Episode 43: What's the Catch? Tariff Impact on Global Seafood 

The global seafood trade is a complex web of species, product forms, production regions, and seasonality. Highly susceptible to geopolitical shifts among global trade partners, action in the seafood market impacts producers, importers, exporters, retailers, foodservice and, ultimately, consumers.

In this episode, Jamie and special guest, Ryan Doyle, dive into the deep waters of trade policy and the latest round of tariff news--and what it all could mean.  

Listen now.

Les Hodges: How the World's Major Crab Producers Manage the Resource

For decades, the global crab industry has focused on quotas, markets, and prices. Yet one question is rarely examined: how do the world's major producing nations ensure that hundreds of millions of pounds of king and snow crab are actually harvested within their Total Allowable Catch (TAC)?

In 2026, global king and snow crab production will approach 225,000 metric tons, nearly 500 million pounds. Russia and Canada remain the largest producers, while Alaska, Norway, Greenland, and Japan supply important regional fisheries. China dominates the live crab market, and the...

Philippines Issues New Crab Fishing Rules, Eyes Restoration of US Market Access Before Year-End

The Philippine government has moved to tighten its blue swimming crab fishery regulations and expressed confidence that exports to the United States can resume before the end of 2026 — more than six weeks after an import ban under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act took effect.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he is confident the country will restore access to the US market, its most critical destination for blue swimming crab, known locally as alimasag, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer...

NOAA Opens Public Comment on Potential MMPA Import Rule Overhaul, Seafood Industry Gets a Say

NOAA Fisheries has published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking public input on potential changes to the Marine Mammal Protection Act's import provisions, the regulatory framework that determines which countries can sell fish and seafood products in the US market. Comments are open through September 28, 2026.

The notice does not propose specific rule changes. It is the earliest stage of the regulatory process, an open invitation for the seafood industry, foreign governments, trade groups, and conservation organizations to weigh in on how the...

Update of Statewide Salmon Landings Emphasize Concern for Pinks and Chums

Alaska salmon harvests are continuing to show a concerning pattern of very few pink salmon returning in any areas of the state and a severely depleted keta (chum) run to date.

As the McKinley Research weekly update of July 25, 2026 puts it “Keta harvests were down 66%, and pink salmon runs are either low or late to arrive.”

Landings are recorded daily but published at different times in each port. In some areas, like Southeast Alaska and Prince William Sound, pink and chum...

Tuna Price-Fixing Saga Reaches Its Final Chapter as $152M in Consumer Funds Cleared for Distribution

More than a decade after a price-fixing conspiracy rocked the US canned tuna industry, the last major legal milestone has been reached. On July 27, US District Judge Dana M. Sabraw signed an order authorizing the final disbursement of $152.2 million in settlement funds to consumers who purchased packaged tuna at retail during the class period — bringing the In re Packaged Seafood Products Antitrust Litigation to a close.

The fund pools settlements from three defendant groups: StarKist and its parent...

Georgia Seafood Wholesaler Agrees to $265,000 Settlement in EEOC Sex Discrimination Case

Moon N Sea GA, LLC, formerly known as KGI Trading GA, has agreed to pay $265,000 to settle a US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sex discrimination lawsuit alleging violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on sex, among other protected categories.

According to the EEOC, the settlement is also subject to a two-year consent decree requiring the company to provide specialized training to employees on Title VII’s prohibition...

The Retail Rundown: Buying Opportunities Emerge Beyond Peak Grilling

As summer enters its final stretch, retailers are shifting their focus from peak grilling season to the next major merchandising window: back-to-school, Labor Day, and early fall meal occasions.

Consumers remain focused on value as grocery budgets face pressure, yet they are still willing to spend on proteins that deliver an affordable "restaurant-at-home" experience. 

At the same time, evolving priorities and the increased adoption of GLP-1 medications are reshaping how households plan meals and shop for groceries, with new consumer research showing that health...

CFIA Posts Recall for Walmart Canada Private-Label Shrimp Rings

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has posted a recall for Our Finest shrimp rings with mild cocktail sauce due to the presence of 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone.

The product is sold exclusively at Walmart Canada under the retailer’s private-label Our Finest brand. The affected shrimp rings come in 240 g packages with UPC 6 27735 26412 7 and code 2027JL31 printed on the label.

According to the CFIA notice, the recall was issued by Export Packers Company Limited on...

Asian Demand Helps Lift Global Salmon Trade in 2025

Global salmon trade expanded in 2025, supported by stronger production, rising Asian demand and shifting trade flows shaped in part by tariffs, according to a new report from FAO Globefish.

Global salmon production reached roughly 3.157 million metric tons in 2025, up 12.1% from the previous year, the report said. Increased output from major suppliers, particularly Norway and Chile, helped boost export volumes, while the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) remained important market drivers.

Norway exported 1,414,909 metric tons of...

