OpenTable and KAYAK Unveil Top 100 Hotel Restaurants Amid Growing Trend of Culinary-Driven Travel

‘Today Marks a Historic Day in Our Bilateral Relationship’: PM Modi on India–UK FTA

Lauding the signing of the landmark India-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi said that the pact marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations between the two nations.

During a joint press statement with his British counterpart Keir Starmer, PM Modi highlighted the enhanced market access and economic opportunities for both the countries while expressing gratitude for the hospitality he received during his official visit to the country…

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Ready Seafood Sues Ex-Executives, Alleges Trade Secret Theft After Founding Packers Pride

Ready Seafood, a prominent Maine-based supplier of live and processed lobster products, has filed a lawsuit against two of its former executives, Andrew Daughan and Robert Kragh, as well as their newly formed company, Packers Pride.

The suit, filed on July 14 in US District Court, alleges that the former employees breached their contracts and illegally used confidential business information to directly compete with their former employer. 

Daughan was hired in 2018 as Ready Seafood’s Vice President of Category Management. He was tasked with…

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US, EU Trade Talks Boosted by Trump’s Agreement with Japan

The European Union and the U.S. are heading for a potential trade deal that includes a 15% U.S. baseline tariff on EU goods and possible exemptions, two European diplomats said on Wednesday, potentially moving President Donald Trump closer to securing another major trade agreement hours after he unveiled one with Japan.

European negotiators were hoping to reach an agreement to dodge the 30% tariff rate Trump has said he would impose on imports from the 27-nation bloc on August 1…

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Pacific Seafood Appoints Raul Squadritto to Lead Farmed Salmon Division

Pacific Seafood has tapped longtime industry executive Raul Squadritto to lead its PacMar farmed salmon division, marking a key step in the company’s plan to double in size by 2031.

Squadritto will be based in Pacific’s Miami office and will work to strengthen customer partnerships and accelerate growth in both farmed salmon and poultry segments.

“We’re excited to welcome Raul Squadritto as our farmed salmon sales leader for PacMar,” Mark Bowen, Vice President Pacific Seafood, PacMar, said. “Raul brings more than…

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Canada Aquaculture Industry Alliance Joins Effort to Elevate Agriculture as a Federal Priority 

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance has joined 31 national agricultural organizations in co-signing a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, urging the federal government to prioritize the agriculture industry.  

The letter, titled “Let’s Grow Canada: Staking a Claim for Agriculture in the Government Mandate,” argues that the sector is often overlooked in national policy and investment decisions, despite its contributions to the economy.  

Citing a decline in Canada’s global agricultural market share since 2000 and a projected drop in productivity to…

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Experts Assess Damage to Fish from Fuel Tanker Crash in Salmon Stream

ELWHA RIVER — Matt Beirne reached through the swirling sheen and scooped up the dead young fish. Some had settled into the sediment, others floated belly-up or with mouths gaped.

He laid the fish on rocks along the shore. Juvenile steelhead and rainbow trout, lamprey, coho, Chinook, bull trout and sculpin were neatly wrapped in aluminum foil caskets, bagged up and put on ice.

The smell of gasoline wafted through the air.

It was less than 24 hours after a fuel tanker truck careened off Highway 101 on…

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North Coast Seafoods Teams Up with Sysco to Launch Seaweed Kelp Balls 

Boston-based North Coast Seafoods has joined forces with Sysco Corporation to launch its Seaweed Kelp Balls. The product is featured in Sysco’s Summer 2025 Cutting Edge Solutions (CES) Program, which showcases innovative additions to the food industry.  

North Coast Seafoods says it sources kelp domestically to help strengthen local coastal economies and support fishing families across the U.S.  

The Seaweed Kelp Balls earned their place in the CES lineup as the world’s only plant-based product of their kind. Made from…

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China Emerges as Top Buyer of Vietnamese Shrimp in First Half

China (including Hong Kong) became the largest importer of Vietnamese shrimp in the first half of the year, with export turnover reaching nearly US$595 million, an 81% increase year-on-year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

VASEP attributed this strong growth to a rebound in consumer demand and China’s high appetite for Vietnamese lobster.

