Catch the Current: Insights from Seafood Expo Global

Catch the Current has been capturing exclusive interviews from the Seafood Expo Global (SEG) in Barcelona, Spain. Our inaugural guest on the SEG show floor is Tim Fitzgerald, the chief sustainability officer at American Seafoods!

Exploring Sustainability Initiatives

In this enlightening conversation, Tim shares insights about American Seafoods’ latest sustainability report and the company’s ongoing efforts to minimize its carbon footprint and emissions from fishing vessels.

Listen to the Interview

Catch the full interview on YouTube below:

Discussion Highlights

Amanda Buckle (AB): “This is Amanda Buckle, and you’re listening to Catch the Current. I’m here in Barcelona at the Seafood Expo Global, bringing you exclusive sound bites right from the show floor.”

AB: “I’m with Tim Fitzgerald, chief sustainability officer at American Seafoods. You’ve got a pretty impressive title there!”

Tim Fitzgerald (TF): “I can’t help myself! We strive for responsibility in all aspects, whether in the office or out at sea.”

AB: “You mean to say you’re the most eco-conscious Chief Sustainability Officer out there?”
TF: “Perhaps a bit neurotic!”

Insights from the 2024 Sustainability Report

AB: “You recently completed the 2024 Sustainability Report. Is this the third year you’ve done this?”
TF: “Yes, it is our third edition.”

AB: “And you still have all your hair—congratulations!”
TF: “That’s debatable!”

AB: “What’s the main highlight you’re excited about from this year’s report?”

TF: “We’re proud of our commitment to transparency every year. Notably, we’re making strides in carbon footprint reduction, full catch utilization, and innovative packaging and recycling initiatives, especially in remote areas. All of this is voluntary; we take these steps because we believe in the importance of sustainability.”

Carbon Emissions Update

AB: “I noticed that your carbon emissions have decreased slightly this year. What contributed to this?”

TF: “Carbon accounting shares similarities with financial accounting—it’s both science and art. Since starting our carbon footprinting in 2012, we’ve gained valuable insights. While some emissions may seem to have increased as we improve data capture, our actual emissions reduced by about 10% from 2023 to 2024. This was largely due to lower hake catches, as fewer fishing days mean less carbon output.”

“Going forward, our aim is to continuously reduce our carbon inventory. It’s an ongoing process, and while it’s early to make definitive statements, the outlook is positive.”

Catch More Insights

To hear more about American Seafoods’ sustainability journey and future goals, listen to the full interview on YouTube!