Expana’s 2026 Valentine’s Day Index: Lower Lobster Tail Prices Help Pull Meal Costs Down

Expana’s US Valentine’s Day Index is live — and the big story for dinner tables is lobster. The Valentine’s Meal Index (beef tenderloin, lobster tail, potatoes) fell 7.8% year over year and 10.4% month over month, driven largely by softer lobster tail and potato prices.

For frozen North American lobster tails (5–6 oz, EBP), the year-to-date average sits near $19.50/lb, about 18% below the same period last year and well under the five-year seasonal average...

ANALYSIS: China's Lobster Imports Hit Record High Amid Supplier Shift

Since lobster imports began gaining momentum in China in 2017, Chinese consumers have increasingly embraced this high-end seafood, appreciating its delicate taste and juicy flesh. According to the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), lobster imports (all species combined) reached a record volume of 69,774 metric tonnes in 2025. This marks a 14.7% increase over 2024 and a substantial 61.6% rise from the low point of 43,185 metric tonnes recorded during the coronavirus crisis in 2021...

ANALYSIS: Norwegian Salmon Production Grows 11.9% in 2025, With the Outlook Indicating Stability

The Norwegian Atlantic salmon production closed 2025 with a harvest volume increase of 11.9% year-on-year (y-o-y), according to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries (Figure 1). Biomass in seawater declined slightly from December 2024 levels, falling 0.7%. This stable biomass suggests that salmon supply in 2026 may follow a similar trend to 2025...

Canada's Whalesafe Fishing Gear Protects Whales and Supports Coastal Economies

Yesterday, Canada’s Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson launched the country’s new Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy – a five-year plan to help protect whales and promote sustainable fisheries. 

Harvesters and fishery stakeholders share Canada’s oceans with many whale species, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale, which is vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is committed to supporting prosperous fisheries that coexist with healthy whale populations. 

Whalesafe gear falls into two general categories: 

On-demand gear...

Canada Unveils New Initiatives to Modernize Fisheries and Reduce Regulatory Burdens

Canada’s Minister of Fisheries, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, announced Feb. 4 a series of policy initiatives aimed at strengthening Canada’s fisheries while reducing regulatory burden for harvesters.

The measures are intended to modernize fisheries management, improve efficiency, and ensure regulations better reflect real-world fishing operations, while continuing to protect the health and safety of Canadians, the environment, and the long-term sustainability of fish stocks.

"Fishing is more than just an economic driver for rural, coastal, and Indigenous communities...

Importers Face Higher Duties as Commerce Completes 19th India Shrimp Review

The US Department of Commerce has released the final results of its 19th administrative review of the antidumping duty (AD) order on certain frozen warmwater shrimp from India, setting company-specific and review-wide dumping margins for imports entered between February 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024.

Commerce determined a weighted-average dumping margin of 5.08% for Sandhya Aqua Exports Private Limited. The Devi Group, Devi Fisheries Limited, Satya Seafoods Private Limited, Usha Seafoods and Devi Aquatech Private Limited received a 2.71% margin...

Massachusetts Ethics Commission Approves Penalty After Harbormaster Had Employee Do His College Work

Former Gloucester Harbormaster Thomas Ciarametaro Jr. paid a $15,000 civil penalty and $1,200 in restitution for violating a conflict of interest law.

Ciarametaro had a subordinate city employee complete his Endicott College coursework, which he submitted as his own while working toward a bachelor's degree.

The State Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement under which Ciarametaro admitted to the violations and waived his right to a public hearing and agreed to pay the aforementioned penalties to the City of Gloucester for work time spent on...

GAPP Embarks on its Strategic Push for Alaska Pollock in Global Markets with an Indonesia Stop

The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) is set to explore new international strategic opportunities to expand the presence of US wild-caught Alaska Pollock products in 2026.

As part of this initiative, GAPP participated in a trade mission to Jakarta, Indonesia from Feb.2-5, alongside USDA Foreign Agricultural Service officials, state agriculture departments, agribusiness executives, and representatives from other US commodities. Indonesia, the fourth most populous nation globally, presents a significant market of interest.

"Indonesia is referred to as the ‘kitchen’ of Southeast...

EU Seafood Sectors Call for Urgent Corrections to Fisheries Control Regulation Implementation

European organizations representing the fishing, processing, aquaculture and seafood trading sectors are calling on the European Commission to urgently revise the implementation of the EU Fisheries Control Regulation, with particular concern over the CATCH IT system and the application of Articles 14 and 58.