In total, Vietnam’s shrimp exports during the six-month period topped US$2 billion, up 27% compared to the same period last year. Other key markets…

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Argentine Shrimp Conflict Worsens: Exports Are at a Standstill

The fishing industry is facing an unprecedented crisis that paralyzes the activity and generates millionaire losses, with serious consequences for the regional and national economy. The conflict over the shrimp harvest escalated with new episodes of tension: union protests, death threats to workers and judicial raids in Chubut.

On Friday, members of the Sindicato de Obreros Marítimos Unidos (SOMU) and the Sindicato Marítimo de Pescadores (Simape) demonstrated in front of the headquarters of the Sindicato de Capitanes de Pesca in Mar del Plata, evidencing the deep union divisions…

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Japan’s Frozen Cod Imports from Russia Plunge 80% from January–May 

Japan’s imports of frozen cod from Russia dropped by 80% from January–May, according to Minato Shimbun. While imports hovered around 15,000 metric tons annually until 2017, they declined to roughly 10,000 metric tons between 2018 and 2021. Since 2022, though, annual volumes fell even further to around 5,000 metric tons. 

Rising prices played a key role in this trend. Since 2022, the per-kilogram cost of cod increased significantly, prompting a shift from US to Russian imports. However, in 2024, prices for Russian cod surged, narrowing the…

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Opinion: Seafood Labeling a Good Idea That’s Gaining Steam

Louisiana’s seafood producers have long braved harsh conditions to bring their catches to our plates. Aside from the hazards of the job, they have also had to navigate increasingly challenging market conditions over the past two decades as cheap imports have flooded the U.S., pushing down prices. Since 2021, the U.S. shrimp industry has lost almost half of its market value, according to the Southern Shrimp Alliance.

But our seafood industry is nothing if not resourceful. In recent years, it has begun to fight back with…

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A Ban Nearly Crushed North Carolina Shrimpers. Why They Embrace the Life They Fight to Keep

All was still on the New River near the Davis Seafood fish house. But when 83-year-old William “Buddy” Davis walked out of his home and pulled on tall rubber boots, it signaled the work was about to begin.

Not far from tourist-filled beaches of Topsail Island, the Davis family began preparing for the homecoming of the 58-foot Capt. Davis and more than 10,000 pounds of shrimp it harvested from the South and Neuse…

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Trump Signs Landmark US-Japan Trade Deal, Slashes Tariffs to 15%

United States President Donald Trump announced this week that he had signed what he described as “perhaps the largest deal ever made” with Japan, aimed at reshaping trade relations between the two countries. The agreement sets a new 15% tariff rate on all Japanese products imported into the US, a notable decrease from the 25% rate imposed earlier this month, as Expana reported.

According to President Trump, the deal is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the United States and will require Japan to open its markets further…

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ANALYSIS: 2025 Cod Market Outlook, Supply Constraints, and Price Dynamics

The Norwegian cod (Gadus morhua) market has experienced significant changes in 2025, primarily driven by a decrease in supply. Prices reached a historic high in February 2025, with Norwegian cod valued at NOK 76.1 per kilogram (Figure 1). However, the following months have been marked by increased volatility, influenced by factors such as shifts in global trade policy, regulatory sanctions, and ongoing supply constraints…

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Jewel Osco Recalls Tuna Salad Products in Three States Due to Listeria Concerns 

Jewel Osco stores in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa are joining Albertsons in voluntarily recalling several tuna salad products supplied by Reser’s Fine Foods due to potential listeria contamination.  

Reser’s Fine Foods initiated the recall after discovering that the breadcrumbs used may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. 

On Monday, Expana reported that Albertsons also announced a recall of certain tuna salad products sold at stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. 

The items were also distributed to Randalls and Tom Thumb stores. Consumers are urged to…

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Hundreds of Farmed Salmon Escape Cermaq Facility in Norway 

Hundreds of salmon have escaped from a facility owned by Norwegian salmon farmer Cermaq.  

