Wednesday, February 11, 2026
- Feb 11
- 4 min read
Alaska
Tribes and pollock industry await final decision on chum bycatch
KUCB by Evan Erickson - February 9, 2026
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is nearing a decision that could limit the amount of chum salmon that the Bering Sea trawl fleet is allowed to scoop up as bycatch.
Managers OK increase in Gulf of Alaska cod harvest after shutdown delayed analysis
Alaska Beacon by Yereth Rosen - February 9, 2026
In a decision that was delayed by the prolonged federal government shutdown last fall, federal fishery regulators have increased this year’s allowable harvest of Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska.
Alaska seafood director says Russia ban, USDA funds are rebuilding industry
ASMI Executive Director Jeremy Woodrow said the U.S. ban on Russian seafood is beginning to open meaningful market share for Alaska producers, even as the agency manages declining ex‑vessel values.
Intrafish by Rachel Sapin - February 9, 2026
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) Executive Director Jeremy Woodrow told state legislators last week the Alaska seafood industry is slowly recovering thanks to growing federal support and a US ban on Russian seafood finally opening up opportunities—as well as competition—for Alaska producers.
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Low king salmon forecast leads to multiple restrictions in Alaska
KTUU Alaska News Source by Hannah Lee - February 9, 2026
Fishing for king salmon this summer will be highly restricted after the total run forecasts for the Deshka River, Kenai River early-run, Kenai River late-run and Anchor River all show low numbers.
International
Norwegian king, snow crab exports move dramatically in different directions
Norwegian king crab exports fell sharply y-o-y in January, weighed down by lower quotas, weak US demand and rising competition from Alaska
Undercurrent News by María Feijóo - February 10, 2026
Norwegian king crab exports got off to a weak start in January 2026, marked by sharp declines in both volume and value, particularly for frozen products [...]
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Federal Register
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2026 Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch
A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 02/10/2026
NMFS is adjusting the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Pacific cod fisheries.
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/10/2026-02656/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-inseason-adjustment-to-the-2026-gulf-of-alaska
FYI’s
NOAA Releases 2023 Fisheries of the US and Economics Reports; Seafood Consumption Dips
SeafoodNews by Peggy Parker - February 10, 2026
NOAA Fisheries' two flagship reports — 2023 Fisheries of the United States and 2023 Fisheries Economics of the United States — were released yesterday, presenting data and trends from 2023.
Key takeaways from the report include:
- In 2023, U.S. commercial fishing, seafood, and recreational fishing supported 2.1 million full- and part-time jobs, generated $319 billion in sales impacts, and contributed $148 billion to gross domestic product.
- Total landings revenues in 2023 decreased 16% to $5.1 billion in inflation-adjusted 2023 dollars, primarily the result of falling prices.
- Recreational fishing generated $145 billion in sales impacts, marking a 2% increase from 2022 to 2023.
- Aquaculture is poised as a key driver to increase American seafood competitiveness, with oysters alone accounting for $205 million in 2023.
The most current and updated data are available through the Fisheries One Stop Shop (FOSS) data portal, which includes a highlights page featuring many of the summary statistics in this report.
For the 26th consecutive year, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, led the nation as the port with the highest volume of seafood landed (780.1 million pounds valued at $224.5 million). Alaska pollock have historically accounted for the majority of landings by volume and value. Additionally, snow and king crab are high-value species and have historically accounted for a large percentage of the value landed in Dutch Harbor. Landings in Dutch Harbor increased in 2023 from 2022’s 613.5 million pounds.
For the 23rd consecutive year, New Bedford, Massachusetts, was the port with the highest valued catch in the nation (76.9 million pounds valued at $363.3 million). Sea scallops have historically made up the majority of the value landed in New Bedford.
US seafood landings showed mixed regional performance from 2022 to 2023, with the North Pacific and South Atlantic posting gains while other regions declined.
New England landings fell 3%, with revenue down 5%. Mid-Atlantic landings dropped 2%, revenue down 3%. The South Atlantic bucked the trend, posting a 7% increase in landings, though revenue slipped 1%. Gulf of America landings fell sharply at 8%, with value down 13%. West Pacific landings declined 1%, but revenue dropped more steeply at 8%. Pacific landings posted the steepest decline at 17%, with revenue off 13%.
The North Pacific region remains the largest in terms of landings revenue, accounting for 62.5%, followed by the Pacific at 10.2%.
In 2023, edible imports and exports dropped YOY. Import values dropped 19% to $25 billion, and export volume dropped 9% to 6.3 billion pounds. For edible imports, volume dropped 0.8% to 2.5 billion pounds, and value dropped 11% to $5 billion.
In 2023, Canada was the US's strongest trading partner, the leading source of seafood, with 14% of all seafood imports from Canada and 24% of all US seafood exports to Canada.
Overall, per capita consumption of seafood dropped from 20.8 pounds per person in 2022 to 19.1 lbs per person in 2023.
Per capita consumption of fresh and frozen products was 15.1 pounds, with fresh and frozen finfish accounting for 8.8 pounds, while fresh and frozen shellfish consumption was 6.3 pounds per capita. Consumption of all canned fishery products was 3.8 pounds per capita in 2023, a decrease of 0.4 pounds from 2022.
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