Arbitrator Upholds ASP on 2025 Snow Crab Settlement Price; FFAW Grievance Denied

An arbitrator has rejected a grievance from FFAW‑Unifor and upheld the Association of Seafood Producers’ (ASP) handling of the 2025 snow crab settlement price, affirming the province’s Standing Fish Price‑Setting Panel outcome and the minimum price paid to harvesters of $5.25/lb, ASP said Friday.

The ruling supports ASP’s position that the settlement should be based on sales of 5–8oz sections in 30‑lb wholesale boxes and that processors follow the FFAW‑agreed formula used by independent auditor Deloitte...

NPFMC Sets New Measures to Reduce Western Alaska Chum Bycatch During Pollock B Season

History was made at last week’s North Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting convened to address the chum salmon bycatch in the pollock trawl fleets during the summer “B” season.

First, Western Alaska residents who rely on chum salmon as a keystone food in their culture and way of life described their loss to the Council and industry stakeholders who attended the meeting or listened online. Over 200 individuals submitted written comments, testified orally before the 11-member panel, and spoke...

Slade Gorton Recalls Wellsley Farms Salmon Sold at BJ’s Over Listeria Concerns

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Slade Gorton & Co is recalling Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The affected items are packaged in two-pound bags and were sold at BJ's Wholesale Club from January 31 through February 7. The packaging bears UPC code 888670025963, with the Wellsley Farms logo and "Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon" printed on the front, per a February 12 notice from the FDA.

This recall pertains to lot number 3896...

Broad Coalition Urges Congress to Reject Offshore Aquaculture Bill

More than 420 organizations, businesses and community leaders this month sent a joint letter to Congress urging lawmakers to reject the Marine Aquaculture Research for America Act of 2025 (MARA Act). The signatories include commercial fishing groups, conservation and advocacy organizations, farmers and local community leaders.

Critics say the bill’s emphasis on “research” would effectively open the door to industrial‑scale fish farms in US federal waters. “MARA creates a one‑way road to permanent, large‑scale offshore fish farms, with no off‑ramps,” said Don’t Cage Our Oceans (DCO2)...

Hundreds of Louisiana Restaurants Cited, Fined for Not Disclosing Imported Seafood

Louisiana law requires restaurants to clearly indicate when they serve imported seafood, but hundreds have failed to do so, according to a review of state enforcement data from 2025.

In response to a public records request, the Louisiana Department of Health compiled spreadsheets listing every restaurant cited and which ones were fined.

State law requires all food establishments using imported shrimp or crawfish to indicate it clearly on their menus or on a sign at the entrance if they don’t use menus. Another law applies to any statements, written...

Expana will be observing President’s Day in the US on Monday, February 16

Expana will be observing President’s Day in the US on Monday, February 16.

This will impact publication of some Expana Benchmark Prices, as well as news- in the Americas.

Daily assessments falling on this date will not be published including Market Insights and Market Updates  (Americas region only).

FDA Posts Alert on Norovirus Risk in Certain Oysters from British Columbia

The FDA is warning restaurants and retailers not to serve or consume certain oysters from British Columbia.

Expana first reported on the situation on Tuesday, highlighting that an illness prompted the initial recall by the California Department of Public Health. 

The recall involved Kusshi, Chrome Point, Stellar Bay, and Stella Bay Gold Oysters harvested from British Columbia, Canada, specifically from harvest area BC 17-20 (Nanoose Bay) CLF #1401656 on January 26 and January 29 by S&M Shellfish.

This latest announcement adds...

Japan Seizes Chinese Fishing Vessel Amid Increasing Tensions Between the Two Nations

Yesterday, Japan’s Fisheries Agency Control branch seized the Chinese trawler Ziongtong Yu 11998 and arrested 47-year-old captain Chong Nien Lee, a Chinese national, for allegedly defying orders to stop for inspection at sea. 

The incident took place off the shore of Nagasaki Prefecture, 89.4 nautical miles from the Mejima Lighthouse, according to the arresting documents. This is the first incident involving a Chinese vessel since 2022.

Japanese broadcaster NHK was reported to have said the vessel was...

Marine Industries in the Arctic to Get €100 Million EIB Support via Arion Bank

The marine industry in Iceland, as well as in Greenland and the Faroe Islands - autonomous territories within the Kingdom of Denmark, will be eligible for financing to strengthen environmental sustainability under a €100 million loan that Icelandic lender Arion Bank is receiving from the European Investment Bank (EIB). Arion Bank will use the EIB credit to provide long-term loans to small and medium-sized companies engaged in marine activities such as sustainable fishing, seafood processing and fish and algae farming...

