ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Imports Confirm Estimates; Supplier Export Patterns Signal Market Realignment

Official US import figures through August were broadly in line with our modeled projections, with total volumes inside the confidence interval despite notable variances in specific categories. Peeled shrimp imports were slightly above the high‑end forecast, while shell‑on imports were well below the lower bound. Cooked, breaded, and overall totals tracked closely to expectations. These differences match the pricing environment during the period, when higher landed costs from 19% tariffs on Indonesian shrimp and 20% tariffs on Vietnamese shrimp began influencing wholesale values...

ICE Executes Second Raid at New Jersey Seafood Distributor

For the second time this year, a wholesale seafood distributor in Newark, New Jersey, was the target of a federal immigration enforcement action, local media reported. Ocean Seafood Depot saw roughly two dozen federal agents enter the premises and take 13 people into custody, according to WABC‑7.

The raid began the morning of Nov. 19, witnesses told reporters, with heavily armed, masked federal agents on site and the FBI involved. A statement reported by NJ.com said ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark, “working in coordination with federal partners, executed...

Klamath River Posts a One-Year Surprise: There are ‘Salmon Everywhere’

More than a year following the removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, scientists with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are observing the rapid re-occupation of upstream habitat by salmon — a development with significant implications for upstream-downstream connectivity, spawning success and ultimately commercial availability. 

Michael Harris, Environmental Program Manager of CDFW’s Klamath Watershed Program, said in a statement that he’s surprised at the activity.  

“The speed at which salmon are repopulating every nook and cranny of suitable habitat upstream of the dams...

Bipartisan FISH Wellness Bill Would Double Grants for Fishermen's Safety and Behavioral Health

Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) reintroduced the Fishing Industry Safety, Health, and Wellness Improvement (FISH Wellness) Act on November 20.

The legislation would reauthorize the Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research & Training Program and build on its previous success with an aim to improve on-the-job safety and health risks facing today’s commercial fishermen. The focus will be on chronic fatigue and the high rates of drug overdose, alcohol-related liver disease, and suicide...

Land-Based Yellowtail Producer Kingfish Company Appoints Karl Buiks to Succeed Retiring CEO

Land-based yellowtail kingfish farmer The Kingfish Company tapped Karl Buiks as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2026.

Buiks brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience across the food, beverage, and nutrition sectors, with senior roles at PepsiCo, FrieslandCampina, and Kerry Group, Kingfish shared in a press release.

“Karl brings the strategic discipline, operational rigor, and brand-building expertise required to drive The Kingfish Company’s next phase of performance and growth,” said Jeroen Scheelbeek, Chair of the Supervisory Board...

Innovasea Names Jorge Bravo Managing Director of Chile

Innovasea, a global leader in technologically advanced aquatic solutions for aquaculture and fish tracking, announced today the promotion of Jorge Bravo to Managing Director of its Chilean operations.

Bravo, who joined Innovasea in 2020 and most recently served as the company’s Technical Manager for Chile, steps into the position having previously played a major role in launching and expanding Innovasea’s Chilean operations.

“Jorge has consistently proven himself as a leader and shown a strategic, results-oriented mindset that has been instrumental in driving our Chilean success,“ said Innovasea Vice President...

ADF&G Forecasts “Average” Pink Salmon Harvest for Southeast Alaska — 19M Pinks in 2026

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) issued its latest salmon forecast for next year last Monday: a lackluster “average” run of pink salmon to rivers in the state’s panhandle, with a predicted harvest of 19 million fish. 

“Juvenile pink salmon abundance measured in northern inside waters during summer 2025 was near the middle of the long-term range, which suggests a moderate number of adults returning in 2026,” the agency’s forecast said. 

While salmon returns can vary due to changing ocean conditions...

American Mariculture Co-Founder Robin Pearl Arrested

Robin Pearl, co-founder of American Mariculture (AMI), was arrested in Florida on November 14 on charges of fraud, money laundering and grand theft larceny, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

According to arrest records, Pearl faces counts including fraud involving property valued at more than $50,000, money laundering involving more than $100,000, and grand theft larceny of more than $100,000. The incident comes as AMI and its affiliates, American Penaeid and Sun Shrimp Gourmet, have been at the center of a broader control dispute surrounding the company...

US to Ban Irish Farmed Salmon and Spiny Lobster Imports from January 1 Over MMPA Compliance

Beginning January 1, 2026, farmed salmon and spiny lobster from Ireland will no longer be eligible for export to the United States, Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Sea‑Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) confirmed this week.

