Mowi’s Bid to Take 95% of Nova Sea Gains EU Sign-off, Norwegian Competition Authority Next

Norwegian salmon farming giant Mowi’s move to acquire a majority stake in fellow farmer Nova Sea landed approval from the EU Commission, the company announced in a stock exchange notice on October 17.

Mowi agreed to increase its ownership share in Nova Sea from 49% to 95% on January 30 in a deal worth NOK 7.4 billion ($656.4 million), as Expana reported.
Now, the transaction needs the approval of the Norwegian competition authority before it can be approved...

Global Initiative Sparks Movement to Take Ocean-Farmed Salmon Off the Table

Off the table, a coalition campaign led by WildFish, is mobilizing chefs, restaurants, consumers, and organizations to take ocean-farmed salmon off plates and menus worldwide, replacing it with a vision for a healthier, more sustainable food future.

Ninety-nine percent of Atlantic salmon consumed worldwide is raised in industrial sea cages, a practice that pollutes oceans with approximately one million pounds of waste per farm annually, releases harmful chemicals, and spreads diseases to wild fish populations. This practice is a...

ANALYSIS: EU-UK Latest Shrimp Import Figures Indicate Slight Dip in August

The latest data from Eurostat indicates a 5.1% year-on-year decline in EU-UK shrimp import volumes for August. However, the value of these imports reaching USD 440.86 million remained relatively stable, with a modest 0.6% increase compared to the same month last year. The drop in volume is primarily due to a significant reduction in imports from Argentina and Venezuela, who faced ongoing social and political instability. Imports from Argentina fell by 78.4%, and those from Venezuela by 44.5%...

Solar-Powered Lights Offer Practical Fix for Sea Turtle Bycatch

A new gear innovation developed through collaboration between Arizona State University (ASU) researchers and coastal gillnet fishers in Mexico is showing strong promise for reducing sea turtle bycatch -- without cutting into fishing success, according to researchers. 

In field tests in the Gulf of California, solar-powered illuminated buoys reduced sea turtle entanglements by 63% compared to unlit nets, according to a new study published in Conservation Letters. Catch rates of target species, including yellowtail, were unaffected or increased.

“The results were pretty exciting,” ASU Marine Biologist Jesse Senko...

ANALYSIS: US Snapper Imports Surge as Prices Hit Record Highs

US imports of frozen snapper surged in the first seven months of 2025, with year-to-date volumes (Jan.–July) rising 61% compared to the same period last year. This sharp increase was largely driven by a strategic push from importers to front-load shipments ahead of the August 1 tariff implementation. By accelerating purchases, buyers aimed to lock in lower-cost product before higher duties were imposed. The move triggered a notable spike in arrivals during the spring and early summer months...

Momentum Grows As Offshore Aquaculture Bill is Introduced in the US House of Representatives  

Representatives Mike Ezell (R-MS), Ed Case (D-HI), Kat Cammack (R-FL), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Marine Aquaculture Research and Advancement (MARA) Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill that empowers the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to expand offshore aquaculture in the U.S. 

The bill was introduced earlier in the Senate and appears to be gaining momentum, despite the current government shutdown.  

Speeches were made in the House by the bipartisan sponsors...

New Bedford Mayor Urges NOAA to Advance Targeted Scallop Permit-Stacking to Keep Fleet Working

Mayor Jon Mitchell today wrote to Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, setting forth his position on a proposed rule that would allow full-time, limited-access scallop permit holders to “stack” two permits on a single vessel. New Bedford has been the nation’s highest-value fishing port for 23 consecutive years, since 2001. As the Mayor writes, “the Atlantic sea scallop fishery is one of America’s highest grossing commercial fisheries and is concentrated in New Bedford,” giving the city...

GSA, BAP Recognized by FAO for Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems

Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) have achieved special recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, GSA has announced. GSA and BAP were awarded a certificate at the Global Technical Recognition Ceremony in Rome on Wednesday, October 15.

