AquaStar Recalls Over 44,000 Bags of Shrimp Over Cs-137 Contamination Concerns

Another shrimp recall is here ahead of the Labor Day weekend.

AquaStar (USA) has recalled approximately 44,000 bags of shrimp products due to the potential contamination with cesium-137 (Cs-137).

The company announced that it has recalled approximately 18,000 bags (net wt. 2lbs) of Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp and approximately 26,460 packages of Cocktail Shrimp 6oz.

The impacted Kroger Mercado shrimp were sold at Baker’s, Gerbes, Jay C, Kroger, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay Less Supermarkets, and...

DNA Forensics Help NOAA Crack Down on Mislabeling of Tuna, Seafood Shipments

NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement wrapped up the second deployment of a device that allows officers to detect fraudulent seafood labeling at a brisk pace.

Officers and agents using the device in Long Beach identified false labeling of imported bigeye, yellow fin, blue fin, albacore and other tuna species, per NOAA Fisheries.

“The new device is proving to be a valuable tool that helps officers examine more shipments in less time, with rapid results that also help clear the way for legal seafood to reach the market...

Concerns Loomed Over Slowing Sales Due to High Scallop Prices at Hokkaido Fishery Discussion

On August 26, the Hokkaido Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations (DOGYOREN) held a scallop product subcommittee meeting in Tokyo as part of the DOGYOREN Autumn Trade Conference, where they exchanged information with trading companies and wholesalers. According to a report in the Minato Shimbun, this year's frozen scallop adductor production is expected to decrease significantly due to reduced production in the Okhotsk Sea, small size, and declining yields. It is almost certain that production of large-sized adductors, which are in high demand overseas, will also...

Russia Eyeing Stronger Seafood Imports from Latin America

Russia is aiming to increase fish and seafood imports from Latin American nations in the coming years, seeking to diversify its trade and compensate for the decline in trade with countries like Norway. 

As the volume of seafood trade with Western countries has declined significantly in recent years, Russia has stated that increasing imports from Latin America is a top priority for fisheries officials.

One of the key regional fish suppliers to Russia remains Chile. According to data from the Russian Fish Union, in January-July 2025, Russian imports of fish and...

SeafoodNews Closed on Monday, September 1, 2025

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: Pacific Halibut Market Facing Tight Quotas, Low Landings and High Prices

The 2025 Pacific halibut season opened against the backdrop of one of the lowest quotas on record, immediately shaping a tighter supply outlook. The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) set removals at 29.72 million pounds, down from 35.28 million pounds last year. Within that, the commercial quota was cut 18% to 19.7 million pounds from 24.03 million pounds in 2024, establishing a firm undertone in the market from the outset...

Japan's H1 Frozen Black Cod Imports Down 3%; Import Price of US Black Cod Up 25%

According to the Ministry of Finance's trade statistics, frozen black cod imports in the first half of this year (January to June) totaled 3,379 tons, a 3% decrease from the same period last year. The average price rose 27% to 1,321 yen/kg ($8.93/kg). The 3,117-ton imports from the United States accounted for 92% of the total. Of this, the import price for American products was 1,316 yen/kg ($8.90/kg), representing a 25% increase...

California Cracks Down on Illegal Fishing Activity by Revoking Two Licenses

A history of abandoning crab and lobster traps resulted in a stark comeuppance for two California fishermen recently, as the state said, “No more.” 

The California Fish and Game Commission in June revoked the commercial fishing license and lobster operating permit of Christopher James Miller, 68, of Santa Barbara, and the commercial fishing license and Dungeness crab permit of Ronald Ghera, 45, of Fortuna. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, both men had extensive histories of violations in their respective fisheries...

Global Seafood Alliance Bans Eyestalk Ablation for BAP Shrimp Suppliers by 2030

The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) announced that it will require all shrimp producers certified to its Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) standards to cease eyestalk ablation, or stop sourcing shrimp postlarvae from hatcheries that use the practice, by the end of 2030.

