ANALYSIS: June US Lobster Imports Fall 18% as Canadian Supply Tightens

US lobster imports totaled 58.5 million pounds in the first half of 2026, down 7.0% from 62.9 million pounds in the same period of 2025. June was the weakest month of the period, with overall volumes falling 18.3% year-over-year, driven primarily by compression in Canadian shipments and continued seasonal softness in warmwater tails...

CFS Sues Pacific Seafood Over Hood Canal Hatchery Pollution; Company Vows to Fight Back

The Center for Food Safety has filed a federal lawsuit against Pacific Seafood Group alleging more than 400 Clean Water Act permit violations at a shellfish hatchery on Hood Canal — and Pacific Seafood is pushing back, calling the litigation a cash-motivated attack that ignores its ongoing work with state regulators.

The suit, filed August 4 in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington (Case No. 3:26-cv-5877), names Dulcich, Incorporated and Pacific Shellfish – Quilcene, LLC as defendants. The complaint targets...

Texas Gulf Seafood Warehouse Destroyed in Galveston Fire; Supply Chain Impact Unclear

A massive fire destroyed the Texas Gulf Seafood warehouse on the Galveston waterfront Wednesday night, leaving the future of the longtime seafood processor and distributor uncertain and raising questions about potential disruptions to Gulf seafood supply chains.

The Galveston Fire Department said the blaze broke out around 8:40 p.m. on Aug. 5 at the company's facility near 7th Street and Wharf Road on Pier 7. Firefighters arrived to find the warehouse engulfed in flames, prompting a large response from multiple local and regional agencies...

Ecuador Pushes to Upgrade US Trade Deal to Full FTA With Shrimp, Tuna Access in the Crosshairs

Ecuador is pressing Washington to convert its existing trade arrangement into a full free trade agreement, just four months after signing the Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART) with the US on March 13, 2026.

Minister of Production, Foreign Trade and Investments Luis Alberto Jaramillo told Primicias that the government will formally request the start of FTA negotiations, with a first round of talks expected as soon as August or September.

"This agreement can be negotiated quickly — there are only four products on each side...

Chile Pushes Back on US Tariffs as Salmon Industry Maps Path to Relief

Chile is mounting a coordinated diplomatic and legal response to the 12.5% Section 301 tariff the Trump administration imposed on Chilean goods on July 24 — a rate that places Chile among the highest-penalized economies in the new forced-labor framework and hits salmon, wine, timber, and fruit exports simultaneously.

The justification has drawn sharp pushback from Santiago. Chilean government ministers publicly questioned the forced-labor basis for the tariff, calling it unjust and damaging to bilateral trust, according to local media reports...

AquaBounty Eyes Data Center Future for Ohio Site

AquaBounty Technologies (NASDAQ: AQB) has expanded its strategic alternatives review for its dormant Pioneer, Ohio property to explicitly include data center and power infrastructure development opportunities — the latest twist for a company that has spent the better part of two years unwinding its salmon farming operations entirely.

The Pioneer site holds a 50 MW substation connection and a 5.25 million-gallon-per-day groundwater permit, making it a compelling candidate for data center use at a time when AI infrastructure buildout has made power-rich...

NOAA and Louisiana Partners Hypoxic Zone in Gulf Has Decreased, Thanks to Tropical Storm Bertha

Good news from federal and state scientists who have been studying the “dead zone” in the Gulf of America (formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico) for four decades: it’s decreased in size.

Researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and scientists at Louisiana State University and the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium announced yesterday that this year’s hypoxic zone is approximately 1,332 square miles, about one-fifth of what was expected, making it the 2nd smallest zone on record in 40 years of measurement...

Fishing Vessel Joins Trained Team to Free Injured Humpback Whale 20 Miles Off Oregon Coast

A researcher in a US Coast Guard helicopter first spotted the entangled humpback whale anchored to the bottom about 20 miles off the Oregon Coast on July 23. He could see the whale’s white pectoral flipper extended underwater and the outline of its white baleen showing a lower jaw stretched permanently open, making it unable to feed.

