ANALYSIS: MMPA and Its Implications for US Crab Meat Supply and Pricing

Regulatory uncertainty and shifting supply dynamics are reshaping the US seafood market, with the blue and red swimming crab meat segments at the forefront. NOAA Fisheries’ comparability findings under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), paired with an upcoming enforcement window for January 1, 2026, have created a near-term regulatory backdrop that could materially affect access to foreign crab meat supplies. The ruling requires foreign fisheries to meet US marine mammal protection standards or risk losing export access. That framework places significant pressure on exporters to demonstrate...

FISH Act Passes in Senate, Will Strengthen US Policy Against Illegal Foreign Seafood Harvests

Last Tuesday, Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) saw their legislation against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing pass the full Senate as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) introduced last July.

The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvest (FISH) Act, co-sponsored by Sens. Murkowski (R-AK), Wicker (R-MS), Graham (R-SC), Merkley (D-OR), Blunt (D-DE), Coons (D-DE), and Kennedy (R-LA), would combat foreign illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing...

ASMFC Lobster Stock Assessment: Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank Not Depleted but Overfishing Rising

A stock assessment found that the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank (GOM/GBK) is not depleted but has dipped 34% since peak levels in 2018, and overfishing is taking place. Meanwhile, the Southern New England (SNE) stock remains “significantly depleted,” with record-low abundances for all life stages in recent years.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)’s American Lobster Management Board received the results this week.

“The Benchmark Stock Assessment is a considerable advancement in our understanding US American lobster resource...

State Pushes Ahead With North Yuba Salmon Reintroduction in Second Year of Effort

The only thing scary about reintroducing salmon in a historic river system habitat is whether it will work. So far, efforts to do just that in the North Yuba River have succeeded. 

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and its partners have initiated a second year of spring-run Chinook salmon in the North Yuba River. 

Roughly 350,000 spring-run Chinook salmon eggs were collected and fertilized recently at the Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville. The eggs will be hydraulically injected into...

FFAW‑Unifor Urges Federal Aid for Sea Cucumber Harvesters Hit by China’s 25% Tariff

The Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor) urged fisheries minister Joanne Thompson and Sean Fraser, the minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), to provide support for sea cucumber harvesters impacted by China’s 25% tariffs on Canadian seafood.

The union said that the ACOA needs to adjust its parameters for support eligibility for harvesters that lost “the bulk” of their 2025 fishing season due to the tariffs.

“Current tariff relief programs for businesses inexplicably exclude owner-operator fish harvesters...

Canada Presents Scientific Insights On North Atlantic Right Whales and Their Potential for Recovery

On October 29, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) scientists presented a comprehensive update of the latest scientific knowledge of North Atlantic right whales (NARW) and their potential for recovery to stakeholders and interested Canadians.

This review was conducted by DFO as part of a Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) for NARW, assessing a broad range of topics including population status, abundance and distribution, habitat requirements, threats, and recovery targets.

The research found:

• Known feeding areas for NARW have expanded to as far...

ANALYSIS: Indonesia Shipments Ease Supply Risks; Retail Shrimp Sales Flat Despite Tariffs

The release of Indonesian containers bound for the US offers short-term relief from anticipated Q4 supply constraints, though incomplete August import data leaves some uncertainty about overall availability. If volumes prove lighter once data is finalized, tightening could still occur and influence procurement strategies late in the year.

Circana’s retail data indicates sales have remained statistically flat since the first tariff announcement in April, with no significant change in unit movement over the past three years. Revenue gains recorded in 2025 are primarily price‑driven...

AquaBounty Posts Q3 Loss, Secures Ohio RAS Farm Permits

Land-based salmon farmer AquaBounty Technologies reported continued losses during the third quarter in its latest financial results. At the same time, the company landed approval for its Ohio facility.

AquaBounty, which produces genetically modified salmon, continued to face financial headwinds, as the company hasn’t operated a farm since December 2024. The firm reported a net loss of $1.4 million in Q3, compared with $3.4 million in Q3 2024.

The company said it received a wastewater discharge permit for its Ohio farm, along with additional approvals...

Congress Unveil the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act 

In a bipartisan effort to enhance marine conservation, Congressmen Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), Mike Ezell (R-MS), and Marc Veasey (D-TX) unveiled the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act (H.R. 5745). This legislation encourages the protection of the environment and the careful dismantling of offshore oil and gas platforms. This legislation will provide further federal assistance to help transform more decommissioned oil rigs into artificial reefs, conserving marine ecosystems and benefiting the fishing sector.

