Les Hodges: New Season Alaska King and Snow Crab Quotas Announced!

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game released advisory announcements this past week showing gains across three major species of crab. Red king crab increased by 16%, Tanner (bairdi) jumped by 113%, and opilio snow crab increased by 97%! There was even a hybrid snow crab that will be harvested during the Opilio harvest. With fishing opening on October 15, buyers can expect Alaska red king and Tanner snow crab just in time for the holiday market.

Meanwhile, Norwegian frozen red king crab shipments through September reached 1.7 million...

Florida Processor Tampa Maid Foods Tied to Ongoing Radioactive Shrimp Recalls Across US

Tampa Maid Foods, a Florida-based seafood processor, is the latest company to be linked to the radioactive shrimp recalls impacting a litany of companies in the US.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Health and Human Services (MDHHS) highlighted the multiple recalls linked to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s advisory of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in Indonesian shrimp, with Tampa Maid Foods included.

MDARD cited an FDA enforcement report that said Tampa Maid Foods...

August Hokkaido Surimi Production Increased 27% to 195 Tons

According to member reports compiled by the National Surimi Manufacturers Association, August frozen surimi production in Hokkaido increased due to an increase in production of the mainstay pollock, reaching 195 tons, a 27% increase over the same month last year. This marks the sixth consecutive month of year-on-year increases, including July, when production was at the same level as the same month last year, reported Minato Shimbun.

Usually in August, the only place where pollock is landed in large quantities is the Okhotsk region by offshore bottom trawlers...

Norcod Extends Sales, Distribution Partnership with Sirena Group

Norwegian cod farmer Norcod AS extended its strategic sales and distribution partnership with Sirena Group as it focuses on future growth.

Sirena Group will handle Norcod’s sales, marketing and logistics for its farmed cod and Snow cod. Norcod stated that this will enable the company to concentrate on enhancing its production efforts.

CEO in Norcod, Christian Riber, said:

"Working with Sirena Group gives Norcod a decisive advantage. Their global network and proven strength in seafood markets give us direct access to the right

Nomad Foods Names Dominic Brisby as Executive President & CEO-Elect 

Nomad Foods Limited (NYSE: NOMD), has today announced the appointment of Dominic Brisby as its new Executive President, Chief Executive Officer-Elect and member of the Board of Directors effective November 3, 2025. Mr. Brisby will work with the Company’s current CEO, Stéfan Descheemaeker, for a transition period until Mr. Descheemaeker’s retirement on January 1, 2026, when Mr. Brisby will be appointed CEO. Mr. Descheemaeker will continue to serve as a Director on the Company’s Board following the CEO transition...

More Than 20 Salmon Firms Sue Norway Over Traffic‑Light Sea‑Lice Rules

Over 20 salmon‑farming companies on Norway’s west coast have filed suit against the government, challenging the traffic‑light system used to monitor sea lice, Bergensavisen reports.

The companies, which include farming giants Mowi and Lerøy, filed a class action lawsuit against Norway’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.

The publication reported that the companies are demanding that “red lights” that were put in place on the west coast of Norway between 2022 and 2024 be lifted and claim the government...

Women in Food and Agriculture Summit 2026 to Unite Industry Leaders

Expana, the world’s largest agrifood market intelligence provider, is proud to announce the return of the Women in Food and Agriculture (WFA) Summit, taking place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at the Okura Hotel in Amsterdam. 

Since 2019 this highly anticipated global event has brought together leaders, innovators and up and coming executives from across agrifood value chains for a day of inspiration, empowerment and real-world learning. With a dynamic program of keynotes, workshops and networking, the WFA Summit is designed to deliver actionable content

The Retail Rundown: Retail Promotions Pivot Toward Baking and Comfort Foods

By mid-October, grocery retailers are shifting their marketing focus toward fall comfort meals, baking, and holiday preparation.

Typically, retail egg sales see a seasonal lift as more consumers cook hot breakfasts at home. The onset of baking season further boosts demand, with more eggs being used in breads, pies, pastries, and other seasonal favorites.

In the shell egg market, Expana reports a mixed retail landscape—some retailers are seeing stronger demand as cooler weather sets in, while others note slower movement following lackluster promotional outcomes...

Gidrostroy Opens Major Sakhalin Processing Plant, Aims to Be Top Russian Fish Processor

Gidrostroy says it aims to become one of Russia’s largest fish processors in the coming years with the launch of several large new processing facilities.

One of those facilities was recently commissioned in the Korsakovsky District of Sakhalin Island. Built under the federal investment quota program, the complex was completed in just one year with a total investment of 3.7 billion rubles ($46.5 million).

