National Fisherman November 2021

Page 8

ON DECK

Northern Lights VIEWS FROM ALASKA

Sea the world

ASMI

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute’s All Hands on Deck meeting will be hosted virtually from Juneau, Nov. 9-11.

By Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer

e recognize that responsible seafood sourcing has both environmental and social implications, and it’s important that we find transparency in our seafood supply chain. What a time it’s been, these past 20 months.We have seen every sector of society turned upside down and inside out. We have adapted and overcome many of these challenges, and still look forward to the future as optimistically as possible. Part of that optimism is demonstrated by getting back to business together and looking ahead to the future. Every year the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute holds its annual All Hands on Deck meeting, a three-daylong public conference bringing together all ASMI staff, contractors and seafood experts to present and discuss current marketing efforts, as well as strategies and challenges facing the industry, with the ASMI Board of Directors and the ASMI species and operational committees. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. As a new ex-officio member of the

W

6 National Fisherman \ November 2021

board, I am excited to participate in my first All Hands on Deck meeting. Typically held in Anchorage (with the ability for the public to call in), it has been an excellent opportunity for people from across the globe and the seafood sector to shake hands face to face and collaboratively get down to work. Like last year’s successful event, this year’s event will also be fully virtual. All Hands has always been an excellent opportunity for anyone from the fleet, processing sector, or other interested groups to be involved in ASMI’s approach to its mission of increasing the positive awareness of the Alaska Seafood brand and raising the value of Alaska seafood. Established via Alaska state statute in 1981, ASMI has spent the last four decades bringing together knowledge and expertise across all aspects of this quintessential Alaskan industry to navigate changes at home and abroad and ensure this resource retains its competitive advantage in global markets. Soon after ASMI began, farmed salmon was gaining market share at an

alarming rate, driving values down for Alaska’s fishermen. Through ASMI’s work and partnership with industry efforts, the quality of Alaska’s worldclass seafood shined through, building a brand that consumers love and trust. ASMI was an early champion of Alaska’s legendary responsible and science-based fisheries management systems, recognizing and deploying this message and trend long before sustainability was a common market term. This has positioned Alaska as a world leader in sustainable seafood. Today, ASMI continues to look ahead at ways to support and champion the Alaska seafood industry’s efforts to navigate the challenges ahead, whether that’s pivoting to digital marketing support during the global pandemic, building new markets for species that have seen their traditional markets shift as a result of trade barriers, or working with industry to develop new products and tastes for species the world hasn’t discovered yet. Representing all major species of commercially harvested seafood in Alaska, ASMI ensures there is always a trusted, quiet power behind the word “Alaska” around the world. The most important parts of All Hands on Deck will be the contributions from these meetings, providing ASMI program staff with strategic direction, constructive feedback on program tactics, provide market and species insight, and represent the best interest of the Alaska seafood industry as a whole. The 2021 All Hands on Deck event will be hosted online Tuesday, Nov. 9 – Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. There will be challenges to holding such a robust virtual event, and ASMI is working hard to create a smooth, efficient platform to share valuable resources and support productive discussion. 2021 Conference Highlights Q&A: Customer Advisory Panel The CAP is made up of 10 industry leaders in the foodservice, distribution, consumer packaged goods, and retail www.nationalfisherman.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.