Stone Crab and Lobster Price-Fixing Case: Florida Exec Avoids Prison

Dennis Dopico, the Florida seafood executive who pleaded guilty to price‑fixing stone crab claws and spiny lobster, avoided jail and was sentenced to five years of probation for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. Dopico also has a restitution hearing scheduled for April 3, 2026.

Dopico was first indicted by the US Department of Justice in September 2025 for conspiring with competitors to fix seafood prices, as Expana previously reported.

The DOJ alleged that Dopico “knowingly joined and participated in a conspiracy with other persons and entities...

Gold Star Distribution Recalls Thousands of Products, Including Canned Fish and More Seafood

Thousands of products from Gold Star Distribution have been recalled due to the presence of rodent and avian contamination. The recall, initially made public in December 2025, has garnered added attention as many staple food brands like Cheerios, Pringles and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are included in the lengthy recall.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that a Gold Star facility in Minneapolis was operating under insanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent excreta, rodent urine...

Maruha Nichiro to Raise Home-Use Surimi Prices 2–7% Starting April 1, 2026

Maruha Nichiro, one of the largest seafood companies in the world, announced it will revise shipping prices for its home-use surimi products effective April 1, 2026.

The company said it is facing “severe challenges” due to rising costs across raw materials, labor, fuel, packaging, and logistics. The depreciation of the yen is also a factor.

The price changes will affect the company's surimi products for home consumption, including fish sausage, fish cakes, and other fish paste products. Prices are expected to rise by 2-7%...

Ocean Prime Marks 20 Years with Expansion Plans, New Loyalty Program and Culinary Innovation

Ocean Prime, the fine-dining brand from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants (CMR), is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026 and unveiling ambitious growth plans to extend its footprint across the US and beyond.

Founded in 2006 in Columbus, Ohio, Ocean Prime has grown into a top-tier dining destination known for elevated hospitality, exceptional cuisine, and memorable guest experiences. Despite economic headwinds, the brand continues to thrive, led by a commitment to culinary innovation and a strong associate-first culture...

ANALYSIS: Official US Shrimp Imports Reveal Product Mix Shift

US Shrimp import data was released on Thursday. Expana’s forecasts largely fell within model error bands; shell‑on volumes were the notable outlier, consistent with the trends previously flagged:

- shell-on below or on the low range

- peeled above, or on the high range; this time, peeled was well within the range.

- cooked and breaded within the range.

The above by‑type outcomes explain why the total came in below some headline expectations. The “by type” breakdown remains essential to understanding market dynamics...

ANALYSIS: Pacific Halibut Hit Record Highs While Atlantic Maintains Seasonal Flow 

The 2026 Pacific halibut season quota has been set at 29.33 million pounds coastwide, marking the lowest total allowable catch in the more than 100 year history of the fishery. U.S. allocations are largely unchanged from 2025, while British Columbia’s quota was reduced by roughly 7 percent as ongoing stock concerns persist. Under the International Pacific Halibut Commission framework, the season is scheduled to run from March 26 through December 7, 2026, continuing the emphasis on conservation and a tightly constrained harvest profile...

Koikoi Trading Recalls FU ZHOU FISH BALL for Undeclared Allergens

The FDA recently published a recall issued by Koikoi Trading inc, the manufacturers of FU ZHOU FISH BALL from the Yaba brand.

According to the alert, these items contain allergens (wheat and sesame) that have not been declared on its packeging. 

These items were distributed through foodservice and e-commerce channels and may have reached consumers in states including CA, WA, OR, NY, FL, TX, NJ, IL, MA, GA, AZ, NV, CO.

Affected products have a 24 month shelf life and include:

• 200g (consumer pack)...

IFFO: Positive Trend for Global Marine Ingredients Production

In Peru, the second fishing season in the North–Centre region has ended with the anchoveta fleet having landed almost all of the 1.63 million metric tonne quota. “This is positive news ; while data still needs to be confirmed for the full year, we expect 2025 to have delivered slightly lower production of both fishmeal and fish oil compared with 2024”, Dr Enrico Bachis, Market Research Director at IFFO commented.

By November 2025, the total cumulative annual fishmeal production* rose by approximately...

SalMar Culls 1.4 Million Juveniles Following Mortality Incident

SalMar has culled roughly 1.4 million juvenile salmon after Norwegian local media reported a mass die-off of 573,776 smolt at one of its land-based facilities.

Local paper Folkebladet first reported the incident and documented the smolt loss, while follow‑up coverage noted that the company moved to cull an additional 1.4 million juvenile salmon, bringing the total impact to roughly 2 million fish.

