Senate CJS Subcommittee Includes National Seafood Council in FY23 Appropriations Report

August 5, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Matt McAlvanah matt@seafoodcampaign.org (202-719-9999)

Senate Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee Includes National Seafood Council in FY23 Appropriations Report Explanatory report is a crucial step in funding a national seafood promotion campaign

Washington, D.C. - Last week, the Senate filed its appropriations bills for the 2023 fiscal year. In its explanatory report, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) included the National Seafood Council and recognized the sustainability and important nutritional benefits of seafood consumption. This is an important step in the process of ultimately launching a national seafood promotion campaign that will educate Americans on the myriad health and nutritional benefits of seafood consumption. “We are very excited that the National Seafood Council (NSC) was included in the CJS report,” said Bill Hueffner, Vice President at Pacific Seafood and Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP) NSC Task Force Member. “The seafood industry has had an uneven recovery from the pandemic, but we’re confident that with support from Congress for our industry, more Americans will have access to fresh, delicious and healthy seafood. It’s great to see that we’re being heard and building momentum.” The recognition of the National Seafood Council is in large part due to the efforts of America’s Seafood Campaign – an industry-led movement headed by the National Seafood Council Task Force to unite the seafood community and secure funding for a national promotion campaign. “When we come together and show our might as a unified group, we can achieve progress that will be felt by fishermen, farmers, processors, importers, and everyone else who works in seafood across the country,” added Jim Motos, Senior Vice President of the Consumer Brands Division of Rich Products Corporation, Chair of SNP and NSC Task Force. In addition to providing a boost to the industry, a promotion campaign would deliver a much-needed message to American consumers on the myriad health and nutritional benefits of eating seafood, according to Ashley Besecker, RDN, the co-founder of Premier Catch and Director of Health and Nutrition, and SNP NSC Task Force Member. “America has been in the middle of a public health crisis for years. Encouraging Americans to eat seafood at least twice a week is a specific and tangible goal that can play a significant part in improving people's diets and quality of life. This includes everyone from expectant mothers and the elderly to kids and athletes – seafood has a place in everyone’s meal plan.” The next step in securing promotional campaign funding will likely come at the end of the year, when details of the report will be negotiated with the House, and then voted on by the House and Senate. “The public health benefits from seafood consumption is a powerful solution to many of the issues we face today,” exclaimed Linda Cornish, Founder and President of Seafood Nutrition Partnership and the convening organization for the NSC Task Force. “If we continue to tell our story to Congress and advocate for the National Seafood Council, we’re confident that we’ll be launching a promotional campaign in the near future. The last national seafood promotion campaign was over 30 years ago so this is great progress.” ###