USITC Finds Imported Shrimp Harmful to U.S. Industry, Duties Imposed

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) determined that the U.S. shrimp industry was “materially injured” by imported shrimp that was sold at less than fair value or gained an advantage via subsidies.

The USITC affirmed the Department of Commerce (Commerce)’s determination that frozen warmwater shrimp from Indonesia was sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. It also affirmed Commerce's findings that imports of shrimp from Ecuador, India, and Vietnam were subsidized by the respective governments.

This decision paves the way for the Department of Commerce to issue...

ANALYSIS: Fresh Farmed Salmon Market Up 7 Percent; AK 2024 Wild Salmon Harvest off 39 Percent

The market on fresh Chilean salmon fillets has been acting contra-seasonally for the last several weeks. Typically, what is observed on a seasonal basis, is the fresh salmon fillet market exhibits a slowdown or cyclical dip in the marketplace during the month of October and November. From a historical standpoint, these months, along with the summertime, are not viewed as higher demand periods for fresh salmon fillets. However, this year as of this writing, 3–4-pound fresh Chilean salmon fillets advanced 7...

American Seafoods Names Inge Andreassen as New Chief Executive Officer

American Seafoods Company, a top at-sea processor of Wild Alaska Pollock and Pacific Hake, announced that Inge Andreassen, the current Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President, has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO), succeeding Einar Gustafsson.

Andreassen said:

 “Leading American Seafoods is a privilege and a responsibility that I hold with great pride and profound respect. This company has been at the core of my professional journey, and I am deeply honored to continue building upon its legacy. Our success...

Japan: Q1-Q3 Surimi Product Exports up 12%, Surging to the Middle East

According to the Ministry of Finance's trade statistics, the cumulative export volume of fish paste products (excluding fish sausages) such as kamaboko from January to September 2024 was 7,522 tons, up 12% from last year. The increase was due to a significant increase in exports to the emerging Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which tripled; Saudi Arabia, which nearly doubled; and the United States, the largest export destination, which grew 1.5 times. However, this was down 17% compared to the...

2024 Alaska Symphony of Seafood Announces Award Winners

The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) announced the winners of the 2024 Alaska Symphony of Seafood, an event highlighting innovative products featuring Alaska’s seafood.

The winners this year are:

- Best New Retail Product: Teriyaki Salmon Jerky by Fable Fish Company

- Best New Foodservice Product: Miso Black Cod Deli Kits by Alaskan Leader Seafoods

- Beyond the Plate: Holdfast Kelp Vodka produced by Uncharted Distillery

- Most Innovative: Holdfast Kelp Vodka produced by Uncharted Distillery

The event also saw the People’s Choice Award go to Cold Smoked Salmon by M.I.F. Seafoods, which attendees selected during...

Fisheries Council of Canada Supports Swift Government Intervention in Port Disruptions

The Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC) supports the government’s decision to legislate port workers back to work. With disruptions from work stoppages at ports in both British Columbia and Montreal, FCC members are facing significant financial impacts, as critical freight remains stalled at docks or delayed in warehouses. This situation has broad implications, affecting not only the seafood industry but also the Canadian economy and consumers nationwide.

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon’s intervention on Tuesday, directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order the...

Wild Tide Seafoods Joins Foraged.com

In the world of seafood, quality and sustainability are paramount. Wild Tide Seafoods, known for its commitment to these principles, has recently made a significant move.

They've joined Foraged.com, a platform marketplace that connects consumers with artisanal food producers. This collaboration aims to bring Wild Tide Seafoods' premium offerings to a wider audience just in time for the Holidays.

"Foraged empowers small-scale food producers and we empower fishers of sustainable seafood from the ocean's bounty, we are completely aligned with our missions, and we are thrilled to join the...

