Saving Seafood

Biden’s “30 by 30” order could close-off 30 percent of US ocean to fishing

January 27, 2021 — The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden announced on 27 January that the president plans to sign an executive order that commits to a “30 by 30” goal first envisioned in the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act that was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020.

The “30 by 30” plan aims to commit 30 percent of lands and oceans to conservation by 2030, which in the House version of the bill entails a complete ban on “commercial extractive use” in areas of the ocean conserved. The planned executive order, according to a White House statement, is intended to “tackle the climate crisis at home and abroad.”

Read the full story at Seafood Source

New NFI Chair Highlights Market Data and Expert Insights Available at Virtual GSMC

January 25, 2021 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The President and CEO of Seattle Fish Co., Derek Figueroa, is the new Chair of the National Fisheries Institute. Figueroa helms the Denver-based seafood distributor that boasts more than a hundred years in business.

“Seattle Fish has a legacy of using technology and engagement to do more in the seafood space,” said Figueroa. “In 1918 this company created a cold chain system that used rail cars, sawdust and ice to transport fresh seafood to the landlocked state of Colorado. We were getting customers what they needed. That’s what NFI is doing with the Virtual Global Seafood Market Conference. We can’t meet in person, but the industry needs the data and insight we’ve come to rely on from GSMC. So we’re doing it virtually.”

The Virtual Global Seafood Market Conference runs from February 1st to the 5th for two hours each day. The GSMC Webinar Series lasts all year with biweekly offerings providing species-specific data and markets focused dialogue. Attendees can register for the GSMC Bundle package here.

Virtual GSMC will feature plenary presentations and sessions on Retail, Food Service, the Economy, Alternative Proteins and more. Keynote speakers from IRI, 210 Analytics, Datassentail, CattleFax, Urner Barry, Rabobank, and Wells Fargo will detail market shocks and recovery timelines. The program will also feature C-suite perspectives from leaders in retailer and foodservice, as well as an address from the man who knows a thing or two about pivoting, Bo Jackson.

As part of his just released video message, Figueroa notes the benefits of a virtual conference and webinar series include the fact that producers recognize, during a pandemic, things change by the “week, by the day, even by the minute.”

Derek Figueroa will address the Virtual GSMC on Friday February 5th with his state of the industry address.

Inaugurated as president, Biden faces host of pandemic-related woes

January 20, 2021 — As Joe Biden was sworn in as president of the United States on Wednesday, 20 January, the seafood and foodservice industries urged the incoming administration to provide additional funding for COVID-19 pandemic-related losses.

Today’s ceremony, making Biden the nation’s 46th president, capped off the tumultuous months between the November elections and Inauguration Day, marred by former President Donald Trump’s legal opposition to Biden’s election, along with a violent riot at the U.S. Capitol building earlier this month.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

NFI gearing up for virtual Global Seafood Market Conference, webinar series

January 19, 2021 — The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) has launched a webinar series intended to provide analysis of the latest trends affecting the global seafood industry.

The largest U.S. seafood trade group began hosting biweekly Global Seafood Market Conference (GSMC) webinars last week, with a focus on the global shrimp trade, which like most seafood categories, experienced wild fluctuations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. SeafoodSource is providing exclusive coverage of the GSMC Webinar series, which will be providing comprehensive market content throughout 2021.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Seafood category saw big gains in 2020 despite COVID-19 turmoil

January 14, 2021 — Even as the COVID-19 pandemic upended markets, forced restaurant closures, and changed the way society functioned, the seafood industry managed to see significant gains in the category.

IRI data, combined with NPD data, shared during a panel that is part of the National Fisheries Institute’s Global Seafood Marketing Conference webinar series, indicates that the seafood industry saw net growth of 7 percent in 2020, equaling USD 800 million (EUR 657 million) in gains for the industry. SeafoodSource is providing exclusive coverage of the GSMC Webinar series, which will be providing comprehensive market content throughout 2021.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Commercial fishing stakeholders optimistic about Biden’s pick for Commerce secretary

January 8, 2021 — Gina Raimondo received praise from fishing industry stakeholders on Thursday, 7 January, after reports broke that U.S. President-elect Joe Biden would choose her as his Commerce secretary.

National Fisheries Institute President John Connelly called Raimondo, who is currently the governor of the U.S. state of Rhode Island, an innovator capable of balancing the needs of conservation and commerce.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

New Labour Certification Standard Seeks Public Input

January 8, 2021 — The following was released by FISH Standard for Crew:

The recently announced FISH Standard for Crew, a voluntary, independent certification program for labour practices on fishing vessels, is seeking public comment from any interested parties on its draft Standard that third-party auditors will use to certify labour practices on fishing vessels. FISH Standard for Crew Inc. is the owner of the FISH Standard and represents a diverse collection of fish harvesting and seafood supply chain experts.  The Board of the FISH Standard for Crew engaged a global group of experts to help develop and refine the draft Standard.  It now seeks public input on the Standard.

“The FISH Standards Oversight Committee developed a robust Standard that is both rigorous and practical,” said Fridrik Fridriksson, chair of the FISH Standard’s Board of Directors and Chief Human Resources Officer at Brim. “Public comments will help ensure we did not miss any essential items.”

