Saving Seafood

Looming beef shortage could be boon for seafood industry

January 18, 2023 — Widespread droughts in 2022 resulted in a looming shortage to the beef supply, and could leave billions of consumer dollars looking for a different protein to purchase.

Speaking during the National Fisheries Institute’s Global Seafood Market Conference (GSMC), running from 15 to 19 January in Palm Springs, California, U.S.A., Performance Food Group President of Protein Brands Steve Sands showcased how beef has heavily outperformed all other proteins. According to USDA data, U.S. consumers expenditures for beef has been greater than pork and chicken combined.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

National Fisheries Institute Statement on the Passing of Hans “Harry” Frisch

January 17, 2023 – The following was released National Fisheries Institute:
Harry Frisch, Chairman of Beaver Street Fisheries, was a seafood legend who grew a small retail fish shop in Jacksonville, Florida into one of the largest seafood processors and distributors in the U.S. His influence is outsized, and he will be missed.
 
He built his business with a focus on family, integrity, and a drive to ensure his customers had a consistent supply of seafood.  In an industry so often focused on just-in-time inventory, he famously emphasized thinking 5 years not 5 days ahead.
 
Harry Frisch was 99 years old. Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family and his Beaver Street colleagues. 
 
Lisa Wallenda Picard
President & CEO

WASHINGTON: Letter to the Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary Franz & Governor, Jay Inslee

December 8, 2022 —  The following was released by National Fisheries Institute:

Dear Commissioner. Franz:

We, the undersigned, wish to express our collective concern regarding Commissioner’s Order #202211, dated November 17, 2022, directing Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff to “develop necessary changes to agency rules, policies, and procedures to prohibit commercial net pen aquaculture on state-owned aquatic lands” in the state of Washington, and to demand a third-party review of the science upon which this Order is based.

We represent a broad range of US national, state, and species-specific trade associations whose members either produce or harvest seafood that is destined for both domestic and international markets. Signers also include fisheries scientists, resource economists, veterinary medicine professionals, and other industry stakeholders who —in addition to being concerned about the lack of historical data and peer-reviewed science that would support your Order—are equally concerned about the apparent unilateral and unsupported exercise of government power that does not demonstrate thoughtful, constructive thinking and fairness.

In addition, we find it troubling that the Order:

  1. Fails to cite any credible, peer-reviewed analysis or analyses:
  2. Fails to refer to an independent third-party (or even other State agencies) supporting the Order;
  3. Ignores the recommendations in the April 2022 Washington Department of Ecology document fulfilling a requirement of House Bill 2957 (2018) ordered by the Washington state Legislature, “Commercial Marine Finfish Net Pen Aquaculture in Puget Sound and Strait of Juan de Fuca: Guidance and Risk Management” (Publication number 22-06-008);
  4. Fails to acknowledge the 40+ years of science that federal and state agencies, including the DNR, have conducted regarding marine aquaculture—science which exists to help inform decision-makers on how to strike a balance between environmental conservation and aquatic food production.

 

We do not argue that aquaculture is without impact or risk. Zero impact or zero risk is an impossible standard that no food production system can live up to. At the same time, however, marine aquaculture from domestic production helps reduce the carbon footprint from imports.

Given the fact that the commercial net pens affected by this Order occupy approximately .0004% of total state-owned aquatic lands, we believe that a third-party review is needed to show that the Order has no basis in scientific fact and is, in essence, an unsupported action by a government agency.

There are several possible candidates for conducting such a review, and we sincerely hope you and your staff have sufficient confidence in either the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and/or the NOAA National Center for Coastal Ocean Sciences as capable of examining an action that most of the US seafood industry believes to be just plain wrong.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Respectfully,

 

Jeanne McKnight, Ph.D., Executive Director

Northwest Aquaculture Alliance

 

Jim Parsons, CEO

Jamestown Seafood

President, Northwest Aquaculture Alliance

 

 

Linda A. Chaves, M.S.

Senior Advisor on Seafood and Industry Issues, NOAA (Retired)

NOAA National Aquaculture Coordinator (Retired)

 

John Dentler, Esq.

