Fishing Industry on the Brink: FCC Calls for Urgent Government Action

The Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC) called China’s 25% tariff on Canadian seafood exports an “existential threat” to fishing operations across the country, especially as it follows US tariffs.

The FCC has pushed to sound the alarm on the impact of the China tariffs, with the March 20 deadline approaching. The double tariff situation could impact 83% of Canada’s seafood export markets within a span of days. The US and China represent roughly CA$6.6 billion ($4.6 billion) of Canada’s CA$8.1 billion in fish...

NL Delegation to Meet with New Buyers at Seafood Expo North America and Explore Market Opportunities 

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s (NL) Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture division recently announced that Minister Honorable Gerry Byrne and a delegation of provincial fishery representatives will meet with key global buyers during the 2025 Seafood Expo North America (SENA).

The annual seafood expo takes place on March 16 – 18 in Boston, Massachusetts, and will allow the NL government to explore global market opportunities with key players in the seafood sector.

This year, NL will be co-exhibiting with the following companies...

Herring Landings in Western Hokkaido are Down 45% at 1,115 Tons

Herring fishing in the Sea of Japan off the coast of Hokkaido is currently sluggish. According to the Hokkaido Fisheries and Forestry Department, the total catch as of February 20, mainly in the Shiribeshi, Ishikari, and Rumoi areas, was 1,115 tons, down 45% from last year. In recent years, catches have continued to grow, and last year was a record high; however, the situation has changed dramatically this year, reported Minato Shimbun.

Even in March, there are no signs of improvement. According to production area statistics...

US Shrimp Industry Sees Two Protectionist Bills Introduced in the 119th Congress

Two bills aimed at protecting the beleaguered U.S. shrimp industry have been introduced in the current U.S. Congress: one in the House yesterday and one in the Senate on February 20, 2025. 

Both bills would restrain imports from foreign suppliers using different tools. The Senate bill—the text of which is currently unavailable—would tighten federal inspection requirements for U.S. shrimp imports. The House bill would ban U.S. financial support for “any activity relating to shrimp farming, shrimp processing, or the export of shrimp from any foreign country..."

Indonesian Fishermen Sue Bumble Bee Foods Over Forced Labor Allegations

A group of Indonesian fishermen filed a lawsuit against tuna canner Bumble Bee Foods, alleging forced labor and human trafficking violations while onboard vessels that caught tuna which was eventually sold within the US.

The suit was filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of California on March 12 and alleges that San Diego-based company infringed on the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). This law allows foreigners who suffered from human trafficking to sue US companies linked to forced labor...

US Coast Guard Detains 16 Mexican Fishermen for Illegal Fishing, Seizes 2,500 lbs of Red Snapper

On the night of Tuesday, March 11, 2025, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) crews intercepted and detained 16 Mexican fishermen who were engaging in illegal fishing activities off the coast of southern Texas. During its interdiction, Coast Guard officials seized approximately 2,500 pounds of illegally caught red snapper.

Boat crews from Coast Guard Cutter Daniel Tarr and Coast Guard Station South Padre Island coordinated with Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi Command Center watchstanders and Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi aircrews to intercept four vessels...

Nordic Halibut Secures Processing Deal with Pure Norwegian Seafood

Nordic Halibut (NOHAL) signed a deal with Pure Norwegian Seafood (PNS) to allow the halibut farmer to use PNS’ processing facilities at Averøy.

The two firms also entered into an agreement that will see PNS’ principal shareholder, Masoval, according to which NOHAL is allowed to purchase 100% of the shares in PNS. The deal's price was not made public and is subject to the agreement between Masoval and other minority shareholders of PNS.

Nordic Halibut said the processing facility is key to scaling up production volumes in the coming years...

ANALYSIS: Fresh Chilean Salmon Fillets Trend Higher than European

Many protein commodities have been behaving oddly for the past several weeks. Fresh farmed salmon fillets are among them.

The fresh salmon fillet market continues to act in a way that is not on trend, but it’s been somewhat off trend for the past 4 months. Looking back at the 4^th quarter of 2024, we observed the fresh Chilean fillet market firming through mid-October and straight through November. November is usually a time for turkeys and farmed salmon at retail where it thrives starts to wane ahead of the...

The Retail Rundown: Grocers Leverage Seasonal Trends; Inflation Update

As temperatures rise across much of the US, grocers are highlighting seasonal offerings for springtime occasions and grilling essentials.

