ANALYSIS: US Groundfish Market Holds Full Steady Amid Tightening Supply and Shifting Trade Dynamics

The US frozen groundfish market continues to hold a steady-to-firm tone, with supply-side constraints providing a durable price floor even as an evolving trade policy backdrop adds uncertainty. Sellers are well-supported by high replacement costs and limited raw material availability, while buyers are largely purchasing to cover immediate needs rather than building forward...

Norcod Detects Francisella Bacteria at Norwegian Cod Farm, Says Operations Unaffected

Norwegian cod farmer Norcod has confirmed the detection of Francisella noatunensis at its Mausund farm site, marking the first time the bacteria have been identified at a Norcod facility.

The presence of the bacteria was discovered during routine testing carried out ahead of planned harvesting at the site. Mausund operates four pens in total, and the bacteria were detected in individual fish from one pen currently under harvest. Norcod said it has not observed any significant increase in mortality and does not expect the detection to affect planned operations...

Bumble Bee Foods to Shutter Santa Fe Springs Plant by 2027, Cutting More Than 230 Jobs

Bumble Bee Foods is closing its fish canning facility in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., with the plant expected to shut down "sometime in 2027, most likely in late March 2027," according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification letter the company filed with the state, as first reported by the Los Angeles Times.

The San Diego-based canned seafood giant will lay off 197 workers on Nov. 19, 2026, with an additional 36 positions eliminated when the facility finally closes...

NOAA Opens 60-Day Scoping Period on Potential Changes to Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan

Maine lobster fishermen have until Oct. 16, 2026, to submit public comments as NOAA Fisheries launches a scoping period for potential modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP), according to an advisory from the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Commissioner issued Sept. 1.

NOAA's announcement is not a notice of proposed rulemaking — rather, it is a request for public input on the scope of potential regulations. Comments gathered during the scoping period will inform discussions in 2026...

The Retail Rundown: The 2026 Labor Day Grill Balances Value and Variety

Labor Day weekend is nearly here, and retailers are putting grilling favorites front and center for one last major cookout of summer. The 2026 holiday protein mix offers plenty of variety, but pricing is influencing how shoppers build their menus, with value particularly important across meat and poultry.

Despite higher prices, beef remains a centerpiece of the backyard cookout, with retailers featuring ground beef alongside strip, sirloin, porterhouse, and other steaks, as well as roast cuts such as top round.

Recent Circana data highlights the continued price pressure...

Canada, Gitanyow Sign 10-Year Fisheries Agreement

Pact supports salmon recovery, fisheries stewardship and commercial fishing opportunities in northwestern B.C.

The Government of Canada and the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs have signed a 10-year Incremental Fisheries Reconciliation Agreement supporting salmon recovery, fisheries stewardship and Gitanyow participation in commercial fishing opportunities. The agreement, signed in Gitanyow, B.C., by Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, will strengthen the capacity of the Gitanyow Fisheries Authority to deliver stewardship initiatives, including the Kitwanga Sockeye Recovery Program. It also establishes a framework for collaborative fisheries...

Multi X Adds Chile’s Largest Wellboat to Operations Under Five-Year Deal

Multi X has signed a five-year agreement to take exclusive use of the 4,000-cubic-meter wellboat Grip Discovery, which the companies described as Chile’s largest wellboat.

The vessel is owned by Gripship SpA, part of Trident Aqua Services, and will operate across Multi X’s farming regions in Los Lagos, Aysén and Magallanes. Multi X said the Grip Discovery has roughly twice the capacity of the vessels it has previously used, which should reduce vessel movements during harvests and provide greater flexibility...

Chile Brings Fisheries Sector into Early Talks on High Seas Treaty Implementation

Chile’s fisheries authority is taking part in the country’s early discussions on implementing the BBNJ Agreement, or High Seas Treaty, signaling that fisheries governance will be a key part of how the pact is rolled out domestically.

The Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca) recently participated in a national workshop tied to the treaty’s ratification and implementation. For seafood industry stakeholders, the main takeaway is that Chile is aiming to integrate the agreement with existing fisheries management systems, including regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), rather than build a separate framework around it.

Aquamar Brings New Convenience Seafood Lineup to Retail

Aquamar is moving its latest seafood push from the trade show floor to supermarket shelves, rolling out a refreshed brand identity and a lineup of convenient products aimed at making seafood an easier choice for everyday meals.

The rollout is underway in the Southeast, with West Coast and Midwest distribution expected to follow in the coming weeks. The products were first introduced earlier this year at Seafood Expo North America and include Pan-Seared Pacific Cod varieties, Crispy Scallop Bites and Salmon Wellington with Cheddar...

Fortune International Expands Boston Footprint With Steve Connolly Seafood Acquisition

Fortune International is expanding its presence in the Northeast through the acquisition of Boston-based Steve Connolly Seafood Company, adding an established seafood customer base to its national importing, processing and distribution operation.

Beginning Aug. 31, customers previously served by Steve Connolly Seafood will transition to Boston Sword & Tuna, the Fortune International company based in Boston. Fortune said the integration is designed to maintain continuity in supply and service while giving customers access to its broader sourcing network, logistics capabilities and product...

Japan’s July Seafood Export Volume Fell 35%, Value Rose 15% as Yellowtail Jumped and Scallops Slid

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, exports of fishery products (including seafood, prepared seafood products, and fish meal) in July totaled 38,597 tons in volume, down 35% year-on-year (YOY), and 30.532 billion yen ($191.15 million) in value, up 15%. Scallop exports declined in both volume and value, falling 33% to 3,849 tons and 10% to 6.145 billion yen ($38.47 million). Yellowtail exports performed strongly, rising 45% to 2,727 tons and 68%...

USDA Opens Applications for December Trade Mission to Singapore

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is accepting applications for its upcoming Agribusiness Trade Mission to Singapore, set for Dec. 7-9, 2026. The mission will connect U.S. agribusinesses with buyers in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand as USDA looks to expand market access and export opportunities across Southeast Asia. Current and prospective exporters must submit applications through the official online form by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sept. 8.

"Expanding our footprint in Southeast Asia is critical as we work to...

Research Vessel Eventide Arrives at St. Paul Island, Anchoring the Pivot to a Research Economy

The small community of Saint Paul Island gathered at the harbor on August 15 to welcome the 50-foot research vessel Eventide — the latest and most visible sign of the island's ongoing transition toward a research-based economy.

This October marks four years since the sudden closure of the Bering Sea snow crab fishery, which had been the primary economic driver for the island's roughly 400 residents. Two years after the closure, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game reopened a limited fishery...

Antofagasta: Supreme Court Ratifies Ruling Condemning Algae Processing Plant

The Supreme Court ratified the ruling of the Court of Letters and Guarantee of Mejillones, confirmed in turn by the Court of Appeals of Antofagasta, by which the representative of a brown algae processing plant is convicted for violations of the General Law of Fisheries and Aquaculture, detected in an inspection of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca).

The facts date back to April 2025, when the Service's inspection teams carried out an inspection of the premises and found inconsistencies in...

Industry Veteran Cathy DuPuis Joins Coastal Villages Region Fund to Lead Pollock Sales 

Cathy DuPuis, a 30-year veteran of Alaska whitefish sales, marketing management, and international business development has been hired as the director of pollock sales at  Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) based in Anchorage.  

CVRF announced the move last Friday.  

“Cathy brings tremendous experience and knowledge of the seafood industry, but what really stood out to me was why she wanted to come to Coastal Villages Region Fund,” said Nick Souza, CEO of Coastal Villages Region Fund...

Loreto Seguel King to Step Down as Head of Chile’s Salmon Council

Loreto Seguel King will step down as Executive President of Chile’s Consejo del Salmón after nearly four years leading the producers’ association, with the transition expected to take place over the coming months as she assumes a new role as president of the Chilean Maritime and Port Chamber (CAMPORT).

