Aquamar CEO to Headline Alaska Pollock Annual Event in September

 

Daryl Gormley, Aquamar’s visionary Chief Executive Officer, will address the audience about the future of surimi seafood in the U.S. and beyond at the upcoming Wild Alaska Pollock Annual Meeting on September 18, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced today. Gormley, who has been instrumental in Aquamar’s recent growth, will look to explore with meeting attendees how the seafood industry needs to change how consumers view and consume seafood—including surimi.

“We’ve seen trends like surimi seafood ‘crab’ boil mukbang and cucumber surimi seafood salad go viral this year and drive huge awareness and consumption of Wild Alaska Pollock surimi seafood here in the U.S.,” said Craig Morris, GAPP Chief Executive Officer. “No one has capitalized on those trends in surimi seafood more than Aquamar and their proprietary insights into the future of surimi—and seafood—consumption are stellar. I know that Daryl is going to push our audience to think differently about surimi seafood sales and marketing.”

Aquamar is a leading seafood processor based in California with a heritage in surimi for California roll, serving as the gateway for the explosive growth of sushi. Building on that history of innovation, Aquamar is pivoting to curate authentic seafood experiences with convenience solutions to enable consumers and restaurant patrons to eat more seafood. Prior to Aquamar, Gormley held a series of leadership positions at companies including Sara Lee, Kraft, Frito-Lay, Grande Cheese, Weston Foods, and Wismettac Asian Foods.

“Daryl brings a wealth of knowledge about food in general and that knowledge has made him a true visionary leader for this industry,” said Morris. “I’ve long felt there are a lot of lessons that the seafood industry can take from other commodities and I’m eager to hear Daryl’s take on the industry and what’s he’s picked up throughout his distinguished career in the food industry that can better position surimi for the future.”

Earlier in the day, GAPP’s Director, Industry Relations, Partnerships & Fishery Analysis, Ron Rogness, will once again give a Wild Alaska Pollock Fishery and Trade Update that provides comprehensive analysis of the fillet, surimi and roe markets globally and the state of the fishery.

In addition to Aquamar, other GAPP Partners will provide updates on their Partnership Program successes and learnings, including several past global partners from South America and Japan. The new class of GAPP’s Partnership Program participants will also be announced.

The W Hotel in downtown Seattle will play host to the annual meeting for the second consecutive year. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m., with an evening networking reception to immediately follow. Full registration and discounted lodging information is available here for those wishing to attend the Wild Alaska Pollock Annual Meeting. GAPP's annual meeting is exclusively for those connected to the Wild Alaska Pollock industry, and registration is subject to GAPP approval.

For guests traveling to Seattle for the meeting, meeting attendees can enjoy a 7% discount on Alaska Airlines for flights to and from Seattle. Please reach out to GAPP directly at [email protected] to receive your discount flight code.

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); Beck Pack Systems, Glacier Fish Company, Global Seafood Alliance, Gorton’s Seafood, Marine Stewardship Council, and NORPEL (Silver); Alaska Airlines, APICDA, Golden Alaska Seafoods, Highland Refrigeration, Industrial Resources, Inc., Islandsbanki, King & Prince Seafood, and Restaurant Depot (Bronze); and Alaska Observers, Inc., Angulas Aguinaga and Blueprint Alaska Advocacy & Strategy, IMA Corporation, and Trans-Ocean Products (Supporting). Sponsorships are still available at all levels besides Title. Please reach out to Craig Morris at [email protected] if you are interested in sponsoring this prestigious event.