Robin Pearl Steps Down as CEO of American Mariculture Amid Shareholder Disputes 

Robin Pearl, the co-founder and CEO of American Mariculture, announced on LinkedIn that he has resigned from his post at the helm of the firm, along with its affiliates American Penaeid and Sun Shrimp Gourmet, on December 29.

Pearl said the back-to-back hurricanes that hit Florida had a “extensive impact” on the organization. Pearl noted that an “influential” group of AMI shareholders took a more active role and demanded changes that Pearl disagreed with.

“While I am very disappointed with the way...

Russian Crab Sector Expecting Headwinds in 2025

The Russian crab sector will face severe difficulties in 2025 due to the decline of global prices and lack of export markets.

According to recent statements by Herman Zverev, head of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers, in an interview with Forbes Russia magazine, crab fishing in Russia is currently facing a decline in profitability as global crab prices seriously declined in 2024.

In addition, the export duty pressured the cost of Russian crab. The overall debts of Russian crab fishermen are estimated at 600 billion rubles ($5.7 billion)...

South African Albacore Tuna Fishery Lands MSC Certification

The Southern Africa Sustainable Tuna Association (SASTUNA), a group representing the South African albacore tuna pole and line fishery, has been certified to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability standard.

The fishery was awarded the third-party certification after a 6-month assessment carried out by SCS Global Services. The fishery lands 3,000-5,000 tonnes of tuna per year. It mainly operates out of Cape Town and Hout Bay, with over 90% of the catch heading to international destinations like Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia...

Uninomics to Build a World-Class RAS Sea Urchin Farm Aiming for an Annual 360-Ton Production

Uninomics of Tokyo, which operates a sea urchin farming business, announced on December 25 that it will build a land-based sea urchin farming facility in Asahi-cho, Toyama Prefecture. It will build three farms and aim to produce 360 ​​tons (whole-in-shell basis) per year, the largest in the world. Construction will begin after April 2025, and all three buildings are expected to be completed as early as 2028. In an interview with Minato Shimbun...

ASMI Awarded $8.5 Million To Expand International Marketing Efforts Through 2030

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) awarded the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) $8.5 million in new federal funding over the next five years. The money is specifically dedicated to expand ASMI's international marketing efforts over the next five years. 

ASMI will use the funds to diversify overseas markets for Alaska seafood at a time marked by significant global market collapse that has put financial pressure on Alaska communities, fishermen, fishing families, processors, and seafood businesses. 

The funds will be used to...

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...

Biofilter Breach Occurs in Module B at Proximar Seafood’s Grow-Out Facility

On December 24, 2024, land-based salmon farmer Proximar Seafood AS (Proximar), reported a breach with the bio media filter of the B module at its Japanese grow-out facility.

No fish mortalities have occurred as a result of the breach, and measures were taken to maintain adequate water quality, including stabilization of biological levels and maintenance of water conditions adequate levels for Proximar’s fish.

Proximar anticipates for the incident to possibly delay growth due to a temporary reduction in feeding. The current biomass in the B module is...

Ingles Markets, Incorporated Reports Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024

Ingles Markets, Incorporated (NASDAQ: IMKTA) today reported results for the three and twelve months ended September 28, 2024.

Robert P. Ingle II, Chairman of the Board, stated, “After Hurricane Helene impacted our communities, I am proud of how not only our associates came together, but our entire region. We are truly thankful for all the volunteers and the outpouring of support for our region.”

Impact of Hurricane Helene

On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene severely impacted western North Carolina, including the area where the Company’s headquarters are located...

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...

Ace Aquatec Installs Humane Shrimp Stunning Technology in Thailand

Aquaculture technology firm Ace Aquatec recently installed a portable, high-tonnage prawn stunner at a shrimp farm in Thailand.

Ace Aquatec’s proprietary Shrimp Humane Universal Stunner (A-HSU®) was developed from an earlier prototype, which the company adapted for its client, seafood producer Marks & Spencer.

This development comes after Ace Aquatec announced its partnership with the Shrimp Welfare Project (SWP) in August of this year. As part of the company’s participation in the project, Ace Aquatec promised to provide technology needed to expand access to humane stunning solutions...

US Coast Guard Medevacs Injured Man from Fishing Vessel off Hawaii Coast

On December 23, 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) medevaced an injured man from a fishing vessel that was eight miles northeast of Honokaa, Hawaii.

USCG watchstanders at Sector Honolulu base received a notification at 3:22 p.m. on Monday from the captain of fishing vessel HONUA-OE, requesting a medevac for a 51-year-old man who sustained an injury to his abdomen after falling into a porthole. The vessel was approximately 20 miles north of Hawi, Hawaii...

Premium Brands Holdings Corporation Announces Strategic Transactions

Premium Brands Holdings Corporation (TSX: PBH), a leading producer, marketer and distributor of branded specialty food products, announced today that it has completed the following strategic transactions:

- The acquisition of NSP Quality Meats (NSP), a cooked protein and deli meats manufacturer with plants located in Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri

- The acquisition of Casa Di Bertacchi (Casa), a manufacturer of branded and private label cooked protein products with a plant in New Jersey

- The acquisition of Italia Salami (Italia), a manufacturer of authentic dry cured Italian salami with a plant in Ontario...

SalMar Becomes Official Trondheim 2025 Sponsor: Will Provide 10,000 Fish Meals

SalMar has signed on as an official sponsor for the Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim. During the championship, SalMar will deliver 10,000 salmon meals to hungry athletes, volunteers, and spectators.

“Trondheim 2025 will be a celebration for all of Norway, especially here in Trøndelag. We are absolutely delighted to provide healthy and nutritious food for all the amazing people working hard during the championship and for the spectators. We are impressed by the organizers’ clear focus on sustainability and believe this championship...

Commerce Updates Antidumping, CVD Trade Rules to Strengthen Protections for US Industries 

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) updated its antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) regulations. Commerce said the adjustments aim to “level the playing field for U.S. industries and workers by addressing unfair trade actions from foreign businesses and governments.”

“The Commerce Department continues to update our trade enforcement regulations to effectively respond to the evolving, real-world circumstances that U.S. businesses and workers face,” said Under Secretary for International Trade Marisa Lago. “We continue to use every tool at our disposal to safeguard U.S. businesses and workers...

Japan's Fall Salmon Chum Landings Are Down 20% From Last Year, Coming in at 46,000 MT 

As of the end of November, the total return from fall salmon chum in Japan this season was 17.75 million, which is 22% less than last year. Meanwhile, the coastal catch was a little under 2.07 million, or 46,395 tons, which is 21% less than last year, according to Minato Shimbun.

The Fisheries Research and Education Agency's Salmon Department at the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute recently compiled and released a list of prefectural catches.

In Hokkaido, the total number of returns, including bycatch...

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)...