New US-EU Trade Agreement Removes Tariffs on US Seafood, Lobster

The United States and European Union unveiled a new trade agreement on August 21 that will eliminate EU tariffs on US industrial goods, including seafood, and expand market access for American seafood, agriculture and lobster products.

The deal will see the European Union eliminate all tariffs on US industrial goods and provide “preferential” market access to a “wide range” of US Seafood and agricultural goods. The statement also said the framework included an extension of a deal, which expired on July 31, that eliminated EU tariffs on US...

Canada Drops Most Retaliatory Tariffs on US Goods

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on August 22 that Canada will drop most retaliatory tariffs on US products, with the changes taking effect September 1. Carney clarified during a press conference that tariffs on US autos, steel, and aluminum will remain for now, but asserted that Canada now holds the best trade deal of all US trading partners.

Under the new policy, tariffs on US goods will be lifted if the products are exempt under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)...

Southwind Foods Recalls Frozen Shrimp Amid Radioactive Cs-137 Investigation

Carson, California-based Southwind Foods voluntarily recalled frozen shrimp products linked to the recent concerns over Cesium-137 (Cs-137) radioactive contamination on August 21.

The bagged, frozen shrimp products were distributed between July 17 and August 8 to retailers, distributors and wholesalers in Alabama, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington state.

Impacted products included Best Yet cooked frozen shrimp, Sand Bar raw frozen shrimp, Arctic Shores cooked frozen shrimp, Great American Seafood Imports frozen shrimp and First Street frozen raw shrimp...

SalMar’s Second Quarter Hurt By Lower Salmon Prices, Boosts Harvest Outlook

Norwegian salmon farmer SalMar said lower market prices impacted its second-quarter financial results compared to the same time last year.

According to SalMar, the price of salmon averaged NOK 73.1 per kg ($7.17/kg), down from NOK 110.9 per kg in the second quarter of 2024.

The company noted that its farming segments in Norway experienced good biological developments during the quarter, notably in Northern Norway. “But the share of downgrades affects the price achievement in the period, especially in the Central Norway segment...

Atlantic Sapphire CEO Announces Clear Line of Sight to Profitability

The CEO of land-based salmon farmer Atlantic Sapphire said the company has a “clear line of sight to profitability” in the company’s H1 2025 operational and financial update on August 20.

The company, known for its Bluehouse land-raised salmon farming method, said it harvested 2,486 tons (HOG) in the first half of 2025, up from 2,384 tons in H1 2024. Harvest weights almost doubled compared to the same period last year, reaching 2.86kg in H1 2025 and 3.1 kg in Q2 2025...

Study Shows Kelp Forests in MPAs Demonstrate Marine Heat Wave Resiliency

Anyone fishing off the U.S. West Coast, California in particular, is aware of the controversial nature of the use of marine protected areas. They help protect habitats but also limit access to productive areas and their use to aid in some species’ recoveries is questionable.  

But new research shows MPAs can help with kelp forests and keep some of the nearshore habitats resilient during times of stress. 

Using four decades of satellite images, University of California-Los Angeles researchers looked at the impact MPAs are having on kelp forests...

SuperKim Crab House Joins Searchlight Pictures’ The Roses Crab Shack Pop-Up Tour

This summer, Searchlight Pictures’ The Roses takes audiences inside a marriage where love and ambition collide, and every dinner table becomes a stage for rivalry. From August 22–24, that story will spill off the screen and onto the plates of Seattle when SuperKim Crab House hosts the city’s stop on The Roses Crab Shack Pop-Up Tour.

The dark comedy, directed by Jay Roach (Meet the Parents) and written by Tony McNamara (Poor Things), stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman as Theo and Ivy Rose...

ANALYSIS: Norwegian Salmon Production Climbs as Disease Control Improves, Market Prices Lag

The Atlantic Norwegian salmon industry has experienced strong production levels so far this year. In 2024, the sector faced several health challenges, notably Winter Ulcer Disease (WUD), which resulted in a higher proportion of low-quality fish and raised concerns regarding animal welfare. The primary bacteria responsible for WUD is Moritella viscosa, which negatively affected both survival rates and market prices. However, the situation has improved in 2025 due to the enhanced performance of a vaccine targeting M. viscosa, leading to increased production year-on-year...

Bumble Bee Seafoods Launches Snackers Single-Serve Tuna Line Targeting Millennials

Bumble Bee Seafoods has launched Bumble Bee Snackers, a new line of single-serve tuna cans featuring flavors aimed at capturing millennial demand for convenient and nutritious snacking.

"People love flavored tuna, but not everyone wants a pouch. The simple solution—a flavored single serve can—we're excited to bring this to shelves," said Andrew Choe, CEO, Bumble Bee Seafoods.

The flavors include Lemon Pepper, Hickory Smoke, Sweet Heat, Thai Chili and Tuna Salad, along with the more traditional Chunk Light Tuna option.

Russia Bets on Consistent Bering Sea Fish Catches

Russia is betting on stable fish catches in the Bering Sea in the coming years, particularly around pollock and herring. 

This year, the total allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in the West Bering Sea and Chukchi zones was set at just above 702,000 metric tons. 

This section is one of the primary areas of year-round fishing in the Russian section of the Bering Sea. Concerns around current stocks of bottom-living and demersal fish are expected to lead to more research, which is expected to lead to Russian fisheries...

Mystic Fish Camp Set to Open in August

This summer, the Connecticut shoreline is getting a playful, purpose-driven newcomer with the debut of Mystic Fish Camp, a retro-themed seafood shack from James Beard Award-winning Chef David Standridge and the team behind The Shipwright's Daughter. Opening on August 25th, the concept brings the nostalgia of summer camp to the harbor—with bold flavors, sustainable sourcing, and a deep respect for New England's fishing traditions.

If The Shipwright's Daughter is the grown-up dinner party, then Mystic Fish Camp is the barefoot beach cookout...

ANALYSIS: Robust EU-UK Shrimp Imports in H1 2025 Signal Market Shifts

The European Union has just released its latest trade volume data for June 2025, revealing that total shrimp imports in the EU-UK region remain well above the five-year historical averages, reaching 60,950 metric tons in June. Although this represents a 4.9% decrease compared to May, it marks a notable 13.0% increase year-over-year. This figure is 19.7% higher than the five-year average for the month of June. The decline in June follows a typical seasonal pattern...

The Retail Rundown: Retailers See Early Back-to-School Spending Amid Price Concerns

While some students are already back in class, others are squeezing in the last stretch of summer before Labor Day. Either way, grocers are bracing for busy aisles as parents juggle back-to-school supplies and grocery lists. This week’s ads highlight plenty of lunchbox staples, including snacks and deli items. 

The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that two-thirds of shoppers had already begun back-to-school purchases by early July, with more than half starting earlier than last year. Concerns about higher prices linked to tariffs...

California Wildlife Officers Cite Four for Poaching 236 Spiny Lobsters

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers cited four individuals who were caught fishing for spiny lobster illegally during the closed season on August 1.

The CDFW said officers were on a patrol around 11 p.m. when they saw lights and activity near Royal Palms Beach in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The officers then saw four individuals in wetsuits and diving gear taking spiny lobsters and returning to shore throughout the night. The CDFW noted that both the recreational and commercial spiny...

Seasonally Record-High Volumes and Revenues for Mowi in Q2

Mowi generated operating revenues of EUR 1.39 billion in the second quarter which translated into an operational profit of EUR 189 million.

The second quarter of 2025 ended with record-high revenues for Mowi, on strong biological and operational performance, all-time high volumes and decreasing cost.

“2025 has so far been a good year for the Farming division with very good operations and strong growth,” said Mowi CEO, Ivan Vindheim.

Mowi harvested a record 133,000 tonnes in the second quarter, representing growth of 21% compared with last year.

Southern Shrimp Alliance Names Blake Price as Deputy Director to Boost Industry Advocacy

The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) named Blake Price as its new Deputy Director, a newly created position, on August 16.

The SSA, a group representing the Gulf shrimp industry, said the new leadership structure is aimed at improving communication with shrimpers, strengthening partnerships with other groups and adding a new full-time advocate for the US shrimp industry.

“The new role allows for significantly more visits to the docks and community meetings,” the SSA explained. “We aim to ensure your voices are heard when decisions are made...

FDA Issues Advisory on BMS Foods Shrimp Sold at Walmart Over Cs-137 Detection

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public advisory warning consumers not to eat, sell, or serve frozen shrimp imported by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods) that is sold at Walmart locations nationwide.

The advisory follows a recent FDA import alert placing several BMS Foods products on the agency’s Red List due to concerns over radioactive contamination, as Expana first reported on August 15.

As of August 19, the FDA said no product that tested positive or alerted...

Chilean Salmon Council Strengthens Ties With Australian Retailers and Importers

The Chilean Salmon Council (Consejo Del Salmon) held a two-day visit to Australia as it looks to boost the presence of Chilean salmon in one of the largest consumption markets in the world.

The council, which partners with some of the major salmon farmers like Australis Seafoods, Cermaq and Mowi, met with retailers, importers and authorities to discuss trade and sustainability.

Pablo Barahona, International Director of the Salmon Council, accompanied by Juan Pablo Julio, Director of ProChile in Australia, visited top retailers Woolworths, Coles, and ALDI...

Large Contract Signed at the Aqua Nor: Pure Salmon Building a New Facility in Japan

Cflow has signed a substantial contract with the aquaculture company Pure Salmon and is set to deliver a complete fish handling system for a new land based facility being constructed in Japan.

CEO of Pure Salmon, Per Ivar Foshaug, and VP Sales at Cflow, Gunn-Marit Nerem, signed the contract on the second day of the exhibition. Consequently, Cflow has secured the delivery of a tailor-made fish handling system for the six buildings of the facility...

BJ’s Wholesale Club Reports Q2 Results with Membership Growth and Strong Digital Sales

BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings has announced its financial results for the second quarter, highlighting both strengths and areas of softness in its performance.

