Saving Seafood

ALASKA: Seafood for thought as election approaches

October 27, 2026 — October marks National Seafood Month — a month when Americans are encouraged to consume more seafood and support America’s seafood harvesters. Alaskans don’t need National Seafood Month to remind us about seafood, though. Seafood is already an integral part of our day-to-day lives, a staple of our diets, and a pillar of our local food system. If you haven’t crewed on a fishing boat yourself, then you certainly know someone who has. It’s important that we not take our seafood for granted as we head to the polls this election season; your vote will shape the future of Alaska’s seafood access and abundance.

Here in Alaska, seafood is much more than just a source of omegas and nutrient-packed protein — although those are all great reasons to consume it. Seafood has sustained Alaska’s Indigenous communities for millennia and remains central to their cultures and traditions. Seafood unites Alaskans, bringing us together and giving us a shared purpose; just visit the Kenai River during the salmon dipnet season and you’ll see people old and young, rural and urban, Alaska Native and non-Native elbow-to-elbow, chest-deep in the water cheering each other on and lending each other a hand. According to the State of Alaska’s Food Security and Independence Task Force 2022 Report, fishing is the single greatest source of wild-harvested food for Alaskans. Subsistence, personal use, and sportfish harvests comprise approximately 50–60% of the annual wild food harvested by Alaskans.  This access to local seafood is especially important in Alaska’s rural communities where recent surveys show that nearly all rural Alaskans depend on fish. What these statistics really tell us, though, is that harvesting seafood is how we provide for our families and build community. Being able to harvest and share seafood with others is what makes us Alaskans.

Trump Administration releases America First Seafood Strategy

October 26, 2026 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, President Trump announced the America First Seafood Strategy, a key directive under the President’s Executive Order Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness. NOAA plays a key role in the Strategy, which details a coordinated federal plan to expand domestic seafood production, modernize infrastructure, improve market access for American harvesters and processors, and ensure fair competition in U.S. and international markets.

“The species managed in U.S. waters are American icons – from Maine lobster to Gulf shrimp, from Alaskan salmon to Florida stone crab, American seafood is a rich part of U.S. history and our vibrant coastal economy,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “The America First Seafood Strategy ensures that the future of seafood in the United States will be built by American fishermen, American workers, and American industry—not by foreign imports.”

NOAA manages some of the world’s most productive and scientifically assessed fishery resources. American commercial fishermen operate under rigorous conservation and management standards. The Strategy builds on that foundation by aligning federal policy, science, and existing authorities to increase sustainable harvest opportunities, reduce unnecessary regulatory costs, rebuild domestic processing and shoreside capacity, and give American seafood a stronger competitive position at home and abroad.

Key elements of the Strategy include:

Expanding Domestic Production and Market Opportunities
NOAA is working with the Regional Fishery Management Councils and industry to ensure catch limits reflect the best scientific information available, restore access to productive fishing grounds where supported by data, and reduce compliance costs that do not advance conservation and management objectives. A voluntary “U.S.-Caught Seafood” designation, developed in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will give consumers a clear way to identify seafood caught in the United States (including the U.S. EEZ) or caught by U.S.-flagged vessels outside of the U.S. EEZ under the authority of U.S. laws. Federal agencies will also expand opportunities for American seafood in government procurement and launch a nationwide “Eat American Seafood” campaign highlighting jobs, coastal economies, food security, and nutrition benefits.

Rebuilding Infrastructure, Processing Capacity, and the Fishing Fleet
Federal agencies will streamline permitting and reduce barriers to private investment in cold storage, wet storage, working waterfronts, docks, shipyards, and processing facilities. Existing USDA, Small Business Administration, and NOAA financing tools will be leveraged to support modernization of processing plants, vessel replacement, and equipment upgrades. NOAA will review the Fisheries Finance Program and Capital Construction Fund to remove obstacles that discourage fishermen from reinvesting in safer, more efficient, American-built vessels. Success will be measured by increases in domestic production and processing, private capital deployed, American jobs supported, and reduced reliance on foreign supply chains.

Strengthening Fair Trade, Import Compliance, and Enforcement Against Illegal Fishing
NOAA will continue to implement and improve the Seafood Import Monitoring Program and related authorities, using advanced tools to target high-risk imports. The Strategy reinforces interagency efforts to combat seafood fraud, mislabeling, and illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, while supporting reciprocal market access for U.S. exports through coordination with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and other agencies.