In line with a joint statement submitted by Member States to the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, and concerns widely shared during the AGRIFISH Council discussion, the sectors warn that key provisions are proving unworkable in practice and risk...

US Market Challenges Push Norwegian Salmon Fillet Exports Down 37%, Poland and China Surge

Norwegian seafood exports fell 3% in value at the start of 2026 compared to January last year, as the US market faced “unpredictable tariffs,” a weaker dollar, and rising competition, the Norwegian Seafood Council reports. CEO Christian Chramer pointed to lower salmon prices, reduced quotas for several wild species, and challenging market access as key factors behind the decline.

At this point last year, the US was the largest single market for Norwegian seafood. Today, the value of exports destined for the US has declined...

StarKist Launches ‘Fuel Good, Feel Good’ Campaign Featuring Former Bachelorette, US Hockey Hero

Staple US seafood brand StarKist launched its latest campaign, ‘Fuel Good, Feel Good,’ which is designed to show how fueling up with protein helps consumers accomplish their everyday goals, both big and small.

To bring its new campaign to life, StarKist partnered with a group of creators who will showcase how StarKist’s ready-to-eat products support energy and help people feel good. Partners include former Bachelorette Becca Kufrin, Savannah Bananas star Jackson Olson, and former US Olympic hockey hero TJ Oshie...

DHS, DOL Release 64,716 Supplemental H-2B Visas for 2026 to Aid Seafood Processing, Seasonal Labor

The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Labor (DOL) have announced the release of up to 64,716 supplemental H‑2B visas for fiscal year 2026, in addition to the statutory annual cap of 66,000. The time‑limited authority, detailed in a Feb. 3 Federal Register notice, addresses widespread seasonal labor shortages across industries, including seafood processing, hospitality, landscaping, and construction.

The move comes after a bipartisan request led by Senators Angus King (I‑ME) and Mike Rounds (R‑SD)...

ANALYSIS: Tariff Aftershocks Could Redirect Shrimp Flows Between Ecuador, India, China

The immediate impact of the new trade deal between the US and India is likely to be a near-term increase in Farmgate prices in India. Prices in India and Indonesia have been trending up moderately, while Ecuador's remain lower (Gabriel Luna's updated prices will be released soon). It is reasonable to expect a meaningful portion of US demand currently satisfied by Ecuador to shift back to India, particularly for peeled product...

Larry's Catch Secures Investment on Canadian Show Dragons' Den

"Dragons' Den" is a television program in which aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas and models to a panel of Canadian business moguls, similar to the US hit show "Shark Tank."

On January 22, 2026, Larry's Catch debuted on the show, presenting its vision to make premium, wild-caught, and sustainable Canadian seafood accessible to households nationwide. After sharing their compelling mission and support for Canadian fishing families, co-founders Glen Creaser, James Quinn, and Javier Mejorada received offers from three Dragons.

"Pitching on Dragons'...

Darden Restaurants Outlines Strategic Changes for Bahama Breeze Banner

Today, Darden Restaurants announced that it has completed its exploration of strategic alternatives for its Bahama Breeze banner, following previous discussions of potentially selling or introducing other Darden brands at those locations.

The company has now confirmed both decisions: 14 Bahama Breeze locations will permanently close, while space from the remaining 14 stores will be used for other restaurants within the Darden umbrella.

Seafood Industry Set for Rapid Change in 2026 Led by Transformation Economy, Asian Growth, and Tech

The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) has highlighted key trends expected to shape the global seafood landscape in 2026, drawing on insights from its recent annual conference.

Among the drivers of change is the rise of the “transformation economy,” in which consumers increasingly prioritize health, longevity, and well-being, reshaping food choices toward nutrition-dense proteins such as seafood. Louise Byg Kongsholm, CEO of Pej Gruppen and a featured speaker at the NSC event, highlighted how the shift from an experience economy to a transformation...

Russia's 2025 Salmon Catch Up 100,000 Tons Year‑on‑Year

Russia remains the world’s largest producer of Pacific salmon, according to recent statements from experts at the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo).

An agency spokesperson said that during the last salmon fishing season, Russia’s catch totaled approximately 335,500 tons, about 100,000 tons higher than in 2024. The bulk of the catch traditionally comes from Kamchatka.

As a result, Russia is currently fully self‑sufficient in salmon and caviar, though it continues to import Atlantic salmon, primarily from Chile...