"Our business model continues to perform and build upon momentum, as we grow membership and gain market share even in a dynamic environment. We enter the back half of the year on solid footing and confident in our ability to deliver strong results," said Bob Eddy, Chairman and CEO of BJ’s Wholesale Club. “We are on a powerful trajectory and our...

FDA's Uptick in Indonesian Shrimp Rejections Foreshadowed Recent Radioactive Contamination Alert

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been closely monitoring Indonesian shrimp imports long before its recent advisory regarding potential radioactive contamination of BMS Foods shrimp products bound for Walmart stores in over 10 states.

The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA), a group representing the US wild-caught shrimp sector and has fought to curb the country’s reliance on shrimp imports, highlighted that the FDA has refused a significant number of entry lines of Indonesian shrimp so far in 2025...

Cousins Maine Lobster Adds San Antonio to Growing Texas Franchise Portfolio

Cousins Maine Lobster (CML) expanded its footprint in Texas with a new truck entering the San Antonio market.

The new truck is owned by Jimmy Shoshani and Ahmer and Sarah Khan, a trio that ranks among Cousins Maine Lobster's most experienced franchisees. 

Shoshani, the brand's longest-tenured operator, joined in 2014 and launched the Las Vegas market the following year, per CML. Meanwhile, Shoshani, the brand's longest-tenured operator, joined in 2014 and launched the Las Vegas market the following year...

GAPP Annual Meeting to Feature Insights on Alaska Pollock Growth in Brazil, Colombia and

India

The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced that market research in a trio of markets, Brazil, Columbia and India, will be presented at the group’s upcoming Wild Alaska Pollock Annual Meeting, set for September 18 at the W Hotel Seattle.

“We know that some of our largest members are active—or starting to become active—in these markets and they represent a huge growth opportunity for our industry,” said Craig Morris, GAPP Chief Executive Officer. “Thanks to these significant grants from the United...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...

Trump Says Immigration Plan Will Balance Farm Labor Needs and Border Security

US President Donald Trump said he is crafting an immigration plan aimed at bridging the gap between American farmers who rely on immigrant labor and advocates for stricter border policies—a balancing act that has taken center stage amid recent enforcement actions disrupting agricultural operations nationwide.

"The farmers want to have people who can work very hard in the field, and the other people don't want to have anybody from outside of our country. And I am working on a plan that I think is going to make...

Lerøy Seafood Group Maintains Harvest Guidance After ‘Solid’ Q2 Performance

Norway-based Leroy Seafood Group (LSG) said it delivered “solid operations” across all its business segments in its second fiscal quarter of 2025, which resulted in an EBIT of NOK 680 million ($66 million).

“The quarter clearly illustrates the robustness of our business model with a fully integrated value chain in a diversified seafood company," said CEO of Lerøy Seafood Group ASA Henning Beltestad.

The company’s farming segment wrapped Q2 with a NOK 256 million operational EBIT. LSG said it had strong biological...

Hokkaido Scallop Landings in Okhotsk Down 10%, Pushing Prices to Unusual Highs

This season's scallop harvest off Hokkaido's Okhotsk coast has passed the halfway point. Preliminary figures for the end of July indicate a 9% year-on-year decrease of 145,300 tons, achieving 54% of the projected total. The initial projection was 267,900 tons, a 12% decrease from the previous season's actual results. Still, due to poor growth, rough seas, delays in landings caused by heat countermeasures, and mass mortality in some near-shore fishing grounds, some fishing cooperatives have revised their targets downward or are forecasting that...

Louisiana Agents Seize Drugs, Weapons and 1,813 Pounds of Shrimp During Vessel Inspection

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF) arrested one individual for alleged drug and firearm violations, with another cited for alleged shrimping violations on August 15 in Iberia Parish.

Rendal D. Jennies Jr., 42, of Houma, was arrested for possession of cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, possession or dealing in unregistered/illegally transferred weapons, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in the presence of a schedule II controlled dangerous substance. He was eventually booked into the parish jail...

St. James Smokehouse Unveils SAINT Fruit Wood Limoncello Smoked Salmon

Perfect for summer soirées, seafood spreads, and breezy brunches, St. James Smokehouse is serving up sunshine on a plate with the launch of its newest seasonal stunner: SAINT® Fruit Wood Limoncello Smoked Salmon — now available exclusively at Eataly locations nationwide.

Zesty, bright, and effortlessly luxe, this small-batch seasonal release is a citrus-infused twist on tradition. Crafted with the same artisanal care that’s made St. James Smokehouse a favorite among food lovers and chefs alike, each fillet is gently infused with small-batch...

ANALYSIS: Live Lobster Market Outlook, Navigating Supply Constraints and Demand Uncertainty

 As the summer’s peak demand period winds down, the live lobster market faces an unexpected dynamic. Maine’s landings have been slow to gain momentum, resulting in supply that is tighter than anticipated. At the same time, both domestic and international demand have remained subdued. The absence of strong buyer interest—despite limited availability—has prompted market participants to question whether elevated price points, broader economic pressures, or shifting consumption patterns are dampening demand, a sharp departure from the robust activity typically seen during the height...