Aquamar's 'Chickensanity' Campaign Pits Scallops Against Wings for Game Day

Aquamar is using National Seafood Month to pick a fight with chicken — a fight the company has actually been teasing since the spring.

The seafood company has launched a campaign called "Chickensanity," built around a new product, Crispy Scallop Bites, designed to compete directly with wings, tenders and other snackable chicken formats at tailgates and on game day. Chef Brad Barnes, Aquamar's chef and President of Pure Food Consulting, says the pitch isn't about seafood already winning share from chicken. It's about closing what he calls an "occasion problem...

ANALYSIS: India's Shrimp Exports Hold Ground as US Share Shrinks, China Climbs

India's shrimp trade picture for July reveals a mixed but resilient export sector. Monthly volumes climbed 3.2% to 82,445 MT, as the spring harvest from both the East and West coasts came fully online, adding fresh supply to the pipeline. The year-to-date numbers, however, tell a more nuanced story. While cumulative volumes (January-July) have nudged up marginally by 1.2% to 378,941 MT, total revenue has slipped 3.3% to USD 3,091 million, a sign that pricing pressure is outweighing the modest gains in shipped quantity...

Sealaska Sells European Seafood Business to Sojitz

Sealaska Corporation has sold its interests in Sealaska Foods International Holdings Ltd., a group of European seafood businesses that includes U.K.-based New England Seafood International and operations in Norway and Iceland.

The Alaska Native regional corporation said late last week that its subsidiary, Woocheen, completed the sale as part of a strategy to unlock value from its global business platform and direct more resources to shareholder programs.

The European seafood businesses will join Sojitz Corp., a Japanese trading and investment company with operations in Japan and...

New EIS Describes Potential Impacts on Western Alaska if Donlin Dam Failed by Only 27 Percent

Nearly two weeks have passed since the new court-ordered analysis of the planned Donlin mine tailings dam was released to the public. Reaction from residents, environmental organizations, and tribal groups has been strong.

The new draft supplemental environmental impact statement by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was ordered because the original EIS, completed in 2018, analyzed a potential break that would release of up to 0.5% of the millions of tons of material held behind...

NAPA Ends Six-Year FIPs, Warns Members May Pull Back From North East Atlantic Pelagic Sourcing

The North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group (NAPA) has formally concluded its two Fisheries Improvement Projects (FIPs) covering North East Atlantic mackerel, blue whiting and Atlanto-Scandian herring, ending six years of work the coalition says failed to secure the sharing arrangements needed to stop overfishing of the three stocks.

NAPA, a pre-competitive coalition of 58 businesses spanning retailers, suppliers, foodservice companies, fishmeal producers, feed companies and salmon farmers, said the conclusion of the FIPs marks a shift in approach...

Global Fast Food Market Seen Reaching $2.57 Trillion by 2031, Report Says

The global fast food market is projected to reach $2.57 trillion by 2031, up from $1.78 trillion in 2026, according to Mordor Intelligence. Its latest research report points to convenience, digital ordering and changing consumer preferences as key growth drivers.

The study shows that technology is playing a bigger role in restaurant operations. Mordor Intelligence cited Domino's March update to its Tracker, which added an AI-powered system designed to provide more accurate ready-time estimates and better order visibility. Domino’s said the...

Scott & Jon’s Expands Seafood Lineup with Tuna Noodle Casserole

Scott & Jon’s is expanding beyond its core shrimp, salmon and whitefish offerings with the launch of Homestyle Tuna Noodle Casserole, its first tuna product.

The frozen meal features al dente egg noodles, peas and chunk light tuna in a sauce made with milk, cream and cheddar cheese, topped with seasoned breadcrumbs. Each serving contains 21 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, with fewer than 500 calories.

The launch comes as consumers continue to seek familiar comfort foods. In the National Restaurant Association’s 2026 What’s Hot...

Sushi-Ten USA Expands with New California Concept

SUSHI-TEN USA, the restaurant group behind Sushi Nigiriba, has opened a new sushi concept in Cypress, California, expanding its Southern California footprint to three locations.

