ANALYSIS: Norwegian Salmon Production Climbs as Disease Control Improves, Market Prices Lag

The Atlantic Norwegian salmon industry has experienced strong production levels so far this year. In 2024, the sector faced several health challenges, notably Winter Ulcer Disease (WUD), which resulted in a higher proportion of low-quality fish and raised concerns regarding animal welfare. The primary bacteria responsible for WUD is Moritella viscosa, which negatively affected both survival rates and market prices. However, the situation has improved in 2025 due to the enhanced performance of a vaccine targeting M. viscosa, leading to increased production year-on-year...

FDA's Uptick in Indonesian Shrimp Rejections Foreshadowed Recent Radioactive Contamination Alert

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been closely monitoring Indonesian shrimp imports long before its recent advisory regarding potential radioactive contamination of BMS Foods shrimp products bound for Walmart stores in over 10 states.

The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA), a group representing the US wild-caught shrimp sector and has fought to curb the country’s reliance on shrimp imports, highlighted that the FDA has refused a significant number of entry lines of Indonesian shrimp so far in 2025...

Russia Bets on Consistent Bering Sea Fish Catches

Russia is betting on stable fish catches in the Bering Sea in the coming years, particularly around pollock and herring. 

This year, the total allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in the West Bering Sea and Chukchi zones was set at just above 702,000 metric tons. 

This section is one of the primary areas of year-round fishing in the Russian section of the Bering Sea. Concerns around current stocks of bottom-living and demersal fish are expected to lead to more research, which is expected to lead to Russian fisheries...

ANALYSIS: Robust EU-UK Shrimp Imports in H1 2025 Signal Market Shifts

The European Union has just released its latest trade volume data for June 2025, revealing that total shrimp imports in the EU-UK region remain well above the five-year historical averages, reaching 60,950 metric tons in June. Although this represents a 4.9% decrease compared to May, it marks a notable 13.0% increase year-over-year. This figure is 19.7% higher than the five-year average for the month of June. The decline in June follows a typical seasonal pattern...

Lerøy Seafood Group Maintains Harvest Guidance After ‘Solid’ Q2 Performance

Norway-based Leroy Seafood Group (LSG) said it delivered “solid operations” across all its business segments in its second fiscal quarter of 2025, which resulted in an EBIT of NOK 680 million ($66 million).

“The quarter clearly illustrates the robustness of our business model with a fully integrated value chain in a diversified seafood company," said CEO of Lerøy Seafood Group ASA Henning Beltestad.

The company’s farming segment wrapped Q2 with a NOK 256 million operational EBIT. LSG said it had strong biological...

Hokkaido Scallop Landings in Okhotsk Down 10%, Pushing Prices to Unusual Highs

This season's scallop harvest off Hokkaido's Okhotsk coast has passed the halfway point. Preliminary figures for the end of July indicate a 9% year-on-year decrease of 145,300 tons, achieving 54% of the projected total. The initial projection was 267,900 tons, a 12% decrease from the previous season's actual results. Still, due to poor growth, rough seas, delays in landings caused by heat countermeasures, and mass mortality in some near-shore fishing grounds, some fishing cooperatives have revised their targets downward or are forecasting that...

Louisiana Agents Seize Drugs, Weapons and 1,813 Pounds of Shrimp During Vessel Inspection

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF) arrested one individual for alleged drug and firearm violations, with another cited for alleged shrimping violations on August 15 in Iberia Parish.

Rendal D. Jennies Jr., 42, of Houma, was arrested for possession of cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, possession or dealing in unregistered/illegally transferred weapons, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in the presence of a schedule II controlled dangerous substance. He was eventually booked into the parish jail...

St. James Smokehouse Unveils SAINT Fruit Wood Limoncello Smoked Salmon

Perfect for summer soirées, seafood spreads, and breezy brunches, St. James Smokehouse is serving up sunshine on a plate with the launch of its newest seasonal stunner: SAINT® Fruit Wood Limoncello Smoked Salmon — now available exclusively at Eataly locations nationwide.

Zesty, bright, and effortlessly luxe, this small-batch seasonal release is a citrus-infused twist on tradition. Crafted with the same artisanal care that’s made St. James Smokehouse a favorite among food lovers and chefs alike, each fillet is gently infused with small-batch...

