The Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions, a consortium of 42 seafood-focused conservation groups, has named Mariah Boyle as its executive director.
Previously, Boyle worked for 10 as the leader of the traceability division at FishWise, a Santa Cruz, California-based nonprofit sustainable seafood consultancy.
“During her tenure at FishWise, she proved herself a visionary as she designed, staffed, and implemented novel programs with retail market leaders such as Albertsons Companies, Hy-Vee, and Target,” CASS said in a press release.
At CASS, Boyle will work with nonprofits and conservation groups with partnerships with business that represent more than 80 percent of the North American grocery and institutional foodservice markets. CASS has the mission of accelerating and increasing “the overall collective impact of our community’s efforts to mobilize change in the seafood industry.”
“The Conservation Alliance is a community of groups that believe seafood is a powerful driver of change for ocean biodiversity and livelihoods,” it said in its 2020-2024 strategic plan. “That's why we are aligning around an ambitious goal: That by 2030, 75 percent of the global seafood supply chain be environmentally sustainable and socially responsible, or taking verifiable strides toward these targets.”
Jack Kittinger, senior director of global fisheries and aquaculture at Conservation International and a CASS board member, called the goal “aspirational.”
“Over the past decade, Mariah’s tireless work in this community has demonstrated her talent for building communities and forecasting sector-wide trends,” Kittinger said. “Her specialized set of skills uniquely position her to be the bold and savvy leader the Alliance needs right now as we look to do more, faster.”
Boyle said she would focus on improving alignment and collaboration both internationally and externally in her new position.
“I am looking forward to building upon my experience working on sustainable seafood, traceability, and social responsibility in this new role,” Boyle said. “After 10 years of work, the alliance has reflected on its past efforts and many successes and is reaffirming its vision for sustainable seafood. This vision includes socially responsible practices and long-term financial viability for seafood that is also environmentally sustainable. I am excited about the opportunity to innovate and find ways to achieve this vision quickly, partnering with those that have been working on sustainable seafood for many years, and those new to the community.”
Photo courtesy of Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions
