ANALYSIS: Live Lobster - Spring Preview

As the Canadian spring season approaches, many eagerly anticipate its arrival. The scarcity of supplies experienced during the fall and winter has been notable and, for some, challenging. While the cause of this shortage may be subject to debate, it is noteworthy that interrupted fishing due to windy weather conditions has been observed in both Maine and Canada. According to Mintec Analytics, in December, average daily wind gusts in Canada surpassed historical expectations by 25%, while in Maine during January, they exceeded historical averages by...

Lobster and Baseball Go Hand-In-Hand This 2024 Season

Alaska pollock may slowly be taking over National Hockey League arenas, but when it comes to baseball the seafood of choice is … lobster?

Major League Baseball (MLB) stadiums have certainly elevated their food game over the past few years. And while sports lovers can still enjoy a hot dog and funnel cake while they watch their favorite team play, Aramark has been working on developing new culinary creations to take the guest-experience to the next level.

Ahead of the 2024 MLB season...

Judge Finds NMFS Illegally Closed Massachusetts Lobster Fishing Area To Protect NARW

Massachusetts lobstermen are celebrating a much-needed win this week as a federal judge determined that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) illegally closed 200 square miles of federal waters open to trap and pot fishing.

The Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) filed a lawsuit against NOAA in which they argued that the agency’s final rule to permanently close the Massachusetts Restricted Area Wedge (Wedge) and include the Wedge in the larger Massachusetts Restricted Area (MRA) annually, from February 1 to April 30, is “unlawful under the Consolidated...

Phillips Foods Acquires Two Canadian Plants

After months of speculation, Phillips Foods has confirmed the purchase of two Canadian lobster and snow crab plants.

Rumors started swirling in November that Phillips, which primarily focuses on blue and red swimming crab, was looking to expand with lobster and snow crab. Sources told Undercurrent at the time that Phillips was in talks to acquire Pecheries Bas-Caraquet Fisheries, a New Brunswick-based company that was founded in 2010. Then, last month, Maryland-based Phillips formed a Canadian subsidiary as reports indicated that the company was close to purchasing South Shore Seafoods...

Maine Commercial Fisheries Bring In Over $610 Million For Fishermen In 2023

Preliminary data released by Maine’s Department of Marine Resources reveals that commercial fishermen earned $611,277,692 at the dock last year — primarily due to strong boat prices for lobster. To compare, in 2022 Maine harvesters earned $574,049,682. 

“The Maine seafood industry continues to be a powerful economic engine for our state,” commented Governor Janet Mills. “The dedication to sustainability and premium quality by our fishermen, aquaculturists and dealers is a source of tremendous pride for everyone who calls Maine home...

Cousins Maine Lobster Expands in Virginia Almost a Year After Welcoming First Truck In The State

Cousins Maine Lobster franchisees and brothers Yunus and Thameem Shahul are continuing to grow their food truck business. This Friday the Shahul brothers will celebrate the grand opening of their second food truck in Virginia, nearly a year after opening their first food truck in the state.

Yunus and Thameem joined the Cousins Maine Lobster family in 2018 with the launch of their first food truck in Connecticut. Six months after that, the pair added a second truck dedicated to New York City...

Red Lobster Brings Back New Endless Promotion Following Endless Shrimp Loss 

Lobsterfest is back at Red Lobster. And seafood lovers have endless opportunities to get in on the fun. 

Red Lobster’s first-ever nationwide Endless Lobster Experience is officially underway. It’s an opportunity for 150 guests across the U.S. to enjoy all-you-can-eat lobster. The promotion follows last year's one-day-only Endless Lobster Event in New York City. Guests at the Times Square restaurant got to sink their claws into as many 1 ¼ pound Live Maine lobsters as they could handle. 

This year, each winning...

The Winding Glass: Lobster Prices are Exploding...Is that a Signal or Noise for the Crab Market?

