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International Coalition of Fisheries Associations Panel at Seafood Expo North America Will Discuss Global Collaboration

March 4, 2025 — The following was released by the The International Coalition of Fisheries Associations:

The International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) will host a panel at Seafood Expo North America at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, on Sunday, March 16, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The panel, titled “Collaborating for Solutions”, will feature ICFA Chair and Vice President of CEPESCA (Spanish Confederation of Fisheries) Ivan López Van der Veen, National Fisheries Institute (U.S.) President and CEO Lisa Wallenda Picard and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (Australia) Research Portfolio Manager Adrianne Laird, with Chris Chase, Executive Editor at SeafoodSource, moderating.

ICFA represents the global fishing industry, advocating for sustainable fisheries and responsible ocean management. Through ICFA and their membership, which spans over six continents, the fishing industry is increasingly collaborating with governments to safeguard their shared objectives. Sustainably harvested fish and seafood are key players in solutions that promote food security, preserve biodiversity and combat climate change.

“Global precompetitive collaboration designed to effect fisheries policy is not an aspirational goal, it’s happening today and has more momentum right now than it has in years, maybe decades,” said ICFA Chair Ivan López Van der Veen. “The more countries and companies that are aware of the work, the more voices we have at the table. No matter the topic discussed or the forum that’s hosting, my message to the seafood community always begins and ends with, join us.”

Join industry leaders to hear their insights on these critical topics and how they are working together to advance the industry’s future.

Keep the work in working waterfronts

February 27, 2025 — Workforce development was a central theme at one of the National Working Waterfront Network (NWWN) conference sessions this year in San Diego.

Industry leaders, community advocates, and fishermen gathered to discuss strategies for sustaining the next generation of commercial fishermen and maritime workers. Panelists discussed recruiting and retaining new entrants, providing proper training, and ensuring career resiliency in an ever-changing industry.

Jessica Hathaway, former editor of National Fisherman and now a public affairs consultant, moderated the discussion and opened with a pointed question: How do we attract people into the industry and take care of them once they’re in? Hathaway brought together Monique Coombs of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association(MCFA), Kim Selkoe of the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, Imani Black of Minorities in Aquaculture, and Doreen Legget of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance(CCCFA).

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

The fight to preserve America’s working waterfronts

February 26, 2025 — The National Working Waterfront Network (NWWN) Conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and community advocates to tackle the challenges facing working waterfronts across the country.

Through many panel discussions, attendees explored the pressures of development, workforce retention, climate adaptation, and policy roadblocks threatening the waterfront’s future.

While each waterfront is unique, the speakers agreed that these spaces share common challenges, including regulatory hurdles, rising property values, and conflicts between economic development and cultural preservation. The panelists included Janelle Kellman, former mayor of Sausalito, California- who is running for lieutenant governor and Maine House of Representative; Morgan Rielly; and Imani Black, founding and CEO of Minorities in Aquaculture.

Kellman highlights her city’s maritime history and difficulties maintaining its working waterfront. “We have a real problem regarding what the market will allow. Inventors or fabricators cannot afford to start when hedge fund managers and landscape architects see the value in our maritime infrastructure. They want to repurpose it for high-end development.”

Rielly pointed to the diversity of working waterfronts in Maine, ranging from small-scale fishing docks to large industrial harbors. “There’s no one bill that will be able to solve all different issues, and there will be no one budget that will be able to solve those issues.” He went on to emphasize the need for tailored solutions for each individual region.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

Seafood Expo North America returns for 43rd edition of North America’s largest seafood trade event

February 13, 2024 — Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America is returning for the 2025 edition of North America’s largest seafood trade event.

The event, which will take place from Sunday, 16 March to Tuesday, 18 March in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., will bring seafood suppliers, processing and packaging equipment, services companies, and professionals to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center for its 43rd edition. According to a press release from show organizer Diversified, as of 13 February, companies from 49 countries will take up 248,065 net square feet of space in the exhibit hall, with that number still growing. [Editor’s note: Diversified also owns and operates SeafoodSource.]

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Frustrations as Departure of Famed Ocean Liner SS United States Delayed

February 10, 2025 — Excitement over the impending departure of the famed ocean liner ss United States was building last week before a further delay appeared prolonging her stay in Philadelphia. The new owners of the liner, Florida’s Okaloosa County, have been trying for months to start the final voyage of the now 75-year-old liner as she heads toward a new chapter as the largest artificial reef.

On Wednesday, February 5, Okaloosa County announced that after months of delay, it had finally received all the necessary approvals for a large ship dead tow as defined by the U.S. Coast Guard. At high tide around 0600 on Thursday, February 6, the plan was to yank the 53,000 gross ton liner from Pier 82 where she has been docked since July 1986 after the vessel returned from having been stripped of her interior fittings in Turkey and Ukraine.

The ss United States despite having been out of service since 1969 remains fabled in the annals of shipping history. Design by American’s renowned naval architect William Francis Gibbs, she entered service in 1952. On her maiden voyage, she shattered the Atlantic speed record for a passenger liner with an average speed of over 35 knots and 72 years later remains the fastest passenger liner to have ever crossed the Atlantic. The liner is rumored to have touched 40 knots during her “top secret” speed trials.

The non-profit SS United States Conservancy, which acquired the ship in 2011 and sold her to Okaloosa County in October last year for $1 million, wrote in an announcement, “After completing comprehensive due diligence involving extensive testing and reporting to local, state, and federal agencies, Okaloosa County has now received final approval from the U.S. Coast Guard to begin moving the ss United States.”

