Southeastern Fisheries Association (SFA) executive director Bob Jones will retire after at the end of the year after more than five decades of serving at the helm of the Florida-based not-for-profit trade association.
During his time at SFA he has steered it through challenging times, including spearheaded a red snapper tagging programme in the South Atlantic. In 1965, the organisation established the Florida Seafood Marketing programme funded through a self-imposed fee on wholesale seafood dealers and fishermen. Under his leadership it won the legislative battle to keep King and Spanish mackerel available to the market and was the prime mover in establishing the Tortugas shrimp nursery off Key West.
“I want to thank Bob for his open and honest interaction in the seafood industry over the past 54 years,” said SFA’s president Peter Jarvis, also president and CEO of Triar Seafood Company. “Under his leadership the organization has maintained respect for seeking the truth and presenting the facts.”
Respected leader
Jones served six years on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, including four years as vice chairman and one year as chairman.
“The Gulf of Mexico, as well as the U.S. commercial fishing industry, is in a better place because of the efforts of Bob to ensure this important way of life is represented by a strong, intelligent and truthful voice,” said Jim Gossen, chairman of the Gulf Seafood Foundation.
Jones’s successor is yet to be named. Jones will continue in his present position during the transition and will remain involved in food safety and consumer fraud issues, plus promoting equal access to the nation’s fisheries for non-fishermen, especially seniors.