Regulatory Reform and Industry Partnership
Building on input already received under the Seafood Competitiveness Executive Order, NOAA is advancing targeted regulatory reforms in partnership with the Regional Fishery Management Councils. The agency will also work with permitting partners to establish clearer standards and guidance for marine aquaculture in federal waters, providing greater predictability for responsible expansion of domestic aquaculture that complements wild-capture fisheries.

Supporting Public Health Through Seafood
Federal health and nutrition agencies will align guidance and education with current science on the benefits of seafood consumption. NOAA will contribute accurate fisheries and aquaculture information to coordinated public messaging.

NOAA’s role centers on providing the scientific foundation, fisheries management expertise, and verification support necessary to implement these priorities while maintaining sustainable management of U.S. marine resources. The Strategy relies on existing statutory authorities and programs rather than new spending initiatives. It focuses federal effort on removing barriers, improving coordination, and delivering measurable results for American fishermen, processors, and coastal communities.

By prioritizing domestic production, infrastructure, fair competition, and science-based management, the America First Seafood Strategy positions the United States to strengthen its seafood industrial base, support coastal prosperity, and enhance national food security.

National Seafood Association Statement on the America First Seafood Strategy

October 26, 2026 — The following was released by the National Seafood Association:

The National Seafood Association applauds the Trump Administration for recognizing the essential role seafood plays in America’s economic health and public health. A robust commercial seafood sector and an emphasis on affordable, healthy, protein-focused nutrition work together to benefit Americans.

We see great promise in a holistic plan that prioritizes rebuilding infrastructure, eliminating regulatory barriers, and encouraging investment in the commercial seafood sector.

As global sourcing plays an indispensable role in feeding American families and keeping seafood processing and distribution workers in this country employed, the strategy’s emphasis on these priorities is spot on.  We look forward to working with the Administration on its effort to  promote America’s iconic catch and drive consumption of the healthiest animal protein on the planet.  

Lisa Wallenda Picard
President & CEO

US seafood sales grew across all categories in September despite high inflation

October 18, 2026 — U.S. fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable seafood sales rose by both value and volume in September, marking the first time all three categories saw year-over-year growth in months.

Fresh seafood price inflation rose 3.3 percent, but sales by volume in the category still grew 4.8 percent, while sales by value increased 5.8 percent to USD 666 million (EUR 595 million), according to Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A.-based 210 Analytics, which analyzes Circana data. The dollar sales growth was a combination of inflation, which was up 0.9 percent on a per-pound basis, and demand-driven growth, 210 Analytics Principal Anne-Marie Roerink told SeafoodSource.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Climate change may halve omega‑3 fatty acids in fish and the organisms they eat

August 31, 2026 — You’ve probably heard eating fish and other seafood is good for your health. One of the main reasons is that seafood is an excellent source of two important omega-3 fats called EPA and DHA.

EPA and DHA are critical for the development and function of brains, eyes and healthy hearts. They also reduce chronic inflammation, which is linked to many chronic diseases. They can also reduce the risk of premature births and perhaps even some types of cancer.

While humans can produce EPA and DHA from ALA (an omega-3 fat found in plants) and it’s possible to get them from foods such as linseed and walnuts, seafood is the main source for most people.

However, our new study shows many fish and other seafood will become less rich in omega-3s over time, due to rising ocean temperatures as the climate changes. In fact, we found omega-3 could drop by 50% under very high warming scenarios.

This is very bad news for human health but also for the health of other animals in the food web.

Read the full article at The Conversation 

‘We’re facing a double whammy’: America’s hottest tinned fish snack is shrinking by nearly half thanks to climate change and war in Iran

August 31, 2026 — Tinned fish is having a real global moment. The pandemic-era pantry habit has since turned into restaurants nationwide serving tinned fish straight out of the can. Domestically, sales climbed from $2.3 billion in 2018 to more than $2.7 billion in 2024, and the U.S.’s obsession with sardines specifically is only accelerating: Americans bought $3.52 billion worth of shelf-stable seafood over the past year, and sardines have overtaken salmon as the second-most-popular canned fish behind tuna, as Grubhub reported orders of tinned fish tripled in 2025. The global tinned fish market was worth roughly $10.24 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $17.97 billion by 2034. Canned sardines are a meaningful part of that worldwide push.