The Irish agencies were notified by US authorities that the restriction is tied to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) comparability findings under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). NOAA determined that Ireland’s standards do not meet the...

ANALYSIS: Norwegian Salmon Harvest Up 20.9% YTD; Exports Cool After August Peak

The Norwegian Atlantic farm salmon sector is experiencing a notable increase in supply, with total harvests rising 20.9% year-to-date (YTD) through September, according to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries. While seawater biomass remains relatively stable, the increase in harvest volume and export activity indicates a strong and expanding supply base, mainly driven by seasonal peaks in August. Conversely, the latest data from Statistics Norway show that weekly export figures for fresh and chilled salmon have slowed...

Bid Price for Frozen Russian Opilio Weakening by 10% at Busan Auction

According to a report in the Minato Shimbun, the third bidding of the year for new frozen opilio snow crab (from the Russian Far East took place on November 6th in Busan, South Korea. According to multiple trading companies, 32 tons of air-blast frozen boiled sections produced in October were up for bid. The winning bid (single price for L-4L sizes, EXW Busan) is expected to be $19.7-19.8/kg, 10% lower than the second auction. Many Japanese trading companies were unsure of the identity...

Russia Sharply Increases Salmon Catch in 2025

Russia is sharply increasing its salmon catch in 2025, with overall figures expected to significantly surpass 2024 results.

According to the All-Russian Association of Fishery Producers (VARPE), as of November, Pacific salmon catch totaled 335,500 tons — more than 40% higher than the entire 2024 catch of 235,000 tons, which was Russia’s worst salmon harvest since 2005.

Catch growth was observed in most key fishing areas, including Kamchatka, which accounts for 80% of the total catch, and Khabarovsk Krai. However, Sakhalin experienced a sharp decline due to an extremely hot summer...

Midland Co Announces Major Retail and Farm Network Expansion

Midland Co recently announced two major milestones that expand the company’s reach to consumers across the Midwest.

First, the company celebrated a new partnership with Fareway, bringing Midland Co’s shrimp products to shelves at select Fareway grocery stores and Fareway Meat Markets.

"Launching into Fareway is a major step forward—for our farmers and for customers who want fresher, more sustainably raised shrimp," said Jackson Kimle, Co-Founder and CEO of Midland Co. "This partnership allows us to bring locally grown seafood to more communities while supporting family farms...

Cousins Maine Lobster Expands to Indiana Through Multi-Unit Deal

Cousins Maine Lobster (CML), the industry-leading fast-casual lobster roll brand, signed an agreement to bring two new trucks to Indiana. The deal meets the growing demand for more high-quality seafood across the Midwest region. It will offer local seafood lovers the opportunity to enjoy CML's world-famous Maine Lobster rolls, mouthwatering lobster tacos, savory lobster grilled cheese, and delicious whoopie pies...

Oregon Investigates Whale Entanglement as State and Crab Fleet Highlight Years of Risk-Reduction

A stranded whale in Oregon that has captured attention on the eve of the potential start of the Dungeness crab season has state and federal agencies looking for clues to the young whale’s death.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a press release it is assisting federal partners in investigating the entanglement of the young humpback whale that stranded near Yachats earlier this week. NOAA Fisheries has attributed the gear involved to the Oregon commercial Dungeness crab fleet...

Hokkaido Scallop Industry "Unperturbed" by the Chinese Import Ban

On November 19, it was revealed that the Chinese government had once again suspended import procedures for Japanese seafood. Still, there is no sign of any major unrest in Hokkaido's scallop industry. Since the full ban in August 2023, sales channels have been developed and expanded into other countries, including the United States and Southeast Asia, advancing the "distance from China" movement. In addition, even after the ban was lifted in June of this year, only one processing facility in Hokkaido capable of exporting to China was registered by China...

Novotel Becomes First Hospitality Brand To Join Seafood Task Force

Global hotel brand expands ocean commitment with focus on sustainable tuna and farmed shrimp sourcing across Southeast Asia

Novotel, a leading global hotel brand with 600 hotels in 68 countries, has become the first hospitality brand to join the Seafood Task Force (STF).

This milestone reinforces Novotel’s leadership in sustainable hospitality and builds upon the brand’s comprehensive three-year ocean commitment and partnership with WWF, launched in June 2024.

The collaboration with the STF will initially focus on enhancing supply chain transparency...