Sean O’Scannlain, Fortune Fish & Gourmet president and CEO, has been named chairman of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), replacing outgoing Chair Chris Lischewski.
A 22-year veteran of the seafood industry, O’Scannlain has been a member of NFI since 2002. He has served in a variety of executive positions, including vice chairman, treasurer, and chairman of FishPAC, NFI’s political action committee.
In his new role, O’Scannlain will focus on seafood nutrition education, promoting domestic aquaculture opportunities, reducing seafood fraud, marketplace labeling and working closely with legislators and regulators on strategic seafood issues.
“It’s important that we get the word out about American’s omega-3 deficiency,” he said. “Our government’s own dietary guidelines tell you — American’s simply do not eat enough seafood. When people are eating more than 100 pounds of red meat per capita annually, 48 pounds of chicken and less than 15 pounds of seafood, there’s a real imbalance there.”
O’Scannlain has also identified aquaculture as a growing area of importance for NFI and its members. Promoting domestically-raised seafood will be a priority.
“Wild fisheries have been well-managed, but they are not an area for growth. Growth will need to come from the aquaculture sector, especially domestic sources, and I want to do what I can to promote it as a great source of high quality seafood,” he said.
