ANALYSIS: US Frozen Tuna Imports Drop 20% YTD While Market Holds Steady

Frozen tuna has remained one of the more stable categories in an otherwise volatile imported seafood market. While many competing species posted sharp price gains amid tight supply, elevated replacement costs, tariff uncertainty, shifting demand patterns, and rising fuel and freight expenses tied to geopolitical instability, frozen tuna continued to trade within a relatively narrow range. That relative stability is especially notable given the added complexity from changing tariff policy, NOAA’s MMPA comparability rule, and softer foodservice demand. Supported by more balanced...

ANALYSIS: Temporary Price Dip Masks Potential Supply Constraints in New Scallop Season

With the 2026-2027 scallop season now underway, early Open Area landings and Northern Gulf of Maine product are bolstering supply levels. Initial demand appears somewhat quiet, leading to lower prices across many domestic product categories, marking the first notable price relief in quite some time. However, market participants widely anticipate this easing could prove short-lived as...

Lutnick Pledges Maine Lobster Coordination, Disaster Relief Reform Under Bicoastal Senate Pressure

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced intense scrutiny from senators representing both coasts during his April 22, 2026, Senate Appropriations Committee testimony, addressing mounting concerns over federal fisheries management from Maine's lobster industry to Alaska's disaster-stricken crab fleet.

Senator Susan Collins secured multiple commitments from Lutnick regarding Maine's lobster industry as the sector approaches a critical regulatory transition. With Congress's 2022 moratorium on new NOAA regulations affecting the American Lobster Fishery set to expire in 2028, Collins pressed for comprehensive industry coordination...

Coast Guard Removes Press Release on American Seafoods Pollock Roe Seizure

The US Coast Guard removed a press release from its website detailing the seizure of $65,000 worth of Alaska pollock roe from American Seafoods' catcher-processor Northern Eagle.

The Coast Guard told Alaska's NBC-2 KTUU that it removed the posts to prevent "unintended consequences, distractions from NOAA's ongoing investigation, or confusion about the compliance record within the Alaska pollock fishery."

The USCG said it pushed back on the case's conclusions, noting the issue shouldn't be viewed as evidence of illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing in one...

NOAA Says Venezuela's MMPA Comparability for Blue Crab Fishery Still Pending

After Venezuela's fisheries and aquaculture ministry said its blue crab fishery completed the registration process for an MMPA comparability finding, NOAA said the country is still in the process of applying for a finding.

Venezuela's Ministry of Popular Power for Fisheries and Aquaculture announced on April 16 that it had "successfully completed" the Marine Mammal Protection Act comparability registration process with NOAA Fisheries, claiming the process began on March 27 and was completed in less than three weeks.

However, NOAA Fisheries spokesperson...

Day 56 of Iran War: Ceasefire Extended; Trump Cautions on Hormuz as Oil Gains

US President Donald Trump announced that the Israel–Lebanon ceasefire has been extended by an additional three weeks following discussions at the White House with representatives from both sides.

He also directed the US Navy to "shoot and kill" any Iranian boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

Traffic through the strategically vital waterway remains severely disrupted, and Iran’s seizure of two large cargo vessels has highlighted its continued leverage. 

Oil markets reacted sharply on Friday, with Brent...

ODFW Plans 3 Meetings on Dungeness Crab Fishery New Gear, Monitoring, and 5-year Risk Reduction

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) will hold three public meetings to discuss updates related to marine life entanglement next month. The meetings, held in North Bend, Newport, and Astoria, will also offer stakeholders the opportunity to provide input on planned agenda items for the August 14, 2026, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting in Salem.

Topics for the three meetings include:

- Five-year risk reduction measures evaluation

- Vessel monitoring and electronic logbooks- Experimental fishing gear permits...

West Coast Processors Partner on Electronic Monitoring Pilot to Cut Compliance Costs

The West Coast Seafood Processors Association has partnered with AIS Inc. on a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation-funded project to test electronic monitoring systems at processing facilities, potentially reducing the "significant cost drivers" associated with current 100% shoreside monitoring requirements.

The pilot will deploy camera systems, AI-assisted species identification, and automated data capture at participating groundfish and Pacific hake processing plants in Washington, Oregon, and California.

"For processors, monitoring isn't optional—we're effectively operating under 200% monitoring in the groundfish fishery...

FDA Warns Against Recalled Washington Oysters Tied to Norovirus-Like Illnesses

The Washington State Department of Health notified the FDA on April 10, 2026, of a recall involving certain shellfish linked to norovirus-like illnesses associated with raw oyster consumption, according to the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference.

