Saving Seafood

Two New Members of Seafood Nutrition Partnership’s Renowned Scientific Nutrition Advisory Council Bring Unique Expertise in Key Research Areas

March 28, 2022 —The following was released by the Seafood Nutrition Partnership:

The Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP) welcomes Martin-Paul Agbaga, PhD and Maya Maroto, EdD, MPH, RDN as the newest members of its Scientific Nutrition Advisory Council (SNAC). The 16-member Science Council, formed in 2013, is composed of the world’s leading researchers united passionately around seafood as critical for the health of all Americans. Agbaga is a leading researcher in the role of omega-3 fatty acids in maintaining retinal structure and function. Maroto brings a strong nutrition education and public policy background with dedication to providing equitable access to nutritious food.

“We’re excited to have Dr. Agbaga and Dr. Maroto join the Science Council, bringing thought leadership and experience in eye health, food equity and nutrition policy to the team,” said Tom Brenna, PhD, chair of the SNP SNAC and a leading omega-3 researcher. “The strong seafood science produced by the SNAC is a foundation on which the uniquely healthy aspects of the seafood story can be built.”

Monument Advocacy Leading America’s Seafood Campaign

March 7, 2022 — The following was released by America’s Seafood Campaign:

The Seafood Nutrition Partnership and the National Seafood Council Task Force have hired Monument Advocacy to lead America’s Seafood Campaign – its effort to secure Congressional funding for a national seafood marketing campaign. Monument is a Washington, D.C.-based government relations and public affairs firm, specializing in achieving advocacy through compelling stories.

Seafood is an essential industry for local economies, not only along the coasts, but throughout the country. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the industry hard, with frontline workers such as fishers, farmers, retailers, and processors bearing the brunt of the economic impact. America’s Seafood Campaign will provide a platform for these seafood workers to tell their stories to policymakers and educate Washington on the vital benefits of seafood.

Their testimonials and information on the benefits of seafood are available at seafoodcampaign.org, which also includes a platform for advocates to take action in support of the campaign. To date, nearly 200 seafood workers and supporters from 37 states have joined the campaign, and more than 100 have participated in the campaign’s first ask – signing onto letters to Congress, which speak to the importance of the industry to their communities, public health, and the environment.

“This campaign will focus on how essential the seafood industry is to jobs and the economies of Congressional members’ home states and districts,” explains Campaign Director Matt McAlvanah. “It will be a campaign about the positive community, health and environmental impact of seafood. Particularly as the industry works to stabilize after COVID, we are optimistic that a campaign that has united leading seafood companies and non-profits will find support on the Hill.”

As the appropriations process for FY23 progresses during the Spring and Summer, America’s Seafood Campaign will continue to connect its advocates with key Members and delegations through meetings with Congressional offices, video testimonials, op-eds, Member visits, and more. Ultimately, the coalition aims to secure $25 million per year over five years for the marketing campaign, which will focus on educating the public on the economic, health and environmental benefits of seafood. With that information top-of-mind for consumers, the campaign should help the industry rebound for the foreseeable future, and firmly establish seafood as a staple in Americans’ diets.

Learn More in Boston, Seafood Expo North America

  • America’s Seafood Campaign will be on the expo floor at Booth 908 at the Seafood Expo North America (SENA) in Boston, March 13-15.
  • The Task Force will be conducting a town hall official SENA session, “Unite the Industry & Creation of a National Seafood Marketing Campaign” on Monday, March 14 at 1:30.

Eat Seafood America! marketing campaign pilot reports 800 percent return on investment

January 10, 2022 — The Eat Seafood America! marketing campaign, launched by the Seafood Nutrition Partnership and the Seafood4Health Coalition in 2020, has achieved an 800 percent return on investment, according to SNP.

The campaign, which was launched as a rapid response to the COVID-19 public health crisis with the dual goals of helping Americans stay healthy and boosting the U.S. seafood sector, was already shown to have increased seafood consumption in the U.S. The campaign reached four million households and “outperformed benchmark campaigns,” with every dollar spent on campaign ads resulting in a USD 9.00 (EUR 7.95) increase in seafood purchases, according to SNP.

Read the full story at SeafoodSource

 

National Seafood Council launches scholarship program

July 20, 2021 — The National Seafood Council Task Force launched a scholarship program in order to engage more small- and medium-sized seafood businesses in participating in developing a national seafood marketing and education program.

