ANALYSIS: May US Shrimp Imports Land at Low End of Model Range as June Estimates Point Higher

May official US shrimp imports came in at 152.9 million lbs., at the low end of the revised model range of 151.1–170.9M lbs. published in the June 22nd edition, and close to the original mid-estimate of 150.5M lbs. The original estimate proved the closer call; the subsequent revision pushed higher than the data ultimately supported, though the directional read was correct. May landed within the published range, which reflects the margin of error each estimate carries...

ANALYSIS: US Sockeye Prices Hold Firm as Reports of Increased Freezing Surface

Prices for fresh wild sockeye H&G have held firm through the 2026 season, establishing a year-over-year premium that has become one of the more notable storylines of this year's Bristol Bay campaign. As of mid-July 2026, pricing carries an average of $7.625/lb, compared to an average of approximately $5.90/lb at the same point last year — a spread of roughly $1.70/lb or approximately +29% year-over-year.

What makes this year particularly notable is the shape of the pricing curve, not just the absolute levels. In 2025, the season...

Russian Seafood Escapes EU's 21st Sanctions Package as Fish Measures Dropped in Final Deal

The European Union has finalized its 21st package of sanctions against Russia — but without the fish. A proposed ban on Russian seafood imports, touted as a historic first when the package was unveiled in June, was dropped from the final agreement after sustained resistance from member states with significant seafood processing industries.

EU countries clinched the deal on Thursday after weeks of fractious negotiations, resolving the final sticking point, a dispute over Russian gas transit, by granting Greece a limited exemption for gas contracts...

De Heus Opens Vietnam Cold-Water Fish Feed Mill

De Heus Animal Nutrition has opened a new marine and cold-water fish feed mill in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam. It is the De Heus' first facility dedicated exclusively to cold-water fish feed production, the company stated. Its annual production capacity will amount to 84,000 MT.

According to De Heus, the facility will serve both domestic Vietnamese producers and international markets. It will cater to growing opportunities in marine aquaculture for species including sea bass and barramundi destined for regional and export markets.

Guolian Aquatic to Sell Sunnyvale Seafood's California Property for $17 Million

China's Zhanjiang Guolian Aquatic Products (300094.SZ) has approved the sale of US real estate tied to its Sunnyvale Seafood subsidiary for approximately $17 million, the latest in a series of asset disposals as the company works to reverse years of deepening losses.

Guolian's board approved the move on July 15, with its wholly-owned US subsidiary Liancheng Investments, LLC set to sell the property at 2910 Faber Street, Union City, California — the longtime address of Sunnyvale Seafood, Guolian's US shrimp and seafood importing arm...

House Passes Bill Giving FDA Authority to Destroy Contaminated Food Imports

Legislation that would allow the US Food and Drug Administration to destroy imported food products deemed hazardous passed the US House of Representatives on July 21.

The Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act (H.R. 2715), introduced by Reps. Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Troy Carter (D-LA), advanced via the House suspension calendar, a procedural track typically reserved for broadly bipartisan measures that allows bills to move quickly with limited debate and no amendments, requiring a two-thirds majority for passage...

Newfoundland and Labrador Seafood Sector Valued at C$2.11bn in 2025

Newfoundland and Labrador’s seafood industry generated a combined market value of C$2.11 billion in 2025, with the wild fisheries and aquaculture sectors continuing to underpin the province’s economy, according to newly released data.

"Our seafood industry continues to be a major economic driver for Newfoundland and Labrador, supporting workers, families and communities throughout the province," said Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Loyola O’Driscoll. "Surpassing $2 billion in market value is a significant milestone that reflects the strength of our local fishing...

Nova Scotia Awards C$2.22M to Seafood, Aquaculture Firms for Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Nova Scotia is providing C$2.22 million to support 20 seafood and aquaculture companies as they invest in technologies aimed at cutting fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.

