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.

NOVA SCOTIA PUSHES ITS OWN LOBSTER NAME AT CHINA’S IMPORT EXPO At the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, Nova Scotia’s deputy minister of fisheries, aquaculture and agriculture, Jason Hollett, is pushing buyers and consumers to say “Nova Scotia lobster” instead of the familiar “Boston lobster” label that still wraps many Canadian Homarus americanus shipments in China. Hollett told Xinhua that Nova Scotia is a main source of live lobster for China and that roughly a quarter of the province’s seafood goes there. He said promotions with Chinese supermarket and restaurant partners will brand product as Nova Scotia lobster so shoppers know where it comes from. Canada is a guest country of honour at this year’s CIIE, with a maple-shaped pavilion and a record 120 Canadian exhibitors. For Atlantic exporters, the branding fight matters as much as the booth space: recognition of origin is what turns a commodity crate into a trusted Nova Scotia product. Atlantic Canada Seafood Group is a Nova Scotia seafood broker connecting Atlantic Canadian suppliers with buyers in the EU — including Ireland, Spain and France — and across Asia. Source: Xinhua, Nov. 7, 2026

LAST CALL FOR 4R HALIBUT PERIOD 4: CLOSES SUNDAY AT 8 P.M. A reminder for hook-and-line halibut harvesters on the west coast of Newfoundland and in southern Labrador. Under DFO's extension, the 4R Atlantic halibut longline fishery for fixed gear vessels under 65 feet that elected to fish Period 4, vessel class A291, closes tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2000 hours. That date comes from Variation Order 2026-184, which replaced the earlier order and gave this fleet extra days on the water this fall. Late-season windows like this one often come down to weather. If you have gear in the water, plan around the closing time rather than the forecast, and check DFO's Newfoundland and Labrador fishery notices for any further changes. Source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Notice to Fish Harvesters nf.26.243B, via FFAW-Unifor

FISHERY OFFICERS SEIZE 3,806 LOBSTERS IN NOVA SCOTIA ENFORCEMENT OPERATION MARGARETSVILLE, N.S. — Fishery officers arrested one individual and seized 57 crates containing 3,806 lobsters during an enforcement operation at a storage facility in Margaretsville, Nova Scotia, on October 18. The individual was arrested for allegedly making a false or misleading statement to a fishery officer. During an inspection of the seized crates, officers determined that some of the lobsters originated from Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 29 in Cape Breton, where the commercial lobster fishery is currently closed. Authorities confirmed that the crates contained 3,311 live lobsters and 495 dead lobsters. The surviving lobsters were transported back to LFA 29 and released into the ocean. The seizure raises concerns about the possession and movement of lobster originating from fishing areas outside their authorized commercial seasons. An investigation remains ongoing, and fisheries officials have indicated that no further details will be released at this time. No charges or court outcomes have been announced in the information provided.

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.