Vietnamese crab exporterexellent crabdouble-skinned crabs
Thu. Jul 9 2026

ANALYSIS: US May Shrimp Imports Rise 7% as Ecuador Posts Record Monthly Volume  

SalMar to Acquire 70% Stake in Måsøval in $350 Million Deal

Salmones Camanchaca Workers Launch Strike at Tomé Plant Over Pay and Conditions

Norway Doubles Down on Seafood as Tournament Diet Captures Global Headlines

NOAA Links Chinook Salmon Declines in Yukon River to Bering Sea Heatwaves  

US Identifies Costa Rica for IUU Fishing Over Longline Monitoring Failures, Conservation Groups Warn

Hokkaido Surimi Production Plummeted 55% to 760 Tons in May

UNFI Shuffles Leadership to Strengthen Operations and Commercial Execution

New Zealand Supports Green-lipped Mussel Industry With NZ$4.5M Loan for Spat Nursery

Atlantic Mackerel Quotas Surge More Than 1,000 Percent After Stock Assessment Shows Recovery

Portugal Grants First Permit for Offshore Open-Sea Fish Farm  

Seafoodnews.com Summary Thursday, July 9

Wed. Jul 8 2026

Alaska Salmon Harvest Trails YOY Catch, Bristol Bay On Track to Reach 33.5 Million Harvest

Les Hodges: Market Access Becomes the New Measure of Value  

Farmed Fish Overtakes Wild Catch for First Time as Global Seafood Output Hits Record 188.2M Tonnes

Thai Union Launches Industry-First Recyclable Shelf-Stable Tuna Pouch Under John West Brand

NOAA Lifts Suriname Seafood Import Ban After Drift Gillnet Fishery Reforms

The Retail Rundown: The Battle for the Summer Food Dollar Intensifies  

Japan’s Mackerel Exports Show a 1.7 Fold Increase in January-May with Record High Price

Russian Pacific Salmon Catch Lags Behind 2025 Amid Declining Stocks  

Bakkafrost Q2 Trading Update: Faroe Islands Clean on Mortality, Scotland Chalks Up 32 mDKK in Losses

Pokeworks Expands Texas Footprint as Franchise Pipeline Grows  

NOAA Awards $4.2M to States, Tribes to Advance Endangered Marine Species Recovery  

FMI Report Finds Food Retailers Doubling Down on Value, Health and Tech Amid Economic Pressure  

RARE Steak Championship to Make New York Debut at Industry City

Seafoodnews.com Summary Wednesday, July 8

OpenTable Introduces Gold Tables, Turning Diner Loyalty Into Access at Coveted Restaurants

Tue. Jul 7 2026

ANALYSIS: A North–South Comparison of Shrimp Import Patterns in the EU-UK  

Norway H1 Seafood Exports Decline 1% as China Surpasses US in Market Rankings

Sustainable Scalloping Fund Applauds Trump's National Scallops Day, Northern Edge Opening

DNR's Proposed Water Rules Sharply Criticized, Constitutional Protection of Salmon at Risk  

Vietnam Seafood Giant Godaco Suffers $6 Million Fire Loss at Value-Added Plant

Eunha Fisheries Recalls Korean Sashimi Products Over Undeclared Allergens

CFIA recalls Five Star Shellfish Oysters Over Salmonella Risk  

Canada Raises Mackerel, Southern Gulf Fall Herring Catch Limits  

Ecuador Launches Executive Board to Boost Tuna Sector Competitiveness

Mowi to Brand Feedpipes in Scottish First to Trace Marine Debris

Seafoodnews.com Summary Tuesday, July 7

Mon. Jul 6 2026

White House Issues Sweeping Deregulatory Changes in Domestic Fisheries Management

SalmonChile Joins Chilean Trade Delegation Heading to Washington to Fight Proposed 12.5% Tariff

Southern Senators Press USDA for Emergency Catfish Purchase as Industry Marks Third Year of Losses  

Expana's Weekly Top 10

Norwegian Seafood Council Pushes Provenance as Key Differentiator for UK Fish and Chip Operators  

Sardine Fleet Experiencing No Landings in Eastern Hokkaido Despite Season Opening in mid-June

ASC Adds Stefanie Rog, Steve Philips to Board of Trustees

Mowi Reports 14,500 Salmon Escape at Nordland Site

Finnforel Appoints Mikko Karell as CEO

Russia Imposes Two-Year Greenland Halibut Restrictions in Far East

Salmon Scotland Comment on Shetland Tunnel Plans

Seafoodnews.com Summary Monday, July 6

Thu. Jul 2 2026

ANALYSIS: Revised May and June Import Data Put US Shrimp Inventory Above Pre-Pandemic Trend  

