New Bedford, Massachusetts, now has its own seafood branding campaign, which is expected to boost consumption of local seafood.
Ed Anthes-Washburn, director of the Port of New Bedford, said the campaign is designed to help the city compete with other national campaigns, such as those launched to promote Maine lobster and Alaskan salmon.
“Outside of our region, not enough people know how important New Bedford and our fishing industry are to providing sustainable, fresh, delicious fish to buyers and consumers everywhere,” Anthes-Washburn said. “The fishing industry and our waterfront are the cultural and economic center of our region. We think it’s important to showcase New Bedford’s seafood at the same level as other brands like Alaskan salmon or Maine lobster.”
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and Harbor Development Commission (HDC) officials unveiled the New Bedford Seafood brand at the Seafood Throwdown last week.
“As America’s top grossing commercial fishing port and largest seafood processing center, New Bedford can rightfully claim the title of America’s Seafood Capital. But we need to do a better job proclaiming our status to the rest of the world, and that’s where this campaign comes in,” Mitchell said.
The new branding campaign includes a logo featuring the western-rig fishing vessel – the backbone of the Port of New Bedford’s commercial fishing industry. It also includes a new website, www.newbedfordseafood.org, allowing both domestic and international buyers to browse New Bedford’s seafood industry online. The site features around 50 different seafood suppliers, including Atlantic Gem Scallop Co., American Seafoods International, Cape Quality, Mariner Seafood and Sea Born.
Continuing with an ongoing campaign in New Bedford, the HDC will work with local restaurants and fish markets to identify locally-landed fish and seafood for area residents in an effort to popularize underutilized species.
“Wild-caught seafood landed in New Bedford is among the last wild protein available to consumers,” Anthes-Washburn said. “It’s healthy, sustainably managed, and by purchasing it you’re supporting local fishermen that reinvest in our communities.”