Long John Silver's Celebrates 55 Years with Chance to Win $55,000

Long John Silver's is celebrating 55 years of serving golden seafood treasures by offering customers a chance to win a treasure trove of prizes this holiday season. From now until Dec. 15, dive into the Long John Silver's Holiday Sweepstakes for a chance to win $55,000 or one of several weekly bounties like cash rewards and Long John Silver's gift cards.

Entering the sweepstakes is smooth sailing! Follow these three steps: first, download the Long John Silver's app, available in both Apple iOS and Android app stores...

Price Setting Changes and Strike Options Highlight NL’s Snow Crab Fishery Reform

The Newfoundland and Labrador government has mapped out 10 decisions and directions that pave the way for sweeping changes to the massive snow crab fishery. This includes notable changes to the price-setting process and the potential for lockouts and strikes.

Gerry Byrne, NL’s Minister of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture, said the plan to overhaul the fishery would ensure “management, efficiency, and fairness” in a statement released ahead of his appearance at the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) union Triannual Convention on November 18...

Famed Mississippi Restaurant Sentenced for Misbranding Imported Seafood as Local

Iconic Mississippi restaurant Mary Mahoney’s Old French House and its co-owner and manager, Anthony Charles Cvitanovich, were sentenced yesterday for a conspiracy to misbrand imported seafood as locally caught.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi said a court has accepted the terms of Mary Mahoney’s plea agreement with the government. The company will serve five years of probation and pay a total penalty of $1.5 million, which included a $149,000 criminal fine and $1,350,000 in forfeiture for...

Russia's 2024 Fish Catch Expected to Fall Short of 2023 Levels

The total volume of fish caught in Russia as of November 12, 2024, has amounted to 4.4 million tons, which is 8.2% lower on a year-on-year basis, according to the latest data from the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo). The agency expects that by the end of the current year, the overall volume of production will reach 5 million tons. This is lower than last year's figure when it was 5.3 million tons. The most significant decline...

Blue Star Foods and LowTide Partner to Expand Portfolio with Wicked Tuna, Toby Keith's Premium

Blue Star Foods has signed a vendor agreement with LowTide, LLC, which will expand Blue Star’s portfolio with the development and nationwide distribution of two prominent brand lines: Wicked Tuna Seafood and Toby Keith's Premium.

The deal will see Blue Star Foods procure domestic seafood products and work with LowTide to create meal solutions that reflect the quality of Wicked Tuna Seafood and Toby Keith's Premium brands.

“This initiative allows for the enhancement and diversification of Blue Star Foods' sales, ensuring concrete steps toward...

Endangered Fin Whale Washes Up on Mud Flats Near Downtown Anchorage 

The carcass of a 47-foot fin whale washed ashore along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail near the mouth of Fish Creek last Saturday. By Monday hundreds of onlooker trekked across Anchorage’s tidal mud flats to view the carcass, identified as a young female. Fin whales are listed as an endangered species.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine mammal biologist Barbara Mahoney has been examining the animal, and told the Anchorage Daily News that it was a yearling or a juvenile, in the 1-to-3-year old range ...

Norway’s Prime Minister Celebrates Adding Salmon to Brazil Market Prior to G20 Summit

Norway has enjoyed a robust trading relationship with Brazil since Norwegian clip fish was traded for Brazilian coffee back in the 1800s. Today, that relationship continues and was recently expanded to include Norwegian salmon.

On September 15, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority has issued health certificates for the export of all aquaculture products to Brazil, marking an important milestone for the Norwegian seafood industry.

“We are very pleased that Brazil has now opened the door to more Norwegian seafood,” said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. “Being ...

ANALYSIS: European Import Trends and Insights for Alaska Pollock Fillets

European imports of Alaska Pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) fillets for Jan-Aug decreased by 9.4% year-on-year (y-o-y), reaching 145,489 mt, as reported by Global Trade Tracker (GTT). The primary source of Alaska pollock fillets into Europe is China, followed by the US and Russia. Exports from China and Russia respectively declined by 41.2% and 2.4 % y-o-y over the same eight-month period, while exports from the US increased by 102.4% y-o-y. The current market...

