ANALYSIS: Canadian Lobster Exports Drop Sharply in November Year-Over-Year

In November, exports of live lobsters from Canada dropped by nearly a third compared with the same time last year, falling by 36.2%. According to the the latest census data, 1,358 metric tons of live Homarus Americanus from Canada were sent abroad in November compared to 2,014 MT last year and 3,305 MT two years ago. In value, the month of November represents 41,501 CAD ($28,807) or a 21.9% yearly decline...

Japan: November Imports for Salmon and Trout Fall 8%, and Sockeye from the US Plummets to 60 MT

According to the Ministry of Finance's trade statistics, the total import volume of salmon and trout (including salted, smoked, and prepared products) in November 2024 was 21,009 tons, down 8% from last year. The CIF import value was 27,856 million yen ($178.49 million), up 6%. The value excluding fillet imports were 14,474 tons, down 17%, while fillets (fresh, frozen, salted, and dried) increased 24% to 6,535 tons.

Minato Shimbun reported that the decrease in frozen sockeye salmon affected raw materials other...

Supreme Crab and Seafood Pledges to Achieve Carbon Neutrality

Yesterday, Seafood importer Supreme Crab and Seafood reaffirmed its sustainability pledge by announcing its goal of achieving carbon neutrality.

To accomplish this, Supreme Crab and Seafood will continue working with the global organization Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to increase the efficiency, and reduce the carbon footprint of, its current operations. As part of its strategic approach, Supreme Crab and Seafood will focus on the following areas: sustainable sourcing, energy efficiency, supply chain optimization, and research and development...

Quin-Sea Fisheries Withdraws Membership from ASP

Today, Quin-Sea Fisheries withdrew its membership from the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP), effective immediately.

Previous friction between Quin-Sea and ASP

The withdrawal follows a series of back-and-forth interactions between the two entities, including ASP’s October 2024 application filing to the Newfoundland and Labrador’s Labour Relations Board claiming that Royal Greenland-owned Quin-Sea Fisheries refused to hand over sales receipts that the ASP argued were required to pass along under the third-party review of 2024 snow crab sales...

Maine Lobstermen Urged to Relocate Gear After Right Whale Sightings

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) released a bulletin urging commercial lobstermen to move their gear from Jeffreys Ledge after 75 endangered North Atlantic right whales were spotted last week just off the western edge of the area, per a January 17 bulletin.

“I am strongly urging any lobster fisherman with gear in the vicinity of the right whales on Jeffreys Ledge to move their gear to another area until surveys indicate that the whales have moved on,” DMR Commissioner Patrick Keliher said...

ANALYSIS: Navigating Volatility: US Squid Market Trends and Supply Dynamics in Late 2024

The U.S. squid market continued to grapple with significant challenges as 2024 drew to a close. Peru, a key supplier, has faced sharp supply declines throughout much of the year, with imports down 16.3% year-to-date through November—equivalent to nearly 2 million pounds below 2023 levels. November alone witnessed a dramatic 62.4% drop, amounting to a loss of 650,000 pounds. These steep declines have forced many buyers to seek alternatives amid a market already strained by external pressures...

European Commission Releases New ‘Fishers of the Future’ Study, Projects Fish Sector Changes in 2050

The European Commission (EC) recently released a new study called ‘Fishes of the Future,’ which explores emerging challenges in the European Union’s (EU) fisheries sector, specifically presented as four possible scenarios and probable impacts as the sector approaches 2050.

The study, which utilized climate and market dynamics to postulate future changes to the fishing profession, is the end product of a series of discussions between EU fishers and an EC-wide, multi-stakeholder consortium of industry experts...

Royal Greenland Unveils New Packaging for Frozen Cod and Halibut Boxes, 100% Recyclable

Royal Greenland just revealed new sustainable packaging for its 15-pound frozen boxes of cod and halibut, which is 100% recyclable and plastic-free.

The packaging—which is already being utilized on Royal Greenland fishing trawlers—was developed in collaboration with packaging solutions company Schur and replaces the polyethylene (PE) coating on the cardboard box with a water-based coating. As a result, the new coating offers durability while providing a more sustainable solution for the Greenland-based fishing company...

Fast-Casual Seafood Chain Captain D’s Sets Sail for the UK

Top U.S. fast-casual seafood chain Captain D’s is traveling across the Atlantic after signing a 20-unit franchise agreement in the United Kingdom.

