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Seafood Industry Research Fund
A 501(c)3 organization established in 1964 |
 Dear Seafood Industry Professional,
Welcome to the Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) newsletter! Here you can find quarterly updates on SIRF's activities, current research and funding information. Through your generous support, SIRF provides the seafood community with scientific studies that further business and improve the bottom line. Read in this newsletter how SIRF is linking industry and academia with articles on the Economic Impact Study in Action, Benefit Soirée and Annual Hockey Fundraiser.
We could not fund exciting research without your support. Thank you for your continued contributions. To view past SIRF sponsored research, please visit www.sirfonline.org and contact us with any questions you may have admin@sirfonline.org.
Sincerely,
Russ Mentzer, Chairman
Seafood Industry Research Fund
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Economic Impact Study in Action
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To improve NFI's congressional communications, SIRF commissioned a comprehensive analysis on the economic impact of seafood imports. The research conducted by Dr. Mike Toma of Armstrong State University draws on government and non-government data sources to create a seafood economic profile of congressional districts.
For the first time, NFI lobbyists and NFI members have access to a condensed and dynamic data set that enumerates in targeted detail the benefits of seafood imports to a given area's job market, revenue and foreign trade. The resulting database will be a valuable asset in NFI's advocacy efforts.
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| | NFI Future Leaders with Senator Angus King (I-ME) |
SIRF Chairman Russ Mentzer considers the project a departure from regularly funded research but one that nevertheless underscores the value of seafood innovation.
"SIRF is on the lookout for research that will advance the seafood industry," said Mentzer. "The seafood imports analysis has distilled a $18 billion and 5.4 billion pounds industry down to the district level. With the results of the seafood economic project, seafood advocates can make a science out of politics, demonstrating with hard numbers the wide-reaching benefits of imports on constituent economies."
The database and resulting informational one-pagers will be used to underscore imported seafood's paramount role in international trade and to spur lawmaker engagement on trade and regulatory issues that involve the seafood industry.
These one-pagers were used for the first time at the end of September during NFI's Political Conference. NFI members walked the Hill sharing with their lawmakers specific details on how seafood imports impact district and state economies.
NFI Vice President of Government Relations Robert DeHaan says that the economic one-pagers enable key communication with legislators.
"Seafood imports are vital to a state's economic portfolio, sometimes in unexpected ways," said DeHaan. "Now we can pinpoint exactly what seafood brings to a constituency and show how imports need champions on the Hill the same as any other product."
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SIRF Announces Annual Benefit Soirée
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The Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) will hold their Annual Benefit Soirée January 18th, 2016 at the Oceanaire Seafood Room in Miami, Florida. Now in its third year, the Soirée has established itself as a signature event for the seafood community drawing attendance from the industry's foremost leaders.
"The SIRF Soirée is an evening for seafood research," said SIRF Chairman Russ Mentzer. "The event gives SIRF the opportunity to showcase our achievements from the previous year and also hit the ground running in 2016 with a fresh jolt of support."
Held during the National Fisheries Institute's Global Seafood Market Conference, the Soirée will feature a fresh seafood menu from the renowned Oceanaire kitchen. Guest speaker Dr. Daniel Benetti, Professor and Director of Aquaculture at the University of Miami, will speak on shifts in aquaculture technology and production that are furthering the practice as an environmentally sustainable and economic viable source of seafood.
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Daniel Benetti, Ph.D.
Professor & Director of Aquaculture
University of Miami - RSMAS
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"SIRF is focused on science that will improve the seafood business," said University of Miami's Dr. Daniel Benetti. "With aquaculture already producing over 50% of seafood for human consumption and having surpassed beef production since 2013, there is a whole world of innovation that will directly impact growth, yields and profits. I am excited to share my experience and opinions on the future of fish farming to SIRF's audience of industry decision makers."
Hosted by the SIRF Board of Directors, the Annual Soirée generates revenue to fund projects with a direct impact on the seafood marketplace. SIRF sponsors research proposals that focus on seafood quality, nutrition and development.
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Annual Seafax-NFI Hockey Game Fundraiser
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The annual Seafax-NFI Hockey Game Fundraiser for SIRF will celebrate its 25th Anniversary on March 7th, 2016. The friendly game between seafood professionals will be played at Harvard University's Bright Arena at 7:30 PM.
Proceeds from the game will go towards completing the Bill & Betty More Living Tribute Fund and the Wally Stevens Future Leaders Fund.
Last year, Seafax edged out NFI 8-7 in overtime to claim the newly minted Gorton Cup. In 2016, the rivalry will be renewed as both teams hit the ice to score funds for seafood research.
Wally Stevens will drop the first puck, and NFI President John Connelly will officiate.
During this year's Seafood Expo North America, plan to attend the Seafax-NFI Hockey Game Fundraiser for SIRF March 7th, 2016 @ 7:30 PM.
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