EU Seafood Consumption Hits Decade Low as Price Pressure and Convenience Demands Reshape the Market

European consumers are eating less fish than at any point in the past decade. EU apparent consumption fell from 12.94 million tonnes in 2014 to 10.25 million tonnes in 2023, with per capita intake dropping from 25.5 kg to 22.9 kg — the lowest level of the period — according to a sweeping new study from the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA). The sharpest decline came after 2019, as COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, and sustained food price inflation accelerated behavioral shifts...

Russia Expands Pollock Fillet Dominance in EU Market as Sanctions Bid Collapses

Russia is sharply increasing its exports of frozen pollock fillets to the European Union, widening its lead over rivals including the US, and the bloc's most serious attempt yet to restrict Russian fish imports has just failed.

The EU finalized its 21st package of sanctions against Russia on July 23 without the seafood measures that had been central to the package when it was unveiled in June. A proposed phaseout of Russian fish imports, including a complete ban on cod, was dropped from the final agreement after sustained...

Section 301 Forced Labor Tariffs Take Effect; Seafood Gets No Exemptions as New Trade Map Takes Hold

The Trump administration put a new set of tariffs in place on Friday, ranging from 10% to 12.5% on 60 US trading partners. Seafood received no product exemptions; the sector had been named a priority target when USTR launched the Section 301 forced labor investigations in February, and the final rule followed through.

The tariffs, imposed under the Trade Act of 1974 by USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer at the direction of President Trump, replace the temporary 10% Section 122 levies that expired...

ADF&G Accuses Marine Stewardship Council of “Blue Washing” Russian Pollock Management

The London-based Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has come under fire for its near-certification of the Western Bering Sea pollock fishery, following a formal objection filed by the At-Sea Processors Association in June and a sharply worded letter from Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang earlier this month.

"…the MSC's apparent determination to turn a blind eye to bycatch management, overfishing, habitat impacts, and data transparency and deploy your program's eco-label to 'blue wash' Russian seafood in global markets...

Trident Seafoods Sweeps USDA Alaska Pollock Award Worth $6.4 Million

Trident Seafoods has won the full Alaska pollock portion of a USDA commodity purchase, taking home nearly 1.95 million pounds of pollock products valued at $6.44 million, according to a purchase award document released June 24 by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service.

The Seattle-based company, operating out of its Anacortes, Washington plant, was awarded contracts for frozen pollock fillets (380,000 lbs), frozen pollock sticks (342,000 lbs), breaded frozen pollock sticks (1,064,000 lbs), and bulk frozen pollock (158,400 lbs)...

Russian Pollock Roe Auction Keeps Prices Stable for Busan Auction

The auction for this season's new production of frozen Russian Pollock roe in Busan, South Korea, began in March as usual and largely concluded by the end of May. According to trading company sources, this season's production volume is estimated at 30,000 to 31,000 tons for January to April, about 5,000 tons lower than the previous season, Minato Shimbun reported. 

The decline in production is attributed to a decrease in roe yield and to the Russian Fisheries Company, Russia's largest fishing company, significantly underperforming its initial plans, according to some...

Alaska Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Electronic Monitoring for Trawl Vessels in State Waters

Editor’s note: After publication of this story on May 18, the Alaska House passed the Senate version of HB 117. The bill now heads to Governor Mike Dunleavy for signature.

In the final days of the Alaska State Legislature’s regular session, an amendment introduced by Anchorage state Senator Bill Wielechowski that requires trawl vessels to turn on their electronic monitoring systems while operating in state waters, passed the Senate. It had already passed the House and is now on its way to Governor...

Middle East Conflict Drives Surimi Price Hikes for 93% of Japanese Kamaboko Makers

According to a survey released on April 7th by the Japan Kamaboko Association, when member surimi product manufacturers were asked about the impact of the Middle East conflict on raw material procurement, 42 out of 45 companies (93%) responded that they had been asked to raise prices for frozen surimi sourced from Southeast Asia and other overseas regions, excluding Alaska pollock. 

