ANALYSIS: 2024 Q1-Q3 EU & UK Shrimp Imports Slightly Rise, China Declines

The three largest markets for warm water shrimp are China, the US, and Western Europe (EU & UK).

When comparing the trends of the volumes purchased by these nations, the EU, UK, and the US have shown some growth since June, while Chinese volumes are collapsing after a peak in May.

According to the latest census data, the total volume imported by these three regions in September was 189k MT, which is 14.5% down from last year. For Q3, imports, at 581k MT, declined by 8.8%...

CA, WA Dungeness Crab Fisheries on Hold For Now

Following Oregon’s announcement of a delay in the state’s Dungeness crab season, both California and Washington said that a combination of factors will delay the seasons in those states, too.

Late last week, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham announced the delay of the primary commercial crab season for Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties – Fishing Zones 1 and 2 in Northern California. The season would normally open on Dec. 1.

“Crab quality tests could not be conducted in ...

Threatened Coho Salmon Return to Upper Klamath River Basin for First Time in More Than 60 Years

Now this is something to salmon-brate!

First Chinook, now threatened coho have been documented returning to the upper Klamath River Basin after four dams were removed this year.

The California Department of Fish Wildlife said it’s been at least 60 years, not since the construction of the former Iron Gate Dam in the early 1960s, since agency personnel documented coho salmon occupying their historic habitat in the upper watershed. 

On Nov. 13, seven coho salmon ...

Breakthrough Achieved in ICCAT’s Challenging Negotiations to Manage Atlantic Tuna, Swordfish

At long last, new management measures for Atlantic tropical tunas and North Atlantic swordfish have been adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) that will apply to all Atlantic tropical tunas, including bigeye, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna. The negotiations involved a diverse set of parties from around the world with widely divergent fisheries, conservation, and development interests. 

One result of the newly adopted control measures and allocation decisions is that the United States has solidified its current level of access to the fishery and ...

Photo of tunas: NOAA Fisheries

Two Men Caught Trafficking Juvenile Eels From Puerto Rico to Asia, Both Now in Jail For 2 Yrs.

In an ambitious plan that didn’t get very far, two men from the Dominican Republic spent months last year harvesting juvenile American eels (Anguilla rostrata), also known as glass eels, in the rivers around Levittown, Puerto Rico on the island’s north coast.

According to court documents, “Once they caught the eels, the defendants kept them alive with an oxygenation system while a boat was built to travel back to the Dominican Republic. 

“On Feb. 21, both defendants left Puerto Rico bound for ...

Holland America Line's New Onboard Cooking Shows Bring Regional Cuisine from Port to Stage

Holland America Line's renowned culinary program takes the stage onboard with new, cooking shows that spotlight regional culinary specialties and locally sourced seafood from the cruise line's Global Fresh Fish Program.

Co-hosted by each ship's executive chef and cruise & travel director, the demonstrations are fleetwide and occur at least twice per seven-day sailings and more often on longer itineraries.

Guests can learn cooking techniques and the culinary history of the region from the executive chef...

Maine Delegation Announces More Than $1.9 Million for Lobster Research in Maine

Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, are announcing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sea Grant Office’s decision to award seven Maine projects with $1,941,692 in funding for the American Lobster Research Program. The grant program supports projects that address critical knowledge gaps about American lobster and its fishery in a dynamic and changing environment.

“Maine’s lobstermen and women have long demonstrated their commitment to maintaining and protecting a sustainable fishery in the Gulf of..."

Trump's Commerce Nomination Sparks Questions on NOAA and Tariff Agenda

President-elect Donald Trump nominated Howard Lutnick as his Commerce Secretary. He will be tasked with leading 13 bureaus under the Department of Commerce, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Lutnick is the CEO of financial services giant Cantor Fitzgerald and has worked as the co-chair of Trump’s transition team.

In a statement posted to Trump’s Truth Social platform, he said that Lutnick “…will lead our Tariff and Trade agenda, with additional direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative...

Trident Seafoods, Channel Fish Land USDA Pollock Contracts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded over $2 million in contracts for various Alaska pollock products for use in Child Nutrition and other Domestic Food Distribution programs.

In total, contracts for 920,000 pounds of Alaska pollock products were awarded for $2,052,149.

