Breakthrough Achieved in ICCAT’s Challenging Negotiations to Manage Atlantic Tuna, Swordfish

At long last, new management measures for Atlantic tropical tunas and North Atlantic swordfish have been adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) that will apply to all Atlantic tropical tunas, including bigeye, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna. The negotiations involved a diverse set of parties from around the world with widely divergent fisheries, conservation, and development interests. 

One result of the newly adopted control measures and allocation decisions is that the United States has solidified its current level of access to the fishery and ...

Photo of tunas: NOAA Fisheries

41 Taiwanese Tuna Longline Vessels Now Seeking Marine Stewardship Council Certification

Ocean Outcomes (O2) and the Taiwan Tuna Longline Association (TTLA) just implemented its first Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), which involves 41 tuna longline vessels with a combined catch of 3,500 metric tons of Albacore, Bigeye, and Yellowfin tuna.

As part of the FIP, vessel owners will work with the TTLA and various stakeholders to advance sustainability initiatives in the fishery while also working towards achieving Marine Stewardship Council Certification by October 2029. Sustainability initiatives will include advocating for and supporting the development of science-based fishery management strategies, expanding...

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...

Chicken of the Sea Expands On-the-Go Lineup with New Tuna, Salmon Packets

Chicken of the Sea expanded its on-the-go seafood options with its Packet Up! Tuna and Salmon Salad Kits.

The company said the introduction of the new items helps bolster its on-the-go seafood options at retailers across the country with customizable kits.

The Packet Up! options include a full-size, wild-caught tuna or salmon packet along with an accompaniment to create a tuna or salmon salad.

- Chicken of the Sea Packet Up!...

WCPO Skipjack and North Pacific Albacore Tuna Fisheries Achieve Major Sustainability Milestones

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) said that two key tuna fisheries, the Western Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) skipjack and North Pacific albacore, achieved a major milestone by implementing “rigorous harvest strategies that ensure the long-term health of these tuna stocks.”

After the fisheries implemented a harvest strategy in December 2023 and the discussions that followed between Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) in August, WCPO skipjack, the world’s biggest tuna fishery, has now addressed all associated conditions required for certification to the MSC Fisheries Standard...

Spain’s AGAC Becomes First to Land MSC Certification for All Tropical Tuna Stocks

The Association of Large Freezer Tuna Vessels (AGAC), a Spain-based tuna association, has obtained Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for all tropical tuna in the Pacific, including bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack tunas from the western and eastern Pacific.

The MSC said the total volume of AGAC-certified tuna for all species reaches 312,000 metric tons, with a fleet of 43 certified purse seine vessels. The volume of certified bigeye tuna in the entire Pacific is approximately 18,000t...

Fisheries Agency of Japan to Implement Strict Management of Tuna Sport Fishing

There is a move to apply stricter regulations to tuna fishing for leisure. According to a Minato Shimbun report, to grasp the actual situation of bluefin tuna catches by recreational fishing boats and pleasure boats, the Fisheries Agency plans to introduce a notification system for applicable boats by FY 2026 and then move to full-scale total quantity restrictions at an early stage.

For recreational bluefin tuna catches, an annual quota of 40 tons is set for each period from the "reserved quota," Japan's total catch volume minus...

NOAA Fisheries Denies Port Privileges to Fishing Vessels from 17 Nations

NOAA Fisheries denied U.S. port privileges to various vessels hailing from 17 nations, effective October 10, 2024.

NOAA said the denials are linked to involvement in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing or fishing practices that harm protected marine life.

The affected vessels include:

- People’s Republic of China-flagged longline fishing vessels authorized under several international commissions

- Russian-flagged fishing vessels authorized under the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources to target toothfish.

- Mexican-flagged vessels operating in...

ANALYSIS: Frozen Tuna Demand is Flat While Rising Freight Costs Loom

According to the latest U.S. Census import data, year-to-date (Jan-May) 2024 frozen tuna imports from all countries total 31 million pounds, marking a 6.1% increase compared to the same period last year and trending 6.31% higher than their 10-year year-to-date average of 29.1 million pounds. Import trends turned positive for the first time in March 2024, following a slowdown in 2023.

Indonesia leads in year-to-date (Jan-May) imports with 12.2 million pounds, marking a slight 0.2% increase...

Acme Smoked Fish Acquires Fellow Brooklyn-Based Business Banner Smoked Fish

Acme Smoked Fish, a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated smoked fish company based in Brooklyn, confirmed on Monday that it has acquired their competitor, fellow Brooklyn-based and family-owned business Banner Smoked Fish.

“We’re thrilled to bring two family business together on a shared mission to make exceptional smoked fish,” said Adam Caslow, managing partner at Acme Smoked Fish and a member of the fourth generation of the business. “It’s an exciting time to work together with the Attias family -- our shared...