GSA and BAP were selected for recognition in the area of sustainable aquatic food systems, which showcases technical leadership collaboration and innovation in sustainable agrifood systems transformation. Recognition is aligned with FAO’s four ‘betters’ – better production, better nutrition...

Hokkaido's Fall Chum Landings Facing an Unprecedented 58% Decline, Pending Closure in November

According to a report in the Minato Shimbun, fall chum fishing is experiencing an unprecedented shortage. Daily Report data from the Hokkaido Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations (DOGYOREN) shows the cumulative catch as of October 6th was only 8,907 tons, marking a severe 58% drop from the same period last year. This pace is significantly lower than last year's record-low catch rate, with landings failing to increase even in early October, which is typically the peak season...

Indonesia, FDA Reach Deal Allowing ‘Thousands’ of Shrimp Containers to Enter US

Indonesia’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) said that it reached a deal with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow thousands of shrimp containers currently in transit to enter the United States.

KKP said in a press release that the agreement was finalized on October 18 after negotiations over new import requirements tied to FDA Import Alert 99-52. The ministry said the deal permits thousands of shrimp containers already en route to the US to be admitted...

The Klamath Basin Paradox: Salmon Stage Historic Returns as Federal Grants are Pulled

There’s been a steady stream of good news regarding Klamath River Chinook salmon: Since four dams were removed last year, fish have been seen at greater distances from the ocean, in tributaries not accessible for more than a century.  

Earlier this month, spring-run Chinook were documented above the Upper Klamath Lake threshold.  

But at almost the same time, the federal government abruptly terminated grants designed specifically for salmon monitoring, habitat restoration, wildfire mitigation and related watershed work, according to the Mid Klamath Watershed Council...

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...

Online Seafood Platform E-Fish Acquires Foraged to Create Cross-Category Marketplace

E-commerce seafood company E-Fish has acquired Foraged, a fellow online marketplace that focuses on wild, foraged, and specialty ingredients from independent producers across the US.

Jeffrey Tedmori, the co-founder and CEO of E-Fish, said Foraged was built on the same values that he and co-founder Matthew Henderson built their company on.

“This acquisition is about more than expanding our catalog. It’s about deepening our mission: uniting the best of the sea with the best of the land,” Tedmori wrote on LinkedIn...

Soccer Superstar Erling Haaland Fronts Expanded Campaigns Promoting Norwegian Salmon

The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) said it ramped up its partnership with soccer (football for those not in the US) superstar Erling Haaland, with new marketing campaigns.

The NSC signed a two-and-a-half-year deal last year to promote the Seafood from Norway brand and become a seafood ambassador.

Fast forward to now, Haaland is focusing on the staple product from his home country, Norwegian salmon. The NSC stated that the goal is to highlight the origins of both Haaland and seafood, as well as the significance of...

Norcod Extends Sales, Distribution Partnership with Sirena Group

Norwegian cod farmer Norcod AS extended its strategic sales and distribution partnership with Sirena Group as it focuses on future growth.

Sirena Group will handle Norcod’s sales, marketing and logistics for its farmed cod and Snow cod. Norcod stated that this will enable the company to concentrate on enhancing its production efforts.

CEO in Norcod, Christian Riber, said:

"Working with Sirena Group gives Norcod a decisive advantage. Their global network and proven strength in seafood markets give us direct access to the right

CMFRI’s Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Paves Way for US Nod Indian Seafood Exports

ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute’s (CMFRI) stock assessment study on marine mammals helped India clear the way for uninterrupted seafood export to the U.S. market. In a landmark achievement for the marine fisheries sector, the United States recently recognised Indian seafood exports as compliant with its stringent Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), allowing continued seafood export from India to the U.S...

Science Center for Marine Fisheries Looking For Industry Partners Who Have Research Ideas

The Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCEMFIS), a novel public-private partnership that produces scientific research related to commercial fisheries stocks and their habitat, is looking for more industry partners.

Founded in 2013, SCEMFIS is a unique partnership between the industry and marine researchers.

It is the first and only fisheries-related center in the National Science Foundation’s Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers program, which covers everything from AI to wind power. IUCRCs bring together businesses and other stakeholders...