Princes Hits 100% MSC-Certified Tuna Sourcing Milestone

Princes Group says it has met its 2025 goal to source 100% of its branded tuna from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified fisheries, representing around 70 million cans a year, marking what it calls a major step forward for sustainable seafood supply in the UK.

The achievement comes after several years of investment in traceability, collaboration with fishing partners and what the company describes as a large-scale supply chain transformation. Princes set the ambition in 2022 and says it has helped drive a 15‑fold increase in MSC‑certified...

US-Spain Seafood Trade Faces Uncertainty as Trump Threatens Sanctions Over Military Base Dispute

The key seafood trade between Spain and the United States is under potential threat as US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut off all trade with Spain over the country's refusal to allow US military use of its bases for strikes on Iran.

For the seafood sector, such a move would have significant consequences. According to US Customs data compiled on Expana's Foreign Trade Data platform, Spain exported roughly 65.6 million pounds of seafood to the US in 2025, valued at over $300 million...

Japan to Reduce 19 Tuna Longliners in Compliance with IOTC Policy

On February 27, the Fisheries Agency of Japan approved an implementation plan for the reorganization of the deep-sea tuna longline fishery, submitted by the Japan Tuna Fisheries Co-operative Association, in accordance with the International Fisheries Reorganization Measures. The reduction in vessels will be by 19. This measure will strengthen the protection of tuna resources in the Indian Ocean, particularly bigeye tuna, according to Minato Shimbun. 

At its annual meeting in April last year, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) adopted a plan to reduce fishing capacity...

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Maui Seafood Over Listeria Contamination, HACCP Violations

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning letter to Maui Seafood LLC of Las Vegas, NV, citing the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in its ready‑to‑eat (RTE) seafood processing facility and multiple violations of federal seafood HACCP regulations.

The inspection, conducted from April 28 to May 16, 2025, found L. monocytogenes on several food contact surfaces, including salmon cutting boards, staging area curtains, and processing room drains. Whole-genome sequencing linked the strain detected at the facility to clinical cases from previous years...

Daniel Suddaby Departs Global Tuna Alliance Following Board Direction Shift

The Global Tuna Alliance (GTA) parted ways with Executive Director Daniel Suddaby, the group announced on February 9.

Suddaby wrote on LinkedIn that his time with the alliance has ended, citing a Board decision to change direction.

The Board thanked Suddaby for his efforts in managing global tuna fisheries.

“Over the past three years, it’s been a privilege to work with an outstanding team and a committed group of Partners to help grow GTA from a small...

StarKist Launches ‘Fuel Good, Feel Good’ Campaign Featuring Former Bachelorette, US Hockey Hero

Staple US seafood brand StarKist launched its latest campaign, ‘Fuel Good, Feel Good,’ which is designed to show how fueling up with protein helps consumers accomplish their everyday goals, both big and small.

To bring its new campaign to life, StarKist partnered with a group of creators who will showcase how StarKist’s ready-to-eat products support energy and help people feel good. Partners include former Bachelorette Becca Kufrin, Savannah Bananas star Jackson Olson, and former US Olympic hockey hero TJ Oshie...

Japan: 2025 Fishery Product Exports Increased 41% in Volume, 22% in Value 

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, seafood exports in 2025 (fish and shellfish preparations, fish meal) increased 41% year-on-year in volume to 586,308 tons, and increased 22% in value to 353.719 billion yen ($2.312 billion). This marks the first volume increase since 2021 and the first value increase since 2022. Strong demand, a continued weak yen, and rising prices for farmed fish such as yellowtail and scallops are likely to have driven the value to a record high, according to the Minato Shimbun...

Jones Scraps Marlin Bycatch Plan but Wider Battle Looms

Northland’s recreational fishers are celebrating Fisheries Minister Shane Jones’ about-turn on a proposal to let commercial operators land and sell dead marlin bycatch.

