Nathan Strout

Suriname has been authorized to once again export products harvested from its drift gillnet fishery to the United States after NOAA Fisheries granted the nation an updated comparability finding. Beginning this year, the U.S. requires foreign fisheries to secure a comparability finding from NOAA Fisheries showing that they have similar marine mammal protections to the U.S. in order to export seafood products to the country. The agency announced… Read More

A new law requiring retailers to label the country of origin of raw processed ahi tuna products went into effect in the state of Hawaiʻi 1 July. “Consumers deserve clear and accurate information about the food they buy,” Chairperson for the Department of Agriculture Sharon Hurd said in a release. “This law provides shoppers with country-of-origin information at the point of sale while recognizing the value of Hawaiʻi’s commercial… Read More

The U.S. state of California has declared progress in restoring salmon populations and habitats, completing half of the actions laid out in the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future that was issued more than two years ago. “Restoring California’s salmon is not just an environmental goal. It is part of our commitment to the rivers, tribes, communities, and ecosystems that define this state,” California Governor Gavin Newsom… Read More

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan has introduced an updated version of his Bycatch Reduction Act, legislation he submitted last year, with stronger opposition to seafloor contact by trawling gear. “I just introduced the Bycatch Reduction Act, an updated version of bycatch legislation I introduced last year and an expansion of my Alaska Salmon Task Force Act, which was signed into law four years ago,” Sullivan said in a social media post. “My bill… Read More

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has announced agreements that will end more offshore wind power projects after his attempts to freeze those projects unilaterally were stymied by the courts. “President Trump is committed to unleashing affordable, reliable American energy for our country’s communities and putting the American people first through common-sense action,” Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a release.… Read More

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has finalized a rule reclassifying cephalopods as shellfish, a move advocates claim will reduce red tape and unnecessary fees around squid harvesting. “On behalf of Lund’s Fisheries, we would like to thank the Trump administration for a solution to a burdensome requirement that will save us time, money and administrative difficulties,” Wayne Reichle, president of Cape May, New Jersey, U.S.A.-based… Read More

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) has introduced the Home Market Restoration Act of 2026, a bill designed to limit imports of crawfish, shrimp, and catfish by setting higher duty rates once designated quotas are reached. “Louisiana producers can compete with anyone if trade is fair,” Cassidy said. “Whether it is crawfish, shrimp, rice, or catfish, America cannot let foreign competitors flood our markets and push our producers out of… Read More

Louisiana Department of Fish and Wildlife agents cited a subject for illegally selling fish caught recreationally in St. Tammany Parish, 30 May. According to LDFW, the agents received a complaint about Slidell, Louisiana, U.S.A. resident Markeegan J. Gray, 22, selling fried fish plates out of his residence for USD 15.00 (EUR 13.00). An investigation found Gray was advertising the plates on social media and confronted him at his residence. Gray… Read More

The two houses of the South Carolina legislature have passed a bill requiring shrimp sold in the state to be labeled either “foreign” or “domestic;” it has been sent to the governor to be signed into law. “South Carolina is taking steps to confront seafood fraud head-on instead of looking away. This law demonstrates that passing off imported farm-raised shrimp as American-caught will not be tolerated,” Southern Shrimp Alliance… Read More

The U.S. Senate has released its version of the Farm Bill, and, like the version passed by the House, the massive legislation includes multiple provisions meant to support the seafood sector. “Seafood is one of America's great food resources, yet it has often been overlooked in programs designed to support domestic food production and regional economies,” Maine Coast Fishermen's Association Executive Director Ben Martens said in a release.… Read More