Trident Seafoods took home most of the purchase, with the USDA purchasing 730,000 pounds of product for over $1.6 million. The USDA will buy 190,000 pounds of product for just over $448,000 from Massachusetts-based Channel Fish Processing...

Russian Fish Union Says Domestic Shellfish Sales Improving

Seafood sales are steadily growing in Russia these days, as, despite sanctions, the purchasing power of local customers remains high.

According to the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers, sales of mussels, octopuses, oysters, and most types of shellfish in the local market this year have increased by almost 20% compared to 2023. At the same time, the demand for some items is even higher. For example, sales of frozen scallops and squid grew by 1.5 times compared to last year. In value terms, the growth of sales is equivalent...

Seafood Industry Urges Biden to Halt Marine Monument Expansions

A group of 150-plus fishing and seafood industry associations, business and other stakeholders sent a letter addressed to President Joe Biden urging him to halt the creation or expansion of any Marine National Monuments in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) before he leaves office.

In the letter, the seafood coalition warned against “potential negative impacts such actions could have on the fishing sector and highlights the significant contributions of U.S. fisheries to the economy, environment, and food security,” per a press release from Saving Seafood.

Ecuador Dominates Skipjack Tuna Landings in the EPO

Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) are crucial species in tropical tuna fisheries in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO).

The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) has estimated that Ecuadorian skipjack tuna catches increased by 69.2% year-on-year (y-o-y) from Jan-Sep 2024, reaching 49,351 metric tons. In contrast, the catches for yellowfin tuna fell by 3.6% over the same period. Meanwhile, total tuna catches in the EPO increased by 32.0% y-o-y from Jan-Sep 2024...

Trace Register Partners with Raw Seafoods to Enable Full Chain Traceability and Compliance

Trace Register, a seafood traceability solutions company, recently announced its partnership with Raw Seafoods, a wholesale seafood supplier based out of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

As part of its partnership, Raw Seafoods has rolled out Trace Register’s TR5 platform, which focuses on full chain traceability, product quality, and regulatory compliance through continuous monitoring and analysis capabilities.

For over 15 years, Trace Register has served clients in more than 50 countries. The traceability company utilizes GDST and GS1 databases and focuses on proactive compliance measures with key regulatory...

41 Taiwanese Tuna Longline Vessels Now Seeking Marine Stewardship Council Certification

Ocean Outcomes (O2) and the Taiwan Tuna Longline Association (TTLA) just implemented its first Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), which involves 41 tuna longline vessels with a combined catch of 3,500 metric tons of Albacore, Bigeye, and Yellowfin tuna.

As part of the FIP, vessel owners will work with the TTLA and various stakeholders to advance sustainability initiatives in the fishery while also working towards achieving Marine Stewardship Council Certification by October 2029. Sustainability initiatives will include advocating for and supporting the development of science-based fishery management strategies, expanding...

ReposiTrak Welcomes 50 New Seafood Suppliers to Rapidly Expanding Food Traceability Network

ReposiTrak, the world’s largest food traceability and regulatory compliance network, leveraging its established inventory management and out-of-stock reduction SaaS platform, is proud to welcome 50 new seafood suppliers to the ReposiTrak Traceability Network® (RTN). These new members will efficiently exchange intricate, FDA-required Key Data Elements (KDEs) for each Critical Tracking Event (CTE) in their supply chains, ensuring proactive compliance well before the January 2026 deadline.

Among the 50 new seafood suppliers are companies with rich histories...

Thai Union North America CEO Bryan Rosenberg to Step Down

The Thai Union Group announced that Bryan Rosenberg will step down from his role as CEO of the Thai Union North America (TUNA) region, effective January 1, 2025.

Rosenberg will remain with the company as Executive Director and Founder. Thai Union said he will work to support the company’s frozen business, manage key customer relationships, work in a coach/mentor role and support strategic interest in the North American market.

Rosenberg is credited with co-founding Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods (COSFF) with Thai Union in 2006...

Domoic Acid, Meat Recovery Delays Oregon Crab Season

As if some seriously stormy ocean weather wasn't enough, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Wednesday a delay in the primary commercial Dungeness crab season off Oregon until at least Dec. 16.

Pre-season testing showed Dungeness crabs are too low in meat yield in some ocean areas and have elevated domoic acid levels in crab viscera in two areas on the South Coast.

Viscera from two crab in Area K, Cape Blanco to Gold Beach, landed on Nov. 16, showed levels of 38 and 39 parts ...