Maine DMR Withdraws Proposed Lobster Size Increase Amid Industry Concerns

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has withdrawn a rule that would increase the minimum catch size limits for lobsters.

The decision by DMR Commissioner Patrick Keliher was made on January 9 and garnered praise from the industry. The Portland Press Herald also reported that Keliher said the DMR would consult lobstermen about any future conservation proposals regarding the state’s staple fishery.

The rule, developed by the Atlantic Staes Marine Fisheries Commission, was called Addendum 27 (XXVII). It would increase the minimum size of gauges fishers use to measure...

Zhanjiang Guolian Aquatic Products Signs Exclusive Shrimp Sales Contract with Ecuador's AQUAGOLD

According to Minato Shimbun, AQUAGOLD in Guayaquil, a major Ecuadorian vannamei producer, has signed a three-year exclusive agency contract with Zhanjiang Guolian Fisheries for the Chinese market, according to reports from multiple Chinese media outlets on January 8, 2025.

Ecuador is a major producer of farmed vannamei, with more than half of its exports going to China. The largest vannamei producer in Ecuador is Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscilla (IPSP), followed by Sociedad Nacional Galapagos (SONGA) and AQUAGOLD...

Russia May Consider Ban on Fish Catch in Black and Azov Seas After Kerch Strait Oil Spill

Russia may consider imposing a ban on the fish catch in the Black Sea and Azov Sea due to the Kerch Strait oil spill, which occurred after two Russian-flagged river-sea class oil tankers—carrying approximately 4,900 tonnes of fuel oil—split in half and sank as a result of a December 15 storm just south of the Kerch Strait.

The December event resulted in the death of one crew member and the aforementioned oil spill, which involves mazut, a heavy petroleum...

Norway’s 2024 Seafood Exports Rank as Best Year Yet

According to a statement from the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), Norway experienced its highest ever seafood export value in 2024, with a total of 2.8 million tonnes of seafood products exported, amounting to NOK 175.4 billion (approximately $15.4 billion).

Upward trajectory for Norwegian seafood exports

This marks a 2% increase from 2023, when the Scandinavian country experienced a seafood export value of NOK 171.7 billion (approximately $15.08 billion). The NSC recorded seafood exports of more than 60 different species to over 150 countries worldwide...

Pat Hafner Elevated to President of Outback Steakhouse

Bloomin' Brands has announced the promotion of Pat Hafner to Executive Vice President, President of Outback Steakhouse, the company’s flagship brand. In this new role, Hafner will oversee all operations and drive the continued growth and development of the Outback brand.

Hafner’s journey with Bloomin’ Brands began in the restaurant as a server at Outback Steakhouse. Over the years, he steadily advanced through a series of roles, including Manager, Managing Partner, Joint Venture Partner, and Regional Vice President.

In 2018, Hafner expanded his resume by joining Carrabba’s...

ILA and USMX Avoid Work Stoppage with New Six-Year Contract

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a tentative agreement on all items for a new six-year Master Contract on January 8, per a joint press release.

The two sides agreed to continue to operate under the current contract until the union can meet with its full Wage Scale Committee and schedule a ratification vote, and USMX members can ratify the terms of the final contract, per the joint statement.

“We are pleased to announce that ILA and USMX have reached a...

Grieg Seafood NL Clarifies Temporary Pause in Post-Smolt Facility Construction

Grieg Seafood NL confirmed that the pause in construction for its planned post-smoltification (PSA) facility in Newfoundland and Labrador was a temporary measure.

The statement from the company follows a news report produced by NTV, which featured the mayor of Marystown, NL, showcasing his worries about the project's future, along with Grieg’s presence in the community.

“Is this just a ploy to let it go gingerly into the future to soften the blow?” Marystown Mayor Brian Keating theorized...

Economist Dr. Nomi Prins to Keynote Seafood Expo North America 2025

Seafood Expo North America (SENA) is right around the corner.

North America's largest seafood trade event announced Dr. Nomi Prins as its 2025 keynote speaker. Prins, PhD, is a macro-economist, geopolitical expert and best-selling author. Prins will provide an economic outlook for the seafood industry.

Prins will also host a tailored discussion on topics ranging from tariff policies and regulations and their impact on the supply chain to energy policies and AI. The keynote is titled, “Riding the Waves: Navigating...

Eight-Year High for FDA Entry Line Refusals of Antibiotic Contaminated Shrimp

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released data showing a total of 64 seafood entry line refusals in December 2024—not including entry line refusals of shrimp for reasons related to banned antibiotics—and a total of 79 entry line refusals of shrimp for the presence of banned antibiotics, as determined by product traces of veterinary drug residues.

