Washington Recalls Oysters and Manila Clams from Rudy’s Shellfish, Potential Norovirus Contamination

According to an advisory posted yesterday by the U.S. Food and Drug Association, the state of Washington has recalled oysters and Manila clams from Rudy’s Shellfish in Pickering Passage, Washington, that were harvested between 11/15/2024 and 12/11/2024 due to a possible norovirus outbreak.

The FDA is currently advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell the oysters and Manila clams in question. The FDA also advises immediate disposal of any products that were harvested in the designated time frame, as they might...

US Unveils First Updated National Aquaculture Development Plan in 40 Years

The National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Aquaculture just finalized the draft Overview of the National Aquaculture Development Plan, which creates a holistic framework for how federal agencies should advance aquaculture contributions for the purpose of public health and nutrition, more resilient communities, a stronger economy, and a healthier planet overall.

The plan, which was released earlier this year for public comment for the first time since 1983, is comprised of three strategic plans: the Strategic Plan to Enhance Regulatory Efficiency in Aquaculture; the National Strategic Plan for...

Norway Chooses Italy for Salmon Investment Project

This year, the Norwegian Seafood Council has chosen Italy for a new case investment project for salmon, with main focus on increasing learning and testing new activities and approaches for the Italian market.

The Council has been exploring larger investments in one to two markets each year since 2017. The Italian market poses an opportunity with its recent growth in chain-based restaurants and the positive development in Italian salmon sales.

Tom-Jørgen Gangsø, Country Director for Italy, said, “Even though salmon has been performing well in Italy, we have analyses showing us..." 

US Releases Progress Report of Recent Efforts to Combat IUU Fishing and Fishing Labor Abuses

On December 13, 2024, the U.S. Department of State published a press release on U.S. Efforts to Combat Illegal Fishing and Associated Labor Abuses, detailing the State Department’s progress on actions taken thus far under NSM-11 and the National 5-Year Strategy.

The National 5-Year Strategy for Combatting IUU Fishing was published by the Interagency Working Group on IUU Fishing in 2022. Comprised of 21 U.S. government agencies and offices, the Interagency exists to coordinate and promote stronger fishing rules and stricter...

Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service Rules Out Korean JV Pollock Fleet

In November, the Russian Antimonopoly Service concluded that eight pollock fishing companies operating in Russia are controlled by foreign capital. Minato Shimbun reported that this would forcefully halt "illegal fishing" by foreign capital and resource catch quotas.

According to the Hokkaido Trawl Fisheries Cooperative Federation, the companies found to be under foreign capital are joint ventures between Russian and Korean companies. These companies were established in the early 2000s, with Russian companies holding more than 51%...

Russian King Crab Takes Flight: Direct Barents Sea-to-China Shipments Slash Costs Amid US Embargo

King crab producers in the Barents Sea in northwestern Russia have focused on shipping live crab to China, and direct flights from the production area are likely to become established. Direct air transport from Murmansk, near the production area, to China began for the first time in July this year. According to Minato Shimbun, approximately 420 tons of live king crab were airlifted to China from Murmansk airport over five months from July to November—multiple Russian media outlets reported on December 10...

Operation Trident’s 17th Year, Combatting Illegal Seafood Sales in NSW During the Holidays

On December 12, 2024, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) joined forces with NSW Police for Operation Trident, a statewide initiative to protect consumers and ensure seafood safety and sustainability.

Sean Sloan, NSW DPIRD Deputy Secretary Fisheries and Forestry, informed the public that fisheries officers will be conducting a targeted crackdown on illegal seafood sales, with particular focus during the peak holiday season. Sloan added that seafood consumption increases during the holidays, which often leads to more cases of illegal seafood trading...

NEFMC Finalizes Adjustments to Framework 69 with Focus on Atlantic Cod Catch Limits and Stock Units

The New England Fishery Management Council recently took final action on Framework Adjustment 69 to the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan, which includes catch limits and management measures for 2025 and beyond.  

Before the decision-making process began, the Council reviewed the following reports:

• Peer-reviewed results of Management Track Stock Assessments 2024 for American plaice, pollock, witch flounder, Atlantic halibut, Georges Bank haddock, and Gulf of Maine haddock, as presented by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center

• Overfishing limit (OFL) and acceptable biological...

NMFS Announces New 2025 Regulations for Commercial Fishing of Pacific Tuna

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) recently published the final rule under the Tuna Conventions Act (TCA) of 1950, which involves new regulations for fish aggregating device design and reporting requirement in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The new regulations will affect commercial fishing for the following species: Pacific yellowfin tuna, Pacific skipjack tuna, and Pacific bigeye tuna.

