ANALYSIS: US Frozen Tuna Supply Tightens as Seasonal Demand Window Nears

The frozen tuna market appears to be entering a firmer phase as tightening supply begins to intersect with the seasonal demand window. Year-to-date imports through March were down 14.4%, marking the eighth consecutive monthly decline from the prior year. The pullback has been led in part by two key suppliers, with Vietnam down 19.1% and Indonesia down 14.4%, reinforcing the view that supply is becoming less comfortable as the market moves toward its stronger summer period. At the same time, market participants report tightening current availability...

Federal Court Battle Erupts Over South Atlantic Red Snapper Permits

A federal lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C., has sparked a high-stakes legal battle over exempted fishing permits that dramatically extend recreational red snapper seasons in the South Atlantic, pitting commercial fishing interests against state fisheries agencies and NMFS.

Commercial fishing groups led by the Southeastern Fisheries Association filed suit May 5 against Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and NMFS, seeking to block exempted fishing permits (EFPs) issued May 1 that allow Florida a 39-day recreational red snapper season starting May 22, and Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina...

Scottish Salmon Exports to UAE, Gulf States Set for Boost Under New Trade Framework

Scottish salmon exports are expected to jump after the United Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) inked a trade deal on May 20.

Salmon Scotland, which describes itself as the voice of Scotland's farmed salmon industry, said the deal will ensure tariff-free access for UK goods to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, removing 5% tariffs on certain salmon exports.

Last year, salmon exports to the aforementioned countries reached 670 metric tons worth £6.5 million...

Friendly’s Rolls Out Summer Menus, Expanded Drinks and Value Updates to Drive Seasonal Traffic

Friendly’s is rolling out a slate of seasonal menu updates and value-focused offerings designed to drive traffic as summer begins, combining limited-time items, expanded beverages and refreshed in-store value options.

“At Friendly’s, summer is all about families and friends coming together to enjoy a mix of tradition and something new, whether that’s a lobster roll, a fun drink or a simple meal that fits the day,” said Dawn Petite, president of Friendly’s Restaurants. “This menu brings...

Mexico Launches Multi-Agency Crackdown on Shrimp Smuggling Operations

Mexico's National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (Conapesca) coordinated sweeping anti-smuggling operations across seven states this week, targeting illegal shrimp imports.

The May 18 operations involved joint inspections with customs agency AGACE, health regulator COFEPRIS, the National Guard, and food safety agency Senasica at 15 strategic locations spanning major commercial hubs from Tijuana to Tapachula. Inspectors verified documentation, sanitary compliance, legal origin, and regulatory adherence for shrimp imports and derivatives.

Notably, Conapesca specifically cited protecting domestic producers from "irregular entry of products from non-market economies" – trade terminology...

Steakholder Foods To Launch Perfecta Premium Plant-Based Meat in US Later This Year

Steakholder Foods Ltd. (Nasdaq: STKH), a supplier of whole cuts of plant-based meat using 3D-printing technology, announced plans to launch Perfecta™ Premium Plant-Based Meat in the US market in the second half of 2026.  

The campaign will use the slogan “Plant-Based Meat, Perfected!” and position the products as next-generation plant-based protein options, including Marbled Steak, Filet Mignon, Salmon Patties, Chicken Breasts, and White Fish Patties. 

In a statement announcing the campaign...

Circle Seafoods Sets 2026 Alaska Seine Prices, Holds Pink Base at $0.61

Circle Seafoods announced its 2026 Southeast Alaska seine season base prices, setting pink salmon at $0.61 per pound, chum at $1.07 per pound, and sockeye at $2.50 per pound, with payments processed within weeks rather than months.

The company is maintaining its 2025 final pink price of $0.61 as the 2026 base, citing retail demand built through its Ultra Low Temp Pink Salmon Fillets, now available in 4,000 US stores, including Publix, Whole Foods, H-E-B, and Sprouts Farmers Market...

Alaska's Attorney General Voids 5 Board of Fish Regulations on Area M, Due to Ethics Violation 

Alaska's highest law enforcement authority sent a letter to Alaska's Lieutenant Governor, Nancy Dahlstrom, yesterday, “disapproving” of the Alaska Board of Fisheries' actions on five proposals that were adopted into regulation at its February 18 – 24, 2026, meeting.

The regulations, all affecting Area M salmon fisheries, would have taken effect on June 1, 2026. 

Acting Attorney General Cori Mills, a 14-year veteran of the AG's office, acted under the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act as a matter of state government accountability, independently...

