Trump White House Supports Delaying Right Whale Regulations for Maine Lobster Fishery Until 2035

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has announced it "strongly supports" legislation that would delay new fishing regulations affecting Maine's lobster industry from 2028 to 2035, giving the sector additional time to adapt to North Atlantic right whale protection measures.

The endorsement backs H.R. 8509, introduced by Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME), which would extend the current regulatory moratorium by seven years. In a Statement of Administration Policy published May 1, the OMB said that "if H.R. 8509 were presented...

Commerce Sets Preliminary Antidumping Margins for Indian Shrimp at 2.36-4.30%

The US Department of Commerce has preliminarily determined that Indian frozen warmwater shrimp producers sold products below fair value during the February 2024-January 2025 review period, setting dumping margins ranging from 2.36% to 4.30% for individually examined companies in the 20th administrative review of the longstanding order.

Commerce assigned a 2.36% margin to the Devi Group companies (Devi Fisheries Limited, Satya Seafoods Private Limited, Usha Seafoods, and Devi Aquatech Private Limited) and 4.30% to Sandhya Aqua Exports Private Limited...

House Hearing Spotlights Safer Shrimp Imports Act Amid Food Safety Push

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing last week titled "Healthier America: Legislative Proposals on the Regulation and Oversight of Food," featuring discussion of the Safer Shrimp Imports Act.

The legislation would require foreign shrimp exporters to meet US food safety standards and undergo inspections to prevent contaminated imports from entering US commerce. Expana highlighted the bill in March, noting strong support from the domestic wild-caught shrimp industry.

During the hearing, Representative Troy Carter (D-LA), a co-sponsor of the legislation, questioned Steven Mandernach...

COSFF Taps Drew Watts as Foodservice VP, Expands National Broker Network

Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods (COSFF) announced April 30 that it has appointed Drew Watts as Senior Vice President of Foodservice & Wholesale and is expanding its national network of foodservice brokers as part of strategic investments to strengthen its presence in foodservice and wholesale channels.

The moves are designed to increase in-market coverage nationwide and deliver focused support for distributors and foodservice operators, the company said.

"These investments reflect our long-term commitment to building a stronger, more responsive foodservice and wholesale business...

Japan's Tuna and Skipjack Fishery Organizations Request Measures to Address Rising Fuel Prices

According to a report by the Minato Shimbun, the Skipjack and Tuna Fisheries Promotion Measures Council, comprised of three skipjack and tuna fisheries organizations, requested measures to address soaring fuel prices at a general meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party's Skipjack and Tuna Fisheries Promotion Parliamentary League (chaired by Shunichi Suzuki) held at the LDP headquarters on April 28th. The council explained that the worsening international situation has caused crude oil prices to soar, and that fuel prices for overseas and offshore refueling have risen...

Expana's Weekly Top 10

It was another busy week across global markets, with developments that ripple well beyond the headlines. From trade policy and geopolitical tension to seafood recoveries, retail demand signals, and major corporate moves, this week’s Top 10 captures the stories shaping decisions up and down the supply chain. Here’s a glance at some of the biggest headlines curated by Expana's journalists.

10. Expana remains your go-to hub for all news concerning the war in the Middle East. Stay in the know here.

Catch up with daily recaps of days 59 and 60...

NAIA Names Bradley George Executive Director 

The Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) has announced the appointment of Bradley George as its new Executive Director, effective May 11, 2026.

“Bradley is joining NAIA at an exciting time for aquaculture in our province. Following record-high production volume in 2025, the aquaculture sector is expected to continue to grow through responsible and sustainable development. I look forward to working closely with Bradley to increase awareness, support, and growth in Newfoundland and Labrador’s blue economy” stated Sheldon George, President NAIA.

George is a senior leader with...