US Declines to Extend USMCA, Putting $149 Billion in Agri-Food Trade on an Uncertain Path

Sen. Sullivan Introduces Updated Bycatch Bill with Alaska Stakeholder Backing

Two Buyers Seek Court Sign-Off on $2.25M Dungeness Crab Price-Fixing Settlements  

Japan's Surimi Products Exports Increase 5% YOY with Growing Global Demand

Summer Strategies Take Shape Across Foodservice

Seafoodnews.com Summary Thursday, July 2

EU Aquaculture Commissioner Convenes Industry Dialogue as Bloc Prepares Vision 2040 Framework  

Cousins Maine Lobster Builds on Core Offering With New Lobster Roll Flight

Expana Publication Schedule for the Fourth of July Holiday Period

Wed. Jul 1 2026

Bristol Bay Harvest Now at 7 Million Sockeye of 32.2M Forecast, Few Bright Spots in Season So Far  

Seafoodnews.com Summary Wednesday, July 1

New Survey Highlights Growing Appetite for Seafood Among US Consumers

Century Pacific Resumes Tuna and Coconut Operations After Philippines Earthquake

US Fish and Wildlife Service Expands Shellfish Definition to Include Squid, Octopus and Cuttlefish

Norwegian Seafood Takes the Spotlight as National Team Competes in the US  

The Retail Rundown: Holiday Heat Wave Tests Cookout Plans While Retailers Push Summer Favorites  

BAP, Great British Chefs Team Up to Promote Responsible Aquaculture

EU Restores Zero-Duty Access for US Lobster, Expands Coverage to Processed Products

Shrimp Giant Thai Union Faces $295M Lawsuit Over Red Lobster's Collapse

New Fishery Management Council Seats Announced Amid Criticism of the Process in Alaska

Tue. Jun 30 2026

Seafoodnews.com Summary Tuesday, June 30

Lineage Prepares Cleanup After Week-Long Fire Contained at LA Cold Storage Site  

Red Lobster Brings Back Crabfest With Expanded Customization and New Crab Boil Options

Canada Reopens Northern Shrimp Fishery Off Newfoundland for First Time in Over a Decade

Global Seafood Alliance Highlights Certification Growth, Consumer Trust in 2025 Annual Report

Cooke to Take Over Mowi's Atlantic Canada Salmon Farms in $158 Million Deal

ANALYSIS: Scottish Atlantic Salmon Exports Decline Despite Record Health in 2026  

Russian Fish Exports to China Surge 50% in Value Through May

Silver Bay Seafoods Wins $11.2 Million USDA Canned Salmon Contract; Frozen Fillet Lines Go Unawarded  

Nordic Halibut Buys Pure Norwegian Seafood from Måsøval

Mon. Jun 29 2026

Seafoodnews.com Summary Monday, June 29

Oral Arguments Heard on EPA's Veto of Pebble Mine, Decision Expected in 'Near Future'  

IMR: Northeast Arctic Cod Advice Up 16% for 2027, But Recruitment Outlook Remains Weak

Global Seafood Alliance Releases Program for Responsible Seafood Summit 2026 in Bangkok

Commerce Continues Antidumping Order on Vietnamese Pangasius Following Fourth Sunset Review

Japan's May Fishery Product Exports Fell 2% in Volume, Value Surged 41%  

Rainfall Closure Triggers Oyster Recall Linked to Maine Aquaculture Site

Andfjord Salmon Completes First Post-Smolt Sale, Launches Strategic Partnership

IFFO Unveils Program for 2026 Annual Conference in Buenos Aires

Expana's Weekly Top 10

ANALYSIS: Vietnam Gains Share in Chinese Lobster Imports Amid Shifting Tariff Dynamics  

Cassidy to Introduce Bill Targeting Shrimp, Crawfish and Catfish Import Surges  

Trident Seafoods Sweeps USDA Alaska Pollock Award Worth $6.4 Million

Fri. Jun 26 2026

Schouten Europe Buys Bobeldijk, Expanding Private-Label Plant Proteins  

Seafoodnews.com Summary Friday, June 26

All's Quiet on the Western Front One Week Before the Traditional Peak of Harvest in Bristol Bay  

