Boston Sword & Tuna, Vikenco Settle Litigation, Confirm Ongoing Partnership

Boston Sword & Tuna (BST) resolved its litigation against the Norwegian salmon company Vikenco AS, the companies announced in a joint statement on February 5.

The resolution will see the long-standing partnership between the two firms remain in place. The settlement will resolve all claims between the parties, with no admissions of liability or wrongdoing by either party.

In April 2025, BST and its parent company, Fortune International, filed a lawsuit against a former employee and Vikenco North America.

The legal complaint, filed on April 29, 2025...

P.F. Chang's Unveils Limited-Time Valentine's Day Prix Fixe Menu

P.F. Chang's is embracing the spirit of love with a special Valentine's Day offering, a limited-time prix fixe menu available from February 12 through February 16 at participating locations nationwide.

For $89.99, guests can savor a five-course dinner for two, combining P.F. Chang's beloved classics with exciting new dishes. (Note: Pricing at New York City's Union Square and Honolulu, HI locations is set at $99.99).

"P.F. Chang's is a place where great food sets the tone for a...

US Market Challenges Push Norwegian Salmon Fillet Exports Down 37%, Poland and China Surge

Norwegian seafood exports fell 3% in value at the start of 2026 compared to January last year, as the US market faced “unpredictable tariffs,” a weaker dollar, and rising competition, the Norwegian Seafood Council reports. CEO Christian Chramer pointed to lower salmon prices, reduced quotas for several wild species, and challenging market access as key factors behind the decline.

At this point last year, the US was the largest single market for Norwegian seafood. Today, the value of exports destined for the US has declined...

Russia's 2025 Salmon Catch Up 100,000 Tons Year‑on‑Year

Russia remains the world’s largest producer of Pacific salmon, according to recent statements from experts at the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo).

An agency spokesperson said that during the last salmon fishing season, Russia’s catch totaled approximately 335,500 tons, about 100,000 tons higher than in 2024. The bulk of the catch traditionally comes from Kamchatka.

As a result, Russia is currently fully self‑sufficient in salmon and caviar, though it continues to import Atlantic salmon, primarily from Chile...

SalmonChile Elects Patricio Melero as President

SalmonChile's Board of Directors has elected Patricio Melero Abaroa as president of the trade association representing Chile’s salmon producers and suppliers, effective March 1. An agricultural engineer from the University of Chile, Melero brings decades of public policy experience, including service as a deputy (1990–2021), president of the Chamber of Deputies (2011–2012), and Minister of Labor and Social Security (2021–2022).

During his parliamentary tenure, Melero served on and chaired the Lower House Fisheries and Aquaculture Committee for five terms, contributing to the passage of the 1991 Fisheries and...

NPFMC Addresses Bering Sea Chum Salmon Bycatch in Groundfish Fisheries This Week

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be discussed by members of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) this week. The DEIS addresses four alternatives to manage chum salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery. 

The alternatives start with “no action,” which would keep management of chum salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea at the status quo.

Alternative 2 provides an overall chum salmon cap that would function as a hard cap for each pollock B season. If the overall cap is met, pollock fishing must... 

Japan: 2025 Fishery Product Exports Increased 41% in Volume, 22% in Value 

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, seafood exports in 2025 (fish and shellfish preparations, fish meal) increased 41% year-on-year in volume to 586,308 tons, and increased 22% in value to 353.719 billion yen ($2.312 billion). This marks the first volume increase since 2021 and the first value increase since 2022. Strong demand, a continued weak yen, and rising prices for farmed fish such as yellowtail and scallops are likely to have driven the value to a record high, according to the Minato Shimbun...

SalMar Culls 1.4 Million Juveniles Following Mortality Incident

SalMar has culled roughly 1.4 million juvenile salmon after Norwegian local media reported a mass die-off of 573,776 smolt at one of its land-based facilities.

Local paper Folkebladet first reported the incident and documented the smolt loss, while follow‑up coverage noted that the company moved to cull an additional 1.4 million juvenile salmon, bringing the total impact to roughly 2 million fish.

