National Coalition of Fishing Communities established

NCFC is a unique partnership of seafood interests, dedicated to transmitting the voices of fishermen and their communities, and says that it will ensure that fisheries managers, scientists, academics and elected officials understand the positions of its members, and address their concerns. This will be accomplished through dialogue, education and outreach.

"This is a very exciting time for us," says Sarah Garcia, former harbour planning director of Gloucester, Massachusetts and the director of outreach and membership for NCFC. "The strength and diversity of NCFC can make a big impact in the way fishing communities deliver their message in Washington."

The Coalition will formally launch during the next US Conference of Mayors meeting, to be held in Washington, DC on 19 January 2016, and is currently engaged in a membership drive. Already, over 60 members have signed up, drawn from America's top commercial fishing ports, leading fishing businesses and regional associations.

Saving Seafood will provide the communication and media relations in numerous forms and venues, creating the opportunity for the NCFC’s messages to be received. The NCFC allows its members to make their positions clear, and deliver their messages to a wider audience of media, policymakers, and likeminded industry members.

The Coalition is made up of different types of communities. In addition to municipalities with economic, social, and cultural ties to the fishing industry, NCFC includes associations that represent and are supported directly by working commercial fishing families; businesses that are involved in the harvesting, processing, distributing, marketing, and serving of seafood; and individuals in fishing communities across the country who see first-hand the necessity of local knowledge informing policy.

Members can join at the NCFC website.