Largest US Shrimp Farmer Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy; Robin Pearl Back in as CEO

American Mariculture (AMI), the largest shrimp farmer in the United States, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 8, per court documents.

According to its bankruptcy petition, the Florida-based company has 50-99 debtors. American Mariculture estimated that its assets range between $1 million and $10 million, and its liabilities range from $10 million to $50 million.

On January 9, Judge Caryl E. Delano of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida granted an expedited motion directing the joint administration...

Norway’s 2024 Seafood Exports Rank as Best Year Yet

According to a statement from the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), Norway experienced its highest ever seafood export value in 2024, with a total of 2.8 million tonnes of seafood products exported, amounting to NOK 175.4 billion (approximately $15.4 billion).

Upward trajectory for Norwegian seafood exports

This marks a 2% increase from 2023, when the Scandinavian country experienced a seafood export value of NOK 171.7 billion (approximately $15.08 billion). The NSC recorded seafood exports of more than 60 different species to over 150 countries worldwide...

Genetic Testing Finds Texas Restaurants Mislabeling Shrimp

More restaurants in the Gulf region have been found to sell imported shrimp despite “claims, implications, or menu descriptions” that indicate the offerings were wild-caught shrimp from Texas.

SEAD (Seafood Development) Consulting conducted another genetic testing investigation in the Gulf of Mexico region, this time finding that just shy of 60% of restaurants tested in Galveston and Kemah, Texas, were serving imported shrimp.

SEAD noted that several sampled restaurants advertised Gulf shrimp on their menus but served imported farm-raised products instead. Restaurants also used “misleading marketing, imagery, or descriptions” that implied...

USDA’s Section 32 Program Agrees to Purchase up to $55M in Farm-Raised Catfish and Gulf Shrimp

Catfish and shrimp producers in the southern U.S. will soon benefit from a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchase agreement involving the procurement of up to $30 million in farm-raised catfish products and $25 million in Gulf shrimp for distribution to various nutrition assistance programs.

The $55 million seafood purchase agreement—allowed through the permanently authorized Section 32 Program—follows two USDA purchase agreements from 2024 for up to $36 million in Gulf of Mexico and...

Ace Aquatec Installs Humane Shrimp Stunning Technology in Thailand

Aquaculture technology firm Ace Aquatec recently installed a portable, high-tonnage prawn stunner at a shrimp farm in Thailand.

Ace Aquatec’s proprietary Shrimp Humane Universal Stunner (A-HSU®) was developed from an earlier prototype, which the company adapted for its client, seafood producer Marks & Spencer.

This development comes after Ace Aquatec announced its partnership with the Shrimp Welfare Project (SWP) in August of this year. As part of the company’s participation in the project, Ace Aquatec promised to provide technology needed to expand access to humane stunning solutions...

Commerce Updates Antidumping, CVD Trade Rules to Strengthen Protections for US Industries 

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) updated its antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) regulations. Commerce said the adjustments aim to “level the playing field for U.S. industries and workers by addressing unfair trade actions from foreign businesses and governments.”

“The Commerce Department continues to update our trade enforcement regulations to effectively respond to the evolving, real-world circumstances that U.S. businesses and workers face,” said Under Secretary for International Trade Marisa Lago. “We continue to use every tool at our disposal to safeguard U.S. businesses and workers...

ANALYSIS: After a Positive Summer, Argentinian Shrimp Exports Collapse in October

Latest figures from Argentinian customs show a significant drop in exports of muelleri wild shrimp in October. While the volume traded during the summer was at the highest in the last five years, exports collapsed in October at 13,026 MT, representing a 44% decline since September and a 42% decrease in value at $84,938...

Genetic Testing Reveals Mississippi Restaurants Misrepresenting Gulf Shrimp

A recent investigation found extensive mislabeling and misrepresentation of shrimp served at restaurants in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region.

SeaD Consulting, a firm focused on monitoring seafood mislabeling through genetic testing, said it found that many establishments in the area are misleading consumers by offering imported shrimp rather than locally caught fare.