Hayslip reported the whale anchored by heavy fishing gear to NOAA’s West Coast Entanglement Hotline, which activates trained responders across the region...

DFO Steps Up Elver Enforcement as Harvest Climbs Toward Allowable Catch

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) says its fishery officers maintained a strong on‑the‑water and shore presence across Southwest Nova Scotia, Eastern Nova Scotia and Southwest New Brunswick this season to protect the integrity of the highly valued, tightly regulated elver fishery.

Licensed harvesters landed 8,385 kg of the 12,180 kg total allowable catch (TAC) , an increase of nearly 17% from 7,170 kg in 2025, creating added economic opportunities for harvesters. A portion of this year’s quota also supported joint scientific research between DFO...

Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending August 7, 2026

President Donald Trump’s war with Iran has reached its sixth month, lasting far longer than the weeks-long conflict he initially predicted. A combination of diplomatic efforts and renewed military threats this week has highlighted the limited options before the White House as it looks for a way to end the war.

The administration now faces a decision: continue escalating pressure on Iran or pursue negotiations aimed at reaching a resolution...

Three Ecuadorian Shrimp Firms Denied CVD Exclusion as Commerce Sets Rates Up to 15.17%

Three Ecuadorian shrimp processors that sought permanent exclusion from the US countervailing duty order on frozen warmwater shrimp have come up short, with the US Department of Commerce issuing final results on July 31 confirming that all three received countervailable subsidies during the 2022 review period.

The final results of the expedited administrative review (Case C-331-806) cover Empacadora del Pacifico S.A. (Edpacif), Nirsa S.A./Procesadora Posorja S.A. (Proposorja), and Productos Perecibles y Mariscos S.A. (Propemar). Commerce determined net countervailable subsidy rates of 15.17%...

RFK, Jr. Hosts The Real Food Show with Chef Andrew Gruel, Starring Wild Alaska Sockeye

In the premiere episode of The Real Food Show, hosted by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with guest Chef Andrew Gruel, wild Alaska sockeye salmon took center stage.

Kennedy launched the cooking show to demonstrate that preparing meals with real, whole-food ingredients can be healthy, delicious, and affordable. Chef Gruel — founder of the Slapfish franchise and the founder, CEO and executive chef of Calico Fish House, a casual seafood restaurant in Huntington Beach, CA — addressed an issue at the heart of many political...

US Foods Reports Record Adjusted EBITDA, 23% Earnings Growth in Second Quarter

US Foods Holding Corp. reported strong second-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with net sales increasing 4.5% to $10.5 billion, net income rising 22.8% to $275 million and diluted EPS growing 29.2% to $1.24. The company also delivered record adjusted EBITDA of $604 million, up 10.2%, while adjusted diluted EPS increased 21.0% to $1.44.

Independent restaurant case growth accelerated to 5.1%, helping drive a 1.9% increase in total case volume. Gross profit rose 8.0% to $1.9 billion, while adjusted EBITDA margin...

Consejo del Salmón Presents Sustainable Impact Report Covering Six Years of Member Data

"Six Years Measuring Our Impact: When We Measure Ourselves, We Move Forward" is the title of the sixth Sustainable Impact Report (RIS) presented by Chile's Salmon Council. The publication collects and synthesizes the social, economic and environmental contributions of its member companies: AquaChile, Australis Seafoods, Cermaq Chile, Mowi Chile, Salmones Aysén, and Ventisqueros.

The report was presented at the Aula Magna of Universidad San Sebastián's Patagonia campus in Puerto Montt, before an audience of regional authorities, academic representatives, member company executives, and stakeholders...

Proximar Seafood Secures NOK 100 Million Bond to Fund Ramp-Up at Mount Fuji RAS Facility

Norway-founded, Japan-based land-based salmon farmer Proximar Seafood has completed the placement of a NOK 100 million ($9.8 million) three-year unsecured convertible bond, with settlement expected around August 12, the company announced August 5. The raise comprises NOK 75 million in new subscriptions and NOK 25 million rolled over from existing bonds, with the instrument to be listed on Nordic ABM...