The FISH Standard for Crew requests that comments on the Standard be specific and reference clearly identified measures within the text. The nine-person Standards Oversight Committee and eleven-person Board of Directors will review all comments.

“This process is essential to ensuring a robust Standard,” said Fridriksson. “Being inclusive and transparent is an important part of the process to develop an accredited certification program.”

The comment period will run for 60 days and end 8 March 2021. FISH will not publish attributed comments, but may make public a summary of unattributed responses.

The full text of the Standard and the comment submission form can be found on the FISH website. Comments made using the template can be emailed to publiccomment@fishstandard.org.

NFI Statement on the Selection of Gov. Gina Raimondo as Secretary of Commerce

January 8, 2021 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

Gov. Gina Raimondo is an innovator who understands the vital balance between resource management and the needs of the business community. We are encouraged that President-elect Biden has chosen a policy maker from a coastal state, who knows the importance of harvesting and the full seafood supply chain, for this leadership position.

We look forward to working with her to ensure the continued sustainability of America’s fisheries and the entire seafood value chain.

New Organization To Provide Labour Certification for Fishing Vessels

January 5, 2021 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

Developed by a diverse group of experts in fish harvesting with consultation from labour non-profit organisations, the FISH Standard for Crew is developing a voluntary, independent and accredited third-party certification program for labour practices on vessels in wild-capture fisheries. The name “FISH” represents the scope of the standard: Fairness, Integrity, Safety and Health.

The FISH Standard is designed to ensure that fish sold in markets, grocery stores and restaurants around the world is harvested by crews who are recruited and hired ethically, treated with respect on the vessel, paid properly, and have fair processes to address grievances. The FISH Standard certification will be open to wild-capture harvesters of all sizes.

FISH has an eleven-person Board of Directors, Chaired by Fridrik Fridriksson, Chief Human Resources Officer at Brim. FISH also has a nine-person Standards Oversight Committee (SOC) that developed and updates the audit standards. The FISH Standard draws on the experiences of individuals who helped develop international agreements on labour practices. Members of the FISH Board and SOC represent nearly every corner of the globe, bringing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences in fisheries and labour to the table.

“While most seafood companies work ethically and in line with various labour standards and protocols, both legal and voluntary, to ensure proper treatment of crews, there have been challenges and bad actors in the industry,” said Fridriksson. “Media reports have shined a spotlight on these issues and highlighted the fact that everyone harvesting seafood deserves fair and equitable treatment. The FISH Standard provides a credible, worldwide standard to ensure proper treatment of crews, like you see with third-party certifiers of food safety.”

The FISH Standard supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8, which promotes sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

“Governments, industry participants and civil society all have critical roles to play in ensuring that people are treated fairly and have safe and decent working conditions,” said FISH Board member, Matt Tinning, Director of Sustainability and Public Affairs for the At-sea Processors Association. “In tandem with other initiatives, we believe the development of a uniform labour standard that seafood buyers can trust is an important step, and has the potential to become a key component of global seafood assurance.”

The FISH Standard provides a needed independent, third-party global certification that makes fair labour a key component in any sourcing discussion. Look for more information on the 60-day public consultation period for the FISH Standard opening soon.

New 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines Reveal Americans of All Ages Need to Eat More Seafood

December 29, 2020 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The United States Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) highlight the benefits of eating seafood beginning at around age 6 months and continuing through all stages of life. The latest DGA recommend Americans of all ages—particularly kids and pregnant women—eat seafood at least twiceweekly, a goal that 94% of children and 80% of adults currently do not meet.

Versatile and convenient, seafood provides numerous health benefits throughout the entire life span. The DGA encourage that adults and children eat seafood 2-3 times each week for the following benefits:

  • Seafood consumed regularly during pregnancy can help with brain development in babies.
  • Seafood starting at around age 6 months provides critical nutrients like iron, omega-3s and choline that support brain development and immunity for babies and toddlers.  Additionally, starting seafood early can also help shape lifelong taste preferences, as well as healthful food choices.
  • For adults, seafood provides protein, calcium and vitamin D, which help strengthen bones and maintain muscle mass.

“The biggest takeaway for me from the updated Guidelines is to start serving seafood early,” said Rima Kleiner, MS, RD, registered dietitian with the National Fisheries Institute. “Learning to love seafood as a child is the gift that keeps on giving because of its lifetime of health benefits.  Now, we need to get to work inspiring people with delicious ideas for how to eat more fish.”

USDA recommends families start simple when working toward meeting the new Dietary Guidelines by merely keeping seafood on hand. “Seafood, such as canned salmon, tuna or crab and frozen fish, is quick and easy to prepare,” USDA advises, a point particularly relevant during the pandemic when grocery runs may be fewer and farther between.

Another resource for family-friendly seafood meal ideas is NFI’s award-winning Dish on Fish blog and the newly-launched free e-cookbook, “Everyday Seafood,” which contains 53 original, kid-approved and easy-to-cook seafood recipes. “Because of the pandemic, more Americans are eating at home and trying recipes and dishes they may not have made in the past, including fish,” said Kleiner. “We hope to build on this momentum by offering tips, tricks and recipes designed for all levels of home cooks, types of cooking appliances and taste preferences. There are so many paths by which people can meet the DGA recommendation of 2-3 seafood meals per week.”