Friday, February 20, 2026
- Feb 20
- 6 min read
Alaska
Reps. Seek Rule Change for Boards of Fish, Game
Daily Sitka Sentinel by Anna Laffrey - February 18, 2026
JUNEAU - During his 20 years as a member of the Alaska Board of Fisheries, Petersburg commercial fisherman John Jensen relied on a lifetime of experience harvesting salmon, crab and other shellfish as he voted on statewide fishery regulations.
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Newest Coast Guard cutter is third in Kodiak, sixth total statewide
The Coast Guard commissioned its newest vessel in Kodiak on Friday, Feb. 13, the fast response cutter Frederick Mann. That’s the sixth one based in Alaska. And more Coast Guard assets are in the works.
KMXT by Davis Hovey - February 19, 2026
Rear Admiral Bob Little said during the Frederick Mann’s commissioning ceremony that the newest vessel will eventually be homeported in Seward.
National
Supreme Court strikes down Donald Trump's tariffs
The US Supreme Court ruled President Donald Trump’s sweeping emergency tariffs are illegal.
Intrafish by Kyle Stucker, Jostein Matre, John Evans - February 20, 2026
The US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff program on Friday, ruling that he overstepped his authority when he imposed the trade measures without congressional approval.
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US wholesale: Pacific cod continues higher despite Alaska quota lift
The latest increase reflects rising raw material values out of Alaska and sustained global demand for Pacific cod, which remains structurally undersupplied relative to appetite
Undercurrent News by Lorin Castiglione - February 20, 2026
Pacific cod delivered the only clear move in the US groundfish complex this week, as twice-frozen fillets push $0.05 per pound higher into week eight (Feb. 16-22), extending a cost-led rally that continues to work its way downstream.
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NOAA Fisheries Annual Aquaculture Highlights 2025 Showcases Federal Research and Outreach
SeafoodNews by Peggy Parker - February 19, 2026
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Aquaculture Program is dedicated to advancing US aquaculture through cutting-edge science, communications, and policies. Its recently released annual report describes the scientific breakthroughs and ongoing support for the nation’s shellfish farmers, finfish, and, now, even plants, in the form of a wide variety of kelp species.
Compared to farming on land, aquaculture is a far more resource-efficient means to produce protein. It’s also the fastest-growing food production system globally.
“While the United States lags in global aquaculture production, Americans have an appetite for farmed seafood,” the authors of the 16-page report wrote. “Each year, we import around $15 billion worth of seafood farmed in other countries.”
In 2025, NOAA selected 13 Aquaculture Opportunity Areas off Southern California and in the Gulf of America (formerly Mexico) totaling more than 21,000 acres. It was the most comprehensive marine spatial planning effort conducted in US waters. In Alaska, NOAA mapped 140 seaweed beds, covering 37+ square miles, to help growers meet state guidelines and guide planning.
In 2024, Sea Grant’s federal investment in aquaculture generated $133.4 million in economic impact and benefits, and 529 businesses were created or sustained. NOAA worked to improve regulatory efficiency, supporting Executive Order 13921, “Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth.”
Three projects championed these innovations:
- NOAA provided expert and efficient interagency support that led to the issuance of two final interagency permits for the Velella Epsilon project off the coast of Florida and the Blue Fields project off the island of Hawaii. C
- The National Sea Grant Law Center and Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative published “Aquaculture Regulation in the Great Lakes,” offering clarity for fish farmers.
- The National Aquatic Animal Health Plan, which addresses national disease reporting and prevention, made great strides this year.
NOAA collaborators have made strong contributions to this cross-agency effort. The full report is available here.
GAPP and USDA attend Indonesian trade mission to showcase Alaskan seafood
SeafoodSource by Haley Jones - February 18, 2026
Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based seafood industry group Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers’ (GAPP) is working to expand markets for its products, and recently traveled to Jakarta, Indonesia for a trade mission.
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Alaska salted sockeye roe output seen at 100t as processors exit category
Two major producers are exiting salted sockeye roe production in Alaska, cutting an expected 2026 output to only 100t and effectively ending more than 50 years of supply that helped shape food culture in northeastern Japan
Undercurrent News by Suisan Keizai - February 19, 2026
The following story is based on reports by Suisan Keizai, Japan's leading newspaper specializing in seafood and fisheries, in partnership with Undercurrent [...]
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Federal Register
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List the Washington Coast Chinook Salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act
A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/19/2026
NMFS has completed a comprehensive status review of the Washington Coast (WC) Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) in response to a petition to list this species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to designate critical habitat concurrently with the listing. Based on the best scientific and commercial information available, including the status review report, and after considering efforts being made to protect the species, NMFS has determined that the WC Chinook salmon ESU does not warrant listing.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Rebuilding Plan for the Overfished Queets River Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon Stock
A Proposed Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/19/2026
NMFS proposes to approve and implement the rebuilding plan recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) for the overfished Queets River Spring/Summer Chinook salmon stock (Queets sp/su Chinook salmon).
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/19/2026
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of the Aleut Corporation and the Community Development Quota (CDQ) pollock directed fishing allowances (DFA) from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the Bering Sea subarea.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/20/2026
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) Ecosystem Committee will meet March 6, 2026.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Hilcorp Alaska, LLC Oil and Gas Activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska
A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/20/2026
NMFS, upon request from Hilcorp Alaska, LLC (Hilcorp), issues this final rule pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to specified activities conducted in support of oil and gas exploration, development, production, and decommissioning in Cook Inlet, Alaska, over the course of 5 years (2026-2031) and an associated letter of authorization (LOA).
New atlas identifies potential opportunities for aquaculture in Gulf of Alaska
NOAA Fisheries - February 19, 2026
NOAA published today the Atlas for Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs)offsite link, identifying 77 locations that may be suitable for sustainable shellfish and seaweed aquaculture operations in the Gulf of Alaska.
National Fisheries Institute Welcomes Industry Veteran as new Director of Scientific Affairs
National Fisheries Institute - February 18, 2026
Reston, VA – The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) welcomes Gina Mortillaro as its new Director of Scientific Affairs. Mortillaro joins the NFI team as Margaret Malkoski heads towards retirement after 10 years in the role.
In Memoriam
American Seafoods Mourns the Passing of Former CEO and Owner Bernt Bodal
American Seafoods Company is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its former Chief Executive Officer, Bernt Bodal.
American Seafoods Company - February 19, 2026
Bernt was far more than a leader — he was a force of nature. With a larger-than-life presence, unmistakable energy, and a deep love for Alaska’s fishing communities, he left a lasting imprint on the people and places that define our industry. His personality filled every room he entered, and his passion for the North Pacific and its fisheries helped shape the spirit of modern Alaska fishing as we know it today.
Bernt believed deeply in the promise of Alaska — its waters, its communities, and the generations of fishermen who dedicate their lives to the sea. He embraced the culture of the industry not just as an executive, but as a true participant in it. His warmth, humor, storytelling, and bold character created connections that extended far beyond business. Many who worked alongside him remember not meetings or milestones, but laughter, music, and the unmistakable presence of a man who lived fully and unapologetically.
Throughout Alaska’s coastal communities and across the broader seafood world, Bernt was known as a personality you simply could not forget. He celebrated the resilience and independence of fishermen and carried that same spirit within himself.Our thoughts are with Bernt’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy lives on in the character of the industry he helped shape and in the countless lives he touched along the way.American Seafoods Company joins the Alaska fishing community in honoring and remembering Bernt Bodal.
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