Category: Events

SIRF congratulates student winners from the Pacific Fisheries Technologists 76th Annual Conference

July 14, 2026

The Seafood Industry Research Fund is celebrating the winners of the student competitions at the 76th Pacific Fisheries Technologists Annual Conference. The 2026 PFT conference was held in San Pedro, California from Feb. 22 through Feb. 25. The PFT supports the study and advancement of fisheries technology and products created using fishery resources. The conference included one oral and one presentation contest for students to submit their research.  

For the oral competition, Celina Garcia from Chapman University was awarded first place for her research titled, “Comparison of DNA Barcoding Approaches to Identify Rockfish (Sebastes spp.) on the Commercial Market.” Garcia studied different mitochondrial gene regions’ effectiveness in identifying rockfish sold in the United States.   

Hector Trujillo Ruiz from the University of Sonora won second place for his work titled, “Enhancement of the antiproliferative effect of docetaxel by carotenoids from the by-products of the white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) in prostate cancer cells.” His study examined the ability of white shrimp byproducts to be used as aids to an anticancer drug.  

Two more students from Chapman University took home the top prizes for the poster contest. Gary Maloncon won first place for his work titled, “UVC Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in Salmon Juice on Food Contact Surfaces using the Contamination Sanitation Inspection and Disinfection (CSI-D+) Device.” Maloncon’s poster featured his research into the device’s disinfection module on a pathogen that causes foodborne illnesses.   

Grace Cho came in second place for her work titled, “Optimization of DNA Extraction for Tuna Species Identification.” Cho researched the effects of decreasing DNA extraction times to increase the accuracy of species identification in canned tuna.  

Gary Maloncon won first prize in the PFT poster contest. | Photo provided by Angee Hunt
Grace Cho (left) won second place in the PFT poster contest. | Photo provided by Angee Hunt

SIRF would like to congratulate all student honorees on their hard work and contributions to the seafood industry.  

SIRF celebrates the Aquatic Foods Conference student competition winner

July 13, 2026

The Seafood Industry Research Fund is proud to announce the winner of the Aquatic Foods Conference SIRF student competition. This year’s winner was Rose Omidvar, a Ph.D. food science candidate at the University of Florida. Both of Omidvar’s research studies, titled, “Development of Cell-Cultured Fishmeal Using a Fish-Derived Scaffold for Aquaculture Feed,” and “U.S. Aquaculture Producers’ Adoption Intentions Toward Cell-Based Fishmeal: A Segmentation Analysis Using Behavioral Theory,” focused on the possibility of using sustainable aquafeed alternatives to wild-caught fishmeal.  

The 2026 AFC was held at the Allegria Hotel in Long Island, New York. The conference united educators, students, researchers, and specialists across the seafood industry to discuss new technology and sustainable practices. SIRF supports competitions to inspire young innovators looking to make advancements in the seafood industry.  

13th Annual SIRF Benefit Soirée Save the Date

June 8, 2026

The Seafood Industry Research Fund Board of Directors is hosting the 13th annual benefit soirée Monday, January 18, 2027 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Cocktails and appetizers will be served at 7:15 p.m., and dinner will be served at 8 p.m. Cocktail attire is encouraged.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Geraldine Espejo at gespejo@nfi.org. Donations will support individuals and institutions conducting research to advance the seafood industry.

Future Leader Alumni Raise $14,000 for Seafood Industry Research at SENA

March 27, 2026

Reston, VA – March 26, 2026 – The National Fisheries Institute’s (NFI) Future Leader (FL) Alumni raised $14,000 during their annual networking event held at Seafood Expo North America (SENA).

Proceeds from the event will support the Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) as well as the Wallace R. “Wally” Stevens Living Tribute Fund, both of which fund scientific research across the seafood sector.

Wally Stevens, whose legacy the tribute fund honors, is widely recognized as a leader in the industry. With more than 47 years of experience, Stevens held key roles at organizations including the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), Slade Gorton, Ocean Products, and Booth Fisheries. A U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War, Stevens later played a pivotal role in expanding GAA and advancing its Best Aquaculture Practices certification program. He also served as Chairman of NFI, co-founded the Future Leaders Program, and was inducted into the Boston Seafood Hall of Fame.

Since its inception, the Future Leader Alumni network has raised more than $141,000 to support research focused on seafood safety, nutrition, and sustainability.

NFI thanks the companies whose support made this year’s event possible:

BAADER 

Bay Hill Seafood 

CenSea 

Devi Seafood 

Eastern Fish Company 

Foa & Son 

Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) 

Gorton’s Great American Seafood Import Co. 

