NOAA Fisheries Closes Federal Scallop Fishing in Northern Gulf of Maine Until April 2026

Today, NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) announced the closure of the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Scallop Management Area to all scallop vessels fishing under federal scallop regulations, effective April 28, 2025, at 0001 hour.

According to NMFS’ recent press release, the federal entity projects that 100% of the set-aside for the NGOM Scallop Management Area will be taken by April 28, henceforth the end of the 2025 fishing season.  

Per the announcement, no scallop vessels within the federally permitted limited access general category may fish...

Fishermen’s Interest and Renewed Testing Allows Partial Opening of California Rock Crab Fishery

It’s been a rocky crab fishery for fishermen in California. Now, after being closed for almost a decade, fishermen can now harvest rock crab in northern California, thanks to a recent announcement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).  

The announcement comes after a recommendation from state health agencies, which was released by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment on April 23.

Per the recommendation and CDFW’s subsequent announcement on April 24, the commercial rock crab fishery in northern California...

CSI Launches Global Certification Program for Wild-Capture Seafood

When it comes to certifications, Certified Seafood International is making some changes. 

Or, more specifically, it’s going global and encompassing the successes gained by the Responsible Fisheries Management Program, a certification program for wild-capture fisheries.  

CSI was developed in partnership with credible regional certification. The certificates and standards of the GSSI-benchmarked RFM program will now be part of CSI, meaning that approximately 3 million metric tons of fishery landings are currently certified under the updated umbrella of CSI’s certification program.  

The Program’s new global governing board currently includes individuals...

Russia Reduces its Output of Fish Products This Year

This year, Russia has reduced its production of fish products, mainly due to unfavorable weather conditions, which have led to a decline in pollock catch, the most important fish in the country’s overall fish catch structure.

According to data from the Russian Fish Union’s Analytical Center, the production of Russian fish products in Q1 2025 amounted to 1.16 million tons, which is 3% lower on year-on-year basis. Of these products, frozen fish products decreased by 4%, amounting to 722,000 tons. At the same time, the production of frozen fish...

Cousins Maine Lobster Debuts Third Truck in Michigan; Celebrates 85 Units Amid 13th Anniversary

Fast-casual lobster roll company Cousins Maine Lobster (CML) recently announced the launch of a new food truck in Grand Rapids, Michigan, making it the 85th food truck on the company’s nationwide roster.

This addition marks the third CML food truck and the second market for operators Hussein (Hank) Kdouh, Muhammed (Moe) Zahr, and Rabih Zahr, who launched their first truck in Detroit in 2022 and a second truck three months later.

The new truck will provide seafood lovers in the Grand Rapids area with...

Ecuador Imposes Seasonal Ban on Titi Shrimp to Protect Juvenile Stocks

Ecuador has implemented a temporary and seasonal recruitment ban on titi shrimp (Camarón Pomada — Protrachypene precipua and Xiphopenaeus riveti) from April 22 to May 21, 2025, as outlined in Ministerial Agreement MPCEIP-SRP-2025-0037-A.

This measure, published on April 21 by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries, prohibits the capture, commercialization, and transportation of the species during this period to protect juvenile shrimp and support resource sustainability.

Exceptions are allowed for shrimp caught before the start of the ban, provided that inventory is...

Russia’s Sakhalin Region Plans to Increase Fish Catch This Year

The authorities of the Sakhalin region, one of Russia’s major fish-producing regions, aims to increase its fish catch this year, according to recent statements from Sakhalin government officials and local media sources.

At present, most of Sakhalin’s fish catch consists of pollock, cod, herring, flounder, navaga, greenling, and Pacific salmon, as well as seafood, crustaceans, and mollusks. While local fisherman caught about 745,000 tons of both fish and seafood last year, Sakhalin authorities hope to increase these figures in 2025, with particular attention on increasing its salmon catch...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...

The Retail Rundown: Post-Easter Pause Sets Stage for Protein Push

With Easter now in the rearview, retailers will largely tread water, positioning themselves for a seasonal surge in demand ahead of the start of summer.

Grilling demand is beginning to build toward a Memorial Day crescendo, prompting grocers to build inventory and plan aggressive promotions to jumpstart the season. 

But first up is Cinco de Mayo. While it's a smaller holiday, it can still drive foot traffic. Proteins like pork, steak, and chicken are expected to see solid movement as shoppers make tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and other festive fare...

Russia Increases 2025 Crab Exports by 26%

Russia has increased its 2025 crab exports by 26%, compared to the same period last year, according to data provided by Russian analysts and local media.

According to estimates from experts at the Federal Center for Development of Agricultural Exports of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia (Agroexport), Russia exported about 17,000 tons of crab during Q1 2025, worth more than US$440 million. Compared to the same period last year, supplies increased by 23% in volume and 26% in terms of value.

The majority of crab was exported to China, which...

