The Winding Glass: Alaska Fisheries Face Crisis due to Gov’t Shutdown

December is the most important meeting of the year for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Quotas are set for all Alaskan species under federal management, with the pollock and cod fisheries beginning the following month. Federal staff are furloughed, data work has stopped, and NMFS warns that a shutdown lasting more than two weeks could force precautionary quotas or missed deadlines for next year’s TACs. The shutdown is now approaching 30 days.

This disruption comes on top of the already severe erosion of NOAA personnel...

ANALYSIS: Ecuador Shrimp Exports Hold Firm as US Share Climbs; Tariff Developments in Focus

Ecuador’s September export data shows a continued rebalancing of global demand. The US has grown its share to roughly 19–23% depending on the measure, with Europe also advancing into the low- to mid‑20% range, while Asia’s portion has contracted compared to last year. On a commercial‑weight basis, September volumes are strong, and yield‑adjusted figures could make this the highest September on record. The US presence is even larger when peeled product is factored in, adding an estimated 25–30% to official figures...

ASMFC Elects Daniel McKiernan as Chair

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) expressed gratitude to Joseph Cimino of New Jersey following his successful two-year term as Chair. Member states have elected Daniel McKiernan of Massachusetts as his successor. McKiernan is a dedicated advocate for conservation and responsible fisheries management across commercial and recreational fisheries, as well as the broader seafood industry.

"I’m honored to be chosen by my fellow Commissioners to lead our efforts for the next two years. One of my priorities will be to work with my colleagues in the...

Russia to Deploy Modern Crab Catchers as It Expands Domestic Crab Production

Russia plans to increase its crab catch in the coming years using the most modern crab catchers, the construction of which is currently underway. Despite current difficulties with building new ships for Russian crab producers, the work is proceeding, primarily at domestic shipyards.

During the Soviet era, the fleet relied heavily on foreign technology, but in recent years Russian shipyards specializing in crab-catching vessels have significantly improved their capabilities. Western sanctions have disrupted supplies of some key technologies and equipment used in fleet construction, but progress continues...

The Retail Rundown: Holiday Rush Builds Amid Tight Turkey Supplies

As November approaches, the holiday retail rush is underway, and all eyes are on the season’s centerpiece: turkey. Tight supplies and near-record wholesale prices have shaped this year’s turkey market, stirring concerns about Thanksgiving availability.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, has intensified supply pressures, with cold storage inventories at near historic lows. Many processors are reporting major production shortages heading into the holiday season as the number of turkeys harvested year-to-date hovers at an all-time low, according to Expana's market reporters...

Cuba Mobilizes Agriculture Sector as Hurricane Melissa Hits

Cuba’s Ministry of Agriculture ordered emergency measures on Tuesday for farms in the Guantánamo to Camagüey regions to protect food supplies, livestock and infrastructure as Hurricane Melissa makes landfall today (October 29).

The ministry said emergency measures include moving animals from low-lying areas, safeguarding feed, fertilizers and pesticides, harvesting at-risk crops, and protecting tobacco production, and beehives. Authorities will prioritize water, food, and primary health care access, and maintain milk collection and distribution. Drones will be used for reconnaissance in low-visibility or hard-to-reach areas.

Sysco Posts Mixed Q1 Results, Reiterates Full-Year Guidance

Today, Sysco Corp. posted mixed results in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Its report showed an increase in sales while several GAAP profitability measures slipped and adjusted results improved.

For the 13 weeks ended Sept. 27, 2025, sales increased 3.2% to $21.1 billion. Gross profit rose 3.9% to $3.9 billion and gross margin widened 13 basis points to 18.5%. Sysco said product cost inflation was about 3.4%, driven largely by meat and seafood.

GAAP operating income fell 1.0% to $800 million, while adjusted operating...

Global Maritime Leaders Gather in Seattle for Inaugural One Ocean Week

Maritime Blue and its partners hosted One Ocean Week Seattle, an inaugural series of summits, cultural and community events, and workforce development programs focused on the Blue Economy.

The weeklong gathering, held Oct. 20–26, brought together hundreds of industry leaders, researchers, innovators, artists, educators, and policymakers to discuss sustainability, technology, and equity in aquadic related industries.