Ice Cube Cold Storage 

LA Cold Storage 

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) 

Oddisea SuperFrozen 

Rich Products Corporation/Morey’s 

Riverence 

Seafood Ninja Inc. 

Sea Port Products 

Shinkei Systems 

Slade Gorton & Company 

Southstream Seafoods ($1,000) 

Supreme Crab 

Sustainable Food Solutions 

The Fishin’ Co 

Tristian International 

Ultco LLC 

Warrior Food Solutions 

West Pass Seafood

SIRF Hosts Its 12th Annual Benefit Soirée

January 29, 2026

The Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) Board of Directors hosted the 12th Annual SIRF Benefit Soirée on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida. The elegant evening celebrated our shared commitment to advancing the seafood industry’s future through innovation and research.

The night began with a cocktail reception at 7:15 p.m., followed by a plated dinner at 8:00 p.m.

Guest Speaker Dr. Norbert Kaminski, Professor and Director of the Institute for Integrative Toxicology at Michigan State University, presented his latest research findings on the consumption of plastic particles through seafood. The presentation sparked meaningful dialogue among seafood industry leaders, partners, and friends.

Following Dr. Kaminski’s presentation, SIRF Chairman Sean O’Scannlain provided an update on SIRF-sponsored grants, including:

  • Non-destructive detection of halibut quality
  • Strategies to increase seafood consumption among participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program
  • An economic assessment of the potential impact of proposed shipbuilding fees on the industry
  • Exploring the feasibility of bio-packaging development
  • Ongoing efforts to secure FDA approval for finfish irradiation

The Soirée raised $29,800 in pledged donations, thanks to the generosity of dinner guests who enjoyed a memorable evening supporting seafood science and sustainability.

Special Thanks

SIRF extends heartfelt gratitude to its Board of Directors and long-time Sponsors whose dedication made this year’s soirée possible:

  • Sean O’Scannlain, Fortune International — Chair & Director
  • Lisa Wallenda Picard, National Fisheries Institute — Secretary & Treasurer
  • Jim Bonvie, Seafax — Director
  • Dan DiDonato, Unit Cold Storage — Director
  • Bill Dresser, Sea Port Products — Director
  • Brenna Hensley, Diversified — Director
  • Jordan Mazzetta, Eddie M’s — Director
  • Russell Mentzer — Director
  • Larsen Mettler, S2G Ventures — Director
  • Christine Ngo, H & N Group — Director
  • Ben Schwartz, Harbor Seafood — Director
  • Jeff Stern, CenSea — Director
  • Mike Walsh, Northwest Seafoods — Director
  • Jason Mulvihill, Lineage — Director
  • Tom Mazzetta, Mazzetta Company – Sponsor
  • Barry Markman, Mark Foods – Sponsor
  • Mark Soderstrom, Southstream Seafoods – Sponsor          
  • Ryan Clark, The Town Dock — Sponsor

We look forward to welcoming everyone to the 13th Annual SIRF Benefit Soirée in Scottsdale, Arizona!

11th Annual SIRF Benefit Soiree

November 1, 2024

The Seafood Industry Research Fund Board of Directors hosted its 11th Annual SIRF Benefit Soiree on January 20th, 2025, at the J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Desert Springs, California.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Bill Aronson, Professor of Urology and Chief of Urology and Urologic Oncology at Olive View UCLA Medical Center, who presented his research on Fish-Based Diet for Prostate Cancer Patients on Active Surveillance.

Read the research here.

The SIRF Soiree raised $35,150. The donation will support grant awards to individuals and institutions that conduct forward-thinking research that advances the seafood industry.

The 2024 Gorton Cup

April 22, 2024

This year marked the 30th anniversary of the Annual Gorton Cup Hockey Game. A beloved tradition, the game took place at Boston University’s Walter Brown Arena on Sunday, March 10. 

The game was played in honor of longtime NFI President, the late John Connelly. His wife, Margaret Connelly, ceremoniously dropped the puck to initiate the game. The fundraiser raised $9,280 in pledged donations for the Seafood Industry Research Fund’s John P. Connelly Memorial Fund, which was established in September 2023. 

The game’s final score was 7-3 with Seafood All Stars winning.    

Photo credit to Adrienne Arnold. 

SIRF 8th Annual Benefit Soirée

December 10, 2021

The 8th Annual SIRF Benefit Soiree took place on January 17, 2022, in Orlando, FL at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. The evening featured speaker is Leo Cooperhouse, President and CEO of BlueNalu, a global leader in cell-cultured seafood that provides consumers with great tasting, healthy, safe and trusted products that support the sustainability and diversity of our ocean.

Thanks for the SIRF Board for sponsoring this event.