Kamchatka Leads Harvest, While Overall Volume Reflects Natural Salmon Cycles

The total Pacific salmon catch in the Russian Far East has exceeded 320,000 tons as of September 8, 2025, according to the latest data from the Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo). The performance is consistent with the cyclical nature of salmon runs in the region, which typically alternate between high- and low-yield years.

Kamchatka Krai remains the undisputed leader, contributing a massive 80.4% of the total catch with over 257,000 tons. Other notable harvests were recorded in Khabarovsk Krai and Magadan Oblast.

The overall volume is noticeably lower than in previous years, which saw catches fluctuate between 443,000 and 600,000 tons. This year's harvest is being driven primarily by pink salmon, which accounts for 69.5% of the total volume. Over a recent weekend alone, an additional 3,500 tons of fish were caught, with chum salmon making up 2,200 tons of that total.

Despite the lower overall numbers, the harvest is critical for the industry. Scientists from the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO) continue to monitor salmon populations using advanced methods to ensure the sustainability of the vital fishery.

Rulings on tariffs and FTC commissioner reflect constitutional checks on executive authority

In a significant legal decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Judicial Circuit ruled 7-4 that President Donald Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose global tariffs exceeded his constitutional authority. The court asserted that the power to impose taxes is a "core power of Congress" that cannot be usurped by a president through declaring a national emergency. The current tariffs will remain in effect until October 14, when the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case.

In a separate but related setback, the Washington D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals also ruled 2-1 to reinstate Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, stating that her firing violated the independence of federal agencies.

Experts say this series of rulings highlights a direct confrontation between presidential power and the system of checks and balances. In response, President Trump warned that the U.S. may have to "cancel" trade agreements with partners like the European Union (EU) and Japan if his administration loses the lawsuit. He stressed that a failure in the case would be "extremely costly" to the United States.

Projected Catch of 400,000 Tons to Exceed Last Year's Figures and Secure Domestic Market Supply

Ilya Shestakov, head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries, announced at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok that Russia's salmon catch in 2025 is expected to set a new record. The projected harvest is approximately 400,000 tons, a significant increase over the 235,500 tons caught in 2024.

The announcement, made at the Eastern Economic Forum, a key platform for promoting investment in the Russian Far East, underscores the nation's efforts to strengthen its fishing industry. The bumper harvest is a welcome development, ensuring that the domestic demand for "red fish" will be fully met, particularly for the festive New Year season. The exceptional catch is primarily driven by the country’s strong performance in the Far East, where the majority of the wild salmon harvest takes place.

Ruling Stops Short of Immediate Ban, Orders Review of Maui Dolphin Protections

A U.S. federal court has ruled that seafood imports from New Zealand's North Island could face a ban due to the country's failure to meet U.S. standards for protecting the endangered Maui dolphin. The decision, reported by Daniel Cusick of E&E News, found that certain New Zealand fisheries do not have protections "comparable in effectiveness" to those required under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act.

While the U.S. Court of International Trade did not impose an immediate import ban, it has ordered the Commerce Department to re-evaluate New Zealand's policies. The department must provide evidence of compliance by November 24.

This ruling is a significant victory for environmental groups who have long argued that New Zealand is not doing enough to protect the Maui dolphin, one of the rarest marine dolphins in the world, with a population estimated at fewer than 60 individuals.

A Chinese company has transformed a nearly 20-year-old cargo vessel into a mobile salmon farm in a process that offers significant cost savings compared to operating a land-based salmon farm.

Alan Cook, who has served as the COO of New Zealand King Salmon and the managing director of Mowi Canada East, among several other roles in the seafood industry, told SeafoodSource that the Zhedai Yuyang 60001 may be just one of many similar vessels to come that offer an easily replicable alternative to land-based fish farming.

These vessels are far more cost-effective to develop than land-based salmon farms – likely half the cost per kilogram of production

Author: Mark Godfrey / SeafoodSource| Read the full article here

Salmon feed producer BioMar has formed a partnership with agricultural commodities supplier Cefetra to encourage UK crop farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and consequently cut fish farming’s carbon footprint.

While aquaculture already has one of the lowest feed conversion ratios in animal farming, more than 80% of the sector’s emissions are linked to feed and raw material sourcing. Reducing these emissions and improving supply chain resilience is therefore a shared challenge.

Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

Chilean business delegation raises tariff concerns in U.S. meetings.

SalmonChile has taken part in a Chilean business delegation to Washington DC, aimed at discussing tariffs and trade relations with US authorities.

The delegation was led by the Sociedad de Fomento Fabril (Sofofa), represented by president Rosario Navarro and secretary general Rodrigo Yáñez. Meetings included a session with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), where discussions focused on progress in free trade negotiations and tariffs affecting Chilean exports.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

A fisherman in Sitka, Alaska, has made a rare catch, spearing a warm-water skipjack tuna directly in Crescent Harbor. The tuna, weighing 18 pounds and measuring 30 inches, was first spotted by local residents and quickly drew the attention of other anglers and biologists from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Jake Wieliczkiewicz, an area management biologist, confirmed that while seeing tuna in open water isn't unusual, finding one so close to shore in Sitka is extremely rare and "definitely piqued our interest."

Local fisherman, Jason Own, 25, harvested the fish with a speargun. His feat was met with cheers from the crowd of onlookers. The tuna's appearance may be linked to the unseasonably warm weather the area has experienced, with ocean temperatures being higher than normal. According to Troy Tydingco, a Sitka area management biologist, this "warm band of temperature doesn't often come close to shore in Southeast Alaska."

The fisherman fully utilized his prize catch, cooking and using every part of the tuna, including the head and spine.