ANALYSIS: Supply Pressures Intensify as NOAA's MMPA Decision Impacts Crab Meat Market

The US crab meat market faces its most severe supply adjustment in years following NOAA Fisheries' May 11, 2026 announcement on Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) comparability findings. Over the past two weeks, regulatory certainty has transformed into near-term supply constraints, prompting the industry to recalibrate sourcing strategies as summer demand season approaches.

The situation began with NOAA's September 2, 2025 determination that swimming crab fisheries in Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines were non-compliant with US marine mammal...

Whale Entanglement Highlights Pressure on Oregon Dungeness Fishery

A whale entanglement off the Oregon coast is raising renewed concerns about marine habitat and commercial fishing after local outlets reported a humpback whale dragging tagged Dungeness crab gear. The Oregonian reported that officials have not identified the gear’s owner because the vessel name and permit number on the tag could not be clearly read.

NBC5 News interviewed Ben Grundy of the Center for Biological Diversity, who said rising ocean temperatures and marine heatwaves are causing “habitat compression,” increasing interactions between whales and human activity.

The sighting...

Seafood Industry Pushes Congress to Advance Open Ocean Aquaculture Legislation

Seafood industry leaders and aquaculture advocates gathered in Washington, DC, this month to press lawmakers for federal legislation that would create a clearer pathway for commercial open ocean aquaculture in US waters.

The lobbying effort, organized by Stronger America Through Seafood, included meetings with members of Congress and a Capitol Hill seafood reception on May 13 focused on expanding domestic seafood production as demand for sustainable protein continues to rise.

Participants in the event included Cargill, Innovasea, Sysco and Zeigler...

2026 Economic Value of Alaska’s Seafood Shows Strength of Industry Amid Turbulent Times 

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has released it’s 7th update of Economic Value of Alaska’s Seafood, covering the turbulent years of 2023 and 2024, a period that saw the lowest ex-vessel value for Alaska seafood since 2000, amid global market pressures and changing supply conditions.That said, the industry employed nearly 42,000 workers resulting in $1.9 billion in labor income and $5.3 billion in economic impact, representing a full 7 percent of Alaska’s GDP.

“While the past few years...

ArcelorMittal Fined Record $100M for Fisheries Act Violations in Quebec

A Quebec court has ordered ArcelorMittal Exploitation Minière Canada s.e.n.c. (AMEM) to pay a record-setting $100 million fine after the mining company pleaded guilty to 100 counts of violating Canada’s Fisheries Act.

The sentence, handed down May 15 by the Court of Québec, marks the largest fine ever imposed in Canada under the Fisheries Act. AMEM was fined $1 million for each count tied to the unlawful deposit of harmful substances into waterways in the Fermont region between...

All-out Effort for 2026 Yukon Chinook and Chum Salmon Reach Spawning Grounds in US and Canada

For the third consecutive year, catastrophic returns will keep one of the world’s largest salmon fisheries closed to most fishing. But efforts in both the US and Canada are laser-focused on maximizing the number of Chinook and chum salmon that reach their spawning grounds. Yukon Chinooks migrate the longest, and the farthest north of any other salmon in the world. They begin and end their lives in the rivers of the Big Salmon Mountain Range in the Yukon Territory’s...

United Fishermen of Alaska Begins Search for New Executive Director, Welch Named to CFEC

Alaska’s largest fishing organization is recruiting a new executive director, following recent legislative confirmation of former ED Tracy Welch to be one of two commissioners at the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.

UFA’s executive director position carries a starting salary of $90,000-$100,000 according to the job description.

Welch joins Rick Green, who was appointed March 1, 2025. Welch was appointed by Governor Mike Dunleavy April 21, 2026 and was confirmed by the state Legislature in recent...

Alaska Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Electronic Monitoring for Trawl Vessels in State Waters

Editor’s note: After publication of this story on May 18, the Alaska House passed the Senate version of HB 117. The bill now heads to Governor Mike Dunleavy for signature.

In the final days of the Alaska State Legislature’s regular session, an amendment introduced by Anchorage state Senator Bill Wielechowski that requires trawl vessels to turn on their electronic monitoring systems while operating in state waters, passed the Senate. It had already passed the House and is now on its way to Governor...

SADC Ministers to Focus on Food Security, Livestock Disease and Blue Economy at Zimbabwe Summit

Southern African ministers overseeing agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture and food security will gather in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, on May 29 for regional talks expected to center on climate resilience, food production challenges and efforts to strengthen the blue economy.