According to a news release by NOAA Fisheries, the regulatory decision was published on December 6, 2024, and will result in the implementation of two resolutions adopted at the 101st Meeting of...

Production Trends and Market Dynamics of Scottish Atlantic Salmon

Scotland is one of the world's three largest Atlantic salmon producers, after Norway and Chile. The historical biomass harvest reported by the Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey in October 2024 reveals that production levels have been unstable over the last ten years (Table 1). While production declined significantly in 2023 by 11% year over year (y-o-y), the Scottish government forecasts a rebound in 2024, with a 23% increase based on current stock levels.

The global trade tracker updated in October has shown that the year-to-date...

USDA's 2023 Census of Aquaculture Results Reflect 26% Total Sales Increase Since 2018

The 2023 Census of Aquaculture was released on Dec. 16, 2024, by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, indicating that total sales of U.S. aquaculture products in 2023 were up by 26% from 2018, amounting to $1.9 billion.

The 2023 Census of Aquaculture is conducted every five years and provides updated information about the country’s aquaculture production and marketing practices.

According to the release, in 2023, there were a total of 3,453 aquaculture farms with sales in the U.S., which is 18% more than in 2018...

Fish Catch in Russia Declines This Year, Leading to Price Increases

Fish catch in Russia declines this year, which has led to price increases in the domestic market.

According to Forbes Russia magazine as of December 2, citing the president of the All-Russian Association of Fishery Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters (VARPE) German Zverev, the volume of catch has amounted to 4.58 million tons, which is 9% lower than the same period in 2023, which experienced record-breaking catch. 

In case of pollock, the volume of catch increased by 1%, amounting to 1.85 million tons, while pacific herring - by 11%...

Seafood Distributor QPS and Two Managers Sentenced for Conspiracy and Misbranding Seafood

Mississippi seafood distributor Quality Poultry and Seafood Inc. (QPS) and two of its managers were recently sentenced for conspiring to mislabel seafood and commit wire fraud by marketing inexpensive and frozen imported substitutes as more expensive and premium local species, according to Mississippi state authorities.

QPS was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay the United States $1 million in forfeitures and a $500,000 criminal fine.

QPS was also ordered by the Court to maintain species, source, and cost records for five years...

TD Bank Survey: Restaurant Industry Anticipates Bright 2025 with Tech and M&A at the Forefront

A survey conducted by TD Bank at the 2024 Restaurant Finance and Development Conference indicated that optimism has returned to the restaurant franchise industry after years of challenges.

The TD Bank poll collected insights from 175 restaurant operators and finance professionals as they look ahead to 2025. Alongside the optimistic outlook, TD Bank noted that the adoption of digital and mobile ordering, menu creativity and higher expectations around AI were also key findings from the survey...

2024 Juvenile Fish Survey Shows Promising Results for Chesapeake Bay Menhaden

The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition (MFC) said that recent findings from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 2024 juvenile striped bass survey showcased great news for juvenile menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay.

The MFC explained that while news around striped bass reproduction wasn’t great, positive trends were seen around the key forage species of menhaden and spot.

"Encouraging results were documented regarding two species lower on the food chain," DNR wrote. "Menhaden abundance was nearly equal to last year, which was the highest measured since 1990...

Costco Refuses to Accept 98 Percent of Teamsters Proposals

Yesterday, Costco rejected or refused to accept nearly all Teamsters' proposals, including critical language on seniority, inclement weather, paid family leave, bereavement policies, sick time, and safeguards against surveillance. By dismissing approximately 98 percent of the proposed provisions, the wholesale giant has signaled a troubling unwillingness to bargain in good faith and is taking an aggressive anti-union stance.

"The clock is ticking, and instead of engaging seriously at the bargaining table, Costco continues to waste time with surface bargaining," said...

BioMar Launches Resilience-Boosting Feed for Aquaculture Amid Disease Outbreaks

Aquafeed producer BioMar launched its SmartCare Endurance feed solution that aims to help farmed species battle challenging conditions like SRS outbreaks.

The company said the new product addresses the pressures of infectious diseases, chronic inflammation, and environmental stressors on aquaculture operations.

“SmartCare Endurance provides farmers with a powerful tool to support fish health during environmental challenging periods,” explained Torunn Forberg, BioMar Product Marketing Manager SmartCare. “This new product reflects our commitment to helping farmers overcome the challenges of modern aquaculture while prioritizing fish welfare and performance...