ANALYSIS: El Niño, Light Inventories, and Tariffs Set the Stage for C&SA's 2026–2027 Mahi Season

The Central and South American mahi industry is entering the 2026–2027 fishing season under a unique set of market conditions. Inventories remain lean following two consecutive seasons of below-normal production, while replacement costs continue to hold near historically elevated levels. Although U.S. imports improved during the 2025–2026 season, much of that increase represented a recovery from an exceptionally weak prior year rather than a return to historically abundant supply. As a result, buyers enter the new season with little inventory...

US Senators Urge Treasury Secretary Bessent to Crack Down on China's IUU Activity

Last Wednesday, US Senator Todd Young (R-IN) and eight other senators sent a four-page letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent outlining efforts already underway to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by Chinese fleets and urging the administration to now target the supply vessels that enable them. China's illegal fishing practices, the senators wrote, undermine international law, threaten global fish stocks, and harm American fishermen.

In the letter, the senators outline a strategy to target China's distant-water fishing fleet by sanctioning...

European Commission Clears €149m Swedish Aid Scheme for Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture

The European Commission has approved a €149 million (nearly $171 million) Swedish State aid scheme to support agricultural, fishing and aquaculture companies facing higher fuel and fertilizer costs linked to the war in the Middle East.

The support was cleared under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), adopted by the Commission in April, which is designed to address the impact of the crisis on the sectors most affected. 

Under the scheme, companies will receive capped grants covering...

Alaska Airlines Doubles Freighter Fleet With Four New Aircraft Dedicated to Alaska and Hawaii

Alaska Airlines announced Friday it has entered into long-term lease agreements for four 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter aircraft, expanding its dedicated cargo fleet from five to nine planes and effectively doubling its freighter capacity. The new aircraft will enter service in the first half of 2027 and will be dedicated exclusively to Alaska and Hawaii.

The expansion is part of Alaska Accelerate, the airline's broader strategic plan under which cargo is expected to deliver $150 million in new annual profit as the company...

Baja Fresh Rolls Out Crispy Diablo LTO in Time for Late-Summer Traffic Boost

Fast-casual chain Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has introduced a new limited-time offer as it looks to sustain traffic during a typically slower stretch of the summer for foodservice.

The new Crispy Diablo lineup is available in three formats — bowl, burrito and tacos — and is built around the chain’s Diablo sauce paired with crispy chicken or shrimp. The items also include lime rice, Diablo salsa, black beans, cabbage and pico de gallo.

"The new Crispy Diablo entrées deliver everything...

USDA Announces $76.5 Million Food Purchase, Including $25 Million for Atlantic Groundfish and Catfish

The US Department of Agriculture announced it will purchase up to $76.5 million in agricultural commodities from American farmers and producers for distribution to food banks and nutrition assistance programs, including $25 million earmarked for seafood

The purchases are made under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935, a permanently authorized federal program that funds surplus commodity purchases for domestic food assistance programs, including school nutrition and food banks. The full commodity breakdown is as follows...

Japan: Frozen Cod Imports Plummet 80% in January-May

Imports of frozen Pacific cod have plummeted. According to the Ministry of Finance trade statistics, last year saw the unit price rise 41% year-on-year to 883 yen/kg ($5.39/kg), while volume dropped 81% to 906 metric tons. From January to May of this year, the unit price rose 26% year-on-year to 1,080 yen/kg ($6.59/kg), and the total volume fell 79% to 115 tons. During the same period, imports from the U.S. saw a 53% increase in unit price to 1,267...

West Coast Fishing Communities Face Historic Threat From Super El Niño

The West Coast is bracing for what forecasters say could be one of the strongest El Niño events in recorded history, with Pacific Ocean temperatures off Washington and Oregon already running well above normal. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has reported soaring sea surface temperatures — already twice the 0.5-degree Celsius threshold that triggers an official El Niño declaration — and Ocean Conservancy experts warn the US is dangerously underprepared for what could follow.

Marine heatwaves that accompany Super El Niños suppress ocean nutrients, allow toxic algae to flourish...

Maine Lobster Defamation Case Hits Turbulence at First Circuit

A defamation lawsuit brought by Maine lobster trade groups against the Monterey Bay Aquarium ran into serious skepticism at the First Circuit on Monday, with appellate judges questioning whether a libel claim can stand when it targets an entire industry rather than specific individuals — a ruling that could have broad implications for seafood sustainability ratings and press freedom alike, according to Courthouse News.

The case dates to 2022, when Seafood Watch gave American lobster a "red" environmental rating, citing the risk that lobster fishing gear poses to endangered...

Santa Priscila Wins Antitrust Approval for Ecuaprotein Asset Deal

Ecuador's antitrust regulator, the Superintendency of Economic Competition (SCE), has approved Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila's proposed acquisition of assets and production resources from Proteínas del Ecuador Ecuaprotein SA.

The decision was announced Tuesday, 28 July, by the First Instance Resolution Commission (CRPI) of the SCE, which concluded the transaction would not generate adverse effects on competition in the relevant markets.

Under the deal, Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila, Ecuador's largest shrimp producer and exporter, will acquire assets used in the production and marketing of shrimp...

DFO Launches Tougher Transfer Enforcement, Public Consultations on Inshore Fishing Regulations

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) says it is taking additional steps to protect Atlantic Canada and Quebec’s $3 billion annual inshore fishery, as it continues a comprehensive review of regulations that took effect in 2021.

