ANALYSIS: Two Weeks of Firm Prices as Supply Loss Tightens the US Crab Meat Market

The US crab meat market has experienced a decisive shift toward firmness over the past two weeks, driven by structural supply constraints stemming from NOAA Fisheries' May 11, 2026 MMPA comparability findings. The regulatory decision eliminated two major suppliers—the Philippines and Venezuela—representing approximately 17-22% of traditional import sources, a reduction occurring...

CDFW Investigation Nets Major Penalties for Restaurant's False Seafood Sourcing Claims

An upscale restaurant, part oyster bar, part local seafood advocate, a coffee cafe during the day, and a wine bar at night, complete with their own wine subscription service, was investigated for fraud, false advertising, and fishing violations, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife stated in a bulletin released yesterday.

The investigation led by CDFW resulted in charges of unlawfully selling seafood while advertising its products as traceable, sustainable and lawfully sourced. The investigation found repeated violations of state and federal commercial fishing laws in 2020 and 2021...

Agricultural Coalition Urges USMCA Renewal as Trade Negotiations Begin

As trade negotiations between the US, Canada, and Mexico begin, the Agricultural Coalition for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) organized a letter to trade leaders in all three countries urging renewal and strengthening of the trade pact.

The letter, signed by nearly 160 organizations in the agri-food sector, was sent to Ambassador Jamieson Greer at the Office of the US Trade Representative, Canada-US Trade Representative Dominic LeBlanc, and Mexico's Secretary of the Economy, Marcelo Ebrard.

"[USMCA] strengthens the resilience of our integrated agricultural markets...

Louisiana All In for More Shrimp Buys as USDA Triples 2027 School Meals Budget

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Child Nutrition Program, in recent years budgeted at $17-25 billion, is up for a significant raise in 2027 to 81 billion, as detailed in a statement from the Southern Shrimp Alliance.

Their press release announced that in mid-May the Louisiana House of Representatives unanimously adopted House Resolution 205 to “[u]rge and request the United States Department of Agriculture to utilize the Commodity Procurement program under Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment...

California Senate Advances Dungeness Crab, Steelhead Reforms in McGuire's Fisheries Omnibus

California State Senator Mike McGuire's comprehensive fisheries legislation, SB 1393, cleared the California Senate on May 28 with bipartisan backing, advancing key reforms for the state's commercial fishing industry.

The omnibus bill targets three priority areas: strengthening steelhead trout fishing restoration programs by increasing habitat funding, modernizing Dungeness crab fishery management regulations, and establishing clear vessel transit rules within closed crab fishing areas.

California's commercial and recreational fishing sectors support over 100,000 jobs and generate hundreds of millions in annual economic activity. The Dungeness crab fishery alone, concentrated...

Gorton's Seafood Workers in Massachusetts Ratify New Three-Year Contract

Members of the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union who work at Gorton's Seafood in Gloucester, Massachusetts, ratified a new three-year contract, the UFCW announced May 27.

According to the UFCW, the roughly 240 union employees make frozen fish sticks, among other products, and are the main supplier of McDonald's Filet-O-Fish sandwiches along the East Coast. The agreement covers other roles beyond seafood processing, including sanitation.

Gorton's of Gloucester, founded in 1849, is one of America's oldest seafood companies and a pioneer in the frozen fish...

Bipartisan Bill Targets Aquatic Invasive Species Threatening US Fisheries

Representatives Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Sarah Elfreth (D-MD) introduced the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Control and Prevention Act on May 19, marking the most comprehensive modernization of federal invasive species policy in decades.

The legislation addresses mounting economic and ecological damage from species like zebra mussels, invasive Asian carp, and sea lamprey, which impose billions in annual costs on US fisheries, water infrastructure, and recreation industries. The bill prioritizes prevention and rapid response while improving coordination across federal, state, and regional programs...

