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...

Alaska Sockeye Harvests Meeting Forecasts, Pink and Chum Landings Far Below 5-year Averages

Bristol Bay’s sockeye harvest has reached 29.2 million salmon as of July 16, 2026, very close to the pre-season forecast of 32 million. Kodiak’s harvest of 785,000 as of July 15 has so far exceeded its pre-season estimate of 730,000 in landings for sockeye.  

In the Alaska Peninsula, nearly 4 million sockeye have been harvested, contributing to a statewide total of 34.6 million.  

But for all other species, except coho salmon, which start in September, harvest totals are dismal. Total salmon landings...

Bills Giving FDA Authority to Destroy Food Imports Set to Advance on Capitol Hill

Two bipartisan bills that would allow the US Food and Drug Administration to destroy — not just reject — dangerous imported food products are poised to advance on Capitol Hill next week.

The first, the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act (H.R. 2715), passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously in May and now sits on the House suspension calendar for the week of July 20. The suspension calendar is typically used to quickly pass broadly bipartisan bills, with measures requiring a two-thirds majority and moving...

Aker Moves to Take Aker BioMarine Private in Merger Deal

Aker ASA is moving to take krill company Aker BioMarine private through a proposed merger and optional cash offer, following a failed effort to sell its Human Health Ingredients business to an outside buyer.

On July 16, Aker announced a statutory merger that would see Aker BioMarine absorbed into Aker Capital NewCo AS, an indirect subsidiary of Aker. Simultaneously, Aker's subsidiary, Aker Capital, launched an optional cash offer for all outstanding shares of Aker BioMarine at NOK 105 per share. Aker currently owns 77.67% of Aker BioMarine through Aker Capital...

Chile's State Railway Eyes Regular Salmon Freight Service by End of 2026

Chilean salmon could be moving by rail from the Los Lagos region to ports in Biobío as early as the fourth quarter of 2026, according to EFE, Chile's state railway company.

Senate Committee Advances Padilla Bill to Boost San Joaquin River Restoration Funding

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has advanced bipartisan legislation from US Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) that would increase federal funding for restoration efforts on the San Joaquin River, a key step toward reviving a long-lost Chinook salmon run while supporting water infrastructure improvements for Central Valley agriculture.

The bill cleared the committee by voice vote and would authorize an additional $500 million for the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act. It also increases authorized funding for improvements...

Trio of Norwegian Salmon Farmers Acquire Arctic Seafood Group

Three Norwegian aquaculture companies have teamed up to acquire Arctic Seafood Group, a Norway-based seafood trading company, in a deal announced July 17 that bucks the trend of large-scale industry consolidation, according to various industry media reports.

The buyers, Sjybol, Kobbvaglaks, and Selsøyvik Havbruk, are all locally rooted salmon producers operating in the Helgeland region of northern Norway. Following the acquisition, Sjybol, parent company of Norwegian salmon producer Lovundlaks, will hold the largest stake at 49%, while Kobbvaglaks and Selsøyvik Havbruk will each hold 25.5%, per Fish Farmer Magazine...

Canada, Quebec Renew $50M Fisheries Fund with Market Diversification Focus

The Quebec Fisheries Fund has been renewed with $50 million over five years to help the province's fish and seafood sector invest in innovation, infrastructure and new markets.

Announced by federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson and Quebec Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Donald Martel, the renewed program is designed to help harvesters, processors and aquaculture businesses improve productivity, adapt to ecosystem changes and expand into new markets.

A key addition to the renewed fund is a market development and diversification stream aimed...

Food Safety Developments, Nostalgic Menu Launches and Expansion Lead Foodservice Headlines

Since the last Foodservice Roundup, the foodservice sector has been shaped by a mix of major food safety developments, nostalgic menu innovation and continued restaurant expansion. Here's a look at the key developments influencing market dynamics.

Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell lettuce draws scrutiny

One of the most notable developments in the foodservice industry has been the growing fallout from a widespread cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to Taco Bell.

The outbreak has sickened thousands...

Ecuador's CNA Pushes for Technical Dialogue with China as Shrimp Export Restrictions Mount

Ecuador's National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) says it is permanently monitoring Chinese restrictions on Ecuadorian shrimp exporting companies and is backing efforts to establish a formal technical working group with Chinese authorities to resolve the situation, according to a statement released July 9.

The CNA was careful to frame the situation in measured terms. "This does not constitute a closure of the Chinese market," the organization stated. "Exports to that destination continue. However, the problem is serious and requires urgent attention, given the operational and commercial impact...

US Court Allows New Zealand Seafood Imports to Continue While Dolphin Protection Case Proceeds

A US federal trade court has declined to immediately block seafood imports from New Zealand in a case centered on protections for the critically endangered Māui dolphin and the threatened Hector's dolphin, while allowing the underlying legal challenge to move forward.