The Inshore Regulations were introduced to clarify who can hold a licence, who must do the fishing, and who can make decisions about fishing activities. DFO began its review of the rules in February 2026.

Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced two new measures aimed at ensuring the economic benefits...

Russia Eyes 7.5% Increase in Snow Crab Catch as Northern Basin Drives Growth

Russia is targeting a snow crab catch of 50,000 tons in 2026, a 7.5% increase over 2025, with the gains expected to boost both domestic supply and exports, according to experts from the All-Russian Association of Fisheries (VARPE).

The increased Russian output is part of a broader global picture. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, world snow crab production is expected to exceed 150,000 tons this year — a record. Russia accounted for 31% of global snow crab catch in 2025...

BIO-UV Group Posts €20.1M in H1 Revenue, Cites Aquaculture Growth and Major Iceland Salmon Contract

French water treatment and disinfection specialist BIO-UV Group reported €20.1 million in turnover for the first half of 2026, with aquaculture among the key growth drivers. Revenue in the aquaculture segment rose €0.6 million over the period, while the company's Services & After-Sales division grew 10% year-on-year.

The Lunel-based company also secured a major water treatment and disinfection contract with a global salmon producer in Iceland earlier this year, which is currently under implementation...

Chilean Salmon's Biggest Tariff Hurdle Yet as Section 301 Takes Effect

Chilean salmon will now face a 12.5% tariff when entering the United States following the Trump administration's latest tariff actions, which went into effect on July 24. The move is significant for the industry, which supplies over 40% of the salmon consumed in the US.

The new Section 301 tariffs mark the most significant tariff hurdle for the Chilean salmon sector yet, raising the rate from the 10% that had applied throughout President Trump's earlier trade actions. The determination stems from a US Trade Representative finding that Chile lacks...

Vietnam Pangasius Exports Rise in 2025 as Brazil, EU and CPTPP Markets Drive Growth

Vietnam’s pangasius trade remained firm in 2025, with export value reaching nearly $2.2 billion, up 8% year on year (YOY), according to a new report from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

The report showed Vietnam exported 906,000 tonnes of frozen pangasius to around 100 countries during the year, an increase of 3.4% from 2024 and 24.2% higher than 2023 levels.

While China and the US remained Vietnam’s most competitive markets, both recorded lower overall imports for the year...

High Liner Foods' Sea Cuisine Skillet Meals Hit Retail Shelves After SENA Debut

High Liner Foods announced on July 27 that its Sea Cuisine Skillet Meals are now available at select grocery stores across the United States, completing a journey that began with a first look at the Seafood Expo North America in March.

The line, three globally inspired, one-pan seafood dinners ready in 15 minutes, is designed to address what the company describes as a meaningful gap in the frozen meals aisle. Chicken and beef account for nearly 70% of the top 300 frozen multi-serve SKUs...

Japan's Umios to Absorb Bluefin Tuna Aquaculture and Processed Food Units from Subsidiary TAFCO

Tokyo-listed seafood giant Umios Co., Ltd. announced Monday it will absorb the aquaculture and processed food businesses of its wholly-owned subsidiary Taiyo A&F Co., Ltd. (TAFCO) through a simplified absorption-type company split, effective October 1, 2026. The board resolution was passed the same day.

Under the restructuring, TAFCO's bluefin tuna aquaculture operation, which carries assets of ¥9.74 billion ($59.4 million) and generated ¥7.78 billion ($47.4 million) in revenue in the fiscal year ending March 2026...

The Winding Glass: What Alaska Has Lost

In 2016, Alaska fishermen received an average of 40 cents per pound for their catch (in 2025 dollars). In 2024, they got 27 cents, a 32% decline in real terms. Alaska's other resource industry, oil, saw its price rise 30% in real terms over the same period.

These are not just the actions of commodity markets. Seafood lost a third of its real value, a fifth of its processing plants, and most of its mid-sized owners. The losses did not fall evenly along the supply chain. Total wholesale sales fell by only...

EU Seafood Consumption Hits Decade Low as Price Pressure and Convenience Demands Reshape the Market

European consumers are eating less fish than at any point in the past decade. EU apparent consumption fell from 12.94 million tonnes in 2014 to 10.25 million tonnes in 2023, with per capita intake dropping from 25.5 kg to 22.9 kg — the lowest level of the period — according to a sweeping new study from the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA). The sharpest decline came after 2019, as COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, and sustained food price inflation accelerated behavioral shifts...

Thai Union Names New CFO, CDO and Strategy Chief to Drive Strategy 2030

Thai Union has appointed three new members of its global leadership team as the company looks to accelerate its Strategy 2030 priorities around core business revitalization, new growth platforms, and capability building.

The company named Ratiporn Ratcharoen as Chief Financial Officer, Daniel Laverick as Chief Digital Officer, and Sumit Narang as Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer.

"Strategy 2030 sets a clear direction for Thai Union's next phase of growth, and these appointments strengthen the leadership capabilities we need to deliver it...