Japanese Feed One to Reduce Fishmeal Content of Aqua Feeds from 40.5% to 30%

At its May 2026 earnings call, Hidehiro Shoji, President and Representative Director of Japanese animal and aqua feed producer Feed One Co. Ltd., outlined a two-pronged strategy to reduce fishmeal content in its aqua feed products from 40.5% to 30% this fiscal year ending March 2027, marking what he called "an extremely groundbreaking initiative in the industry."

The company is actively seeking to reduce its fishmeal dependency since prices for fishmeal have skyrocketed to over ¥400 per kilogram (approximately $6.01)

Blumar Q1 Profit Boosted by Fishing Gains as Salmon Business Weighs on Results

Blumar reported profits of $15.6 million in the first quarter of 2026, supported by strong results in fishing that offset continued weakness in salmon. The fishing business contributed $18.8 million to net income, while salmon posted a loss of $3.1 million.

Consolidated revenues totaled $192.5 million, down 8% from a year earlier. EBITDA pre-fair value reached $34.4 million, a 3% decline, and net income was 44% lower year on year. Segment results continued to diverge, with...

DAERA Seeks Views on Fisheries Management Proposals for Protected Offshore Marine Areas

DAERA has today launched a consultation on the development of fisheries management measures to protect conservation areas offshore.

The consultation is aimed at organisations, groups, and people engaged in activities, or have a general interest in the marine area beyond 12 nautical miles of the coast.

Launching the consultation, Minister Muir said: “Our seas support livelihoods, communities and a vital fishing industry, and it is essential that we are proactive in taking action that protects ecosystems and fish stocks for future...

ANALYSIS: Improved Lobster Landings Meet Disciplined Buying Ahead of Summer

The Canadian spring lobster season is now fully underway, with all spring LFAs open and Nova Scotia’s LFA 33 and 34 scheduled to close this weekend. While some areas were scheduled to open earlier than usual, persistent weather issues throughout May limited landings and slowed the broader build in production.

Live demand is typically weak during the early spring period, particularly after Easter and before late-May holiday demand tied to Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. The market did see a modest uptick in activity around those calendar events...

USDA Seeks Over 300,000 Pounds of Salmon Products for Government Food Programs

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting bids for salmon products totaling more than 304,000 pounds, marking the agency's third major seafood procurement this month as government purchasing activity accelerates.

The May 27 solicitation seeks canned pink salmon and frozen wild salmon fillets for domestic food distribution programs, with bids due June 5 at 1:00 PM Central Time and acceptances announced by June 18. Deliveries are scheduled between August 1 and December 15, 2026.

The procurement consists of over 100,000 cases of canned pink salmon...

Shipping Executives Warn WTO of Rising Costs From Global Trade Route Disruptions

Major shipping industry leaders told World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala that mounting capacity pressures and alternative routing costs are driving up expenses for shippers and consumers during a May 28 meeting in Geneva.

The executives, representing companies including MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping, and Hapag-Lloyd, cited disruptions in the Gulf region and other maritime chokepoints that are forcing cargo onto saturated alternative routes, with significant cost implications.

One executive highlighted the scale challenge, noting that approximately 70 freight trains are needed to match...

Undeclared Allergen Triggers FSIS Recall of Synear Pork and Crab Dumplings

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Sunday, May 31 announced a recall initiated by Synear Foods USA, LLC covering 71,603 pounds of frozen not‑ready‑to‑eat (NRTE) pork and crab soup dumpling products due to mislabeling and undeclared peanuts.

FSIS said the issue was identified during a routine inspection. The affected products were produced between October 15, 2025, and February 23, 2026, and carry establishment number “EST. 45942” inside the USDA mark...

NZ Bottom Trawl Footprint Remains Small

New data shows New Zealand's trawl footprint continues to cover only a tiny fraction of the country's waters, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.

"The analysis, published on the Ministry for Primary Industries' website, shows the trawled area within New Zealand's territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone is concentrated in specific fishing grounds. It represented only 1.7 per cent of the total area in the 2024/25 fishing year, with most of that area previously...

