National Fisheries Institute and the Seafood Industry: A Winning Partnership
A Long History of Quality
For close to 70 years, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) has been the United States’ biggest seafood trade association. This non-profit organization has been dedicated to providing education about the seafood industry since its inception, and counts the biggest names in the industry among its member companies. The NFI is committed to keeping oceans sustainable and is a long-standing advocate of the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Fisheries. For decades, the NFI has provided a large scope of benefits to the industry and consumers alike. They have strongly advocated seafood safety, the health benefits of eating fish, and the wide-ranging, positive impact the seafood industry has on the U.S. economy.
Upholding the Highest Standards of Safety
Since the organization began, the NFI has taken a proactive role in ensuring that seafood remains safe. They work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure members of the industry meet the Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) program. Originated in 1997, the HACCP employs a comprehensive system to eliminate risks in food production at their source. This helps shift the focus from the inspection of finished products to preventing seafood hazards in the first place. The NFI was also an early advocate of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and holds a place on the board of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA and the Better Seafood Board. Their steady involvement in food safety has helped consumers nationwide enjoy the most nutritious and safe seafood available on the market.
Impressive Health Benefits
The NFI makes it part of their mission to keep the public informed of the excellent health benefits of eating seafood. Fish are nutrient-rich, and often contain concentrations of protein, vitamins, and minerals that are unavailable in other foods. Seafood is one of the most important sources for the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids known as DHA and EPA, which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. DHA and EPA have also been demonstrated in recent studies to benefit pregnant and nursing women and their children, particularly in fetal and early childhood neurodevelopment. Because of these and other health benefits, recently published dietary guidelines indicate that adults should consume at least eight ounces of seafood per week. The NFI helps keep Americans informed of guidelines such as these with blogs, press releases, fact sheets, and even recipe recommendations for staying healthy with great tasting seafood.
Contributing to the Economies of the U.S. and the World
The U.S. seafood industry provides an impressive array of benefits to the national economy. A recent report from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) indicates that the industry generates more than 1,270,000 U.S. jobs with a sales impact of over $140.5 billion. Also included in the report is the analysis that over half a million American jobs are connected to the import business. International seafood supports processing jobs in cities across the country, from Seattle all the way to Miami. The member companies of the NFI play an important role in providing jobs and contributing to local, state, national, and international economies. The NFI also plays a strong role in encouraging new markets and knocking down barriers for American seafood companies. The overall impact of these contributions is not only essential for the industry, but also helps to encourage related areas such as waterborne transportation, hospitality, and more.
Howe Corporation: a Contributing Member
At Howe Corporation, we are excited to be a new member of the NFI. Our flake ice machines are an essential part of the seafood industry, often utilized in every phase of the supply chain. This ranges from cooling freshly caught fish on fishing vessels to processing at the port, to transporting to processing plants, and finally to effective display at the seafood department in your local supermarket We offer a complete line of cooling products that help keep seafood fresh, safe, and delicious. Keeping the seafood industry vibrant and sustainable is very important, and we are proud to do our part. For more information about the Howe line of refrigeration equipment, please contact us directly.