Findings from SeaD Consulting indicated that restaurants in Biloxi, Gulf Shores, and surrounding areas featured marketing focused on “fresh local seafood,” but imported shrimp was frequently substituted for the local wild-caught shrimp, which remains a staple in the region...

Novo Holdings to Acquire Benchmark Genetics

Novo Holdings, the Denmark-based holding and investment company responsible for managing the assets and the wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, just announced that it will acquire the Norwegian fish genetics company Benchmark Genetics from Benchmark Holdings plc for an enterprise value of up to £260 million.

Benchmark Genetics is an aquaculture biotechnology company headquartered in Bergen, Norway, with customers in more than 50 countries and breeding centers located in Norway, Iceland, Chile, the U.S., and Colombia. A leader in aquaculture genetics, Benchmark Genetics employs more than...

Shrimp’s Health Benefits Spotlighted in New Guide for Nutrition Experts

The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) debuted the Shrimp Nutritional Guide earlier this week.

The new resource, developed alongside the Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP), aims to help dietitians better understand shrimp's health benefits, debunk myths about the food, and highlight the various ways to cook shrimp.

The launch event took place on November 13 and was attended by more than 120 participants, including nutritionists, chefs, industry entrepreneurs, and other notable figures from the culinary field, per a press release from the SSP...

A Look at the Top 10 Most Consumed Seafood Items in 2022

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) debuted its annual Top 10 List of the most consumed seafood in 2022. NFI’s list comes shortly after NOAA Fisheries unveiled its Fisheries of the U.S. 2022 Report, which saw Americans consume roughly 19.7 pounds of seafood, a slight downturn from the 20.5 pounds seen in 2021.

Shrimp topped the Top 10 List once again despite a minor decrease in consumption. Salmon finished in second place, and it also witnessed a slight drop in consumption. In third place was canned tuna, which saw...

Southern Shrimp Alliance, Corporate Accountability Lab Seek FTC Probe of BAP Certification Program

The Corporate Accountability Lab (CAL) and the Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) filed a petition requesting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA)’s Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) program.

The two groups are attempting to halt the use of the BAP program, alleging that it uses “false or deceptive advertising practices.”

The jointly filed petition cites findings from CAL’s three-year investigation into the Indian shrimp industry, which found forced labor practices and environmental damage linked to BAP-certified facilities...

Duty-Free Exports to China Spark Optimism for Bangladesh’s Shrimp Sector

According to a report from Seafood Network Bangladesh, the Bangladesh seafood industry, specifically its black tiger shrimp exporters, hopes to reap the benefits of the country’s upcoming zero tariff status with China.

Back in September, China decided to grant zero tariff treatment for all of Bangladesh’s exports to China, per an announcement from China’s Embassy in Bangladesh. The new tariff status will go into effect on December 1, 2024, and the Bangladesh shrimp industry is excited to have improved access to one of the world’s top markets for...

Testing Finds Another Shrimp Festival Selling Imported Product as Wild-Caught Gulf Shrimp

After headlines swirled earlier this month about imported shrimp being sold at the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival instead of local wild-caught shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico, another festival in the Gulf region has followed suit, according to testing results from SEAD (Seafood Development) Consulting.

SEAD said that at the 51^st Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, genetic testing found that out of the five shrimp dishes sampled at the festival, only one contained authentic Gulf wild-caught shrimp...

CNA Urges Government Action as Ecuador's Shrimp Exports Risk Massive Loss Amid Energy Crisis

The National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA), a group representing Ecuador’s shrimp sector, warned again last week that the planned power outages within the country could result in a monthly loss of $75 million in shrimp exports.

The group pushed for “improved transparency regarding the energy crisis in order to understand its real scope and to be able to work on solutions that do not disproportionately affect the productive sector, on which 9 out of 10 jobs in the country depend...

