The Winding Glass: Diesel Prices Tip of the Iceberg for Seafood Industry as Impacts Multiply Downstream

The disastrous US and Israeli attack on Iran has led to the completely predictable closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for around 20% of global oil consumption. The International Energy Agency (IEA) called it the largest supply disruption in the history of the world oil market. 

Diesel prices at fishing ports worldwide rose 40 to 70 percent in a matter of weeks. In Rhode Island, dockside diesel hit $5.75 a gallon, up nearly 50 percent since February...

USDA Establishes First-Ever Office of Seafood to Support American Fishermen

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled the creation of the Office of Seafood within the department on April 15, marking what officials described as a "new era of seafood policy" that recognizes American fishermen as a key part of the US food supply.

The "first of its kind" office will prioritize customer service for American seafood cultivators, producers, and processors seeking to access USDA programs, addressing longstanding navigation challenges that have hindered industry participation in federal support programs...

Newfoundland Snow Crab Processors File $2.5M Lawsuit Against FFAW Leaders

The Association of Seafood Producers and five major Newfoundland processing companies have filed a CAD 2.5 million lawsuit against Fish, Food & Allied Workers union executives, alleging an "unlawful conspiracy" involving threats and intimidation.

The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador action, filed April 10, targets FFAW inshore vice-president Jason Sullivan and union president Dwan Street, claiming their actions have caused significant financial damage to processors unable to purchase crab for processing and sales.

The lawsuit, which was first reported by allNewfoundlandandLabrador...

USTR 2026 National Trade Estimate Report: Highlights Global Barriers to Trade for Commodity Markets 

On March 31, leaders at the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its 2026 National Trade Estimate (NTE) report, outlining US market access via country specific details that intends to reshape how US trade policy views global markets. The 500+ page report is divided into sections which address the trade environments present between US markets and those of each trading partner as a baseline for producers, importers, and exporters. It seems that the...

Politis Steak & Seafood Partners with Q Plus Foods to Expand Specialty Seafood Reach

Politis Steak & Seafood and Q Plus Foods have announced a strategic partnership that brings together two South Florida foodservice specialists. The deal pairs Politis’ operational scale and customer-service capabilities with Q Plus Foods’ specialty seafood sourcing program and global supplier relationships, expanding access to high-end seafood for chefs and operators across the region.

Q Plus Foods has built a reputation as one of South Florida’s premier specialty seafood purveyors, renowned for curating an exceptional selection of seafood from around the world. The company is...

Japan's Herring Imports of 7900 MT in 2025 Record the Lowest in Recent Years

Imported frozen herring is broadly categorized into roe-bearing herring from the United States, Canada, and Russia, and foraging herring from the Russian Far East and Norway.

According to the Minato Shimbun report, imports in 2025 were 7,886 tons, a 4% decrease from the previous year and the lowest level in recent years. While imports reached 40,000 to 50,000 tons annually in the early 2000s, they have continued to decline due to weak domestic demand and shrinking overseas...

Russia Eyes Antarctic Expansion as Toothfish Research Wraps Up

Russia plans to continue active research and fishing operations in the Antarctic region in the coming years, citing significant potential for domestic fishermen.

Russian scientists from the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography recently completed monitoring of toothfish fisheries in Antarctica. The data will be used to assess existing stocks and set future catch plans.

Russian fishermen have participated in the Antarctic toothfish fishery since 2004 and have experience in the sector.

Beyond toothfish, Russian fishermen will focus particularly on increasing krill catch in Antarctica...

ACFFA Opposes Funds to Atlantic Salmon Foundation in Canada’s New Force of Nature Plan

At the end of March, Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney launched  A Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature, investing $3.8 billion to protect and restore critical habitats, promote natural biodiversity, and mobilize “new capital for nature.” 

The news was welcomed by conservation groups across Canada, including one with headquarters in New Brunswick and an office in Maine — the Atlantic Salmon Foundation.  

Now the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association has sent an urgent objection to Carney and Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, saying unequivocally...

Trump Administration to Launch $166 Billion Tariff Refund System April 20

The Trump administration will launch its tariff refund system on Monday, April 20, to process $166 billion in reimbursements to American importers for tariffs the US Supreme Court struck down as unlawful in February.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced completion of the initial phase of its Consolidated Automated Processing Environment (CAPE) system, designed to streamline refunds that would otherwise require entry-by-entry processing across 53 million shipments.