Russia May Face Sharp Drop in Black Sea, Azov Basin Fish Catch Due to Infrastructure Attacks

Russia may face a significant decline in fish catches from the Black Sea and Sea of Azov this year due to unprecedented attacks on local port infrastructure by Ukrainian armed forces.

Ukrainian drones conducted their fourth attack in recent weeks on the city of Tuapse, a seaport on the northeastern shore of the Black Sea, targeting oil infrastructure. The strikes have resulted in a massive oil spill covering up to 80 square kilometers of the Black Sea. The spill is currently moving southward...

StarKist Joins Feed the Children to Help Put Child Hunger to Bed

StarKist® and Feed the Children are proud to continue their longstanding partnership through the Put Child Hunger to Bed campaign. Starting in May, StarKist is inviting consumers to join the fight against childhood hunger in two meaningful ways. Every time consumers purchase a StarKist tuna pouch, StarKist will donate one pouch to Feed the Children, up to 100,000 pouches. In addition, StarKist will match donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000, to further support children and families across the United States. Consumers can learn more...

US House Approves Farm Bill Amendments Expanding USDA Role in Seafood Sector

The US House of Representatives passed its version of the farm bill (Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 [H.R. 7567]) early Thursday morning, delivering significant wins for the seafood industry.

The legislation includes several industry-focused amendments that would fundamentally expand USDA involvement in the seafood industry, marking what advocates call a new era of federal recognition for American fishermen and processors.

The bill codifies the Trump administration's newly created USDA Office of Seafood, established through an executive order...

Court Rejects Conagra Bid to Dismiss Seafood Mislabeling Lawsuit

A federal judge in Illinois has denied Conagra Brands' motion to dismiss a proposed class action lawsuit challenging the company's labeling of frozen fish products as "100% Whole Fish Fillets," despite the addition of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) and water during processing.

The April 29 ruling by US District Judge John J. Tharp Jr. allows consumers from California, New York, Massachusetts, and potentially nationwide to proceed with claims that Conagra's Van de Kamp and Mrs. Paul's branded products constitute deceptive labeling under various state consumer protection laws...

Russian Far East Origin Spiny Snow Crab and Red Snow Crab Prices up by 30% in the Japanese Market

According to a report by the Minato Shimbun, the price of spiny snow crab and red snow crab from the Russian Far East has risen sharply due to the increasing demand for all-you-can-eat crab in Japan, particularly from inbound tourists.

As of late March, the domestic selling price (trading company price) for both species was ¥2,600-2,800/kg ($16.25-17.60/kg) for large-sized animals, a 20-30%...

Cousins Maine Lobster Launches Statewide Food Truck Tour in New Mexico

Cousins Maine Lobster is once again expanding its reach, this time delivering its Northeast flavors to the Southwest.

From May 5 to May 17, the food truck known for its Maine lobster will launch a multi-city tour across New Mexico, traveling from Dallas.

The move is part of the brand’s broader national expansion strategy, leveraging its fleet of food trucks to bring Cousins Maine Lobster’s iconic menu to new markets.

The tour kicks off in Clovis and concludes in Santa Fe...

ASMI Lands $10.7M in USDA Funding to Expand Global Marketing for Alaska Seafood

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has secured more than $10.7 million in federal funding to expand international marketing efforts for Alaska seafood, including more than $4.7 million through the Market Access Program (MAP) and $6 million through the America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) .

Both programs are administered by the US Department of Agriculture and support global marketing and promotion aimed at growing US exports. AFTPP is the newer of the two programs and is...

Lund’s Fisheries Names Kimberly Moore Director of Retail Sales

Family‑owned and vertically integrated Lund’s Fisheries has appointed a new director of retail sales.

Headquartered in Cape May, New Jersey, the company has welcomed Kimberly Moore to the role. Moore will focus on strengthening retail relationships, driving growth, and expanding the company’s retail strategy across national and regional accounts. She will also support the development of new value‑added innovations.

