Billions in Aid Approved for US Farmers

As a government shutdown loomed, the US Congress passed spending legislation named the American Relief Act which was signed by President Biden on December 21, 2024. For agriculture and food-related commodities, this legislation contains one-time economic assistance payments, disaster relief payments, as well as partial funding from the rolled-over farm bill.

Part of the funding approved was $10 billion to support some American farmers across the nation. Within 90 days, economic assistance payments will only be dealt to farmers of eligible commodities like corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, canola, mustard...

NORAD Intercepts Four Russian Warplanes in International Airspace off Alaska 

On Tuesday, December 17, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked another quartet of Russian military aircraft as they transited through international airspace off the northwestern coast of Alaska. The area is known as the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), where aircraft are expected to identify themselves, according to NORAD. The U.S. government has said they did not see these flights as a threat...

Photo of a TU-95m and two F-16 Falcons courtesy of NORAD.

Impact of Catch Levels and Regulatory Closures on Skipjack Tuna Prices

The trade for skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) has shown an upward trend in the past three months in Ecuador and Thailand, two important tuna sources and processing hubs.

Bangkok, Thailand skipjack prices increased by 6% month-on-month (m-o-m) in November to $1,530 per metric tonne (Tuna skpj fzn wh >4lb WCPO CIF EBP 8W01). However, market participants reported a downward price trend in December, following good catch levels in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO)...

Russia to Keep Fish Exports Open in 2025 Despite Rising Prices

The Russian government does not plan to restrict its fish exports next year in an effort to prevent the prices of fish and seafood in the domestic market from increasing further.

In recent months, fish prices in Russia have significantly increased, and numerous calls have been made for the Russian authorities to limit exports of fish and seafood to foreign markets.

According to experts of the Russian Fish Union, based on customs data from countries that are major fish importers, this year, exports of Russian fish and seafood slightly declined...

Scientists Sound Alarm Over Weakening Fisheries Management in Japan

At the international symposium "The Future of Sustainable Fisheries in Japan and Northeast Asia," held by the US private grant foundation Pew Charitable Trust on December 18 at the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology Shinagawa Campus, the weakening of Japan's system for promoting scientific fisheries resource management was discussed. Scientists complained about a shortage of personnel and a lack of budget at local research institutions and pleaded for measures. Minato Shimbun reported that human resources with scientific knowledge are excluded from formulating fisheries policy...

Northern Wind Bolsters Seafood Portfolio with Atlantic Capes Fisheries Deal

Atlantic Sustainable Catch subsidiary Northern Wind acquired the processing and sales divisions of Atlantic Capes Fisheries, according to a December 23 announcement. 

“This strategic acquisition strengthens Northern Wind’s position as a premier provider of high-quality scallops and seafood products while reinforcing its unwavering commitment to sustainability, superior quality, and exceptional customer service,” the company said. 

Northern Wind said the move will now provide its customers with “unparalleled access to premium scallops sourced globally.” The company also said the deal expands its product portfolio, including increased lobster supplies, mahi-mahi... 

ANALYSIS: Biomass Levels Show Positive Trends for Norwegian Salmon

The latest report from the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries shows a 1.91% year-to-date (YTD) growth in the whole fish equivalent (WFE) slaughtered volume in October 2024. Typically, the highest slaughter levels are reached in the second half of the year. However, this year, the harvest volume reached a historical high of 181,432 MT in September...

Russia Expects Fish Catch to be Stable in 2025

According to recent statements made by representatives of some leading local producers and Russian media reports, Russia expects a stable fish catch in 2025 that will reach about 5 million tonnes.

As Alexander Panin, Chairman of the Russian Fish Union, a public association that unites some leading Russian fish producers, told the Russian Komsomolskaya Pravda business paper in an interview, a good catch is expected for most important Russian fish species next year, including ivasi, pollock, and salmon.

Particular hopes are also put on the increase of squid catch...

SeafoodNews Closed on Wednesday, December 25

SeafoodNews will not be publishing on Wednesday, December 25. We will return to our normal publishing schedule on Thursday, December 26.

