ASP and FFAW Reach Deal on Newfoundland Snow Crab Season After Price Dispute

The Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union-Unifor (FFAW) have reached an agreement on the 2026 Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab season, ending a dispute that had stalled the province's largest crab fishery.

The groups said in a joint statement that the deal creates a system that will adjust in-season snow crab prices based on market conditions, moving away from traditional post-season settlements.

The agreement confirms that the current collective agreement remains in place...

The Winding Glass: Diesel Prices Tip of the Iceberg for Seafood Industry as Impacts Multiply Downstream

The disastrous US and Israeli attack on Iran has led to the completely predictable closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for around 20% of global oil consumption. The International Energy Agency (IEA) called it the largest supply disruption in the history of the world oil market. 

Diesel prices at fishing ports worldwide rose 40 to 70 percent in a matter of weeks. In Rhode Island, dockside diesel hit $5.75 a gallon, up nearly 50 percent since February...

USDA Establishes First-Ever Office of Seafood to Support American Fishermen

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled the creation of the Office of Seafood within the department on April 15, marking what officials described as a "new era of seafood policy" that recognizes American fishermen as a key part of the US food supply.

The "first of its kind" office will prioritize customer service for American seafood cultivators, producers, and processors seeking to access USDA programs, addressing longstanding navigation challenges that have hindered industry participation in federal support programs...

ANALYSIS: Ecuador's Shrimp Value-Added Capacity Constraints Drive HLSO Flows to China, Europe

Ecuador's limited capacity for value-added processing remains a significant concern, particularly as replacement costs in the country are now reportedly considerably higher than those in Asia. This cost differential appears rational, given the comprehensive expense structure from farming through processing. However, this dynamic represents a supply-and-demand imbalance rather than necessarily indicating a competitive disadvantage.

Ecuador has demonstrated for years its ability to produce peeled product lines at competitive prices relative to Asian counterparts. The challenge lies not in competitiveness per se, but in Ecuador's...

Newfoundland Snow Crab Processors File $2.5M Lawsuit Against FFAW Leaders

The Association of Seafood Producers and five major Newfoundland processing companies have filed a CAD 2.5 million lawsuit against Fish, Food & Allied Workers union executives, alleging an "unlawful conspiracy" involving threats and intimidation.

The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador action, filed April 10, targets FFAW inshore vice-president Jason Sullivan and union president Dwan Street, claiming their actions have caused significant financial damage to processors unable to purchase crab for processing and sales.

The lawsuit, which was first reported by allNewfoundlandandLabrador...

USTR 2026 National Trade Estimate Report: Highlights Global Barriers to Trade for Commodity Markets 

On March 31, leaders at the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its 2026 National Trade Estimate (NTE) report, outlining US market access via country specific details that intends to reshape how US trade policy views global markets. The 500+ page report is divided into sections which address the trade environments present between US markets and those of each trading partner as a baseline for producers, importers, and exporters. It seems that the...

Politis Steak & Seafood Partners with Q Plus Foods to Expand Specialty Seafood Reach

Politis Steak & Seafood and Q Plus Foods have announced a strategic partnership that brings together two South Florida foodservice specialists. The deal pairs Politis’ operational scale and customer-service capabilities with Q Plus Foods’ specialty seafood sourcing program and global supplier relationships, expanding access to high-end seafood for chefs and operators across the region.

Q Plus Foods has built a reputation as one of South Florida’s premier specialty seafood purveyors, renowned for curating an exceptional selection of seafood from around the world. The company is...

GSA Appoints Libby Woodhatch and Jeremy Woodrow to its Board of Directors

The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) has appointed Libby Woodhatch, Executive Chair of MarinTrust, and Jeremy Woodrow, Executive Director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), to its Board of Directors.

“We are thrilled to welcome Libby and Jeremy to the GSA Board of Directors,” said GSA CEO Mike Kocsis. “Both bring deep expertise and leadership across critical areas of the seafood value chain—from responsible sourcing and certification to global marketing and market development.”

