NL and Seafood Industry Seeks Federal Support to Maintain Marine Atlantic's Essential Service Status

The Newfoundland and Labrador provincial government has called for federal help to ensure the Marine Atlantic ferry service remains an "essential service" within the province.

NL Premier Tony Wakeham wrote to the federal Minister of Transport to express concern over an application currently before the Canada Industrial Relations Board that would reconsider Marine Atlantic's "essential service" designation.

"Marine Atlantic is more than a ferry service. It is a critical supply chain and transportation link for Newfoundland and Labrador, and the primary means of moving essential...

Norwegian Seafood Exports Face Continued US Market Pressure in May

Norwegian seafood exports declined 1% in May to NOK 13.4 billion, marking the fourth month of value decline in 2026 as US market losses and quota-driven volume reductions continue to pressure the industry.

US Market Losses Mount

The United States remains Norway's most challenging export market, with May exports falling NOK 363 million to NOK 992 million, a 27% decline from May 2025. The US has now become Norway's third-largest market, down from previous rankings.

"The US market has seen the sharpest decline...

Trump Customs Order Tightens US Import Scrutiny as Tariff Fight Broadens

On June 3, US President Trump signed an executive order on customs enforcement that broadens the US trade crackdown beyond tariff rates and into the mechanics of how goods enter the country, according to the White House document.

The US President signed the order while all eyes were watching USTR Section 301 announcements, checking tariff exceptions, and anticipating the US tariff schedule as the trade team readies to switch from current Section 122 duties to Section 301 measures aimed to bring “reciprocal” tariff rates back to life.

Industry Applauds FDA Approval of "Golden Sea Bream" Marketing Name for Rhode Island Scup

The US Food and Drug Administration will allow scup caught in Rhode Island waters to be marketed as "Golden Sea Bream," a change expected to boost marketability and profitability for local fishermen.

Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) secured the approval through language included in the FY26 Agriculture appropriations bill signed into law earlier this year. The FDA subsequently confirmed "Golden Sea Bream" as an acceptable market name, with the update reflected in the July 2026 Seafood List publication...

America Turns 250. Shuckin' Shack is Throwing the Party.

America is turning 250, and Shuckin' Shack, the 18-unit oyster bar franchise, is celebrating the only way it knows how: with cold drinks, hot food, fresh oysters and absolutely zero interest in doing anything halfway. Packed to the brim with seafood, burgers, BBQ, beer buckets, American cocktails and enough "Red, White & Blooze" energy to make a bald eagle shed a tear, Shuckin' Shack's Summer 2026 Campaign, kicking off June 1, is making beach-loving, oyster-shucking American dreams come true...

Oregon Coastal Lawmakers Urge DEQ to Ease Pressure on Pacific Seafood Amid $3.2M Fine

A bipartisan group of Oregon coastal lawmakers is asking the state's Department of Environmental Quality to ease regulatory pressure on Pacific Seafood, which faces a near-record $3.2 million fine for alleged wastewater violations.

In a May 20 letter to DEQ Director Leah Feldon, seven members of Oregon's Coastal Caucus expressed support for Pacific Seafood's appeal of the April penalties and requested that DEQ stay enforcement while the company challenges the fines.

The enforcement action targeted three Pacific Seafood facilities: $2.9 million against the Charleston...

USTR Proposes 25% Tariff on Brazil, Sparking Seafood Industry Concerns

The US Trade Representative (USTR) proposed a 25% tariff on Brazil, citing a Section 301 investigation that found unfair trade practices have burdened US businesses.

"Over the past year, President Trump and I have had several constructive meetings with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his cabinet, which have accelerated in recent weeks," said Ambassador Jamieson Greer. "However, we continue to have substantial differences in resolving the issues identified in this investigation."

The announcement sparked immediate concern from Brazil's Peixe BR, the Brazilian Association of Fish Farming...

Japan's Import of Norwegian Mackerel Plummets 83% in April

The price of Norwegian mackerel continues to soar. Minato Shimbun reports that, according to domestic processing sources, "The price in Japan has exceeded 1,000 yen/kg ($6.25/kg). The new catch, which will be caught from August, will likely see further price increases," they warn. 

According to the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), mackerel exports in April continued their sharp decline, down 60% year-on-year to 3,952 tons and 34% to 217 million NOK ($23.35 million). The largest export destinations are the United States, Ukraine, and Vietnam...

National Fisheries Institute Expands Pipeline of Board-Ready Seafood Leaders

The nation's leading trade association for the seafood industry completed its second year of a visionary program to prepare seasoned seafood professionals to serve on corporate, nonprofit, community or national boards.  