But they believe it is as much a political retreat by a minister blindsided by backlash as it is an awakening to the true value of New Zealand’s recreational fishing industry.

They also say it is just one victory in an ongoing battle against a suite of concerning proposed fisheries reforms, which are going to a select committee...

Tri-Union Seafoods Issues Urgent Recall of Select Tuna Products Due to Distribution Error

Tri-Union Seafoods has announced a critical recall of certain tuna products after a third-party distributor inadvertently released quarantined items associated with a previous February 2025 recall.

Expana reported that the initial recall was prompted by manufacturing defects in the "easy open" pull tab can lids, which posed risks of product leakage and potential contamination with clostridium botulinum, a severe form of food poisoning that can be fatal.

The current recall was triggered once Tri-Union Seafoods discovered the unauthorized distribution...

Baja Aqua Farms Joins NFI Sushi Council, Bringing Pacific Bluefin Expertise

Baja Aqua Farms has become the newest member of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) Sushi Council.

The company farms Pacific bluefin tuna that is destined for global retail and foodservice customers.

“We are honored to join the NFI Sushi Council and partner with fellow industry leaders who share our commitment to quality, traceability, and responsible seafood production,” said Manuel Vazquez, Chief Executive Officer of Baja Aqua Farms. “Our Pacific bluefin tuna represents the culmination of decades of careful stewardship of ocean resources and innovative aquaculture practices...

University of California: Study Finds Fishing Fleet Movement can Reveal Shifts in Marine Ecosystems

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have already leveraged the vast troves of geolocation data from vessel-tracking systems to pinpoint where whales and other large marine species are endangered by ship traffic and industrial fishing.

Now, in a new study led by Heather Welch at UC Santa Cruz's Institute of Marine Sciences, researchers show how the geolocation data generated by satellites for the global Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) can reveal where marine heatwaves are affecting the behavior of...

US Bans Import of Seafood from 12 Vietnamese Fisheries from January 1

Exports from 12 Vietnamese fisheries have been blocked from entering the United States since January 1, after the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) denied comparability findings for these fisheries under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), Vietnam’s fisheries management agency said.

Le Tran Nguyen Hung, deputy head of the Directorate of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, recently confirmed the information, citing NOAA’s notification issued in...

Chinese Taipei Compromise Clears Way for Landmark South Pacific Albacore Deal

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Friday adopted a long-awaited management procedure for South Pacific albacore tuna, ending years of negotiation and clearing the way for the first harvest strategy for the species.

Members settled on Harvest Control Rule(HCR7),a compromise formula that Pacific states say will stabilise the fishery and major fleets say they can live with.

The decision came after days of tense discussion and last-minute compromises from key fishing nations. Chinese Taipei and China...

Fisheries Group Seeks to Limit Albacore Catch

AN international fisheries organization is working on a management procedure this year for the conservation of the migratory tuna species South Pacific albacore to avoid negative economic implications.

Member countries of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) are considering adopting a measure that would restrict the amount of catch of albacore and how to allocate it, said the group's executive director, Rhea Moss-Christian, in a statement Monday.

The Philippines and Canada are cohosting the WCPFC' 22nd regular session in Manila...

Malta Poised for Major Increase in National Tuna Quota, Government Says

Malta is set to benefit from a substantial increase in its bluefin tuna quota following negotiations at an international fisheries meeting, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries Alicia Bugeja Said announced on Monday.

In a statement on social media, Bugeja Said said the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) had concluded its latest round of talks, during which the European Union's tuna allocation for the next three years was discussed.

According to initial indications emerging from the meeting, Malta could see its...

Thai Tuna Industry Pushes for Tariff-Free EU Access Amid Trade Talks

Thailand’s powerful tuna industry is urging the EU to scrap tariffs on its exports as Brussels and Bangkok push to seal a free trade agreement (FTA).

Thailand, a global fisheries heavyweight, is the world’s largest exporter of preserved tuna – the EU’s most consumed fish. Currently, the bloc sets tariffs at 24%, and tariff cuts could trigger a sharp rise in imports.