Sushi Blissba, which opened 1 October, is led by Corporate Chef Masaya Minyu and offers à la carte and coursed menus focused on Japanese preparations and seafood.

The menu includes sashimi, nigiri, rolls and gunkan, along with Anago, a saltwater conger eel dish torched tableside. Other offerings include Tamagoyaki, grilled skewers and fish, and Black Cod...

US Senator Introduces Bill to Phase In 40% Tariff on Ecuadorian Shrimp

US Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) introduced legislation Sept. 30 to phase in tariffs up to 40% on shrimp and prepared shrimp products imported from Ecuador, citing economic pressure on Gulf Coast shrimpers as Ecuador's share of the US market has grown.

The Ecuador Shrimp Tariff Act would raise duties in stages, reaching a general 40% rate by Jan. 1, 2029. It would also add a $0.10-per-kilogram duty on covered shrimp imports, use the proceeds to fund inspections of imported shrimp and catfish...

Chile Confirms Virus Strain at Salmones Camanchaca Salmon Farm, Sets Up Safety Zone

Chile's fisheries agency has confirmed the type of virus behind a disease outbreak at a salmon farm in the Aysén region, and has now set up a protected zone around the site to stop it from spreading further.

From suspected to confirmed

The case was first flagged on September 18, when Chile's National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) received a positive lab result for infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus at the Izaza farm, run by Salmones Camanchaca...

Santa Monica Seafood Sues Carrier Over $58,551 Cold-Chain Failure on Aldi-Bound Shipment

Santa Monica Seafood Company has filed suit against VV Logistics Solutions Inc., alleging the Illinois-based carrier let a truckload of fresh fish destined for Aldi run at unsafe temperatures for hours, resulting in a rejected shipment and damages exceeding $58,551.30.

The complaint, filed Sept. 2, 2026, in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, brings a jury-demand claim under the Carmack Amendment, the federal law governing carrier liability for interstate cargo loss and damage...

The Kingfish Company Posts First-Ever Positive EBITDA Half-Year, Confirms Debt Restructuring

The Kingfish Company turned Operational EBITDA positive for the first time in a half-year period, reporting €0.3 million for H1 2026 against a loss of €2.5 million in H1 2025, as the Dutch land-based Yellowtail Kingfish producer published its unaudited interim financial statements for the six months ended June 30.

The figures confirm preliminary results the Kats, Netherlands-based company (OSE: KING) released on August 14, with Operational EBITDA landing slightly above the earlier €0.2 million estimate...

Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Launches Global K-Seafood Campaign with ZEROBASEONE

Leveraging the phenomenal global rise of K-POP, South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) is launching a worldwide K-Seafood campaign to raise awareness of Korean seafood and its diverse appeal. And who better to deliver this message than ZEROBASEONE, a K-POP group with a worldwide fandom.

The MOF expects the campaign to highlight the quality and appeal of Korean seafood worldwide amid rising global interest in K-culture and K-food...

Nueva Pescanova Sells French Chilled Seafood Business to Ecuador's Omarsa

Nueva Pescanova Group has completed the sale of its chilled products business in France to Ecuadorian shrimp producer Grupo Omarsa, the Spanish seafood company announced on September 30. The deal covers Nueva Pescanova's chilled-products operations in the French market; the company is retaining its frozen products division there, which will continue operating through subsidiary Pescanova France.

The divestment is the latest move in a strategic asset review Nueva Pescanova launched at the start of the year, aimed at improving efficiency and driving value creation...

BSF Extends Partnership with Lineage Agreement through 2028

Seafood processor and distributor BSF has extended its commercial agreement with temperature-controlled warehousing company Lineage through June 30, 2028, continuing a relationship that spans nearly 25 years.

Under the two-year extension announced Sept. 23, Lineage will continue managing warehousing and distribution for BSF across two dedicated facilities built to serve the company’s operations. BSF stores more than 800 cooked and raw seafood SKUs at the facilities and ships to major food retailers and foodservice companies nationwide.

