Seafoodnews.com Summary Wednesday, June 3

Contact

Expana
P.O. Box 389
Toms River, NJ 08754
1-732-240-5330

Editorial

Jamie Chadwick
Managing Editor
1001 Corporate Circle
Toms River, NJ 08755
Voice: 732-575-1983
jamie.chadwick
@expanamarkets.com

Ryan Doyle
Editor
SeafoodNews.com
1001 Corporate Circle
Toms River, NJ 08755
ryan.doyle
@expanamarkets.com

Susan Chambers
Associate Editor
SeafoodNews.com
Voice: 541-297-2875
susan.chambers
@expanamarkets.com

Peggy Parker
Science and Sustainability Editor
PO Box 872
Deming, WA 98244
Voice: 360-592-3116
peggy.parker
@expanamarkets.com

John Sackton
Contributor
8 White Pine Lane
Lexington, MA 02421
Voice: 617-308-0776
[email protected]

Support and Questions
1-800-443-5330
[email protected]

Subscription Info
1-800-932-0617
[email protected]

Terms

License Agreement

News Summary June 3, 2026

Today's Top Story: USTR Proposes Sweeping Tariffs on Global Food Suppliers Over Forced Labor

Breaking this morning, USTR proposes sweeping tariffs on 60 key trading partners over forced labor import failures, with 10-12.5% additional duties targeting major food suppliers such as Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and the EU. The tiered tariffs affect nations that either lack forced labor import prohibitions or fail to enforce existing bans, with USTR estimating forced labor generates $63.9 billion in illegal profits annually, including $5 billion from agriculture alone...

To Read Full Story Login Below.

Note: All comments are displayed with user's screen name. If screen name is not present, user's full name will be used. Please go to My Account to update your screen name.

Submit comment or question

This comment will be posted using your screen name:

Submit Notification

Comment Policy: SeafoodNews.com and Urner Barry have made the comment feature available to encourage further discussion of our news stories. Defamatory or offensive Comments, or comments deemed not relevant to the story will be removed, and if necessary, SeafoodNews.com and Urner Barry may restrict the right of individual subscribers to offer comments. IN all cases, comments represent opinions of the poster only, and do not represent fact, news, opinions or estimates put forward by SeafoodNews.com and Urner Barry.

USTR Proposes Sweeping Tariffs on Global Food Suppliers Over Forced Labor

The US Trade Representative (USTR) announced late Tuesday that the Trump administration will impose additional tariffs on imports from 60 key US trading partners, citing failures to prohibit goods produced with forced labor that create an "unlevel playing field" for American agricultural and food producers.

USTR proposed 10-12.5% additional duties on products from major food suppliers, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, the European Union, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Australia, and China, following Section 301 investigations initiated in March 2026.

"The failure of our most important...

Full Story »

Agricultural Coalition Urges USMCA Renewal as Trade Negotiations Begin

As trade negotiations between the US, Canada, and Mexico begin, the Agricultural Coalition for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) organized a letter to trade leaders in all three countries urging renewal and strengthening of the trade pact.

The letter, signed by nearly 160 organizations in the agri-food sector, was sent to Ambassador Jamieson Greer at the Office of the US Trade Representative, Canada-US Trade Representative Dominic LeBlanc, and Mexico's Secretary of the Economy, Marcelo Ebrard.

"[USMCA] strengthens the resilience of our integrated agricultural markets...

Full Story »

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Import Models Recalibrated as Market Conditions Shift

Country-level import estimates utilize low, mid, and high ranges based on standard errors from each modeling approach. Given market softness observed since April and weakness emerging in late May through June, Expana's estimates have been recalibrated using different scenario settings to better align with current conditions.

Modeling scenarios and accuracy framework

Based on customs official data and a model with greater than 96% accuracy, the seasonal export-led model has been adjusted to "high" settings for closer alignment with observed patterns. Previously, mid or low settings were utilized, but...

