ANALYSIS: Soft Fall Demand Pressures Live Lobster Prices Despite Reduced Supply

Buyer interest through October and November has been notably tempered, a trend not unusual for this time of year as seasonal demand typically softens following the late-summer push. However, this fall’s slowdown has been more pronounced. Even with reduced Maine catch levels, market prices and boat prices alike have eased, signaling a softer demand environment than in prior years. Sellers describe sales as sluggish, with limited urgency from buyers to replenish inventories or take on additional volume...

2026 Bristol Bay Sockeye Run Forecast of 45.32 Million, 12 Percent Below 2025’s Forecast

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) released its forecast for the 2026 Bristol Bay salmon season yesterday, predicting a run of 45.32 million and a catch of 32.26 million sockeye. This is 26% smaller than the most recent 10-year average of 61.0 million fish and 21% greater than the long-term average of 37.40 million fish (1963–2025). 

Yesterday’s forecast compared to last year’s final forecast, also released in November, for a 2025 run of 51.3 million and a forecasted...

ANALYSIS: Chilean Salmon Harvest Gains, Export Flows Hold, Price Unsettled in October

The Chilean Atlantic farm salmon harvest trends indicate steady production momentum, with an August peak. By September (Fig 1), accumulated harvest reached 573,465 metric tons (mt), a 10.4% increase year-to-date (YTD), compared to 2024, although month-on-month (m-o-m) declines in September by 9.8% suggest a seasonal wind-down after the peak. Environmental health indicators remain favourable, including effective sea lice management, supporting ongoing production stability...

Oregon, Washington Advance Toward Dungeness Crab Decision as Test Results Roll In

West Coast crabbers and fishery managers are entering a decisive week for the 2025-26 Dungeness crab season, with a season-opening announcement scheduled for Friday, following the recent release of Washington test results. 

According to an industry notice from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, crab from Long Beach did not meet the Tri-State meat recovery threshold for a Dec. 1 opener.  

Crab from Westport did meet the criteria, with a 25% meat recovery result, but some crab is still soft...

Scott & Jon's Expands Presence with Launch at Whole Foods Market

Scott & Jon's is expanding its brand presence in grocery stores nationwide following a recent partnership announcement.

The frozen meal manufacturer is bringing four of its seafood bowls to Whole Foods Market.

The lineup includes three of the brand's most popular recipes and a new flavor.

• Honey Sesame Salmon: A company bestseller featuring salmon, rice and vegetables, and dressed with a sweet and savory sauce.
• Lemon Butter Dill Salmon: A fresh take on a seafood classic, featuring salmon with al dente penne pasta...

North Pacific Council Taps Diana Evans as Interim ED Following Dave Witherell’s Retirement

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council announced recently that  

Deputy Director Diana Evans will serve as Interim Executive Director during the search for a permanent E.D. Her new position began November 1, following the retirement of David Witherell, who has served as Executive Director since 2017. 

Evans has been a member of the Council staff since 2000, when she began her career as a specialist in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). During her tenure, she has provided extensive leadership in the Council process, regulatory development...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...

Court Drops All Charges Against Quinlan in Bay de Verde Crab Case

Quinlan Seafood says a court has dismissed all charges related to crab production and handling at its Bay de Verde facility after the Crown chose not to call any evidence, concluding there was no reasonable prospect of conviction.

In a November 13 statement, the company said the decision vindicates its position that the allegations were unfounded and rooted in “flawed testing, unproven and untested technology, and improper inspection authority.” Quinlan President Robin Quinlan said the company and its employees had “borne the weight” of what he called arbitrary...

USDA Gets Seafood Liaison Post After Shutdown Deal; Appropriations Move to Bar China‑Sourced Seafood

The US government has approved a Seafood Liaison position within the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) included in the appropriations legislation that put an end to the longest government shutdown in the history of the country.

The post is funded through the FY2026 Agriculture appropriations package, where Senate Appropriations Committee language earmarks $625,000 to establish a “Seafood Industry Liaison” in the Office of the Secretary. Committee text describes the liaison as “solely responsible for the effective coordination of seafood policies...