Read the full article at The Maritime Executive

Whole Foods Market Introduces New Seafood Code of Conduct

January 29, 2025 — Whole Foods Market has launched a new Seafood Code of Conduct, reinforcing the company’s commitment to safeguard the human rights and welfare of workers throughout its global seafood supply chain. Building on the company’s Quality Standards, the new policy strengthens protections for fishers and vessel crew and sets a higher bar for ethical labor practices and supply chain transparency.

Whole Foods’ Seafood Code of Conduct draws from globally recognized principles, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Work in Fishing Convention. The code establishes clear standards that all seafood suppliers — from vessel owners to processors and distributors — are expected to follow. These new standards build on the broader Whole Foods Supplier Code of Conduct and are part of the company’s long-term mission to promote social responsibility and continuous improvement in its supply chain.

Read the full article at the Progressive Grocer

NOAA Fisheries and Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Promote Fisheries-Related Career Paths for Tribal Youth

January 23, 2025 — Take it from us at NOAA Fisheries: Careers in environmental science and policy are rewarding and offer a wide range of professional opportunities. To help promote workforce development in these fields for tribal members, the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) and NOAA have partnered to create a Workforce Development Workgroup.

The workgroup provides a forum for NOAA to work collaboratively with tribal governments to support tribal members with career education, training, and recruitment. This engagement enhances NOAA’s trust responsibilities and supports education and career development of tribal members in natural resource fields. NWIFC tribes have treaties with the U.S. federal government reserving their right to fish. They are co-managers of the fisheries with the states and federal government.

“Our goal is to connect Native youth with opportunities to learn more about natural resource stewardship and the wide variety of careers available to them,” said NWIFC Executive Director Justin Parker. “We want to pass this knowledge down to the next seven generations of leaders so they can continue to protect the natural resources our ancestors secured for us in our treaties.”

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

Seafood Nutrition Partnership Continues Expansion of Successful Seafood Campaign at Key Retailers and Welcomes New Director of Marketing

January 21, 2025 — The following was released by Seafood Nutrition Partnership:

Seafood Nutrition Partnership will again partner with H-E-B in January 2025 to expand the
Texas-based chain’s successful 2024 Fall in Love with Seafood (FILWS) consumer campaign.
SNP collaborated with the H-E-B seafood and marketing teams to launch a multi-media
marketing plan spanning social, digital, influencer, and retail marketing including in-store
seafood cooking demos and integration into H-E-B Wellness team communications promoting
the nutritional benefits of seafood.

The Fall in Love with Seafood campaign launched in 2024 to educate consumers about the
nutritional benefits of eating seafood at least two times a week while driving seafood
consumption and retail sales. In 2024, the FILWS campaign was executed with five major
retailers and delivered an average $4.07 return on investment. In other words, each $1
invested in the campaign delivered over $4 in incremental seafood sales.

“We are thrilled with the campaign’s performance,” said Sarah Crowley, vice president of
marketing and communications at SNP. “The positive response from consumers and partners
shows that when we work together, we can have a profound impact on driving seafood sales
and helping consumers make healthier food choices.”

The FILWS marketing campaign will continue to raise awareness about seafood consumption
by launching further initiatives in 2025 with multiple retailers including Lent with Northeast
Grocery at their banners Price Chopper, Market32, and Tops.

The successful program has led the non-profit to tap Stephanie Blicharz (pronounced
BLEE-hahsh) as Director of Marketing to help implement the national seafood promotion
campaign and collaborate with SNP partners.

Steph has successfully developed and executed strategic marketing campaigns for diverse
organizations, most recently the Chilean Salmon Council. She has worked with well-known
brands, including Energy Star, Ocean Spray, and Chinet. Steph is committed to driving
initiatives to encourage Americans to eat more seafood.

To participate in or learn more about sponsoring an upcoming retail campaign, contact Linda
Cornish, president and founder, at lcornish@seafoodnutrition.org.

National Fisheries Institute Statement on FDA’s Proposed Front of Package Nutrition Panel

January 15, 2025 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

We are disappointed that the Food and Drug Administration is proposing still more significant, unnecessary regulation in the waning hours of the Biden Administration.  The proposed front of package labeling is redundant and could deliver an inaccurate message to consumers including healthy seafood in their diets.

By focusing on negative saturated fats, FDA misses the point and misleads label readers. Fish, such as salmon, contain almost entirely unsaturated essential omega-3s, the healthiest fatty acids found in any protein. Meanwhile, the planned labeling provides no way to highlight nutritious components of the product, including for fish, the unsaturated fats associated with brain and heart health.

In the case of seafood, this regulation is essentially pointless and can confuse consumers while adding an unneeded compliance burden to American producers who will need to retool their labels for the massive U.S. market.

The incoming Trump Administration should withdraw the proposal in its entirety.

Lisa Wallenda Picard
President & CEO

MarinTrust, MSC sign agreement to strengthen collaboration in marine ingredient supply chain

December 16, 2024 — MarinTrust and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in an attempt to streamline the certification processes between both organizations.

The agreement between MarinTrust, a London, U.K.-based certification program working to improve sourcing and traceability across global marine ingredient production, and the MSC is intended to improve how marine ingredient producers engage with one another, reducing duplicative tasks within both certification schemes and aligning standards across the sector.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource