The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) has already doled out around USD 1.3 million (EUR 1.2 million) this year to market Alaska pollock products, and now the organization is soliciting bids for recipients of its remaining USD 1.7 million (EUR 1.5 million) in funding.
GAPP’s Board of Directors is especially interested in proposals that feature wild Alaska pollock surimi or roe as part of the GAPP North American Partnership Program. However, it will also Alaska consider pollock fillet products.
GAPP is also holding its first industry-wide meeting on 29 October in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
Applications for GAPP’s third round of funding under the program are due to GAPP 1 October, and applicants will be notified on the outcome of their application no later than 15 December.
“The board is seeking truly innovative proposals that highlight our amazing fish in new and exciting ways – or bring it to new consumers who have never before tasted our perfect protein,” GAPP CEO Craig Morris said in a press release.
As part of GAPP’s funding program, each partner brings equal or greater funds to the table, meaning that for every dollar of GAPP investment, there is at least a one-to-one – and in most cases greater – investment in bringing wild Alaska pollock to market in new forms or channels, or to new consumers, the organization said.
“We’re looking for companies with a passion for wild Alaska pollock who need resources to put our amazing protein, in all of its forms – from fillet to surimi to even wild Alaska pollock roe – in front of new customers and consumers in new ways,” Morris said. “We’re also looking for companies with a collaborative spirit, who are looking to share learnings and, proverbially speaking, raise all boats in terms of building demand and awareness for the incredible wild Alaska pollock.”
GAPP is planning on hosting its first wild Alaska pollock industry-wide annual meeting on 29 October. The event will take place at the World Trade Center in Seattle and will be free to the industry. Speakers at the event will provide updates on the state of the fishery, GAPP initiatives and projects, and how overall awareness and demand is being built around Alaska pollock domestically and abroad.
“There has never been a more exciting time for this fish and it’s time that the entire industry came together to celebrate, collaborate, and continue to build momentum for our perfect protein in the global marketplace today,” Morris said.