ANALYSIS: YTD French Shrimp Imports Up 12% Year-On-Year

According to the National Directorate of French Statistics, France imported 102,860 metric tons of shrimp between January and September, representing an 11.9% increase from the same period last year. In value, this translates to 659 million euros, a 11.3% increase year-over-year. France ranks as the second shrimp market in Europe after Spain, so these positive results over the first three quarters could indicate a growing appetite for this crustacean category in Western Europe...

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep 36 - Essential Procurement Skills & Advice, Feat. Malcolm Harrison

Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals.

On today's episode, we welcome Malcolm Harrison, an international board-level executive with expertise in general management, operations, procurement, and sales. He has worked in diverse business environments across Brazil, China, France, Gulf states, the UK, the US, and West Africa. A veteran and engaging leader, Malcolm has always sought to improve business performance through growth and efficiency. He has a track record of quickly identifying gaps and opportunities for continuous improvement

Private Equity Firm Buys Majority of Seafood Importer, Distributor Arctic Fisheries

US seafood importer Arctic Fisheries sold a majority stake to SNH Capital Partners, an Austin, Texas-based private equity investment firm.

Arctic provides customers with a wide range of seafood options, including groundfish, crab and lobster. The company’s CEO, Michael Kotok, will remain a shareholder following the transaction. Antarctica Advisors, the exclusive investment banking advisor to Arctic Fisheries, stated that Kotok and the current Arctic Fisheries team will continue with the company under the new ownership.

Michael Kotok, CEO of Arctic Fisheries, commented: “Antarctica’s experienced team understood...

NFI Supports Food Tariff Cuts, Presses for Inclusion of All Seafood in Trump Administration Plan

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) shared its approval of the Trump administration’s move to reduce tariffs on some food and agricultural products.

The NFI urged the administration to include all seafood in tariff adjustments, citing that rising costs have put it out of reach for many American families.

“This is critical to lowering consumer prices, maintaining American jobs in the seafood sector and keeping Americans healthy and fed,” NFI President & CEO Lisa Wallenda Picard said in a statement...

Dynamic Leadership Fuels Growth and Innovation at the National Aquaculture Association

The National Aquaculture Association (NAA) aims to support sustainable, profitable, and environmentally responsible aquaculture development across the United States.

Recently, the organization welcomed two leaders whose shared passion and expertise will help advance its mission.

In April, Caitlyn Czajkowski was appointed Executive Director. Her strong scientific background and policy experience make her exceptionally well suited for this role.

Czajkowski previously served as a prestigious NOAA Knauss Marine Policy Fellow in the office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons, where she worked on the Senator’s Energy, Environment...

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Import Estimates and Retail Signals Point to a Tightening, Form‑Specific Market 

Country‑level import estimates through October show a post‑frontload correction: modeled volumes for September and October are down roughly 10% and 18% year‑on‑year, respectively, while year‑to‑date imports are up about 8% but essentially flat (+3.6%) since May. Ecuador’s volumes increase relative to other origins; India, Indonesia and Vietnam display divergent month‑to‑month paths. Model error ranges run roughly 9–18% by origin, depending on data history. Finalized customs data and country export splits remain pending...

Industry Hears What's Working For Retail and Foodservice Sectors at ASMI’s All Hands Meeting

Last week, leaders in Alaska’s seafood industry heard from Circana and Technomic about retail and foodservice trends in seafood, including a deep dive into what motivates consumers to buy more seafood today. 

The audience of seafood executives — from CEOs to vessel captains — are all members of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, attending the annual All Hands meeting for four days to share research and analysis with real-world experience in harvesting, processing, distribution, and marketing.

“There are five mega trends driving food sales in retail...

Chilean Salmon Joint Venture BluGlacier Joins NFI Sushi Council

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI)’s Salmon Council welcomed BluGlacier as its newest member on November 13.

NFI said the addition of BluGlacier adds a key voice to the sushi industry’s efforts in responsible sourcing, supply chain transparency and product integrity.

BluGlacier was founded in 2016 as a US joint-venture between leading Chilean salmon producers Salmones Blumar S.A. and Ventisqueros S.A. The company has a foundation in the Chilean aquaculture space and boasts a commercial base in Miami. NFI noted the company’s sourcing of Atlantic and Coho salmon in southern...