Seafood Industry Faces Challenges Amid Changing Economic Conditions

The seafood industry is undergoing significant changes, with some companies leading the way in animal welfare while others lag behind. Marks & Spencer has been highlighted as a leader in promoting higher welfare standards for decapod crustaceans, while major supermarkets like Aldi and Amazon have yet to make significant improvements, according to Dr. Ben Sturgeon of Crustacean Compassion. In Scotland, a proposed 'ocean cluster' aims to triple the value of the country's seafood by leveraging biotechnology, which could enhance food security and create jobs. Meanwhile, Connecticut's new management strategy for shellfish aims to mitigate weather-related closures, potentially boosting the state's aquaculture sector. The global seafood trade is also facing challenges, as demographic shifts in China threaten to disrupt production and consumption dynamics. In Newfoundland and Labrador, seafood producers are exploring European markets to mitigate the impact of potential tariffs from the U.S. and China, indicating a shift in export strategies.