan Grega, owner of the commercial fishing vessel Pacific Sunrise, pled guilty to multiple violations of Canada’s Fisheries Act. As a result, the court imposed a $30,000 fine and ordered Grega to pay back the $6,989 he made from the illegal harvest, resulting in a...

DFO More than Doubles Northern Cod TAC in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has more than doubled the total allowable catch (TAC) of northern cod in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) from 18,000 metric tons (MT) to 38,000 MT for the 2025 season.

The commercial fishery reopened in 2024 after a 32-year moratorium, which was first implemented in 1992 due to a decline in stock, as Expana reported. Now, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson says the stock has reached even higher levels than expected for the 2025 season...

Two Commercial Prawn Harvesters in British Columbia Found Guilty of Illegal Fishing Offenses 

Two commercial prawn harvesters in British Columbia (B.C.) were found guilty of illegal fishing offenses.  

According to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Scott Castle and Vessel Master Terry Lorenz were convicted of illegally selling prawns and fishing illegally in a closed area of Stuart Cannel. A court also found that Castle failed to complete his mandatory fish slips — a requirement for prawn harvesters under Canada’s Fisheries Act.  

Castle was hit with more than $38,000 in fines, while Lopez was fined $3,000 and prohibited from...

Canadian Salted Smoked Split Herring Products Recalled in Tri-State Area

P. East Trading Corp of Bronx, New York recalled ‘Salted Smoked Split Herring’ as it was found to be over 5" in length and uneviscerated, as such, having the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explained that the sale of uneviscerated fish over 5" in length may contain Clostridium botulinum spores, as they are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish.

The recalled products were distributed to retail locations in...

Legislation Paving the Way for Offshore Renewable Energy in Newfoundland and Labrador Takes Effect 

New legislation aimed at developing offshore renewable energy in Newfoundland and Labrador is now in effect. Bill C-49 includes several amendments to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act (Atlantic Accord Act), including a plan to modernize the land tenure regime for offshore wind development.  

"Newfoundland and Labrador has an abundance of energy, including lower-carbon oil, and significant potential for offshore wind development. Establishing joint management for offshore wind and modifying the land tenure system for offshore oil and...

Fisheries Council of Canada Congratulates Newly Elected Prime Minister Mark Carney

The Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC) recently released a statement congratulating Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party of Canada on their re-election.

The election, which took place on April 28, saw the Liberal Party’s Mark Carney—Trudeau’s successor and Canada's newly re-elected Prime Minister—going up against the Conservative Party’s Pierre Poilievre.

In the end, the Liberal Party won 168 of the 172 parliamentary seats required to hold the majority. Therefore, while Carney and the Liberals did not win the outright majority of seats, they...

Grounded Cargo Ship Off Newfoundland’s West Coast Raises “Growing Alarm” for Fishing Fleets

FFAW-Unifor President Dwan Street is urgently calling attention to the grounding of the MSC Baltic III cargo ship on the province’s west coast as members of her group — the Fish, Food & Allied Workers Union, representing over 14,000 workers in Newfoundland and Labrador — begin fishing the rich waters near the grounded vessel.

“This ship is sitting on the rocks of Cedar Cove with hazardous materials and fuel onboard,” Street said. "We’ve seen reports of structural damage, leaks, and an oily mixture in the engine room...

Japan: Price Will Surge by 40% for St. Lawrence Snow Crab

The domestic sales price of new snow crab from the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Gulf region) on the east coast of Canada is likely to rise significantly. According to a trading company that deals in Canadian products, the beach price (round basis) of crab from the same region at the beginning of this month was CAD 6.50-7.00/LB, 2.2 times higher than the same period last year. Converted into domestic sales prices (trading company prices), 5/8 ounce boiled brine bulk products are expected to be...

Conservative Party of Canada Announces Boost to Harbours Program While Criticizing Liberals

On April 1, under the title “Put Canada’s Fisheries First - for a Change,” Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre issued an announcement 1 that he will double funding for the Small Craft Harbours program and grant Harbour Authorities better access to federal commercial financing.

Canada’s Small Craft Harbours program supports 950 wharves across Canada and is a critical component of the nation’s seafood industry.

Poilievre noted, "Liberal governments have chronically neglected and underfunded the Small Craft Harbour program, hurting operations and holding back maintenance...

Recall Issued for Vicente Marino's Anchovy Fillets in Olive Oil Due to Histamine 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for Vicente Marino's anchovy fillets in olive oil due to histamine contamination.  

The anchovies were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and possibly other regions.  

The recall affects jars with a Lot # of 24171 and an expiration date of 12/2025.  

The CFIA says there have been reports of illnesses and is advising consumers not to eat, use, sell, serve, or distribute the product. The products...

Nova Scotia: 22 Seafood Companies Receive $1.75 Million in Climate Change Funding 

The Government of Canada has announced that 22 seafood companies and organizations in Nova Scotia will receive $1.73 million in climate change funding through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund.  

