Saving Seafood

Commercial fishing groups welcome new USDA seafood liaison position

November 18, 2025 — Commercial fishing groups are praising U.S. lawmakers for establishing a new seafood liaison position within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – a long-held goal for the industry. 

“American seafood is a heart-healthy protein, and our fisheries are managed for sustainable harvest. Support from USDA will provide well-deserved support to U.S. fishermen to ensure Americans have ready and continued access to domestic and locally harvested seafood,” Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association Executive Director Linda Behnken said in a release.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

National Fisheries Institute Applauds President Trump on Tariff Modifications and Swiss Trade Agreement

November 17, 2025 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) applauds the Administration for moving to ease tariffs on some foods. While seafood is the healthiest animal protein on the planet, rising costs have put it out of reach for many families.  We urge the President to include all seafood in tariff adjustments. This is critical to lowering consumer prices, maintaining American jobs in the seafood sector and keeping Americans healthy and fed.

Additionally, NFI appreciates the Administration’s success in continuing to expand markets for American seafood globally.

The plan to improve access for high quality U.S. seafood products through the application of zero duties in both Switzerland and Liechtenstein will have a positive impact on American companies and is in lockstep with the roadmap laid out in the President’s executive order regarding seafood competitiveness and economic growth.

NFI supports efforts to strengthen cooperation in global seafood trade and make America’s seafood community stronger.

Lisa Wallenda Picard
President & CEO

 

NFI, NOAA settle lawsuit over MMPA import restrictions; agency stays import ban of swimming crab

November 3, 2025 — The National Fisheries Institute and several seafood companies have settled their lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) over its recent determinations on Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) requirements.

NFI sued NMFS in early October over the agency’s decision to find most blue crab fisheries in major countries did not meet MMPA equivalency standards, a requirement for any country looking to export seafood products to the U.S. NMFS found 240 foreign fisheries did not comply with the regulations, which meant as of 1 January, 2026 products from those fisheries would be banned from entering the U.S. market.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

NFI Sushi Council Names Dick Jones as Executive Director

October 21, 2025 — The following was releases by the National Fisheries Institute:

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) Sushi Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Dick Jones as its new Executive Director. A mission-driven seafood and aquaculture executive with more than 38 years of experience across the private, nonprofit, and retail sectors, Jones brings deep expertise in sustainable fisheries, global seafood markets, and industry transformation.

 
“The Sushi Council is entering an exciting new chapter as we grow membership, strengthen industry leadership on food safety, and build sushi’s place as a vibrant and expanding category,” said Dick Jones, Executive Director of the NFI Sushi Council and CEO of Tidepoint Group, which is guiding the project. “I’m honored to help shape this effort and to work alongside our members to advance responsible sourcing, ensure product integrity, and bring greater value to everyone who enjoys and serves sushi.” 
 
Jones most recently served as CEO of Blue Ocean Mariculture, where he oversaw significant revenue growth while advancing innovations in marine fish production and sustainability. He previously held leadership roles with Ocean Outcomes, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, HEB Grocery Company, and Whole Foods Market. In his new role, Jones will work closely with NFI staff, the Sushi Council chair, and the executive committee to expand membership, increase visibility, and guide technical initiatives. Jones will be allocating his time and expertise between the NFI Sushi Council and other seafood industry projects.  
 
“Dick Jones brings a rare combination of retail, nonprofit, and aquaculture leadership to the NFI Sushi Council,” said Council Chairman Michael McNicholas of Culimer USA. “His experience building coalitions, advancing food safety, and championing sustainability will ensure the Council continues to deliver value for members and set a strong course for the future of sushi in the U.S. market.” 
 
The NFI Sushi Council is a pre-competitive stakeholder group made up of fish farmers, harvesters, processors, distributors, and end-users at retail and foodservice. The Council works across the entire sushi value chain to enhance product integrity, promote industry-led food safety, and position sushi as a trusted and growing category. For more information, visit NFIsushicouncil.com. 

Seafood Coalition Seeks Preliminary Injunction to Halt Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Prohibition in New Court Filing

October 14, 2025 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The coalition that filed suit against NOAA on Thursday October 9, over the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), today asked the Court of International Trade for a preliminary injunction that would halt import prohibitions that will bar the entry of seafood products from 240 fisheries across 46 nations.

The plaintiffs in this suit continue to be concerned about unintended consequences of the “comparability findings” made by NOAA and the impact of its current application on U.S. businesses and hundreds of American jobs from Maryland and Virgina to North Carolina and Florida.  The coalition has asked the court to require NOAA to reconsider its decision and to immediately lift the import ban in order to avoid devastating economic consequences to the seafood industry.

The filing notes that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) determinations exceed the agency’s statutory authority and violate its own regulations. The plaintiffs will suffer immediate and irreparable harm—including existential threats to their businesses which have no alternative sources of certain seafood if the foreign fisheries are closed.

“In so many cases with the implementation of this Act we’re not talking about ‘violations’ that put marine mammals at risk, we’re talking about box checking and regulatory equivalence rather than outcomes,” said NFI’s Chief Strategy Officer, Gavin Gibbons. “Meanwhile, in the case of Blue Swimming Crab there’s no domestic substitute that can feasibly replace the product. So, the consequence of failing to have a bureaucratic comparison is taking crab cakes off menus and putting Americans out of work. Is that what MMPA was designed to do?”

