Friday, January 23, 2026
- Jan 23
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 5
Alaska
From taxes to policy, young commercial fishermen gather in Juneau to gain industry knowledge
KTOO by Alix Soliman - January 22, 2026
Seventeen-year-old Quinn Branch was among the young fishermen socializing at the Hangar on the Wharf ballroom in downtown Juneau on Tuesday evening as part of the Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit.
Alaska waterfronts see funding gains in 2026
National Fisherman by NF Staff - January 23, 2026
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) says key fisheries, science, and coastal priorities for the state were protected in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriation “minibus” bill as Congress works to avoid a Jan. 30 federal funding lapse.
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National
Prioritization of protein outweighed inflation concerns as seafood, meat sales rose at US retail last year
SeafoodSource by Christine Blank - January 21, 2026
Last year, inflation affected the prices of both meat and seafood at U.S. retail stores, but growing consumer preference for protein ensured that sales still rose despite the price hikes.
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GSMC 2026: Whitefish Panel Discusses Reshuffling Supply Amid Cod Decline, Growing Pollock Momentum
Expana by Ryan Doyle - January 23, 2026
At GSMC 2026, the Whitefish Panel, led by Expana’s own Angel Rubio and Paul Jewer, CEO of High Liner Foods, underscored a major reshuffling underway in whitefish supply as cod availability tightens globally. Panelists highlighted pollock's rising prominence, greater familiarity, and growing integration into consumer-facing menus, as cod faces persistent supply constraints and higher prices.
Rubio set the stage with data showing continued declines in global Atlantic and Pacific cod harvests over the past decade, driven by strong ongoing demand and constrained supply. While tilapia and pangasius production is forecast to rise, US usage of these aquaculture species remains flat or shrinking amid tariff impacts and shifting consumer preferences.
Mike Cusack, VP, North America Sales, American Seafoods Company, painted pollock as the surprise leader. Jewer added further that pollock is now High Liner's top species by volume, overtaking cod’s historical primacy. About half of Alaska pollock production goes into surimi, creating two distinct market segments between fillet blocks and surimi products. Christopher Caudill, the supply chain and commercial strategy at Long John Silver's, reflected on the fast casual chain's early shift to pollock in the late 1980s and 1990s, lauding pollock’s blend of taste, value, and growing consumer familiarity.
Despite pollock’s momentum, cod remains dominant in the Northeast, said President of Crocker & Windsor Seafoods Rob Hallion, though tight supply and rising prices have pushed North American buyers to embrace Pacific cod more permanently. Canadian cod supply rebounded late in the season, providing some relief. Jewer expressed hope that farmed cod production will eventually help fill the widening supply gaps.
“While cod retains its premium positioning, we’re seeing more customers opt for pollock or tilapia based on price and availability,” added Caudill.
Discussion also delved into the complexities facing tilapia and pangasius farmers. Dave Wier, EVP at The Fishin' Company, summed up 2025 as a “year of chaos” marked by price uncertainty that continues into 2026. While tariffs have dampened Chinese tilapia exports, pangasius is benefiting from better price positioning and rising global interest. Wier called aquaculture the “growth engine” for seafood but cautioned that policy and trade disruptions complicate the outlook.
Retail seafood promotions have not fully recovered from pandemic lows, all panelists agreed, with species across the board seeing fewer discount events.
Cusack stressed the power of promotions beyond pure price cuts, emphasizing the need to tell engaging product stories to spark consumer interest. Hallion encouraged the industry to innovate promotional messaging, noting that “consumers define value today through convenience, experience, and more than just price.”
Government food purchase programs, long a small but crucial market segment for whitefish, particularly pollock, featured in the discussion. Cusack urged more stable and consistent purchases from federal feeding programs, encouraging the industry to capture a greater share of this protein market.
Looking ahead, the panel cast pollock, pangasius, and tilapia as “gateway species” for seafood that can attract consumers, potentially moving up the value chain. Jewer advised leveraging the long-standing popularity of whitefish while introducing new species and formats to grow amid ongoing supply volatility. “Consumer education and providing familiar, convenient yet affordable options will be key,” he said.
