November 24, 2025 — Financial services firm Moody’s Ratings has predicted declines for the U.S. port sector in its recently released 2026 outlook.
“The 2026 outlook for the U.S. ports sector remains negative given the adverse effect of tariffs and policy uncertainty and as U.S. real GDP growth slows and consumer spending moderates,” Moody’s Ratings Assistant Vice President David Kamran said in the update.
November 18, 2025 — Inflation on grocery prices led to drops in seafood sales at U.S. retail stores in October.
Frozen seafood prices increased 5.3 percent year over year in October, contributing to sales declines of 2.7 percent by value to USD 723 million (EUR 624 million) and 7.6 percent by volume, according to new data from market research firm Circana analyzed by Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A.-based 210 Analytics.
November 17, 2025 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:
The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) applauds the Administration for moving to ease tariffs on some foods. While seafood is the healthiest animal protein on the planet, rising costs have put it out of reach for many families. We urge the President to include all seafood in tariff adjustments. This is critical to lowering consumer prices, maintaining American jobs in the seafood sector and keeping Americans healthy and fed.
Additionally, NFI appreciates the Administration’s success in continuing to expand markets for American seafood globally.
The plan to improve access for high quality U.S. seafood products through the application of zero duties in both Switzerland and Liechtenstein will have a positive impact on American companies and is in lockstep with the roadmap laid out in the President’s executive order regarding seafood competitiveness and economic growth.
NFI supports efforts to strengthen cooperation in global seafood trade and make America’s seafood community stronger.
Lisa Wallenda Picard
President & CEO
November 13, 2025 — Restaurant chain Red Lobster, which has implemented several initiatives intended to turn around sales after emerging from bankruptcy last year, has released new flavors for its seafood boils, as well as cocktails and new entrées, to further boost sales.
The Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.-based operator of more than 500 restaurants globally first launched seafood boils as part of its Crabfest promotion this summer. At that time, it debuted the Mariner’s Boil, which includes a Maine lobster tail, a dozen shrimp, snow crab legs, corn, and red potatoes, and the Sailor’s Boil, which features shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and red potatoes.
November 11, 2025 — Most ocean carriers have cut capacity on most global shipping routes, causing prices for 40-foot equivalent units (FEUs) to increase, shipping service Xeneta reported.
One exception to this pattern was on routes between the Far East and the U.S. West Coast, where carriers increased capacity and rates still increased.
October 29, 2025 — The U.S. and South Korea have reached a trade deal that will reduce tariffs on the Asian nation from 25 percent to 15 percent, both countries announced on 29 October.
U.S. President Donald Trump initially threatened the 25 percent tariff in July, with a start date of 1 August. Since that time, all goods from the country – including seafood – have been subject to the duty.
October 27, 2025 — The following was released by UFCW Local 400:
The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 Union has released a new video highlighting the voices of its members who work as commercial fishermen in the Atlantic menhaden fishery. The video showcases the pride, tradition, and hard work of union members whose livelihoods depend on a fishery that has operated from Virginia’s Northern Neck for well over a century.
In the video, crew members describe the menhaden fleet as a family, one bound by generations of work on the water. Many fishermen are second-, third-, or even fourth-generation employees, carrying on a legacy of providing for their families and their community. They emphasize the importance of safety, solidarity, and teamwork in sustaining both their jobs and the Bay ecosystem.
The video highlights how the menhaden fleet, operated by Ocean Harvesters, an American-owned company, provides hundreds of family-supporting union jobs in Virginia’s Northern Neck. Ocean Harvesters’ crews are overwhelmingly local and members of UFCW Local 400 Union. The company’s operations are deeply tied to the region’s economy, employing one of the largest minority workforces in Northumberland County.
The fishermen also speak about misconceptions surrounding their industry. They describe their roots in the community and their commitment to doing the job the right way. “We love to fish, and we’re not destroying anything.” says one. Another adds, “Some people, you’re not going to get it through their head that we are not out there to destroy what keeps us going.” They urge viewers to look at the facts: “Just don’t take people’s word for it. Go do your research.”
The video also shows the challenges crews face when people suggest they should fish only in the ocean instead of the Chesapeake Bay. Fishermen explain that rough seas and weather conditions often make ocean trips unsafe or impossible, and that they rely on access to the Chesapeake Bay to make a day’s work. The footage underscores why safe, workable Bay conditions are essential for keeping crews employed and families supported.
