Connecticut Lawmakers Address Secretary Lutnick, Demand Reinstatement Of Terminated NOAA Employees

On Friday, March 28, 2025, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Representatives John Larson and Rosa DeLauro sent a joint letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick demanding the reinstatement of 800-plus federal employees from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The employees, who were terminated as part of the new Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) efforts to cut back on costs across various federal departments, included those who worked at the Milford Laboratory, part of NOAA’s National Marine Fishery Services (NMFS)...

Grieg Seafood CEO Resigns

Yesterday, Grieg Seafood ASA announced that its CEO, Andreas Kvame, would be stepping down from his post of ten years, effective immediately.

The decision to resign came after a joint agreement between Kvame and Grieg Seafood’s Board of Directors. Since then, the Board has begun searching for a replacement Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Kvame commented on his resignation, calling it a true privilege to lead the company for more than ten years.

“I want to thank all of my colleagues for their efforts,” he said. “A main priority has been the development of post-smolt production..."

California Reports Progress in Supporting Healthy Salmon Populations and Habitat

It is clear that salmon are struggling on the West Coast, particularly in California. Salmon seasons have been closed or limited for a couple of years now, with returns to major salmon-producing rivers remaining low and a changing climate only increasing the competition for water resources. 

However, a recently released progress report from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife shows what the state has done to help California’s salmon populations. The California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future: Progress Report was developed in partnership with the California...

Western Pacific Council Flags Economic Burdens of Electronic Monitoring, Backs Relief Efforts

While more fleets across the country move to electronic monitoring, the costs continue to be a concern. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is the latest Council to document the burden on fishermen and seek help.

Last week’s Council meeting discussions focused on electronic monitoring in longline fisheries in Hawaii and American Samoa regarding cost allocation, funding strategies and economic viability.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) confirmed it will cover $4 million in upfront EM program costs, separate from the estimated $2.4 million in...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

As April 2 approaches, the ongoing tariff saga continues to unfold, bringing new developments each day. Expana is tracking the latest headlines and breaking down the key updates as they happen, as evidenced in the latest newsletter.

This week, US President Trump announced a new “secondary tariff” directed at Venezuela and any country buying their oil, citing Venezuelan criminal activity in the US. 

On March 26, Trump announced a separate 25% tariff on all imported cars and light trucks, effective April 3, reported Expana. The measure applies to American brands assembling cars...

Alaska Seafood Industry, Lawmakers, and Media Urge US to Cool Down Trade War and DOGE Cuts

Two of Alaska’s leading seafood trade associations and the State House of Representatives issued plain-spoken opposition to President Trump’s trade policies this month, while Alaska Public Media President Ed Ulman testified to the importance of public news and broadcasting in a US House hearing on Tuesday.

A March 11 letter from Matt Tinning, CEO of the At-Sea Processors Association and Julie Decker, President of the Pacific Seafood Processors Association, was sent to Catherine Gibson, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Monitoring and...

Icelandic Salmon Farmer Kaldvik Acquires Two Farming Operations and One-Third of Another

On March 25, 2025, Icelandic salmon farmer Kaldvik AS (Kaldvik) completed its acquisition of two fish farming operations on Iceland’s east coast as well as one-third of another fish farming operation in the same region, thus securing key additional assets in the fish farming value chain.

The process for obtaining these assets began in December 2024, with an update coming in February 2025, and now, the official completion of the above transaction.

The acquisition—which cost an estimated NOK 190 million (USD $18.2 million)—includes...

Russia Plans to Ramp up Fight Against Poaching This Year

This year, Russia plans to ramp up its fight against poaching by increasing its use of advanced technologies such as drones.

So far, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia has put forth a proposal to amend the country’s existing legislation, which will allow the use of drones to combat ongoing, and prevent future, poaching activities within Russia’s borders.

Currently, the legislation does not make any direct mentions to drone usage as a means of combatting poaching activity, which, at present, complicates the legitimate use of drones in the...

Mississippi Rep. Mike Ezell Introduces Bi-partisan Cormorant Relief Act to Protect Catfish Farms

Yesterday, Mississippi Representatives Mike Ezell, Michael Guest, Bennie Thompson, and Trent Kelly (MS-01) introduced the Cormorant Relief Act of 2025, a bill that will provide immediate relief to states struggling with the costly impacts of cormorant predation on catfish farms.