International
GSMC 2026: NFI General Counsel DeHaan Unpacks Seafood Tariff Policy Overhaul
Expana by Ryan Doyle - January 23, 2026
Robert DeHaan, executive vice president and general counsel at the National Fisheries Institute, delivered a concise update on US tariff policy at GSMC 2026, outlining how the Trump administration implemented a year of “reciprocal tariffs” and new trade tools.
DeHaan said today’s framework rests on four pillars. First are the reciprocal tariffs imposed on trading partners to secure leverage in negotiating non-tariff barriers. These levies range from about 10% up to 39% and, DeHaan noted, serve both as bargaining chips and, in some cases, a de facto "end state." He warned, “I don’t think that’s sustainable,” but added that once in place, these tariffs can remain in effect absent further action. He also stressed that US authorities push to impose a 40% penalty on any country or company found to be evading those duties.
The second pillar is a series of “Agreements on Reciprocal Trade,” or ARTs. Unlike free-trade agreements, ARTs do not require Congress to lower US tariff rates; instead, they use unilateral US commitments to drive change in counterparts’ policies, such as sanitary restrictions or other barriers affecting US seafood exports. DeHaan said the administration has executed ARTs with several nations, including Argentina and Ecuador.
China stands apart under a third category. Beijing retains both the ability and willingness to retaliate, making its situation unique, DeHaan said. The administration has preserved specific tariffs on China under national security and supply-chain statutes rather than the economic leverage model used elsewhere.
The fourth pillar comprises non-economic tariffs and secondary sanctions aimed at non-trade objectives, border control, energy policy or geopolitical aims, underscoring a significant departure from traditional trade practice.
Looking ahead, DeHaan warned of an imminent Supreme Court decision challenging the administration's tariff authority. The court's delay, he said, suggests a divided bench grappling with whether the president can impose these reciprocal levies without congressional approval. A ruling striking the policy could trigger complex refund obligations and require businesses to track duty collection and repayment processes.
DeHaan also previewed near-term fallback measures. He said Treasury and Commerce have drafted emergency 15% tariffs under alternative statutes to serve as interim tools should the reciprocal tariffs be invalidated. “Those pieces of paper are already drafted,” he said.
Some relief for seafood industry as Trump drops Greenland-linked tariff plans
The US president had threatened additional tariffs on nations opposing his plans to acquire Greenland.
Intrafish by John Evans - January 21, 2026
US President Donald Trump said he will not be imposing 10 percent tariffs on eight countries opposing his plans to acquire Greenland.
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Environment/Science
Researchers: parasites help measure in salmon populations
National Fisherman by Margaret Bauman - January 22, 2026
Opening a can of worms may prove the answer to a salmon fishery researcher's question, especially dead anisakid, roundworms found in old cans of wild Alaska salmon.
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2026 AMSS keynotes will focus on algal blooms, maritime disasters
National Fisherman by Margaret Bauman - January 23, 2026
Environmental threats posed by harmful algal blooms (HAB) and marine disasters are on tap for keynote addresses for the 2026 Alaska Marine Science Symposium in Anchorage, Jan 26-30.
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Federal Register
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Emergency Action to Temporarily Increase 2026 Harvest Specifications and Sector Allocations for Shortspine Thornyhead, Canary Rockfish, and Petrale Sole
A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 01/22/2026
This emergency rule temporarily increases 2026 harvest specifications and sector allocations for shortspine thornyhead, canary rockfish, and petrale sole in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery.
Fraser River Panel Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Orders
A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 01/23/2026
NMFS publishes inseason orders to regulate treaty tribal and non-tribal (all citizen) commercial salmon fisheries in United States (U.S.) waters of the Fraser River Panel (Panel) Area.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program Permit and License Information Collection
A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 01/23/2026
The Department of Commerce will submit the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, on or after the date of publication of this notice.
FYI’s
USDA webinar targets value-added grants for fisheries and seafood
National Fisherman by NF Staff - January 20, 2026
The Local Catch Network, based in the School of Marine Sciences at the University of Maine, is hosting a webinar this week to help fishermen and seafood businesses better understand federal grant opportunities available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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Applicants Wanted For Alaska Sustainable Fisheries’ Trust Crew Training Program
Local Fishing Group Seeks Applicants for Crew Training Program
Alaska Sporting Journal by chrisco2 - January 21, 2026
The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA), a Sitka-based fishing group and partner organization, Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust (ASFT) are seeking applicants for the Crew Training Program.
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