Appellate Court Finds Structure of Fishery Management Councils Unconstitutional

An appellate court ruled in favor of a pair of commercial fishermen who challenged the constitutionality of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC) appointment process.

The 2-1 split-decision appellate court ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by commercial fishermen Raymond Lofstad and Gus Lovgren, represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation. PLF has filed various lawsuits against some of the eight U.S. fishery management councils, as SeafoodNews reported.

The duo sued the MAFMC after its decision to approve an amendment to its fishery management plan that cut the ...

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Ecuador’s Aquaculture Chamber Warns That Power Outages Put Shrimp Production, Exports at Risk

Ecuador’s shrimp farming sector warned that the industry could be severely affected by the government’s lack of communication amid planned electrical outages across the country.

The National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) said that “serious problems” could occur within the shrimp industry if the electrical outages are not communicated properly. For one, shrimp feed manufacturers need ample time to turn on their equipment.

Shrimp packing plants also need to plan to receive the product in time to classify, process, package, and place it in containers for export...

Mowi Sets 600,000 MT Volume Goal for 2029, Looking to Cut Costs by EUR 400 Million

Mowi, the world’s largest salmon farmer, announced at its Capital Markets Day that it plans to grow its volume from 500,000 metric tons to 600,000 metric tons by 2029. The company also said it would work on further cost-cutting in the range of EUR 300-400 million.

"After reaching a milestone 500,000 tonnes of salmon harvested in 2024, we are now looking ahead to the next milestone of 600,000 tonnes which we aim to fulfil in 2029," Mowi CEO Ivan Vindheim said...

Western Pacific Council Receives Praise, Spars with NMFS on Policies, Especially ESA

Praise from a top federal administrator combined with an airing of interagency issues energized the second session of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s 200th meeting Tuesday.

Sam Rauch, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs at the National Marine Fisheries Service, opened the session by complimenting the Council for its achievements, according to a press release from the Council.

“This Council doesn’t get enough credit for leadership in the region and the example it has set nationally and ...

The Government of Canada, Five Nations Sign Groundbreaking Incremental Reconciliation Agreement

Reconciliation and joint management are essential in the effort to restore salmon populations and create sustainable fisheries. The Government of Canada and the Ahousaht, Ehattesaht/Chinekint, Hesquiaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Tla-o-qui-aht Nations (the five Nations) are committed to working together to advance collaborative governance processes for fisheries resources.

Today, on behalf of the Government of Canada, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, was pleased to join the five Nations in announcing a path forward with the signing of the...

The National Fisheries Institute Pushing Seafood Consumption with 5th National Pescatarian Month

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) announced that its fifth annual National Pescatarian Month is on the horizon. NFI will launch a multi-platform campaign aimed at boosting seafood consumption throughout October.

NFI said the campaign would feature an updated e-cookbook with over 100 recipes, its Dish on Fish blog, on-air TV segments, and digital/social activations.

“It’s exciting to drive the conversation around National Pescatarian Month and to inspire people to eat more seafood through our...

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Approves New Dungeness Crab Rules to Reduce Entanglements

In an effort to reduce whale entanglements in the Dungeness crab fishery, crabbers will be subject to new rules – but not until the 2026-2027 season.

The Oregon Fisha and Wildlife Commission, when it met earlier this month, adopted new line-marking recommendations for the crab fishery so managers can more easily determine which state’s fishery was responsible for any entangled whale.

Across the West Coast, line marking has been identified as a key method for improving identification of gear involved in ...

How a Port Strike Could Ripple Through the Ag Sector

Only five days remain before a possible strike at major ports along the East and Gulf coasts, set for October 1, if negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) fail. 

The 45,000 port workers represented by the ILA are pushing for improved wages and added worker safety, as well as growing concerns over the increased use of automation. This would be the first ILA coastwide strike in nearly 50 years.

ILA Executive Vice President Dennis A. Daggett said in a statement on September 20...

Steakholder Foods Signs Commercial Sales Agreement for its Plant-Based Premixes with Bondor Foods

Steakholder Foods Ltd. (Nasdaq: STKH) (the "Company"), a leading innovator in alternative proteins production and 3D printing production technologies, announced today that it has signed a sales agreement with Bondor Foods Ltd., a renowned frozen foods manufacturer and institutional market distributor, to supply its proprietary plant-based premixes for the production of a line of white fish and salmon patties. This agreement marks the first commercial sale of Steakholder Foods' premixes, for the purpose of large-scale manufacturing and distribution...