Retailers are refining their marketing strategies to align with shifting demand, appealing to sports fans to boost traffic in the meat department. However, securing lower year-over-year protein prices remains a challenge, as factors like animal disease continue to affect availability across key categories.

The wholesale chicken market is gaining traction with baseball season on the horizon, driving demand for boneless items. Expana reports that buyers are scrambling to secure supply...

Highwood Harbor Acquires Nova Seafood, Expanding Seafood Portfolio

Highwood Harbor, a group backed by seafood entrepreneur Jordan Mazzetta, announced the acquisition of Maine-based seafood processor and distribution company Nova Seafood.

The firm, owned by Angelo Ciocca and George Branco for the past 30-plus years, will continue to operate under the same management and practices.

Jordan Mazzetta, owner of Highwood Harbor, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition: "We are thrilled to welcome Nova Seafood into the Highwood Harbor family. Angelo, George, and their team have built an incredible legacy over the past three decades, and we are committed to...

New ASC-Certified Smoked Salmon Bites Hit Shelves at H-E-B

On March 11, 2025, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) announced the arrival of a new ASC-labeled retail product: Hot Smoked Norwegian Atlantic Salmon Bites - Garlic & Herb, produced by Netherlands-based seafood company Foppen.

The ready-to-eat salmon product—which is available at select H-E-B locations across America—is smoked, marinated in garlic and herbs, and then packaged as bite-sized pieces into 4 oz. snack packs for purchase at retail locations.

The Hot Smoked salmon bites follow after Foppen’s similar ASC-certified product...

Ecuador’s SSP Celebrates Seven Years of Shrimp Sustainability

The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) is celebrating its seventh anniversary as a global benchmark entity for responsible shrimp production.

SSP is comprised of leading shrimp producers in Ecuador’s booming shrimp farming sector, which currently dominates the global shrimp market.

“Leading by example has not only been a strategic foundation but also our greatest source of learning,” said SSP Director Pamela Nath, commemorating another year since the organization’s 2018 founding.

The Partnership’s certification program plays a vital role in how the SSP moves the needle on shrimp farming. At its core, SSP certification...

Echo Falls Seafoods Hires New Midwest Regional Sales Manager

On March 10, 2025, U.S. seafood producer Echo Falls Seafoods announced the appointment of a new Regional Sales Manager for its Midwest operations, Jeremy Titsworth.

Titsworth is a retail expert with more than 18 years of food and retail experience, having previously held the positions of Retail Sales Merchandiser and Business Development Manager at retail broker Advantage Solutions, as well as a grocery manager and prep chef.

“I’m eager to take on the new role of Regional Manager with Echo Falls Seafood and look forward pairing my expertise with the country’s..."

Captain D’s First UK Location Set for Summer Opening

Captain D’s first location in the United Kingdom is set to open in August 2025. The fast-casual seafood chain announced its first franchise deal in January 2025, as Expana reported.

The company signed a 20-unit master franchise agreement for the UK through a partnership with CD’s Holdings. The first location will be in Kent, with another two restaurants set to open in Sussex and Hampshire shortly after.

The principals of CD's Holdings are seasoned entrepreneurs with experience in the restaurant business, as well as other ventures...

European Commission Announces Countermeasures to US Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

The European Commission (EC) has responded to new US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union (EU) by launching countermeasures on imports from the US into the EU.

On February 10, 2025, the US announced that it would impose import tariffs of 25% on steel and aluminum derivative products. The tariffs will apply to industrial-grade steel and aluminum, other steel and aluminum semifinished and finished products, as well as their derivate commercial products, covering EU exports to the US worth up to €26 billion, according to the EC...

Russia Increases its Live Crab Exports to China in 2025

This year, Russia is increasing its exports of live crab to China—an uptick which coincides with a stable local demand and high export profits.

As a rule, live crabs account for 80% of Russia’s overall crab exports to China, with the majority of crab entering through the ports of Primorye and transported by road to the city of Hunchun before being distributed throughout China.

According to Russian research agency Agroexport, China imported a total value of US $1.3 billion in crab and shrimp from the Russian Federation during...

RODA Files Supreme Court Petition Against Vineyard Wind, Challenges OCSLA Interpretation

On March 10, 2025, the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA) filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit regarding the U.S. Department of the Interior’s reinterpretation of Section 1337(p)(4) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), specifically in relation to the approval of the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind energy project in Massachusetts.

RODA is a broad coalition of American fishing associations and companies focused on improving the compatibility of new offshore development with the...