Editor’s note: SeaFood Business Associate Editor James Wright and SeafoodSource Contributing Editor Lindsey Partos are in Paris this week covering the Seafood Choices Alliance Seafood Summit.
Nine individuals or companies were nominated on Sunday as finalists for Seafood Choices Alliance’s (SCA) annual Seafood Champions Awards, given annually to those who demonstrate outstanding leadership in promoting environmentally responsible seafood.
The announcement came at the SCA Seafood Summit; about 630 attendees from 47 countries are gathered in Paris for the three-day event.
“The annual Seafood Champion awards honor those who have made significant strides in improving practices and awareness of responsibly produced seafood,” said Melanie Siggs, VP of sustainable markets for SeaWeb, parent organization of SCA.
“On behalf of those who nominated them and the panel of independent judges, Seafood Choices is delighted to recognize these 10 finalists for their significant efforts to ensure responsibility is at the forefront of their activities and businesses,” said Siggs. “Change is an ongoing process, and even those recognized today will have to continue to bravely push forward. However, their demonstrable commitment can help inspire us all.”
The list of finalists is as follows:
• Howard Johnson, buyer’s liaison, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership of Seattle: Johnson, who has nearly four decades of experience working in many facets of the seafood industry, also sits on the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch advisory board. “It is with a great deal of satisfaction that I see so many major seafood companies now recognizing the importance of sustainability within their supply chain,” said Johnson. “The recognition of my contribution in this effort is most gratifying.”
• Helene York, director of Bon Appetit Management Co. Foundation, Palo Alto, Calif.: York has led the 400-unit foodservice company’s sustainability efforts, including its innovative Low Carbon Diet initiative. “Being a Seafood Champion finalist means I will continue to push the food industry to make truly sustainable seafood sourcing a non-negotiable priority that is traceable through every link in the chain,” said York.
• WiLDCOAST/COSTASALVjE, an organization that preserves coastal ecosystems and wildlife in the Californias and Latin America
• KLM Inflight Services, based at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport
• Pollock Conservation Cooperative, a private-sector initiative by the Bering Sea catcher-processor fleet
• Overwaitea Food Group, a retailer based in Langley, British Columbia, Canada
• CeDePesca of Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Anova Seafood Bv of the Netherlands
• Réseau des Journalistes pour une pêche responsable en Afrique de l'Ouest (REJOPRAO), West Africa
• UK retailer The Co-operative
“As a major retailer, The Co-operative takes its responsibility to source seafood from responsible and sustainable sources very seriously, and so we are delighted that our work in this important area has been recognized by being named as a finalist for the Seafood Champion Award,” said Sean Toal, commercial director for The Co-operative Food. “This is a high-caliber worldwide award, and so to reach this stage is a tremendous achievement and one we are very proud of.”
Also, Siggs announced earlier on Sunday that the 2011 Seafood Summit will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Dates are yet to be determined.
