The Rise of Ocean Freight Costs And How It’s Impacting Seafood  

We all remember how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted maritime and air freight services. And while those days are behind us, disruptions are once again causing ocean shipping prices to rise to record highs. Expana’s Seafood Market Reporters share how the ocean freight situation is impacting different species:

Tilapia

Expana Senior Seafood Market Reporter Lorin Castiglione says that the tilapia frozen fillet market from China is facing significant turbulence due to ongoing supply challenges, rising freight rates, container shortages, and supply chain disruptions. Freight...

Commerce Stands By Preliminary Determination For Frozen Shrimp From Ecuador

Despite pushback, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has confirmed that they will not be adjusting preliminary antidumping rates for Ecuador’s Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila and Sociedad Nacional de Galapagos (SONGA). 

The DOC announced its preliminary determination in the antidumping duty (AD) investigation of frozen warmwater shrimp from Ecuador and Indonesia in late May. The determination was a result of a trade petition that was filed by the American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA) in October 2024. Looking solely at Ecuador, SONGA was...

ANALYSIS: China Slowing Shrimp Buying from Ecuador

Despite being the top importer, and still the number one partner with Ecuador, China shrimp imports continue to lag this year, putting pressure on shrimp producers from the region.

In 2023, total exports to China accounted for nearly 59%, with the United States a distance second at 17%. With the new data released from Camara Nacional de Acuacultura (CNA), exports to China in May 2024 were 153.419 million pounds. But the overall share has dropped to just over 53% through May, highlighting the shifting dynamics in the market. Exports shifted to...

Entangled North Atlantic Right Whale Spotted In Gulf of St. Lawrence

An entangled North Atlantic right whale (NARW) has been spotted by research scientists in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. According to reports, the whale, identified as a calf named War (#1812), is said to have fishing gear through its mouth, across its back, and around its right flipper.

War (#1812) is a female yearling born in 2023. The whale was last sighted in February off the southeast United States. At that time she was not entangled.

“On her first surfacing there was just enough...

Proposed Legislation Would Give FDA Authority To Destroy Illegal Seafood Imports

Legislation proposed by Louisiana Congressmen Clay Higgins and Troy A. Carter, Sr. would grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to not destroy contaminated foreign seafood.

Titled “The Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act,” the bill would expand the FDA”s power to destroy products that have been refused admission into the U.S. and are considered a risk to consumers. Currently the FDA can destroy a refused drug valued at $2,500 or less “without providing the owner or consignee with the...

Holland America Line Marketing Officer Welcomed to the RFM Certification Board

The Certified Seafood Collaborative announced this week that Kacy Cole, Chief Marketing Officer of Holland America Line, has joined the Responsible Fisheries Management Board.

As the RFM Certification program continues to progress in the global sustainable seafood marketplace, board expansion provides the program with new expertise for future innovation and growth, the Collaborative said in a press release. RFM Board members are chosen to serve on the board based on several factors, including knowledge, expertise and support for sustainable seafood. As the Collaborative strives to advance...

How the Industry is Responding To The End of The Northern Cod Moratorium

The Northern cod moratorium off the north and east coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador came to an end this week after first being imposed in 1992. Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced that the iconic 2J3KL Northern cod commercial fishery would be reopening, with the total allowable catch (TAC) set at 18,000 tonnes. 

Lebouthillier called the reopening of the fishery a “historic milestone for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.” And others agree with her. The Atlantic Groundfish Council released a...

Council Tackles Trade Barriers to U.S. Tuna Fisheries at Meeting in Honolulu

This week, members of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council called attention to impediments to U.S. fisheries due to unfair trade practices by foreign fisheries. “Dumping” of cheaper, lower-quality fishery products into the United States undercuts the profitability of U.S. fisheries. These foreign fisheries are often heavily subsidized by other nations, including for operational costs, labor, fuel and ship building, the Council said in a press release.

The Council recommended convening a group of experts, inviting federal agencies and the fishing industry, to address these regional ...

The “Historic” Return of NL’s Commercial Northern Cod Fishery; Here’s What You Need to Know

On Thursday the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Diane Lebouthillier, announced the end of the Northern cod moratorium off the north and east coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Canadian government had first imposed a moratorium on the Northern cod fishery in 1992. 

