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