NOAA Fisheries Awards $3.8M in Prescott Grants to Strengthen Marine Mammal Rescue Network

Angry Crab Shack Welcomes Ginni Naegle as Director of Franchise Operations

Federal Magistrate Recommends Voiding Permits for Nine Washington Shellfish Operations  

PF Chang’s Rolls Out “Summer in Tokyo,” Spotlighting Shareable Sushi and Tableside Drama  

Russia, Japan Reach Agreement on 2026 Fishing Quotas After Protracted Negotiations

Fortune Fish & Gourmet Acquires Inland Foods' Houston and New Orleans Divisions

Ecuadorian Shrimp Sector Formalizes Mangrove Alliance with Conservation International

Nova Scotia Launches 3-Year Seafood Strategy with Innovation, Market Expansion Push

Private Labels, Health and Wellness Take Center Stage at UNFI’s 2026 Holiday and Winter Selling Show  

Trump Decision to Reverse OOI Dismantling Came as Oregon Lifted the First Buoy Arrays

Thu. Jun 25 2026

SeaPak Marks Decades of Innovation as America Approaches Its 250th Anniversary

Seafoodnews.com Summary Thursday, June 25

Bairdi Snow Crab Landing Keeps Increasing, Exceeding 1800 MT in Hidaka, Hokkaido  

Kura Sushi Launches Honkai: Star Rail Collaboration to Drive Guest Engagement  

NEAFC Members Move to Cap Russian Mackerel Catches in North-East Atlantic

Norwegian Salmon Mortality Falls 23% Year-on-Year as Positive Trend Intensifies  

Darden Sees Same-Store Sales Growth Across All Segments in Fiscal 2026

Sandals Puts Culinary Storytelling at the Center of Jamaica Resort Transformation

Death of Pregnant Fin Whale Caused by Cruise Ship Strike Before Docking in Seward  

Iceland Land-Based Salmon Producer LAXEY Closes Oversubscribed EUR 47M Equity Raise

FAO Pushes Social Metrics, Supply Chain Transparency at Global Small Pelagic Fish Symposium  

ANALYSIS: Ecuador's Shrimp Export Declarations and US Arrivals Are Diverging  

Supreme Crab & Seafood Debuts at Fancy Food Show With New Blue Swimming Crab Combo Stack  

Aleutian Islands Golden King Crab Catch for 2026-2027 Season Up 13% From Last Year  

Wed. Jun 24 2026

Vietnam’s Ca Mau Province Formalizes Mud Crab Exports, Unlocking Access to Key Global Markets  

NOAA Allocates $21.3 Million for California Salmon Fishery Disaster Relief  

Seafoodnews.com Summary Wednesday, June 24

Ocean Harvesters, Omega Protein Push Back on Chesapeake Bay Menhaden Research Claims  

Ammonia Leak at Tamil Nadu Shrimp Processing Plant Kills at Least Nine, Injures Dozens

The Retail Rundown: Independence Day Demand Meets Rising Cookout Costs  

SalmonChile Expands Mentorship Program While Advancing Export Diversification Strategy

NOAA Launches $13.5M Aquaculture Cooperative Institute to Boost Domestic Seafood Production  

Power Outages Disrupt Tuna Cutting Operations in the Philippines and Indonesia

San Diego County Sues Grocery Sushi Franchise Companies Over Worker Misclassification  

Tue. Jun 23 2026

USCG Helicopter Crashes Near Sitka, Crew Survived With Minor Injuries  

Seafoodnews.com Summary Tuesday, June 23

Dead Endangered and Pregnant Fin Whale Carried into Port by Cruise Ship, Investigation Underway

NOAA Boosts TED Compliance Across Gulf Shrimp Fishery

Monarch, Sovereign Seas Partner With Macduff Shellfish to Launch Norway Lobster Line in US  

Long John Silver’s Leverages Seasonal Flavors and Value in Summer Menu Launch

Captain D’s Uses Alaska Cruise Promotion to Spotlight US Seafood Sourcing

Phillips Foods Names Brice Phillips CEO in Multigenerational Leadership Transition

ANALYSIS: Solid EU-UK Shrimp Imports Recorded in April  

Russia Eyes Expansion of Tuna Fishery as Stocks Move Into Far Eastern Waters  

OTB Hospitality Files Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Following On The Border Closures

Global Trade in Aquatic Products Reaches Record $184 Billion, FAO Reports

Global Squid Buyers Strongly Oppose Management Changes Being Considered in Chile and Peru