“Ending the Northern cod moratorium is a historic milestone for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” said Minister Lebouthillier. “It’s through working together that we have reached this moment. We will cautiously but optimistically build back this fishery with...

Massachusetts Environmental Police Seize Over 3,000 lbs of Haddock From New Bedford Processor

Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) confirmed on Monday that they seized over 3,000 pounds of haddock from a processor in New Bedford. According to MEP officers, the haddock were below the legal size limit of 16 inches.

“The vessel captain will have his day in court and the illegal fish was donated to various food pantries to help those in need,” MEP shared on its Facebook page.

The seafood processor and vessel responsible for catching the undersized fish have not yet been identified by...

Amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Act Introduced in Bipartisan House Bill

Yesterday, U.S. House Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), James Moyland (R-Guan), Ed Case (D-HI) and Mary Peltola (D_AK) introduced Sustaining American's Fisheries for the Future Act, legislation aimed at updating and reauthorizing Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the primary law governing federal fisheries management.

Huffman, ranking member of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries, led the effort to update MSA since 2020, when he launched a nationwide listening tour to foster a transparent, inclusive, science-based approach to...

Fresh Catch Yellowfin Tuna Recalled In California Due To High Histamine Levels

High histamine levels found in Fresh Catch’s yellowfin tuna loins have prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a recall.

The recall was initiated on June 12 in the state of California. Products have a code of #461079 or #111097 with an expiration date of April 5, 2024. A total of 716 lbs of yellowfin tuna are impacted as part of the recall. 

Fresh Catch’s recall is listed as a Class II, meaning that there is a “lower chance of causing major injuries or...

Russia to Reduce Fish Catch in Barents Sea 

Russia may face a reduction of fish catch in some important basins. As part of this, the Russian Association of Fishing Fleet Shipowners (ASRF) has recently reported on the reduction of total allowable catch of cod in the Barents Sea by 31% to 311,000 tonnes for 2025. These recommendations were approved by the Russian-Norwegian research group for next year; 31% less than in 2024 and the lowest level since 2003.

At the same time the recommendations for haddock catch were also reduced by 16% (to 106.900 tons), bluefish by...

High Numbers in Egegik But Overnight Ugashik Nearly Tripled Catch to 112,000 Sockeye

If you can’t wait to track the performance stats on display at the Paris Olympics in a month, turn your focus to Bristol Bay, Alaska for a worthwhile diversion before the Games begin.  

Seafood aficionados can track the daily run of what could be 45 million sockeye salmon returning to the Bay’s nine river systems, compare those rivers performances with two forecasts this year, and even get an early DNA peek at what’s to come. A little over a week out and 100 miles distant scientists at ...

Sponsored Content: Prayon Dives into the Seafood Industry

For over 130 years, Prayon has served the world’s growing population by using phosphorous chemistry to create industry-leading, high-quality products designed for the food, industrial, healthcare, plant nutrition, and pet food sectors. While headquartered in Belgium, Prayon has plants and offices across the globe and has over 1,500 employees.

The seafood industry is now the beneficiary of Carfosel, Prayon’s line of products that leverage biochemistry to improve yield, prevent freezing damage, and maintain top taste and appearance in seafood products.

We sat down with...

May Surimi Production in Hokkaido Reaches 1429 Tons, Up 48% From Last Year

The National Surimi Manufacturers Association announced on June 25 the total amount of land-based surimi produced in Hokkaido in May 2024 at 1,429 tons, up 48% from the same month last year. The volume was broken down into 1,399 tons of Alaska pollock surimi, up 60% from the same month last year, and 20 tons of Atka mackerel surimi, down 59% from the same month last year, according to the Kamaboko News.

The total from January to May was 3,110 tons, an 8%...

The Retail Rundown: Fired Up for the Fourth

A recap of protein sales over the Father's Day weekend showed beef in the lead with nearly $208.7 million in total sales, up from $181.8 million the week prior. The steak complex averaged $13.93 discounted, 10.5% higher year-over-year (YOY). Prices on T-bone ranged from $7.93 to $15.08 discounted while top loin averaged $12.04 discounted, down 57 cents from a year ago.

Holiday features at the seafood counter included fresh shrimp at $7.82 discounted, down 70 cents from last year. Tilapia ran at $6.47 discounted, up 2.1% YOY. Cod fillets were featured...