[The Winding Glass is the Opinion and Commentary column by John Sackton, Founder of SeafoodNews]

Lobster prices have shot up, catching almost everyone off guard. Live lobster is not the issue. Live prices have jumped 33% since the Southwest Nova Scotia season opened on December 2. This is a normal winter pattern. For the past three years, wholesale live prices have generally risen 30% to 40% between December and February. 

Canadian Lobster landings in Southwest Nova Scotia have been steadily declining...

Valentine’s Day 2024: Salmon An Attractive Option, But Lobster Shows You Really Care

Flowers, chocolates, a bottle of champagne and a delicious seafood dinner. What more could someone want on Valentines’ Day?

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), total expected spending on gifts for significant others is expected to reach a record high of $14.2 billion this year. And while jewelry is the gift category with the highest total spending (an anticipated $6.4 billion in 2024), an evening out is close behind in second at $4.9 billion. 

Restaurant chains are already gearing up for...

Hong Kong Customs Agents Seize Smuggled Live Lobsters, Uncover Dried Shark Fins

Hong Kong customs agents had a busy month seizing smuggled seafood products. Earlier this month SeafoodNews reported on customs officials seizing lobster, shark fins and fish maws as part of anti-smuggling operations. Now even more smuggled lobsters and dried shark fins have been uncovered.

On January 22 approximately 115 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried shark fins were seized by Hong Kong Customs agents at Hong Kong International Airport. The dried shark fins – which had been declared as dried coconuts – has an estimated market value of...

Cousins Maine Lobster Celebrating Grand Opening In Chicago Next Month

It’s been 12 years since Cousins Maine Lobster got its big break on “Shark Tank.” Now, the seafood franchise is set to celebrate its grand opening in Chicago next month.

Cousins announced its expansion into Illinois late last year, confirming a 7-unit franchise deal for Chicago and surrounding markets. The expansion is being led by brothers Yunus and Thameem Shahul, who have already launched five markets with Cousins Maine Lobster. Opening next month is the first of five food trucks and two restaurants. The grand opening is scheduled for...

Hong Kong Customs Agents Seize Lobster, Shark Fins in January 

Hong Kong Customs agents have seized both lobster and shark fins this month while participating in an anti-smuggling operation.

On January 10 a handful of suspicious speedboats in the vicinity of Tai O, Lantau Island, were stopped for suspected smuggling. Upon investigation customs agents found suspected smuggled lobster worth about $1.24 million. An investigation into the lobster smuggling is underway. Anyone found guilty faces a maximum fine of $2 million, as well as  imprisonment for seven years...

Hong Kong Customs Agents Seize Suspected Smuggled Lobster Worth $1.3 Million [PHOTOS]

Suspected smuggled lobster with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million was seized by Hong Kong Customs agents earlier this month. 

The Customs and Excise Department mounted an anti-smuggling operation in the southern waters of Hong Kong. During the operation, customs agents detected a suspicious fishing vessel with men suspected of participating in smuggling activities. Upon interception of the fishing vessel, about 4,400 kilograms of suspected smuggled lobster was seized. 

An investigation into the smuggling is ongoing but...

A Year After MSC Certification Suspension, Activists Still Petitioning Against Lobster

December 15, 2023 marks exactly one year since the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) suspended the Maine lobster MSC certification. And despite the ongoing work to reduce the fishery’s risk to endangered North Atlantic right whales, activists continue to petition retailers to  stop selling North American lobster. The latest retailer targeted? Wholesale giant Costco.

Earlier this week activists dressed as lobsters stood outside a Costco in San Francisco with a petition containing more than 20,000 signatures. 

“We’re asking Costco to stop selling American lobster that...

New UNH Research: How Could Ocean Acidification Impact New England’s Fisheries?

In colonial New England, the American lobster was so plentiful and cheap that it was used as garden fertilizer and fed to prisoners and servants. While no longer the case today, the crustacean remains a quintessential New England delicacy and a key economic industry for New Hampshire, making up close to 70 percent of the state’s annual commercial fisheries catch and more than $32.5 million of landed value in 2022 according to NOAA Fisheries. Officials project that New Hampshire’s lobster fishery contributes $132 million toward the...