According to local media reports, a pipe used to move the fish disconnected during unloading operations, allowing roughly 800 salmon to escape into the sea. 

The fish were being transferred from the company’s Hammerfjord site in northern Norway to a holding pen near its Rypefjord harvesting facility, according to NRK.  

In an effort to recover the escaped salmon, Cermaq is offering a bounty of £36 (NOK 500) for each fish returned. So far, just…

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US-Philippines Trade Relations Televised; 19% Tariff Rate Reached

On July 22, US President Trump participated in a bilateral meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

“… We concluded our Trade Deal, whereby The Philippines is going OPEN MARKET with the United States, and ZERO Tariffs,” wrote President Trump on Truth Social after the meeting. “The Philippines will pay a 19% Tariff. In addition, we will work together Militarily. It was a Great Honor to be with the President. He is Highly Respected in his Country, as he should be. He is also a very good, and tough, negotiator…”

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Fortune Fish & Gourmet Showcases Premium Seafood and Meats to NBA Chefs in Las Vegas

Fortune Fish & Gourmet took center stage at the National Basketball Association (NBA) Summer League in Las Vegas last week, presenting their specialty seafood and meat products to chefs from all 30 NBA teams.

Each summer, Las Vegas hosts the NBA’s annual meetings for coaches, trainers, and the Performance Nutrition Association to discuss best practices for supporting their organizations. For the first time, NBA chefs held their own dedicated meeting in 2025, inviting Fortune Fish & Gourmet, current supplier to the Philadelphia 76ers, to present its offerings to…

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Congressman Jared Golden Pushes to Extend Lobster Fishing Regulation Moratorium Until 2035 

Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME) is calling on lawmakers to extend a federal pause on new lobster fishing regulations aimed at protecting North Atlantic right whales.  

Golden worked alongside Maine Governor Janet Mills in 2023 to create the current moratorium, which is set to expire in 2028. Now, he’s urging the House Natural Resources Committee (HNRC) to extend the pause until 2035 through a proposed amendment to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). 

Speaking before the HNRC Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries on…

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Frozen Oysters Recalled in Several States After Norovirus Illness Reports

A pair of companies announced recalls of frozen half-shell oysters due to Norovirus concerns, according to notices published on the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) website.

California-based Wang Globalnet announced the recall of 1,200 cases of Frozen Half Shell Oysters. Specifically product KR-15-SP with a harvest date of 1/12/2025. The product was distributed in California, Utah and other states. The oysters were packaged in white corrugated boxes labeled “Frozen Half Shell Oysters, Product of Korea, Pack 144 counts,” with a shellfish…

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Fish Industry Halts Exports, Delays Investments on Tariff Fears

Two weeks after the United States announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian products, uncertainty and losses are mounting in the fish industry, one of the hardest-hit sectors by the measure set to take effect on August 1. Importers have suspended purchases, shipments are en route to the U.S. without clarity on whether they will be subject to the new duty, and companies are already delaying investment plans.

Netuno, an importer based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and owned by Brazilians, has suspended all purchases of Brazilian fish until…

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SHARKED Act Seeks to Address Shark Depredation and Protect US Fisheries

On July 22, 2025, Sens. Rick Scott and Brian Schatz introduced bipartisan legislation to address the growing issue of shark depredation, which occurs when sharks prey on fish from anglers’ lines while the lines are still submerged in the ocean. Shark depredation affects commercial and recreational fisheries and the local and state economies that rely on them, while also posing safety issues for humans and potentially disrupting the marine ecosystem.

The bill, entitled “Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research, Knowledge, and Enhanced Dialogue (SHARKED) Act,” will establish…

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Fisherman Lied About How Much Grouper and Tilefish He Caught in SC. Now He is Off to Prison.