The Salmon Council announced the change over the weekend in a LinkedIn post, praising Seguel’s leadership in raising the political and public profile of Chile’s salmon industry during her tenure.

According to the association, Seguel helped strengthen...

Avanti Feeds Posts Strong Revenue Growth in Q1 FY2027 but Soaring Input Costs Slash Margins

Avanti Feeds reported consolidated gross income of INR 1,966 crores for Q1 FY2027 (quarter ended June 30, 2026), up 19% year-over-year, but surging feed ingredient costs hammered profitability across the group, with consolidated profit before tax falling 37% to INR 157 crores. Management warned that FY2027 will be a challenging year for India's aquaculture industry.

Feed Division: Volume Strong, Margins Squeezed

Feed sales grew 17% to 193,852 MT, driving gross income up 27% to INR 1,615 crores. But raw material costs told...

Marine Stewardship Council Launches New Sustainable Seafood Awards for Canada and US

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has announced the MSC Sustainable Seafood Awards, a new annual series recognizing Canadian and US companies and individuals who go above and beyond to protect the sustainability of seafood resources.

Applications and nominations are open through Oct. 31, 2026. Winners will be announced in January 2027, with an awards ceremony planned for Seafood Expo North America in March 2027.

MSC has established six award categories...

Malaysia's SBH Marine Returns to Profit in Q2 as Shrimp Supply Stabilizes

Malaysian vertically integrated shrimp producer SBH Marine Holdings Berhad swung back to profitability in the second quarter of its 2026 financial year, reversing a loss-making Q1 as operating conditions improved and foreign exchange headwinds faded.

The Kuala Lumpur-listed company posted profit before tax of RM0.63 million and profit after tax of RM0.51 million for Q2 FY2026, compared with a loss before tax of RM2.38 million in Q1. Revenue rose 9.49% quarter-on-quarter to RM42.94 million, supported by a 32.76% jump in merchant trade revenue...

ASMI Showcases Wild Alaska Seafood at SproutsCon in Nashville

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) recently brought wild Alaska seafood to the floor at Sprouts Farmers Market’s annual convention, SproutsCon, in Nashville, Tennessee.

The event brings together key players from across the Sprouts organization, including store and department managers, corporate leadership, and vendor partners. Along with a vendor showcase, SproutsCon gives attendees a chance to take part in training, networking and education sessions while gaining insight into company priorities for the year ahead.

For ASMI, the convention offered a valuable opportunity to connect directly with the retail teams...

Ace Aquatec Debuts AI A-HARVESTCAM for Real-Time Harvest Weight and Quality Data

Ace Aquatec has rolled out an AI-enabled harvest monitoring system it says gives fish processors real-time visibility into incoming fish weight, quality and yield, while also generating “ground-truth” data to improve in-pen biomass estimates ahead of future harvests.

The company’s A-HARVESTCAM uses computer vision to automatically count and weigh fish and assess weight distribution, quality and harvest performance. Ace Aquatec said earlier insight into stock variation can help plants adjust production, optimize yield and allocate product...

Ninth Circuit Rejects Oceana's Gulf of Alaska Seafloor Habitat Challenge, Finding No Legal Standing

The US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against Oceana's challenge to federal management of seafloor habitats in the Gulf of Alaska, finding the conservation group lacked the legal standing necessary to pursue its claims.

In a ruling issued last Thursday in Anchorage, a three-judge panel found that Oceana, represented by Earthjustice, "failed to show that any injury to the organization's members is traceable to the challenged [NMFS management plan] amendments." As one example, the court rejected Oceana's contention that, if required to redo...

The 2026 Alaska Symphony of Seafood Product Entry is Now Open!

The time is now for seafood innovators who want to debut their products this year. The Alaska Symphony of Seafood, a premier platform for showcasing innovative, market-ready products made with Alaska seafood, starts now.

Submissions for the contest are now open and the deadline is October 16th to enter your best ever offerings.