Southwest Nova Scotia Preseason Sampling Data For Lobster Quality in LFA 33 and 34 Released

The Coldwater Lobster Association and the Université Sainte-Anne Lobster Quality Centre recently released their Lobster Quality Preseason Sampling Program report for Southwest Nova Scotia LFA 33 and LFA 34. The report looks at samples from 8 locations within LFA 33 and LFA 34 through the preseason period of September 4 through November 14, 2023. Sampling is conducted by the Coldwater Lobster Association, which goes to designated ‘Inside’ and ‘Outside’ areas of Lobster Bay, St. Mary’s Bay, Yarmouth in...

$15 Million Secured For Coastal Communities in Maine Damaged By Recent Storms 

U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced this week that she has secured $15 million dollars to help coastal communities in Maine rebuild, following infrastructure damage caused by recent storms.

The Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill includes $10 million through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which will go towards repairing and renovating infrastructure affected by storms that hit the coast in December 2023 and January of this year. The legislation also includes $5 million to create a new program at the...

ANALYSIS: Declining Canadian Lobster Imports to the EU and the UK in 2023

In 2023, imported volumes of Canadian lobster in the EU and the UK dropped to its lowest levels since 2017, when the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU was enforced. According to Global Trade Tracker, imported volumes of live and frozen Homarus Americanus had been varying between 10.0k MT and 12.0k MT between 2018 and 2021, when in 2022, trade-in volumes reached a peak at 12.6k MT (15% up YoY). However, last year imports fell quite severely, by 27.7% at 9,136 MT...

ANALYSIS: Record Wide Spreads Hit Lobster Tail Market

Supply concerns began to emerge in the market for American lobster products after a disappointing fall 2022 effort. Each season, 2022, and both in 2023 had supply gaps in landings where supply was less than expected. Prices have now been on the rise for 14-straight months, rapidly accelerating in the first two months of 2024. Sellers are allocating product for the most part in fear of not being able to meet needs through the spring (the next opportunity for meaningful replacement). Sellers hold remaining inventories with...

Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument Now Bans All Commercial Fishing

It’s been seven years since former President Barack Obama declared two areas of canyons and undersea mountains of such importance ecologically that they should be protected from all development with one 7-year exception: fishing for red crab and lobster could continue until September 2023.

Now, the transition period of seven years is over and in a final rule published last week, the full fishing ban within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is complete. The rule will take effect March 18, ...

Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries

Latest NARW Mortality Linked to Maine Lobster Gear; Read Reactions Here

Late last month NOAA Fisheries confirmed a new North Atlantic right whale (NARW) mortality — the first of 2024. A preliminary necropsy conducted earlier this month revealed that “chronic entanglement” played a factor in the death of the whale, which was identified as #5120. But now, upon analysis of the gear, NOAA was able to determine that the rope removed from the whale came from Maine. 

“Based upon our analysis of the gear, including the purple markings on the rope recovered from North Atlantic right whale #5120...

Champlain Seafood Confirms Permanent Closure of Riverside Lobster International

Champlain Seafood announced on Tuesday that they will be permanently closing Riverside Lobster International, located in Meteghan, Nova Scotia. 

Riverside Lobster International was supposed to reopen for the upcoming spring season after not processing lobster over the fall or winter. The owners of Riverside Lobster International said over the fall that their reason to temporarily close stemmed from lower catches in Maine and the Maritime provinces. However, the company says that months later the “lobster processing industry in Atlantic Canada is continuing to see an unprecedented situation...

These Are The Seafood Items Taylor Swift Could Possibly Be Eating At The Super Bowl

There is no denying the power of Taylor Swift. The 34-year-old singer-songwriter reportedly made $4.1 billion from her Eras Tour. And Apex Marketing Group reports that through her personal relationship with football star Travis Kelce, she generated an equivalent brand value of $331.5 million for the Kansas City Chiefs and NFL. 

