ANALYSIS: US Scallops See Higher Landings and Lower Fuel Costs, Yet Prices Remain Elevated

The domestic scallop market presents a notable contrast as operational conditions show some improvement while pricing remains elevated. Diesel fuel costs have declined through late 2025 and into early 2026, providing some relief to vessel operations amid broader industry challenges. Additionally, domestic landings increased 10.5% in 2025, adding supply to a market that has faced constraints in recent periods.

Despite these developments, domestic scallop prices across categories continue at elevated levels, with U/10s remaining significantly above historical averages and 10/20s tracking...

Norwegian Salmon Leader Mowi Launches Processing Facility to Serve Thailand Market

Norwegian salmon farming giant Mowi opened its first processing plant in Thailand this week, according to Åshild Nakken, the Norwegian Seafood Council's director for Southeast Asia.

The facility was built alongside the largest salmon importer and retailer in Thailand, CP Axtra, according to Nakken’s LinkedIn post. The partnership will see Mowi supply salmon products to CP’s customers through its retail chains and the foodservice sector.

“Today marks a meaningful step forward, not only for Mowi and CP Axtra but also for the future of...

GSMC 2026: Wells Fargo’s Jansen Says Supply Chain Healthy as Tariffs, Trade Shifts Force Adjustments

Wells Fargo's Jeremy Jansen told Global Seafood Market Conference (GSMC) attendees that the global supply chain is generally healthy, even as tariffs and shifting trade flows prompt buyers and suppliers to adjust their sourcing and financing.

Drawing on the bank's “pressure gauge” of 15 logistics, price, labor and inventory indicators benchmarked to pre‑COVID levels, he said most signals are green: container costs that spiked above $10,000 during COVID are back in the low‑to‑mid thousands, labor tightness at ports and warehouses...

Ode Scores Milestone as Top Cod Supplier in Norway, Acquires 3 Farming Sites

Norwegian cod farmer Ode, after celebrating its spot as the top supplier of cod out of Norway in 2025, announced a deal to acquire three farming sites from Vesterålen Havbruk, it announced on January 27.

Ode said the sites Apalset, Stokkeneset, and Rekvika previously belonged to the listed company Statt Torsk and became part of Vesterålen Havbruk following the 2024 merger. Since 2024, the Rekvika site has been operated jointly by the Ode and Vesterålen Havbruk, while the other two sites...

Baja Fresh Debuts Blackened Citrus Menu

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has introduced its new Blackened Citrus menu, featuring a house-made citrus orange salsa and a trio of new offerings available as a bowl, burrito, or taco combo.

"Our new Blackened Citrus menu items bring together your choice of smoky, seasoned protein with a bright citrus finish to create a bold and balanced flavor," said Logan Reves, vice president of restaurant operations at Baja Fresh. "Baja Fresh remains true to its roots of serving fresh, flavorful food while continuing to innovate, giving customers...

Coast Guard Halts Illegal Use of "Paper Captains" in WA-Based Tuna Fishing Operation

The Coast Guard ceased the use of illegal foreign nationals on a commercial fishing vessel that operated out of the State of Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 19.

A Coast Guard Sector Columbia River law enforcement team inspected an 89-foot fishing vessel and determined that the vessel was in violation of the Jones Act - specifically, they were in violation for utilizing a "paper captain.”

Paper captain is a term applied to an individual listed on documents as a U.S.-flagged vessel's captain but in actuality...

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Import Estimates Show Modest Gains in November and December

Imports for November 2025 will be released this Thursday morning. Below are the October tables (for reference), along with our forecast estimates for November and December. Pricing continues to show sporadic downward pressure on HLSO, PDTO, EZ-Peel and PDToff (naturally, less pressure on peeled). These fluctuations suggest the market may be near a bottom, but ongoing data collection will confirm if these marginal price declines persist...