Mon. Jun 22 2026

Tetra Pak Introduces Industry‑First Carton Packaging for Shelf‑Stable Tuna  

Seafoodnews.com Summary Monday, June 22

Higher Costs Weigh on Margins as Kroger Reports First-Quarter Growth  

ASC Defends Certification System in Response to US Senate Committee

Scott & Jon’s Launches Honey Sesame Salmon Superfood Bowl at Costco  

Spain Issues First Round of Fishing Diesel Aid, Covering 4,650 Vessels with EUR 6.8 Million

Japan's Frozen Yellowtail Fillet Exports Rose 67% in April; up 73% to the US  

UK-India Trade Deal Opens Door for Scottish Salmon Exports

Dongwon F&B Completes Global Advanced Base 'Protein Nexus' in Jincheon

The First California Salmon Season in Years Opens with Hope and Adaptation  

USMCA Is in Limbo. Here's What That Means for North American Seafood.

CDC Report: Tuna and Reef Fish Behind Most US Seafood Toxin Outbreaks Over 13-Year Span

Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Britt Urge USDA Action on Catfish Virus Threats

Port of Tacoma Approves Ground Lease for $250M Cold Storage Facility Expected to Create 400 Jobs

Thu. Jun 18 2026

Brands Compete on Value, Experience and Summer Promotions in Foodservice

Seafoodnews.com Summary Thursday, June 18

Americold Opens New Cold Chain Hub at Port Saint John, Expanding Global Trade Connections

NOAA Directs $123.6M in Fishery Disaster Funds to Alaska, West Coast, and Squaxin Island Tribe  

Aysén Agencies, Salmon Farmers Test HAB Mass Mortality Response in Joint Simulation

Pokeworks Expands Limited-Time Menu Strategy with New High-Protein Surf & Turf Bowl  

Expana's Weekly Top 10

Machina Launches Performance‑Driven TV Campaign for Get Maine Lobster  

Wild Alaskan Company to Directly Operate Kasilof Buying Station for 2026 Salmon Season  

Expana's Publication Schedule for Juneteenth, June 19, 2026

Norcod Secures Exclusive Five-Year Juvenile Supply Deal with Havland

Russian Crab Exports Hit Record High in First Five Months of 2026

What a Super El Niño Could Mean for Alaska's Seabirds, Salmon, and Seas  

ANALYSIS: US April Shrimp Imports Down 16% as India Volumes Retreat Sharply  

Seafish Unveils 2026-27 Annual Plan Focused on Workforce, Trade and Supply Chain Resilience

Wed. Jun 17 2026

Lawmakers Tell NSF to Halt Ocean Sensor Removal, Merkley Calling It "Supreme Stupidity"

Panera Bread Unveils Summer Menu as RISE Transformation Continues  

Seafoodnews.com Summary Wednesday, June 17

Trump Arctic Official Pitches Greenland Annexation as Lifeline for Red Lobster

Hilton Foods Appoints Mark Clare as Board Chair, Confirms Leadership Transition

Nestlé Purina Expands Use of MSC-Certified Fish in Gourmet Perle Relaunch  

ANALYSIS: European Pollock Imports Slip 5.2% YTD, Prices Rise on Supply Constraints  

The Retail Rundown: Father’s Day Grilling Highlights Resilient Spending and Selective Buying  

Japan's Mackerel Export Increased 2.9-Fold in April, Exceeding JPY 4 Billion

King Oscar Expands Premium Tinned Seafood Portfolio with New Smoked Mussels

Scottish Salmon Farmers to Fund Wild Fish Conservation Following Escape Incidents Under New Deal  

Boudreaux's Brand Owner Sues Former Licensee Over Trademark Counterfeiting and UPC Code Theft  

Dual Ocean Threats Put West Coast Fisheries, Marine Life on Notice

Tue. Jun 16 2026

Seafoodnews.com Summary Tuesday, June 16

Private Brands Gain Momentum as Quality, Health Drive Shopper Loyalty, FMI Reports  

Certified Group Secures FDA Approval for PFAS Testing Method in Frozen Clams

Indonesia Secures EU Aquaculture Market Re-entry After Regulatory Gap  

Maine Supports Multi-State Recall of Mussels Tied to Islesboro Harvest Site

Young Right Whale Entangled in Gulf of St. Lawrence as Rescue Efforts Begin

New England Council to Mark 50 Years of Regional Fisheries Management at June Meeting