Everyone wants to channel that Swift energy – even the seafood industry. Last September the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) was inspired by...

ANALYSIS: Lobster Market Prices are Advancing Quick and Sharp

Whether we’re looking at live, tails, or meat, lobster market prices have moved quickly to the upside on the realization the supply picture would not be improving. Landings in both Canada and the U.S. have fallen below expectations, trade patterns have been altered significantly, and there’s little to no prospect of meaningful replacement for several more months.

The primary driving force in the live market has been the resurgence of Chinese buyers. Chinese demand, whether for the mid-autumn festival or Chinese New Year, has remained strong and...

Key West Lobster Company Sentenced for Exporting Falsely Labeled Product

A federal judge in Key West, Florida has sentenced Elite Sky International, Inc. (Elite), a company that operates on Overseas Highway in Marathon, to a quarter million dollar fine and five years of probation for exporting falsely labelled spiny lobster and shark fins from Florida to China.

According to court documents, from November 2018 through October 2019, Elite purchased seafood products for export to China. To meet the high demand for spiny lobster, Elite imported lobster from Nicaragua and Belize for reexport to China. Elite reexported approximately...

Swipe Right For a Seafood Dinner! Goodfood Partners With Bumble For “Third-Date Meal Kits”

Seafood and dating apps? It certainly makes for an interesting combination!

Canadian meal solutions brand Goodfood has partnered with women-first dating app Bumble to “cook up romance this winter” with what they’re calling “third date meal-kits.”

Goodfood and Bumble conducted a joint online survey from October 27 through November 1. The survey sampled 1,509 Canadians who shared their insights on love and food.The survey found that, on average, Canadians are most comfortable going to a love interest’s house for dinner on their...

$4.6 Million In Funding Awarded to NARW Recovery and Massachusetts Lobster Industry 

Massachusetts lobstermen ended 2023 on a positive note as more than $4.6 million was awarded to the state’s Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Marine Fisheries. The funding is from a congressional appropriation through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. 

The $4.6 million, plus an additional $475,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, will go towards developing “innovative fishing gear technologies,” as well as “increase ongoing research and monitoring, and providing fishing gear to lobster industry participants to reduce harm...

ANALYSIS: Lobster Market Sees Supply Constraints, Rising Replacement, and Moderate Demand

As we quickly approach the Christmas holiday we are faced with low catches, elevated shore prices, and strengthening market values.

Delayed openings for LFA 33-34 are not uncommon, but the unprecedented opening shore price of $10.50 CAD stands out, surpassing the hopes and expectations of many—especially when compared to last year's opening shore price of $7.50 CAD. Since the opening, the Canadian shore price has increased steadily, and there's the potential for further increases as...

Cousins Maine Lobster Expanding to Illinois With 7-Unit Franchise Deal

Illinois is getting a taste of Maine with the expansion of Cousins Maine Lobster. The brand confirmed late last month that they inked a 7-unit franchise deal for Chicago and surrounding markets.

Brothers Yunus and Thameem Shahul, who have already launched five markets with Cousins Maine Lobster, will be developing two restaurants and five food trucks in the area. The brothers are looking to open their first Chicago food truck in early 2024. 

“We’re excited to bring our unique menu offerings to the diverse culinary scene in Illinois...

Clearwater Seafoods Fleet Achieves FISH Standard for Crew Certification

FISH Standard for Crew Inc. is pleased to announce seven vessels of the Clearwater Seafoods fleet have been awarded FISH certification. The fleet comprises Canadian flagged clam, lobster, and scallop harvesting vessels operating in Canadian waters in the northwest Atlantic. Certification body MRAG Americas awarded the certification after extensive policy and procedure review, on-site vessel inspections, and face-to-face interviews of crew members.

“We are very proud to be the first Canadian company to attain FISH certification, a recognition that is consistent with Clearwater’s commitment to our people...