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Appalachian Salmon planning RAS using defunct West Virginia coal mine

December 1, 2022 — In the mountains of the U.S. state of West Virginia, defunct coal mines dot the landscape near towns that have suffered from country’s shift to new energy sources.

For decades, miners extracted millions of tons of coal from the region, leaving behind underground voids that still exist to this day. Over time, those defunct mines have filled with billions of gallons of water – creating a new resource that Appalachian Salmon Founder and CEO Austin Caperton told SeafoodSource is waiting to be tapped into.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Young Fishermen Are Struggling to Stay Afloat

November 24, 2022 — Lucas Raymond has been working as a deckhand on a boat that catches monkfish, pollock, hake, and occasional cod out of New Hampshire’s Rye Harbor for the last decade. His fishing trips often involve navigating rough, stormy waters and typically last two to three days, but the 30-year-old enjoys doing physical work outside. “Even at the end of a very hard day, it’s rewarding,” Raymond says.

He considers fishermen to be some of society’s last hunters. “We bring in a very healthy, natural wild protein source, and that’s so important. It’s a shame to watch [the industry] struggle the way it is.”

Like many sectors, commercial fishing is facing a worker shortage, with too few young fishermen coming in to replace the aging workforce. The average age of groundfish and lobster captains in New England is 55 years old, according to the New England Young Fishermen’s Alliance (NEYFA). “It’s an industry that is truly dying,” Raymond said. “There are so few people getting into it. It’s incredibly disheartening.”

Read the full article at Civil Eats

College of the Holy Cross Launches the “John P. Connelly ’84 Student Stipend Fund” in honor of late National Fisheries Institute President and CEO

November 23, 2022 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

National Fisheries Institute (NFI) announces that the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, has officially created the “John P. Connelly ’84 Student Stipend Fund” in honor of the association’s late and highly-regarded President and CEO, John Connelly.

NFI — in cooperation with Holy Cross alumni Sean O’Scannlain, president and CEO of Fortune International, and Chris Ruettgers, president of Mark Foods — has established an internship fund to benefit the college’s student internship experiences.
Connelly took great pride in demystifying advocacy as a career. To honor his love of education, the seafood industry, and mentoring Holy Cross interns for over a decade at NFI, the stipend will support a student participating in a summer internship at NFI or another food or science-based advocacy group.
John Connelly was the third President of NFI, the leading trade association for the seafood industry. He was a fierce advocate and an instrumental leader in the seafood community. He graduated from Holy Cross (’84) with a degree in history. John passed away on November 20, 2022 following a heroic battle against cancer.
Contributions to the fund can be made directly here or contact Phil Gibson, Holy Cross Advancement, 1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610

National Fisheries Institute Statement on the Passing of John Connelly

November 21, 2022 — The following was released by National Fisheries Institute:

Today we mourn the loss of a fierce advocate, a loving father, a cherished husband, a beloved brother, an esteemed leader, and to so many a mentor and simply friend. John Connelly was the third President of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and a man who drove fundamental change with wit, foresight, and honesty.  His impact and loss is immeasurable.

In early 2003 John stood before the NFI Presidential Search Committee, dug back to his history degree from his beloved College of the Holy Cross and made the analogy that the seafood industry was like the German states in the 1860s. Each industry sector fought their own battles, like pre-Bismarck Germany. He suggested a better approach was to unify the seafood industry – and with that – the posture of an industry changed forever.  From those early days John began to transform NFI into an effective advocacy group that commands respect across a global industry.

John was not afraid of hard work with a professional mantra of “no job too big, no job too small.” John was a master communicator who would weave in charming personal antidotes while breaking down complex issues like corporate responsibility, sustainability, free markets, and whatever was keeping the consumer awake at night – all in the manner of an affable sweater-wearing professor.

The catalog of John’s achievements is lengthy, including the creation of the Better Seafood Board; the merger of the National Tuna Federation and subsequent development of the NFI Council system; plus, the annual Global Seafood Market Conference; the conception of the Seafood Nutrition Partnership; and contributing his steady voice on multiple industry Boards. NFI members will long remember John’s unwavering presence and leadership during the early days of the pandemic. These are just a few of the contributions that will have a lasting impact.

The NFI staff will remember his indelible impact on our lives. He was a hard-working boss whose naval officer pedigree taught him to lead from the front. He was a warm-hearted father figure who cared deeply about those around him. He was a tough, honest and funny man – with a genuine twinkle in his eye and a story for every occasion. He was someone who wrote postcards to family and friends from his travels around the world. He was a man of deep faith and happiest spending time with his family.

Even before falling ill, John had announced his retirement for February 2023 and spent 2022 preparing for a smooth transition of leadership. As they say when a naval commander departs his ship for the last time, “We relieve you, Sir.”