Southern Shrimp Alliance Celebrates Trump’s Executive Order to Strengthen American Seafood Industry

The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) recently released a statement applauding President Trump’s executive order “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness,” which he signed on April 17.

According to the SSA, the action directly confronts the existential threats currently facing the U.S. domestic shrimp industry including unfair trade practices, imported shrimp that is unsafe or linked to forced labor practices, and regulatory imbalances. The Alliance added that foreign competitors do not have to face the same regulations or economic and logistic barriers as U.S. shrimpers...

California Closes Crabbing in San Francisco Zone, Keeps Northern California Open

Returning whales to California waters is a sign that Dungeness crab season closures aren’t far behind.  

In prior action, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham closed Fishing Zones 4-6, Pigeon Point to the U.S./Mexico border, on April 15, while the northern zones remained open.  

Now, though, the whales are moving north. Zone 3, in the Central Management Area from the Sonoma/Mendocino County line to Pigeon Point, is slated to close at 6 p.m. on May 1...

CDFW Fines Captain of Commercial Fishing Vessel for Polluting Ventura County Waters with Squid Ink

According to a recent news release from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, commercial fishing boat captain William Porter McHenry was ordered to pay fines for illegally dumping toxic waste into California waters.

McHenry is the owner and operator of McHenry Fisheries, Inc., including the company’s 67-foot commercial fishing vessel Sea Pearl, which was involved in the recent incident.

According to authorities, the Sea Pearl was seen heading out to sea on December 6, 2024, while releasing “stick water” waste into the ocean...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...

NOAA Fisheries and FWS Propose Rule Rescinding Endangered Species Act’s “Harm” Definition

On April 17, 2025, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed a rule to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The law, which was established in 1973, currently prohibits the take of any fish or animal listed as an endangered species, with “take” defined as “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.”

According to Justice Scalia’s 1995 position...

Russia Increases 2025 Seafood Exports to South Korea

This year, Russia is increasing its fish exports to South Korea, reaching record figures compared to the last two years, according to Russian media reports and recent data from the South Korean statistics agency.

In March, Russia exported 31,400 tons of fish and seafood to South Korea, which became one of the highest figures in the last several years and showed a 30% increase compared to February 2025.

The bulk of supplies accounted for frozen fish (26,100 tons), fish fillets (2,700 tons) and crab (2,000 tons).

Currently, Russia remains the second main...

Today’s Top Story: Ecuador Imposes Seasonal Ban on Titi Shrimp to Protect Juvenile Stocks

In our top story today, Ecuador has implemented a temporary and seasonal recruitment ban on titi shrimp (Camarón Pomada) from April 22 to May 21, 2025, as outlined in a recent agreement from the Ecuadorian Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries. The measure prohibits the capture, commercialization, and transportation of the species during this period to protect juvenile shrimp and support resource sustainability, with exceptions allowed for verified shrimp caught before the start of the ban...

Exclusive International Trade Centre Interview: Implications of Trump’s Tariff Regime

Julia Spies is the Chief of Trade and Market Intelligence for the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Switzerland. Spies and team analyze trade information and publish findings about market-specific trade intelligence on multiple online platforms, like Tradebriefs.intracen.org.

Recent shifts in the world of trade, including the latest round of United States tariffs and trade measures by other countries, has kept Spies and company busy, to say the least.

However, ITC members have watched trade measures, and in particular their impact on developing countries, long before these recent changes...

Japan Expands Local Salmon Farming to 113 Brands Nationwide

The market for locally farmed salmon is expanding across Japan. According to a survey by Minato Shimbun, as of mid-April, there are 113 local salmon brands nationwide, an increase of nine since last year's survey.

Each producer is particular about the breeding environment and feed, and they differentiate their salmon as a domestic product with a strong regional flavor. With the unstable landing of wild fish and the high prices of imported seafood due to the weak yen, these Japanese salmon farmers are increasing their presence. They are receiving more inquiries...

US Coast Guard Detains 12 Fishermen Off Texas Coast, Seizes 1,400 lbs of Red Snapper and Shark

On Monday, April 21, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) intercepted and detained 12 Mexican fishermen who were engaged in illegal fishing in federal waters off southern Texas. In addition to taking the fishermen into federal custody, the USCG seized approximately 1,400 pounds of illegally caught fish.

Coast Guard Cutter Alert, Coast Guard Cutter Jacob Poroo, Coast Guard Station South Padre Island, and Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi crews coordinated with watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi Command Center to detect detected...

SalMar Acquires Norwegian Salmon Farmer Wilsgård for USD $168.27 Million

SalMar ASA (SalMar) published a statement yesterday indicating its purchase of Norwegian salmon farmer Wilsgård AS (Wilsgard) for NOK 1.8 billion (USD $168.3 million).

According to the statement, the boards of Wilsgård, SalMar Farming AS (a wholly-owned subsidiary of SalMar), and SalMar have officially approved a triangular merger plan pursuant to Chapter 13 of the Norwegian Public Limited Liability Companies Act, listing SalMar Farming as the acquiring company, Wilsgård as the transferring company, and SalMar as the issuer of the consideration shares in the merger...

