Saving Seafood

The NFI Sushi Council Begins Inaugural Year

February 20, 2024 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The National Fisheries Institute is pleased to announce the formation of the NFI Sushi Council. A pre-competitive stakeholder group, the Sushi Council is made up of harvesters, processors, distributors, and end-users at retail and foodservice working to enhance sushi product integrity and promote industry-led food safety.

“Sushi has achieved household status and is a major contributor to U.S. seafood consumption,” Chairman Michael McNicholas, of Culimer USA LLC, said. “The surge in popularity of raw and ready-to-eat products needs to be met with a similarly robust industry voice that advocates and advances the highest standard of handling and preparation for seafood destined for the sushi market.”

The NFI Sushi Council will develop and distribute food safety guidance tailored to sushi’s specialized supply chain. A working group combining industry, government, and academia has formed under the Council’s direction to detail hazards and needed control measures. The resulting guidance will draw on existing compliance documents and stakeholder expertise to produce plainspoken and accessible resources for seafood professionals working in every step of the value chain from fish farms and processing facilities all the way to the sushi counter.

“We rely on strong partnerships throughout sushi’s global supply line,” said Council Executive Committee member Daryl Gormley of AquaMar. “Our goal is to maintain a superior product from harvest to final preparation, and we’re recruiting partners to join this effort now.”

The NFI Sushi Council will next meet in Boston at the Seafood Expo North America (SENA) on Sunday, March 10, at 8:30 a.m. NFI Sushi Council’s Executive Committee will host a panel on March 11 at 2:45 p.m. during the SENA Conference Program to discuss U.S. sushi market dynamics and the council’s food safety mission.

Companies joining the NFI Sushi Council before April 1, 2024, will receive the designation of Founding Council Members. Current founding members include Aquamar, BlueNalu, Blue Ocean Mariculture, Culimer USA LLC, Eastern Fish Company, Red Shell Sushi, Shinkei Systems Corp and True World Foods.

Those interested in Council membership and in attending the Council’s SENA events can contact NFI Sushi Council Liaison Richard Barry, rbarry@nfi.org.

On the Russian front

January 26, 2024 — Dealing with Russian fisheries as the war in Ukraine drags on, on Jan. 16, Trident Seafoods announced its decision to terminate its longstanding relationship with the National Fisheries Institute (NFI). While acknowledging their history with NFI, Trident stated in its press release that it had reached a crossroads with NFI on two issues: Trident accused NFI of a lack of neutrality and transparency and mentioned it could not support NFI advocating for the presence of Russian seafood in the US market.

“NFI’s decision to advocate for the continued presence of Russian-harvested seafood in the U.S. market runs counter to national and international efforts to restrict Russia’s ability to prosecute its war against Ukraine, ignores the broad and bipartisan support in Congress for the Administration’s actions, favors keeping U.S. consumers in the dark about their seafood choices, and supports importers of Russian-harvested seafood processed in China over a fair and competitive business climate and the long-term health of the U.S. seafood supply chain,” says the Trident press release.

As Trident takes a bold stand on allowing Russian fish into the U.S., Russian politicians and bloggers are advocating a takeover of Alaska. On Jan. 19, the Russian news agency Tass reported that Vladimir Putin had signed a decree that “will allocate funds for an effort to find, register and ensure legal protection of Russia’s property abroad, including property of the Soviet Union and the Russian Empire.”

Read the full article at National Fisherman

Trident drops out of National Fisheries Institute over Russian fish ban

January 21, 2024 — Trident Seafoods has terminated its membership in the National Fisheries Institute – the largest seafood industry trade group in the U.S. – and ended its participation in NFI’s Executive Committee.

In a Jan. 17 statement, Trident said the decision was in response to a disagreement with NFI on the latter organization’s desire for the U.S. to import Russia-sourced seafood.

“Trident has been a proud member of NFI since 1978, and the decision to change our membership status is not one we take lightly. Unfortunately, Trident has hit a crossroads with NFI as it relates to two important areas,” Trident said. “NFI did not stay neutral on a significant public policy disagreement within its membership and made no effort to address opposing views clearly and transparently, contrary to well-established rules of the road for trade associations.”