Canada, Manitoba Step Up Aquatic Invasive Species Inspections at Key Border Corridor

The Government of Canada is stepping up efforts to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species (AIS), including Zebra and Quagga Mussels.

AIS include freshwater or marine plants, animals, algae, and micro-organisms introduced outside their natural or historical range. These species pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, infrastructure, and the economy by reproducing rapidly, disrupting native habitats, and creating costly operational challenges for multiple industries.

According to the announcement, invasive species represent the second-greatest threat to global...

ANALYSIS: June US Shrimp Imports Rise 3.4% as Origin Mix Continues to Shift

June official US shrimp imports totaled 163.1 million lbs, up 3.4% versus June 2025. The headline gain is modest, but the origin composition behind it reflects a more significant shift that has been building through the first half of the year.

Ecuador recorded 62.6 million lbs in June, up 58.3% year over year — outpacing India by nearly 5 million lbs in a single month. On a YTD basis through June, Ecuador has shipped 317.7 million lbs, up 27.4% versus the same period in 2025. India, by contrast...

Santa Monica Seafood Begins Expansion of California Distribution Hub

Santa Monica Seafood has begun an expansion project at its Rancho Dominguez, California, facility, adding new cold storage, packaging and warehouse capabilities at a key distribution hub that serves customers in more than 40 states.

The project will renovate approximately 13,000 square feet within the facility, including modernizing 9,000 square feet of warehouse space to support growth in packaging, box-making, storage and distribution operations.

A central component of the expansion is a new 4,000-square-foot temperature-controlled cooler designed to maintain temperatures at 35°F...

Japanese Frozen Mackerel Exports Hit Four-Year High in June, Prices Surge on Tight Norwegian Supply

In June, the export volume of Japanese frozen mackerel rose 23% year-on-year (YOY) to 16,108 tons, marking a significant monthly total for the fourth consecutive month. This marked the first time the volume reached the 16,000-ton range in four years.

Driven by strong domestic and international demand following a sharp drop in Norwegian production, the average export price surged 50% to 258 yen/kg ($1.63/kg). This marked the third-highest price on...

NOAA Concludes North Pacific IUU Fishing Enforcement Mission, Flags Multiple Violations

NOAA enforcement officers have wrapped up the agency's annual Operation North Pacific Guard, an international mission aimed at combating illegal, unreported and  (IUU) fishing in the North Pacific.

During the operation, NOAA Fisheries enforcement officers traveled more than 8,000 nautical miles aboard the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Sir Wilfrid Laurier, conducting dozens of fishing vessel boardings and inspections under international law. The deployment supports Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, which calls for stronger enforcement against IUU fishing to protect US...

Bipartisan Bill Would Tighten US Sourcing Rules for School Meal Programs

A bipartisan bill introduced in the US Senate would tighten domestic sourcing requirements for federally funded school meal programs, a move supporters say would expand market opportunities for US farmers, ranchers and food manufacturers while reducing schools' reliance on imported food.

Introduced July 31 by Sens. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the American Food for American Schools Act would require school food authorities to obtain a waiver from the US Department of Agriculture before purchasing most foreign food products. The legislation would also...

Louisiana Sets Aug. 17 Opening for 2026 Fall Inshore Shrimp Season

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced that the 2026 fall inshore shrimp season will open at 6 a.m. on Monday, August 17, in all state inside waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the Louisiana/Texas state line.

The opening date was set by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission based on recommendations from LDWF biologists, who monitor hydrological conditions and conduct weekly trawl surveys to assess shrimp growth rates, distribution, and abundance ahead of the season...

The EU’s Own Market Advisory Council Offers Improvements to New CATCH Program

On August 4, the Market Advisory Council (MAC) of the European Commission (EC) announced recommendations calling for “… operational stabilization and strategic alignment of CATCH with the aim of ensuring proportionality, legal certainty, and market stability.”

