Federal Judge Denies Bumble Bee Motion to Dismiss Forced Labor Case

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A California federal judge has denied Bumble Bee Foods' motion to reconsider her earlier ruling allowing an Indonesian fishermen's human trafficking lawsuit to proceed.

Chief Judge Cynthia Bashant's June 11 order acknowledged that her previous ruling incorrectly stated that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals had definitively held that trafficking claims apply to overseas conduct, when the appeals court had only "assumed without deciding" this point.

Despite the correction, Bashant maintained that the four Indonesian plaintiffs can pursue claims under the...

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ANALYSIS: Pacific Halibut Landings Gap Narrows, but Supply Remains Historically Constrained

Since the June analysis, Pacific halibut production has improved and the year-over-year landings gap has narrowed. According to the International Pacific Halibut Commission, coastwide landings through Week 28, ending July 5, totaled approximately 7.6 million pounds, down 3.8% from the same period in 2025. Fishing effort is expected to continue improving as vessels return from the Bristol Bay salmon season and redirect activity toward halibut...

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Norwegian Cod Farmer Ode Becomes First in History to Deliver a Profitable Full Year

Ode, Norway's largest farmed cod producer, has achieved what no cod farming company has managed since the industry's early attempts in the 2000s — a full year of profitability. The company reported a net profit of NOK 66 million ($7 million) in 2025, a NOK 301 million improvement from the prior year.

Revenue more than doubled, growing 118.7% from NOK 401 million in 2024 to NOK 877 million ($91 million). EBITDA reached NOK 109 million ($11 million)...

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ASC Study Finds 52% of US Consumers Recognize Seafood Certification Labels as North America Campaign

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council says its largest-ever consumer study has found that independent certification programs are the most trusted source of seafood sustainability information globally — but significant awareness gaps remain among US shoppers, with barely half able to recognize seafood certification labels at point of sale.

The survey, conducted by The Conversation Studio on behalf of ASC, polled nearly 15,000 consumers across 14 countries. While ASC ranked as the most recognized and trusted farmed seafood certification globally, only 52% of US seafood consumers said...

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US Shrimp Coalition Launches to Fight Import Curbs, Defend Affordable Shrimp

The US Shrimp Coalition today launched as the unified national voice for businesses, workers, retailers, restaurants and supply‑chain partners committed to preserving access to affordable shrimp for American consumers.

Created in response to efforts to tighten import rules that would raise consumer costs and disrupt seafood supply chains, the Coalition said it will press policymakers to protect year‑round availability, support US seafood businesses and safeguard the hundreds of thousands of jobs that rely on imported shrimp.

“Shrimp is a staple on dinner tables across...

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Nueva Pescanova Scraps World's First Commercial Octopus Farm Plan

Nueva Pescanova has formally withdrawn its bid to build what would have been the world's first commercial octopus farm, filing an official request with the Port Authority of Las Palmas in the Canary Islands to abandon its application for the facility's concession, according to reporting by Europa Press and WeAreAquaculture.

The Spanish seafood company said the decision was driven solely by "business and regulatory considerations" stemming from the evolution of the administrative process — not an acknowledgment that octopus farming is unfeasible...

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Ocean Supercluster Backs $25M in Projects, Including First Seafood-Specific HPP System in Canada

Canada's Ocean Supercluster announced three new projects on July 28 totaling more than $25 million in combined value, spanning premium seafood processing technology, zero-emission marine transportation, and smart marine glazing.

The most directly relevant for the seafood industry is the $6.2 million Advancing Technology for Premium Seafood Exports Project, led by Richmond, B.C.-based Ocean Master Foods International in partnership with HPP Tolling Facility Canada. The Ocean Supercluster is investing $2.4 million, with the remainder coming from project partners. The project...

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ANALYSIS: How Ecuador's Volume Growth and Asian Tariffs Opened a $0.91 HLSO-EZ Peel Spread

One number in the current shrimp index data stands apart. White HLSO Latam sits at $3.80 per lb — down from $4.00 in March 2025, a decline of 5.0% over that period and 9.3% year over year versus $4.19 in July 2025. Every other segment in the index is up over both periods. White CTO Asia has gained 18.6% from its March 2025 level and 9.8% year over year. EZ Peel Asia is up 14.3% since March 2025...

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Trump's Section 301 Tariffs Cast New Shadow Over Norway's Declining US Seafood Exports

Norway's seafood industry emerged from the Trump administration's Section 301 tariff announcement on July 24 facing fresh uncertainty in a US market that was already sliding — with a 12.5% rate now locked in while key competitors secured lower or zero-rate access.