Our sympathy and prayers are with his wife Margaret, his children Kate (Jack), Jack (Rui), Bridget (John) and Maggie (Ryan), his extended family, friends, and his colleagues from around the globe.

The NFI Staff

Memorial Contributions

To recognize John’s love of education, the seafood industry and the College of the Holy Cross, NFI has established “The John Connelly Intern Scholarship” at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, to benefit the Semester in DC Program. John mentored Holy Cross interns for 10+ years at NFI and took great pride in demystifying advocacy as a career.

The scholarship will be awarded annually to an NFI advocacy intern and benefit other interns at DC food trade associations. To contribute to the scholarship contact:

Phil Gibson

Holy Cross Advancement

1 College Street

Worcester, MA 01610

For payment via credit card, call the Office of Advancement at 508.793.3079 and reference the John Connelly Internship.

Arrangements

NFI will provide information on funeral arrangements as they become available.

Conservation Alliance conference driving discussion on critical seafood sustainability issues

November 11, 2022 — The Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions will host its 2022 Annual Conference virtually on 14 to 17 November, and the agenda reflects the growth of the organization and the broad set of sustainability issues facing companies today.

The agenda for the event is intended to drive discussion of the most critical issues at the intersection of environmental sustainability and social responsibility in seafood including small-scale fisheries, social responsibility and human rights, fishery improvement projects, transparency and accountability, diversity, equity and inclusion, aquaculture, and policy.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Large Pelagics Research Center Remembers Dr. Bill Hogarth

November 10, 2022 — Very sad to learn that Dr. Bill (William) Hogarth has died.

Bill was a talented advocate for all of us. He conducted “fish business” with the highest humanity, intelligence, and humor. To see him work his magic at international ICCAT meetings was something. As a negotiator, Bill was credited with “bringing greater international attention” to Atlantic large pelagics, but as noted in his many service and conservation awards, but he also served “as a credible voice for independent science”. That included Large Pelagics Research Center. Bill always expressed his appreciation for our work on bluefin. Personally, and consistently. He understood what we were up against, and made it clear that he saw independent research as constructive for NOAA’s science mission, even when it disrupted status quo.

I can’t think of a single scientist or fisherman that got to know Bill Hogarth that didn’t deeply respect him. We all enjoyed being in his company, especially after the tough work was done at ICCAT meetings. Then, the bourbon came out to cement bonds of work and friendship. So many stories to tell about Bill’s role as referee at US bluefin workshops, when experts argued about spawning grounds, maturity, tagging, stock structure— (wait! they still do!). Bill always found the humor in human behavior, and kept things civil and enjoyable. We were lucky to have Dr. Bill Hogarth at the helm for those challenging times. Friends and colleagues around the world will celebrate his life, and mourn his loss.

Read the full article at Seafoodnews.com

NFI Names Lisa Wallenda Picard Incoming President and CEO

November 1, 2022 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

Today the National Fisheries Institute named Lisa Wallenda Picard as incoming President & CEO of the association. Picard joins NFI from the National Turkey Federation (NFT) where she is the Senior Vice President for Policy, Trade and Regulatory Affairs.

In January of this year, NFI’s President & CEO John Connelly announced plans to retire in early 2023, prompting a nationwide search. The President Search Committee was chaired by Kim Gorton, President and CEO of Slade Gorton Inc., and NFI’s Vice Chair of the Board.

“Following a robust search, Lisa emerged as the clear choice to propel NFI into the future. She is a dynamic leader with expertise in food safety and trade relations, as well as a thorough understanding of the complex policy issues affecting center of the plate proteins,” said Gorton.

Picard joined NTF in 2011 and previous to that appointment was the Chief of Staff for USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Prior to joining FSIS in 2002, Picard served as National Director of Public Relations for Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus. She also spent several years lobbying on animal welfare and agriculture issues.

“On behalf of the NFI Officers, we are excited to welcome Lisa to NFI. We are looking forward to a smooth transition with NFI’s Board, membership and staff,” said Gorton.

Picard will join NFI in mid-December. She will be introduced to the NFI membership at the NFI Global Seafood Market Conference, January 17-19, 2023, La Quinta Resort, Palm Springs, CA.

“Leading NFI for nearly 20 years has been tremendously rewarding for me, as I know it will be for Lisa.” said Connelly, “I want to thank the Search Committee for the time and energy they put into the search for NFI’s new President and CEO.”

Picard earned her master’s degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University and her bachelor’s degree in communications from Flagler College in St Augustine, Fla. She is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School for Executive Education. Picard is a native of Sarasota, Fla. She resides in Virginia with her family.

NFI, incorporated in 1945, is the largest seafood trade association in the United States. Picard will be the association’s fourth president.