Full Story »

CDFW Investigation Nets Major Penalties for Restaurant's False Seafood Sourcing Claims

An upscale restaurant, part oyster bar, part local seafood advocate, a coffee cafe during the day, and a wine bar at night, complete with their own wine subscription service, was investigated for fraud, false advertising, and fishing violations, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife stated in a bulletin released yesterday.

The investigation led by CDFW resulted in charges of unlawfully selling seafood while advertising its products as traceable, sustainable and lawfully sourced. The investigation found repeated violations of state and federal commercial fishing laws in 2020 and 2021...

Full Story »

California Senate Advances Dungeness Crab, Steelhead Reforms in McGuire's Fisheries Omnibus

California State Senator Mike McGuire's comprehensive fisheries legislation, SB 1393, cleared the California Senate on May 28 with bipartisan backing, advancing key reforms for the state's commercial fishing industry.

The omnibus bill targets three priority areas: strengthening steelhead trout fishing restoration programs by increasing habitat funding, modernizing Dungeness crab fishery management regulations, and establishing clear vessel transit rules within closed crab fishing areas.

California's commercial and recreational fishing sectors support over 100,000 jobs and generate hundreds of millions in annual economic activity. The Dungeness crab fishery alone, concentrated...

Full Story »

The Retail Rundown: Post-Holiday Reset Brings Value Back to the Center of the Case

Grocery merchandising is settling into a post-holiday rhythm as promotional activity shifts back toward value, versatility, and the everyday traffic drivers following the Memorial Day push.

Staples such as bacon, chicken breasts, and ground beef continue to anchor store traffic, reinforcing the meat case’s role in everyday meal planning. While current merchandising remains focused on routine household needs, retailers are expected to increase seasonal promotions and feature activity as Father's Day and the Fourth of July draw closer.

In beef, chuck cuts posted the...

Full Story »

ANFACO-CYTMA Raises Concerns Over Canned Tuna Liberalization in EU-Mexico Trade Deal

ANFACO-CYTMA is seeking clarification from European policymakers after canned tuna was included in the scope of full tariff liberalization under the newly modernized EU-Mexico trade agreement.

The agreement, signed on May 22, would remove tariffs on canned tuna after a seven-year transition period, subject to approval by the European Parliament and ratification by EU member states. The move has drawn concern from the seafood industry association, which argues that canned tuna has traditionally been considered a sensitive product within...

Full Story »

NOAA Seeks Comments on Electronic Logbook Requirements for Gulf, South Atlantic Commercial Vessels

NOAA Fisheries is requesting public comment on a proposed rule requiring commercial vessels to submit fishing reports electronically rather than through paper logbooks, with the comment period running through June 25.

The rule would affect federally permitted commercial fishermen targeting Gulf Reef Fish, South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper, Atlantic Dolphin and Wahoo, or Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources. Currently, these operators must complete and submit paper logbooks within seven days of each fishing trip.

Under the proposed electronic system, fishermen would use NOAA-approved software to submit...

Full Story »

ANALYSIS: Two Weeks of Firm Prices as Supply Loss Tightens the US Crab Meat Market

The US crab meat market has experienced a decisive shift toward firmness over the past two weeks, driven by structural supply constraints stemming from NOAA Fisheries' May 11, 2026 MMPA comparability findings. The regulatory decision eliminated two major suppliers—the Philippines and Venezuela—representing approximately 17-22% of traditional import sources, a reduction occurring...

Full Story »

As Whale Rules Loom, Research Shows Consumers May Pay More for Ropeless Lobster

Maine's lobster fishery supplies roughly 90% of the nation's lobster and remains one of the state's most important economic drivers.

Lobstermen harvest their catch using traps connected to surface buoys by vertical lines. Federal regulators are considering changes to that system in an effort to reduce the risk of whale entanglements through the adoption of ropeless fishing gear.

The proposal is aimed at protecting the North Atlantic right whale, one of the world's most endangered large whale species. According to the University...