The determination stems from the US Trade Representative's finding that Norway lacks legislation explicitly prohibiting imports of goods produced with forced labor in third countries. Seafood Norway CEO Geir Ove Ystmark called the assessment unreasonable, pointing to the Norwegian Transparency Act and the country's pending...

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NOAA Opens Public Comment on Potential MMPA Import Rule Overhaul, Seafood Industry Gets a Say

NOAA Fisheries has published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking public input on potential changes to the Marine Mammal Protection Act's import provisions, the regulatory framework that determines which countries can sell fish and seafood products in the US market. Comments are open through September 28, 2026.

The notice does not propose specific rule changes. It is the earliest stage of the regulatory process, an open invitation for the seafood industry, foreign governments, trade groups, and conservation organizations to weigh in on how the...

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Japan’s Fishmeal Imports Soar 36% to 84,000 Tons in January-May with Price up 30%

According to the Ministry of Finance's trade statistics, fishmeal imports from January to May totaled 84,017 tons—a 36% year-on-year (YOY) increase—with the unit price rising 30% to 270 yen/kg ($1.65/kg).

A Minato Shimbun newsletter reported imports by source included 18,239 tons from Oman, the top supplier, up 3.1-fold; 17,429 tons from Peru, the second place, up 2%; 10,819 tons from India, up 50%; 10,169 tons from the US, up 48%; 6,575 tons...

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EU, Seychelles Sign Four-Year Tuna Access Deal Worth $26 Million

The European Union and Seychelles have signed a new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement that will grant EU vessels access to Seychelles waters for four years to fish up to 55,000 metric tons of tuna and other migratory species annually.

The deal, signed July 27 in Brussels, authorizes up to 30 EU purse seiners and eight longliners to obtain licenses and resume operations in Seychellois waters. Fishing had been halted since a previous agreement expired on February 23...

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The Kingfish Company Reports $12 Million in Q2 Revenue, Up 15% Year-on-Year

The Kingfish Company (OSE: KING), the Netherlands-based pioneer in land-based yellowtail kingfish production, reported second-quarter revenue of €10.4 million ($12 million), a 15% increase on a like-for-like basis year-over-year, driven by strong foodservice demand for fresh large fish.

Like-for-like figures exclude fresh sales in the United States, which were discontinued in October 2025. Fresh large fish volumes grew 28% year-on-year on a like-for-like basis...

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Philippines Issues New Crab Fishing Rules, Eyes Restoration of US Market Access Before Year-End

The Philippine government has moved to tighten its blue swimming crab fishery regulations and expressed confidence that exports to the United States can resume before the end of 2026 — more than six weeks after an import ban under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act took effect.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he is confident the country will restore access to the US market, its most critical destination for blue swimming crab, known locally as alimasag, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer...

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West Coast Fishing Communities Face Historic Threat From Super El Niño

The West Coast is bracing for what forecasters say could be one of the strongest El Niño events in recorded history, with Pacific Ocean temperatures off Washington and Oregon already running well above normal. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has reported soaring sea surface temperatures — already twice the 0.5-degree Celsius threshold that triggers an official El Niño declaration — and Ocean Conservancy experts warn the US is dangerously underprepared for what could follow.

Marine heatwaves that accompany Super El Niños suppress ocean nutrients, allow toxic algae to flourish...

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Georgia Seafood Wholesaler Agrees to $265,000 Settlement in EEOC Sex Discrimination Case

Moon N Sea GA, LLC, formerly known as KGI Trading GA, has agreed to pay $265,000 to settle a US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sex discrimination lawsuit alleging violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on sex, among other protected categories.

According to the EEOC, the settlement is also subject to a two-year consent decree requiring the company to provide specialized training to employees on Title VII’s prohibition...

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The Retail Rundown: Buying Opportunities Emerge Beyond Peak Grilling

As summer enters its final stretch, retailers are shifting their focus from peak grilling season to the next major merchandising window: back-to-school, Labor Day, and early fall meal occasions.

Consumers remain focused on value as grocery budgets face pressure, yet they are still willing to spend on proteins that deliver an affordable "restaurant-at-home" experience.

At the same time, evolving priorities and the increased adoption of GLP-1 medications are reshaping how households plan meals and shop for groceries, with new consumer research showing that health...

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Russia Eyes 7.5% Increase in Snow Crab Catch as Northern Basin Drives Growth

Russia is targeting a snow crab catch of 50,000 tons in 2026, a 7.5% increase over 2025, with the gains expected to boost both domestic supply and exports, according to experts from the All-Russian Association of Fisheries (VARPE).

The increased Russian output is part of a broader global picture. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, world snow crab production is expected to exceed 150,000 tons this year — a record. Russia accounted for 31% of global snow crab catch in 2025...

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