The request for a preliminary injunction presents evidence from Plaintiffs of serious concerns about imminent shutdowns, layoffs, stranded inventory, and breaches of supply contracts, in addition to financing risks. 

The parties to this lawsuit are strong proponents of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA.) They do not oppose it. They support its goals and want to see it responsibly and sensibly applied.

Group of seafood companies, NFI sue NOAA over its marine mammal protection decision

October 11, 2025 — A coalition of seafood importers and industry groups such as the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and the Restaurant Law Center have sued NOAA over its recent determinations on Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) requirements.

NOAA recently determined 240 foreign fisheries do not comply with U.S. marine mammal regulations under the MMPA, finding they did not have sufficient protections in place for marine mammals. As a result of the ruling, those 240 fisheries from 46 different nations will be unable to export any products to the U.S. as of 1 January 2026, including 12 countries that lost access for every single one of its fisheries. Those countries included four which did not submit any applications – Benin, Haiti, Iran, and Venezuela – and eight which submitted applications but were denied – Grenada, Guinea, Namibia, New Caledonia, Russia, Saint Lucia, The Gambia, and Togo.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

NFI Congratulates Lisa Weddig on Retirement, Welcomes New Chief Science Officer

September 3, 2025 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

For nearly twenty years Lisa Weddig has headed up the regulatory and food safety work of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI.) With a degree in food science and technology from Virginia Tech and a master’s in nutrition education from Hood College, Weddig worked for the Food Processors Institute and the Grocery Manufacturers Association before joining NFI.

“Lisa is admired, respected, and relied upon by the seafood community and has been for almost two decades,” said NFI President and CEO Lisa Wallenda Picard. “Her professional reputation is sterling but her personal demeanor and approach to things has always been a comfort to those who’ve worked with her. Let’s be honest, if you’re an NFI member calling Lisa, and it’s not to talk about National’s baseball, you’ve got a challenge.  She’s been our go-to specialist with solutions for a long time, and we congratulate her on a well-deserved retirement.”       

Weddig will help facilitate the transition to her successor. Jon Woody, most recently the Director of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Division of Preparedness and Emergency Programs will replace Weddig.

In addition to his 24 years at the FDA, Woody has a deep understanding of industry, also having worked at the National Food Processors Association and its education arm, the Food Processors Institute after earning his master’s in food science from Penn State. At FDA, he led food safety preparedness and response initiatives, including the agency’s food defense program, and played a key role in developing and implementing Food Safety Modernization Act regulations such as the Intentional Adulteration and Food Traceability rules.

“Jon is a recognized food safety expert and will be a tremendous resource for our members,” said Picard. “Regulatory compliance, policy development, and emergency preparedness are a Holy Trinity in food safety. We couldn’t be more pleased to have him join our team.”

Weddig and Woody will coordinate on regulatory and food safety work through the 2026 Global Seafood Market Conference in January.

National Fisheries Institute Applauds President Trump on U.S.-EU Trade Agreement Framework

August 21, 2025 – The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

Today’s joint statement from the United States and European Union, announcing the framework for a trade agreement, confirms the EU’s commitment to eliminate all EU tariffs on industrial goods, including seafood.  The statement also revives the 2020 U.S.–EU “mini lobster deal,” which recently expired, and expands that agreement to include processed lobster, in addition to live lobsters. Growing market access for U.S. seafood, like lobster, has been a tenet of NFI’s trade advocacy work.

We applaud the Administration on its success in expanding markets for American seafood globally.  We urge USTR to ensure that the European Union moves expeditiously to put these commitments into effect, so that U.S. seafood exporters and their American workers can capitalize on these advances as soon as possible.  These types of wins will have a demonstrable impact on U.S. companies, while providing European and other consumers premium, sustainable U.S. seafood products.

Lisa Wallenda Picard
President & CEO

National Fisheries Institute Statement on Section 139L of the OBBB Act

July 3, 2025 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

NFI has been working diligently to help the seafood community benefit from the type of programs the agriculture sector has enjoyed for decades. This provision is a quintessential example of that work. Seafood, like ag, produces products that are vital to food security in this country. Meanwhile, our fishermen, producers and processors, who provide almost 1.6 million U.S. jobs, ensure the healthiest animal protein on the planet makes it to American plates, a true public health benefit.  

Lisa Wallenda Picard
President & CEO 

National Fisheries Institute Statement on Executive Order on American Seafood

April 21, 2025 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

Tonight, President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at strengthening the U.S. seafood community. NFI commends the President and his Administration for taking a thoughtful, strategic approach to supporting American seafood production and consumption. The EO outlines key actions to benefit every link in the supply chain—from hardworking fishermen to parents who serve their family this nutritious and sustainable protein at home.

Importantly, the Order calls for reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens on fishermen and seafood producers while also promoting the many benefits of eating seafood as part of a healthy, balanced diet. 

NFI stands ready to support the Administration in advancing this important policy initiative and improving the lives of all those who depend on the commercial seafood industry.