Monday, June 8, 2026
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
Alaska
NOAA, Coast Guard reopen critical Alaska passage before Bristol Bay opener
National Fisherman by NF Staff - June 6, 2026
A joint operation between NOAA ship Fairweather and U.S. Coast Guard cutter Cypress has restored navigation in Bechevin Bay, Alaska — a shallow, tide-driven waterway that serves as a key shortcut between the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska — just ahead of the June 1 opening of the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon season.
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West Coast
US House votes to reauthorize the Northwest Straits Commission
SeafoodSource by Nathan Strout - June 8, 2026
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the Northwest Straits Commission, which supports county-based marine resources committees (MRC) in restoring marine habitats in the Northwest Straits region of Puget Sound.
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National
Trump administration continuing to resist issuing tariff refunds
SeafoodSource by Chris Chase - June 5, 2026
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has continued to file oppositions to tariff refunds in court.
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International
Japan: Alaska Black Cod Price Has Risen 22% Year-On-Year
SeafoodNews by Tom Asakawa - June 5, 2026
The domestic market price of 4/5-pound black cod from Alaska rose from approximately 1,800 yen/kg ($11.25/kg) to 2,200 yen/kg ($13.75/kg) this spring. This is believed to be due to producers' demands for price increases in recent years, as well as the general rise in prices of fatty fish species.
Looking ahead, "there are many uncertain factors, and it's impossible to predict until autumn deepens," according to a distributor, reported Minato Shimbun.
Japan is a major consumer of US black cod, accounting for approximately 70% of US black cod production, with annual imports exceeding 10,000 tons for four consecutive years until last year. However, in recent years, producers have increasingly demanded price increases, citing the expansion of the US domestic market, rising operating costs, and fatigue with low prices.
"If the US market has grown, Japan's imports may decrease, and this may not be a temporary phenomenon," the distributor added.
There are also reports that, in May, the import price reached approximately 2,200 yen/kg ($13.75/kg) for 4/5 pounds, 2,000 yen/kg ($12.50/kg) for 3/4 pounds, and 1,700 yen/kg ($10.63/kg) for 2/3 pounds for some lots.
If this is sold in the Japanese market, the cost of further increases will be added.
"As domestic inventories are being used up, importers have likely secured a minimum quantity even at high prices," the distributor said.
"In the future, prices will be unpredictable, influenced by demand outside of Japan and the lower prices of US mainland products compared to Alaska. Domestic dealers who have already secured high-priced lots will face losses if prices fall. There is also a general price surge for fatty fish species. Unit prices will rise, the Japanese market may not be able to keep up, and imports may decrease," the same distributor said.
https://seafoodnews.com/Story/1345075/Japan-Alaska-Black-Cod-Price-Has-Risen-22-percent-Year-On-Year
Labeling and Marketing
3MMI - Atlantic Halibut Closing the Gap as Pacific Halibut Supply Tightens
Tradex Foods - June 8, 2026
As the 2026 Pacific halibut season enters its third month, harvests continue to lag last year's pace under one of the lowest catch limits in the fishery's history.
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