Together, Woodhatch and Woodrow bring nearly three decades of industry...

Sea of Okhotsk Pollock Catch Down 3.5% but Revenue Hopes High on Pricing

Russian pollock fishermen have completed the winter-spring pollock fishing season in the Sea of Okhotsk, the center of Russian pollock production.

According to the Russian Pollock Association, the total catch in all Far East areas during the first part of Russia's pollock fishing season reached 1.021 million tons. The result is 3.5% below 2025 levels but 6% higher than the five-year average.

Alexey Buglak, head of the association, told Russian media that unfavorable weather conditions were the main reason...

ICFA Panel to Explore Biodiversity and Global Food Security at Seafood Expo Global

The International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) will host a panel discussion at this year's Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, Spain, at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via venue. All conference attendees are welcome.

ICFA is a global fishing industry group that promotes sustainable fisheries and responsible ocean governance, working with governments and stakeholders across six continents to advance policies that ensure healthy oceans, resilient fisheries, and food security.

The discussion, "Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and Global...

Agribusiness Leaders Meet André de Paula in Brasília to Bolster Ministry Role and Advance Fisheries Agenda

Eduardo Lobo, president of the Brazilian Association of Fish Industries (Abipesca), met with Agriculture Minister André de Paula, lawmakers, and industry representatives on April 14 at the Parliamentary Front for Agriculture (FPA) headquarters in Brasília to discuss key challenges and opportunities for Brazilian agribusiness, with a focus on strengthening the ministry’s role and advancing structural priorities.

Lobo urged regulation of self-control for the fishing sector, saying, "It was a very special day. We welcomed the new minister and presented...

NY Man Indicted in $800,000+ Cargo Theft Ring That Targeted Snow Crab, Beer, Blueberries

A New York man has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated cargo theft conspiracy that targeted over $800,000 worth of goods, including $325,000 in frozen snow crab that represents the single largest theft in the scheme.

Romoy Forbes, 31, a Jamaican national residing in Deer Park, NY, was indicted Tuesday by federal prosecutors in Massachusetts on charges of interstate transportation of stolen goods and conspiracy to commit that offense. He was arraigned on April 7...

Isfjord Norway Drops Mowi Salmon Over Russian Feed Ingredients

Isfjord Norway, a company behind various private-label salmon brands in the country, stopped sourcing raw materials from salmon giant Mowi after local news outlets found that Mowi was using feed ingredients from Russia four years after the country launched its invasion of Ukraine.

Norwegian news outlet E24 reported that Mowi, along with Skretting, a major fish feed company, is importing raw feed materials from Russia despite the ongoing conflict.

Isfjord Norway CEO Liv Randi Sira told Norwegian media that the company "clearly distances itself from all trade with Russia...

The Retail Rundown: Pork Leads Protein Promotions While Prices Remain Competitive

Retail protein promotions this week show pork holding the top spot for a second consecutive week at 28%. Beef ranks second at 24%, followed closely by seafood at 22%. Chicken promotions increased to 18%, gaining five percentage points from the prior week, while turkey accounts for 2%. Following the Easter holiday, lamb and veal promotions eased to 2%, and egg ads doubled week-over-week to 5%.

Pork pricing remains competitive, with the Weekly Retail Feature Index at $3.40 per pound, below year-ago levels and largely in...

Regal Springs Teams with French-based Seanovation for Pre-Rigor Tilapia

Seanovation, the French seafood technology startup, has commenced commercial production at its new facility in Boulogne-sur-Mer, marking a significant milestone for the company's innovative fish preservation technology.

The company announced its first deliveries of pre-rigor Royal Tilapia to the French market, describing the product as offering "like-fresh" quality through proprietary processing methods that maintain fish in a pre-rigor state.

"Building this from the ground up hasn't been easy, but seeing our technology come to life in production, and our first products going out, makes...