Azuma Foods Recalls 545 Cases of Tako Wasabi Products Over Undeclared Fish Allergen

Federal Judge Denies Bumble Bee Motion to Dismiss Forced Labor Case

ANALYSIS: Chile Controls 70% of US Fresh Salmon Imports as Norwegian Supply Falls 35%  

SAWA Bill Would Reshape US Farmer's Labor Costs  

First Copper River Salted Sockeye Roe Shipment Arrives in Sendai, Prices Rise  

Mon. Jun 15 2026

Three New Icebreakers to be Homeported in Alaska — Two in Kodiak, One in Seward  

Seafoodnews.com Summary Monday, June 15

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News Summary July 9, 2026

Today's Top Story: US May Shrimp Imports Rise 7% as Ecuador Posts Record Monthly Volume

Kicking things off today, Ecuador posted a record monthly volume, driving US shrimp imports to 152.9 million lbs in May — up 7.0% year over year — with the South American supplier accounting for roughly 42% of all monthly volume after surging 46.8% to 64.0 million lbs. India held second place at 50.2 million lbs but fell 12.2%, while Indonesia and Vietnam also declined, leaving the YTD picture down 7.9% to 690 million lbs as weakness in Asian-origin continues to outpace Ecuador's gains...

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ANALYSIS: US May Shrimp Imports Rise 7% as Ecuador Posts Record Monthly Volume

Total US shrimp imports for May 2026 came in at 152.9 million lbs, up 7.0% year over year versus 143.0 million lbs in May 2025. The monthly gain was driven almost entirely by Ecuador, while declines across the major Asian origins continued to weigh on the broader supply picture. YTD through May, imports stand at 690 million lbs, down 7.9% against 749 million lbs in the same period of 2025.

Ecuador recorded 64.0 million lbs in May, up 46.8% year over year and...

Full Story »

SalMar to Acquire 70% Stake in Måsøval in $350 Million Deal

SalMar ASA has agreed to acquire Heimstø AS's entire 70% stake in Måsøval AS, the Central Norway salmon farmer, in a deal valuing Måsøval's total share capital at approximately NOK 4.84 billion. The transaction was announced on 8 July 2026.

Under the terms of the agreement, SalMar will pay NOK 39.50 per share for Heimstø's 85,727,553 shares — a premium of 71.7% to Måsøval's closing price on 25 March 2026, the day before Heimstø announced a strategic review of its ownership. The NOK 3.4 billion consideration is structured...

Full Story »

Salmones Camanchaca Workers Launch Strike at Tomé Plant Over Pay and Conditions

Workers at Salmones Camanchaca's processing plant in Tomé, Chile, began a legal strike Tuesday after collective bargaining negotiations broke down, marking the first industrial action of its kind at the facility.

The strike was approved by 99.46% of members of the company's Sindicato No. 1, which represents around 230 workers, according to Radio Bío Bío. The union's press release said the action took effect at 00:00 on Tuesday, following the conclusion of both collective bargaining and mandatory mediation stages without agreement. Traffic disruptions were also reported...

Full Story »

Norway Doubles Down on Seafood as Tournament Diet Captures Global Headlines

Norwegian seafood has received a notable publicity boost since the start of the world's most competitive soccer tournament.

Earlier last month, ahead of the opening matches, Norway's national soccer team arrived in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Word quickly spread that the squad had brought a substantial shipment of seafood from home to fuel the players throughout the tournament. The detail soon took on a life of its own, generating global headlines and widespread discussion across social media.

Media intelligence firm Meltwater tracked...

Full Story »

US Identifies Costa Rica for IUU Fishing Over Longline Monitoring Failures, Conservation Groups Warn

The United States has formally identified Costa Rica as engaged in Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, citing years of failed commitments to establish a national observer program for its industrial pelagic longline fleet. The finding comes in NOAA's 2026 Report to Congress on Improving International Fisheries Management and was highlighted in a July 3 press release from CREMA, a Costa Rican marine conservation organization.

According to CREMA, NOAA found that Costa Rica failed to meet mandatory observer coverage requirements set by the...

Full Story »

UNFI Shuffles Leadership to Strengthen Operations and Commercial Execution

United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) is making leadership changes aimed at strengthening execution, improving efficiency and supporting long-term profitable growth.

Effective Aug 3, Matteo Tarditi will become President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), overseeing product sales, enterprise customer relationships, supply chain operations, technology and lean implementation. Tarditi previously served as president and chief financial officer.