The funding marks the third round of support through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund, a three-year program administered by Efficiency Nova Scotia. The fund is designed to help companies adopt upgrades ranging from solar panels to hybrid propulsion systems for fishing vessels.

“The seafood sector is a pillar of...

Canadian Seafood Not Targeted by Trump's New 50% US Tariffs

Fish and seafood do not appear in any of the three proclamations President Trump signed on July 20 imposing 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, continuing a pattern of protection that has shielded the sector through each round of the US-Canada trade dispute.

Trump signed three separate proclamations invoking Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, each targeting a specific grievance: discriminatory treatment of US motor vehicles, a near-total ban by Canadian provinces on US alcoholic beverages, and unequal dairy tariff-rate quota access compared to EU producers...

UniSea Faces Proposed $5,859 EPA Penalty for Clean Water Act Violations at Dutch Harbor Facility

UniSea, Inc. faces a proposed $5,859 civil penalty to resolve Clean Water Act violations at its Dutch Harbor, Alaska processing facility, according to a July 20 notice from the US Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA alleged that UniSea failed to comply with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Multi-Sector General Permit (No. AKR06AC21), which governs discharges of pollutants from the facility into Iliuliuk Harbor, a high-quality receiving water.

According to the expedited settlement agreement, violations fell into two categories...

NOAA Rejects Petition to Expand NA Right Whale Critical Habitat to Mid-Atlantic Migration Corridor

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service has rejected a petition that sought to expand critical habitat for the North Atlantic right whale to include a migratory corridor stretching from Maine to Georgia, finding that the petition did not present sufficient scientific information to warrant further review.

The 90-day finding, published in the Federal Register on July 22, was issued in response to a March 2025 petition from Save Long Beach Island, Inc., which asked NMFS to designate inner and outer migratory corridors connecting...

Russia to Accelerate Sardine, Mackerel Catch in Far East as Northeast Atlantic Restrictions Bite

Russia is planning to ramp up catches of Iwashi sardine and mackerel off the southern Kuril Islands this year, a shift driven in part by sweeping new restrictions on its mackerel fishing in the Northeast Atlantic.

Experts at VNIRO, Russia's federal fisheries research institute, say sardine runs in Kuril waters have been delayed this season due to late spawning off the Pacific coast of Japan. Scientists also point to a broader decline in the Pacific sardine population stemming from reduced spawning volumes and...

Brett Doyle Sworn In as USITC Commissioner, Bringing USTR and Capitol Hill Experience

Brett Doyle, a Republican from Connecticut, was sworn in as a Commissioner of the US International Trade Commission (USITC), the agency announced Monday. He was nominated by President Trump on January 29, 2026, and confirmed by the US Senate on July 16, 2026. His term will expire December 16, 2030. 

The USITC is responsible for investigating imports alleged to injure domestic industries or violate US intellectual property rights. According to the agency, it provides independent analysis on tariffs, trade and...

ADF&G Accuses Marine Stewardship Council of “Blue Washing” Russian Pollock Management

The London-based Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has come under fire for its near-certification of the Western Bering Sea pollock fishery, following a formal objection filed by the At-Sea Processors Association in June and a sharply worded letter from Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang earlier this month.

"…the MSC's apparent determination to turn a blind eye to bycatch management, overfishing, habitat impacts, and data transparency and deploy your program's eco-label to 'blue wash' Russian seafood in global markets...

Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative Names New Board Members

The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC) has appointed seven new representatives to its Board of Directors for the 2026-2027 term, with members representing harvesters, dealers, public stakeholders and state agencies.

Under state law, the board is structured to ensure geographic diversity and broad industry representation. Lobstermen representatives are nominated by Maine's seven Zone Councils, while dealer and public members are nominated by the Lobster Advisory Council before being appointed by Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Carl Wilson.

"We are thrilled to welcome this dynamic group of leaders...