California Reaches Settlement with PAFCO Over Prop 65 Violations in Seafood Products

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on January 26 a settlement with Pacific American Fish Company, Inc. (PAFCO) following allegations that the seafood distributor and manufacturer sold frozen products with high levels of lead and cadmium in California without the required warnings, thereby violating Proposition 65 and California's Unfair Competition Law (UCL).

State-identified toxic heavy metals, cadmium and lead, accumulate in the body over time, posing significant health risks.

Cadmium exposure can lead to reproductive harm and birth defects, while lead exposure is associated...

Chili’s Extends Growth Streak to 19 Quarters in Brinker’s Q2 Results

Brinker International, parent company of Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy, reported financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026.

For the period ended December 24, 2025, Brinker posted a 7.5% increase in comparable restaurant sales, driven by strong performance at Chili’s, where comparable sales rose 8.6%. Comparable sales at Maggiano’s declined during the quarter.

Chili’s growth was fueled by continued menu innovation, competitive pricing, and disciplined execution, allowing the brand to expand its customer base and remain the company’s top performer.

Valentine’s Day Dining Trends Show Shift Beyond Romance According to OpenTable

Restaurants are gearing up for the next major dining holiday: Valentine’s Day.

According to global restaurant tech company OpenTable, this year the industry continues to see a shift as consumers celebrate more than just romantic relationships. From friendships to family and self-love, Valentine’s Day is becoming more inclusive, and restaurants are at the center of it.

"Gen-Z is leading the charge in making Valentine's Day more inclusive," said Cheryl Paniagua, VP of Restaurant Sales & Services at OpenTable.

The data shows that 60%...

BioMar Says it Delivered Solid 2025

Based on the preliminary results from its owner, Schouw & Co., BioMar concluded 2025 with a revenue of DKK 16.5 billion as well as an EBITDA of DKK 1,517 million.

The owner of BioMar Group, Schouw & Co., has today announced the preliminary unaudited financial figures for 2025. These includes that BioMar recorded a revenue in 2025 of DKK 16.5 billion, compared to guidance of DKK 16.3–16.7 billion, and an EBITDA of DKK 1,517 million, compared to guidance of DKK 1,490–1,530 million.

“I am very pleased to conclude the year with such strong results.

ADF&G Predicts Strong Prince William Sound Pink Run, Average Copper River Sockeye

Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) issued its 2026 forecast for the returning salmon runs in Prince William Sound and nearby Copper River last week, with positive news for pink salmon harvesters this summer and less positive for the wild sockeye salmon caught by the Copper River drift fleet, whose season opens in mid-May for Alaska’s first-of-the-year Chinook and sockeye salmon.

Returns to the Copper River this year are predicted to be “average” for sockeye salmon at 1.455 million fish...

GSMC 2026: Farmed Salmon Faces Growing China Demand as Buyers Adjust Sourcing

Buyers and producers at GSMC 2026 painted a picture of a salmon market in flux: wild runs are tight and commanding premiums, while farmed volumes and shifting trade flows, notably surging demand from China and other Asian markets, will largely determine where product lands in 2026. Panelists warned US buyers to expect constrained farmed supply, price pressure and the need for proactive sourcing decisions as Chilean and Norwegian harvests flatten after strong 2025 performances.

The conversation, moderated by Richard Barry of the National Fisheries Institute...

Captain D’s Expands US and UK Footprint With Gainesville and Maidstone Openings

Captain D’s opened a pair of restaurants in recent days as the company continues to grow its footprint in both the US and the United Kingdom.

On January 21, the company announced its new end cap location in Gainesville, Florida. The new site is a 2,172-square-foot restaurant that features a drive-thru and dining room seating for 36.

"Gainesville is a dynamic city, and if you're in the food business, you have to have a presence here," said Achebe. "We know Captain D's will quickly become...

Maine's Elver Fishery Lottery Offers New Opportunities for the 2026 Season

Twenty lucky Maine residents will soon have the chance to join the state's lucrative elver fishery.

The Department of Marine Resources is holding a lottery from January 26, 2026, through February 20, 2026, where winners will have the opportunity to apply for an elver license for the upcoming 2026 season beginning March 22 through June 7.