The latter datum marks an eight-year high since 2016, when the FDA refused 134 shrimp entry lines due to the presence of banned antibiotics. Meanwhile, the...

USDA to Purchase $50 Million in Wild Alaska Pollock

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an upcoming purchase of up to $50 million of Wild Alaska pollock. The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) highlighted that the purchase will support fishermen, companies and communities involved in the industry that are battling low pollock prices amid a dip in demand and increased competition from Russia.

“We all appreciate the quick response by USDA to address the needs of the seafood industry and, at the same time, food insecure Americans by committing to purchase what may be...

Genetic Testing Finds Texas Restaurants Mislabeling Shrimp

More restaurants in the Gulf region have been found to sell imported shrimp despite “claims, implications, or menu descriptions” that indicate the offerings were wild-caught shrimp from Texas.

SEAD (Seafood Development) Consulting conducted another genetic testing investigation in the Gulf of Mexico region, this time finding that just shy of 60% of restaurants tested in Galveston and Kemah, Texas, were serving imported shrimp.

SEAD noted that several sampled restaurants advertised Gulf shrimp on their menus but served imported farm-raised products instead. Restaurants also used “misleading marketing, imagery, or descriptions” that implied...

Chile’s Sernapesca Reports Increased Antimicrobial and Antiparasitic Use in Salmon Farming

VALPARAÍSO, CHILE, January 8, 2025 – Sernapesca, Chile’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service, recently published its Report on the Use of Antimicrobials and Antiparasitics.

The report corresponds to the first half of 2024 and offers information on the use of drugs in Chilean aquaculture in accordance with article 90 quater of the General Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture. Releases of this nature fall within Sernapesca’s national obligation to regulate and supervise the use of pharmaceutical products in Chilean aquaculture operations.

Sernapesca’s National Director, Soledad Tapia Almonacid, emphasized the importance of...

Mowi Scotland to Transition from Loch Arkaig After 35 Years

Mowi Scotland announced that it was unable to come to an agreement on a lease extension at Loch Arkaig, one of its oldest freshwater sites in Scotland. The company has farmed at the site for over 35 years.

“We will cease farming here in April but take forward experience and strong scientific evidence showing that there is no detrimental environmental impact from farming salmon here,” the company said in a blog post recapping its 2024 operational highlights in Scotland.

The company will move to a pair of new production sites...

Global Seas Announces Leadership Transition as Seafood Industry Veteran Bob Desautel Steps Down

Global Seas, a Seattle-based harvesting and vessel management company, announced that its founder, Bob Desautel, would be stepping down from his role as chief executive of the firm and transitioning to the role of Chairman, per a January 7 announcement from the company.

Desautel has worked in the seafood industry for over four and a half decades and has become a staple within the Wild Alaska Pollock industry. Global Seas said his vast experience has been pivotal to the company’s growth and success over...

Biden Signs FISHES Act to Expedite Fishery Disaster Relief

President Joe Biden signed the FISHES Act, legislation that aims to speed up the process of fishery disaster relief allocation, into law on January 4.

“The Fishery Improvement to Streamline Untimely Regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation Act (FISHES) will create procedures for reviewing spending plans submitted to the Department of Commerce by requesters seeking fishery resource disaster assistance funding,” per a briefing from the White House.

The legislation has received the support of 160 endorsing entities, including 107 organizations and 52 members of the U.S. House of Representatives...

8F Asset Management Secures $460 Million for RAS Salmon Facility in Japan

8F Asset Management based in Singapore, the parent company of Soul of Japan of Tokyo, which aims to produce Atlantic salmon using a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) in Mie Prefecture, has raised 460 million US dollars or 72.678 billion yen for the construction and operation of the facility. The company announced this on January 6. The amount raised includes 33 billion yen ($209.10 million) received from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in June 2024, and an additional 39.7 billion yen ($251.55 million) has been raised, according...

Japanese Sea Urchins to Be Exported to EU for the First Time

Kitasanriku Factory of Iwate Prefecture, the first sea urchin facility in Japan to receive EU HACCP certification, will export to the Netherlands, France, Italy, and other countries in the future. The company's CFO, Hirokazu Suzuki, has received inquiries from several European companies, saying, "High-quality sea urchins are in demand in Europe, and there is strong demand for Japanese sea urchins in French and Italian restaurants," reported Minato Shimbun.

On December 13, 2024, the company's head office plant was certified for four items...