Category: Events

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.

12th Annual SIRF Benefit Soiree

June 5, 2017

Save-the-date

Join Us for the 12th Annual SIRF Benefit Soiree!

The SIRF Board of Directors invites you to an elegant evening celebrating our shared commitment to the seafood industry’s future.

Monday, January 19, 2026, at The Diplomat Beach Resort Hotel — Hollywood, Florida

Kick off the night with cocktails at 7:15 p.m., followed by a plated dinner at 8:15 p.m.–Cocktail Attire

Join industry leaders, partners, and friends for an unforgettable evening of benefit gala to raise funds to support research in the seafood industry, guest speaker Dr. Norbert Kaminski, Professor and Director, Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University

Sponsor a table to demonstrate your support to SIRF’s mission
Demonstrate your commitment to the future of the seafood industry by sponsoring a table at the 12th Annual SIRF Benefit Soiree. Your support helps fund innovative, forward-thinking research that advances our industry.

For sponsorship details, please contact Geraldine Espejo at gespejo@nfi.org or 703-752-8890.

 Special Thanks to the SIRF Board of Directors

  • Sean O’Scannlain, Fortune International — Chair & Director
  • Lisa Wallenda Picard, National Fisheries Institute — Secretary & Treasurer
  • Jim Bonnvie, Seafax — Director
  • Dan DiDonato — Director
  • Bill Dresser, Sea Port Products — Director
  • Jordan Mazzetta, Eddie M’s — Director
  • Larsen Mettler, S2G Ventures — Director
  • Russell Mentzer — Director
  • Christine Ngo, H & N Group — Director
  • Wynter Courmont, Diversified USA — Director
  • Ben Schwartz, Harbor Seafood — Director
  • Jeff Stern, CenSea — Director
  • Mike Walsh, Northwest Seafoods — Director
  • Jason Mulvihill, Lineage — Director