Wild Alaskan Company Acquires Kasilof Buying Station, Moves to Improve Alaska’s Working Waterfronts

Wild Alaskan Company, an industry leader in direct-to-consumer sales, announced its acquisition of the Kasilof Buying Station yesterday, noting that it gives vessels a direct offload point during the summer salmon season.  

Located just upriver from the mouth of the Kasilof River, the station is on Alaska’s road system, enabling seamless integration into Wild Alaskan Company’s national DTC supply chain and improving speed, coordination, and market connectivity. The investment reflects the company’s long-term commitment to improving Alaska’s working waterfronts and seafood infrastructure...

FAO Report Flags Widespread Seafood Fraud Across Global Supply Chains

The United Nations’ (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has released a new report warning that seafood fraud remains widespread across global supply chains, with economic incentives driving much of the deception.

According to the report, at least 20% of seafood trade may be affected by some form of fraud. One common example is selling farmed Atlantic salmon as typically higher-priced wild-caught Pacific salmon, generating an estimated $10 per kilogram in added value.

Mislabeling is also prevalent in foodservice. Studies cited in the report...

Expana's Weekly Top 10: Seafood Fraud, Coffee Slumps, and Valentine’s Trends Lead the Week

Seafood fraud concerns, falling coffee exports, and renewed tariff tensions headline this week’s top stories in global food and agriculture. From a new warning by the Food and Agriculture Organization on widespread seafood mislabeling to Valentine’s Day protein promotions and shifting trade dynamics, the latest developments highlight continued volatility across supply chains, pricing, and policy worldwide. Here are the stories to make the list- in no particular order.

10. The Retail Rundown: Beef Leads Valentine’s Protein Features as Lobster...

Seasonal Menu Trends and Promotions Shaping Valentine’s and Lent in Foodservice

The ever-changing landscape of marketable events has shifted from the holidays, and the foodservice industry is now focusing on winter and spring specials.

With Valentine’s Day approaching and Lent on the horizon, restaurants are preparing seasonal menus that balance indulgent treats with meat- and seafood-focused options, keeping consumers engaged from mid-February through spring.

Expana's experts have collaborated to provide a price index for customers in both the United States and Europe. Expana's US Valentine's Meal Index, which includes beef tenderloin, lobster tail...

Russia Targets Growth in Shrimp Imports and Production

Russia plans to significantly increase shrimp production and imports in the coming years as local demand remains strong.

According to the Fish Union, Russia increased shrimp imports by at least 2% in volume last year, while the value of imports rose by 20%.

India, Vietnam, and China are among the largest shrimp exporters to Russia, with India being the top supplier, providing 19,000 tonnes in 2025.

Russia imports shrimp species not produced locally due to climatic conditions, including farmed Vannamei shrimp, farmed tiger shrimp, wild Argentine shrimp, and more than 25 other...

Hokkaido December Surimi Production up 20%, 2025 Production up 12%

According to member reports compiled by the National Surimi Association, Hokkaido's frozen surimi production volume in December 2025 increased 20% year-on-year to 756 tons, marking the first year-on-year increase in four months, driven by higher production of the main species, Alaska pollock.

According to a report in the Minato Shimbun, Alaska pollock increased 21% to 755 tons, the first increase in four months. According to a manufacturer source, while raw fish landings in Hokkaido were sluggish in Funka Bay, down...

Long John Silver's Introduces its Iconic Tartar Sauce to Retail

This month, Long John Silver’s is giving homebodies a way to enjoy its beloved tartar sauce at home.

The restaurant’s tartar sauce has long been a fan favorite and one of the most requested menu items in-store.

Guests can purchase Long John Silver’s Tartar Sauce for a limited time, while supplies last, at select Kroger stores- just in time for Lent.

"Bringing our tartar sauce to retail for the first time is an exciting step for Long John Silver’s," said Christopher Caudill, senior vice president...

Smoked Fish Producer Big O’Smokehouse Partners With Meijer for Local Endcap Program in Michigan

Michigan-based smoked fish and sausage producer Big O’Smokehouse has partnered with major US retailer Meijer through a local endcap program.

Big O’Smokehouse is a third-generation family-owned business based in the Grand Rapids area. It produces summer sausage, salmon jerky and whitefish dip.

Grandpa O’ and his son, Keith Osterhaven, started Big O’ Smokehouse in 1997, and Keith’s son, Bruce, now leads the company. Bruce’s daughter Ellie manages the operations, and Kendra Higgins leads sales and marketing, Meijer noted in a press release...