The new plant sits on a 10,000‑square‑meter site and can process up to...

Momentum Grows As Offshore Aquaculture Bill is Introduced in the US House of Representatives

Last week, Representatives Mike Ezell (R-MS), Ed Case (D-HI), Kat Cammack (R-FL), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Marine Aquaculture Research and Advancement (MARA) Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill that empowers the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to expand offshore aquaculture in the U.S. 

The bill was introduced earlier in the Senate and appears to be gaining momentum, despite the current government shutdown.  

Speeches were made in the House by the bipartisan sponsors...

Twin Comebacks: Yelloweye Rockfish Rebound Mirrors Salmon’s Return on the Klamath

Two decades of patience, partnership, and persistence are paying off for West Coast fisheries. As salmon once again surge up the Klamath River following landmark dam removals, another species has completed its own long road to recovery offshore: the yelloweye rockfish.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council this week declared yelloweye rockfish rebuilt, marking the final chapter in one of the most significant – and toughest – fishery recovery efforts in U.S. history. The announcement means every groundfish species once considered overfished on the West Coast has now been rebuilt...

Ex-Typhoon Halong Batters Coast in Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta; One Dead, Two Missing

Last weekend, the remnants of Typhoon Halong hit the Bering Sea coast north of Bristol Bay with hurricane-force winds, causing catastrophic flooding, destroying homes and infrastructure as residents struggled to survive.  

Yesterday, Alaska State Troopers identified a woman whose body was recovered on Monday as 67-year-old Ella Mae Kashatok. Troopers said they suspended the active search for two missing men last seen with Kashatok in the village, where surging floodwater tore dozens of homes from their foundations...

Aquaticode Appoints Trond Williksen as Strategic Advisor

Aquaticode, the leader in real-time phenotyping and sorting for aquaculture, has appointed Trond Williksen as Strategic Advisor.

Williksen is one of aquaculture’s most experienced executives, with more than two decades of leadership across farming, technology, and fish health. He has served as CEO of AKVA group, SalMar, and most recently Benchmark Holdings, where he led the company through a major transformation and its transition to private ownership earlier this year.

“Trond has operated at every level — from farming and technology to genetics and fish health — and that breadth is rare...

Florida Fishermen File Class Action Against Wholesalers Over Stone Crab, Lobster Price Fixing

A group of Florida commercial fishermen has filed a class action lawsuit against a pair of seafood companies and executives over an alleged price-fixing conspiracy for stone crabs and spiny lobsters.

Commercial fishing businesses Paradise Tails Inc., Reel Faith Fishing LLC and commercial fishermen Erick Bravo and Jose D. Hernandez filed the lawsuit on October 6 in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

The nearly 50-page complaint alleges that the defendants, Florida-based D&D Seafood...

Forrer Loses Final Appeal on Mismanagement of Yukon-Kuskokwim Chum and King Salmon

Last Friday, the Alaska Supreme Court upheld a lower-court decision that dismissed a case brought by Juneau resident and longtime Yukon and Kuskokwim River fisherman Eric Forrer in 2023. 

Forrer, a long-time Alaska resident, brought the suit in 2022, charging the Alaska Department of Fish and Game of violating the state Constitution’s mandate that “Fish, forests, wildlife, grasslands, and all other replenishable resources belonging to the State shall be utilized, developed, and maintained on the sustained yield principle, subject to preferences among beneficial uses...

Channel Seafoods International Appoints Marco Zepeda as Chief Operating Officer

Florida-based Channel Seafoods International named Marco Zepeda as its new Chief Operating Officer.

The seafood importer said that Zepeda enters the role with over 20 years of experience in the seafood sector. Zepeda’s journey started in Chile, working in seafood sales before joining major distributor Performance Food Group (PFG) in Miami, working in management positions. His career includes other leadership roles within the space, overseeing sales growth, supply chain optimization and customer relations.

“Marco’s deep industry experience and operational leadership make him an invaluable addition to our executive team...

Alaska Seafood Launches "Alaska Pink Salmon: Wild Made Easy" 

Alaska Seafood has launched its newest campaign, "Alaska Pink Salmon: Wild Made Easy," to promote pink salmon as a convenient and affordable meal solution.

Timed perfectly for the back-to-school season, the campaign highlights the fish’s versatility and nutritional benefits in fresh recipes that inspire lunchbox-friendly meals.

The brand package, rolling out through October, includes several assets such as a custom logo featuring "Alaska Pink Salmon: Wild Made Easy," high-quality photos and videos of pink salmon harvesting, processing, species shots, and plated...