ANALYSIS: Global Scallop Supply Constraints Reshape Domestic Market Landscape

The global scallop import landscape reveals a complex story of shifting supply patterns and market disruption that extends beyond surface-level statistics. While year-to-date (YTD) imports into the US market through August appear robust at 37.6 million lbs, the third-highest level since 2018, this figure masks dramatic underlying changes that have reshaped the market throughout 2025.

August imports dropped 63% month-over-month (MOM), falling to 1.1 million lbs, a figure not seen in recent memory. This severe decline illustrates how early-year strength obscured rapidly deteriorating market...

Oregon Crabbers Stay Tied to the Dock as Delay Pushes Season to Dec. 16 at Earliest

Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fleet will remain idle a little longer, with the season now delayed coastwide until at least Dec. 16, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced on November 21.

Although Oregon crab passed both meat quality and biotoxin tests, the opener is being held back because Long Beach, Washington, crab has not yet met the 23% meat fill requirement. Most members of the Dungeness Crab Advisory Committee backed the delay, calling it the least disruptive to longstanding harvest patterns...

India Releases New National Framework on Traceability in Fisheries and Aquaculture 2025

In an effort to achieve a target of ₹1 lakh crore [$121 billion USD] seafood exports by 2030, India is launching several initiatives to modernize its fisheries infrastructure, strengthen sustainability practices, and accelerate value-added products across the sector.

These include establishing Standard Operating Procedures on mariculture, the Development and Management of Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbours, Development of Minimum Basic Infrastructure at Notified Marine Fish Landing Centres as well as guidelines for Reservoir Fisheries Management and Coastal Aquaculture...

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...

ICE Executes Second Raid at New Jersey Seafood Distributor

For the second time this year, a wholesale seafood distributor in Newark, New Jersey, was the target of a federal immigration enforcement action, local media reported. Ocean Seafood Depot saw roughly two dozen federal agents enter the premises and take 13 people into custody, according to WABC‑7.

The raid began the morning of Nov. 19, witnesses told reporters, with heavily armed, masked federal agents on site and the FBI involved. A statement reported by NJ.com said ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark, “working in coordination with federal partners, executed...

Klamath River Posts a One-Year Surprise: There are ‘Salmon Everywhere’

More than a year following the removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, scientists with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are observing the rapid re-occupation of upstream habitat by salmon — a development with significant implications for upstream-downstream connectivity, spawning success and ultimately commercial availability. 

Michael Harris, Environmental Program Manager of CDFW’s Klamath Watershed Program, said in a statement that he’s surprised at the activity.  

“The speed at which salmon are repopulating every nook and cranny of suitable habitat upstream of the dams...

Bipartisan FISH Wellness Bill Would Double Grants for Fishermen's Safety and Behavioral Health

Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) reintroduced the Fishing Industry Safety, Health, and Wellness Improvement (FISH Wellness) Act on November 20.

The legislation would reauthorize the Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research & Training Program and build on its previous success with an aim to improve on-the-job safety and health risks facing today’s commercial fishermen. The focus will be on chronic fatigue and the high rates of drug overdose, alcohol-related liver disease, and suicide...

Land-Based Yellowtail Producer Kingfish Company Appoints Karl Buiks to Succeed Retiring CEO

Land-based yellowtail kingfish farmer The Kingfish Company tapped Karl Buiks as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2026.

Buiks brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience across the food, beverage, and nutrition sectors, with senior roles at PepsiCo, FrieslandCampina, and Kerry Group, Kingfish shared in a press release.

“Karl brings the strategic discipline, operational rigor, and brand-building expertise required to drive The Kingfish Company’s next phase of performance and growth,” said Jeroen Scheelbeek, Chair of the Supervisory Board...

Innovasea Names Jorge Bravo Managing Director of Chile

Innovasea, a global leader in technologically advanced aquatic solutions for aquaculture and fish tracking, announced today the promotion of Jorge Bravo to Managing Director of its Chilean operations.

Bravo, who joined Innovasea in 2020 and most recently served as the company’s Technical Manager for Chile, steps into the position having previously played a major role in launching and expanding Innovasea’s Chilean operations.

“Jorge has consistently proven himself as a leader and shown a strategic, results-oriented mindset that has been instrumental in driving our Chilean success,“ said Innovasea Vice President...