The U.S. seafood industry has been split in its reaction to U.S. President Joe Biden’s effort to ban Russian seafood through two executive orders – the second of which, issued Dec. 22, includes imports of Russia-originated seafood processed in third countries, including China.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

National Fisheries Institute Sets Membership Record

November 16, 2023 — The following was released by National Fisheries Institute:

America’s largest seafood trade association continues to grow.  With 22 new members in just the last 12 months, NFI illustrates why it’s known as the leading voice of the seafood industry.

 
Just over two decades ago the trade association made fundamental changes to its governance, board of directors, and membership structure. While membership has been strong even through COVID,  this is the largest new member enrollment since those changes. Why now?
 
“These are challenging times for the industry. More and more seafood leaders see the benefit of working together to solve issues. Companies choose to invest in NFI for a whole host of reasons,” said Gerrie Thomas, Vice President for Membership & Training. “Some companies need help with specific regulatory issues, communications, or policy matters. While others see clear value in precompetitive collaboration and want to work towards common industry goals. We celebrate this commitment to NFI.”
 
NFI invites new members to get involved immediately, whether that means attending meetings, or taking on a leadership role in the association.
 
“21st century NFI is not your grandfather’s organization,” said Rob Hallion of Crocker and Winsor, Chair of NFI’s Membership Committee. “The core tenets and essential industry advocacy pillars are, of course, in place but this is an organization that’s helping its members react to things that are happening today while at the same time prepare for five years down the road.”
 
The latest group of members come from every corner of the industry including wholesalers, distributors, restaurants, biotechnology, and finance. And there’s been an increase in digital logistics, software, and technology companies who are supporting the industry via training and sponsorships.
 
“We are committed to working for our member companies and being their go-to resource,” said NFI President and CEO Lisa Wallenda Picard. “Our goal is to be a genuine extension of their business. We’re humbled by the trust they put in us and delighted to be part of their team and family. If you are thinking that NFI might be able to help your business, come to the Global Seafood Market Conference (GSMC) and let’s chat.”
 
NFI committees and councils will next meet at GSMC in Orlando, January 21-25.

National Fisheries Institute Announces New Additions to its Board of Directors

November 13, 2023 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The National Fisheries Institute’s (NFI) members approved a new slate of Directors of the Board at its Annual Membership Meeting.

 
NFI’s bylaws allow for a 51-person Board, with 45 at-large Directors. There is an 18-person Executive Committee drawn from the Board and six officers. NFI elects a new slate of board members annually to serve three-year terms.
 
“This Board consists of some of the most focused, engaged, thought leaders the seafood community has to offer,” said NFI President and CEO Lisa Wallenda Picard. “The guidance and commitment to the industry provided by the NFI Board of Directors has impressed me since my first day on the job. I’m so pleased to welcome these new voices and perspectives to the table.”
 
The newly elected Board members as well as Executive Committee members in italics are as follow:
 
Michael
Davis
PanaPesca USA
President
Bret
Scholtes
Cooke Aquaculture
Chief Operating Officer
Eric
Bloom
Eastern Fish Company
President
Paul 
Doremus
Trident Seafoods
Vice President
Soren
Dalsager
Stavis Seafoods
Chief Executive Officer
Christine
Ngo
H & N Group
President
Colin
Dresser
Sea Port Products
National Sales Representative
Jason
Driskill
HEB
Vice President, Seafood
Rob
Hallion
Crocker Winsor
President
Sarah
Hayes
Maritime Products
Vice President, Sales & Development
R. Isaak
Hurst
International Maritime Group
Owner
Jamie
Marshall
AZ Gems
Executive Vice President, Sales
Jordan
Mazzetta
Eddie M’s
Chief Executive Officer
Matt
Mixter
Hofseth
Chief Executive Officer/Partner
Stephanie
Pazzaglia
J.J. McDonnell
Manager, Business Development
 
Justin Conrad, President of Bay Hill Seafood, joins the officer’s group as Secretary.