ASMI and Jiarong Supermarket Boost Alaska Seafood Visibility During Spring Festival

Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) Hong Kong partnered with Jiarong Supermarket for a month-long promotion across China’s Greater Bay Area (GBA), timed to coincide with the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), which marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year.

The collaboration placed Alaska seafood front and center during one of the year’s most important holidays at a leading retail chain with more than 160 stores across key GBA cities. As consumer demand for seafood peaks during this period, the partnership was especially...

Access Determines Price: The Global Crab Market Tightens in 2026

Global crab trade expanded in 2025, but 2026 is developing into a more difficult operating environment defined by tighter positioning and more contested negotiations.

The structure of the market continues to narrow. Supply remains concentrated, and access to key destinations is increasingly controlled. The central issue is no longer how much crab is produced, but who can place product into the markets that set the price.

Most major producing regions enter the year with workable quotas. Russia increased total crab quotas by 2% to 109,485 metric tons and continues to...

BC's Walcan Quinsam River Pink Salmon Fishery Becomes Province's Only MSC-Certified Salmon Operation

The Walcan Quinsam River Pink Salmon Fishery has earned Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, making it the only salmon fishery in British Columbia to feature the blue label.

The April 15 announcement was hailed by Cameron Pirie, President of Walcan Seafood, who said the certification reflected decades of stewardship and collaboration.

"Working alongside the We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum Nations to harvest only surplus salmon, we're able to protect the resource while bringing a premium product to market," Pirie said...

US Celebrates 50 Years of the Law of Fisheries Management — the Magnuson-Stevens Act

This week, fisheries managers, conservation activists, harvesters, processors and those who love seafood have cause to thank the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act (MSA), keystone legislation to sustainably manage the nation's fishery resources, which turned 50 on Monday.

Led by the late US Senators Warren Magnuson (D-WA) and Ted Stevens (R-AK) in the Senate and Representatives Gerry Studds (D-MA) and Don Young (R-AK) in the House, Congress outlined a road map to expel foreign fleets from our waters...

Survey Shows Rising Acceptance of Sidestream-Based Seafood Products

A new Hailia survey of 1,512 consumers in the UK, Sweden, and Germany finds growing acceptance of food products made from seafood sidestreams, signaling fresh opportunities for processors to turn underutilized raw materials into mainstream, value-added foods.

According to the Nordic seafood technology company’s study, 74% of respondents hold a positive or neutral view of products made from filleting sidestreams. Sweden (58%) and the UK (55%) showed the strongest positive responses, with Germany at 49%; just 19% were negative.

Institutional and contract catering appear especially...

Japan's Herring Imports of 7900 MT in 2025 Record the Lowest in Recent Years

Imported frozen herring is broadly categorized into roe-bearing herring from the United States, Canada, and Russia, and foraging herring from the Russian Far East and Norway.

According to the Minato Shimbun report, imports in 2025 were 7,886 tons, a 4% decrease from the previous year and the lowest level in recent years. While imports reached 40,000 to 50,000 tons annually in the early 2000s, they have continued to decline due to weak domestic demand and shrinking overseas...

Russia Eyes Antarctic Expansion as Toothfish Research Wraps Up

Russia plans to continue active research and fishing operations in the Antarctic region in the coming years, citing significant potential for domestic fishermen.

Russian scientists from the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography recently completed monitoring of toothfish fisheries in Antarctica. The data will be used to assess existing stocks and set future catch plans.

Russian fishermen have participated in the Antarctic toothfish fishery since 2004 and have experience in the sector.

Beyond toothfish, Russian fishermen will focus particularly on increasing krill catch in Antarctica...

ACFFA Opposes Funds to Atlantic Salmon Foundation in Canada’s New Force of Nature Plan

At the end of March, Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney launched  A Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature, investing $3.8 billion to protect and restore critical habitats, promote natural biodiversity, and mobilize “new capital for nature.” 

