New association represents alternative-seafood industry

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A new global association has been formed to represent the alternative-seafood industry. Future Ocean Foods (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) says it’s so far amassed membership of 36 companies across 14 countries, including the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Singapore.

“Future Ocean Foods members are using plants and cells to help create seafood alternatives ranging from whole-cut salmon filets, sushi-grade tuna, smoked salmon, flaky white fish, shrimp, crab, calamari, and much more,” the association’s press release states. Member companies are embracing such tools as plant-based, fermentation, and cultivated food and technology.

The association calls the alternative-seafood industry “relatively nascent but fast-growing.” It states: “Alternative seafood is such an exciting and investable industry in large part because there are so many different species to develop.”

Marissa Bronfman, an advisor to foodtech founders and investors, is the founder and executive director of Future Ocean Foods. “Alternative seafood offers us the opportunity to build a more delicious, nutritious, sustainable, and ethical global food system,” she states. “I am humbled and hugely excited to be working alongside these visionary founders and pioneering companies to revolutionize the seafood industry…”

The group's plans include increasing product trials and market penetration of alternative seafood and raising awareness about the benefits and nutritional profile of alternative seafood. The association has also forged partnerships with The Good Food Institute, ProVeg International, and the Global Organization for EPA & DHA Omega-3s (GOED).