Americans consumed a record amount of seafood in 2021

June 7, 2023 — National Fisheries Institute’s (NFI) recently released top 10 list of seafood consumption in 2021 indicates Americans consumed a record 20.5 pounds of seafood per capita – a 1.5 pound increase over 2020.

The increase followed a slight decrease in consumption in 2020, when Americans consumed 19 pounds of seafood – down slightly from the 19.3-pound average tallied in 2019. Both 2020 and 2021 were heavily influenced by the residual impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

National Fisheries Institute Statement on the Food and Drug Administration’s Strategy to Ensure the Safety of Imported Seafood

March 22, 2023 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) newly released report, “Activities for the Safety of Imported Seafood,” illustrates a continued commitment to seafood safety. The report outlines a comprehensive approach that takes advantage of “smarter, more efficient technologies and processes” to enhance an already effective system.

FDA’s work doesn’t simply rely on optimized inspections, it strengthens surveillance, improves predictive analytics, and even includes a pilot program using artificial intelligence.  In fact, the bulk of the agency’s work is focused on prevention. Imported seafood is required to meet the same safety standards as seafood produced in this country and this work demonstrates how that is achieved.

This report shows FDA understands food safety needs are ever evolving and its work to meet those challenges is too.

 

Lisa Wallenda Picard

President & CEO

National Fisheries Institute Crab Council Statement on the Passing of Dr. Abdul Ghofar

March 15, 2023 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

Dr. Abdul Ghofar was an accomplished fisheries biologist whose contribution to global Blue Swimming Crab work was renowned. He was a tireless advocate for science and sustainability, but he was far more than that for the NFI Crab Council. He was our advisor, our guide, and he was our friend.

Dr. Ghofar had a gentle way, a kind heart, and a commitment to do the right thing. His thirst for knowledge drove him as a scientist and as an author, but his insistence on finding ways to apply research to real-world applications made him stand out. His vision and practicality combined to form an ideal envoy who, for nearly a decade, coordinated effortlessly between industry-led initiatives, scientific research, and crab harvesting communities.

Aside from his impactful work and clear fisheries legacy, Dr. Abdul Ghofar was quietly generous in ways many will never know. The NFI Crab Council salutes not only his work but his spirit.

National Fisheries Institute Statement on the Food and Drug Administration’s Draft Labeling Guidance

February 24, 2023 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) newly issued draft guidance to help ensure appropriate labeling of plant-based beverages, marketed as milk alternatives, is a solid step in the right direction for regulators and consumers.  Highly processed, plant-based products masquerading as seafood for too long have contributed to consumer confusion and openly flouted existing regulations. Guidance for these products should mirror those now under consideration for “milk” products.

 
In the case of “milk,” FDA explains that use of the term “plant-based” does not exempt the producer from describing the actual plant source as part of the product name. This is in lockstep with prevailing policies on Statement of Identity. The guidance further affirms labels that promote things solely as “vegan shrimp” or “plant-based fish alternatives” do not accurately provide American consumers and families with the labeling information they need to make buying decisions.
 
What’s more, simply adding “fish-less” or “fish-free” would be a further violation of the labeling principles outlined in this guidance. FDA writes, “the term ‘dairy-free milk’ is not an adequate name for any plant-based milk alternative.”
 
We look forward to FDA releasing draft guidance for plant-based seafood alternatives that aligns with the structure it has applied to milk in this draft guidance. Enforcing long-standing regulations and preventing consumer confusion is of paramount importance.
 
Lisa Wallenda Picard
President & CEO

We Did Consumer Reports Work for Them

February 9, 2023 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

When we challenged reporter, Lauren Kirchner and her team at Consumer Reports, to release all their mercury-in-canned-tuna testing data and put it in perspective with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “action level” and “level of concern,” we thought it was a pretty simple request. Apparently, it wasn’t because rather than a full clarification of the facts we got… nothing but crickets.

So, in order to help folks understand exactly what Consumer Reports found we were able to piece together the raw data from 19 of the 30 tests conducted as part of its How Worried Should You Be About Mercury in Your Tuna? article. The results are below and speak for themselves.

Read the full release at National Fisheries Institute