Chairman, Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Scholarship Foundation

President Emeritus, Northwest Aquaculture Alliance

 

Walton W. Dickhoff, Ph.D. 

NOAA Fisheries Senior Scientist (Retired)

University of Washington Professor of Fisheries (Retired)

 

John Forster, Ph.D.

Stolt Sea Farm Washington – General Manager (1984-1994)

Columbia River Fish Farms – Co-Owner (1994-2001)

 

 

 

 

 

Frederick Goetz, Ph.D.

NOAA Fisheries Biologist (Retired)

Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

 

Robert N. Iwamoto, Ph.D.

Northwest Fisheries Science Center – NOAA (Retired)

 

Don Kent, M.S. 

President/CEO – Hubbs Sea World Research Institute

 

Hugh Mitchell, M.S., DVM

Aquatic NW Veterinary Services

 

John Moehl, Ph.D.

Senior FAO Aquaculture Officer (Retired)

Aquaculture Specialist – Realized Expectations/AFFIRM

 

Stephen G. Newman, Ph.D.

President/CEO – Aquaintech Inc.

 

Gil Sylvia, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus, Department of Applied Economics – Oregon State University

Director, Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (Retired)

 

US State and National Trade Associations

 

Tony Vaught, President

California Aquaculture Association

 

Robert Rheault, Ph.D., Executive Director

East Coast Shellfish Growers Association

 

Tiffany Conner, Education Coordinator

Florida Aquaculture Association

 

Paul Hundley, Founding Director

Florida Marine Aquaculture Coalition

 

Brian Perkins, CEO

Global Seafood Alliance

 

Ronald P. Weidenbach, President

Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association

 

 

 

 

 

Sebastian Belle, Executive Director

Maine Aquaculture Association

 

Dan Vogler, President

Michigan Aquaculture Association

 

Paul Zajicek, Executive Director

National Aquaculture Association

 

Gavin Gibbons, Vice President

National Fisheries Institute

 

Clinton Bentz, President

Oregon Aquaculture Association

 

Bill Lynch, President

Ohio Aquaculture Association

 

Fritz Jaenike, President

Texas Aquaculture Association

 

Mark Ely, President

US Trout Farmers Association

 

 

Cc:

Governor Jay Inslee 

Senator Andy Billig, Senate Majority Leader

Senator John Braun, Senate Republican Leader

Representative Laurie Jinkins, Speaker of the House

Representative Joe Fitzgibbon, House Majority Leader

Representative J.T. Wilcox, House Republican Leader

Senator Kevin Van De Wege, Chair – Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee

Senator Judy Warnick, Ranking Member

Representative Mike Chapman, Chair – House Rural Development, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Committee

Representative Bruce Chandler, Ranking Member

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.

WASHINGTON: Leading US Seafood Industry Trade Groups Call for Independent Review of Washington DNR Decision

November 16, 2022 — The following was released by National Fisheries Institute:

In response to the November 14 announcement that the State of Washington’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will not renew the leases for Cooke Aquaculture Pacific’s steelhead farms in Washington waters, three leading US trade groups–the Northwest Aquaculture Alliance (NWAA), National Fisheries Institute (NFI), and the National Aquaculture Association (NAA) are calling for an independent review of DNR’s decision by one or more third parties such as the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences.

“This was not a decision based on science,” said NWAA President and CEO of tribally owned Jamestown Seafood, Jim Parsons. “If that were the case, we would be seeing a very different decision. In terminating Cooke’s marine net pen leases, the DNR has ignored the best available science from NOAA, a state Supreme Court ruling, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Washington Department of Ecology, to name just a few of the countless scientific studies from other regions demonstrating that marine aquaculture does not harm endangered species or wild fish stocks.”

Parsons added, “The DNR decision will have devastating consequences for our rural communities where living-wage jobs are scarce, while at the same time taking healthy protein off American plates. This will result in a great loss to local economies and public health.”

NOAA recently issued a five-year strategic plan to develop a strong US aquaculture sector. The United States currently ranks 18th in the world in aquaculture production, according to NOAA.

“Washington state has apparently decided to ignore the enormous body of science that shows marine aquaculture, as it is practiced today, has a negligible impact on other fish species or on the environment,” Parsons said.

