The Winding Glass: Snow Crab Market Experiencing Real Shortfall

Much of the analysis of the snow crab market this spring focused on two key issues: how tariffs could impact sales, and whether economic weakness and consumer resistance would limit price increases.  

In July and August, prices rose rapidly, far more quickly than they did in 2024. A normal seasonal pattern in snow crab is that prices trend higher once the season has ended. This year, it was more extreme than many had expected. Was it speculation and artificial constriction of supply, or was it a genuine signal of market distress...

US Crab Imports Smash Records, but Fall Brings New Tests

Imports of snow and king crab through July 2025 are running at unprecedented levels, well ahead of expectations. Snow crab, driven by record shipments from Canada and Norway, has already surpassed the entire 2024 total, reaching 123.9 million pounds in the first seven months of the year. With only limited inventory left to ship, US imports are now projected to exceed the post-sanction high of 128.6 million pounds set in 2023.

King crab imports tell a similar story, though constrained by tight supply. Norwegian red king crab...

ANALYSIS: Short-term Import Relief Fuels Groundfish Markets as Long-term Constraints Linger

Recent import data and market signals indicate that the groundfish sector is experiencing short-term rebounds amid longer-term supply constraints. Monthly flows of cod, pollock and haddock fillets rose in July, led by larger shipments from China and gains from Vietnam and Canada; however, year-to-date volumes remain below 2024 levels. At the same time, quota cuts, most notably a 25% reduction in the Norwegian...

ANALYSIS: Sea Lice Challenges and Temperature Trends in Norwegian Salmon Aquaculture

Sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) have long been a significant health challenge for the Atlantic salmon industry in Norway. For example, Benchmark Animal Health has estimated that sea lice cost the Norwegian aquaculture industry approximately NOK 6.6 billion (USD 660 million) annually. Sea lice feed on the skin, mucus, and blood of salmon, which negatively affects the fish’s capacity for osmoregulation, leading to problems with animal welfare and increased susceptibility to secondary infections...

Benchmark Genetics Appoints New CEO

Benchmark Genetics appointed Kristian Botnen as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) starting November 3, 2025.

The company said Botnen will bring extensive leadership experience in the aquaculture sector, with a background in finance and operational management.

“He will lead Benchmark Genetics into its next phase of growth and innovation as the company continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in aquaculture genetics,” the company wrote in its announcement.

Botnen joins Benchmark after a stint with AKVA Group, one of the world's leading aquaculture technology firms...

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Imports Surge 18%; Forecasts Point to August Contraction

Our forecast matched official figures closely for total shrimp imports. The product mix shifted in July due to a transition period and a rush to order before tariff deadlines, resulting in an overhang for certain categories. Cooked product was in line with forecasts. July set a record for monthly imports...

Ex-Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission CFO Sentenced to 8 Months in Embezzlement Case

Former Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) Chief Financial Officer Pamela J. Kahut was sentenced to eight months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for embezzlement.

Kahut, 68, of Wilsonville, Oregon, stole money from the PSMFC's health benefit trust account. PSMFC is an interstate agency that conserves, develops, and manages Pacific Ocean fishery resources.

Kahut was also ordered to pay $211,083.27 in restitution to PSMFC and a $10,000 fine, as per the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon...

Alaska Salmon Landings Now at 84 Percent of Forecast, Due to Lower Pink and Chum Harvests

In an odd but true moment, the only species of Alaska salmon that is currently exceeding pre-season predictions is the extremely scarce Alaska Chinook salmon. As of earlier this week, Chinook landings statewide were nearly 15% above forecasts of 165,000 fish.  

Total landings as of September 2 were 180 million fish, compared to a pre-season estimate of 214 million. 

Actual landings include 52.06 million pounds of sockeye, less than .9 million pounds of the 52.9 million predicted...

Suempol Revives Shrimp Heritage with Acquisition of Belgian Processor Van Biesen & Pieters

Major smoked salmon producer Suempol said it would be returning to its roots with the acquisition of Belgian shrimp processor Van Biesen & Pieters, based in Sint-Gillis-Waas.

Van Biesen & Pieters is a processor and distributor of shrimp products, which will help expand Suempol's current product offerings. Suempol noted that it got its start in the 1980s as a processor and exporter of shrimp products to the Netherlands and Belgium.