The recall covers all shellstock from Gomez Shellfish, LLC (WA-1724-SS) harvested between March 22 and April 9, 2026, from a portion of Hammersley Inlet in Washington.

The FDA is advising consumers, retailers, and foodservice operators not to eat, serve, or sell the affected...

Canadian Fishermen Face Fuel Cost Surge Amid Start to Lobster, Snow Crab Seasons

Canadian fishermen are grappling with soaring fuel costs as snow crab and lobster seasons get underway, with operating expenses jumping nearly 30% according to Quebec harvesters.

A recent Canadian Broadcasting Corporation report highlighted the diesel price burden on Quebec fishermen, prompting calls for government assistance similar to the aid recently provided to the province's farmers.

"Whether you drive a tractor or a boat, the costs associated with the increase in diesel fuel costs are the same," said Joel Arseneau, member of Quebec's National Assembly...

Alaska's 2026 Salmon Forecast Falls 36% on Lower Pink Salmon Returns

The most recent forecast from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game was released April 21 with a total predicted harvest of 125.5 million salmon, a 36 percent drop from last year’s harvest of 197.4 million fish.

ADF&G’s final report for the coming season, “Run Forecasts and Harvest Projects for 2026 Alaska Salmon Fisheries and Review of the 2025 Season,” provides context for how fisheries managers develop forecasts, including a comparison of actual returns and harvests against forecasts over several years...

India's Seafood Exports Hit Record as Shrimp Drives Growth Amid US Market Decline

India's seafood exports reached an all-time high of ₹72,325.82 crore ($ 8.28 billion) in FY 2025-26, with volumes hitting 19.32 lakh metric tons, according to provisional data released by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) on April 21.

Frozen shrimp remained the cornerstone of India's marine exports, contributing ₹47,973.13 crore ($ 5.51 billion) and accounting for over two-thirds of total export earnings. Shrimp shipments grew 4.6% in volume and 6.35% in value, reinforcing India's position as a global shrimp supplier...

Lithuanian Vičiūnai, French Frais Embal Win Top 2026 Seafood Excellence Awards

Vičiūnai Group of Lithuania and Frais Embal of France captured the top prizes at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Global Awards during Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, beating 35 finalists from 16 countries.

Vičiūnai Group took the Best Retail Product award for its Smoked Herring Slices – Natural Flavor, a ready-to-eat product featuring simple ingredients and a smoky taste. Judges praised the well-balanced herring and smoke flavors, precise slicing and packing, and eye-catching packaging design.

Expana caught up with Vičiūnai at Seafood Expo North America last month...

US House Moves the FISH Act Out of Natural Resources, Along with Seven Other Bills

On Tuesday, the House Committee on Natural Resources reported the FISH Act, a bill that will strengthen efforts against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

“House Committee on Natural Resources members are dedicated to enacting commonsense policies to support rural communities across America,” remarked Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)  

“Today’s markup advanced legislation that will ….combat illegal fishing activities… I look forward to working with the sponsors to advance these bills through the House,” said Westerman...

Expana's Weekly Top 10

This week’s Expana Top 10 Weekly highlights a food industry navigating shifting consumer demand, policy changes and global uncertainty. From Red Lobster’s strategic revival of a once-problematic promotion to new US legislation aimed at strengthening domestic seafood, companies are balancing value, supply chain pressures and long-term growth. At the same time, e-commerce continues to reshape grocery, sustainability initiatives are accelerating, and private label gains momentum, underscoring a market defined by adaptation, cost discipline and evolving consumer behavior. This list is no particular order.

Japan's Black Cod Imports up 4% in 2025, Price Increased by 13%

According to a report by Minato Shimbun, Japan's imports of frozen black cod in 2025 increased by 4% year-on-year to 11,188 tons. The import price rose 13% from 1,133 yen/kg ($7.10/kg) the previous year to 1,280 yen/kg ($8.03/kg). The total import value reached a record high of 14.3 billion yen ($89.65 million). This year, due to the global surge in prices for fatty fish species in general, fatigue from low prices in the main producing region, the United States...

Canada Pushes Seafood Export Growth in Europe at Seafood Expo Global

Canada is stepping up efforts to grow and diversify its fish and seafood exports, with a strong focus on expanding its presence in Europe.

At this year’s Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson met with Canadian exporters, European buyers, and senior officials from Spain, the European Union, and the United Kingdom to discuss strong European demand for Canadian seafood, particularly frozen and value-added products.

Thompson also pointed to growing momentum in Spain, where the Sabores de Canada (or Flavours from...