ANALYSIS: Maine Lobster Landings Decline as New-Shell Prices Near 2021 Record Highs

Maine's lobster catch is significantly lower this season, causing a sharp rise in both boat and market prices for new-shell lobsters. Although live demand is entering its typical lull, competition for lobsters is intensifying—primarily driven by the processing sector eager to replenish low inventories. This mirrors the scenario in 2021 when the easing of COVID restrictions and the reopening of global economies triggered a similar scramble. Low inventory levels, coupled with high demand for lobster meat and tails, are leading processors...

SE Alaska Seafood Economy Struggles Amid Expanding Tourism, Retail Trade, and Government

The Southeast Alaska Economic Summit and 66th Annual Meeting, ending today in Ketchikan, offered sobering YOY numbers on the seafood sector earlier this month. 

Seafood processing job losses led the sectors that saw YOY drops in July 2024, down 300 compared to losses of 120 in state government, 100 in retail trade, 70 in health care, and 50 in transportation. Meanwhile, job numbers were up in construction and tourism (300 new jobs each this year), while increases were seen in government and financial/professional services.

Statewide job losses ...

Ecuador Gearing up for AQUAEXPO 2024

Ecuador is set to host one of the top technical-commercial events for the global shrimp industry, AQUAEXPO, on October 21-24. A press release from Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) said international delegations from over 50 countries will gather in Ecuador.

The sold-out event will take place in a 7,000-square-meter space at the Guayaquil Convention Center with over 400 stands. The CNA said the event will be split into two segments: the commercial fair and the technical conference.

Overall, 10,000-plus visitors will have the chance to examine the...

The Retail Rundown: Onwards to October

With October nearing, the shift in retail meat features from grilling cuts to roasts is picking up pace. More households are utilizing their ovens and crockpots, making it prime time for hearty ingredients like chuck roasts and pork shoulders.

Still, warmer weather lingers in some regions. For those with favorable grilling conditions, shoppers may find deals on items like steaks, ribs, and pork chops as retailers work to move any extra inventory. 

This week’s retail buying opportunities show seafood continuing to lead, making up 26.9% of protein advertisements, followed by pork at 24.7%, beef at 21.2%...

NEFMC Names Chair, Vice Chair for ‘24-25; Adds Pair of Council Members

The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) elected Rick Bellavance of Rhode Island and Daniel Salerno of New Hampshire to lead the council as chair and vice chair at its September meeting in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Two new council members were also appointed, including Connecticut’s Bill Lucey and Ted Platz of Rhode Island. The election also led to three reappointments to the Council, including Geoff Smith of Maine, Togue Brawn of Maine and Mike Pierdinock of Massachusetts.

Bellavance, NEFMC’s new chair, previously served as the vice chair since...

Acme Smoked Fish Foundation All set for Next Cycle of Industry Climate Awards

The Acme Smoked Fish Foundation announced the third year of its Seafood Industry Climate Awards which support early efforts to reduce the seafood industry’s carbon footprint.

The foundation said that three recipients will receive a $70,000 grant, including a dedicated TD Bank Award for one recipient whose project will focus on the low-carbon transition through workforce development and operating between Maine and Florida.

In addition to grants from TD Bank and Builders Initiative, the Seafood Industry Climate Awards are funded by Acme’s 1% for Climate...

Plant-Based Seafood Brand Oshi Taps ‘HealthyGirl Kitchen’s’ Danielle Brown as Chief Culinary Officer

Danielle Brown, the face behind HealthyGirl Kitchen, a brand with over 10 million followers, was named the Chief Culinary Officer of Oshi. Oshi is behind whole-cut seafood filets made exclusively from plants.

Brown will work to assist Oshi’s brand launch in the U.S., accelerate growth, expand their social media presence, and secure retailer partnerships.

Oshi said it was the first plant-based salmon product that Brown felt passionately about.

After Danielle met with the founders of Oshi, she knew she wanted to be a large...

ANALYSIS: Squid Landings and Imports on the Decline Across Multiple Regions

The squid market is currently navigating a difficult period, with landings and imports showing varying trends based on the region. Peru, in particular, is facing significant challenges. The Peruvian Ministry of Production has reported a sharp 70% decline in squid landings for the first half of the year compared to the same period last year. The lack of catch has led many smaller plants to shift their focus to both cuttlefish as well as...