El Niño to Impact Trade? Panama Canal Could Suspend Vessel Bookings, Says Bloomberg

As of July 21, operators at the Panama Canal could curtail some vessel booking slots due to water-supply challenges, reported Bloomberg. Previously, Expana's team flagged this possibility during a June 25 webinar, according to Weather & Crop Researcher, James Tyler. Affected commodities could range from corn and soybeans, to fruit, vegetables, seafood, and more.

On July 7, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) could reduce the maximum authorized vessel draft for its largest locks to 44 feet by...

Pacific Seafood Confirms Ocean Beauty Merger, Expanding Footprint Across West

Pacific Seafood and Ocean Beauty Seafoods have officially closed the merger of their distribution operations, Pacific Seafood confirmed on July 17, bringing together two of the US West Coast's most established family-owned seafood companies.

The deal closed July 13 and includes most — but not all — of Ocean Beauty's distribution facilities. Specifically, the merger covers Ocean Beauty's operations in Astoria and Portland, Oregon; Boise, Idaho; Dallas, Texas; Helena, Montana; and Renton, Washington. Ocean Beauty's Salt Lake City, Utah, facility was not included in the transaction at the time of closing...

WA and OR Legislators and Industry Respond to Sudden Loss of BPA Funding for Columbia River Hatchery

State and federal lawmakers are joining industry to object to the Bonneville Power Administration's (BPA) June 18 decision to end its $2.4 million annual fund for the Select Area Fisheries Enhancement (SAFE) Program in the Lower Columbia River. The SAFE Program is a collaboration of three partners: the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and Clatsop County.

Withdrawal of the funds places more than 7 million hatchery salmon currently in production at immediate...

Chile Defines 'Micro-Relocation' in Aquaculture Reform, Unlocking 95 Stalled Concession Requests

Chile's Senate Environment Committee has approved a key definition within the country's sweeping aquaculture reform legislation, establishing the concept of "micro-relocation" for salmon farming concessions and exempting such moves from the country's full environmental impact assessment process.

Under the approved language — put forward by President José Antonio Kast's administration — a micro-relocation is defined as a shift of no more than 350 meters from any vertex of an existing concession, undertaken solely to improve environmental conditions such as water depth and current velocity, which affect the dispersion...

NOAA, Scottish Fishing Leaders Advance Cooperative Research

Federal scientists and leaders from Scotland's commercial fishing industry spent three days in the Northeast exploring how cooperative research can strengthen fisheries management, improve trust between fishermen and scientists, and address shared challenges facing fisheries on both sides of the Atlantic.

The exchange, NOAA's first international cooperative research gathering with the Scottish Fishermen's Organization, brought together scientists, fisheries managers, academics and nonprofit organizations for discussions, vessel tours and industry visits. Organizers said the goal was to demonstrate how combining fishermen's firsthand knowledge with scientific expertise can improve fisheries science...

Mark Foods Completes Acquisition of Rhode Island Importer Endeavor Seafood

Mark Foods has announced the acquisition of Endeavor Seafood, a Newport, Rhode Island-based importer and marketer of frozen seafood products.

The deal is the next step in a relationship that began when Mark Foods made an equity investment in Endeavor in 2021. Mark Foods said the Endeavor team will be fully integrated into its operations.

"We are pleased to welcome the Endeavor Seafood team to Mark Foods. Since our initial investment in 2021, we have seen firsthand the talent, dedication, and quality this team brings. Fully integrating...

US Senators Investigate $2.6 Billion Offshore Wind Buyouts Under Trump Administration

A coalition of 14 US senators has launched an investigation into agreements between the Trump administration and several offshore wind developers, raising questions about deals they say resulted in nearly $2.6 billion in taxpayer-funded buyouts that halted major clean energy projects.

As part of the probe, the senators sent letters to Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies; Craig Windram, CEO of Ocean Winds; Harry K. Sideris, CEO of Duke Energy; and James Murphy, CEO of Invenergy.

The letter, signed...

