US Agricultural Workforce on High Alert Amid Immigration Crackdown

The US agricultural workforce is on edge due to fears of potential raids by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a renewed focus on immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. According to data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Economic Research Service (ERS), 42% of crop farmworkers lacked legal work authorization in the U.S. between 2020 and 2022. With the agricultural sector heavily reliant on immigrant labor, the possibility of stricter enforcement has sparked widespread concern across the industry.

Farmworkers' concerns have made national headlines, including...

Lawmakers Sound Alarm as Musk's 'DOGE' Enter NOAA Offices

A pair of US lawmakers claimed that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has unlawfully gained access to the federal government and now has the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in its sights.

In a joint statement, US House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) said that DOGE has reached NOAA and is “wreaking havoc on the scientific and regulatory systems that protect American families’ safety and jobs...

ASC Blasts Norway’s Surcharge on Certified Salmon in Latest Aquaculture Tax Proposal

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) raised concerns about the latest version of Norway’s aquaculture tax, which could see ASC-certified fish subject to a NOK 2.00 per kg surcharge.

ASC CEO Chris Ninnes wrote a letter to Norway’s Ministry of Finance raising concerns about the proposed resource rent tax on Norwegian salmon, trout, and rainbow trout. ASC said it was not informed of the details of the proposed tax, and nothing has been made public, so it had to rely on a newsletter report published...

Nova Scotia Seafood Sector Embarks on Trade Mission to Europe Amid Stalled Tariffs

Recently, Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kent Smith led a trade mission to Europe, alongside a delegation of key stakeholders within the Atlantic Canadian seafood sector, in an effort to diversify the country’s seafood market, especially amid President Trump’s pending US import tariffs.

The delegation, comprised of six Nova Scotian seafood companies and eight Atlantic Canadian seafood companies, included participation by the following seafood leaders: Lobster Hub Inc., Louisbourg Seafoods Ltd., Victoria Co-Operative Fisheries Ltd., Tribune Seafood Inc., Gidney Fisheries Ltd...

Japan’s 2024 Fishery Product Imports Up Slightly by 1% at 2.09 Million MT

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on January 30, the import volume of fishery products (preliminary figures, fish and shellfish and their preparations, fishmeal, and seaweed) in 2024 was 2,093,112 tons, up 1% from the previous year. The import value was 1,947.8 billion yen ($12.71 billion), up 2%.

According to the Minato Shimbun report, Fresh and frozen tuna increased 7% to 175,088 tons, fresh and frozen salmon and trout increased 9% to 219,750 tons, and fresh and frozen shrimp increased 10%...

Trump Nominates Neil Jacobs to Lead NOAA

President Donald Trump nominated Neil Jacobs to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The nomination, now officially submitted to the US Senate, paves the way for Jacobs to return to the helm of NOAA, a role he held on an acting basis during Trump’s first term.

Since Trump's return to office, the future of NOAA has been a hot-button topic. Project 2025, a policy roadmap frequently linked to the Trump administration, calls for the breakup of NOAA, while another Republican proposal pushes to make NOAA a standalone agency, as the...

Russia Sets 20-Year Record for Pollock Consumption

Russia set a 20-year record for pollock consumption in 2024 thanks to a significant increase in the volume of supplies to the domestic market.

According to the Russian Pollock Association (ADM), last year, the per capita consumption amounted to 4 kg per person, ending the existing Soviet image of pollock among Russian customers.

Currently, pollock remains one of the main products in the “fish basket” of Russians. According to the Russian RBC business paper, citing ADM, pollock consumption in 2014-2024...

Starkist Appoints Eunhong (Edward) Min as New CEO

Yesterday, StarKist Co. announced its new President & CEO, Eunhong (Edward) Min.

Min holds a business degree from Yonsei University and completed the Advanced Management Program at Seoul National University. His career is also decorated with nearly 30 years at Procter & Gamble, where he held various leadership positions across Asia, including Senior Sales Director and Commercial Leader.

Before arriving at StarKist, Min also held the position of Executive Vice President at both Dongwon Industries (the parent company of StarKist Co.) and Dongwon Systems, as well as the position of CEO at Dongwon Industries...

Supreme Crab and Seafood, Inc. Appoints Alyssa Chowdhury as Manager of Brand Assurance

Supreme Crab and Seafood, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Alyssa Chowdhury as Manager of Brand Assurance. Alyssa has over 15 years of experience in marketing and design, making her an asset in strengthening the company’s brand presence.