Ecuador’s Aquaculture Chamber Warns That Power Outages Put Shrimp Production, Exports at Risk

Ecuador’s shrimp farming sector warned that the industry could be severely affected by the government’s lack of communication amid planned electrical outages across the country.

The National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) said that “serious problems” could occur within the shrimp industry if the electrical outages are not communicated properly. For one, shrimp feed manufacturers need ample time to turn on their equipment.

Shrimp packing plants also need to plan to receive the product in time to classify, process, package, and place it in containers for export...

Zhanjiang Guolian Aquatic Products Signs Exclusive Shrimp Sales Contract with Ecuador's AQUAGOLD

According to Minato Shimbun, AQUAGOLD in Guayaquil, a major Ecuadorian vannamei producer, has signed a three-year exclusive agency contract with Zhanjiang Guolian Fisheries for the Chinese market, according to reports from multiple Chinese media outlets on January 8, 2025.

Ecuador is a major producer of farmed vannamei, with more than half of its exports going to China. The largest vannamei producer in Ecuador is Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscilla (IPSP), followed by Sociedad Nacional Galapagos (SONGA) and AQUAGOLD...

Eight-Year High for FDA Entry Line Refusals of Antibiotic Contaminated Shrimp

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released data showing a total of 64 seafood entry line refusals in December 2024—not including entry line refusals of shrimp for reasons related to banned antibiotics—and a total of 79 entry line refusals of shrimp for the presence of banned antibiotics, as determined by product traces of veterinary drug residues.

The latter datum marks an eight-year high since 2016, when the FDA refused 134 shrimp entry lines due to the presence of banned antibiotics. Meanwhile, the...

China Announces 2025 Tariff Increases on Key Seafood Imports

China’s State Council announced adjustments for tariff rates in 2025, with some of the adjustments leading to rate increases for key imported seafood items like shrimp, whitefish and abalone.

Some key seafood items will see increased tariff rates from 2% to 5% in 2025. Specifically, the tax rate for frozen shrimp will see a 3% tariff jump, along with frozen Arctic shrimp, while fresh abalone will jump from 7% to 10%.

EU SME Centre highlighted the following species with increased tariffs (all impacted items are frozen product): Greenland halibut, flounder...

Robin Pearl Steps Down as CEO of American Mariculture Amid Shareholder Disputes 

Robin Pearl, the co-founder and CEO of American Mariculture, announced on LinkedIn that he has resigned from his post at the helm of the firm, along with its affiliates American Penaeid and Sun Shrimp Gourmet, on December 29.

Pearl said the back-to-back hurricanes that hit Florida had a “extensive impact” on the organization. Pearl noted that an “influential” group of AMI shareholders took a more active role and demanded changes that Pearl disagreed with.

“While I am very disappointed with the way...

SeaD Consulting Finds 30% of Shrimp Dishes Misrepresented in Baton Rouge Restaurants

Earlier this month, SeaD Consulting unveiled findings from its investigation into the mislabeling and misrepresenting of shrimp served at Mississippi restaurants. Now, the group is back after its first investigation into eateries in another state in the Gulf region.

This time, the firm focused on monitoring seafood mislabeling via genetic testing and had Louisiana restaurants in its sights. 

SeaD said that following sampling menu items at 24 restaurants across Baton Rouge, LA, 30% of the dishes sampled were misrepresented. Seven of the 24 randomly selected restaurants were misleading...

Norway's November Seafood Exports Reach Highest Value to Date, Says Norwegian Seafood Council

According to information published recently by the Norwegian Seafood Council, seafood exports in Norway reached a total worth of NOK 17.3 billion in November, making it the most successful November seafood export value to date, increased by NOK 1 billion, or 6%, from last November.

At this rate, Norway is headed for a new export record, with already NOK 160.4 billion exported this year, which is 1.5% higher than this time last year.

Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council, said that Norway has been seeing...

Captain Fresh Eyeing Profitable Fiscal Year with Looming IPO Push

India-based Captain Fresh is aiming for a profitable end to the fiscal year ahead of its looming IPO push, according to the Financial Express.