Council Tackles Trade Barriers to U.S. Tuna Fisheries at Meeting in Honolulu

This week, members of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council called attention to impediments to U.S. fisheries due to unfair trade practices by foreign fisheries. “Dumping” of cheaper, lower-quality fishery products into the United States undercuts the profitability of U.S. fisheries. These foreign fisheries are often heavily subsidized by other nations, including for operational costs, labor, fuel and ship building, the Council said in a press release.

The Council recommended convening a group of experts, inviting federal agencies and the fishing industry, to address these regional ...

Dongwon Continues Investment In Modernization With 2 New Purse Seiners

Dongwon Industries is continuing to plan for the future, announcing its intent to launch new vessels in 2026 and 2027 as part of the company’s investment in modernization.

South Korea’s Dongwon Group has been investing in modernizing its fleet over the past 10 years. The company currently has 39 vessels, including 19 longliners, which fish for skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, and bluefin tuna. And Dongwon revealed late last week that it is expanding its fleet by signing a contract for the construction of two...

Nostalgia: The Genius Way Tuna Companies Are Trying To Win Back Millennials 

Millennials have been accused of “killing” many things, from paper napkins to casual dining restaurants, and… canned tuna. But, with Millennials now considered the largest adult group in the U.S., and making up about 21.67% of the U.S. population, companies continue to try to woo those born between 1981 and 1996. And they’re hoping nostalgia will do the trick. The latest example can be seen in the ridiculously catchy new jingle that came out as a collaboration between Bumble Bee Seafoods and 2000s boy band...

ANALYSIS: Is the Frozen Tuna Market Poised for A Rebound?

As seasonal warm weather envelops the nation, a traditionally revitalized phase of food service and retail demand emerges. This seasonal shift entices consumers outdoors, whether they're firing up grills at home or embarking on vacation adventures. Many market participants are optimistic that this transition will breathe new life into the frozen tuna market, lifting it from its stagnant state.

Throughout 2023 and into the first half of 2024, the economy grappled with the impact of elevated interest rates and pervasive economic uncertainty, leading to...

AQUA Cultured Foods’ New Partnership To Aid In Development, Advancement of Alternative Seafood 

Food technology company AQUA Cultured Foods has announced a new partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks. 

Chicago-based AQUA has developed the world’s first whole-cut seafood alternatives through microbial fermentation. This process produces sustainable, fish-free tuna, scallops and more using less resources than traditional aquaculture. And now, Boston-based cell program and biosecurity company Ginkgo will help AQUA optimize that technology in order to elevate the quality of its 100% fish-free seafood products. These products are made from microbes and fibers combined with...

Japan: January Fresh Tuna Imports Below 100 Fish for Three Consecutive Years

According to data compiled by Jiji Press, the number of imported tuna in the fresh tuna section of Tokyo's Toyosu Market in January was 40 fish, compared to 26 in the same month last year; a low level below 100 for the third consecutive year. There were 37 bluefin tuna, three bigeye tuna, and no wild southern bluefin tuna for the fourth consecutive year, reported Suisan Keizai Shinbun.

Of the 37 bluefin tuna, compared to eight in the same month last year, the most significant number of...

Bumble Bee Seafoods Debuts Singing Tuna Advent Calendar for the Holidays

Bumble Bee Seafoods is in the holiday spirit with the return of its Tuna Lovers’ Advent Calendar, with an interesting added twist.

The 2024 version sings a “tuna tune.” This may be familiar to those who remember the original Bumble Bee jingle, which debuted in the 1970s.

"Our advent calendar was very popular last year, so we knew we had to bring it back and make it even more fun with the new remake of the iconic Bumble Bee theme song," said Dana Kowal, Senior Director of Brand Marketing...

Japan: September Exports Surged 24% to 33,000 MT, Frozen Scallops 4.8 Times to 7,000 MT

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, September's fishery product exports (fish and shellfish and their products, and fishmeal) increased 24% year-on-year in quantity to 33,075 tons and 27% value to 26.25 billion yen. The volume and value of frozen scallops were significantly higher than the same month last year. Frozen yellowtail fillets exceeded last year's month. Minato Shimbun highlighted them below.

Frozen scallops (shucked and whole in shell) increased 4.8 times to 7,004 tons and increased 99%...

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...

Japanese Tuna Fishery Company Calls for Import Restrictions on IUU Farmed Tuna 

At the 10th Tokyo Sustainable Seafood Summit (TSSS), hosted by Seafood Legacy and Nikkei ESG, held in Tokyo on October 8-10 to realize a sustainable fisheries industry, attention was focused on the embargo measures to cut off the source of income for IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) fisheries. Sotaro Usui, president of Usufuku Honten based in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, which operates a deep-sea tuna fishery, called on multiple ministries and agencies to work together to prevent IUU fishery product imports...

Monterey Bay’s Seafood Watch Assigns Pacific Bluefin Tuna Yellow Rating for First Time

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program released new assessments for Pacific bluefin tuna fisheries in the Eastern Pacific region. The group assigned a yellow (good alternative) rating to the tuna caught by fisheries in California and Mexico which use FAD-free purse seines, and the U.S. pole-and-line fishery. 