Judge Jennifer Choe-Groves of the US Court of International Trade issued the ruling on July 13, denying a motion for a preliminary injunction filed by the environmental group Māui and Hector's Dolphin Defenders NZ Inc...

First Seafood Founder Leads Management Buyout from Insula

Norwegian seafood company First Seafood is under new ownership after founder Andreas Sundnes, the company's executive management team, and a group of industrial investors acquired Insula AS's 90.1% stake in the business, First Seafood announced on LinkedIn.

A concurrent capital increase of NOK 70 million ($7.3 million) was completed to strengthen the company's financial base and support future growth, according to iLaks.

Insula had been the majority shareholder since 2016, during which time First Seafood grew from an early-stage business into an international...

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Houston Seafood Importer Over Repeated HACCP Violations

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning letter to the president of a Houston-based seafood importing company after inspectors found repeated violations of federal seafood safety requirements.

The warning letter, dated May 26, 2026, was issued to Andy Luu, president of AD Import & Whole Co., following an FDA inspection conducted April 29-30, 2026. The agency posted details of the enforcement action on its website Tuesday.

According to the letter, inspectors identified several significant violations of the Seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control...

Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending July 17, 2026

The United States expanded its war against Iran by striking bridges, an airport, and logistics infrastructure, while Iran retaliated with attacks on US bases in the Gulf and renewed disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for global energy routes.

The collapse of a recent ceasefire has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict, with both sides signaling potential further escalation against critical infrastructure. The renewed fighting has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, pushed oil prices higher, and raised concerns that Iran and its Houthi allies could threaten additional maritime chokepoints...

US Seafood Sector Weighs in on China Tariff Framework

The US seafood industry is navigating a pivotal moment in its trade relationship with China, as the Trump Administration moves to formalize a new bilateral framework that could reshape tariff rates on a wide range of fish and shellfish products.

In June, USTR published a Federal Register notice seeking public comment on the scope of a proposed US-China Board of Trade, a managed trade mechanism announced during President Trump's May 2026 visit to Beijing. The Board is intended to identify "non-sensitive" goods on both sides eligible for reciprocal tariff...

Captain Fresh Eyes Polish Seafood Processor Morex in Latest European Expansion

Global seafood firm Captain Fresh is seeking to acquire Morex, a major Polish seafood processor and distributor, in what would mark the company's latest move to deepen its European footprint.

Captain Fresh's Norwegian holding company, Infifresh Foodtech AS, filed an application with Poland's Office of Competition and Consumer Protection on July 2, with the filing published July 7. The case is currently pending.

Morex, headquartered in Gdynia, operates across both commercial distribution, selling products in the same form they were purchased, and finished goods...

Sustainable Seafood Interest Grows as Trusted Certification Guides Shoppers

A new global study of nearly 15,000 consumers across 14 countries shows rising interest in sustainable seafood and finds trusted certification is increasingly what helps shoppers act on that intent.

The research shows the share of consumers who say they prefer environmentally friendly products and look for sustainability claims on food increased by more than 10 percentage points since 2024.

Still, when buying seafood, taste, health and quality remain the top priorities. Where sustainability breaks through is trust: independent certification schemes are now the most trusted...

Washington's Geoduck Farmers Are Caught in the Middle of the US-China Trade War

On the tidal flats of Puget Sound, a quiet crisis is unfolding for some of Washington State's smallest seafood producers. Geoduck farmers, growing one of the Pacific Northwest's most prized exports, are watching years of investment get squeezed by a trade dispute they have no power to influence and no market to pivot to.

Geoduck, the giant burrowing clam native to the Pacific Northwest, is one of the most China-dependent products in US seafood...

Expana's Weekly Top 10

This week’s Expana Top Ten highlights major developments shaping global food, agriculture and commodity markets, from new opportunities for US shrimp through federal food aid programs and continued momentum in the ready-to-drink beverage category to shifts in fertilizer production, trade policy and global supply chain risks.

Analysts also examine the impact of evolving consumer behavior, food safety concerns, geopolitical tensions and weather patterns, including strengthening El Niño conditions, on markets and industries worldwide. This list is in no particular order.

Find archived recaps here.

Seafood Sector Faces Key Policy Changes...

ButcherBox Lands Target Meat and Seafood Executive

ButcherBox has hired Target's former Meat and Seafood Director, Josephine Theal.

Theal announced her departure from Target in a LinkedIn post late last week, ending a four-year tenure with the retailer. She said the role exceeded her expectations, giving her the opportunity to lead "with creativity," influence at scale, launch exclusive brand partnerships and "drive distinction in the meat & seafood categories."

Theal said, "What made it truly special was working alongside a dynamic team," she wrote, "and leading initiatives that shaped the way both consumers & brands view Target's fresh categories today."