Louis Martin will serve as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), with responsibility for commercial strategy and capabilities across conventional and natural merchandising, supplier partnerships and services, private brands, professional and digital services...

Full Story »

Atlantic Mackerel Quotas Surge More Than 1,000 Percent After Stock Assessment Shows Recovery

Atlantic mackerel's decade-long rebuilding effort is showing results. A September 2025 management track assessment by NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center found the population is no longer dangerously low and overfishing is not occurring — with 2024 spring trawl survey abundance near a record high, egg production the highest since the 1980s, and estimated recruitment the strongest since 1983, according to NOAA Fisheries.

The turnaround has been years in the making. A 2017 benchmark assessment found the mackerel population dangerously low and overfishing occurring, triggering a five-year...

Full Story »

Alaska Salmon Harvest Trails YOY Catch, Bristol Bay On Track to Reach 33.5 Million Harvest

Bristol Bay’s current catch of sockeye salmon has reached 17.95 million sockeye, on track to achieve pre-season forecasted total harvest of 32.26 million.  

Of the five river districts in the bay, Egegik has reached its escapement goal of 1.4 million sockeye, and currently has 5.94 million landed out of a forecasted 7.44 million, a goal within reach now that escapement has been met. 

Ugashick’s escapement, however, was 370,000 out of a needed 950,000 sockeye. Current landings are at 3.85 million...

Full Story »

Farmed Fish Overtakes Wild Catch for First Time as Global Seafood Output Hits Record 188.2M Tonnes

Aquaculture has become the leading source of fish for human consumption, surpassing capture fisheries for the first time and marking what the UN Food and Agriculture Organization called a "turning point" for global food systems.

In its State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 report, FAO said global fisheries and aquaculture production reached a record 188.2 million tonnes in 2024. Of that, aquaculture contributed 103.3 million tonnes, continuing a long growth trend that is reshaping seafood supply...

Full Story »

Thai Union Launches Industry-First Recyclable Shelf-Stable Tuna Pouch Under John West Brand

Thai Union Group has launched what it claims is the seafood industry's first shelf-stable tuna product in a recyclable mono-material pouch, rolling it out under its John West brand in the UK and Ireland as a product line called Stir & Serve. The launch, developed in collaboration with packaging supplier Mondi, is now available at Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Asda, and Ocado, with further retailer expansion planned through 2026.

The innovation addresses a longstanding technical barrier in flexible seafood packaging. Conventional retort pouches...

Full Story »

Japan’s Mackerel Exports Show a 1.7 Fold Increase in January-May with Record High Price

Exports of Japanese frozen mackerel are recovering. The cumulative export volume for the January–May period reached 58,200 tons, 1.7 times the same period the previous year, driven by increased landings in Kyushu. In recent years, poor catches across domestic fishing grounds—particularly in the Sanriku and Joban regions—combined with a sharp drop in production in Norway (the world's largest producer) have caused landing prices to skyrocket. With high international demand for Japanese mackerel tightening the supply...

Full Story »

Pokeworks Expands Texas Footprint as Franchise Pipeline Grows

Pokeworks is continuing to build momentum in Texas, one of the brand’s key growth markets, as the fast-casual poke concept expands its development pipeline and strengthens its franchise network across the state.

The brand currently operates 26 locations throughout Texas with 11 franchisees, with six additional restaurants under construction across Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso. Pokeworks also recently expanded its Texas footprint with the opening of its newest location in The Woodlands area of Houston in June.

The Texas growth comes as Pokeworks continues to expand nationally, with 14 locations currently in development across Texas, Massachusetts, Colorado and New York.

Full Story »

NOAA Awards $4.2M to States, Tribes to Advance Endangered Marine Species Recovery

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded $4.2 million through its Species Recovery Grant Program to support state and tribal efforts to recover marine species protected under the Endangered Species Act.

The funding includes $1.9 million for six new projects across five states: Alaska, California, Florida, New Jersey and South Carolina. Another $2.3 million will continue 13 multi-year projects approved in previous grant cycles.

A significant share of the investment, $1.6 million, will support...

Full Story »

RARE Steak Championship to Make New York Debut at Industry City

Brooklyn's Industry City will host the New York debut of the RARE Steak Championship on Thursday, Sept. 10, bringing together more than 25 of the city's steakhouses and restaurants for a head-to-head culinary competition featuring unlimited tastings, cocktails and live entertainment.