Japan: September Surimi Products Production up 5% to 28,646 Tons

Food Marketing Research and Information Center released its estimated surimi products production volume (preliminary estimate) for September, up 4.6% from the same month last year to 28,646 tons, Minato Shimbun reported.

Fried surimi has increased 7.2% to 10,849 tons for the ninth consecutive month this year. Meanwhile, "other surimi products," which include crab-flavored kamaboko, or kanikama, were down 3.9% to 7,227 tons, marking the first year-on-year decrease this year. Chikuwa grilled cubes increased 9.5% to 4,613 tons, kamaboko...

Global Fishing Industry Urges CITES Parties to Reject Three Species Proposals

The International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) has reviewed several trade-restrictive proposals concerning aquatic species ahead of the 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which begins today. ICFA is urging Parties to reject three proposals—covering eels, sea cucumbers, and Tope Shark and Smooth-hound Sharks—and to adopt a proposal aimed at developing clear guidance on look-alike species criteria.

During this CITES meeting, countries will decide whether to...

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Imports Confirm Estimates; Supplier Export Patterns Signal Market Realignment

Official US import figures through August were broadly in line with our modeled projections, with total volumes inside the confidence interval despite notable variances in specific categories. Peeled shrimp imports were slightly above the high‑end forecast, while shell‑on imports were well below the lower bound. Cooked, breaded, and overall totals tracked closely to expectations. These differences match the pricing environment during the period, when higher landed costs from 19% tariffs on Indonesian shrimp and 20% tariffs on Vietnamese shrimp began influencing wholesale values...

ANALYSIS: Norwegian Salmon Harvest Up 20.9% YTD; Exports Cool After August Peak

The Norwegian Atlantic farm salmon sector is experiencing a notable increase in supply, with total harvests rising 20.9% year-to-date (YTD) through September, according to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries. While seawater biomass remains relatively stable, the increase in harvest volume and export activity indicates a strong and expanding supply base, mainly driven by seasonal peaks in August. Conversely, the latest data from Statistics Norway show that weekly export figures for fresh and chilled salmon have slowed...

Bid Price for Frozen Russian Opilio Weakening by 10% at Busan Auction

According to a report in the Minato Shimbun, the third bidding of the year for new frozen opilio snow crab (from the Russian Far East took place on November 6th in Busan, South Korea. According to multiple trading companies, 32 tons of air-blast frozen boiled sections produced in October were up for bid. The winning bid (single price for L-4L sizes, EXW Busan) is expected to be $19.7-19.8/kg, 10% lower than the second auction. Many Japanese trading companies were unsure of the identity...

Russia Sharply Increases Salmon Catch in 2025

Russia is sharply increasing its salmon catch in 2025, with overall figures expected to significantly surpass 2024 results.

According to the All-Russian Association of Fishery Producers (VARPE), as of November, Pacific salmon catch totaled 335,500 tons — more than 40% higher than the entire 2024 catch of 235,000 tons, which was Russia’s worst salmon harvest since 2005.

Catch growth was observed in most key fishing areas, including Kamchatka, which accounts for 80% of the total catch, and Khabarovsk Krai. However, Sakhalin experienced a sharp decline due to an extremely hot summer...

Midland Co Announces Major Retail and Farm Network Expansion

Midland Co recently announced two major milestones that expand the company’s reach to consumers across the Midwest.

First, the company celebrated a new partnership with Fareway, bringing Midland Co’s shrimp products to shelves at select Fareway grocery stores and Fareway Meat Markets.

"Launching into Fareway is a major step forward—for our farmers and for customers who want fresher, more sustainably raised shrimp," said Jackson Kimle, Co-Founder and CEO of Midland Co. "This partnership allows us to bring locally grown seafood to more communities while supporting family farms...

Cousins Maine Lobster Expands to Indiana Through Multi-Unit Deal

Cousins Maine Lobster (CML), the industry-leading fast-casual lobster roll brand, signed an agreement to bring two new trucks to Indiana. The deal meets the growing demand for more high-quality seafood across the Midwest region. It will offer local seafood lovers the opportunity to enjoy CML's world-famous Maine Lobster rolls, mouthwatering lobster tacos, savory lobster grilled cheese, and delicious whoopie pies...