The agreement comes as BSF, formerly known as Beaver Street Fisheries, moves forward...

Japan’s August Marine Products Exports Plummeted by 22% in Volume; Value Increased 18%

According to statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on September 29th, exports of fishery products (including fish, shellfish, prepared seafood products, and fish meal) totaled 39,357 tons in August, down 22% year-on-year (YOY), and 31.67 billion yen ($201.30 million), up 18%. Minato Shimbun reported that scallop exports declined in both volume and value, falling 23% to 4,608 tons and 23% to 6.651 billion yen ($42.28 million). Conversely, yellowtail exports rose 62% to...

California Cold Chain Laws Set to Add Costs for Industry

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed two bills into law that the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) says will add financial and regulatory burdens to the state’s food and pharmaceutical cold storage industry. Assembly Bill 817 (AB 817) and Senate Bill 716 (SB 716), signed Sept. 30, take effect Jan. 1, 2027. The measures were introduced following a June 17 industrial fire in Los Angeles that affected the Boyle Heights community and surrounding areas.

GCCA opposed both bills, saying they fall short of strengthening emergency preparedness...

Bakkafrost Becomes First Salmon Producer Certified Against ASC's New Global Farm Standard

Bakkafrost has become the first Atlantic salmon producer in the world to have farms certified against the Aquaculture Stewardship Council's (ASC) new Farm Standard, marking a milestone in the salmon sector's transition to ASC's global certification framework, the organization announced.

Three Bakkafrost farming sites in the Faroe Islands have achieved certification against the new standard, with the company now progressing the transition of its remaining sites in the Faroe Islands and Scotland. Bakkafrost chose to adopt the standard well ahead of the industry's transition deadline, building on...

Mexico Opens Shrimp Fisheries in Parts of Pacific and Gulf of Mexico

Mexico has opened shrimp fishing in parts of the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean as the country begins its fall fishing season for several key species.

Mexico’s National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries, or Conapesca, announced the openings based on recommendations from the Mexican Institute for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, known as IMIPAS. The measures are intended to support the conservation and sustainable management of marine and freshwater resources.

In the Gulf of Mexico, shrimp fishing opened Oct. 1 in Tabasco’s...

At-sea Processors Association Names Heidi Olson VP for Fisheries Policy and Advocacy

The At-sea Processors Association (APA) has named Heidi Olson as its new Vice President for Fisheries Policy and Advocacy, the trade group announced October 1. Based in Anchorage, Olson will lead APA's work in Alaska, with a portfolio that includes engagement with regional fishery managers including the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Olson joins APA from the Associated General Contractors of Alaska, where she served as Membership Director. She previously worked for the Alaska State Government, serving with the Department of Corrections...

Chile, India Advance Seafood Trade Agreement

Chile and India are working toward a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening trade and cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture, including the development of sanitary certification procedures for seafood exports.

Chile’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) met with India’s competent health authority to compare control systems and advance work on a sanitary certificate format for fishery and aquaculture products exported to India.

“India is a strategic partner with significant economic development potential for our sector,” Sernapesca National Director Soledad Tapia said. “For this reason...

Japan's Yanmar Agrees to Acquire AKVA Group in $611 Million Aquaculture Technology Deal

AKVA Group ASA has agreed to be acquired by Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd., the Japanese industrial conglomerate, in a recommended voluntary cash offer valuing the Norwegian aquaculture technology supplier at approximately NOK 5.9 billion ($611 million), the companies announced on October 2.

Under the deal, Pontos Bidco AS — a newly formed Norwegian entity indirectly owned by Yanmar — will offer NOK 161 per share for all outstanding AKVA shares. The price represents a 57% premium over AKVA's undisturbed closing price of NOK 102.5 on April 7...