The launch comes after months of development following CBP warnings in March...

ANALYSIS: Ecuador's Shrimp Value-Added Capacity Constraints Drive HLSO Flows to China, Europe

Ecuador's limited capacity for value-added processing remains a significant concern, particularly as replacement costs in the country are now reportedly considerably higher than those in Asia. This cost differential appears rational, given the comprehensive expense structure from farming through processing. However, this dynamic represents a supply-and-demand imbalance rather than necessarily indicating a competitive disadvantage.

Ecuador has demonstrated for years its ability to produce peeled product lines at competitive prices relative to Asian counterparts. The challenge lies not in competitiveness per se, but in Ecuador's...

BC's Walcan Quinsam River Pink Salmon Fishery Becomes Province's Only MSC-Certified Salmon Operation

The Walcan Quinsam River Pink Salmon Fishery has earned Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, making it the only salmon fishery in British Columbia to feature the blue label.

The April 15 announcement was hailed by Cameron Pirie, President of Walcan Seafood, who said the certification reflected decades of stewardship and collaboration.

"Working alongside the We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum Nations to harvest only surplus salmon, we're able to protect the resource while bringing a premium product to market," Pirie said...

US Celebrates 50 Years of the Law of Fisheries Management — the Magnuson-Stevens Act

This week, fisheries managers, conservation activists, harvesters, processors and those who love seafood have cause to thank the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act (MSA), keystone legislation to sustainably manage the nation's fishery resources, which turned 50 on Monday.

Led by the late US Senators Warren Magnuson (D-WA) and Ted Stevens (R-AK) in the Senate and Representatives Gerry Studds (D-MA) and Don Young (R-AK) in the House, Congress outlined a road map to expel foreign fleets from our waters...

Survey Shows Rising Acceptance of Sidestream-Based Seafood Products

A new Hailia survey of 1,512 consumers in the UK, Sweden, and Germany finds growing acceptance of food products made from seafood sidestreams, signaling fresh opportunities for processors to turn underutilized raw materials into mainstream, value-added foods.

According to the Nordic seafood technology company’s study, 74% of respondents hold a positive or neutral view of products made from filleting sidestreams. Sweden (58%) and the UK (55%) showed the strongest positive responses, with Germany at 49%; just 19% were negative.

Institutional and contract catering appear especially...

Sea of Okhotsk Pollock Catch Down 3.5% but Revenue Hopes High on Pricing

Russian pollock fishermen have completed the winter-spring pollock fishing season in the Sea of Okhotsk, the center of Russian pollock production.

According to the Russian Pollock Association, the total catch in all Far East areas during the first part of Russia's pollock fishing season reached 1.021 million tons. The result is 3.5% below 2025 levels but 6% higher than the five-year average.

Alexey Buglak, head of the association, told Russian media that unfavorable weather conditions were the main reason...

ICFA Panel to Explore Biodiversity and Global Food Security at Seafood Expo Global

The International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) will host a panel discussion at this year's Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, Spain, at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via venue. All conference attendees are welcome.

ICFA is a global fishing industry group that promotes sustainable fisheries and responsible ocean governance, working with governments and stakeholders across six continents to advance policies that ensure healthy oceans, resilient fisheries, and food security.

The discussion, "Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and Global...

Agribusiness Leaders Meet André de Paula in Brasília to Bolster Ministry Role and Advance Fisheries Agenda

Eduardo Lobo, president of the Brazilian Association of Fish Industries (Abipesca), met with Agriculture Minister André de Paula, lawmakers, and industry representatives on April 14 at the Parliamentary Front for Agriculture (FPA) headquarters in Brasília to discuss key challenges and opportunities for Brazilian agribusiness, with a focus on strengthening the ministry’s role and advancing structural priorities.

Lobo urged regulation of self-control for the fishing sector, saying, "It was a very special day. We welcomed the new minister and presented...

NY Man Indicted in $800,000+ Cargo Theft Ring That Targeted Snow Crab, Beer, Blueberries

A New York man has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated cargo theft conspiracy that targeted over $800,000 worth of goods, including $325,000 in frozen snow crab that represents the single largest theft in the scheme.

Romoy Forbes, 31, a Jamaican national residing in Deer Park, NY, was indicted Tuesday by federal prosecutors in Massachusetts on charges of interstate transportation of stolen goods and conspiracy to commit that offense. He was arraigned on April 7...