The task force is seeking nominations for seafood business leaders whose annual company revenue is less than USD 20 million (EUR 17 million), in order to be representative of the entire seafood supply chain, Seafood Nutrition Partnership said in a press release.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Scholarship Program Opened Today for National Seafood Council Task Force

July 16, 2021 — The following was released by the Seafood Nutrition Partnership:

The National Seafood Council Task Force, with the support from the Walton Family Foundation, is announcing the launch of a scholarship program to open up more opportunities for small- and medium-sized seafood businesses to participate in this important initiative to develop a holistic consumer marketing and education campaign. To be representative of the entire seafood supply chain, the Task Force is seeking nominations for seafood business leaders whose annual company revenue is less than $20 million.

Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP) is incubating the National Seafood Council (NSC) and launched the National Seafood Council Task Force in April 2020 to provide advice and input into the formation of a NSC. As recommended by NOAA’s MAFAC, an industry-led, federally-supported NSC will help build a more resilient seafood sector, improve public health, and foster a healthier planet. The NSC will establish one unified voice for the seafood industry at a time when it is needed most.

More than 60 seafood organizations ask Congress to resurrect National Seafood Council

May 5, 2021 — More than 60 leading seafood organizations have signed a letter to congress to support appropriations to resurrect the National Seafood Council in the United States.

The letter has been delivered to members of Congress, with a request that appropriations  be made to support a national seafood marketing campaign, as recommended by NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Council (MAFAC). The initial request is for USD 25 million (EUR 20.8 million) to fund the marketing efforts, according to the Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP).

Read the full story at Seafood Source

60+ Leading Seafood Orgs Support National Seafood Campaign

May 5, 2021 — The following was released by the Seafood Nutrition Partnership:

More than 60 leading organizations in the nation’s diverse seafood community sent a letter to Congress today to support a comprehensive, nationwide seafood marketing and public education campaign as recommended by NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Council (MAFAC) in July 2020.

Seafood is the healthiest, most environmentally sustainable form of animal protein production on the planet, but Americans are not eating nearly enough for optimal health as outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. An unprecedented public education campaign, with initial support from the federal government, is needed to inspire a shift in consumer behavior and to measurably increase American seafood consumption from the current 16 lbs. to 26 lbs. per capita, which is the recommended two servings per week. To support this campaign, the letter to Congress requests an initial appropriation for $25 million.

The full press release is available online, along with the letters sent to the House and Senate.

SNP Announces New Board Leadership, New Member from H-E-B

January 11, 2021 — The following was released by the Seafood Nutrition Partnership:

Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP) is pleased to announce new leadership of its Board of Directors with the appointment of Jim Motos of Rich Products Corp. as the Chair of the Board and Paul Doremus of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the Vice Chair. Steve Hart of Global Aquaculture Alliance will move to Immediate Past Chair and Judson Reis, formerly of Gorton’s Inc., will remain as Treasurer. The Board welcomes Jason Driskill, Senior Director of Seafood for Texas-based retailer H-E-B.

Full press release can be found here 

New Dietary Guidelines Recommends Moms & Kids Eat More Seafood for Brain Health

December 29, 2020 — The following was released by the Seafood Nutrition Partnership:

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 was unveiled today. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) provide science-based advice on what to eat and drink to promote health, reduce risk of chronic disease, and meet nutrient needs. This ninth edition is the first time guidance is given for infants and toddlers under age 2, and the recommendations are that seafood is important for children’s brain development.

“Seafood intake during pregnancy is recommended, as it is associated with favorable measures of cognitive development in young children.” Starting at about 6 months of age, the DGA says to introduce iron- and zinc-rich foods, such as fish and shellfish. Seafood is an important source of “iron, zinc, protein, choline, and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids … needed for the rapid brain development that occurs through the infant’s first 2 years of life,” states the DGA. “Some types of fish such as salmon and trout are also natural sources of vitamin D.”

This follows the findings from the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report, released in July 2020, that emphasized the need for women before, during and after pregnancy, and children beginning at 6 months of age to eat more seafood.

For the women and the general public, the seafood consumption recommendations remain the same as from the previous DGA 2015-2020 of 8 to 12 ounces per week, now based on daily caloric intake.

Read the full release here