Month: January 2018

January 24, 2018 -Miami, FL- Earlier this week, the Seafood Industry Research Fund hosted its annual benefit dinner, the SIRF Soirée. Occurring during the National Fisheries Institute’s Global Seafood Market Conference, the event took place at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Miami, FL. Seated beneath the museum’s overhead aquarium, over one-hundred industry professionals gathered for a seafood dinner to recognize SIRF’s work and fundraise for the newly established “Mike Gorton Living Tribute Fund.”

Chairman Russ Mentzer educated attendees on SIRF’s portfolio of scientific studies, detailing the business applications of on-going research in DNA species identification, decomposition testing, carbon-footprint analysis and nutrition.

“The seafood industry is a diverse marketplace,” said Mr. Mentzer. “SIRF’s variety of research is designed to keep pace with our business’ manifold issues. It takes a strong mixture of support to keep that mission moving forward.”

The evening’s keynote address profiled SIRF’s work to combat child labor and trafficking in Ghana. Delivered by SIRF-grantee Kristine Beran, a PhD Candidate and Research Associate at the University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, the address outlined SIRF-sponsored activities to combat labor-issues in Ghana’s pelagic fishery.

“Community involvement is essential to eliminating trafficking in fisheries,” Ms. Beran said. “The collective effort of friends and family members towards education and prevention makes this social science effort an ideal area of focus for the communally-oriented SIRF.”

The Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) has announced the opening of the Mike Gorton Living Tribute Fund. The fund honors the Slade Gorton executive’s legacy, commemorating a range of contributions to the research non-profit from board member to fundraising organizer.

“Mike Gorton is a SIRF institution,” said SIRF Chairman Russ Mentzer. “Throughout his career, Mike’s influence has touched on every aspect of SIRF’s history, leaving an indelible imprint of service and leadership.”

A longtime member of the SIRF board until 2015, Mr. Gorton spearheaded fundraising for the group, an effort culminating in the annual benefit hockey game between teams NFI and Seafax. First played in 1993, the event brings seafood professionals onto the ice for a friendly contest. Now bearing Mr. Gorton’s name as the Gorton Cup, the game has raised over $1 million for seafood science studies. 2018 will mark the 25th anniversary of the hockey fundraiser and founder Mike Gorton’s last game.

“SIRF fulfills a critical business and scientific function,” said Mike Gorton. “Advancing seafood through practical research, SIRF continues to rally the industry around a worthy, common cause, one that has brought me great satisfaction in furthering. I am grateful for the privilege of continuing to bolster SIRF with this newly dedicated fund.”

Contributions to the Mike Gorton Living Tribute Fund can be made through SIRF’s website. This year’s Gorton Cup will take place during the Seafood Expo North America on March 12^th, 2018 @ 7:30 PM at Harvard University’s Bright-Landry Hockey Center. SIRF supporters are encouraged to come and cheer on Mike Gorton and their favorite players for teams NFI and Seafax.