Eyestalk ablation has become a contentious issue as it involves “the pinching, cauterizing or surgical removal of a broodstock female shrimp’s eyestalk” as a breeding technique that prompts the spawning process. For nearly 40 years, this has been a standard practice within the industry.

ACT Capital Advisors Creates Seafood Valuation Arm to Support Industry M&A and Financing

Middle-market investment bank ACT Capital Advisors established a Seafood Enterprise Valuation Practice.

The US-based bank announced its new initiative, first unveiled earlier this week, which will deliver “expert business valuations” to those in the seafood sector, encompassing harvesting (wild caught and aquaculture), processing (primary and value-added), distribution, and retail segments.

Bob Hild, CEO of ACT Capital Advisors, also shared his enthusiasm, stating, "I wholeheartedly support this initiative, which underscores our commitment to serving niche markets...

Oregon State Recognized With National Engagement Award for Efforts to Reduce Whale Entanglement

Oregon’s iconic Dungeness crab fishery and efforts to reduce whale entanglements may become known for the proactive, collaborative work led by Oregon State University researchers.  

The collective work and outreach by OSU was recently recognized as one of four regional winners of the 2025 W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Engagement Scholarship Award. 

The Oregon whale entanglement project, a transdisciplinary team led by Dr. Leigh Torres, researcher in OSU’s Marine Mammal Institute and Oregon Sea Grant Extension marine mammals specialist...

Gulf Council Recommends Lower Deep-Water Grouper Catch Limits, Allocations

Changes are coming to the deep-water grouper complex, after much Gulf Council discussion, thanks to a new stock assessment for yellowedge grouper, one of the species in the complex. Catch limits represent an approximate 50% reduction in allowable harvest to end overfishing of yellowedge grouper, the Council said in a statement.  

The deep-water grouper complex comprises warsaw grouper, snowy grouper, yellowedge grouper and speckled hind, and is managed with a single annual catch limit for the complex, according to the Gulf Council... 

More Russian Surveillance Aircraft Intercepted by NORAD — Three in Less than a Week

Last week, Russian intelligence-gathering planes were intercepted by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. NORAD, which is a combined U.S.-Canada effort to monitor and protect the sovereign airspace of the two countries, scrambled two fighters, an early warning and control aircraft, and two aerial refuelers to intercept the Ilyushin IL-20 Coot on Sunday, according to a news release from NORAD... 

Upcoming Webinar: Forecasting the Future of Commodity Prices, Q4 2025 and Beyond

Expana invites you to a free, live webinar featuring our experts Tom Bundgaard, Vice President of Price Forecasting, and Craig Erlam, Forecast Analyst.

Join us on September 11 at 4 PM CET / 3 PM BST / 10 AM ET for a comprehensive macroeconomic briefing focused on the latest Q4 2025 commodity price forecasts and what lies ahead for 2026.

As global economic indicators increasingly hint at a potential recession, understanding the anticipated impact on commodity prices is critical for businesses

NFI Sushi Council Welcomes Bento Inc., One of North America’s Largest Sushi Companies

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) Sushi Council announced Bento Inc. as its newest member on August 27.

Bento is based in Toronto, Ontario, and is one of the largest sushi companies in North America. NFI, a seafood trade association, noted that the company works with customers in grocery retail, institutional foodservice and quick service outlets.

Bento provides grab-and-go options and full-service sushi programs in supermarkets, universities, hospitals, and other foodservice segments.

“Joining the NFI Sushi Council is a natural extension of our mission to...

CDFW Grant Helps Fund Coho Conservation Activity in Santa Cruz County

Some may call funding to support a captive broodstock program at a Kingfisher Flat Conservation Hatchery in California a joint venture.  

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife Cannabis Restoration Grant Program recently awarded more than $3.9 million to the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project to support operations at the hatchery in Santa Cruz County. The funds will help continue its education, outreach and monitoring activities, CDFW said in a statement.

The Project’s Kingfisher Flat Conservation Hatchery—the only coho salmon conservation hatchery in California south...