The secondary research process involved comprehensive analysis of regulatory filings, trade databases, fisheries statistics, and peer-reviewed food science literature. Key sources included the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Globefish Database, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Statistics, European Commission Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) records, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) trade statistics. Additional sources comprised the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), International Association of Fish Inspectors (IAFI), UN Comtrade Database, International Trade Centre (ITC) Trade Map, Eurostat Foreign Trade Statistics, and national aquaculture and fisheries reports from Norway (Directorate of Fisheries), Chile (Subsecretaría de Pesca), and Thailand (Department of Fisheries).
Per capita consumption trends, cold chain logistics data, import/export trade flows, HACCP and safety compliance records, catch and aquaculture volumes, and competitive intelligence throughout the whitefish, salmon, shrimp, crab, and specialty seafood segments were all gathered from these sources.