Presented by Buckhead Meat & Seafood and produced by DiningOut Media + Events, RARE is a national food and beverage festival that showcases premium proteins, culinary talent and craft cocktails in major US markets. The New York event brings together restaurant...

Full Story »

Norway H1 Seafood Exports Decline 1% as China Surpasses US in Market Rankings

Norwegian seafood exports fell 1% by value to NOK 84.5 billion ($8.6 billion) in the first half of 2026, with CEO Christian Chramer of the Norwegian Seafood Council citing a combination of domestic quota cuts and international market disruption.

"Here at home, low quotas for several wild-caught species have resulted in record-low export volumes and record-high export prices, whilst geopolitical unrest in the markets has made global trade even more challenging," Chramer said...

Full Story »

DNR's Proposed Water Rules Sharply Criticized, Constitutional Protection of Salmon at Risk

Alaska's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wants to change regulations that guide the state's water reservation process, an arcane but critically important procedure that guarantees enough water in salmon streams and rivers to support wild salmon populations.

Last August, DNR's Division of Mining, Land, and Water announced its intent in an online public notice and a legal ad in the Anchorage Daily News. The agency identified four regulations for potential changes and opened a scoping period that ran from August 1 to November 29, 2024...

Full Story »

Eunha Fisheries Recalls Korean Sashimi Products Over Undeclared Allergens

South Korea-based Eunha Fisheries Co. has recalled certain Sliced Korean Halibut and Flounder Sashimi products due to undeclared allergens, according to a July 1 notice published on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.

The products included accompanying soy sauce and vinegar red pepper paste packets containing wheat, soy, and sesame that were not declared in English on the individual condiment packets, the FDA said.

The affected products were distributed in the US through WOOLTARI USA Inc. and JAYONE FOODS, Inc., reaching consumers through retail stores, direct delivery, and...

Full Story »

NOAA Links Chinook Salmon Declines in Yukon River to Bering Sea Heatwaves

In a new study, NOAA scientists at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center have linked the rapid decline of Chinook salmon in the Yukon River to marine heatwaves during 2016–2019, a period when adult run sizes reached their lowest levels on record.

The researchers used a new modeling approach to reconstruct the full Chinook life cycle by combining data from multiple sources: juvenile marine survey data and bycatch information collected by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, and adult monitoring data collected by the Alaska Department...

Full Story »

Hokkaido Surimi Production Plummeted 55% to 760 Tons in May

The Minato Shimbun reported that frozen surimi production in Hokkaido for May—based on data compiled by the National Surimi Manufacturers Association based in Abashiri City, Hokkaido—fell 55% year-on-year to 755 tons. This marked the third consecutive month of decline, driven by sluggish landings of the primary raw material, Alaska pollock.

Of this total, pollock surimi production dropped 59% to 672 tons, also marking a third straight month of decline. According to surimi manufacturers, raw fish landings fell across the board...

Full Story »

New Zealand Supports Green-lipped Mussel Industry With NZ$4.5M Loan for Spat Nursery

New Zealand’s most valuable aquaculture species — Green-lipped mussels — is getting a boost from the New Zealand government, according to a press release last week from Mark Patterson, Associate Regional Development Minister. Green-lipped mussels generate approximately NZ$336 million annually in export revenue, making it New Zealand's most valuable aquaculture species.

“The New Zealand mussel industry is a high value food and export sector that relies heavily on wild-caught spat. That supply is often unpredictable leading to shortages and limiting the ability of our mussel farmers to fully utilise their consented marine space,” Patterson said.

Full Story »

Portugal Grants First Permit for Offshore Open-Sea Fish Farm

Portugal has issued its first-ever permit for an offshore aquaculture facility in the open sea, marking a notable step for the country’s marine farming sector and wider European offshore aquaculture development.

Israel-based Mariculture Systems said it has secured an Aquaculture Activity Title from Portuguese authorities, clearing the way for construction of an offshore fish farming facility off the Portuguese coast.

The project will use the company’s CORALIS offshore aquaculture technology, built around a semi-submersible platform designed to operate in exposed...

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Les Hodges: Market Access Becomes the New Measure of Value

The defining issue in the global crab market is no longer production alone. Across every major producing region, the ability to access the highest-value markets is becoming a more important factor of profitability than the size of the harvest itself. Biological conditions continue to improve in Alaska, Norway remains constrained by lower king crab quotas, Russia continues directing premium live product into Asia, and Japan is finding it more difficult to compete for available supply. The result is a global market increasingly shaped by tariffs, sanctions...