SalMar has notified the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) on January 14. The paper reported that the incident stemmed from gill problems in various tanks at its...

Norwegian Salmon Leader Mowi Launches Processing Facility to Serve Thailand Market

Norwegian salmon farming giant Mowi opened its first processing plant in Thailand this week, according to Åshild Nakken, the Norwegian Seafood Council's director for Southeast Asia.

The facility was built alongside the largest salmon importer and retailer in Thailand, CP Axtra, according to Nakken’s LinkedIn post. The partnership will see Mowi supply salmon products to CP’s customers through its retail chains and the foodservice sector.

“Today marks a meaningful step forward, not only for Mowi and CP Axtra but also for the future of...

Kaldvik Appoint Interim CFO

Kaldvik AS announced today the appointment of Hjalti Hvítklett as interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective February 1.

This follows the Company's December 2025 announcement regarding the resignation of the current CFO Róbert Róbertsson, who is now exploring an opportunity with Arnarlax.

Hjalti Hvítklett brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having previously served as CFO and finance director at Nordic Aqua Partners and as CFO at P/F Pelagos.

In his new role, Mr. Hvítklett will play a crucial role in supporting Kaldvik AS's...

Chilean Authorities Arrest Suspect in Million-Dollar Salmon Theft Investigation

A man was placed under arrest by Chilean Maritime Police after being charged with involvement in a massive salmon theft between Los Lagos and Aysen, according to local media outlet El Insular.

The publication said the arrest took place at a cultivation center in Puerto Chacabuco, following court orders. The arrest stems from an investigation carried out by the Los Lagos Regional Prosecution Office...

GSMC 2026: Seafood Volumes Slip in Foodservice, But Sushi, Shrimp, and Deli Items Show Promise

Seafood volumes in US foodservice fell in 2025, with shellfish driving most of the decline, Melissa Rodriguez, VP Perimeter at Circana, told attendees at the Global Seafood Market Conference. Total seafood servings were down year‑over‑year, as a 5.9% drop in shellfish outpaced a 2.1% gain in fish. Restaurants, which account for nearly three‑quarters of total seafood pound volume, saw their volumes decline even as dollar sales increased, a sign that menu price inflation is masking the pullback in consumption...

Atlantic Sapphire Reports Lower Q4 Harvest, Average Weight and Price Slip

Land-based salmon farmer Atlantic Sapphire saw its harvest volumes in Q4 2025 dip compared to the previous quarter. The company harvested 1,183 metric tons of gutted weight (HOG), down from 1,426 metric tons in Q3. For the full year, Atlantic Sapphire harvested 5,096mt HOG.

In the final quarter of the year, net biomass gain was 1,683mt live weight (RLW) (Q3: 1,741mt). Standing biomass at the end of the year was roughly 3,437mt (3,215mt RLW).

Average harvest weight in the quarter was 2.9 kg HOG (Q3 2025: 3.1 kg)...

Chilean Salmon Industry Sees 3% Growth YOY in 2025

The Chilean salmon farming sector closed 2025 with a notable 3% growth, achieving US$6,549 million in salmon and trout exports, according to Central Bank data analyzed by SalmonChile.

Arturo Clément, president of SalmonChile, stated, "The 2025 results once again confirm salmon as the undisputed leader of Chile's non-mining exports, reaching 6,549 million dollars."

With salmon farming now representing 6% of Chile's export matrix, it has become a key economic driver, surpassing other non-mining exports such as cherries...

Salmon Evolution Updates Korea RAS Partnership With Dongwon, Drops Investment Commitments

Norwegian land-based salmon farmer Salmon Evolution said its joint venture agreement with major Korean seafood player Dongwon Industries has been replaced with a technical advisory agreement.

Salmon Evolution said the new agreement will see it provide technical advisory services on market terms. The company said this would allow Dongwon to advance the project on its own terms and with full responsibility for project financing.

Here are the highlights of the updated partnership model, per Salmon Evolution:

- Salmon Evolution will provide...