The high-level gathering comes as several countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) continue to face pressure from climate variability, livestock disease outbreaks and ongoing concerns over regional food security.

Among the key issues expected to receive attention are recent...

ANALYSIS: Domestic Scallop Supply Influx Dominated by Smaller Counts Amid Global Shortfalls

The 2026-27 scallop season has commenced with 2.04 million lbs through April, representing a significant improvement from last season's exceptionally weak 1.42 million lb start. However, the landing data reveals the broader context of this recovery - current volumes, while encouraging, remain well below the historical framework that supported the industry through stronger cycles. Recent data demonstrates how domestic production has contracted dramatically from the robust 56-57...

Princes Shifts Sardine Sourcing to MSC-Certified Iberian Fishery

UK food and drink group Princes Group has begun sourcing sardines from the Marine Stewardship Council( MSC)-certified Iberian purse seine fishery, marking the company’s latest move to expand its range of sustainably certified seafood products.

The transition follows the Iberian sardine fishery receiving MSC certification in July 2025, confirming the fishery meets standards tied to stock health, ecosystem impacts and fisheries management.

Princes said some products entered stores in March, with a broader rollout expected in the coming months. Packaging carrying the MSC ecolabel is...

SalmonChile Calls for Cross-Sector Unity at Blue Week 2026 as Chile Advances Blue Economy Agenda

SalmonChile played an active role at Blue Week 2026, the ocean innovation summit organized by the Climate Cluster for Ocean Innovation (CINCO) in Puerto Montt and Santiago from May 11–14. The event brought together authorities, scientists, investors, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to develop collaborative solutions that harness the ocean’s potential to address the climate crisis.

"Blue Week 2026 is being held in a context where the blue economy is gaining more and more prominence worldwide and...

Russia’s Salmon Catch Could Fall Up to 30% in 2026, Fisheries Head Says

Russia may face a steep decline in salmon catches this year, with volumes potentially falling by as much as 30% compared with 2025.

This was previously confirmed by Ilya Shestakov, head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries, who said that Russia’s Pacific salmon catch could decline this year to around 230,000 tons, down from last year’s level.

“So far, our forecasts for salmon catches in 2026 have been not very good, being lower than 2025 levels. We forecast between 200,000 and...

Sweden Invests SEK 30 Million to Build Domestic Oyster Industry

Sweden is looking to reduce its heavy reliance on imported oysters after a new research program secured nearly SEK 30 million in funding to help build a domestic, sustainable oyster industry.

Today, Sweden produces only about nine tons of oysters per year, while imports exceed 300 tons. The five‑year project, running from 2026 to 2031, is led by Alyssa Joyce at the University of Gothenburg and is designed to strengthen hatchery capacity, test cultivation systems, and create a fully functioning value...

Pacific Dream Seafoods Plans Major Processing, Cold Storage Expansion in Washington

A major seafood processing and cold storage project is set to move forward in Burlington, Washington, as Pacific Dream Seafoods expands operations to meet growing regional demand.

The planned development will add a 61,000-square-foot facility in Skagit County featuring upgraded processing areas, expanded cold storage capacity, blast freezers, an ice room, office space and a covered shipping and receiving dock.

The project, expected to be completed in mid-2027, will be constructed on a six-acre site with Chad Fisher Construction...

Global Coalition Urges Japan to Halt Public Funding for Octopus Farming Research

A global coalition of animal-welfare groups and scientists is urging Japan to stop funding research aimed at industrial octopus farming, citing serious animal welfare, environmental and public health risks.

The Aquatic Animal Alliance (AAA) ,joined by 182 organizations in 75 countries, and supported in Japan by Animal Rights Center Japan and the Aquatic Life Institute, sent formal correspondence to the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) on May 9 asking for a review of public research allocations tied to octopus...

Distinguished Programs Opens Marine Cargo Program for Business With Allianz Capacity

Distinguished Programs (“Distinguished”), a national MGA and insurance program manager, today announced that its Marine Cargo program is officially open for business.

The program provides coverage for physical loss or damage to goods in transit and storage. Coverages include Stock Throughput, Ocean/International Transit, Domestic Inland Transit, Foreign Inland Transit, and Contingent Cargo, addressing complex global supply chains and specialized logistics exposures across a range of industries.

The program is led by Ralph Salce, who brings more than 30 years of...