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...

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...

ICE Thermal Harvesting and UniSea Launch Alaska Seafood Industry's First Waste Heat to Power System

ICE Thermal Harvesting, LLC ("ICE") and UniSea, Inc. ("UniSea") have successfully completed the first deployment of a Waste Heat to Power (WHP) system in Alaska's seafood industry. Installed at UniSea's Dutch Harbor processing facility, the system captures waste heat from existing generators and converts it into clean, emissions-free electricity—marking a milestone for sustainable energy use in Alaska's seafood sector...

SE Alaska Red King Crab Season Opens November 1, Thanks to New Board of Fish Policy

Crab fishermen in Southeast Alaska will have an opportunity to begin harvesting highly sought-after red king crab this fall due to a significant policy shift in management approved by the state last February.  

The change allows a fishery to open under new management rules even if surveys show that the available biomass is less than the long-standing minimum threshold of 200,000 lbs.

The announcement from Alaska's Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is for a regionwide guideline harvest level (GHL)...

Russia Considers Nationalizing JSC Rybolovetsky Kolkhoz Vostok-1 Amid Alleged Foreign Control

Russian authorities may nationalize JSC Rybolovetsky Kolkhoz Vostok‑1, one of the country’s largest deep‑sea fishing enterprises and a leader in snow crab catches, over alleged links to foreign control.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has filed a lawsuit in the Arbitration Court of Primorsky Krai seeking to recover damages from the company. The action centers on the US citizenship of Vostok‑1’s founder, Valery Shegnagaev.

According to the prosecution, audits found that the company had been operating for years under de facto foreign control...

Cermaq Canada Completes Full Salmon Cycle in Ahousaht Territory with Zero Mechanical Lice Treatments

Cermaq Canada said its operations in Ahousaht First Nation territory completed a full salmon production cycle without a mechanical sea lice treatment.

Cermaq Canada, the Canadian arm of major salmon farmer Cermaq, said it conducted 56 mechanical sea lice treatments in 2022 to keep a 1.93 annual lice level. In the past 12 months, the company has conducted zero treatments with a lice level of 0.30.

David Kiemele, Managing Director, Cermaq Canada said:

“This phenomenal result has been the culmination of joint efforts... 

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...

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...

ANALYSIS: Thai Skipjack Market Faces Ongoing Uncertainty Even as Prices Hold Steady

The Thai skipjack tuna market has been influenced by a range of factors that have shaped price trends in recent months. The clarification of US tariffs at the end of July has provided some direction, confirming that Thailand will be subject to a reciprocal tariff rate of 19%. Thai tuna plays a crucial role in the US canned tuna supply chain, representing 48.5% of total imports in 2024...

High Liner Foods Names New Chief Financial Officer

Canada-based High Liner Foods announced Kimberly Stephens as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on September 3.

The value-added frozen seafood firm stated that Stephens will follow Darryl Bergman, who will be leaving the Company to pursue new opportunities. Bergman will remain with the company as an advisor through October 3 to help the transition process.

"Kimberly is a proven leader who brings deep knowledge of our business and strong financial expertise to the role," said Paul Jewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of High Liner Foods...

Circana Reports Value Menus Drive Restaurant Traffic Growth

This year, many industry players have responded to consumers' demand for affordable value amid turbulent and unpredictable economic times.

The surge in value meals has sparked a competitive wave of advertising and marketing, emphasizing to customers that quality foodservice can be enjoyed without breaking the bank.

Campaign Spotlight: StarKist Promotes On-the-Go Protein with Tuna, Chicken, and Salmon Pouches

Tuna giant StarKist debuted its ‘Fuel for the Modern Hustle’ campaign that celebrates routines powered by ready-to-eat and lean protein sources.

The campaign coincides with back-to-school season, which means routines, meetings and life in general begin to pick up speed after a relaxing summer season. The company is using its campaign to showcase its snack lines, including its no-prep, portable protein pouches for the on-the-go consumers.

StarKist tapped actress Tiffani Thiessen...