AK Delegation Introduce Bycatch Reduction Act to Address "Unprecedented Challenges"

As promised, Alaska’s Congressional Delegation has followed up on 2022’s Alaska Salmon Research Task Force Act with a broader approach to benefit other commercial species caught in Alaska. 

Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Representative Nick Begich introduced the bill earlier this week in both houses of Congress. 

“In recent years, Alaskans have witnessed unprecedented declines among some fish and crab species in parts of the state while, in other parts, runs have been strong and historic,” said Sullivan...

Rabobank: Salmon Supply Growth to Stall, Tariffs, Trade Shifts to Drive Shrimp Volume

Resilient consumer demand is keeping prices firm across major aquaculture species as 2026 gets underway, even with constrained supply, shifting trade flows, and geopolitical uncertainty continuing to test seafood markets around the world, according to Rabobank’s latest Global Aquaculture Update.

“While inflation has eased in major economies, supporting demand, the industry still faces headwinds from macroeconomic uncertainty, evolving tariff regimes, and climate‑related pressures,” said Novel Sharma, Seafood analyst at RaboResearch.

Farmed salmon input is expected to largely stall in 2026, with a potential...

StarKist Launches ‘Fuel Good, Feel Good’ Campaign Featuring Former Bachelorette, US Hockey Hero

Staple US seafood brand StarKist launched its latest campaign, ‘Fuel Good, Feel Good,’ which is designed to show how fueling up with protein helps consumers accomplish their everyday goals, both big and small.

To bring its new campaign to life, StarKist partnered with a group of creators who will showcase how StarKist’s ready-to-eat products support energy and help people feel good. Partners include former Bachelorette Becca Kufrin, Savannah Bananas star Jackson Olson, and former US Olympic hockey hero TJ Oshie...

Seafood Industry Set for Rapid Change in 2026 Led by Transformation Economy, Asian Growth, and Tech

The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) has highlighted key trends expected to shape the global seafood landscape in 2026, drawing on insights from its recent annual conference.

Among the drivers of change is the rise of the “transformation economy,” in which consumers increasingly prioritize health, longevity, and well-being, reshaping food choices toward nutrition-dense proteins such as seafood. Louise Byg Kongsholm, CEO of Pej Gruppen and a featured speaker at the NSC event, highlighted how the shift from an experience economy to a transformation...

Chilean Salmon Industry, US Ambassador Strengthen Strategic Trade Partnership

The Salmon Council (Consejo Del Salmon), representing the majority of Chile’s salmon production, convened its first bilateral working meeting with United States Ambassador to Chile, Brandon Judd, last week, aiming to deepen cooperation on trade and reinforce its salmon supply chain.

Loreto Seguel, Executive President of the Salmon Council, met with Judd to discuss the interdependence between Chile and the US in the salmon industry, which relies on inputs critical to salmonid production, processing, distribution, and year-round availability in the American market...

Gold Star Distribution Recalls Thousands of Products, Including Canned Fish and More Seafood

Thousands of products from Gold Star Distribution have been recalled due to the presence of rodent and avian contamination. The recall, initially made public in December 2025, has garnered added attention as many staple food brands like Cheerios, Pringles and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are included in the lengthy recall.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that a Gold Star facility in Minneapolis was operating under insanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent excreta, rodent urine...

Federal Court Dismisses Mowi Appeal, Upholds Discovery Islands Salmon Farming Ban

Canada's Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed Mowi Canada West's appeal of a 2024 ruling that effectively bans salmon farming in the Discovery Islands region of British Columbia.

The decision upholds a June 2024 federal court ruling that affirmed the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans’ authority to deny aquaculture licences in the Discovery Islands on conservation grounds. Environmental groups and wild salmon advocates hailed the outcome as a major victory.

“This is another tremendous victory for wild salmon," said...

Hilton Foods Cautious on 2026 as Greek Smoked Salmon Export Ban to US Drags On

Hilton Food Group expects its 2025 adjusted profit before tax to land between £72–75 million, in line with earlier guidance, but has warned that ongoing restrictions on smoked salmon exports from its Foppen facility in Greece to the US will persist into at least the first half of 2026, alongside ongoing protein inflation pressures.