"I know the topic of bottom trawling provokes strong reactions from...

ANALYSIS: Early Copper River Results Show Familiar Market Patterns Amid Lower Volume Start

Copper River's 2026 wild salmon season commenced Friday, May 22, marking the start of another anticipated harvest cycle. Opening day results showed 39,100 sockeye landed according to Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) data, representing a measured beginning typical of early-season operations.

Tuesday's harvest delivered 34,100 additional sockeye, though this tracked below the forecast for the period of 55,000. Combined landings reached approximately 73,200 fish, a volume progression that aligns with traditional seasonal patterns as fishing operations gain momentum. Another opener was scheduled for...

ANALYSIS: Skipjack Tuna Prices Steady Despite Lower EPO Landings

The latest data from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) shows cumulative yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) landings from January to March 2026 fell 24.9% year-over-year in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO). Mexico leads yellowfin landings with a 43% share, followed by Ecuador at 20%...

As Whale Rules Loom, Research Shows Consumers May Pay More for Ropeless Lobster

Maine's lobster fishery supplies roughly 90% of the nation's lobster and remains one of the state's most important economic drivers.

Lobstermen harvest their catch using traps connected to surface buoys by vertical lines. Federal regulators are considering changes to that system in an effort to reduce the risk of whale entanglements through the adoption of ropeless fishing gear.

The proposal is aimed at protecting the North Atlantic right whale, one of the world's most endangered large whale species. According to the University...

Japan's April Marine Products Import Fell 6% in Volume, but Increased 3% in Value

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on May 28th, April imports of marine products (preliminary figures, including fish and shellfish and their preparations, fishmeal, and seaweed) were down 6% year-on-year to 181,057 tons. While imports of fresh and frozen tuna increased, imports of salmon, trout, and shrimp decreased. The value of imports increased 3% to 184.977 billion yen ($1.16 billion).

According to a report by the Minato Shimbun, imports of fresh and frozen tuna increased...

Cermaq Consolidates Canadian Operations Into Single Entity Following $1B Grieg Integration

Mitsubishi-owned salmon farmer Cermaq is streamlining its expanded Canadian operations through a June 1 subsidiary amalgamation, creating a unified structure five months after completing its $1 billion acquisition of Grieg Seafood's North American assets.

The consolidation merges three entities—CQ Canada Holding Ltd., Cermaq Canada Ltd., and Cermaq Seafood BC Ltd.—into Cermaq British Columbia Ltd., with CAD 224 million in capital. CEO Steven Rafferty will serve as director of the Campbell River, BC-based entity...

Russia-Norway Scientists Meet to Set 2027–2028 Fish Catch Limits

Russia and Norway will continue their fisheries cooperation this year despite existing geopolitical tensions between the countries.

Both Russian and Norwegian scientists will continue regular meetings and discussions aimed at regulating fishing activities in the Barents Sea and conducting joint research to increase the efficiency of fisheries operations.

Recently, specialists from the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography—one of Russia's leading fisheries research institutions—participated in the annual meeting with Norwegian scientists to examine the current state of the Barents Sea ecosystem and ongoing changes...

More Certifications Ahead From an Emerging Trend — Fish Welfare, Says Friend of the Sea

Fish welfare is emerging as one of the most significant issues in the global food sector, at a time when more than half of the fish consumed worldwide now comes from intensive farming. 

Friend of the Sea and World Sustainability Foundation have collaborated with Fair Fish and Fish Etho Group to develop 24 species-specific standards for aquaculture operations that improve stocking density, water quality, stress management, and slaughter methods. 

That initiative is also supported by the Fish Welfare Project, launched in 2017 by FOS and...

EU: Commission Approves €54 Million Spanish State Aid for Agricultural Companies

The European Commission has approved a €54 million Spanish State aid scheme to support agricultural companies facing increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis.

The scheme was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026. The scheme covers higher diesel prices from late March to late June and will run until 31 December 2026.

