Saving Seafood

WASHINGTON: Washington state reclassifying golden mussels as a banned invasive species

April 27, 2026 — The U.S. state of Washington is taking emergency action to reclassify golden mussels as a Prohibited Level 1 invasive species following the discovery of the species in Oregon earlier in the month.

Originally from China and Southeast Asia, golden mussels are an invasive species in the U.S. that are known to cause damage to infrastructure and reduce water quality, harming local fishing operations. The species was first detected in California in 2024, but a second instance was detected in Oregon in April 2026. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), a watercraft was intercepted at the Ashland Boat Inspection Station carrying golden mussels.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Whale deaths are up on Oregon and Washington coasts, but what’s causing them?

April 22, 2026 — A stranded whale was found on Seaside Beach last week. It was the fourth whale found on the Oregon Coast this year.

The number of whales washing up on Oregon and Washington coasts have started to raise concerns for both scientists and beachgoers alike, who wonder why the giant mammals seem to be dying more frequently.

“The last month has started to get a little unusual in terms of the number of strandings of gray whales in particular,” said Michael Milstein, a spokesperson for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Science Center.

Two of the whales found in Oregon recently were Gray whales. In Washington, there have been 13.

Read the full article at KOIN 

WASHINGTON: Seattle’s blessing of fishing fleet tradition continues for 98th year

April 13, 2026 — At the water’s edge, Pastor Mary Elise Scott led a group in prayer for a safe and bountiful fishing season.

Guide and protect David Christensen, his crew, and all who fish the North Pacific waters,” Scott said Sunday afternoon at Fishermen’s Terminal in Seattle.

Christensen then raised a handmade religious pennant on his boat, Gjøa, before a crowd of 75 people.

It’s the 98th year that Scott’s house of worship, Ballard First Lutheran Church, has blessed the North Pacific fishing fleet, which has relied on the marina since its opening in 1914.

Read the full article at The Olympian

Trident Seafoods sues city of Tacoma for alleged improper fire containment that destroyed fishing vessel

April 13, 2026 — Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based Trident Seafoods filed a lawsuit against the city of Tacoma on 8 April, accusing the city’s fire department of “making a critical tactical decision” that destroyed a Trident commercial fishing vessel in 2023.

According to King5, the lawsuit seeks damages of at least USD 100 million (EUR 85 million). 

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

WASHINGTON: Washington pink shrimp season lands 22.2M pounds

April 10, 2026 — Washington’s 2025 coastal commercial pink shrimp season wrapped up with a total catch of 22.2 million pounds, with the value of state landings reaching $11.4 million.

While multiple shrimp species are found in coastal Washington waters, an article published by The Daily World notes that “only pink shrimp have been abundant enough to support a large, long-term commercial fishery.” That fishery dates back to 1956, when it began off Grays Harbor, driven in part by demand for cocktail shrimp.

Today, activity is concentrated in the ports of Westport and Ilwaco. Landings have varied over time, with catches exceeding 6.5 million pounds in 1958 before dropping to less than 2 million pounds annually through much of the 1960s. In the decades since, harvest levels have fluctuated alongside shrimp abundance and market conditions.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

WASHINGTON: Coastal commercial season ended with 22.2 million pounds

April 7, 2026 — Pink shrimp’s impact is far from small: Washington’s 2025 coastal commercial season finished with a total catch of 22.2 million pounds, and the value of state landings was $11.4 million.

While other shrimp species inhabit coastal Washington waters, only pink shrimp have been abundant enough to support a large, long-term commercial fishery. The state fishery began off Grays Harbor in 1956, spurred partly by growing demand for “cocktail” shrimp. Activity is now split between the ports of Westport and Ilwaco. Catches in 1958 exceeded 6.5 million pounds but declined to less than 2 million pounds annually through the 1960s. In subsequent decades, landings fluctuated in response to shrimp abundance and market forces.

Read the full article at The Daily World 

Fish traps return to the Columbia– opportunity or another fight over access?

April 3, 2026 — After nearly a century off the water, fish traps are back on the Columbia River – this time as part of a closely watched experiment that could reshape how salmon are harvested in the Pacific Northwest.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, Washington and Oregon authorized three commercial fish traps in 2025, marking the first time the gear has been used commercially on the river in almost 100 years. The goal: determine whether traps can compete economically with gillnets while reducing impact on threatened salmon stocks.

Read the full article at National Fisherman

Fuel costs squeeze US fleets as Dungie season ends on a low note

April 2, 2026 —  As the Dungeness crab season winds down on the Washington coast, fishermen are closing out a difficult year marked by low landings and rising fuel costs – pressures now being felt across all U.S. fisheries.

According to reporting from the Chinook Observer, Washington commercial crabbers landed 9,382,410 pounds of crab as of March 23, putting the season on pace to be the lowest-volume year since 2014-2015. At the same time, marine diesel prices are hovering near $6 per gallon, adding strain to an already challenging season.

“Hopefully, we’re at the point where it won’t go up anymore,” F/V Brandy owner and captain Ryan Walters told the Observer before departing on a trip with crew on March 28.

Fuel remains one of the largest expenses for vessels. Crew member Paul Munowich, who has fished commercially for 25 years, said prices are among the highest he can remember. “Fuel is one of our biggest expenses, just one of those things you’ve got to deal with,” he told the Observer, noting their vessel holds 3,000 gallons– putting a full fuel bill at more than $15,000.

While ex-vessel prices have held steady, the lack of volume has made for a tough season. “It’s been slow, a tough year,” Walters said. “The price has been good, just not the volume.”

Even so, fishermen are continuing to fish through the added costs. “It just affects the bottom line,” Munowich said. “That’s the problem with this industry –a lot of it gets dictated out of our control, but we’ve just got to keep fishing,” he told the Observer.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

WASHINGTON: Washington coast commercial fishermen feel the pinch of rising fuel prices

March 30, 2026 — As Dungeness crab season limps to a historically low-volume finish, punishing fuel prices are putting a final dash of salt on an unsavory year for the Washington coast fleet.

As of March 23, Washington commercial crabbers have landed 9,382,410 pounds of crab, currently on pace for the lowest volume since the 2014-2015 season (7.5 million pounds).

Meanwhile, the average price of marine diesel fuel is hovering around a historic high of $6/gallon, capping what has been a forgettable season for commercial crabbers.

“Hopefully, we’re at the point where it won’t go up anymore,” said F/V Brandy owner and captain Ryan Walters before departing on a trip with crew on Saturday, March 28.

Read the full article at the Chinook Observer

Halibut quota hits record low as fishermen compete for shrinking catch

March 30, 2026 — Pacific halibut users – commercial, sport, subsistence and personal use – will compete for a total harvest of just 29.33 million pounds this year, the lowest yield determined by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) in its 102-year-old history.

The new total is 1.3 percent below the 2025 coast-wide quota.

It breaks out at 24.27 million pounds for the U.S. portion, the same as last year, which includes Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California. A catch total of 5.06 million pounds is allocated for British Columbia.

The 2026 Pacific halibut fishery will close Dec. 7.

Read the full article at The National Fisherman