When the lottery was established, the legislature also set a cap of 425 state-issued licenses. The twenty available licenses result from licenses not renewed...

GSMC 2026: Sourcing Flexibility, Daypart Expansion Seen as Keys to Seafood Foodservice Resilience

A wide-ranging discussion featuring executives in the seafood foodservice sector drilled into how operators are managing tariffs, shifting dayparts and evolving menu tactics to keep seafood relevant and profitable.

Panelists included Michael Seidel, VP of procurement at Performance Food Group; Matt Livesay, chief supply chain officer at Red Lobster; Janet Duckham, chief supply chain officer at Captain D’s; and Melissa Rodriguez of Circana.

Tariffs, the panel agreed, have forced another layer of supply planning, but for many operators the shock has been manageable because “nimbleness...

Japan's Frozen Cod Imports Plummets 80% in January-November Amid Sluggish Global Fishery

According to a Minato Shimbun report, imported frozen cod prices soared last year due to a global catch shortage, causing a sharp decline in imports. Trade statistics for January to November 2025 showed that the unit price was 860 yen/kg ($5.52/kg), up 38% from the same period last year, while the total volume was 838 tons, down 81%. In particular, the unit price of Russian fish rose 46% to 873 yen ($5.61/kg), while volume...

Russia Plans Major 2026 Catch Increases for Crab, Fish Species

Russia plans to significantly raise total allowable catch quotas for specific fish species and crabs in 2026, based on data from recent scientific expeditions.

Rosrybolovstvo reports that greenling quotas in the North Kuril subzone will increase by 54.1% to 18,500 tons. Cod quotas in the South Kuril subzone are set to grow by 8.7%, while whelk quotas in the North Okhotsk subzone will rise by 19%.

Crab quotas will also see increases due to significant stock growth. Kamchatka crab catch limits in the West Sakhalin subzone...

GOMSO 1,000-Year JOTGAL Launches “Kkini-Kkini,” a Single-Serve Korean Fermented Seafood Brand

GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL has introduced "Kkini-Kkini," a new brand that translates to "each and every meal" in Korean. This product offers a single-serve portion of Jeotgal, a traditional Korean fermented seafood.

"Our goal is to position our products as a versatile K-Superfood that adds healthy depth to any global cuisine," said a spokesperson for GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL. "By introducing this portable Korean traditional fermented seafood to the international market, GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL...

2025 Survey: Pollock Biomass Down by 30%, Snow Crab Up by 51% in Eastern Bering Sea

The walleye pollock biomass dropped by 30% from 2024, according to results of the annual eastern Bering Sea trawl survey, but a much smaller portion found in the northern Bering Sea rose by 50.6% YOY. 

Pollock is the largest contributor of biomass in both the eastern and northern Bering Sea. It accounts for 28% of the EBS and 23% of the NBS, making it the largest US commercial fishery.  

Even with a 30% drop in biomass, there is enough for the conservation-led...

Three Dead, Three Missing After Vessel Serving Salmones Austral Sinks in Chile

Chilean salmon farmer Salmones Austral confirmed that a vessel it uses sank Jan. 27 in the Reloncaví Estuary in Chile’s Los Lagos region, leaving three crew members confirmed dead and three missing, local media and the Chilean navy reported.

Salmones Austral said the Koñimo I sank while anchored about 70 meters from shore and under normal weather conditions. The company noted that the vessel, owned by Koñimo, provides sporadic services to Salmones Austral and that the crew had finished work at 6 p.m. local time the previous day...

The Retail Rundown: Protein Movement Gains from Championship Game and Severe Weather 

February is typically a sluggish period for protein sales, but demand tied to the season’s championship football matchup is delivering a timely lift for retailers. As shoppers prepare for watch parties and at-home gatherings, meat cases are seeing an uptick in interest for value-oriented, crowd-friendly cuts.

This week’s promotional mix leans toward beef, which accounts for 26% of total features. Seafood follows closely at 25%, while pork represents 24%. Chicken promotions eased to 17.5%, and egg features held steady at 4%. Turkey ads account for 2% of total ads, led by ground turkey features...