The news was welcomed by conservation groups across Canada, including one with headquarters in New Brunswick and an office in Maine — the Atlantic Salmon Foundation.  

Now the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association has sent an urgent objection to Carney and Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, saying unequivocally...

Trump Administration to Launch $166 Billion Tariff Refund System April 20

The Trump administration will launch its tariff refund system on Monday, April 20, to process $166 billion in reimbursements to American importers for tariffs the US Supreme Court struck down as unlawful in February.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced completion of the initial phase of its Consolidated Automated Processing Environment (CAPE) system, designed to streamline refunds that would otherwise require entry-by-entry processing across 53 million shipments.

The launch comes after months of development following CBP warnings in March...

CAVA Introduces Glazed Salmon in First Seafood Menu Expansion

Mediterranean fast-casual brand CAVA is introducing seafood to its menu for the first time with the launch of Glazed Salmon, available starting April 20.

The new offering reinforces the company’s Mediterranean roots with bold, vibrant flavors while expanding options for health-conscious consumers. The salmon is marinated in a house-made pomegranate glaze featuring pomegranate molasses—a tangy-sweet staple of Levantine cuisine—then roasted to achieve a caramelized exterior and flaky texture.

“At the Mediterranean table, seafood is enjoyed everyday, it’s not...

NOAA Wants Public Comment on Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska State Waters

Section 7 (Aquaculture Opportunity Areas or AOA) of President Trump’s Executive Order 13921 titled “Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth” from May 2020 is in its final stages with a 45-day public comment period that started yesterday and will close on May 28, 2026. 

The Notice of Intent asks for feedback on the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS), the document that assesses impacts that AOAs may bring to Alaska state waters and the communities nearby. 

The action has nothing to do with permitting sites...

California Commercial Salmon Fishing Reopens After Three-Year Closure as Populations Recover

California's commercial ocean salmon fishery will reopen in 2026 after a three-year closure, while recreational anglers will see significantly expanded opportunities following dramatic improvements in key Chinook salmon populations, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council finalized season recommendations during its April 7-12 meeting in Portland, Oregon, with the National Marine Fisheries Service expected to implement the measures into federal regulations.

Significant improvements in Sacramento River fall-run Chinook and Klamath River fall-run Chinook stocks enabled expanded...

Albertsons Reports Fiscal 2025 Results and Issues Fiscal 2026 Guidance

Albertsons Companies  released results for the fourth quarter and Fiscal 2025, reporting solid adjusted earnings amid pharmacy-related headwinds.

"Fiscal 2025 was a year of disciplined execution and resilience, as we closed the year with a solid fourth quarter that delivered strong Adjusted EBITDA despite meaningful top-line pharmacy-related headwinds," said Susan Morris, CEO of Albertsons Companies.

Morris continued, "Across the full year, we remained focused on building a stronger foundation for the future, including investing in our customer value proposition, advancing digital and...

Cousins Maine Lobster Rolls Into Savannah and St. Louis with New Food Trucks

Cousins Maine Lobster has been in the headlines for weeks as it rapidly expands, bringing fresh  lobster and its signature menu to seafood fans nationwide. The company announced its iconic food truck will arrive in two new markets: Savannah, Georgia, and St. Louis, Missouri.

The Savannah expansion is led by local franchisees Damon Cole and Mandy Ottesen. It’s their second truck, and they plan further growth across the U.S. South after the success of their debut in Jacksonville, FL. Cole’s experience...

US Extends Russian Seafood Ban as Alaska Pushes for Continued Restrictions

The US has renewed its national emergency declaration targeting Russian activities, effectively extending the ban on Russian seafood imports that has benefited Alaska's fishing industry since 2022.

President Donald Trump signed a continuation of the national emergency on March 24, extending Executive Order 14024, which underpins the prohibition on Russian seafood imports. The order was published in the Federal Register on March 27, 2026.

The extension comes just days before Alaska lawmakers passed House Joint Resolution 29 on March 30, urging federal authorities to maintain and strengthen the Russian...