FMI Shares Insights from 'The Power of Seafood 2026' Report

The Food Industry Association (FMI) unveiled a new report at this year's Seafood Expo North America (SENA), made possible by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.

"The Power of Seafood 2026" report highlights that a relatively small, yet highly valuable group of frequent seafood shoppers plays a significant role in sustaining sales in the category.

"Just 10% of shoppers account for 40% of all seafood purchases, making frequent seafood consumers the primary driver of category performance" said Steve Markenson Vice President of Research and Insights...

Cooke Signs MOU to Acquire Sea Bass, Seabream Producer Avramar Greece

Canadian seafood giant Cooke Inc. announced March 19 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire debt facilities of sea bass and seabream farmer Avramar Greece, alongside an existing agreement to acquire the company's equity.

Upon closing, Cooke will acquire operational control of Avramar Greece, which includes Avramar Aquaculture S.A., Andromeda S.A., Perseus S.A., and Avramar Commercial and Logistics S.A.

The original companies comprising the group were established in 1981 and have grown to become a leader in Mediterranean aquaculture... 

Ireland's Salmon, Spiny Lobster Regain US Export Eligibility After MMPA Review

Ireland's farmed salmon and spiny lobster will be eligible for export to the United States after NOAA Fisheries found the country's fisheries meet US standards, according to a March 16 announcement.

The export ban took effect on January 1, 2026, and was first confirmed by Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Sea‑Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) in November 2025, as Expana reported.

The ban was tied to National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) comparability findings under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)...

Canadian Fisheries Minister Champions $6.1B Trade Partnership with US Market

Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson led a multi-provincial delegation to Seafood Expo North America, emphasizing the strength of North American seafood trade relationships while addressing industry concerns about evolving trade dynamics.

Thompson's delegation included representatives from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and British Columbia, reflecting the national scope of Canada's seafood export priorities. The minister used the Boston platform to reinforce Canada's commitment to what she called "fair, stable, predictable, and rules-based trade," supporting both Canadian and American coastal communities...

Senate Hearing Examines ESA Impact on Development and Wildlife Protection

At a Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee hearing, Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, discussed key issues surrounding the implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), particularly its impact on economic development and its effectiveness in protecting wildlife.

“Because, in some cases, the ESA has, at times, been used to unnecessarily slow down progress, particularly in our timbering and our energy industries […] and actually some of our construction on our highways,” Capito said.

She explored whether...

EU Parliament’s Fisheries Committee Calls to Activate Emergency Crises Fund

The chair of the Committee on Fisheries within the European Parliament wants to activate emergency measures to support fishing fleets facing the rapid rise of fuel prices.  

“The current geopolitical context, especially instability in the Middle East and rising oil prices, is having a direct impact on the European fisheries sector,” said Committee chair Carmen Crespo Díaz. “Fuel represents one of the largest operating costs of the fleet, so the continued increase in prices is putting at risk the economic viability of many vessels...

Ministers O'Brien and Dooley Welcome Appointment of New Chief Executive Officer to Inland Fisheries 

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien and Minister of State Timmy Dooley today welcomed the appointment of Dr Eamonn Kelly as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).

The appointment was made in accordance with section 23 of the Inland Fisheries Act, 2010, following an open recruitment process conducted by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Board of IFI.

Minister O'Brien said:

"I am pleased to confirm the appointment of Dr Eamonn...

SENA 2026: Vičiūnai Group Targets Major US Retail and Foodservice Growth with Market Entry Push

Vičiūnai Group is leveraging a landmark $100 million salmon processing investment to accelerate its US market expansion at Seafood Expo North America, with production capacity tripling to over 110 million pounds annually as the European processor targets American retail and foodservice growth.

CEO Egidijus Stankus, leading the company's new US subsidiary VG Trading Inc, described the strategic shift from the Lithuanian company's traditional Central and Eastern European focus toward what he called "the biggest seafood market across the world." Building on years of SENA...

SENA 2026: Mowi Unveils Unified Booth Design, Expands Flavor Innovation and Digital Marketing Push

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council is marking its fifth year of North American market investment at Seafood Expo North America, showcasing expanded retail partnerships and consumer recognition that positions the certification program for accelerated growth across US and Canadian markets.