The three-year-fund, administered by Efficiency One Nova Scotia, is designed to help chart a path for the commercial fisheries and aquaculture sectors to reduce climate change impacts in the province to at least 53% below 2005 levels by 2030.  

Ranging from installing solar systems to implementing...

NAIA and Coast of Bays Communities Team up to Oppose N.L. Marine Conservation Area

On June 23, 2025, the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) launched its ‘Save South Coast Jobs’ campaign, which rejects the recently proposed National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) and focuses on the potential impact to local community leaders and workers along Newfoundland and Labrador’s (NL) South Coast.

The campaign calls on Premier Hogan’s government to reject the NMCA proposal, referring to the area designation as “ecologically unnecessary and economically harmful.”

The campaign’s digital elements include the website SaveSouthCoastJobs.com, which features testimonials from seafood workers...

DFO Announces Details for Second Year of Commercial Redfish Fishery

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada has announced details for the 2025-2026 Unit 1 commercial Redfish fishery, set to open on June 24. The fishery was under a moratorium due to a decline in stock from 1995 until 2024, when it was finally re-opened.  

A Total Allowable Catch (TAC) has been set at 60,000 tonnes for this current season — which covers May 15, 2025, until May 14, 2026.  

Breaking down the TAC 

- 7,000 tonnes will be set aside as a reserve allocation...

Vancouver Island Man Fined $60K for Illegally Damaging Salmon Habitat on Trent River

A British Columbia resident was found guilty of destroying critical fish habitat on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced on June 10.

According to the Courtenay Provincial Court, area resident David Tingley failed to fix work he had illegally done on his property that impacted fish and fish habitat on the Trent River. Tingley was hit with a CAD 60,000 fine ($43,900), which was directed to the Environmental Damages Fund, which focuses on the conservation and protection of salmon...

Commerce Secretary Lutnick Addresses Maine Lobster Tariffs, Promises Science-Backed Regulations

Last week, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick weighed in on pressing concerns for Maine's lobster industry, including US-Canada lobster tariffs and promising a commitment to "gold standard science" in future federal regulations impacting the state's staple seafood.

Lutnick went so far as to call the industry an “American treasure” that should be protected.

During the hearing, Lutnick was questioned by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), who highlighted how intertwined Canada and Maine are, noting the impact of tariffs on lobster, which is primarily processed in Canada, along with other...

Turning the Tide Announces 2025 Marine Industry Awards

On May 26, 2025, Turning the Tide announced its 2025 recipients for the 8th annual Marine Industry Awards, including two businesses, two individuals, and a UNESCO-recognized historic site.

Each year, five awards are given out for exemplary leadership, innovation, and long-term commitment to Newfoundland and Labrador’s marine industries. The five awards include the following: the Industry Leadership & Excellence Award, Industry Lifetime Achievement Award, Innovation Leadership Award, Award of Historical Marine Significance, and Next Wave Leadership Award.  

Turning the Tide Chair Paul Antle and his fellow Board of Directors announced the...

Canadians Focused on Economy in Today’s Federal Election; Stakes High in Seafood Industry

The federal election in Canada will end tonight with final ballots cast no later than 7 p.m. local time in British Columbia. This comes after a month-long campaign marked by a rare flip in the polls, as voters reacted to U.S. President Donald Trump’s ‘retaliatory’ tariff policy against Canadian goods and a threat to annex the nation as the 51st state.

In early January, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would be stepping down in March. At that time, Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative party had a...

FFAW Applauds Panel’s Decision on NL Snow Crab Price

According to a news release published yesterday afternoon by the Fish, Food & Allied Workers Union (FFAW), the Standing Fish Price-Setting Panel finally reached a decision on snow crab pricing for the 2025 season in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), ruling in favor of the FFAW’s proposed floor price of $4.97 per pound.

Per the Panel’s decision, the FFAW’s starting price was approved across the board, with an adjustment at the end of the season based on market performance, says FFAW-Unifor President Dwan Street. The chosen floor price is...

Canadian Snow Crab Fishery Updates: NB Open Now, NL Opening April 10

New Brunswick’s fishery is underway

The Canadian snow crab season is officially underway in the province of New Brunswick (NB). As of 6 a.m. on April 5, snow crab fishermen from NB's Acadian Peninsula were permitted to put their traps in the sea.

According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans, this permission applied to zones 12 (12, 18, 25, and 26) and 12E in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

NB’s fishing season will go until the end of the day on June 30, when all fishermen must...

NL Snow Crab Fishery Season Delayed, To Start One Week Late

Today, the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) snow crab fishery—initially set to open in most areas on April 1—announced that it would be delaying the start of the season by almost two weeks.

The announcement was first issued in the form of a letter written by the Honorable Gerry Byrne, Minister of the District of Corner Brook, and addressed to key representatives for the involved parties: FFAW-Unifor’s Dwan Street, ASP’s Jeff Loder, and Standing Fish Price-Setting Panel Chair Sheilagh Murphy.

According to the March 27 letter...