The newly acquired Van Biesen & Pieters began operating in the 1940s...

Canada Unveils CAD 5 Billion Rescue Plan to Help Agriculture, Other Sectors Weather US Tariffs

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sept. 5 unveiled a CAD 5 billion ($3.6 billion) support package and a suite of trade and industrial measures, including a "Buy Canadian" procurement policy, CAD 1 billion in expanded SME lending and CAD 75 million for AgriMarketing, aimed at shielding farmers, fishers and other sectors hit by new US tariffs while reskilling 50,000 workers for a more resilient domestic economy.

The agricultural and seafood industries landed in the spotlight. The federal government announced...

Hokkaido's Surimi Production in January-July Increased by 16% to 6,515 Tons

Hokkaido's cumulative frozen surimi production from January to July in 2025 is set to exceed the previous year's low level. According to member reports compiled by the National Surimi Manufacturers Association, production increased by 16% year-over-year to 6,515 tons. A major non-member manufacturer also says it's "up by about 10%."

The growth is being driven by pollock, with surimi production increasing 19% to 6,340 tons. Since March, there has been good fishing in the Sea of Okhotsk and Soya regions...

US Implements Japanese Trade Deal; 15% Tariffs, Billions in Investments, Ag Purchases

Later on September 4, the US implemented a previously announced trade deal with Japan–setting a 15% baseline tariff on almost all Japanese goods imported to the US, according to a White House statement about a presidential order. This comes almost a week after tariffs were again disputed in the US judicial system.

The now-implemented deal also created sector-specific carve-outs and outlined commitments on both sides that will affect demand for US agricultural commodities and beyond (namely, for US rice).

Plus, the order carves...

Bipartisan Bill to Extend Young Fishermen Grants Gets House Subcommittee Hearing

Congressman South Moulton (D-MA) was pleased to hear that the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries held a hearing on his bipartisan Young Fishermen’s Development Act on September 3.

The legislation, co-led by Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK), is a national competitive grant program that would support the training and education of the next generation of commercial fishermen in the US. The program would authorize grants of up to $200,000 per year (for up to three years per project) via the National...

Seafood Industry Begins Assessing Impact of 2026 MMPA Import Restrictions

As NOAA Fisheries prepares to enforce strict import rules starting January 1, 2026, industry stakeholders across the seafood supply chain are ramping up efforts to understand the potential disruptions stemming from the agency's recent comparability findings. 

With 46 nations facing import restrictions, denial, partial ratings, or pending reapplication, buyers, sellers and processors are closely monitoring how these regulatory changes could impact their businesses. 

On August 28, NOAA Fisheries effectively established a deadline for countries to meet the standards under the Marine Mammal...

Global Seafood Faces "Perfect Storm" of Tariffs and Risk, Rabobank Warns

The global seafood industry is amidst a period of profound disruption, according to the latest Rabobank report.

Seafood producers and exporters are being impacted by tariffs and geopolitical tensions, notably in Asia. Meanwhile, consumers in the Western part of the globe are facing increased prices and reduced availability of seafood staples.

“The seafood industry is navigating a perfect storm of trade barriers, geopolitical risk, and supply chain fragility,” said Gorjan Nikolik, Senior Global Specialist Seafood at RaboResearch. “Strategic diversification—both in sourcing and market access—is no longer optional...

NCLA Appeals District Court Ruling Upholding Atlantic Herring Industry-Funded Monitoring Rule

The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) appealed a recent US District Court decision that upheld a rule forcing commercial Atlantic herring fishermen to pay for at-sea monitoring.

NCLA will ask the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit to reverse the errant district court decision, set aside the Herring Rule, and vacate the Industry-Funded Monitoring (IFM) Omnibus Amendment issued by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC), it said in a statement. To enforce the Amendment...

Kingfish Sees 41% Volume Surge in H1 2025, But Scales Back US Fresh Sales Over Tariffs

The Kingfish Company said it witnessed strong volume growth of its farmed Yellowtail products behind rising demand in the first half of 2025.

The company also stated that it would reduce its commercial activities for fresh yellowtail kingfish in the US, citing tariffs, an unfavorable USD exchange rate, and increased logistics costs. The company noted the decision despite witnessing strong volume growth in the US over the past few quarters. Fresh sales in the US represented roughly 6% of its total Fresh revenue...