Connecticut Charter Captain Convicted of Illegal Fishing, Operating Without a Permit in New York

A Connecticut charter captain was found guilty of illegally operating a charter vessel and illegally possessing Black Sea Bass, per an announcement from Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.

The New York County DA announced that Michael Tenedine, 58, of East Haven, Connecticut, was found guilty of illegally operating a charter vessel without a permit and illegal possession of Black Sea Bass for poaching and possessing Black Sea Bass, a protected species due to overfishing...

Bumble Bee Seafoods Debuts Singing Tuna Advent Calendar for the Holidays

Bumble Bee Seafoods is in the holiday spirit with the return of its Tuna Lovers’ Advent Calendar, with an interesting added twist.

The 2024 version sings a “tuna tune.” This may be familiar to those who remember the original Bumble Bee jingle, which debuted in the 1970s.

"Our advent calendar was very popular last year, so we knew we had to bring it back and make it even more fun with the new remake of the iconic Bumble Bee theme song," said Dana Kowal, Senior Director of Brand Marketing...

The Retail Rundown: Turkey Takes the Spotlight

According to Circana data, fresh whole turkeys were featured at an average discounted price of $1.48 per pound last week, up from $1.27 per pound during the same period last year.

The most popular turkey sizes, 10–15 and 16–24 pounds, averaged $1.34 per pound, compared to $1.00–$1.10 per pound last year. These prices reflect pre-promotion rates and do not account for additional discounts or free turkey offers.

Whole turkeys are often used as loss leaders to increase holiday store...

FDA Seeks Data on PFAS Contamination in Seafood

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a request for information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in seafood.

Per a November 19 Constituent Update, the FDA is seeking scientific data and information from the seafood industry, academia, state and federal agencies, and other interested entities on PFAS concentrations in seafood, the surrounding environment, and processing water, as well as mitigation strategies for reducing exposure to PFAS in seafood.

The request comes as the FDA works to improve its understanding of PFAS exposure from seafood...

RODA Announces Leadership Change

Johnston will succeed Annie Hawkins as Acting Executive Director.

Six years after its launch, RODA said the change will “maintain its ability to continue RODA’s ambitious mission through our research and advocacy programs.”

Johnston has been involved with RODA almost since its inception. She has worked as Programs Manager, and the group praised her “powerful record of steadfast commitment to our membership and the fishing industry.”

“I am excited about this new chapter and look forward to working with our members and partners to continue to advocate...

Steakholder Foods Signs Six Commercial LOIs with International Players

Steakholder Foods Ltd. (Nasdaq: STKH) (“Steakholder” or the “Company”), a leading innovator in alternative proteins production and 3D printing technologies, announced today the signing of six Letters of Intent (LOIs) with international companies marking another commercial achievement for the Company in its transition to revenue generation. These agreements, which are a result of the outstanding response the company received at the recent Plant-Based World Expo event in London, UK, reflect the strong market demand and commercial viability for Steakholder’s cutting-edge 3D printing systems and proprietary plant-based premixes for...

Pacific Seafoods’ Eureka Plant Still Buying Fish, But Shipping Deliveries to Oregon

Pacific Seafoods Group issued a statement last week to "pause" groundfish processing at their Eureka, CA seafood plant, but will continue to accept deliveries and ship the product to Oregon for processing. 

The company has nearly 40 locations across the country — from Kodiak, Alaska, to Miami, Fla. — and employs thousands of people nationwide. There are four plants in Oregon, located in Brookings, Charleston, Newport, and Warrenton.

"Our Eureka facility has historically processed groundfish, crab, and oysters," said Lacy Ogan, Pacific Seafoods ...

Caption: Pacific Seafood's booth at SENA 2022.