Like all bluefin tuna, the aforementioned fisheries were previously rated red (avoid) due to overfishing. This marked the first time in the two-and-a-half-decade history of the...

North American Bluefin Tuna Prices Rise at Toyosu Market in August

According to a Jiji Press survey, the number of imported tuna arriving at the fresh tuna section of Tokyo's Toyosu Market in August was 3,077, down 3.5% from the same month last year. The number of bigeye tuna increased, but the number of wild bluefin and southern bluefin tuna decreased, as reported by Minato Shimbun.

The total number of bluefin tuna was 381, down about 16% from the same month last year. The main product, Canadian tuna, increased to 211 (167 in the same month last year)...

Kyokuyo Feed-one Marine, Kyokuyo’s Bluefin Farming Arm, Enters Special Liquidation Proceedings 

According to a recent Tokyo Shoko Research (TSR) announcement, Kyokuyo Feed One Marine, which farms and sells bluefin tuna and other fish in Ehime Prefecture, received a special liquidation order from the Yokohama District Court on August 8. Minato Shimbun reported that its debts are approximately 2.465 billion yen ($17.21 million).

The company was established in November 2012 with joint investment from five companies, including Kyokuyo and leading feed manufacturer Nippon Formula Feed. It changed the corporate name to its current name...

Toyosu Market’s June Fresh Imported Tuna Falls by 49.3% 

According to a Jiji Press survey, 829 imported tuna arrived at Toyosu Market in June, a 49.3% decrease from the previous year. The number of bigeye tuna increased, but the number of wild bluefin and southern bluefin tuna dropped significantly, reported Minato Shimbun.

The total number of bluefin tuna was 24 (141 in the same month last year), down 83%. Those from New Zealand were 14, a significant drop from the previous year with 110 fish, where it experienced an unusually good catch. The number of wild bluefins from...

Fresh Catch Yellowfin Tuna Recalled In California Due To High Histamine Levels

High histamine levels found in Fresh Catch’s yellowfin tuna loins have prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a recall.

The recall was initiated on June 12 in the state of California. Products have a code of #461079 or #111097 with an expiration date of April 5, 2024. A total of 716 lbs of yellowfin tuna are impacted as part of the recall. 

Fresh Catch’s recall is listed as a Class II, meaning that there is a “lower chance of causing major injuries or...

Equitable Fishing Access, Sustainable Practices to be Addressed at WPRFMC Meeting

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is tackling equitable access and fair treatment of fishing communities head on this week when it meets in Honolulu.

Council continues to document the unfair burden of conservation of the EEZ on Pacific Island communities in letters, but the Biden administration continues to support placing new layers of management and limits on fishing access, including subsistenc fishing, to these communities.

As the U.S. exclusive economic zone available to fishing continues to shrink due to federal regulations, foreign fishing...

3 Takeaways From NOAA’s FY23 Report On SIMP

Late last week NOAA Fisheries released an update regarding the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), sharing a review of the program’s effectiveness.

SIMP was first implemented in 2018 as a way to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The program established reporting and record-keeping requirements for imports of 13 seafood species groups: abalone, Atlantic cod, blue crab (Atlantic), dolphinfish (Mahi Mahi), grouper, King crab (red), Pacific cod, red snapper, sea cucumber, sharks, shrimp, swordfish and tuna (albacore, bigeye, skipjack, yellowfin, bluefin).

The implementation of the program was...

Cermaq Deficit JPY 20 Billion: Consolidated Mitsubishi Corp. Profit/Loss for FY Ending March 2024

Among the consolidated results of Mitsubishi Corporation for the fiscal year ending March 2024, the Cermaq Group, a subsidiary dedicated to salmon farming, processing, and sales, faced significant challenges. The profit and loss of the group was in the red, recording a loss of 20.3 billion yen ($130.44 million), a stark contrast to the previous fiscal year's surplus of 30.8 billion yen ($197.91 million). Minato Shimbun reported that the factors contributing to this downturn were...

February Sales of Imported Fresh Tuna at Toyosu Market Plummet 

According to data compiled by Jiji Press, 180 imported tuna arrived at the fresh tuna section of Tokyo's Toyosu Market in February; about a quarter of the 670 in the same month last year. In addition to sharp declines in bluefins and southern bluefin tuna, no bigeye tuna arrived.

Suisan Keizai Shimbun reported that the total number of bluefin tuna was 93 (compared to 398 in the same month last year). This year there were no Korean purse seine fish, compared to 350 fish a year ago. The mainstay...

NASEM Committee Announces Findings Between Seafood Consumption and Child Growth 

A committee with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) hosted a webinar this week, examining the connection between seafood consumption — particularly in women of a child bearing age, pregnant and breastfeeding women — and child growth and development. 

The Committee on the Role of Seafood Consumption in Child Growth and Development looked at finfish, shellfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and marine and freshwater fish. The aim of this research was to better understand the nutritional benefits of seafood consumption weighed against the health risks. The group found that...