Seafood Expo North America

March brings spring-and nothing puts a spring in our step like seafood! Seafood Expo North America , held every March in Boston for the past 40 years, is the largest trade show in North America.

The diversity of seafood companies and interests provides a look into the landscape of today's global seafood trade. Visitors can satisfy their craving for seafood knowledge and learn more about everything from farmed fish and shellfish to an array of wild-capture seafood and "value-added" products like fish sticks.

NOAA Fisheries is hosting a booth showcasing experts from our Seafood Inspection Program . If you plan to attend, we hope you can join one of our panel discussions (below) or drop by our booth #181.

View the conference program

Sunday, March 15, 2026

2:00 PM-2:45 PM (Room 153A)-Aquaculture in U.S. Federal Waters: Opportunities & Challenges

Offshore aquaculture in U.S. federal waters (3-200 nautical miles offshore) is moving from concept to reality. This panel will examine the current regulatory landscape, business opportunities, environmental safeguards, and stakeholder concerns-grounded in specific, real-world projects which are operating or moving through the permitting process.

The panel will represent current and proposed offshore aquaculture sites in U.S. federal waters, as well as regulatory agencies. Discussions will center on federal policy and permitting framework, including NOAA Aquaculture Opportunity Areas and the Marine Aquaculture Research for America Act.

The panel will also evaluate how siting, scale, and species play a critical role in project development.

Speakers: Danielle Blacklock, NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture; Kerian Fennelly, Newport Mussels; Maddie Voorhees, Environmental Defense Fund; Donna Lanzetta, Manna Fish Farms

3:00 PM-4:00 PM (Room 204A)-Seafood Industry Roundtable: NOAA Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce Priorities and Industry Feedback

This roundtable is intended to be a dialogue between NOAA Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce and industry representatives. NOAA will update attendees on the progress of the Seafood Inspection Program Grade Standard revision project and related modernization efforts. Presenters will highlight recently completed revisions to key seafood standards, including expanded supporting materials such as inspection instructions, scoresheets, workmanship guidelines, and sensory evaluation tools.

An update will also be shared on the Chilled or Frozen Scallops Standard currently open for public comment, as well as upcoming revisions to additional standards scheduled for completion this year. The session will also cover the Seafood Inspection Services Portal modernization project, outlining system enhancements designed to improve user experience, increase billing transparency, streamline account management, support monthly production reporting, and transition toward paperless certification.

Finally, attendees will receive the latest information from NOAA's Seafood Inspection Program on certificates required for export of fish and fishery products to the European Union, including upcoming guidance, certificate implementation timelines, and phased data field requirements.

Speakers: Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, Assistant Administrator, NOAA Fisheries; Alexa Cole, Director, NOAA Fisheries' Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce

Monday, March 16, 2026

12:45 PM-1:30 PM (Room 155)-Bolstering Seafood Communities Through Policy and Practice: Updates from NOAA and U.S. Department of State

The United States is a global leader in responsibly managed fisheries and sustainable seafood production. Our fisheries are big business-supporting about 2 million jobs and generating billions of dollars in economic impacts. But in recent years, the U.S. seafood sector has faced increasing pressures from global competition, evolving market demands, and impacts from changing ocean conditions. Between 2019 and 2023, domestic landings declined by approximately 1 billion pounds.

Empowered by the Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness , the federal government is committed to reasserting America's role as the world's dominant seafood leader. NOAA Fisheries is working to address the recent decline in fisheries landings and revenues, and the Department of State is focusing on removing barriers to trade. During this session, leaders from NOAA and the State Department will share updates on actions taken to date in support of the executive order and discuss plans for the coming year.

Speakers: Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, Assistant Administrator, NOAA Fisheries; Emily Menashes, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, NOAA Fisheries; Dr. Ruth Perry, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ocean, Fisheries, and Polar Affairs, Department of State