Alliance Select Foods International said it has extended the temporary suspension of operations at its General Santos tuna cannery, citing ongoing aftershocks in the area following last week’s magnitude-7.8 earthquake. The company, which had planned to resume operations on June 16, said reopening would proceed only after a comprehensive assessment of the facility is completed to ensure workers’ safety, according to Filipino media reports.

Preliminary inspections following the earthquake identified damage to warehouse facilities and parts of stored inventory. A wider assessment of buildings, equipment, inventories, and other assets is continuing so that the management can first evaluate the full extent of the impact. Alliance Select said the facility and related assets are insured, which helps offset losses resulting from repairs and business disruptions. Last week, Atuna reported that several tuna companies in General Santos, known as the Filipino tuna hub, suspended operations due to the impact of the earthquake, which has reportedly killed many and left over 20,000 people displaced.

The US House of Representatives recently approved USD 500,000 for the newly started Office of Seafood, which could help tuna harvesters and processors to gain access to USDA programs, including loans and grants. The funds are part of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) fiscal 2027 budget, to support the office operations.

In April, the US created a new USDA Office of Seafood, which will be responsible for providing leadership, expertise, management, and advice to the US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, on matters impacting tuna and other seafood industries. This latest move aligns with US President Donald Trump signed ‘Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness’ last April, putting primary focus on American-produced seafood in the US market, and relying less on imports. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration, amendment, and a vote before it can proceed to become a law.

Libyan fishers are reporting one of the strongest bluefin seasons in years, buoyed by abundant catches of the high-value species known locally as ‘blue gold.’ Bluefin is a staple food for locals, and affordable prices have boosted consumer demand, enabling fishers to move catches quickly through local markets, according to new site Xinhua. Currently, the fish is sold at LYD 15 (USD 2.34) for a kilo, making it an economical option for many households compared with other meat products. As part of efforts to regulate the domestic market, Libya’s Ministry of Economy and Trade has temporarily banned all fish and seafood exports, since April, to stabilize prices and ensure adequate supplies for local consumers.

Bluefins usually migrate from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gribaltar around April and May. Libya, located on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, usually has ample catches during this time of the year. Bluefin season is a key economic driver for the nation’s coastal communities, supporting fisheries, trade, and employment as the country continues its recovery from years of instability.