Warner, Kaine: New H-2B Visas Critical for Virginia’s Small Businesses and Seafood Processors

Virginia Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (D) applauded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) decision to release an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

“We are pleased to see the Department of Homeland Security plan to release these additional H-2B visas, which will allow workers to legally and temporarily fill seasonal job openings that would otherwise sit vacant. This move will help the small family businesses that...

Jeff Stern of CenSea Receives Indonesia’s Prestigious Primaduta Award 2024

Jeff Stern, Co-President of CenSea, a major U.S. seafood importer, was awarded the Primaduta Award 2024, a top honor in Indonesia.

The award, created in 1996 by the Indonesian government, honors foreign companies for their “exemplary role in promoting Indonesian goods in their respective countries, thereby strengthening cultural and economic ties.”

"I share this honor with our incredible partners and suppliers in Indonesia, whose dedication to quality and sustainability makes our work possible. Bringing the exceptional quality seafood of Indonesia to American households is...

The Season’s First Herring Roe Auction: The Best Gift Pack Sold for JPY 11,000 Per Kilo

The first auction for salted herring roe for the year-end sales season took place on November 15 at the Osaka Central Wholesale Market. The two auction houses, Uoichi and Daisui, listed 775 kilos of salted herring roe.

The auctioneers rang a bell at 9 a.m. to start the bidding. With spirited shouts, the buyers, secondary wholesalers at the market, handed over their bids, and the desired salted herring roe was won one after another. The highest price was for...

New FMI 2024 Reports Examine Grocery Shopping Trends for The Holidays and Retail Foodservice

Despite ongoing concerns about food prices, shoppers feel more confident in managing their grocery budgets ahead of the holidays, according to FMI —The Food Industry Association’s annual U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends: Holiday Season report. These findings are further supported by FMI’s newly released ninth-annual Power of Foodservice at Retail report, which found that retail foodservice purchases continue to play a key role in shoppers’ meal preparation.

Consumers report a strong sense of excitement and enthusiasm for the holiday season despite...

NOAA Proposes New Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in California and Gulf of Mexico

In what was described as a “major milestone,” NOAA Fisheries unveiled a pair of draft programmatic environmental impact statements (PEIS) to support proposed Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico.

NOAA said it identified 10 locations in Southern California as proposed AOAs. Eight are located in the Santa Barbara Channel and two in Santa Monica Bay, each ranging in size from 500 to 2,000 acres and totaling up to 16,500 acres.

The draft impact statement considers multiple scenarios, including the potential impacts of...

Final UW 2025 Bristol Bay Forecast is 2.8 Million Salmon More, or 5% Higher Than ADF&G Forecast

University of Washington’s Fisheries Research Institute (US-FRI) released its final pre-season forecast for Bristol Bay’s 2025 run late last week at numbers that are higher than the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s or even UW’s own preliminary estimate from last August.

UW’s forecast is for 54.1 million sockeye to return to the Bristol Bay Area, 12% lower than the recent 10-year average (61.2 million) and 8% higher than the recent 20-year average (49.9 million). 

A run that ...

Two Japanese Importers Bid USD 46/kg for Russian King Crabs at the Busan Auction 

The first bid for the 2024 auction of new frozen king crab from the Russian Far East was held on November 8 in Busan, South Korea. According to the Minato Shimbun report, five Japanese trading companies interviewed said 105 tons of air-blast frozen cooked section products were up for bid. Two Japanese trading companies won the bid at $46-46.50/kg (single price for medium to 3L), 50% higher than the same month last year, which was $30.00/kg...

NOAA Fisheries Unveils Action Plan for Enhanced Seafood Import Monitoring Program

NOAA Fisheries will implement an action plan to enhance its Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP).

Last November, NOAA conducted a comprehensive review of SIMP to identify areas for improvement. That led to engagement from over 7,000 stakeholders, including seafood industry professionals, foreign governments, researchers, and civil society groups.

Based on the input, NOAA has shaped an action plan that is “designed to strengthen its impact, focusing on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and bolstering seafood traceability.”

NOAA Fisheries said it would work to limit the impact...