Canadian Aquaculture Alliance Rebrands as Canadian Seafood Farmers

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance has rebranded as Canadian Seafood Farmers / Producteurs Aquacoles Canadiens, reflecting the sector’s push to have aquaculture recognized and supported on par with other Canadian agriculture. Members unanimously approved the new name at the association’s annual general meeting on Sept. 29. The change comes as the federal government emphasizes economic resilience and domestic food production amid a challenging trade environment.

“Aquaculture is agriculture, and our members are focused on responsibly growing, harvesting and processing Product of Canada seafood for grocery stores,” said Timothy Kennedy...

EU Lawmakers, Fishers and Rights Groups Confront 'Social Dimension' of Tuna Fishing

The European Parliament hosted a conference this week examining labor conditions aboard fishing vessels, with organizers arguing that sustainability in the seafood industry can't be measured by ocean health alone.

The event, "Advancing the Social Dimension of Sustainable Fisheries," was held Wednesday in Brussels and convened fishers, labor unions, academics and human rights experts to discuss the gap between working conditions on European-flagged vessels and those in distant-water fleets supplying the EU market, according to a press release...

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez Tours Pacific Seafood's Woodland, Washington Processing Hub

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) toured Pacific Seafood's Woodland, Washington facility this month as part of a day of visits across Cowlitz and Clark counties, according to a post on her official House website.

The Woodland plant processes and distributes locally caught seafood for shipment nationwide, and the congresswoman used the stop to meet with employees and discuss permitting predictability, support for working waterfronts, and regional seafood supply chains, per the release...

ANALYSIS: Container Rates and Crude Oil Signal Freight Costs Have Not Yet Reached the Shelf

Container rates out of Asia have increased substantially in recent months. Through the most recent print in August, spot rates for 40ft dry containers stood at $9,421 from India's East Coast and $7,960 from India's West Coast, and $10,063 from Vietnam's East Coast — up from a range of roughly $2,500 to $3,000 as recently as this spring, a three-to-four-fold increase over several months...

Norwegian Salmon's Haaland World Cup Push Delivers Strongest US Campaign Results in Five Years

Norwegian salmon strengthened its position among US consumers during this summer's World Cup marketing campaign, according to new research commissioned by the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) and reported by multiple outlets.

Ipsos, the independent research firm that conducted the post-campaign measurement, called it the strongest campaign for Norwegian salmon in the US since NSC began tracking campaign effectiveness five years ago. That assessment came from NSC seafood envoy to the US Karine Rød Haraldsson, cited by both SalmonBusiness and Norwegian outlet iLaks...

Mega Sardines Enters US Retail Market Through Kroger

Philippine food manufacturer Mega Prime Foods Inc. is bringing its Mega Sardines brand to the US market, with the canned sardines set to arrive at Kroger and affiliated retail banners nationwide beginning Oct. 1.

The launch comes as the company cites rising US demand for canned sardines, including volume growth of more than 50% at major retailers and frequent out-of-stock situations. Mega Prime said the rollout is intended to help stabilize supply while expanding the brand’s presence in the market...

Commercial Food Preparers Seek Distribution of $10.4M Tuna Settlement

Lead counsel for the Commercial Food Preparer Plaintiffs (CFPs) has filed a motion asking the court to authorize final distribution of settlement funds in In re Packaged Seafood Products Antitrust Litigation, the decade-long tuna price-fixing case that reshaped the US canned tuna industry. The September 22 filing, made before Judge Dana M. Sabraw in the Southern District of California, covers a distinct plaintiff class from the retail-consumer track that reached final distribution earlier this year...

Andfjord Salmon Reports Strong Growth Momentum In All Pools

Today, Kvalnes-based Andfjord Salmon announced strong growth and high survival rates during September in all three stocked pools at Kvalnes, Andøya. The company is currently preparing for the first harvest of this production cycle.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for the company's three operational pools - K0 (grow-out), K1 (grow-out) and K3 (post-smolt) - were as follows.

- Total standing biomass: 2,580 tonnes, up 25% during September.
- Net production (September): 512 tonnes
- Aggregate survival rate in 2026: 97.98%
- Accumulated feed conversion ratio in 2026: 1.036...