Washington Lt. Gov. Denny Heck opened the event, praising the state’s maritime economy but warning that plastic pollution, undersea noise, and environmental degradation threaten its long-term...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana’s Weekly Rundown #32

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read: "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #32."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text.

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This week, the US administration has continued to pressure trading partners like India to curb imports of Russian oil as to sanction the country during its war with Ukraine, cited Expana...

ANALYSIS: Rising Prices Amid Declining Quotas for Norwegian Cod 

The Norwegian cod price continues to trend higher at the end of 2025, as previous analyses indicate that one of the main drivers of this historic price level is the reduced quotas in Norway, Russia, and Iceland.

Historically, the price peak has occurred in October, and this year is no exception. Currently, Norwegian cod is valued at NOK 89.74 per kilogram ($8.97/kg, €7.70/kg) (Figure 1). The October level reflects a year-on-year (YOY) price increase of 27.2% and a...

Pacific Seafood Appoints Matt Clark Vice President of Finance and Administration

Pacific Seafood has appointed Matt Clark as Vice President of Finance and Administration. In this role, Clark will oversee finance and administrative functions for the company’s vertically integrated business and provide strategic leadership to support growth and efficiency.

“We are thrilled to welcome Matt to the Pacific Seafood leadership team,” said Frank Dulcich, president and CEO of Pacific Seafood. “His decades of financial leadership experience, combined with his strategic vision and deep Pacific Northwest roots, make him the ideal leader to help...

2025 Maine Scallop License Lottery Winners Announced

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has announced the latest winners of the state’s scallop license lotteries. The winners include the following:

• Drag Licenses
• Maxmilian Bogdanovich, Scarborough
• Morgan Wood, Marshfield
• Logan Alley, Jonesport
• Jared Taylor, Cutler
• Mccabe Burch, Thomaston
• Phillip Spearing, Owls Head
• Tyler Sukeforth, South Thomaston
• Geoffrey Barrett, North Haven
• Travis Atwood, Orland
• Joseph Locurto, Steuben
• Christopher Mcintire, Orrs Island
• Timothy Morgan, Pembroke
• Justin Wright, Machiaspoprt
• Jeffrey Conant, Harpswell
• Dive Licenses
• Matthew Garvey, Surry
• Joseph Baranello, Seal Cove
• Chris Burke, Ellsworth
• Nathan Matthews, Trescott...

Grubhub Partners with Instacart to Expand Grocery Options on Its Platform

Grubhub and Instacart are teaming up to bring a wider selection of grocers, greater convenience, and even better value to Grubhub's customers. Through this new partnership, Grubhub customers can order from Instacart's network of more than a thousand national, regional, and local grocery retailers directly through Grubhub's app and website.

The experience is hosted on Grubhub's platform, and orders are fulfilled and delivered by Instacart shoppers. To start shopping, customers tap the Grocery icon in the Grubhub app, select a nearby store, add...

2025 Alaska Symphony of Seafood Announces Award Winners

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) hosted the 2025 Alaska Symphony of Seafood, its annual competition highlighting creativity and excellence in product development and innovation.

"It’s inspiring to see the creativity and innovation shown by this year’s winners,” Kristy Clement, CEO of AFDF, said. “Each product carries the spirit of Alaska — one built on community, pride and excellence."

The event reflects the organization’s commitment to quality and sustainability and was made possible by sponsors including: Captain Sponsor Marine Stewardship Council; Spotlight Sponsor Holland America Line; and Highliner Sponsors Alaska...

Russian PCA Exported 500 MT of Pollock Roe to China Under MOU with China’s CAPPMA

The Russian Pollock Fishermen's Association recently announced that this year's exports of pollock roe to China have exceeded 500 tons. Since China has virtually no culture of eating pollock, the association is actively working to develop the Chinese market, Minato Shimbun reported.

According to the Hokkaido Trawl Fisheries Cooperative Federation, the 2024 export volume of Russian pollock roe is approximately 37,000 tons, roughly the same level as the previous year. The majority is destined for Japan and South Korea...

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: Stone Crab Markets Launch Slightly Higher but Within Historical Range

The 2025-2026 Florida stone crab season has begun, and market participants are navigating this year's supply and demand dynamics. Pricing appears relatively on track with previous season openings, though with some variations by size category.

Large sizes opened at an average price around $30.00 per pound, approximately...