According to a report by the Minato Shimbun, the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, a major oil-producing region, is spreading to the...

Coast Guard Removes Press Release on American Seafoods Pollock Roe Seizure

The US Coast Guard removed a press release from its website detailing the seizure of $65,000 worth of Alaska pollock roe from American Seafoods' catcher-processor Northern Eagle.

The Coast Guard told Alaska's NBC-2 KTUU that it removed the posts to prevent "unintended consequences, distractions from NOAA's ongoing investigation, or confusion about the compliance record within the Alaska pollock fishery."

The USCG said it pushed back on the case's conclusions, noting the issue shouldn't be viewed as evidence of illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing in one...

US Extends Russian Seafood Ban as Alaska Pushes for Continued Restrictions

The US has renewed its national emergency declaration targeting Russian activities, effectively extending the ban on Russian seafood imports that has benefited Alaska's fishing industry since 2022.

President Donald Trump signed a continuation of the national emergency on March 24, extending Executive Order 14024, which underpins the prohibition on Russian seafood imports. The order was published in the Federal Register on March 27, 2026.

The extension comes just days before Alaska lawmakers passed House Joint Resolution 29 on March 30, urging federal authorities to maintain and strengthen the Russian...

American Seafoods Refutes Federal Seizure of Pollock Roe, Calling it a Paperwork Discrepancy

American Seafoods is taking issue with the US Coast Guard and the Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) of the NOAA Fisheries Service within the Department of Commerce. In response to a USCG press release last Monday, the Seattle-based owner of seven vessels, some of which harvest and process pollock in the Bering Sea, issued a press release the next day saying the investigation of, as the Coast Guard press release said “major discrepancies between the vessel’s production reports and electronic logbook” is nothing more...

Alaska Pollock Fishery Recertified as Sustainable by Marine Stewardship Council For Next Five Years

The nation’s largest fishery, and the second largest volume fishery in the world, Alaska pollock was certified for the fifth time by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) yesterday. Alaska pollock, caught primarily in the eastern Bering Sea, was first certified in 2005 and has now been recertified until 2031, following a comprehensive, independent assessment. 

“We are proud that the Alaska pollock fishery continues to meet the rigorous, science-based standards of the Marine Stewardship Council,” Matt Tinning, CEO of the At-sea Processors Association (APA), which...

ANALYSIS: Salmon and Pollock Dominate EU‑US Seafood Flows as Trade Balance Shifts

At a time when US tariff policy reflects both commercial and geopolitical considerations of its partners, and given the temporary halt to the US‑EU trade agreement reached last summer, it is especially relevant to review the seafood trade relationship between the United States and the European Union...

Salmon Surges While Shrimp Slips in NFI's Top 10 US Consumption Rankings

Salmon emerged as the standout winner in US seafood consumption patterns for 2023, while the traditionally dominant shrimp category showed signs of vulnerability, according to the National Fisheries Institute's annual top 10 species list.

Salmon consumption surged 0.29 pounds to 3.51 pounds per capita, reinforcing its position as America's second-most consumed seafood. The growth contrasts sharply with shrimp's performance, despite maintaining its No. 1 ranking at 5.10 pounds per capita; shrimp consumption declined by a notable 0.40 pounds from 2022 levels...

EU Continues Importing Russian Fish Despite Sanctions

The European Union continues to import fish from Russia despite sanctions. In the first half of 2025, Russian fish exports to the EU rose to 122,000 tons, driven mainly by pollock fillets, whose supply more than doubled.

While official figures for the full year 2025 are not yet available, most analysts expect growth to continue at a similar pace.

In 2024, the EU imported fish and seafood from Russia for $751.74 million, with comparable figures expected for 2025.

The EU primarily imports white fish...