Launched in 2025 as part of the National Fisheries Institute’s Strategic Plan, the program brought seafood leaders into boardrooms to help shape policy conversations, guide organizations, and advocate for the future of the industry,  all while bringing their expertise to the boardroom.  

“This program is developing a strong pipeline of leaders for the seafood ecosystem,” said Lisa Wallenda Picard...

ANALYSIS: Copper River Sockeye Prices Decline Faster Than Last Year

Early Copper River market behavior continues to follow a familiar seasonal path, with initial scarcity-driven premiums giving way to lower pricing as additional fish enter the pipeline. Last week’s trade already showed the market beginning to normalize after the opening rush, and the latest quotations suggest that the correction has continued as expected.

For 4–6 lb. whole Copper River sockeye, the reported average price moved from $16.00/lb on 26-May to $12.00/lb on 28-May, before falling again to $10.00/lb on...

USDA Awards $848,160 Catfish Contract to Single Mississippi Producer

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded its 192,000-pound catfish procurement to Consolidated Catfish Producers LLC of Isola, Mississippi, for $848,160, following a solicitation that drew seven bidder responses.

The May 21 award covers 152,000 pounds of unbreaded raw catfish fillets at $4.08 per pound and 40,000 pounds of breaded oven-ready catfish strips at $5.70 per pound. Deliveries will run from July 1 through November 30, 2026, serving domestic food distribution programs across multiple states...

Russia Targets US, China Market Share in Japanese Fish Imports

Russia hopes to further increase fish and seafood exports to Japan, aiming to overtake major rivals—the US and China—in the coming years.

For 2026, Russia's fish exports to Japan decreased by 4% in volume during the January–April period, while revenue from those exports increased by 2% to US$249 million. Export volumes totaled 32,000 tons, according to the Russian Fish Union based on Japanese customs statistics.

Surimi shipments rose 5% to 8,000 tons and increased 20% in value to US$20 million. Pollock fillet...

Quinlan Sues Newfoundland Government Over 2024 Seizure of $500K Worth of Crab

Canadian seafood processor Quinlan has filed suit in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador against the province's Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, seeking damages from the seizure and destruction of snow crab in July 2024.

The lawsuit alleges government officials acted "without lawful authority" when they seized and destroyed approximately 52,000 pounds of processed crab ready for market, causing substantial financial losses estimated at $500,000 and significant harm to the company's reputation.

"This action is not about the current government, and it should not come...

ANALYSIS: Vietnam Shrimp Exports Rebound in Q1, Driven by China Demand and Seasonal Recovery

Vietnam’s shrimp exports delivered a solid performance in the first quarter, with volumes rising 11.4% year‑on‑year to 66,890 metric tonnes and export value increasing 8.7% to USD 534.4 million.

Growth was driven primarily by China, where Vietnamese shrimp demand surged 42.4% year‑on‑year over the quarter. In March alone, shipments to China nearly doubled, climbing from 2,639 MT last year to 5,724 MT (+46.1%). China accounted for 19% of Vietnam’s total shrimp exports in Q1. The EU‑UK market represented...

FDA Issues Warning Letters to Boston Importer and Georgia Processor Over HACCP Violations

The FDA has issued warning letters to two seafood companies, citing violations of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations that could result in product seizures and facility shutdowns.

Stavis Seafoods Cited for Import Verification Failures

Boston-based Stavis Seafoods, LLC received an April 15 warning letter following February inspections that found the importer failed to implement required verification steps for ensuring imported frozen aquaculture salmon fillets comply with HACCP regulations.

The FDA determined that Stavis lacked "affirmative steps...

Brim Sells Polar Seafood Denmark Stake for $144M

Iceland's Brim sold its 50% stake in Polar Seafood Denmark A/S to co-owner Polar Seafood Greenland for DKK 925 million ($144 million), the company announced June 3.

Brim initially purchased the stake in the Danish seafood sales, processing and export company in 2022 for DKK 625 million, generating a DKK 300 million gain on the sale. The companies will continue working closely together despite the transaction, Brim said.

Separately, Brim sold its 43% stake in Icelandic fishing company Melnes in Rif on the Snæfellsnes peninsula to KG Fiskverkun...

Elspeth Macdonald to Retire as Chief Executive of Scottish Fishermen's Federation

The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) has announced that its chief executive, Elspeth Macdonald, will retire from the organisation in March 2027 after a distinguished career representing Scotland's fishing industry.

She took up the role in 2019 and quickly became one of the most influential and respected voices in the UK seafood sector, representing the interests of Scotland's fishermen through a period of profound change and challenge.

Her time in the role has spanned major developments including the UK's departure from the European Union, the negotiation and implementation of new...