In this role, Alyssa will oversee branding, marketing, and quality assurance, ensuring Supreme Crab and Seafood maintains its reputation for excellence. Her expertise in brand strategy and visual identity will play a key role in enhancing customer engagement and product integrity...

New Orleans Restaurants Adjust to Oyster Recall as Big Game Approaches

On February 5, New Orleans hosted its first-ever OysterNight amid a Tuesday night oyster recall by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).

This comes as New Orleans, the host city for the big game, prepares for one of the largest national sporting events of the year.

Due to a potential norovirus outbreak, the LDH recalled oysters in Harvesting Area 3 after 15 diners got sick from eating oysters at local restaurants between January 15 and January 31.

Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham, M.D., and LDH Secretary Michael Harrington...

Shrimp Farmers in India Cite Struggles as Vannamei Seed Prices Rise

Vannamei shrimp seed prices have risen of late, causing headwinds for shrimp farmers in India, according to media reports.

The New Indian Express reported that shrimp seed prices in the Nellore region have been driven up by increased demand for high-quality seed and broodstock. Nellore is in Andhra Pradesh, the main hub for Vannamei shrimp production in India.

The publication noted that farmers have become uncertain about the profitability of shrimp farming as seed prices rise daily. As a result, the farmers...

Government of Canada Invests $109M in Marine Safety, Supports Indigenous Communities

First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples share ties to Canada's oceans and waterways that span generations. Their in-depth traditional knowledge and expertise is critical to protecting our coastal waters now and into the future. Through Canada's Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada works closely with Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities to collaboratively protect, preserve, and restore our oceans and waterways.

Today, the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, the Honourable Anita Anand, announced an investment of over $109 million through two initiatives under the Ocean's Protection Plan...

Canadian Meat and Seafood Subscription Company truLOCAL Offers 25% off Products During Tariff Pause

EMERGE Commerce Ltd. ("EMERGE" or the "Company"), a premium e-commerce brand portfolio, announces that truLOCAL, our Canadian meat and seafood subscription brand, is offering first-time customers a 25% off discount for 30 days.

Ghassan Halazon, truLOCAL President and EMERGE CEO commented, "At truLOCAL, we believe supporting local and eating healthy isn't just a movement, it's a way of life. Politics aside, it's been an inspiring week witnessing and participating in the 'coming together' of Canadians to double down on LOCAL..."

Lobster Size Rule Reversed: Industry Concerns Prompt ASMFC to Repeal Gauge Increase

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) repealed a controversial proposal to increase the minimum catch size limits for lobsters in the Gulf of Maine.

The ASMFC said its decision stems from “fervent industry concerns about the potential economic impacts” of the increased minimum gauge size in the Gulf of Maine and possible trade issues with Canada.

The rule was set to go into effect on July 1, 2025.

“Rolling back resiliency measures is not at all what I wanted to have happened. After multiple zone...

Body Recovered from Sunken Scallop Boat Off Maine Coast Was Father Chester Barrett

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) released a bulletin today confirming the identity of the recovered body from the fishing vessel Sudden Impact, which sunk off the coast of Maine in mid-January.

Per the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, the body recovered from the wreckage on Sunday, February 2 was confirmed to be Chester “Chet” Barrett of South Addison.

The search for Barrett and his son, Aaron, began on January 19, after the two men failed to return home from a fishing trip the day...

Grieg Seafood Names Magnus Johannesen as New CFO

Yesterday, Grieg Seafood ASA announced that Magnus Johannesen would be transitioning from the role of Global Finance Officer to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective February 5, 2025.

As part of the planned transition, Atle Harald Sandtorv is stepping down from his role as CFO, which he has held since 2009.

CEO Andreas Kvame expressed gratitude for Sandtorv’s leadership and commitment to Grieg Seafood over the course of his tenure.

"Atle Harald has played an instrumental role in the shaping of Grieg Seafood for more than 15 years, having secured the financing and..."

Red Lobster Engages Middle School Students with New Ocean Sustainability Challenge

National seafood restaurant chain Red Lobster recently announced the launch of its new program, the Red Lobster Ocean Sustainability Challenge.

The initiative, which begins on February 5, invites teams of middle schoolers across the United States (with up to five people) to submit three-minute video presentations of innovative solutions that improve the world’s oceans and waterways.

The program aligns with Red Lobster’s Seafood with Standards initiative, which outlines the company’s commitment to protecting the ocean and sourcing foods that are high-quality, traceable, and sustainable...