ANALYSIS: Soft Fall Demand Pressures Live Lobster Prices Despite Reduced Supply

Buyer interest through October and November has been notably tempered, a trend not unusual for this time of year as seasonal demand typically softens following the late-summer push. However, this fall’s slowdown has been more pronounced. Even with reduced Maine catch levels, market prices and boat prices alike have eased, signaling a softer demand environment than in prior years. Sellers describe sales as sluggish, with limited urgency from buyers to replenish inventories or take on additional volume...

Florida Importer Netuno Sues Over Trump Tariffs, Challenges Emergency Trade Powers

Netuno USA, a Florida-based seafood importer and distributor, filed suit Nov. 5 in the US Court of International Trade, arguing that President Trump’s emergency tariff program exceeds his statutory authority and has disrupted its seafood supply chains.

The complaint was lodged against Trump, his administration, the US Trade Representative, US Customs and Border Protection and other officials. Netuno called the tariffs unconstitutional and unlawful and argued that Trump exceeded statutory and constitutional authority by using emergency powers to impose broad tariffs.

Netuno questioned Trump’s authority on tariffs...

Americans Plan to Dine Out More in 2026 as OpenTable Reports Strong Industry Growth

OpenTable’s newly released 2026 Dining Trends Report shows that despite mixed views on the economy, Americans continue to prioritize eating out, driving steady growth across the foodservice industry.

According to the analysis, dining out increased 8% year-over-year in 2025, and consumers expect for that to increase in 2026.

"As we head into 2026, there's good news for the restaurant industry: our new research shows that people continue to make room in their lives and budgets for dining out...

Japan: Price of Russian Atka Mackerel May Rise Next Year Due to Halved TAC

The domestic sales price for Russian Atka Mackerel, weighing 540-640 grams and frozen dressed, is 620 yen/kg ($4.00/kg). In the first half of this year, it was around 640 yen/kg ($4.13/kg). 

This year's TAC for the Far East Atka Mackerel is set at 53,000 tons, roughly double last year's initial quota, which boosted demand for restaurants and convenience store prepared foods. However, it will be reduced to 23,000 tons next year. "Next year, producers will likely raise prices due...

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: YTD French Shrimp Imports Up 12% Year-On-Year

According to the National Directorate of French Statistics, France imported 102,860 metric tons of shrimp between January and September, representing an 11.9% increase from the same period last year. In value, this translates to 659 million euros, a 11.3% increase year-over-year. France ranks as the second shrimp market in Europe after Spain, so these positive results over the first three quarters could indicate a growing appetite for this crustacean category in Western Europe...

Oregon, Washington Advance Toward Dungeness Crab Decision as Test Results Roll In

West Coast crabbers and fishery managers are entering a decisive week for the 2025-26 Dungeness crab season, with a season-opening announcement scheduled for Friday, following the recent release of Washington test results. 

According to an industry notice from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, crab from Long Beach did not meet the Tri-State meat recovery threshold for a Dec. 1 opener.  

Crab from Westport did meet the criteria, with a 25% meat recovery result, but some crab is still soft...

NFI Supports Food Tariff Cuts, Presses for Inclusion of All Seafood in Trump Administration Plan

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) shared its approval of the Trump administration’s move to reduce tariffs on some food and agricultural products.

The NFI urged the administration to include all seafood in tariff adjustments, citing that rising costs have put it out of reach for many American families.

“This is critical to lowering consumer prices, maintaining American jobs in the seafood sector and keeping Americans healthy and fed,” NFI President & CEO Lisa Wallenda Picard said in a statement...

Dynamic Leadership Fuels Growth and Innovation at the National Aquaculture Association

The National Aquaculture Association (NAA) aims to support sustainable, profitable, and environmentally responsible aquaculture development across the United States.

Recently, the organization welcomed two leaders whose shared passion and expertise will help advance its mission.

In April, Caitlyn Czajkowski was appointed Executive Director. Her strong scientific background and policy experience make her exceptionally well suited for this role.

Czajkowski previously served as a prestigious NOAA Knauss Marine Policy Fellow in the office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons, where she worked on the Senator’s Energy, Environment...

