The Marine Stewardship Council on Monday announced it named Kerry Coughlin as regional director for its Americas office in Seattle.
Coughlin, who’s currently serving as MSC America’s communications director, will begin her new job on 1 December.
In her new position, Coughlin will have overall responsibility for managing the growth and success of the MSC’s sustainable fisheries certification and marketing program in the Americas, as well as oversight of MSC operations in the region. She will also serve as a member of MSC’s global senior management team and will participate in the organization’s management and strategic development worldwide.
“We are delighted to have appointed Kerry as MSC’s new regional director for the Americas. Building on the solid progress of the last two years Kerry will now lead our America’s team into the next phase of growth and development for this strategically important market,” said MSC CEO Rupert Howes. “She brings strong business, government and non-profit management experience to her new role, has established relationships with industry and other stakeholders, and has played a key role in the growth of the MSC in the Americas over the past two years.”
Prior to joining MSC, Coughlin ran her own consulting practice and served as communications director on the senior team for Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire. Previously, she led corporate communications at The Seattle Times Co. She also has merchant marine training, two years at sea and a stint in the Alaska seafood industry.
“I’m excited by the spectrum of work being done across a number of sectors to ensure healthy oceans and a viable wild-capture fishing industry into the future,” Coughlin said. “I look forward in my new position to further helping strengthen and broaden the role that MSC Americas, our global organization and our partners worldwide play in that effort. We have much more progress to make, and I’m greatly encouraged by indications that together we are having an impact on sustainability of our seafood supply.”
Collectively, there are more than 150 fisheries engaged in the London-based MSC program worldwide, with 59 certified, more than 100 under in full assessment and another 40 to 50 fisheries in confidential pre-assessment. Last week, the Dutch Fisheries Organization’s Dover sole gillnet harvest became the latest fishery to earn MSC certification.