In the meantime, catch up on our recent major news stories by checking our Featured Stories page. 

Restaurants and Grocers Gear Up for 2025: A Focus on Tech, Value, and Wellness

Against the backdrop of a turbulent economic landscape, 2024 saw the food industry grappling with rising inflation, geopolitical uncertainties, and the US presidential election's impact on key global commodity markets. For consumers, tighter budgets drove a heightened focus on value, with many turning to private-label brands, budget-friendly meal solutions, and bulk purchasing. Simultaneously, the demand for transparency, sustainability, and innovation continued to shape purchasing decisions, even as affordability took center stage. 

As we look ahead to 2025, value remains...

Thai Union Ranks No.1 in Food Products Industry on DJSI

Global seafood company Thai Union has been ranked number one in the food products industry on the 2024 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

The DJSI, which is made up of global sustainability leaders identified by S&P Global through the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), represents the top 10% of the largest 2,500 companies in the S&P Global BMI.

Thai Union racked up a CSA SCORE of 85%. This marks its eleventh consecutive year being listed on the DJSI. Thai Union has also received number one ranking on the...

China Remains the Target Export Market of Vietnam’s Seafood

VASEP determined that Vietnam's seafood export opportunities to China in 2025 would continue to be substantial as a result of China's robust consumption demands.

The seafood importing market in China is on the brink of reaching 29 billion USD

Rabobank Novel Sharma, a seafood expert, predicts that China will account for 40% of the global increase in seafood consumption by 2030, which represents a rise of over 5.5 million metric tons. China is the most prospective development market for seafood this decade due to its population of 1.4 billion consumers, high...

California Governor Requests Fishery Disaster Relief for Albacore Industry

California Governor Gavin Newsom requested a federal fishery disaster declaration to support the albacore fishing industry. 

Newsom’s office explained that last year marked the worst season for the West Coast North Pacific pole and troll albacore fishery in over three decades. The fishery declined in volume and value by 71% and 65%, respectively. 

Newsom joined the governors of Washington and Oregon and submitted the request to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. 

“To the California communities that rely on albacore fishing: we’re working to get you the relief you need...

Washington Crab Season Delayed Until at Least January 15; Oregon Going Strong

The news Monday was not exactly a lump of coal, but an early Christmas “gift” many fishermen suspected would be coming: An extended delay into January for the start of the Washington/Northern Oregon crab season.

In an announcement Monday, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said its crab managers met with other fishery managers from Oregon and California earlier in the day to determine the best option for an opening. However, the third round of testing showed crab from Long Beach, Wash., was only ...

Oceana Sues NMFS, Charging Violations of FOIA Related to Orca Deaths Caught in Trawl Gear

In three separate requests, the conservation group Oceana asked the federal government for records, photographs and videos of animals that have been killed as bycatch in Alaska fisheries. The agency they asked was the National Marine Fisheries Service, responsible for managing federal fisheries resources in U.S. waters as well as overseeing the monitoring of those fisheries, via observers, vessel logs, and other methods.

In 2023, the agency reported that the Bering Sea and Aleutian Island groundfish trawl fishery caught ten orcas within a span of ...

Blue Star Foods Delisted from Nasdaq, Moves to OTC Markets

On December 19, 2024, Miami-based seafood company Blue Star Foods Corp. (Blue Star Foods) announced that its securities were delisted from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.

Nasdaq’s decision was based on the seafood company’s violation of Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement,” which states that a listed company is subject to immediate delisting if its minimum bid price falls below $1.00 per share.

Blue Star Foods did not appeal the decision and began trading on OTC Markets on Friday December 20, 2025, under...

ANALYSIS: Coldwater Shrimp Exports from Norway More than Doubled in 2024

This year has been very dynamic for the Norwegian shrimp sector, with a positive fishing season in the Norwegian Sea and in the Barents Sea. The latest data from Norway Statistics confirms that total exports between January and November more than doubled since last year at 23,862 MT; this corresponds to a 138% surge and a 41% growth for the month of November only, at 1438 MT...