Bumble Bee Forced Labor Case Advances Despite Legal Setback for Indonesian Fishermen

A California federal court delivered a mixed ruling on May 27 in the human trafficking lawsuit against Bumble Bee Foods, granting part of the tuna company's request to reconsider an earlier decision while allowing the Indonesian fishermen's core claims to proceed.

Chief Judge Cynthia Bashant acknowledged that the court had mischaracterized a key Ninth Circuit precedent in her November 2025 ruling denying Bumble Bee's motion to dismiss. The court had incorrectly stated that the Ratha v. Phatthana Seafood case definitively "held" that trafficking...

Captain D’s Expands Sustainable Sourcing With Wild‑Caught Alaska Fish Rollout

Captain D’s is expanding its commitment to sustainably sourced, U.S.-caught seafood while maintaining an accessible, value-focused price point.

The fast-casual seafood chain is rolling out Wild Caught Batter Dipped Fish from Alaska, battered fresh daily in restaurants. The item will appear across several core menu platforms, including the brand’s value-driven Full Meal Deals and signature platters.

“Our guests know Captain D’s for its great seafood, generous portions and incredible value,” said Phil Greifeld, CEO of Captain D’s. “This...

Japan’s April Marine Products Exports Up 6% in Volume, Soared 37% in Value

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance and reported by The Minato Shimbun, April exports of marine products (fish and shellfish and their preparations, and fish meal) increased by 6% year-on-year (YOY) to 54,968 tons and by 37% to 41.138 billion yen ($258.28 million). Scallop exports decreased by 8% to 4,876 tons but increased by 8% to 8.471 billion yen ($53.18 million). Yellowtail exports increased by 26% to 3,502 tons and doubled to 9.751 billion...

Chile Launches On-the-Ground Rollout of Artisanal Fishing Fuel Coupon

Chile’s Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca) officially launched its new Artisanal Fishing Coupon program in Caleta La Vega, Calbuco, providing small-scale fishers with direct access to subsidized fuel.

The launch was led by Undersecretary of Fisheries Osvaldo Urrutia, accompanied by Los Lagos Region Economy Seremi Gisela Strauch and Subpesca zonal director Gustavo Castro. During the visit, local fishers tested the system by purchasing fuel on-site for their vessels and paying through their BancoEstado RUT accounts.

The coupon is an extraordinary government...

Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending May 29, 2026

Three months into the Iran war, the United States and Iran have reached a tentative framework to extend a ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and ease some US blockade measures, though the deal has not been approved by US President Donald Trump, reports Reuters. 

The proposed agreement would create a 60-day window for broader negotiations after months of conflict disrupted global oil, LNG, and other commodity markets. Major unresolved issues include Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and security in the Strait of Hormuz.

The framework is seen as a temporary de-escalation measure aimed at stabilizing energy markets rather than...

US Seafood Groups Demand Section 301 Investigation Into Unfair Trade Practices

Twenty-three American seafood organizations have formally asked US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer to launch a comprehensive Section 301 investigation into unfair seafood trade practices, escalating industry pressure for trade enforcement against imports they say are decimating domestic producers.

The May 19 letter, signed by groups ranging from the Southern Shrimp Alliance to the Hawaii Longline Association, asks USTR to address a sweeping range of alleged violations, including dumping, subsidies, environmental harm, banned veterinary drugs, false labeling, prohibited fishing gear, structural excess capacity, and labor abuse...

Pacific Heat Wave Triggers Closure of Large Area off California to Protect Loggerhead Sea Turtles

California’s swordfish drift gillnet fleet will need to stop fishing in a 25,000-square-mile area off California during June, July and August this summer to protect endangered loggerhead sea turtles.

“I am writing to request immediate closure of the Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area to drift gillnets,” wrote Catherine Kilduff, Senior Attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity in her May 18 letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

“The above-normal sea surface temperature anomalies in the Southern California Bight during the months...