Atlantic Canada Seafood Group

Every wharf in the Atlantic has this conversation. Two guys in a truck watching one fella work... And somehow the whole conversation turns into how hard that guy works. You don't hear enough of this anymore.

China will keep its tariff relief on Canadian lobster and crab for two more years, to the end of 2028, giving Atlantic Canadian exporters certainty past this year's deadline. (via Global Affairs Canada)

U.S. MOVES TO SET RULES FOR "U.S.-CAUGHT" SEAFOOD LABELS New FDA draft guidance lists origin claims like "U.S.-Caught" and "U.S. Farm-Raised" it would accept. Comments close Dec. 28. Canadian exporters could face sharper origin competition in their biggest market.

Canada is Guest Country of Honour at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, Nov 5 to 10. With China's tariff pause on Canadian lobster and snow crab running to Dec 31, it's a big week for Atlantic seafood exporters.

U.S. SCALLOP PRICES CLIMB AS NEW BEDFORD SUPPLY THINS Only about 1,800 lb sold at the Nov. 3 auction. 20-30 count meats averaged US$17.30/lb, up from $14.31 on Oct. 30. Tight U.S. supply could lift demand for Canadian scallops. (via New Bedford Light)

Live lobster fell to 37% of Canada's lobster exports by value in 2025, down from 50% in 2018-19, while frozen volumes are up 36% since 2019. China's tariff cut live shipments 42% last year; it's suspended until year end. (via Government of New Brunswick)

CANADA'S TRADE MINISTER IN BEIJING AS CHINA'S LOBSTER AND CRAB TARIFF PAUSE NEARS ITS END Sidhu co-chairs the first ministerial Canada-China trade commission this week. China's pause on duties for Canadian lobster and snow crab still ends Dec. 31.

NOVA SCOTIA FISH PLANT FINED $25,000 FOR FISHERIES ACT VIOLATION An individual was convicted in Dartmouth Provincial Court on October 7 and fined $25,000 for failing to provide records requested by a fishery officer. The offence dates back to last summer following a routine inspection of a fish processing facility along Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore and subsequent follow-up by fisheries officers. Under the Fisheries Act, failing to provide requested records is a serious offence that can interfere with enforcement efforts and investigations into illegal fishing activity. Suspected illegal fishing activity can be reported to Fisheries and Oceans Canada through a local Conservation and Protection detachment.

A new cyberattack wave hit supermarket fridges and freezers in at least seven European countries, including 13 SuperValu stores in Ireland. Cases reached up to 50 C. Cold-chain security now matters for EU frozen seafood buyers. (via Reuters)

THREE MI'KMAW FISHERMEN FOUND GUILTY IN NORTHERN NEW BRUNSWICK LOBSTER CASE A Campbellton judge cited untagged traps and no FSC licence. Treaty rights arguments are set for Dec. 7. Source: Telegraph-Journal

OTTAWA EXTENDS FEDERAL FUEL TAX RELIEF THROUGH JANUARY The 4¢/L federal diesel excise stays suspended to Jan 31, 2027 under Bill C-38. It comes back at half rate Feb-Mar and in full Apr 1. Winter lobster in LFA 33/34 opens Nov 30. (via Finance Canada)

Irish MEPs are split after the European Parliament rejected a €300M top-up to the EU fisheries fund in the 2027 budget. Fine Gael's Seán Kelly says the deal still holds €804M, almost €10M more than 2026. Talks with member states run to Nov 16.

CANADA AND EU WRAP UP TALKS ON FIRST DIGITAL TRADE AGREEMENT Ottawa and Brussels have concluded negotiations on Canada's first digital trade deal, meant to modernize digital trade rules and build on CETA. It isn't signed or in force yet and has no seafood-specific measures.

SOUTHWEST NOVA SCOTIA LOBSTER HARVESTERS BRACE FOR FUEL COSTS AS LFA 34 CATCHES SLIDE High diesel prices could mean fewer trips and more boats fishing close to shore when LFAs 33 and 34 open Nov. 30. LFA 34 catches are down about 50% over the past decade.

NORWAY SIGNS DEAL OPENING A PATH FOR MORE WILD SEAFOOD INTO CHINA The protocol covers fresh, filleted and frozen wild-caught products and sets a route for new species like European lobster, scallops and turbot. More competition in China for Atlantic Canada.

VIETNAM'S SEAFOOD EXPORTERS PUSH FOR A RECORD US$12 BILLION YEAR Exports hit US$9.7B by Oct. 15, led by shrimp at US$3.75B, up 11%. China and Hong Kong drove about 62% of the growth as buying in the U.S., EU and Japan slowed.

DFO SEIZES 1,640 LOBSTERS IN SOUTHWEST NOVA SCOTIA Fisheries and Oceans Canada has seized 15 untagged lobster holding cages containing approximately 1,640 lobsters at the wharf in Saulnierville, Nova Scotia. The discovery was made during a routine inspection on September 28. DFO confirmed the cages were in violation of licence conditions. All 15 cages were seized, and the lobsters were released back into the water. An investigation remains underway, with DFO stating no further information will be released at this time.

FISHERY OFFICERS RELEASE 1,640 LOBSTERS FROM ILLEGAL CAGES AT SAULNIERVILLE WHARF DFO says 15 untagged holding cages were found sunk at the Saulnierville, N.S. wharf during a Sept. 28 inspection, breaking licence conditions. An investigation is underway.

OTTAWA PUTS $50 MILLION INTO FOOD PROCESSING AUTOMATION, WITH SEAFOOD PLANTS IN LINE The Canadian Food Innovation Network says seafood processors can apply for help adding automation, AI and digital sensors to plant lines.

OTTAWA FUNDS MAJOR WHARF REBUILD AT POINTE-VERTE, NEW BRUNSWICK Fisheries and Oceans Canada has announced a major construction project at the Pointe-Verte small craft harbour in northern New Brunswick. The work includes rock-over of four existing wharf structures, new floating docks and a full rebuild of the slipway. Pointe-Verte is home port to about 16 commercial fishing vessels and their crews, working in lobster and halibut and a mackerel bait fishery. DFO says the upgrade will improve safety, reliability and climate resilience for harvesters. The project draws on the nearly $1 billion over five years that Ottawa committed to small craft harbours in May 2026, an investment DFO says supports 65,000 jobs across Canada. For Atlantic Canada's inshore fleets, safe and reliable harbours are the base that every landing and every export starts from.

ATLANTIC FISHERIES FUND RENEWED WITH OVER $300 MILLION Ottawa and the Atlantic provinces renewed the fund for five years, adding a new market diversification stream. About $90 million is expected for Newfoundland and Labrador. Applications are open.