GAPP Seeks Market Research Proposals for Surimi Market Assessment in India

The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP), who for years have been looking at India as a possible market for Alaska pollock surimi,  took an important step today by issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to study the potential market for Wild Alaska Pollock surimi in the sub-continent.   

The research, which is funded in part by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Emerging Markets Program and partly by industry funds, will identify both barriers and opportunities for the consumption of surimi seafood made from Alaska pollock...

The Winding Glass: What Alaska Has Lost

In 2016, Alaska fishermen received an average of 40 cents per pound for their catch (in 2025 dollars). In 2024, they got 27 cents, a 32% decline in real terms. Alaska's other resource industry, oil, saw its price rise 30% in real terms over the same period.

These are not just the actions of commodity markets. Seafood lost a third of its real value, a fifth of its processing plants, and most of its mid-sized owners. The losses did not fall evenly along the supply chain. Total wholesale sales fell by only...

NOAA, Scottish Fishing Leaders Advance Cooperative Research

Federal scientists and leaders from Scotland's commercial fishing industry spent three days in the Northeast exploring how cooperative research can strengthen fisheries management, improve trust between fishermen and scientists, and address shared challenges facing fisheries on both sides of the Atlantic.

The exchange, NOAA's first international cooperative research gathering with the Scottish Fishermen's Organization, brought together scientists, fisheries managers, academics and nonprofit organizations for discussions, vessel tours and industry visits. Organizers said the goal was to demonstrate how combining fishermen's firsthand knowledge with scientific expertise can improve fisheries science...

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

Russian fish exports to China jumped sharply in the first five months of 2026, driven by growing Chinese market demand and an increase in Russian catch volumes across key species.

According to data from the Russian Fish Union, citing statistics from China's General Administration of Customs, Russia's fish export revenue to China reached $2.06 billion from January through May — up 1.5 times compared to the same period last year. In volume terms, exports rose 16% to 672,000 tons...

EU Prepares New Sanctions Targeting Russian Fish Exports, Including Cod Ban

The EU's new sanctions package against Russia may restrict Russian fishery supplies to Europe, including a complete ban on cod sales, which may lead to serious losses for Russian fishermen.

According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, fisheries have so far been among the sectors not significantly affected by sanctions; this may change soon.

The EU market has been among the most important sales markets for Russian fishermen despite current tensions between the two sides. According to estimates by the Russian Fisheries Union, in 2025, total...

Putin Visit Reinforces Russia-China Fisheries Partnership Growth Plans

Russia plans a significant expansion of its fisheries trade with China as demand for Russian fish among Chinese consumers continues to grow steadily.

The expansion of joint fisheries trade was discussed during Putin's recent visit to China. Both countries believe they have significant potential to expand mutual fisheries trade. Current trade dynamics remain positive, and most analysts expect continued improvement in the second half of this year.

According to the latest trade statistics from the Russian Fish Union, fish and seafood trade between Russia and China...

Russia Expands Fish Export Geography to Africa, Middle East, Latin America

Russia is increasing fish exports this year as demand for its fish and seafood remains strong in major export markets.

According to the Russian Federal Center for Fish and Seafood (Agroexport), fish exports from Russia rose 19% in value year-on-year in Q1 2026 to US$1.7 billion.

Growth was observed in most key export categories. Frozen fish shipments increased 26% year-on-year to US$944 million. Within that category, frozen pollock exports rose 45%, cod by 58%, and haddock by 63%. Crustacean shipments...

USDA Solicits Bids for Major 2.3 Million-Pound Alaska Pollock Purchase

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking bids to purchase over 2.3 million pounds of Alaska pollock products, according to a May 4 solicitation notice.

The government procurement covers frozen Alaska pollock products, including fillets, sticks, breaded sticks and bulk containers for domestic food distribution programs. The solicitation also seeks roughly 1,800 cases of frozen haddock fillets. Bids are due May 15, with acceptances announced May 22.

If awarded, this would mark the first government seafood purchase of 2026, according to the USDA's procurement website...