EU fishers and processors have repeatedly pressed Brussels to exclude tuna from the talks, arguing that Thailand’s sector still faces sustainability and...

Captain Fresh Acquires Frime, Bolstering European Tuna Production and Sourcing

Captain Fresh, the India-based global seafood company, has completed its acquisition of FRIME S.A.U. (Frime), a leading tuna processor and distributor in Spain. The deal broadens Captain Fresh’s portfolio and strengthens its presence in Europe, described by the company as a “processing stronghold.”

Frime operates four production sites across seven factories with an annual capacity of 5,000 tons of frozen, 9,000 tons of fresh, and 3,800 tons of semi-preserved products. The acquisition also adds €50 million invested into state-of-the-art facilities in Barcelona, which...

Kura Sushi Features Authentic Japanese Ingredients in New Kura Reserve Menu

Kura Sushi USA, a pioneer in US revolving sushi restaurants, is showcasing Japanese flavors for a limited time with its latest menu innovations. This Kura Reserve menu is crafted with authentic ingredients sourced from Japan and expertly paired for six new offerings.

The new additions include:

Shima Aji: White trevally fish layered over Kura's specialty rice.

Kanpachi: Known as Almaco Jack or Longfin Yellowtail, this fish from Kagoshima offers a subtly sweet flavor with a tender, smooth texture atop Kura's specialty rice.

Seared Yuzu Infused Albacore...

NASCAR's Busch Family Reignites Successful StarKist Partnership for a Second Year

In a partnership renewal, the NASCAR family- Kyle, Samantha, and Brexton Busch- is once again joining forces with StarKist, building on a highly successful collaboration last year.

"It's going to be another great year with our friends at StarKist. I grew up with the brand, and I'm a big fan," expressed Kyle Busch. "Daytona sets the tone for a long season with nonstop momentum, and racing 500 miles requires serious focus and energy behind the wheel. I never slow down, so I rely on StarKist's great-tasting...

Japan: 2025 Fishery Product Imports Fell by 3% in Volume; Pollock Surimi up 36% from Russia, Down 11% from the US 

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on January 29th, the volume of marine product imports in 2025 (preliminary figures, including seafood and seafood preparations, fishmeal, and seaweed) decreased 3% from the previous year to 2,024,014 tons, while import value increased 4% to 2,381,400,000 yen ($15,175,740.60). Fresh and frozen tuna increased 6% to 186,362 tons, fresh and frozen salmon and trout remained the same as the previous year at 219,397 tons, and sea urchin...

Gold Star Distribution Recalls Thousands of Products, Including Canned Fish and More Seafood

Thousands of products from Gold Star Distribution have been recalled due to the presence of rodent and avian contamination. The recall, initially made public in December 2025, has garnered added attention as many staple food brands like Cheerios, Pringles and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are included in the lengthy recall.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that a Gold Star facility in Minneapolis was operating under insanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent excreta, rodent urine...

Santa Cruz Seafood Company Behind Pescavore Tuna Jerky Files for Bankruptcy Protection

Healthy Oceans Property Co. LLC, a holding company related to tuna jerky brand Pescavore and its parent company Healthy Oceans Seafood, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Chapter 11 allows businesses to reorganize their debts while operating under court supervision.

The Santa Cruz-based company, which owns seafood manufacturing equipment and a processing facility at 1035 17th Ave., listed about $2 million in assets and $1.08 million in secured debt in its bankruptcy filing.

Creditors listed in court records include Community...

GSMC 2026: Seafood Volumes Slip in Foodservice, But Sushi, Shrimp, and Deli Items Show Promise

Seafood volumes in US foodservice fell in 2025, with shellfish driving most of the decline, Melissa Rodriguez, VP Perimeter at Circana, told attendees at the Global Seafood Market Conference. Total seafood servings were down year‑over‑year, as a 5.9% drop in shellfish outpaced a 2.1% gain in fish. Restaurants, which account for nearly three‑quarters of total seafood pound volume, saw their volumes decline even as dollar sales increased, a sign that menu price inflation is masking the pullback in consumption...

RI Tuna Exports Set for Tariff-Free Access to Japan

The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) has stated that Indonesia's processed tuna and skipjack exports to Japan are set to receive an import tariff reduction to zero percent from the current 9.6 percent. The policy is part of amendments to the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA), which Jakarta expects to significantly boost competitiveness in one of the world's largest seafood markets.

First signed by former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in 2007, IJEPA was agreed to be revised in 2024...

Jessica Simpson Reunites With Chicken of the Sea in a Playful Throwback Campaign

"Is this chicken, what I have, or is this fish? I know it’s tuna, but it… it says chicken… by the sea."

The innocence of Jessica Simpson’s question was famously met with a thoroughly perplexed Nick Lachey in the debut episode of Newlyweds more than two decades ago- and television history was made.

Now, in its latest strategic move, Chicken of the Sea is paying homage to that unforgettable pop-culture moment.

Today, the company announced that Jessica Simpson herself will reunite with the...

Agronomics Limited Announces Further Equity Investment in BlueNalu

The Board of Agronomics announces that the Company has subscribed for US$ 600,000 (approximately £446,500) of Convertible Promissory Notes ("CPNs") issued by BlueNalu, Inc. ("BlueNalu"). Concurrent with the subscription for CPNs, the Company has also subscribed for 1,012,229 new Preferred Shares at a price of approximately US$ 5.93 (total subscription value US$ 6,000,000) (the "Share Subscription"), with consideration for the Share Subscription to be satisfied by the issue of 30,643,003 new Ordinary Shares of the Company, each new share issued at....

India’s Captain Fresh Buys Spanish Tuna Company Frime

India's Captain Fresh has signed a deal to acquire Spain-based tuna company Frime, El Economista reported.

The publication said Frime posted turnover of €180 million last year and has processing capacity for 15,000 tons of frozen tuna and nearly 4,000 tons of cephalopods. The company employs about 450 people, according to its website. Frime also partners with Pesca Azteca, a group with a carrying capacity of 85,000 tons annually.

The deal is expected to strengthen Frime's financial position and scale as it joins a group of significant seafood brands...

All Major Tuna Stocks Are Healthy, but Stricter Catch Limits Are Coming: WCPFC Chair

Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Chair Dr Josie Tamate says all major tuna stocks in the region remain healthy but warned that the Commission is now moving into a critical phase of setting firm catch limits and adopting management procedures to keep the world's largest tuna fishery sustainable.

Speaking at a media conference in Manila, Tamate said the Commission's responsibility covers four key tuna stocks - skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye and albacore as well as billfish and non-target species...

Human Rights 'Non-Negotiable' as Pacific Tuna Body Enters Era of Tougher Rules: WCPFC

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has declared that "human rights are non-negotiable" as it enters 2026 with sweeping reforms, including the first-ever binding labour standards for fishing crews and major steps toward long-term harvest strategies for the world's biggest tuna fishery.

In its Twenty-Second Regular Session Annual Report, the Commission says 2024 and 2025 marked a turning point for the organisation from crew protections and bycatch rules to advanced monitoring systems and new conservation measures backed by Pacific science...

Novotel Becomes First Hospitality Brand To Join Seafood Task Force

Global hotel brand expands ocean commitment with focus on sustainable tuna and farmed shrimp sourcing across Southeast Asia

Novotel, a leading global hotel brand with 600 hotels in 68 countries, has become the first hospitality brand to join the Seafood Task Force (STF).

This milestone reinforces Novotel’s leadership in sustainable hospitality and builds upon the brand’s comprehensive three-year ocean commitment and partnership with WWF, launched in June 2024.

The collaboration with the STF will initially focus on enhancing supply chain transparency...