CHARLESTON — A commercial fisherman is going to prison after he told his son to catch as many fish as possible and then tried to cover up the violation of federal catch limits by hundreds of pounds.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel sentenced Don Michael Rynn, 61, on July 22 to one year and a day in prison, followed by three years of supervised released. A federal jury convicted Rynn on March 20 of falsifying fishing trip reports for snowy grouper and gray…

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Japan’s Tuna King Eyes Investment Opportunities in PNG Fisheries Sector

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has welcomed the interest of Japanese seafood giant, Kiyomura Corporation, in exploring potential investment opportunities in Papua New Guinea’s fisheries sector.

Kiyomura Corporation is renowned for its high-end sushi restaurant chain and led by the iconic “Tuna King.”

Mr. Kiyoshi Kimura, President of Kiyomura Corporation, is exploring options that align with PNG’s national fisheries and aquaculture priorities.

NFA Managing Director Mr. Justin Ilakini said the interest from Kiyomura Corporation is timely and aligns strategically with the National Tuna Development Strategy and National Aquaculture Development…

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Russian Fishermen Face Challenges in Renewing Domestic Fishing Fleet

The Russian government is considering extending the term for investment quota allocations to domestic fisherman from the current 15 years to 20 years, according to Aleksey Osintsev, Vice President of the Russian Association of Fishing Fleet Owners (AFFO).   

Many Russian fishing companies are having difficulty building new vessels on time, which could result in penalties. The proposed extension would give them more time under the state’s investment quota program, while also providing them with additional support amid ongoing economic challenges. 

Osintsev says the move is essential since payback periods for…

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Korea’s Dried Seaweed Went Global. Now, It’s Going Green

Among South Korea’s ocean bounty, one standout is seaweed, most iconically in its dried form, known in Korean as “gim.”

While many Koreans now take quiet pride in seeing this humble staple elevated to a global delicacy, only a handful have considered its promise beyond the plate.

Seaweed, after all, is giving back to the very waters that once gave it life — as a source of climate solutions now taking root in Korea.

Seaweed as ‘blue carbon’

According to the World Bank’s 2023 Global Seaweed Markets Report, seaweed is a powerful…

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How Ecuadorian Shrimp Data is Driving Transparency in Global Seafood Supply Chains

As global seafood markets grow more complex, access to timely, reliable data is becoming essential for informed decision-making, especially in the fast-moving shrimp sector. Few commodities reflect international consumption shifts and supply chain pressures as clearly as shrimp, and Ecuador as a key exporter sits right at the centre of that story.

Earlier this year we witnessed a significant step when Gluna Shrimp, known for its accuracy in Ecuadorian shrimp pricing, joined forces with Expana, the world’s largest agrifood market intelligence and forecasting…

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Crackdown on Salmon Smuggling: Chile Forms New Industry Task Force

The Chilean government has developed an ‘Anti-Salmon Theft Task Force’ amid increased instances of criminal activity focused on the country’s critical salmon sector, according to local news outlet The Puerto Varas.

The news was announced by Undersecretary of Public Security Rafael Collado. Collado highlighted the new task force’s goal of generating “concrete measures to prevent, investigate, and dismantle the gangs involved in salmon theft at various stages of the chain: from farming and transportation centers to illegal marketing outlets…

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Nueva Pescanova Group Saw 73% Earnings Growth in First Half of 2025

Today, Nueva Pescanova Group released its financial results for the first half of the year, reflecting a 73% increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), which is now at €27 million (USD $31.74 million), compared to €15.6 million (USD $18.34 million) during the same period last year.

The Spanish international seafood company also improved its profitability during the first and second quarters, reducing its losses by 65%.

The Group’s sales trend rang positive overall, with revenues rising by 7.9% from…

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The Retail Rundown: Beef Edges Out Seafood in Weekly Protein Features

Beef narrowly edged out seafood for the top spot in retail protein promotions this week, making up 25.9% of all featured items. Seafood was a close second at 25.3%, while pork and chicken each accounted for about 23%. Eggs represented roughly 2% of ads, and turkey dipped below 1%.

Beef steaks remained a premium grilling choice, averaging $14.21 per pound last week. Seafood also led on price, with fresh salmon reaching as high as $17.24 per pound in some regions…

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