Sea of Okhotsk Pollock Catch Down 3.5% but Revenue Hopes High on Pricing

Russian pollock fishermen have completed the winter-spring pollock fishing season in the Sea of Okhotsk, the center of Russian pollock production.

According to the Russian Pollock Association, the total catch in all Far East areas during the first part of Russia's pollock fishing season reached 1.021 million tons. The result is 3.5% below 2025 levels but 6% higher than the five-year average.

Alexey Buglak, head of the association, told Russian media that unfavorable weather conditions were the main reason...

Center for Biological Diversity Sues NOAA Over Northern Fur Seal Protection, Targets Pollock Fleet

In late 2024, NOAA Fisheries finalized the Conservation Plan for the Eastern Pacific Stock of Northern Fur Seal in an effort to conserve and restore the stock to its optimum sustainable population. The Eastern Pacific (formerly Pribilof) stock of northern fur seals was designated as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act on June 17, 1988, because the population had declined by over 50 percent from the highest population levels of the 1950s. NMFS first published a Conservation Plan in 1993, followed by a revised version...

Coast Guard Seizes $65K in Unreported Pollock Roe from American Seafoods Vessel

In a collaboration between the US Coast Guard and NOAA Fisheries office of Law Enforcement (OLE), federal officers seized 5.4 metric tons of unreported pollock roe, valued at over $65,000, from the catcher-processor Northern Eagle, owned by American Seafoods, in late March. 

The Northern Eagle was approximately 15 nautical miles north of Dutch Harbor, AK on Thursday, March 26, when the crew of the US Coast Guard Cutter Waesche boarded the trawler/processor. 

In a statement yesterday, the Coast Guard described the boarding as being...

BC Groundfish Trawl Fishery Receives Marine Stewardship Council Certification 

Last Friday, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) announced that the  British Columbia Groundfish Trawl fishery has achieved certification as a fishery that is sustainably fished.  

The fishery, which includes 28 vessels using both mid-water and bottom trawl gear targets hake, pollock, rockfish, cod, rockfish, and flatfish (like sole and flounder.) It has undertaken a series of transformative improvements including one of the most comprehensive stock management and quota allocation programs, and the precedent-setting Pacific Groundfish Trawl Habitat Conservation Agreement which addresses concerns about...

SENA 2026: Trident Seafoods and Icy Waters Claim Top Honors at Seafood Excellence Awards

Trident Seafoods and Icy Waters took home the top prizes at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Awards on Sunday, with products that judges said exemplified innovation, market relevance and culinary versatility in their respective foodservice and retail categories.

Trident Seafoods captured the Best New Foodservice Product award for its Crispy Battered Sauceable Wild Alaska Pollock Nuggets, while Icy Waters won Best New Retail Product for The Good Fish Co. Coconut Margarita Haddock. Both winners were selected from more than 100 entries in the New Product Showcase...

Russia’s Per‑Capita Fish Consumption Falls to 24 kg as Exports Rise

Per‑capita fish consumption in Russia remains below government targets and shows little sign of near‑term recovery. State plans set a target of 28 kg per person for 2025, but consumption fell to about 24 kg in 2025 — a 2.4% decline year‑on‑year and roughly 11% below 2023 levels. Industry analysts say producers still find it more profitable to export catch than to supply the domestic market.

Retail demand softened in 2025. Analytics firm NTech estimates retail fish sales fell about 1% by volume...

Russian Fish Exports to China Reach 1.9M Tons Amid Persistent Tariff Barriers

China continues to maintain tariffs on key Russian fish export products despite growing fisheries trade between the two countries. 

Official data shows that Russian fish exports to China reached 1.91 million tons, worth US$3.4 billion, in 2025. Exports could have been higher if not for tariff restrictions limiting supply. 

Updated tariffs that took effect January 1, 2026, are set at 5% on a wide range of products, including frozen pollock, herring, cod, and blue whiting. In 2025, these species accounted for 71% of the...