SalMar has notified the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) on January 14. The paper reported that the incident stemmed from gill problems in various tanks at its...

Japan: 2025 Fishery Product Exports Increased 41% in Volume, 22% in Value 

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, seafood exports in 2025 (fish and shellfish preparations, fish meal) increased 41% year-on-year in volume to 586,308 tons, and increased 22% in value to 353.719 billion yen ($2.312 billion). This marks the first volume increase since 2021 and the first value increase since 2022. Strong demand, a continued weak yen, and rising prices for farmed fish such as yellowtail and scallops are likely to have driven the value to a record high, according to the Minato Shimbun...

Wild Alaska Sole Association Pitches Fit With New US Dietary Guidelines

The Wild Alaska Sole Association said its product, often labeled as Wild Alaska Flounder, fits perfectly with the US’ updated 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines recently unveiled by the Trump administration.

"While food trends are always changing, the research is consistent that fresh, wild seafood provides critical nutrients like omega-3s that are hard to replace with other foods," said Pat Shanahan, executive director of the Wild Alaska Sole Association.

"Wild Alaska Sole is especially approachable. It's mild-tasting, easy to cook, and naturally lean, while providing essential omega-3...

McDonald's Embraces Opulence with the Exclusive McNugget Caviar Kit

TikTok has been instrumental in driving food trends that have captivated social media and permeated everyday culinary experiences. A few years ago, videos emerged showcasing a luxe reinvention of the McDonald's Chicken Nugget, pairing the crispy, tender favorite with the salty, savory decadence of caviar. The intriguing combination has resonated with audiences worldwide, and McDonald's has embraced the trend.

In a bold move, the fast-food giant announces its first-ever McNugget Caviar Kits, featuring Paramount's Baerii caviar, available exclusively on February 10 at McNuggetCaviar.com, not in any McDonald's restaurants.

Federal Court Dismisses Mowi Appeal, Upholds Discovery Islands Salmon Farming Ban

Canada's Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed Mowi Canada West's appeal of a 2024 ruling that effectively bans salmon farming in the Discovery Islands region of British Columbia.

The decision upholds a June 2024 federal court ruling that affirmed the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans’ authority to deny aquaculture licences in the Discovery Islands on conservation grounds. Environmental groups and wild salmon advocates hailed the outcome as a major victory.

“This is another tremendous victory for wild salmon," said...

Hilton Foods Cautious on 2026 as Greek Smoked Salmon Export Ban to US Drags On

Hilton Food Group expects its 2025 adjusted profit before tax to land between £72–75 million, in line with earlier guidance, but has warned that ongoing restrictions on smoked salmon exports from its Foppen facility in Greece to the US will persist into at least the first half of 2026, alongside ongoing protein inflation pressures.

In a Jan. 29 trading update, the UK-based multi-protein supplier said net bank debt is set to finish 2025 at roughly £135 million, reflecting recent divestments...

Expana's Weekly Top 10: Key Developments in Weather, Trade, and Market Trends

This week on Expana, headlines brought together a dynamic mix of extreme weather, evolving trade disputes, and shifts across consumer and corporate landscapes. A major winter storm disrupted US infrastructure and supply chains, while new tariff threats reshaped trade flows in seafood, agriculture, and manufacturing. Together, these developments highlight growing pressures across food, commodities, and retail sectors worldwide. Below, Expana presents the top 10 stories influencing markets, trade, and consumer sentiment this week- In no particular order.

10. Winter Storm Grips Much...

GBH News to Premiere New Podcast: Catching The Codfather

GBH News today announced the upcoming premiere of Catching The Codfather, a new podcast from the Peabody Award-winning team behind The Big Dig and Scratch & Win. Catching The Codfather traces the true-crime story of New England fishing tycoon Carlos Rafael, his controversial rise, and the federal sting operation that finally brought him down exactly 10 years ago this month. The six-part limited series, the latest season of GBH News’ The Big Dig™ podcast, is hosted by Ian Coss...

Ocean Harvesters Urges ASMFC to Test ‘Gauntlet’ Theory Before Advancing Chesapeake Menhaden Limits

Ocean Harvesters has called on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board to delay new purse seine restrictions in the Chesapeake Bay until the Plan Development Team rigorously tests the “gauntlet” theory underpinning the proposed addendum.

The company says the theory—that Ocean Harvesters’ purse seine fishery in the lower Bay blocks menhaden from reaching Maryland pound nets—has not been adequately examined. “Before the Commission advances restrictions premised on a single, untested narrative, the PDT should rigorously examine what’s...