Marketing Manager North America Athena Davis described 2026 as a milestone year, combining ASC's 15th anniversary globally with what she called "really being able to see the results, the fruits of our labor" from sustained North American campaign investments...

US-Ecuador Reciprocal Trade Agreement Signed; $2.8B in Agricultural Export Benefits

Ecuador and the United States signed their Reciprocal Trade Agreement on March 13, 2026, in Washington, D.C., eliminating tariffs on 53% of Ecuador's non-oil exports worth $2.786 billion in 2025 trade, with the agricultural sector leading the beneficiaries.

Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers Name Ron Rogness as Interim Executive Director

The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) recently announced a change its leadership team. The association named its current Director of Industry Relations, Ron Rogness, as its Interim Executive Director.

"We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Ron’s knowledge and experience to assist in the transition to the new CEO " said GAPP Chairman Jim Johnson. "Ron has been an integral member of the GAPP team for the past five years and understands GAPP, the fishery, and industry as well as anyone. GAPP...

Darden Delivers Strong Q3 as Sales Climb 5.9% YOY

Darden Restaurants reported solid growth in its third quarter of fiscal 2026, with total sales rising 5.9% year-over-year (YOY) to $3.3 billion. This increase was driven by a blended same-restaurant sales gain of 4.2% and contributions from 31 net new restaurant openings.

"We delivered a strong quarter," said Darden President & CEO Rick Cardenas. "We continue to outperform the industry same-restaurant sales benchmark, and this quarter we widened that gap as Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen each significantly...

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Feng Foods Trading For HACCP Violations

On Tuesday, March 17, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter to the president of Feng Foods Trading Inc., Heng Wen Lin.

In the letter, signed by Program Division Director of the Division of Northeast Imports, Joseph S. Tomao, the agency informed Lin that an inspection conducted on November 20, 2025, at the company’s seafood import facility in New Hyde Park, NY, revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, Title 21, Code of Federal...

New Zealand King Salmon Confirms Katie Bennett as Permanent CFO

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd announced on March 18 the permanent appointment of Katie Bennett as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.

Bennett has served as interim CFO since November 28, 2025, and was confirmed as the permanent CFO following a comprehensive recruitment process, the company said.

The appointment fills the role vacated by Ben Rodgers, who resigned in August 2025 and departed the company in November. CEO Carl Carrington had praised Rodgers' contribution in advancing the company's organizational and operational capability as the business prepared for "transformational growth...

SENA 2026: Sea Port Products Reflects on 45-Year Journey While Embracing Strategic Reinvention

Sea Port Products Corp is marking its 45th anniversary at Seafood Expo North America with a family leadership team that views the milestone as both validation of past decisions and a launching pad for strategic reinvention in an evolving trade landscape.

President Bill Dresser admitted he has to "pinch myself that it's even real" when reflecting on the company's journey from its 1981 founding by his father, James Dresser. "When you're celebrating, you reflect, and a lot of times you don't do that," he said from...

Day 19 of Iran War: Middle East Supply Fears Boost Oil 6%; US Eases Shipping Rules

The US-Israeli war on Iran is spreading regionally on its 19th day, with missiles and drones targeting Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan. Israel bombed central Beirut early Wednesday, killing at least six people and marking an expansion of the US-Israeli war against Iran. Iran carried out further retaliatory attacks on Israel, causing significant damage, and vowed revenge after Israeli strikes killed security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

Global markets remain volatile as US diesel prices climbed past $5 per gallon on Wednesday, marking their highest level since 2022. Meanwhile, the national average price for...

SENA 2026: Mowi Unveils Unified Booth Design, Expands Flavor Innovation and Digital Marketing Push

Mowi Consumer Products is using SENA 2026 to debut its most ambitious booth presence yet, combining a unified brand concept with expanded flavor innovation and a comprehensive digital marketing strategy targeting younger salmon consumers.

Diana Dumet, senior director of category and marketing for CP Americas, said the new booth design at #217 reflects the company's evolution from operating separate brand presentations to a cohesive approach. "Before we had this concept where Mowi was on one side, Ducktrap was on another side, and it was...