You can help to increase the visibility of the domestic seafood sector and the role seafood harvesters play in supporting the nation’s food system! NOAA Fisheries, the University of Maine, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are trying to better understand how commercial seafood harvesters in the United States market their catch. The research team is surveying harvesters and hope responses will:
- Fill data gaps on seafood marketing at the national level
- Increase understanding of local and regional seafood marketing practices
- Remove barriers to direct marketing for the commercial fishing sector
“This work helps unpack the different pathways seafood takes from our ocean to the consumer. Understanding these pathways documents the benefits of U.S. fisheries to the nation in terms of food production and food security, and contributes to NOAA’s National Seafood Strategy,” says Sarah Shoffler, one of the NOAA Fisheries leads on the survey project. “This project also leverages strengths of the three organizations: USDA’s valuable experience in alternative marketing practices survey work; University of Maine’s, through their Local Catch Network, contacts and continued engagement with local fishing businesses around the country; and NOAA Fisheries’ understanding of fisheries and seafood data.”
The survey is open from March to July 2023. Eligible participants should have received a survey form with an individual ID and a link to access the survey online. If you believe you should have received a survey form but did not, contact Dr. Sahir Advani at sahir.advani@maine.edu.
Funding was provided by NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Sustainable Fisheries and the USDA.