Kaldvik Issues New Shares After March Acquisition of Icelanding Fish Farming Operations

Icelandic salmon farmer Kaldvik AS (Kaldvik) recently announced the issuance of new shares related to its March 25 acquisition of two full salmon farming operations and one third of an additional salmon farming operation, all situated on Iceland’s east coast.

Per the determination made by its board on April 22, Kaldvik has resolved to increase its share capital to NOK 624,995.20 (USD $59,402.67) by issuing 6,249,952 new shares, with each share valued at NOK 27.60 (USD $2.62).

According to the company, its claim for capital contribution...

SimpliiGood's Microalgae-Based Smoked Salmon Product Enters Commercial Production Phase

In a press release published on April 22, food tech company SimpliiGood announced it is advancing to commercial production for its 100% plant-based smoked salmon analog.

The alternative protein, composed of spirulina microalgae, is funded with US$4 million and has fresh regulatory clearance from the European Union.

SimpliiGood, whose parent company is AlgaeCore, Ltd., specializes in sustainable, protein-based microalgae products, producing fish and meat analogs made from spirulina that is cultivated and produced by AlgaeCore. AlgaeCore’s product Simplii Texture is the base for SimpliiGood’s salmon analog...

Presidential Proclamation Breathes New Life into Western Pacific Fisheries

Hammered by at least six presidential proclamations since President Bush in 2006 created the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawaiian and other Western Pacific fishermen have found themselves closed out of productive fishing grounds that account for more than half of the U.S. EEZ waters in the region.  

That changed last week.  

President Trump signed the “Unleashing American commercial fishing in the Pacific” proclamation on April 17, surrounded by Western Pacific dignitaries. 

“By doing this, we are giving you back your lives,” Trump said as he signed the document designed to restore...

NOAA Fisheries Reopens Scallop Fishing in Northern Gulf of Maine with Increased Quota

Effective April 21, NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) reopened scallop fishing in the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) and increased the 2025 fishing quota, as indicated in the recently finalized Framework 39.

Framework 39 stands as a critical rule for the Atlantic Sea Scallop fishery, setting important boundaries such as fishery specifications and management measures for the current 2025 fishing season, which runs from April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026. This season is expected to see projected landings of 18 million pounds...

Japan: Salmon and Trout Imports in February Fell by 25%, Reflecting a Decrease in Coho

According to trade statistics from the Ministry of Finance, Japan’s total salmon and trout imports in February (including salted, smoked, and prepared products) were 22,137 tons, down 25% from the same month last year, and the CIF import value was 30,039 million yen ($211.25 million), down 10%. The quantity of fillets (fresh, frozen, salted, and dried) was down 7% to 6,491 tons, and those other than fillets were down 31% to 15,645 tons.

Minato Shimbun reported that the main factor behind the decrease in...

ANALYSIS: The Quantifiable Impact of Tariffs; Evidence from the Seafood Market

With tariffs on Chinese tilapia now exceeding 200%, the seafood market faces unprecedented disruption that will fundamentally reshape pricing structures, consumption patterns, and global supply chains. Our empirical analysis quantifies these effects, showing the severity of market distortions that result from such extreme trade barriers...

Japan: Alternative Protein Market to Grow by 20% in 2030, Cultured Fish Meat Market Also in Sight

Market research company Fuji Keizai recently investigated the market size of sustainable foods and related equipment. According to its press release and reporting by Minato Shimbun, Fuji Keizai calculated the domestic market size for alternative protein foods—including cultured fish meat and microalgae—as 123.9 billion yen ($871.35 million) for 2024, predicting an increase of 18.9% by 2030, amounting to 147.3 billion yen ($1.035 billion).

Fuji Keizai also estimates that manufacturing equipment and systems, including land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)... 

Today’s Top Story: NOAA Fisheries Closes Federal Scallop Fishing in Northern Gulf of Maine Until April 2026

In our top story today, NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) announced the closure of the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Scallop Management Area to all scallop vessels fishing under federal scallop regulations, effective April 28, 2025, at 0001 hour. According to NMFS’ recent press release, the federal entity projects that 100% of the set-aside for the NGOM Scallop Management Area will be taken by April 28, effective until March 31, 2026...

Today’s Top Story: SalMar Acquires Norwegian Salmon Farmer Wilsgård for USD $168.27 Million

In our top story today, SalMar ASA published a recent statement indicating its purchase of Norwegian salmon farmer Wilsgård AS for the amount of NOK 1.8 billion (USD $168.3 million). Per the agreement, the sale will be rendered paid using a combination of 80% consideration shares and 20% cash. In addition, SalMar’s board resolved to increase its share capital to NOK 392,054, in connection with SalMar’s issuance of consideration shares, which amount to 1,568,216 shares, each with a nominal value of NOK 0.25...