ANALYSIS: Live Lobster Market Outlook, Navigating Supply Constraints and Demand Uncertainty

 As the summer’s peak demand period winds down, the live lobster market faces an unexpected dynamic. Maine’s landings have been slow to gain momentum, resulting in supply that is tighter than anticipated. At the same time, both domestic and international demand have remained subdued. The absence of strong buyer interest—despite limited availability—has prompted market participants to question whether elevated price points, broader economic pressures, or shifting consumption patterns are dampening demand, a sharp departure from the robust activity typically seen during the height...

Cousins Maine Lobster Adds San Antonio to Growing Texas Franchise Portfolio

Cousins Maine Lobster (CML) expanded its footprint in Texas with a new truck entering the San Antonio market.

The new truck is owned by Jimmy Shoshani and Ahmer and Sarah Khan, a trio that ranks among Cousins Maine Lobster's most experienced franchisees. 

Shoshani, the brand's longest-tenured operator, joined in 2014 and launched the Las Vegas market the following year, per CML. Meanwhile, Shoshani, the brand's longest-tenured operator, joined in 2014 and launched the Las Vegas market the following year...

Mystic Fish Camp Set to Open in August

This summer, the Connecticut shoreline is getting a playful, purpose-driven newcomer with the debut of Mystic Fish Camp, a retro-themed seafood shack from James Beard Award-winning Chef David Standridge and the team behind The Shipwright's Daughter. Opening on August 25th, the concept brings the nostalgia of summer camp to the harbor—with bold flavors, sustainable sourcing, and a deep respect for New England's fishing traditions.

If The Shipwright's Daughter is the grown-up dinner party, then Mystic Fish Camp is the barefoot beach cookout...

The Retail Rundown: Retailers See Early Back-to-School Spending Amid Price Concerns

While some students are already back in class, others are squeezing in the last stretch of summer before Labor Day. Either way, grocers are bracing for busy aisles as parents juggle back-to-school supplies and grocery lists. This week’s ads highlight plenty of lunchbox staples, including snacks and deli items. 

The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that two-thirds of shoppers had already begun back-to-school purchases by early July, with more than half starting earlier than last year. Concerns about higher prices linked to tariffs...

California Wildlife Officers Cite Four for Poaching 236 Spiny Lobsters

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers cited four individuals who were caught fishing for spiny lobster illegally during the closed season on August 1.

The CDFW said officers were on a patrol around 11 p.m. when they saw lights and activity near Royal Palms Beach in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The officers then saw four individuals in wetsuits and diving gear taking spiny lobsters and returning to shore throughout the night. The CDFW noted that both the recreational and commercial spiny...

Seasonally Record-High Volumes and Revenues for Mowi in Q2

Mowi generated operating revenues of EUR 1.39 billion in the second quarter which translated into an operational profit of EUR 189 million.

The second quarter of 2025 ended with record-high revenues for Mowi, on strong biological and operational performance, all-time high volumes and decreasing cost.

“2025 has so far been a good year for the Farming division with very good operations and strong growth,” said Mowi CEO, Ivan Vindheim.

Mowi harvested a record 133,000 tonnes in the second quarter, representing growth of 21% compared with last year.

Southern Shrimp Alliance Names Blake Price as Deputy Director to Boost Industry Advocacy

The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) named Blake Price as its new Deputy Director, a newly created position, on August 16.

The SSA, a group representing the Gulf shrimp industry, said the new leadership structure is aimed at improving communication with shrimpers, strengthening partnerships with other groups and adding a new full-time advocate for the US shrimp industry.

“The new role allows for significantly more visits to the docks and community meetings,” the SSA explained. “We aim to ensure your voices are heard when decisions are made...

FDA Issues Advisory on BMS Foods Shrimp Sold at Walmart Over Cs-137 Detection

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public advisory warning consumers not to eat, sell, or serve frozen shrimp imported by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods) that is sold at Walmart locations nationwide.

The advisory follows a recent FDA import alert placing several BMS Foods products on the agency’s Red List due to concerns over radioactive contamination, as Expana first reported on August 15.

As of August 19, the FDA said no product that tested positive or alerted...

Change of CEOs at Nutreco and Skretting

Nutreco announced today that CEO David Blakemore will step down from his role on September 1, 2025, and will be succeeded by Bastiaan van Tilburg, who has been CEO of Skretting since June 2024.

Van Tilburg’s other internal roles at Nutreco have included general manager of Trouw Nutrition Benelux, Scandinavia and France, and Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia. Before joining Nutreco, van Tilburg held commercial and operational leadership positions at SHV subsidiary Makro in Brazil and spent four years at Royal Dutch Shell...