The founder of the B2B seafood firm, Utham Gowda, explained to the publication that Captain Fresh had become a “global-to-global firm” at the end of FY2024, and FY2025 would mark the first time the company's global scale would be felt.

The global push has the company eying profitability and revenue growth in the range of $500-550 million...

USITC Finds Imported Shrimp Harmful to U.S. Industry, Duties Imposed

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) determined that the U.S. shrimp industry was “materially injured” by imported shrimp that was sold at less than fair value or gained an advantage via subsidies.

The USITC affirmed the Department of Commerce (Commerce)’s determination that frozen warmwater shrimp from Indonesia was sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. It also affirmed Commerce's findings that imports of shrimp from Ecuador, India, and Vietnam were subsidized by the respective governments.

This decision paves the way for the Department of Commerce to issue...

Onda Partners with Brazilian Facility for Shrimp Research

Onda, an aquaculture research organization, announced the opening of a satellite location in Brazil to expand its work into the whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) sector.

“This expansion of services will be conducted in collaboration with an aquaculture facility in Brazil, marking a pivotal step in advancing sustainable shrimp farming research globally,” Onda shared in a press release.

Onda said its push into the shrimp sector through its external partner comes from a market push to provide trials and testing for whiteleg shrimp. Onda said the trials...

Prime Shrimp’s Value-Added Products Hits Whole Foods Shelves

Following a handful of product line expansions throughout 2024, value-added shrimp brand Prime Shrimp will now be on the shelves in select Whole Foods Market stores across the U.S. through four of its flavors—Signature, Lemon & Cracked Pepper, Garlic Herb Butter, and New Orleans-Style BBQ.

The products will be available in over 200 Whole Foods stores in the Northeast, North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South, and Southwest.

“Expanding Prime Shrimp’s availability in the U.S. by launching with Whole Foods Market marks the achievement of a long-held aspiration for our... 

DOC Rescinds Antidumping Review on Chinese Shrimp Imports

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) rescinded the administrative review of the antidumping duty (AD) order on certain frozen warmwater shrimp from China for the period of review from February 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024, according to a notice published in the Federal Register.

In 2005, the DOC published an AD order on shrimp from China. This sparked the DOC to initiate an administrative review with respect to Chinese shrimp imports in April 2024. The following month, the DOC notified all interested parties of its intent to rescind the...

Bumble Bee Seafoods Expands Product Line with 11 New Convenient Seafood Options

Bumble Bee Seafoods added 11 new products to its canned, pouched and kit-based seafood product lines.

"Everything we create is driven by what consumers value most: nutrition, flavor, and convenience that fits into real life," said Jeremy Zavoral, Senior Director of Innovation & Insights, Bumble Bee Seafoods. "Our goal is to make it easier than ever for people to enjoy seafood in ways that are both practical and delicious."

Find a breakdown of all the new items below...

DOC Issues Final Antidumping, CVD Rates for Shrimp Imports from Ecuador, Indonesia, India, Vietnam

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced its final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations of frozen warmwater shrimp from Ecuador and Indonesia and the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of frozen warmwater shrimp from Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam

The International Trade Administration (ITA) provided a case calendar. With the final determination for the AD/CVD investigations wrapped up, the International Trade Commission is set to issue its final determination on December 5, 2024. An issuance of orders will occur the following week...

Russia Steadily Increasing Shrimp Imports as Domestic Stocks Dip

Russia is steadily increasing imports of shrimp, mostly farm-raised product, as domestic stocks have substantially declined in recent years.

Currently, most wild shrimp in Russia are caught in the Far East. While aquaculture shrimp are much cheaper, they are not grown in the Russian Federation and are imported from abroad. In recent years, the market has faced a massive influx of such shrimp.

In general, prices for Russian shrimps (a significant part of which accounts for Far Eastern humpback shrimps) are 2.5 to 3 times higher than those of imported...