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NOAA Lifts Suriname Seafood Import Ban After Drift Gillnet Fishery Reforms

NOAA Fisheries has reinstated a comparability finding for Suriname's drift gillnet fishery under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), removing an import prohibition that had been in effect since January 1, 2026 and restoring US market access for products harvested from the fishery. The finding, published in the Federal Register on June 22 (91 FR 37086), is valid through December 31, 2029.

The restoration of access matters commercially: Suriname shipped 11.6 million pounds of seafood to the US in 2025, valued at $40.2 million across 569 shipments, according...

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The Retail Rundown: The Battle for the Summer Food Dollar Intensifies

With the Fourth of July behind us, the protein industry is entering the "dog days of summer," when seasonal demand typically slows. Holiday movement over the past weekend was reportedly mixed, with retail performance varying by region as weather patterns influenced consumer plans and outdoor activity.

This year, the seasonal slowdown is unfolding against a challenging economic backdrop. Although inflation has moderated, consumers continue to face elevated costs for housing, utilities, and other essentials.

Rather than pulling back on discretionary spending entirely, households are becoming more intentional about where they spend their food dollars, placing greater emphasis on value. That dynamic is especially evident in the restaurant industry...

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Russian Pacific Salmon Catch Lags Behind 2025 Amid Declining Stocks

Russia may face one of the worst red caviar production and salmon catch figures this year in the last two decades due to weak results from the ongoing salmon fishing season.

Regarding red caviar, according to recent Rosrybolovstvo forecasts, the catch will not exceed 227,000 tons, which would be among the lowest figures for the country and its salmon sector.

According to fishermen, the Russian salmon sector is already lagging compared to last year's results, which may lead to price growth for both salmon and red caviar...

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Bakkafrost Q2 Trading Update: Faroe Islands Clean on Mortality, Scotland Chalks Up 32 mDKK in Losses

Bakkafrost harvested a combined 29.9 thousand tonnes head-on gutted (HOG) in Q2 2026 across its Faroe Islands and Scotland operations, bringing year-to-date volumes to 61.3 thousand tonnes HOG, according to the company's Q2 trading update published on Oslo Børs.

The Faroe Islands operation drove the bulk of output, delivering 26.7 thousand tonnes in Q2 at an average harvest weight of 5.6 kg, with volumes building steadily through the quarter from 7.7 thousand...

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FMI Report Finds Food Retailers Doubling Down on Value, Health and Tech Amid Economic Pressure

Food retailers and suppliers are continuing to invest in affordability, health-focused products and technology despite ongoing economic strain, according to The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2026 report released by The Food Industry Association (FMI).

The report found industry leaders concentrated on five core priorities: managing macroeconomic volatility, meeting consumer demands for value and health, improving the shopping experience, adopting new technologies and building business resilience.

“Consumers are increasingly sensitive to both the cost of food and the nutritional...

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ANALYSIS: A North–South Comparison of Shrimp Import Patterns in the EU-UK

Shrimp consumption and sourcing patterns in the EU‑UK region differ noticeably between Southern and Northern Europe. These differences largely reflect historical sourcing and cultural cooking habits, which in turn shape species preferences, product forms, and supplier choices. When focusing on the major importing countries (each exceeding 10,000 MT in 2025), clear contrasts emerge between the two regions...

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Sustainable Scalloping Fund Applauds Trump's National Scallops Day, Northern Edge Opening

The Sustainable Scalloping Fund (SSF) applauded President Trump's declaration of National Scallops Day, marking NOAA Fisheries' move to open the Northern Edge of Georges Bank to the scallop fleet.

According to the SSF, the decision now allows for Scallop Permit Stacking, a move the group has pushed for since its inception. This will allow scallop permit holders to see several benefits, including operational consolidation, cost-cutting, and safer fishing, per the SSF.

"We are grateful to President Trump and his team...

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Vietnam Seafood Giant Godaco Suffers $6 Million Fire Loss at Value-Added Plant

A fire that broke out in the early hours of June 29 at Go Dang Joint Stock Company's (Godaco) value-added processing facility in Vinh Long province has caused damage exceeding VND 162 billion (USD 6.2 million), according to Vietnam's state broadcaster Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

The blaze ignited around 1 a.m. and quickly spread across the facility's main workshop — a nearly 9,000-square-meter plant commissioned in 2016 at a cost of over USD 30 million. Fire crews from the Vinh Long Provincial Police Department...

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