House Committee Advances Bill to Delay Right Whale Gear Regulations for Lobster Fishery Until 2035

House Resolution 9436, the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee on a 22-13 bipartisan vote, advancing legislation that would extend the current regulatory moratorium protecting Maine lobstermen from new gear entanglement rules for North Atlantic right whales through 2035.

The bill was led by Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME) and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY). It would extend a pause on new regulations first enacted in 2022 — originally under President Biden with bipartisan support from the Maine congressional...

Conservation Groups Sue after Trump Administration Rolls Back ESA “Harm” Definition

The Departments of the Interior and Commerce have finalized a rule removing the regulatory definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a change the administration says will reduce burdens on landowners, businesses and fishermen. 

According to Expana's report, the deleted interpretation had long treated indirect impacts (like habitat modification that impairs breeding, feeding or shelter) as "harm." The administration ties the rollback to the Supreme Court’s 2024 Loper Bright decision, which narrowed deference to agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes. Officials note that direct killing or...

Federal Judge Rejects Arbitration Push in Marder Trawling Wage Theft Case

A federal judge has denied attempts by New Bedford seafood processor Marder Trawling and its staffing agency to force a wage theft lawsuit into private arbitration, keeping the case on track in court and leaving unresolved questions about how workers were signed up for arbitration agreements in the first place.

US District Judge Leo T. Sorokin issued the July 10 ruling in the case of Diaz Perez et al. v. Marder Trawling, Inc. et al. (Civil No. 25-13129-LTS), which was filed in October 2025...

Japan's Farmed Yellowtail Exports up 50% for Frozen and 20% for Fresh in May

According to Ministry of Finance trade statistics, export volumes for yellowtail fillets—comprising both frozen and fresh products that are essentially all farmed—increased across all categories in May compared to the same month last year. Furthermore, the total export volume for the January–May period—the peak season for exports—was double that of the same period last year, with Minato Shimbun reporting that export volumes are tracking at record levels.

In May, frozen exports rose 46% year-on-year...

$15 Million Awarded New NSF Seafood Engine in New England From National Science Foundation

Earlier this week, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the 12 new winners of its  Regional Innovation Engines program within the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (NSF TIP). The New England project, funded by $15 million over two years, is the only one focused entirely on seafood. 

Led by the Portsmouth-based non-profit NERACOOS, the Seafood Engine is a collaboration of the seafood industry, tech sector, government, and research partners across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, including the Woods Hole...

Abundance of West Coast Gray Whales Increases, But Reason Why is "Open Question"

Annual counts of migrating Pacific gray whales — the mammal that holds the record for longest migration every year — appear to show a significant increase in population over last year, good news for the beleaguered species, which has been the subject of a recent unusual mortality event and navigates areas of the ocean under severe changes due to climate change. 

Researchers at NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center released a new abundance estimate for Eastern North Pacific gray whales of between 15,930 to 20,530...

Seafood Industry Wins Key Exemptions as US Imposes 25% Tariff on Brazilian Goods

The Trump Administration's 25% Section 301 tariff on Brazilian goods takes effect July 22 — and the US seafood industry secured meaningful relief, with many of Brazil's most commercially significant seafood export categories landing on the exemption list.

USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer announced the final action on July 15, following a yearlong investigation into Brazilian practices related to digital trade, anti-corruption enforcement, intellectual property, ethanol market access, and illegal deforestation. After receiving more than 360 written comments and holding two public hearings...

ANALYSIS: El Niño Threatens Fishmeal and Fish Oil Supply as Global Aquaculture Output Surges

Feed costs represent up to 55% of total production costs for white shrimp and Atlantic salmon. Diet formulation is species-specific; however, the same species may require different dietary compositions depending on the region. Ingredient selection is driven by cost considerations and the biological benefits for farmed aquatic animals. In recent years, consumer preferences regarding feed ingredients have also gained considerable importance in formulation decisions...

Chile Strengthens AgroSalmon Alliance to Boost Domestic Aquafeed Supply Chain

Chile’s AgroSalmon Alliance is a collaborative initiative that brings together leading organizations from the country’s agriculture and salmon farming sectors.

Minister Jaime Campos of the Ministry of Agriculture convened a meeting to strengthen the alliance with industry representatives. Attendees included Antonio Walker, president of the National Society of Agriculture (SNA); Juan Pablo Matte, secretary general of the SNA; Ricardo Montesinos, president of SAGO; Loreto Seguel, executive president of the Salmon Council; representatives from the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (ODEPA); and leaders...

Trump Administration Rescinds ESA "Harm" Definition, Commerce Secretary Cites Relief for Fishermen

The Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce have finalized a rule rescinding the regulatory definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act, a move the Trump administration says will reduce burdens on landowners, businesses and fishermen.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick pointed directly to the fishing industry in his statement on the rollback. "President Trump is rescinding overly broad and burdensome regulations that have restrained our fishermen for too long," Lutnick said, framing the change as a return to the ESA's "foundational purpose" without sacrificing economic...