"The Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act is a smart, science-backed solution...

Rapid Biomass Drop Triggers Interim TAC Cut for Georges Bank Scallops

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)’s stock assessment for sea scallops in Scallop Fishing Area 27A (Georges Bank) paints a cautious picture for one of the region’s higher‑value shellfish resources.

The species has shown signs of decline due to natural predators (sea stars and crabs), with the species' fully-recruited biomass at 13,570 metric tons (mt) in 2024, down by over half of 2023’s 31,095mt.

The assessment, therefore, places the stock in the “healthy” zone on the reference point scale; however, the rapid single-year decline...

Japan: September Imports up 15% to JPY 169.5 Billion; Frozen Coho Surged 51%, Sockeye Dropped by 46%

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on October 30, Japan's imports of fishery products (preliminary figures, including fish and shellfish and their preparations, fishmeal, and seaweed) in September decreased by 2% year-on-year to 161,274 tons, while the value increased by 15% to 169.494 billion yen ($1.1 billion). Imports of fresh and frozen tuna increased by 34% to 18,330 tons, and salmon and trout increased by 4% to 13,839 tons, but shrimp decreased by 12%...

Stolt Sea Farm Plans New 21,500‑sqm Facility in Spain to Expand Processing, R&D

Land-based aquaculture firm Stolt Sea Farm announced that it will build a food processing and research and development center in Rianxo, A Coruña, Spain on October 29. 

The start of construction on the new centre was officially celebrated at a groundbreaking ceremony on the site last week, where the team welcomed guests including the President of the Xunta de Galicia, Alfonso Rueda, alongside key representatives from Rianxo and Galicia’s local government, the company shared in a press release. 

Stolt Sea Farm, known for farming...

Russia, Japan Log Progress on Fisheries Cooperation Amid Ongoing Tensions 

Two delegations recently discussed joint catch and management of fish and seafood resources, with particular attention paid to studying existing stocks of salmon, saury, mackerel, sardine, and several other species.

According to Alexey Baitalyuk, PhD, Deputy Director of VNIRO, one of Russia’s leading research institutions in fisheries, the planned expansion of cooperation will involve mutual data exchange, with a focus on the North Pacific region.

Russia has confirmed plans to observe the moratorium on pollock fishing in the central Okhotsk and Bering Seas to help restore fish stocks...

Hofseth has Successfully Issued a EUR 300 Million Senior Secured Green Bond

Hofseth has today achieved a transformational refinancing of its capital structure through the issuance of a EUR 300 million 1st lien senior secured green bond with a 5-year tenor (the "New Bonds") to institutional investors.

The net proceeds from the issuance of the New Bonds will be applied for eligible green projects in accordance with the Company's Green Financing Framework.

This strategic refinancing contributes towards a reduction in the Group’s average interest cost, extends the average maturity of its long-term interest-bearing debt, improves it’s interest...

Atlantic Menhaden Board Cuts Catch Limits 20% on Declining Stock 

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Menhaden Board met yesterday to address a 30% decline in the Atlantic menhaden population and to set reduced catch limits for 2026. The board voted to reduce 2026 commercial catch by 20%, not the 50% advocated by hundreds of stakeholders or the “no more than 10%” advocated by members of the reduction fleet. 

Atlantic menhaden is a forage fish that feeds half a dozen species of commercial or recreational importance, chief among them striped bass, but also osprey, bluefish, spiny dogfish, whales, and bait...

Publix Advances Ocean Stewardship with Milestone Donation to SFP 

Publix demonstrated its continued support of environmental stewardship through its latest actions. The company is celebrating National Seafood Month alongside reaching a donation milestone to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), which aims to protect ocean systems, rebuild fish populations, and support commercial fishers.

"Publix is proud to support SFP to bring sustainable seafood options to our customers while protecting the ecosystem and supporting those who fish,” said Guy Pizzuti, Publix Business Development Director of Seafood. “We look forward to our continued collaboration to make a difference in seafood sustainability."

Gopuff Eases SNAP Strain with $10 Million Relief Initiative

According to NBC News on October 28, over 40 million people in the United States rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Amid the Government Shutdown, the US Department of Agriculture has indicated that millions face suspension of these payments starting November 1.

In response, Gopuff is stepping in to provide relief to those affected. The company is dedicated to combating food insecurity and improving access to essential food items. Since 2019, Gopuff has partnered with Feeding America, contributing over 1.1 million pounds of...