Trident Seaoods' Wild Alaska Pollock Whitefish Loins Now at Walmart

Trident Foods is excited to announce a new partnership with Walmart, bringing Trident’s Wild Alaska Pollock Whitefish Loins to freezer aisles nationwide and expanding access for consumers across the country.

For decades, the company has been committed to delivering the freshest, healthiest, and most sustainably wild-caught seafood in the industry. Rooted in Alaska, Trident Seafoods now operates 28 processing, production, and sales facilities around the world.

Trident’s Wild Alaska Pollock Whitefish Loins offer 26 grams of protein per serving...

Scott & Jon's Expands Presence with Launch at Whole Foods Market

Scott & Jon's is expanding its brand presence in grocery stores nationwide following a recent partnership announcement.

The frozen meal manufacturer is bringing four of its seafood bowls to Whole Foods Market.

The lineup includes three of the brand's most popular recipes and a new flavor.

• Honey Sesame Salmon: A company bestseller featuring salmon, rice and vegetables, and dressed with a sweet and savory sauce.
• Lemon Butter Dill Salmon: A fresh take on a seafood classic, featuring salmon with al dente penne pasta...

Rutherford Leads Bicameral Letter on State Management of South Atlantic Red Snapper

On Thursday, co-chairs of the South Atlantic Red Snapper Task Force, U.S. Congressmen John H. Rutherford (FL-05), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Russell Fry (SC-07), and David Rouzer (NC-07), sent a bicameral letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in strong support of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina’s Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) applications that request approval to improve state data collection and implement state-led management of the recreational red snapper fishery in federal waters in the South Atlantic region...

2026 Bristol Bay Sockeye Run Forecast of 45.32 Million, 12 Percent Below 2025’s Forecast

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) released its forecast for the 2026 Bristol Bay salmon season yesterday, predicting a run of 45.32 million and a catch of 32.26 million sockeye. This is 26% smaller than the most recent 10-year average of 61.0 million fish and 21% greater than the long-term average of 37.40 million fish (1963–2025). 

Yesterday’s forecast compared to last year’s final forecast, also released in November, for a 2025 run of 51.3 million and a forecasted...

ANALYSIS: Chilean Salmon Harvest Gains, Export Flows Hold, Price Unsettled in October

The Chilean Atlantic farm salmon harvest trends indicate steady production momentum, with an August peak. By September (Fig 1), accumulated harvest reached 573,465 metric tons (mt), a 10.4% increase year-to-date (YTD), compared to 2024, although month-on-month (m-o-m) declines in September by 9.8% suggest a seasonal wind-down after the peak. Environmental health indicators remain favourable, including effective sea lice management, supporting ongoing production stability...

Private Equity Firm Buys Majority of Seafood Importer, Distributor Arctic Fisheries

US seafood importer Arctic Fisheries sold a majority stake to SNH Capital Partners, an Austin, Texas-based private equity investment firm.

Arctic provides customers with a wide range of seafood options, including groundfish, crab and lobster. The company’s CEO, Michael Kotok, will remain a shareholder following the transaction. Antarctica Advisors, the exclusive investment banking advisor to Arctic Fisheries, stated that Kotok and the current Arctic Fisheries team will continue with the company under the new ownership.

Michael Kotok, CEO of Arctic Fisheries, commented: “Antarctica’s experienced team understood...

North Pacific Council Taps Diana Evans as Interim ED Following Dave Witherell’s Retirement

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council announced recently that  

Deputy Director Diana Evans will serve as Interim Executive Director during the search for a permanent E.D. Her new position began November 1, following the retirement of David Witherell, who has served as Executive Director since 2017. 

Evans has been a member of the Council staff since 2000, when she began her career as a specialist in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). During her tenure, she has provided extensive leadership in the Council process, regulatory development...

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Import Estimates and Retail Signals Point to a Tightening, Form‑Specific Market 

Country‑level import estimates through October show a post‑frontload correction: modeled volumes for September and October are down roughly 10% and 18% year‑on‑year, respectively, while year‑to‑date imports are up about 8% but essentially flat (+3.6%) since May. Ecuador’s volumes increase relative to other origins; India, Indonesia and Vietnam display divergent month‑to‑month paths. Model error ranges run roughly 9–18% by origin, depending on data history. Finalized customs data and country export splits remain pending...