But the supply behind that growing appetite is shrinking fast. Morocco, the world’s top sardine supplier, saw its fish landings fall nearly 46% between 2022 and 2024, and the reasons are feeding into each other. Because sardines are unusually sensitive to temperature, warming water as a result of climate change is pushing the fish into new territories farther away from fishermen.

The war in Iran, coupled with the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz (through which one-fifth of the world’s global oil supply normally passes), is driving up fuel costs. Fishermen now need to go farther to catch the fish, just as it’s costing them that much more to travel longer distances, and they’re bringing back almost half the quantity as before.

Rashid Sumaila, a professor and Canada Research Chair in interdisciplinary ocean and fisheries economics at the University of British Columbia, has spent his career studying fisheries and how they navigate geopolitical forces. He said the combination is something he hadn’t seen affect the fishing industry in quite this way before.

“Sardines are very sensitive to climate change, and we know it here on the Pacific Coast,” Sumaila told Fortune. “When it’s warm, sardines move from Mexico through the U.S., and Canadians see more sardines. They follow the temperature.”

He said Morocco’s sardines are shifting, too, and he saw the same thing while on a trip to Portugal this summer, when he left his hotel at 2 a.m. for an early flight and the temperature was still 34°C (91°F).

“Some of that 45% drop is partly climate change, and partly overfishing, and other things happening to the ocean,” he said. “There’s just so much. You have pollution, plastic. Stresses upon stresses.”

The Iran war adds a second layer. While Iran’s own waters are not a major sardine source, Sumaila said the war still reaches Moroccan boats through the price of fuel.

“The Iran war doesn’t quite impact this directly,” he said, “but indirectly it does, because prices are going up. The price of fishing, the vessels, the energy. It’s crazy.”

Since the conflict began, Brent crude surged 10% to 13% after the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to shipping this spring, an event the International Energy Agency called the largest oil-supply disruption in the market’s history. Sumaila said he heard the same complaint from fishermen thousands of miles from the Persian Gulf.

“Thai fishers are feeling it,” he said. “You can imagine Moroccan fishers, or fishers in Africa or the Pacific Islands, feeling it too.”

Read the full article at Fortune

MASSACHUSETTS: Massachusetts pantry uses haddock chowder to stretch food budgets, and boost protein options

August 27, 2026 — For nearly 700 households that rely on the Family Pantry of Cape Cod each week, one item has emerged as a clear favorite: haddock chowder made with help from local fishermen. The popular meal also shows how a local partnership can stretch food budgets while getting a highly sought-after source of protein to families who need it most.

Here’s what to know

According to the Cape Cod Times, the most sought-after item at the Harwich-based Family Pantry of Cape Cod is frozen haddock chowder provided by the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance.

Instead of operating like a standard food pickup site, the pantry allows clients to choose from a weekly printed list, similar to shopping at a small grocery. That list can include proteins as well as canned goods, cereal, pasta, eggs, and dairy items.

The alliance also provides clam chowder and fish stew, giving pantry clients more prepared seafood options to take home.

Read the full article at The Cool Down

MARYLAND: Maryland Seeks Strategies for Slumping Seafood Sector

August 24, 2026 — Telling the stories of watermen and meeting consumers where they’re at emerged as priorities during a hearing for a new seafood marketing initiative in Maryland.

With consumption down and state regulations adding to the hurdles faced by seafood harvesters, Marylanders are making a coordinated effort to revive seafood sales both locally and abroad.

Earlier this year, the state Legislature tasked the Maryland Department of Agriculture with forming a seafood marketing workgroup to identify challenges and opportunities in the industry and develop an expanded state-led strategy.

Seafood industry representatives, state legislators and the secretaries of agriculture and natural resources make up the group.

The first of two public listening sessions for hearing stakeholders’ input took place Aug. 18 at the Ag Department office, with an introduction by Maryland Ag Secretary Kevin Atticks.

He said the state’s seafood industry is diverse and the workgroup needs stakeholder input to form a coherent plan.

“The market has completely changed in some respects and in other areas hasn’t changed in a century,” Atticks said.

Read the full article at Lancaster Farming