"Joining Lund's Fisheries at this stage of their journey is an incredible opportunity," Moore stated. "By combining a legacy of sustainability with our seamless...

Brinker Sales Rise as Chili’s Extends Same-Store Growth Streak

Brinker International posted higher third-quarter fiscal 2026 sales, powered by continued momentum at Chili’s, while Maggiano’s remained under pressure.

Company sales rose to $1.46 billion from $1.41 billion a year earlier, while comparable restaurant sales increased 3.3%. At Chili’s, same-store sales climbed 4.0%, marking its 20th straight quarter of growth.

"Chili's delivered its 20th consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth, up 4%, lapping a 31% increase a year ago," said Kevin Hochman, President and CEO of Brinker International. "Guest demand...

Kaldvík Appoints New CFO After Extended Search

Kaldvík AS announced Tuesday that Þórunn Ragnarsdóttir has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective July 1, 2026, concluding a search that began in late 2025.

Ragnarsdóttir brings extensive international finance experience, having served as CFO at the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and as Director of Administration overseeing finance operations across EFTA's Brussels, Geneva, and Luxembourg offices. She previously held finance roles at Icelandair Ground Services and Icelandair.

The incoming CFO holds an MSc in Finance and International Business from Aarhus University and is completing an MPA in Public Administration at the University...

Peru's Anchovy Season Faces Quota Fulfillment Risk as Juvenile Catches Disrupt Operations 

High levels of juvenile anchovy are disrupting Peru's north-central fishery and raising industry concerns about meeting an already-reduced quota, as fishing restrictions and voluntary suspensions challenge producers in the world's primary fishmeal supply region. 

As of April 26, incidental juvenile catches reached 167,542 tonnes while the fleet landed just 439,535 tonnes—only 23% of the 1.91 million tonne quota. With juvenile levels approaching one-third of the 488,000-tonne threshold that would trigger automatic closure, industry sources report mounting operational pressures...

Profand Completes Strategic Acquisition of Unión Martín

Spanish publication La Voz de Galicia reported that Vigo-based Profand was finalizing the acquisition of Canary Islands-based cephalopod specialist Unión Martín, a deal that was confirmed on May 4.

Spain's largest seafood company, Profand, has officially signed an agreement to acquire Unión Martín Group, marking a significant consolidation move that strengthens its position across the Canary Islands and mainland Spain. The acquisition, announced today, follows months of due diligence that began in March.

The deal adds approximately €150 million in revenue to Profand's operations and officially establishes the Galician...

BC Coastal First Nations Tell Ottawa to Reverse Trudeau-era Net Salmon Pen Ban

At a press conference on Wednesday from Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, Chiefs from the BC coastal First Nations Finfish Stewardship Coalition (FNFFS) unveiled a plan for greater Indigenous equity and leadership in salmon aquaculture.  Reversing the 2029 net pen ban is essential for sustainable financial growth.  

The FNFFS welcome the federal government’s $1.3 billion investment in wild Pacific salmon conservation, adding that support for aquaculture aligns with the Carney government’s federal priorities: attracting investment, creating jobs - including for youth, improving affordability, strengthening food security...

EU Review says Fisheries Policy Improved Management but Fell Short on Sustainability

The European Commission’s latest review of the Common Fisheries Policy found mixed results over the 2014-2024 period, highlighting progress in cutting overfishing and improving fisheries management, while warning that sustainability gains have fallen short.

The evaluation showed the share of fish stocks fished at sustainable levels rose from 50% in 2014 to 63% in 2022, and overall fishing pressure declined. Still, fish stock recovery has been slower than expected, limiting the economic benefits many in the sector had hoped to see.

Trade in EU...

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...

Ecuador Shrimp Industry Faces Export Bottleneck from Container Shortage

Logistical headwinds are affecting the export capacity of Ecuador's massive shrimp industry, according to a notice published by the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) on April 28.