As a stakeholder-led organization composed of representatives of the entire value chain (primary producers, auctions, processors, traders, suppliers, retailers, trade unions) and other interest groups (environmental and development NGOs, consumer groups), MAC’s comments added weight to comments made by exporting nations to the EC over its new IT program, known as CATCH...

ANALYSIS: Supply Tightening Signals Price Recovery for Norwegian Atlantic Salmon

Norwegian Atlantic farmed salmon exports through week 30 are 12.4% higher YTD, yet recent weeks show tightening availability (Figure 1). Exports declined 8.3% WOW, according to Statistics Norway, as producers approach the end of their 2024 generation harvest cycle, pressuring availability of larger fish sizes (5+ kg)...

Clearwater Scallop Shortfall Weighs on Premium Brands' Seafood Results as Parent Posts Record Q2

Clearwater Seafoods delivered a difficult second quarter, with total revenue falling $46.4 million year-on-year to $91.7 million as a combination of asset sales and weak Canadian scallop catch rates dragged on performance — even as parent company Premium Brands Holdings Corporation posted record overall results for the period ended June 27, 2026.

Three factors drove Clearwater's revenue decline: the sale of its Macduff land-based operations in Q3 2025, the divestiture of its Argentine scallop business during the latter...

VIMS Launches Survey to Measure Seafood Sector's Economic Role Ahead of Offshore Wind

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is surveying shoreside seafood businesses from Massachusetts to Virginia to quantify the economic value of the coastal seafood economy ahead of possible offshore wind development.

Seafood processors, dealers, wholesalers, distributors and other first-sale seafood businesses are being asked to participate in the Seafood First Sale Value Added Survey. The effort is funded by a grant from the Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCEMFIS), a member of the National Science Foundation’s Industry/University Cooperative Research...

Japan Fisheries Association Hosts Seafood Show Featuring Record 1,545 Booths in Tokyo August 19–21

On August 3, Miwako Takase, Executive Director of the Japan Fisheries Association, outlined the details of the 28th Japan International Seafood Show in Tokyo. The event’s theme is "Let’s Create the Future of Seafood Consumption Together." The scale of the exhibition matches the record-breaking figures of the previous year, featuring 1,545 booths, with an attendance target of 30,000—surpassing the previous year's 27,932 visitors.

According to the Minato Shimbun, the event will be held from July 19 to 21...

SAIC Launches First Sector Advisory Committee to Help Shape Scottish Aquaculture R&D

The Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has assembled its first sector advisory committee, bringing together 15 of the industry’s most respected figures and more than 100 years of combined experience across the sector.

Representing finfish and flatfish producers are Eduardo Jiménez Fernández, head of research and development (R&D) at Otter Ferry Seafish; Charles Greenwood, head of modelling at Cooke Aquaculture; Innes Weir, production manager at Loch Duart; and Su Cox, communications and business development director at Bakkafrost...

Seafish Secures £1.4 Million to Expand Training Access Across UK Seafood Supply Chain

Seafish, the UK public body that represents the seafood industry, has secured more than £1.4 million ($1.86 million) in government funding to expand training opportunities across the sector, covering both existing workers and those looking to begin a career in it.

The body was awarded £419,950 through Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) to deliver training in Scotland through March 2027, alongside £998,858 from the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) to provide training in England through March 2028...

Advocates Report ICE 'Soft Raid' Targeting Workers at Washington Seafood Plant

For the past three months, agents reportedly working for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been targeting the Premier Packing plant in Lynden, WA. Over those months, the federal agency's strategies have changed as Washington laws have passed to protect residents from illegal ICE actions.

"One of the things that makes this unique is it's along roadsides, on public thoroughfares," said Jeremy Dorrough, executive director of Racial Unity Now, the advocacy group documenting ICE activity in the area. "It's even, in some of the instances, happened at people's place...