This marks the restaurant’s first venture into Europe and the second international development deal following its recent Canadian expansion in Toronto.

The deal, signed with an experienced team of restaurant operators, will introduce Captain D's signature seafood offerings to Europe. In 2025, the first restaurant will open in the London area.

By entering the UK, Captain D's is advancing...

NRGene Canada and Northern Indigenous Fish Company Partner to Turn Fish Waste Into Feed

NRGene Canada Inc., a leading AI-driven genomics company in the agricultural industry, announces its partnership with Ile-a-la-Crosse Fish Company Inc. Together, the two companies will utilize fish waste to develop sustainable protein solutions. This collaboration marks a major step forward in promoting circular economy practices and fostering a more resilient future.

The project will apply BSF larvae growth technology to convert fish processing waste into valuable resources, including high-quality protein for the pet food and aquaculture industries, and nutrient-rich organic fertilizers...

The Winding Glass:  On the Eve of Trump, Tariff Outlook May be Moderate

Last month, I wrote about a worst-case scenario for U.S. seafood if major tariffs are imposed on Canadian lobster and crab. The interdependence of production and consumption in these two countries is so entwined that any dramatic action could be hugely disruptive.

Now, on the eve of the inauguration, I believe the worst-case scenario is unlikely. In fact, the lobster and crab seasons could begin in Canada without a clear picture of tariffs. In short, the seafood industry may have time to make the necessary market...

Nordic Aquafarms Abandons $500M Salmon Facility in Belfast, ME Amid Legal Challenges

After six years and “tens of millions of investment dollars”, Nordic Aquafarms is dropping efforts to build a land-based salmon farm in Belfast, ME, according to an announcement from the firm last Friday.

“This is a sad day for Maine’s economy and outlook for aquaculture or any significant investment in the State” says Brenda Chandler, US CEO for Nordic. 

“While a few may view this as a victory, we argue that this is a significant loss overall, not just for Nordic Aquafarms but for the ...

ANALYSIS: November 2024 Marks a Pivotal Shift in the Warm Water Shrimp Market

In 2023 and 2024, the EU and UK showed overall growth in warm-water shrimp imports from the beginning of spring until November, followed by a winter demand slowdown. The U.S. followed the same pattern, but the uptick in imports occured in October. Chinese imports also rose this season, but the turning point is situated towards December or January, depending on when the Chinese New Year falls on the calendar...

16 Congressmen Release Bill to Ban NOAA Fisheries From Any Shut Down of Atlantic Red Snapper

One of the first bills introduced in the brand new 119th Congress is a bipartisan, bicameral Red Snapper Act, introduced late last week “to stop the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from unilaterally closing the red snapper fishery in the South Atlantic until reliable and accurate data from the soon-to-be completed independent study, the South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count, is incorporated into the stock assessment.” 

The quote is from a January 16, 2025 announcement from Senator John Rutherford (R-Fl),  ...

Japan: Frozen US Redfish Imports Rise; High Priced Norwegian and Iceland fish Decreased

Last year, Japan's imports of frozen redfish rose in price through November while volumes declined. The average price was 412 yen/kg ($2.63/kg), 3% higher than the same period last year, and the volume was 15,990 tons, down 5%. Imports from the United States, which saw a gradual price increase, increased, but imports from Norway and Iceland, which are in the higher price range, declined.

As for US imports, a trading company testified, "Prices remain high, but compared to the price increases...

Proximar Seafood Hires Michinori Hoshijima as Chief Commercial Officer

Proximar Seafood, a land-based salmon farmer with facilities in Japan, announced that Michinori Hoshijima has taken the position as Chief Commercial Officer of Proximar Ltd., effective January 15.

Hoshijima brings a plethora of experience in the Japanese Atlantic salmon market. He worked for Mowi Japan for 23 years as Director, heading the sales and distribution for the Japanese market...

Town Dock CEO Ryan Clark Named Chairman of National Fisheries Institute

Ryan Clark, the President and CEO of Rhode-Island based seafood company The Town Dock has been named Chairman of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), for a one-year term.

Clark will guide the NFI’s direction and advocate for the U.S. seafood industry. He will work with NFI President and CEO Lisa Wallenda Picard and the NFI membership on industry priorities, advocacy, and strategic planning.

“I am honored to become Chairman of the National Fisheries Institute,” said Clark. “The U.S. seafood industry plays a vital role...