Unchecked population growth of double-crested cormorant populations has led to significant damage to fish aquaculture operations, impacting commercial and recreational fishing industries and farmers. The Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 grants greater flexibility in managing cormorant populations to safeguard fisheries and local economies. Congressman...

Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries Expands Protections for Wild Atlantic Halibut

Last week, Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries extended the winter closure of commercial fishing for Atlantic halibut by almost three weeks. Effective immediately, the new rule prohibits fishing for halibut from December 20 to April 20, rather than the previous opening date of March 31.

Per the new rule, fishing is allowed no earlier than April 21, 2025.

Exceptions to this rule remain very limited and in line with Section 44 of the Harvesting Regulations. The conservation closure applies to all gear throughout the country.

“This is an important measure to..."

Rhode Island Congressional Delegation Introduces Bill To Add Two Seats to Mid Atlantic Council

On Friday, March 28, 2025, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo introduced the Rhode Island Fishermen’s Fairness Act in both the Senate and the House. The legislation requested the addition of two voting seats on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC). 

If passed into law, Rhode Island fishermen would have a voice and voting power on the Council, which manages some of the most important fish stocks for the state’s commercial fishing industry – chief among them...

Supreme Crab & Seafood Revamps its Canned Crab Packaging in Time for Spring

On March 25, 2025, seafood importer Supreme Crab & Seafood launched a new can design for its Signature Catch ® (SC) brand, which is hitting shelves this spring.

The revamped labels take on a clean, modern look with varying color-rimmed tops and bold, matching lettering, which allows customers to easily distinguish between the company’s different canned crab products.

In addition, half of the lid design now includes images that are to-scale of the contents within.

The new design is being applied to the SC Blue Line, which...

NL Snow Crab Fishery Season Delayed, To Start One Week Late

Today, the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) snow crab fishery—initially set to open in most areas on April 1—announced that it would be delaying the start of the season by one week.

The announcement was first issued in the form of a letter written by the Honorable Gerry Byrne, Minister of the District of Corner Brook, and addressed to key representatives for the involved parties: FFAW-Unifor’s Dwan Street, ASP’s Jeff Loder, and Standing Fish Price-Setting Panel Chair Sheilagh Murphy.

According to the March 27 letter...

Oregon Issues Annual Pink Shrimp Review Report as New Season Approaches

Oregon’s pink shrimp fishery has had its share of struggles over the years, but it seems the only thing holding it back is broader markets. Last year was particularly strong, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s recently released annual report. 

The 36th Annual Pink Shrimp Review 2025 provides the following: a comprehensive 2024 season review, indicators for the 2025 season (which opens April 1), a review of research regarding pink shrimp, and regulatory changes and more. 

ODFW summarized the 2024 season this way: “The 2024 pink shrimp season was very productive, seeing the highest catch volume since 2015. Shrimp abundances were high, but market demand seemed low.”

FDA Updates Advisory on Frozen Half-Shell Oysters from the Republic of Korea

On March 26, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an update on its safety alert regarding frozen half-shell oysters from Korean food processor Daihung Mulsan CO., LTD, due to potential norovirus contamination.

The impacted oysters initially included those harvested from the Republic of Korea (ROK) Designated Area II, KR-7-SP, between 1/30/2024 and 2/4/2024.

The FDA is now expanding its safety alert to include additional oysters that were processed by KR-7-SP in ROK...

New Study Shows Wild Alaska Sole’s “Impressive Levels” of Omega-3s and Other Key Nutrients

New findings from a recent study by ISO-certified lab Exact Scientific revealed higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids for all species of Wild Alaska sole (also known as flounder) than previously thought.

According to the study, two 4- to 5-oz servings of Wild Alaska sole provide up to 1,885 mg of omega-3 fatty acids, satisfying the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation of 1,705 mg of omega-3s per week for a healthy diet. Unlike many other fish that are also...

SENA 2025: Expana Analysts Break Down Forecasting and Algo-Forecasting in the Seafood Market

On March 16, the second day of the Seafood Expo North America (SENA), Expana’s own Angel Rubio and Andrei Rjedkin presented on the Price Reporting Agency’s (PRA) unique price forecasting methods in today’s dynamic, and at times volatile, seafood market.

Rubio, who is an economist and lead analyst at Urner Barry by Expana, kicked off the presentation by diving into the methodology behind forecasting, showing a world map depicting the global seafood trade, which was borrowed from Rabobank.

He explained how seafood is the world’s most...