ANALYSIS: Stone Crab Markets Launch Slightly Higher but Within Historical Range

The 2025-2026 Florida stone crab season has begun, and market participants are navigating this year's supply and demand dynamics. Pricing appears relatively on track with previous season openings, though with some variations by size category.

Large sizes opened at an average price around $30.00 per pound, approximately...

Fishermen, Processors, Managers Prep for 2025-2026 Dungeness Crab Fishery Seasons on the West Coast 

When the Pacific Ocean turns stormy in the fall, the Dungeness crab season can’t be far behind. 

All three West Coast states are engaged in quality and biotoxin testing to prepare for commercial season openings in December, if possible. 

The Central California season has historically opened in mid-November, but the hope of that happening again may be a thing of the past, as that fishery hasn’t opened in mid-November for several of the past...

Grieg Seafood Elevates Piotr Wingaard to Chief Commercial Officer

Grieg Seafood appointed Piotr Wingaard as its new Chief Commercial Officer, the company announced on October 27.

Wingaard brings over 16 years of experience to the role, recently working as a “central part” of the company’s sales organization since 2020. He previously served as Grieg’s Business Controller and Development Director, overseeing the development of Oslo Salmon Processing in Gardermoen.

He will lead the commercial team in strengthening Grieg Seafood's market position, building relationships with customers and partners, and contributing to the company's ambitions for sustainable and profitable growth, the company said...

Menhaden Fisheries Coalition Applauds Science-Based Review of Chesapeake Bay Menhaden Harvest Cap

The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition today welcomed a newly funded Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCEMFIS) project to produce a research roadmap for Atlantic menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay as a long-overdue opportunity to replace political compromise with sound science.

For nearly twenty years, the Chesapeake Bay menhaden harvest cap, a harvest limit that applies only to the reduction fishery, has been managed without biological justification. Regulators and scientists have repeatedly acknowledged this fact...

Kodiak, Chignik, and South Peninsula Remain Closed for Tanner Crab This Winter

The tanner crab season for the Kodiak, Chignik, and South Peninsula Districts will remain closed this year and for the first part of 2026 due to low abundance thresholds in each area. 

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has established male crab abundance levels needed to open each fishery. Based on the 2025 survey results, only two of the six sections — the Southeast and Southwest — met the thresholds, but surplus abundance was not sufficient to meet the 100,000-pound minimum guideline harvest level (GHL) requirement in either...

VARPE, VASEP Pact Aims to Expand Russian Seafood Exports to Vietnam 

Russia and Vietnam have agreed to significantly expand joint fish trade under a memorandum signed by the Russian fish association VARPE and the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) during an international forum in St. Petersburg.

The memorandum commits both sides to expand trade volumes, simplify cross-border procedures, and develop scientific cooperation in the fisheries sector. For Russia, the agreement opens greater access for Russian fishermen and processors to Vietnam’s large and growing seafood market.

Herman Zverev, head of VARPE, said Vietnam...

Senator Markey: Commerce Committee Advances Bill to Reauthorize the Young Fishermen’s Program

The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee yesterday advanced bipartisan legislation—introduced by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in July—to reauthorize the Young Fishermen’s Development Program. The program, first authorized in law in 2021 for five years, seeks to mitigate the challenges and hurdles facing the next generation of entrants into the fishing industry. The senators’ legislation would authorize $2 million annually through FY 2031 to support regional training opportunities...

Teamsters Secure Major Contract Victory for US Foods Drivers Across the South

Following the threat of a strike, more than 200 US Foods drivers across Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement.

"We showed US Foods that we would not settle for less," said Glenn Tyler, a driver at US Foods and member of Local 71. "It feels great heading into work knowing we are protected and rewarded under such a strong Teamsters contract."

The workers, represented by Teamsters Locals 61, 71, and 391, won significant gains including wage increases...

Senator Susan Collins Advocates for Maine Lobster Industry Amid Tariff Challenge

Senator Susan Collins sent correspondence to US officials on Monday, urging them to address the negative impact tariffs are having on Maine's lobster industry.

The letter, addressed to US Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jameison Greer, highlighted the significant hardships lobstermen are currently facing.

Collins stated that the job of lobstermen has become less profitable in recent years, noting that earnings per pound in 2024 have decreased to some of the lowest levels in the past 75 years, a situation...

Thailand to Host 25th Global Seafood Alliance Responsible Seafood Summit

The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) is set to host its 25th annual Responsible Seafood Summit at the prestigious Shangri-La Bangkok, a 5-star luxury hotel in Thailand, known as one of the world's leading regions for shrimp production.

Scheduled for the week of September 21, 2026, the summit marks a significant collaboration with The Center for Responsible Seafood (TCRS), infusing the event with the TCRS Shrimp Summit content.

Mike Kocsis, CEO of GSA, expressed enthusiasm for the strategic partnership, highlighting the unique opportunity...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...

ANALYSIS: Update on Norwegian Farmed Atlantic Salmon Production

The total biomass of farmed Atlantic salmon at sea in Norway has been lower than in 2024 for two consecutive months, August and September. According to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, the final biomass in September 2025 showed a modest year-on-year reduction of 0.6%. This decline in live fish stock may be linked to a marked increase in harvest volumes from June through August 2025. As a result, harvest intensity during those months rose by roughly 13.5%...

Russia Clears Chilean Seafood for Import Following Forum Talks

Russian and Chilean authorities confirmed that Chilean seafood will be allowed to enter Russia after talks during the VIII International Fishery Forum and the Fish Industry, Seafood, and Technology Exhibition in St. Petersburg.

The deputy head of Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor), Konstantin Savenkov, met with María Soledad Tapia Almonacid, Head of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service of Chile (Sernapesca), on October 23. The fallout of the meeting saw 34 companies land authorization to ship products to Russia...

Cousins Maine Lobster Expands Southwest Footprint Through Multi-Unit Deal

Cousins Maine Lobster (CML), the industry-leading fast-casual lobster roll brand, signed an agreement to bring four new trucks to New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. This deal meets the growing demand for more high-quality seafood across the Southwest region. It will offer local seafood lovers the opportunity to enjoy CML's world-famous Maine Lobster rolls, mouthwatering lobster tacos, savory lobster grilled cheese, and delicious whoopie pies.

Entrepreneurs and longtime friends Chris Wilson and Gary Andrews are leading the expansion, building on their...

US Congressman Calls for Shrimp Import Pause, Cites FDA Radiation Concerns

Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) called on President Donald Trump to pause all shrimp imports into the US, citing the recent radioactive shrimp concerns raised by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Congressman Higgins wrote, “Radioactive and contaminated shrimp in our country’s grocery stores is a significant public health threat. I have long maintained that imported seafood can be dangerous, and that stronger preventive measures are necessary to ensure tainted products do not reach American consumers.”

“I recommend that you use executive authority to ensure the integrity...

ANALYSIS: EPO Yellowfin Landings Surge While Skipjack Declines 

The most recent data from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) shows that the total catch of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) from January to August 2025 is 52.6% higher year-to-date (YTD) compared with the same period in 2024. Mexico remains the biggest shareholder of yellowfin landings in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) with 47%, followed by Ecuador with...

AquaStar Adds to Indonesian Shrimp Recall Wave

AquaStar (USA) again expanded its recall of shrimp products due to concerns over radioactive Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination.

The latest recall, published on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s website on October 17, focused on a “limited quantity” of frozen shrimp imported from Indonesia.

The company noted that none of the impacted products throughout its multiple recalls have tested positive for Cs-137, and no illnesses have been reported.

The impacted products include Best Yet, Waterfront Bistro, AquaStar and Publix-branded items...