Study Finds Juvenile Fraser River Chinook Exposed to Hundreds of Contaminants

A new study focused on juvenile Harrison River Chinook finds the fish are feeding and growing in a cocktail of contaminants including common medications, personal care items and industrial chemicals.

"We've shown there's a mixture of chemicals in the Lower Fraser, which not only presents potential risks to juvenile Chinook, but also other aquatic life," says Bonnie Lo, environmental scientist and lead author of the study.

Unveiled by Simon Fraser University, the research tested samples for more than 595 contaminants across up to...

Red Lobster's Oldest Operating Restaurant to Close After 56 Years

Red Lobster will shutter its oldest continuously operating location on May 24, marking the end of a 54-year run for the Tallahassee, Florida, restaurant that opened in 1970.

The Tallahassee Democrat confirmed the closure on May 18 after speaking with the restaurant's manager and employees. Red Lobster verified the decision to ABC News the following day.

"This restaurant holds a special place in Red Lobster's history and has been a meaningful part of the community for decades," the company said in a statement...

Nova Scotia's LFA 33 Lobster Harvesters Gain Jonah Crab Bait Access in Policy Shift

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced May 21 that lobster harvesters in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 33 can now retain Jonah crab bycatch for use as bait, addressing climate-driven bait supply concerns in one of Canada's most valuable lobstering regions.

Minister Joanne Thompson said the decision allows LFA 33 harvesters to keep Jonah crab caught incidentally in lobster traps, bringing them in line with practices already permitted in neighboring Areas 34-38. Previously, retention was prohibited due to the area's directed Jonah crab fishery...

Premier Dixon and Governor Dunleavy Sign Renewed Alaska-Yukon Intergovernmental Accord

Alaska and the Yukon reaffirmed their commitment to several shared issues, including deeper collaboration on research and the ongoing rebuilding of salmon populations in the Yukon River.  

Premier Currie Dixon and Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy met during the fifth annual Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference, where they discussed shared northern energy priorities and the Arctic’s growing strategic importance.

Both Dixon and Dunleavy emphasized the close, longstanding relationship between Alaska and the Yukon, including cross-border family and friendship connections, ties among Indigenous communities and a shared commitment to...

Expana Publication Schedule for the Memorial Day Holiday Period

Expana will be observing the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 25, across its Americas offices, which will impact the publication dates of several Expana Benchmark Prices. The closure will also impact news publications across all platforms.

The European and APAC offices’ publication schedules will be unaffected by this holiday.

The Memorial Day holiday period will affect the following markets:

Haaland to Play Viking in Norwegian Seafood-Backed Film "ViQueens"

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland will expand his role as Norwegian seafood ambassador into Hollywood, appearing as a Viking in the upcoming film "ViQueens" scheduled for a December 2026 release.

The Norwegian Seafood Council announced May 18 that Haaland will take on the role of a "legendary Viking known as 'Haaland'" in director Harald Zwart's film, which follows two Viking girls on an adventure highlighting seafood's importance to Viking-era global trade.

The seafood marketing tie-in represents an extension of Haaland's ambassador partnership with the Norwegian Seafood Council...

Hilton Foods Maintains 2026 Outlook Despite Seafood Headwinds

Hilton Food Group reported solid trading performance in its core meat and fresh prepared food businesses while Hilton Food Group reported solid trading performance in its core meat and fresh prepared food businesses while acknowledging continued challenges in its seafood, vegetarian, and vegan divisions ahead of its AGM today, extending struggles that prompted a strategic review earlier this year.

The UK-based food processor maintained its 2026 adjusted profit before tax guidance of £60-65 million despite ongoing pressures in its seafood operations, which became "marginally loss-making...

Seafood Nutrition Partnership Launches Fourth Annual Summer Seafood Challenge

Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP) is launching its Fourth Annual Summer Seafood Challenge, a 60-day push from June 20 to August 20 that asks participants to eat seafood at least three times a week which is the recommendation in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, while raising awareness and funds for SNP’s nutrition education work.

Individuals and teams can sign up and create fundraising pages through GiveLively, inviting friends, family and colleagues to join. New this year, SNP is encouraging “Progressive Parties” — virtual or in-person gatherings that...

Canada Launches New Funding Call to Tackle Ghost Fishing Gear

The Canadian government is expanding efforts to tackle abandoned and discarded fishing gear in the country’s waters, announcing a new round of funding aimed at preventing and removing “ghost gear” from the marine environment.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has launched a new call for proposals under the Ghost Gear Fund, Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson announced Wednesday. As outlined in Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature, the federal government will invest $15 million over three years to strengthen efforts to prevent, locate, retrieve...