In a Jan. 29 trading update, the UK-based multi-protein supplier said net bank debt is set to finish 2025 at roughly £135 million, reflecting recent divestments...

Three Dead, Three Missing After Vessel Serving Salmones Austral Sinks in Chile

Chilean salmon farmer Salmones Austral confirmed that a vessel it uses sank Jan. 27 in the Reloncaví Estuary in Chile’s Los Lagos region, leaving three crew members confirmed dead and three missing, local media and the Chilean navy reported.

Salmones Austral said the Koñimo I sank while anchored about 70 meters from shore and under normal weather conditions. The company noted that the vessel, owned by Koñimo, provides sporadic services to Salmones Austral and that the crew had finished work at 6 p.m. local time the previous day...

ADF&G Predicts Strong Prince William Sound Pink Run, Average Copper River Sockeye

Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) issued its 2026 forecast for the returning salmon runs in Prince William Sound and nearby Copper River last week, with positive news for pink salmon harvesters this summer and less positive for the wild sockeye salmon caught by the Copper River drift fleet, whose season opens in mid-May for Alaska’s first-of-the-year Chinook and sockeye salmon.

Returns to the Copper River this year are predicted to be “average” for sockeye salmon at 1.455 million fish...

GSMC 2026: Farmed Salmon Faces Growing China Demand as Buyers Adjust Sourcing

Buyers and producers at GSMC 2026 painted a picture of a salmon market in flux: wild runs are tight and commanding premiums, while farmed volumes and shifting trade flows, notably surging demand from China and other Asian markets, will largely determine where product lands in 2026. Panelists warned US buyers to expect constrained farmed supply, price pressure and the need for proactive sourcing decisions as Chilean and Norwegian harvests flatten after strong 2025 performances.

The conversation, moderated by Richard Barry of the National Fisheries Institute...

Nissui to Expand South American Salmon Production to Over 80,000t as Pesquera Yadran Deal Closes

Japanese seafood giant Nissui said it will expand its South American salmon aquaculture business to over 80,000 tons per year by the end of the decade, roughly 2.5 times higher than its current production level.

The bold goal came alongside the company’s announcement that it has completed its acquisition of Chilean salmon farming company Pesquera Yadran (PY), first announced in December of last year, as Expana reported.

The increased Chilean salmon goal aligns with the company’s long-term “GOOD FOODS 2030” vision...

Canadian Farmed Salmon Sector Signals Alarm Over BC Ban Amid Food Security Concerns

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance’s latest report warns that the 2024 ban on west coast open-net pen salmon farming by the Trudeau government threatens Canada’s food security and jobs, and undermines the “Buy Canadian” push amid tariff uncertainty in the US.

“Canada’s aquaculture production is a national economic treasure, but it has been seriously weakened by irresponsible government policies,” said Timothy Kennedy, CAIA President & CEO. “Once a world leader in seafood, Canada now underperforms against global competitors, jeopardizing Canada’s independence and food security at...

SalMar Moves to Full Ownership of Oylaks After Controlling Stake Since 2022

SalMar, one of the world’s leading salmon farmers, announced it has acquired a 100% stake in Oylaks, a Norwegian firm that holds one Atlantic salmon license.

The agreed purchase price in the deal will be settled by the issuance of 209,402 new shares by SalMar at a subscription price of NOK 655.20 ($65.21) per share, SalMar said in its announcement.

SalMar first took a controlling stake in Oylaks in 2022. Salmon Business noted that Oylaks noted at the time that, despite stable profitability, the company said it...

In Denying to Hear the Case, the Supreme Court Hands Alaska Natives a Win on the Kuskokwim

The Supreme Court yesterday rejected the state of Alaska’s petition to review a ruling affirming Alaska Native fishing rights in a case tied to a broader legal battle over subsistence fishing that began more than 40 years ago. 

In an article published in Courthouse News, Lloyd Miller, attorney for the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, described the petition as the fourth time a court has ruled against Alaska’s attempt to “wipe out the subsistence fishing and hunting rights that rural Alaskans...