“We fail to understand why, at a time when we are beginning to see massive layoffs in the tech sector, a government agency would willingly and knowingly destroy a job-creating industry, one that in other regions has brought living-wage employment and economic development to hard-hit rural areas. Additionally, we find it puzzling that an agency whose mission is to protect our natural resources would target one of the most climate-friendly and environmentally beneficial food sectors. We are also at a loss to understand why DNR would choose to ignore the science that shows marine aquaculture to have a negligible impact on the water—particularly compared with other marine water users,” Parsons said.

“Aquaculture has the ability to sustainably and affordably increase the availability of the healthiest animal protein on the planet, while also producing jobs—an impressive combination,” said Gavin Gibbons, Vice President for Communications at the National Fisheries Institute. “At a time when important efforts to grow the US aquaculture sector are underway, this decision is disappointing,” he said.

“The US aquaculture farming community recognizes the value and benefits of regulations to protect the public, environment and farming operations,” commented Sebastian Belle, President of the National Aquaculture Association.  “In this instance where science is ignored, which is so very critical to achieving excellence in governance and finding a balance between man and nature, no one benefits. We strongly support an independent review by objective scientists and hope the citizens of Puget Sound will agree.”

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.

National Fisheries Institute Statement on the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health

September 28, 2022 — The following was released by National Fisheries Institute:

We applaud the White House for hosting today’s conference on ending hunger and increasing healthy eating so that fewer Americans experience widespread diet-related diseases.  Federal programming and education that clearly and consistently support advice to eat more seafood – fresh, shelf-stable, and frozen – must play a central part in this ambitious goal.

Low seafood intake is responsible for about 84,000 American lives lost to heart disease each year, which makes seafood deficiency the second-biggest dietary contributor to preventable deaths in the U.S.  The 2020-2025Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) encourage Americans to eat 2-3 servings of seafood each week starting at age six months and continuing throughout life.  However, an alarming 94% of children and 80% of adults currently do not eat the recommended amount of seafood.  This means most Americans are missing out on important health benefits – from improved baby brain development to reduced risk of heart disease to bone and muscle strength in older age – that seafood offers.    

One proposed strategy to increase consumption of healthful foods, including fish, is making sure that foods labeled as “healthy” align with current nutrition science and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  To complement the actions outlined in the strategy document, the National Fisheries Institute and its members publicly commit toprovide nutritious and sustainable seafood meals to underserved families; empower consumers by raising awareness of seafood recommendations; and fund seafood science and communication research.

We are pleased to see the White House taking the lead in promoting the role nutritious food plays in combatingdiet-related diseases, disabilities, and deaths. Today’s conference was a good first step and one that we hope will lead to demonstrable public health benefits.

The Global Seafood Market Conference Returns to California in 2023

August 22, 2022 — The following article was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The Global Seafood Market Conference (GSMC) –seafood’s leading conference – returns to California in 2023 with a focused agenda including premier panels, insightful guest speakers, and unmatched opportunities to collect data. 

“GSMC differentiates itself from other conferences with its content and this year will be no different,” said the National Fisheries Institute’s Programs Director, Richard Barry. “Macroeconomic indicators, menu trends, inflation issues, post-COVID strategies to hold onto seafood consumption growth, trade disruptions — if it’s an issue in your seafood business we will have an expert examining it.”

Specialists from IRI, Datassential, Rabobank, Wells Fargo, and more will offer their expert perspectives. 

“This year, we’ll also have a new set of presentations,” said Barry. “Think of it as GSMC speed dating, one section featuring multiple panels that are shorter but cover things like emerging species, developing challenges, and growing trends. That’s in addition to the large category mainstay panels like shrimp, shellfish, value finfish, and salmon. Industry issues are evolving and so is GSMC.”

 The GSMC program runs from January 17-19 at the La Quinta Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, California. The week kicks-off with the annual pickleball tournament and meetings on January 15. For more, see the full agenda here.   

 NFI members should look out for GSMC content previews on the SoFISHticated podcast and remember the Early Bird rates are available now.  And don’t forget the GSMC Webinar Series will continue in 2023 with a look at supply chain developments and strategies for tackling operational issues.

Registration for GSMC 2023 is now open.