Full Story »

Japan's April Marine Products Import Fell 6% in Volume, but Increased 3% in Value

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on May 28th, April imports of marine products (preliminary figures, including fish and shellfish and their preparations, fishmeal, and seaweed) were down 6% year-on-year to 181,057 tons. While imports of fresh and frozen tuna increased, imports of salmon, trout, and shrimp decreased. The value of imports increased 3% to 184.977 billion yen ($1.16 billion).

According to a report by the Minato Shimbun, imports of fresh and frozen tuna increased...

Full Story »

Cermaq Consolidates Canadian Operations Into Single Entity Following $1B Grieg Integration

Mitsubishi-owned salmon farmer Cermaq is streamlining its expanded Canadian operations through a June 1 subsidiary amalgamation, creating a unified structure five months after completing its $1 billion acquisition of Grieg Seafood's North American assets.

The consolidation merges three entities—CQ Canada Holding Ltd., Cermaq Canada Ltd., and Cermaq Seafood BC Ltd.—into Cermaq British Columbia Ltd., with CAD 224 million in capital. CEO Steven Rafferty will serve as director of the Campbell River, BC-based entity...

Full Story »

Russia-Norway Scientists Meet to Set 2027–2028 Fish Catch Limits

Russia and Norway will continue their fisheries cooperation this year despite existing geopolitical tensions between the countries.

Both Russian and Norwegian scientists will continue regular meetings and discussions aimed at regulating fishing activities in the Barents Sea and conducting joint research to increase the efficiency of fisheries operations.

Recently, specialists from the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography—one of Russia's leading fisheries research institutions—participated in the annual meeting with Norwegian scientists to examine the current state of the Barents Sea ecosystem and ongoing changes...

Full Story »

More Certifications Ahead From an Emerging Trend — Fish Welfare, Says Friend of the Sea

Fish welfare is emerging as one of the most significant issues in the global food sector, at a time when more than half of the fish consumed worldwide now comes from intensive farming.

Friend of the Sea and World Sustainability Foundation have collaborated with Fair Fish and Fish Etho Group to develop 24 species-specific standards for aquaculture operations that improve stocking density, water quality, stress management, and slaughter methods.

That initiative is also supported by the Fish Welfare Project, launched in 2017 by FOS and...

Full Story »

EU: Commission Approves €54 Million Spanish State Aid for Agricultural Companies

The European Commission has approved a €54 million Spanish State aid scheme to support agricultural companies facing increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis.

The scheme was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026. The scheme covers higher diesel prices from late March to late June and will run until 31 December 2026.

Full Story »

Bumble Bee Forced Labor Case Advances Despite Legal Setback for Indonesian Fishermen

A California federal court delivered a mixed ruling on May 27 in the human trafficking lawsuit against Bumble Bee Foods, granting part of the tuna company's request to reconsider an earlier decision while allowing the Indonesian fishermen's core claims to proceed.

Chief Judge Cynthia Bashant acknowledged that the court had mischaracterized a key Ninth Circuit precedent in her November 2025 ruling denying Bumble Bee's motion to dismiss. The court had incorrectly stated that the Ratha v. Phatthana Seafood case definitively "held" that trafficking...

Full Story »

Captain D’s Expands Sustainable Sourcing With Wild‑Caught Alaska Fish Rollout

Captain D’s is expanding its commitment to sustainably sourced, U.S.-caught seafood while maintaining an accessible, value-focused price point.

The fast-casual seafood chain is rolling out Wild Caught Batter Dipped Fish from Alaska, battered fresh daily in restaurants. The item will appear across several core menu platforms, including the brand’s value-driven Full Meal Deals and signature platters.

“Our guests know Captain D’s for its great seafood, generous portions and incredible value,” said Phil Greifeld, CEO of Captain D’s. “This...

Full Story »

Start Date:
End Date:
	Search Title?
	Search Article?
	Search Tags?