The CNA explained that various shrimp packing plants are operating their cold storage facilities at maximum capacity due to the limited availability of refrigerated shipping containers. This has led some exporters to halt shrimp purchases from producers amid shipment delays.

"International logistical difficulties, including reduced container availability and disruptions in global trade, have reduced the sector's shipping capacity at a time...

Federal Bill Targets Tire Chemical Linked to the Population Decline of Coho Salmon in Pacific NW

A long-standing mystery behind mass die-offs of coho salmon in the Pacific Northwest has led to new federal legislation aimed at curbing a toxic chemical linked to urban runoff.

After two decades of research, scientists from the Center for Urban Waters and Washington Stormwater Center identified 6PPD-quinone—a byproduct of tire additives reacting with ozone—as the culprit behind the deaths. The chemical washes into waterways during rainfall, entering salmon bloodstream and...

Special BOF Meeting Addresses Gear Switch in Cook Inlet, Traditional Knowledge Reg Language

A Special Meeting of Alaska’s Board of Fisheries will be held today, online only, to address four proposals, one adding regulatory language for the use of Traditional Knowledge (TK) in Fish and Game processes, and three regarding salmon fisheries in Western Alaska and Upper Cook Inlet.  

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Alaska Standard Time (AST) and will not include public testimony. However, written testimony can be submitted until 5 p.m. AST today. Comments can be submitted submitted online at https://boardoffisheries.adfg.alaska.gov/...

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Price Spreads Near Historical Thresholds Amid Incomplete Tariff Pass-Through

Price differential analysis across key shrimp segments reveals a market under structural pressure, with several critical spreads approaching historical support and resistance thresholds. While US wholesale prices have risen 15.8% since tariff implementation, this increase represents only a fraction of the 16-37% cost escalation driven by tariffs alone, indicating significant margin compression throughout the supply chain.

Tariff impact and market absorption

Comparison of current pricing to April 1, 2025 — when tariffs were first enacted — and year-over-year data shows that approximately five percentage...

Consolidated Catfish Producers Named to Worker Safety 'Dirty Dozen' List

Mississippi-based Consolidated Catfish Producers was named to the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH) 2026 Dirty Dozen report. The report highlights 12 companies that the group says have "put workers' lives at risk" through unsafe practices, subpar protections and neglect.

"Every year, we honor workers who have lost their lives on the job, and every year, we see the same pattern: companies prioritizing profit over people," said Jessica E. Martinez, MPH, Executive Director of National COSH. "The Dirty Dozen 2026 makes clear that these tragedies are...

Japan's Marine Product Exports Rose 16% in Value in March, Volume Fell 20%

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, exports of marine products (fish and shellfish and their preparations, and fish meal) in March were down 20% year-on-year to 45,779 tons in volume, but up 16% in value to 38.446 billion yen ($240.02 million). Scallops were down 22% to 3,364 tons and down 10% to 7.436 billion yen ($46.43 million). Yellowtail exports were up 61% to 3,804 tons and doubled to 8.941 billion yen...

Norcod Secures $11 Million Funding Package to Target H2 2026 Profitability

Norcod announced a new funding plan on April 30 to scale up biomass and target profitable operations during the second half of 2026.

The funding package includes NOK 100 million ($10.7 million) via a private placement of new shares, along with NOK 170 million in new debt financing secured through existing credit facilities with DNB Bank ASA and a new NOK 50 million loan from Innovation Norway.

"Overall, the updated funding plan positions the Company for scaling up...

ASC Gains Industry Traction at Seafood Expo Global 2026

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) used Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona to highlight growing industry engagement with its updated certification approach, as adoption of its new label and Farm Standard continues to build across the global seafood supply chain.

ASC drew steady traffic to its booth throughout this year's event, where partners from multiple markets showcased products carrying the newly launched label. The visibility reflected wider industry alignment around certification focused on transparency, credibility and consumer trust.

The organization also hosted a side event, “Proving...