Young’s Seafood Chief Executive calls for seafood industry to champion best practice

Pete Ward, Chief Executive of Young’s Seafood Limited, gave a speech at the World Seafood Congress last night, calling on industry to continue to champion best practice across sustainability, manufacturing, innovation and quality.

The World Seafood Congress is a prestigious event which brings together brings together a global audience of seafood processors and importers, academia, public and private organisations, fish inspectors and government to discuss major issues facing the fish and seafood sector. Young’s Seafood Limited is a Platinum Sponsor of this year’s World Seafood Congress, held in Grimsby, which focusses on the theme of ‘upskilling for a sustainable future’.

Pete Ward, Chief Executive of Young’s Seafood Limited, said, “The World Seafood Congress is such an important event, offering opportunities to share knowledge and experience, and work together on the challenges and opportunities that face our industry. This sector is important not just to our communities but also to the future of the world’s population. Protein demand will grow, as the global population increases and that responsibly sourced fish can play a key role in helping to ensure fewer people go hungry. For our sector to adapt to the changes taking place on a global scale, our industry needs to take a long term view and champion best practice and responsible sourcing.”

Confidence in the recovery of North Sea cod stocks

Ward’s call for the industry to continue to champion best practice follows the recent news by a partnership between fishermen’s organisations, processors and retailers that there is sufficient widespread confidence in the recovery of North Sea cod stocks that the fishery will be assessed for certification to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) global standard for sustainability. Young’s Seafood Limited played a key role in this initiative with the company’s Marine Biologist, David Parker, providing technical services.

Alongside Pete Ward, and additional speakers from Young’s Seafood Limited, other high profile speakers set to speak at this year’s World Seafood Congress include delegates from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Seafish, and representatives from academic establishments, NGOs and other industry leaders.

The Seafood Fayre, where Pete Ward spoke, showcased new innovation and delicious fish dishes prepared by Young’s Development Chef Serge Nollent and his team, who draw inspiration from new culinary trends and global flavours. Other fish and food processors also showcased their produce at the Fayre.

The World Fisheries Congress runs from the 5th – 9th of September in Grimsby, UK.