China’s Fish Exports to Russia Reach Decade High in 2025

China increased its fish supplies to the Russian market to a ten-year high in 2025, with export growth continuing into 2026.

The latest figures, reported by Russian newswire RIA Novosti and based on Chinese customs data, show Chinese companies exported fish to Russia worth US$188.3 million in 2025 – up from US$141.1 million in 2024. The 34% year-on-year increase marked the highest level since 2015...

Kaldvik Appoint Interim CFO

Kaldvik AS announced today the appointment of Hjalti Hvítklett as interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective February 1.

This follows the Company's December 2025 announcement regarding the resignation of the current CFO Róbert Róbertsson, who is now exploring an opportunity with Arnarlax.

Hjalti Hvítklett brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having previously served as CFO and finance director at Nordic Aqua Partners and as CFO at P/F Pelagos.

In his new role, Mr. Hvítklett will play a crucial role in supporting Kaldvik AS's...

ANALYSIS: Orange Roughy Outlook Constrained by Tightening Quotas and Whitefish Supply Pressure

Although orange roughy represents a relatively small-volume fishery, it plays a critical role in serving a niche segment of the market that values premium whitefish. Amid tightening global supplies and firm pricing across the broader whitefish complex, the reduced availability of orange roughy only amplifies overall supply constraints, especially for buyers seeking alternatives to cod, haddock, and similar species.

The market is entering a period of heightened pressure as New Zealand, the dominant supplier, moves toward substantial quota reductions for the 2026...

Sysco Delivers Solid Q2 Performance, Driven by Volume Growth and Margin Expansion, Raises Outlook

Sysco Corp. reported solid financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, driven by improved volume performance, margin expansion, and continued execution of company-specific growth initiatives.

The company posted second-quarter sales of $20.8 billion, up 3.0% year-over-year (YOY). Gross profit increased 3.9% to $3.8 billion, with gross margin expanding 15 basis points to 18.3%, reflecting effective management of product cost inflation and strategic sourcing efficiencies. Operating income declined 2.8% to $692 million, while ...

Chilean Authorities Arrest Suspect in Million-Dollar Salmon Theft Investigation

A man was placed under arrest by Chilean Maritime Police after being charged with involvement in a massive salmon theft between Los Lagos and Aysen, according to local media outlet El Insular.

The publication said the arrest took place at a cultivation center in Puerto Chacabuco, following court orders. The arrest stems from an investigation carried out by the Los Lagos Regional Prosecution Office...

IPHC Lowers Pacific Halibut Quota in Canada, Maintains Low Levels in US for 2026 

At its annual meeting last week, the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) announced 2026 harvest quotas that maintained the status quo in all US areas and a 7.2% cut for British Columbia. That puts the total catch for 2026 at 29.33 million pounds, with the US portion at the same as last year (24.27 million pounds) and British Columbia at 5.06 million pounds (mlbs). The new total is 1.3% below the 2025 coastwide quota.  

The six-member panel also set this year's season dates, with an...

GSMC 2026: Keynote Barton Seaver Urges Industry to Own Seafood’s Positive Story

Award-winning chef and author Barton Seaver delivered a compelling keynote urging the seafood industry to embrace and own a positive narrative about seafood’s role as a climate-smart, nutrient-rich protein at the National Fisheries Institute’s Global Seafood Market Conference 2026.

Moving beyond sustainability as simply a challenge to be managed, Seaver called on the entire industry, from chefs to suppliers, to inspire confidence, celebrate culinary diversity, and position seafood as healthy eating.

Drawing on decades of global culinary experience...

FAO Welcomes New Treaty on Safeguarding Marine Biological Diversity in International Waters

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed the entry into force of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), and looks forward to contributing to its implementation.

Following two decades of negotiations, the BBNJ Agreement, which so far has 145 signatories and 81 Parties, came into force on 17 January 2026. It is a binding...