Acting Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Commends Alaska Pollock Industry Responsibility, Sustainability at Annual Meeting

 

SEATTLE, Wash.— Acting Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Eugenio Piñeiro Soler spoke highly of the Alaska Pollock fishery and emphasized the Administration’s commitment to supporting Alaska, and U.S. fisheries, so that they fully thrive. During the Wild Alaska Pollock Annual Meeting that brought together nearly three hundred attendees,  Mr. Piñeiro Soler specifically noted the Agency’s work to reduce regulatory burdens, eliminate unfair global competition and support sound science decision-making and fisheries management.

“This Administration is all for the American industry, American fisheries and I am here to serve you,” began Mr. Piñeiro Soler during his remarks. “There is no bigger contributor to seafood production than Alaska. We intend to keep it that way and give every one of you all the opportunities we can.”

Mr. Piñeiro Soler noted that among the biggest challenges facing the Alaska seafood, and U.S. seafood sectors more broadly, is unfair competition by foreign actors like Russia. He noted that it’s a reality that must be dealt with and that the Administration “doesn’t take it lightly.”

“President Trump wants to restore seafood competitiveness. With our vast natural resources and with the hard work from our fishermen, we have the greatest seafood in the world,” said Mr. Piñeiro Soler.

Joined later for a panel discussion by NOAA Alaska Regional Administrator Jon Kurland, both Piñeiro Soler and Kurland commended the industry for both its responsibility and sustainability. They also recognized its recent efforts to share that story in the communities where the fishery operates.

“This fishery is sustainably managed. There is very little bycatch, there is very little marine mammal and ecosystem interaction,” said Kurland. “I am fully supportive of the industry telling that story and stepping up through the Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance. I encourage continued efforts from the industry—you’ve got a great story to tell, so let’s tell it.”

Both Kurland and Piñeiro Soler emphasized NOAA’s commitment to helping to amplify that message as well. They stressed that NOAA is dedicated to sharing data and providing the analysis necessary for fishery management decisions.

“The Alaska Pollock fishery has done a marvelous job. You are on the right track; NOAA will support your fishermen better than we have in the past,” added Piñeiro Soler.

GAPP would like to thank its generous sponsors for this year’s event: USI Insurance Services (Title); Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Aquamar, Global Seas, and Port of Seattle (Gold); AgWest Farm Credit Services, American Seafoods, Arctic Storm Management Group, Beck Pack Systems, Delta Western Petroleum, Glacier Fish Company, Global Seafood Alliance, Gorton’s Seafood, Marine Stewardship Council, NORPEL, Pacific Seafood, Trident Seafoods, UniSea, Westward Fishing Company, and Westward Seafoods, (Silver); Alaska Airlines, APICDA, Clark Nuber, Golden Alaska Seafoods, Highland Refrigeration, Holland America Line, Industrial Resources, Inc., Islandsbanki, iTUB, KAPP, Key Bank, King & Prince Seafood, Lynden, NSEDC, Phoenix Processor Limited Partnership, and Restaurant Depot (Bronze); Alaskan Observers, Inc., Angulas Aguinaga, BAADER, Bank of America, Blueprint Alaska Advocacy & Strategy, Boyce Food Safety Consulting, Certified Seafood International, IMA Corporation, Rabobank, Seamark, and Trans-Ocean Products (Supporting).