“Our number one rule is safety first.” one crew member says. Another adds, “On the ocean, you got to be so careful that nobody gets hit, nobody gets whined through there.” A third explains the risk they manage with heavy gear: “The line takes on a lot of tension. It gets to the point where it may snap. You don’t want to be in the way of that line like that.”
Beyond safety, crew members describe the fishery’s impact on their families and the wider community, from paying for healthcare and college to supporting local businesses. “It’s a job. They’re out there trying to make a living. They’re not on these boats just to go out there and play,” one worker explains. Another sums up the local stakes: “This is a vital asset in this community, this company is.”
These firsthand accounts show the real people behind the fishery – skilled, safety-conscious union workers who depend on teamwork, seamanship, and responsible operations to do their jobs. The video captures the pride and resilience of a workforce that has kept the menhaden fishery thriving for generations, a living example of the American labor tradition and stewardship on the Chesapeake Bay.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/zb3JjL_-RPI
October 24, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump announced he is terminating all trade negotiations with Canada, the U.S.’s largest seafood trading partner, in response to a television advertisement featuring a quote from former President Ronald Reagan.
Trump, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, said he was terminating the trade negotiations and that the Ronald Reagan Foundation “announced that Canada fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about tariffs.” The foundation had posted an update online saying it was “reviewing its legal options” on the advertisement, which directly quotes a real address by Reagan publicly available online.
October 22, 2025 — The following was released by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership:
At the international CONXEMAR 2025 fair, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) and Pesca Sustentable brought together industry leaders, European market representatives, and delegates from jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) producing countries to analyze the status of the resource and its market impacts.
The panel, “Jumbo Squid: Science, Management, and Markets,” emphasized three key points: the need for regional cooperation, growing market uncertainty from fluctuating supply, and increased demand for traceability and responsible production across the value chain.
Jumbo squid, the world’s largest cephalopod fishery by volume, is facing environmental variability, limited regional stock data, and a lack of coordinated management among producing countries. These issues create commercial uncertainty, particularly in Europe—the main destination market—where declining yields and recent fishing bans have raised concerns.
Panelists agreed that stabilizing supply requires stronger cooperation within the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO), harmonized measures, and improved scientific data.
Alfonso Miranda, President of CALAMASUR, said:
“Chile and Peru have made significant progress, but without a stronger regional response within SPRFMO, the risk remains. Coordination among countries to improve stock assessment and adopt compatible management rules is indispensable. The market should drive these improvements by conditioning access on traceability and the fight against IUU fishing.”
Yobana Bermúdez, General Director of CONXEMAR, added:
“Jumbo flying squid is a key resource for Spain and Europe. The EU’s new traceability requirements aim to ensure a stable supply and better management. Coastal States must coordinate to guarantee transparency and supply stability, facilitating access to European markets under strict HACCP standards.”
Sindy Parraguez of Matsuoka Co., Ltd. noted:
“Instability in Peru directly affected our planning. Reliable information—like Chile’s catch data—is vital for strategy and client communication. Traceability and consistent reporting are now competitive advantages.”
Participants stressed that international buyers expect greater traceability, compliance, and environmental and social accountability across the supply chain. Expanding digital traceability, legal origin controls, and standardized reporting will help reduce uncertainty and maintain market confidence.
Organizers urged immediate action to:
Strengthen coordination within SPRFMO with regionally aligned stock assessments and management measures.
Adopt an ecosystem-based management approach that considers trophic interactions, habits and impact mitigation.
Maintaining stable jumbo squid supply will depend on swift progress in management, traceability, and cooperation. Without firm commitment, the fishery risks decline that could affect the entire value chain.
October 21, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat of instituting a 100 percent tariff on all Chinese goods from 1 November onward has generated yet more uncertainty for Chinese seafood exporters.
“Although we don’t know whether this will be implemented in the end, this has definitely disturbed all of our shipment plans,” said Josephine Wang, the head of export sales at Hainan, China-based tilapia producer Hainan Golden Spring Foods. “We do have some U.S. orders in hand right now, but nobody knows how to deal with it.”