The Retail Rundown: Consumers Redefine Value Across the Meat Case This Summer

With the summer grilling season in full swing, the protein case reflects more than shifting prices. The latest Circana retail data shows consumers continuing to prioritize value, but what defines value varies by protein category as supply dynamics, promotional strategies, and purchasing behavior evolve. 

Beef Leads the Meat Department Despite Premium Pricing

Beef remains the largest protein category by total weekly sales, generating $191.5 million last week—nearly 58% more than eggs and almost 77% higher than chicken. Average retail pricing reflects continued supply constraints, with an...

Peru Adopts Risk-Based Fish Plant Inspections to Speed Exports

Peru’s fisheries and aquaculture health authority has approved a new risk-based inspection manual aimed at speeding plant checks, improving food safety and supporting exports of hydrobiological products.

The National Authority for Fisheries and Aquaculture Health and Safety, or Sanipes, said the Manual for the Sanitary Inspection of Processing Plants within the Framework of Risk-Based Control (FBR) will modernize oversight of more than 400 authorized processing plants across the country.

Sanipes Executive President Mónica Saavedra said the manual marks a shift from traditional inspections to...

Kazakhstan Breaks Ground on First Domestic Fish Feed Plant in Aquaculture Push

Kazakhstan has begun construction on its first extruded fish feed manufacturing plant, a move the country's Ministry of Agriculture is framing as a strategic step toward reducing import dependence and scaling up its fast-growing aquaculture sector.

The facility, operated by Poseidon LLP and backed by state support, will have an annual production capacity of 25,000 tonnes. Construction began July 10, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

The plant addresses a persistent gap in Kazakhstan's aquaculture supply chain. The country's fish farms require...

Dallas Seafood Wholesaler Hit with $250K Fine for Selling Chilean Salmon as European

A Dallas seafood wholesaler has been fined $250,000 for falsifying the country of origin on salmon products in a scheme that generated an estimated $200,000 in illegal gains, the Department of Justice announced July 17.

Seafood Supply Co. was sentenced on two felony counts of violating the Lacey Act (Case No. 3:26-CR-00088) after court documents revealed the company had designated Chilean salmon as product from Scotland, Norway, and Canada from January 2020 to February 2022. The mislabeling was designed to exploit...

Peru's Seafood Industry Takes Over Leadership of Mahi-Mahi Improvement Project

Peru's fishing industry has assumed formal leadership of the country's mahi-mahi Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), marking a significant transition in how the fishery's sustainability efforts are governed going forward.

WWF Peru announced the handover to the Peru Mahi Alliance (PMA) — a coalition of industry stakeholders — during Seafood Expo North America 2026. The move transfers day-to-day FIP leadership away from the NGO and into the hands of the Peruvian fishing sector itself, a shift WWF described as reflecting the institutional maturity the industry has developed...

Russia Ramps Up Shellfish and Crab Exports Amid Strong Foreign Demand

Russia is increasing exports of shellfish and crab to foreign markets, with both volumes and revenues posting significant year-on-year gains in the first five months of 2026, according to Agroexport, the Russian state agency responsible for agricultural export data.

Russia exported approximately 3,900 tons of shellfish in the January-to-May period, valued at over US$19 million — a 22% increase in export revenue compared to the same period last year. The bulk of shipments consisted of frozen scallops, squid, and cuttlefish, with China...

Sernapesca, Navy Seize 1,000 Meters of Hidden Spider Crab Nets Days Before Season Opens

Last Friday, Chile's Servicio Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura, or Sernapesca, revealed that it, alongside the Chilean Navy, had uncovered 1,000 meters (about 3,281 feet) of spider crab nets during a routine inspection aboard a vessel two days before the start of the spider crab season.

According to Sernapesca, the only authorized method for catching spider crabs is using baited traps or pots. The discovery triggered an immediate enforcement response given the timing and scale of the gear found.

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...