Major seafood supplier Chicken of the Sea International has moved its North American headquarters from San Diego, California to El Segundo, California, the company announced on 2 May, World Tuna Day.
About 150 employees were involved in Chicken of the Sea’s relocation effort to El Segundo, the company said in a press release. The move established a North American headquarters for Thai Union Group, which owns Chicken of the Sea and is considered the world’s largest producer of shelf-stable tuna products, with annual sales surpassing USD 3.7 billion (EUR 3.1 billion).
Chicken of the Sea hasn’t wasted any time settling into its new home, according recent bulletins from the business. The company has already established a formal allegiance with one of its new neighbors, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (CMA) – located in nearby San Pedro – as a means to educate South Bay teachers, students, and the public about the importance of marine stewardship and ocean-based sustainability.
The year-long collaboration will see Chicken of the Sea and CMA hosting various lectures, workshops, events, and activities aimed at teaching the local community about marine and ocean health. The terms of the agreement play to both parties’ strengths, the partners said.
“The Chicken of the Sea’s North American headquarters is new to South Bay, but we’ve been engaged in the fight for ocean-based sustainability for many years,” said Roxanne Nanninga, North America Sustainability Director for Chicken of the Sea, who announced the venture on 2 May. “Since the best results happen when educators, students and the public can engage at the community level, we knew we wanted to join forces with a partner that is already involved locally.”
“As the South Bay leader in marine science education, aquaculture research and community recreation since 1935, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is the perfect fit with Chicken of the Sea’s long-term sustainability mission and programs,” Nanninga added. “We’re excited to work with Cabrillo toward a common goal based on a mutual appreciation for the ocean.”
Per the agreement, Chicken of the Sea will be the presenting sponsor of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Lecture Series, a schedule of six annual lectures covering topics in marine biology and ocean sustainability. The series will begin on 3 August, with a presentation from Ted Cranford, adjunct professor of research at San Diego State University, who will speak to: “That’s Impossible!” Cetacean Heads are Vibroacoustic Antennas.”
CMA and Chicken of the Sea will also work together “to create sustainability-focused lesson plans prior to co-hosting a teachers’ workshop at the Aquarium in Fall 2019,” the supplier said. Chicken of the Sea products certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) will be featured in Ocean Discovery Kits given to participating educators from the El Segundo, Los Angeles, and other participating school districts in California.
Sustainable seafood recipe tastings hosted by Chicken of the Sea, as well as presentations at Friends of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Grand Grunion Gala on 5 May and from 6 to 7 October at the Sustainable Seafood Expo, will also come to pass courtesy of the partnership.
“Chicken of the Sea will also use the alliance with Cabrillo Marine Aquarium to launch future participatory partnerships with local schools, which will be announced at a future date,” the company said.
Chicken of the Sea will become a Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Corporate Circle Bronze partner and sponsor both existing and new CMA programs under the umbrella of Sea Change, it said.