The Alaska Symphony of Seafood is a series of events that bring national and international media coverage, feedback from expert judges on each product, and multiple opportunities to connect with industry professionals at the Seattle event.

Peru Reopens Jumbo Squid Fishery With 82,000-Ton Additional Quota Through Year-End

Peru's Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) has ordered the reactivation of the giant squid — or jumbo squid — fishery after scientific studies by the Peruvian Marine Institute (IMARPE) confirmed sufficient biomass availability to support additional harvesting. The move raises the Maximum Allowable Catch Limit (MACCL) for 2026 to 709,659 tons, with 82,321 tons made available for extraction between August 30 and December 31.

The additional quota is split into two equal fishing periods — August 30 through September 30, and October 1 through December 31 — and is distributed by vessel...

Mowi Tops Global Seafood Rankings as WBA Benchmark Finds Industry Progress Offset by Persistent Gaps

The World Benchmarking Alliance's 2026 Ocean Benchmark has found that the seafood industry is making incremental progress on sustainability, but significant shortfalls remain — particularly on ecosystem and biodiversity indicators — with the sector averaging just 21 out of 100 across 22 major companies assessed.

Published July 7, the benchmark evaluated the world's largest seafood companies across 47 indicators in four areas: Governance, Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Social Responsibility, and food and agriculture core metrics. Scores were highest in...

Lerøy Q2 Profit Slides as Salmon Volumes Drop, Cod and Haddock Prices Surge

Lerøy Seafood Group reported weaker Q2 2026 results as lower salmon and trout harvests weighed on earnings, though strong whitefish prices, improving farming performance and expected cost reductions underpin cautious optimism for H2.

According to the report, group revenue fell 11% year‑on‑year (YOY) to NOK 7.89 billion and operational EBIT declined 16% to NOK 574 million. Reported profit swung to a NOK 240 million loss from a NOK 93 million profit a year earlier, a swing the company attributed to...

NOAA Proposes 10-Year Extension of Gulf of Mexico Commercial Shrimp Permit Moratorium

Federal fishery managers are seeking to extend the existing moratorium on new commercial shrimp permits in the Gulf of America (Mexico) for another decade, keeping the freeze in place through October 26, 2036.

NOAA Fisheries published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on August 25 that would implement Amendment 19 to the Gulf Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. The current moratorium, which has been in place for years and renewed through successive amendments, is set to expire on October 26, 2026. Without action, the door would...

MSC-Certified Fisheries Rise to 600 as Ecolabelled Seafood Sales Hit Record Highs

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) said participation in its sustainable seafood program continued to grow in 2025/26, with the number of MSC-certified fisheries reaching 600 globally and a record 115 fisheries recertified during the year.

According to MSC’s latest annual report, fisheries engaged with the program now account for nearly 20% of global marine catch, including more than 70% of the world’s whitefish catch and over half of global tuna catch. The group also reported record market growth for certified...

Bakkafrost's Faroe Islands Operations Drive EBIT Jump in Q2 as Scotland Struggles Continue

Bakkafrost delivered a sharp turnaround in Q2 2026, with group operational EBIT rising to DKK 273 million from DKK 65 million a year earlier, driven almost entirely by a standout performance in the Faroe Islands while Scotland remained a drag on results.

Faroese farming was the engine of the quarter. Harvest volumes increased 67% to 26,749 tonnes gutted weight, with strong biological performance, lower ring-side costs, and high average harvest weights pushing operational EBIT to DKK 411 million...

Japanese Wholesalers Feel Crisis: Ikura May Be Bumped from Store Shelves.

Ahead of the full-scale start of Hokkaido's fall chum salmon fishery in September, domestic ikura salmon caviar inventories are estimated at 800 tons. Last year's exceptionally poor catch led to record-low production of Hokkaido-origin ikura and record-high prices.

High prices—including for imports—led to sluggish sales, leaving significant volumes of unsold stock. The Hokkaido Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations (DOGYOREN) disclosed these supply-and-demand trends on August 18 at a liaison meeting for major salmon, trout, and roe wholesalers...