In 2010 Gulf Wild, a traceability and conservation based brand, was the brainchild of commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico searching to improve the fishery and the seafood industry one fish at a time. Photo: Gulf Wlld
by Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
An organization known for branding fishery conservation in the Gulf of Mexico by inspiring positive change from the fishermen to the end-consumer, has reformed as a not-for-profit and hired a full-time staff.
In 2010 Gulf Wild, a traceability and conservation based brand, was the brainchild of commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico searching to improve the fishery and the seafood industry one fish at a time.
“I look forward to seeing the growth potential of Gulf Wild and engaging with participating fishermen to ensure real boots on the deck positive changes for the fishery and the fishermen,” said new executive director Jason Delacruz. Photo: Gulf Wild
With the growth of its brand and the importance of seafood certainty during such uncertain times, the organization advocates a “boots on the deck” change from the fisherman forward to the end consumer.
“I look forward to seeing the growth potential of Gulf Wild and engaging with participating fishermen to ensure real boots on the deck positive changes for the fishery and the fishermen,” said new executive director Jason Delacruz, formerly vice president of the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders Alliance. “Our work improves all aspects of our industry from economic and environmental to biological impacts.”
According to Delacruz, a former commercial fisherman and fish house owner, Gulf Wild mission is to achieve brand purpose by incentivizing positive changes in the fishery. This is accomplished by showing a clear added value to the fishermen participating in the Gulf Wild branding program.
“The fishermen are held to higher standards of conservation and gain a sense of pride in their commitment to the social, economic and environmental goals of Gulf Wild,” said sustainability director Tj Tate, the former executive director of the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders Alliance.
In her new role, Tate will be responsible for the organization meeting critical standards defined in conservation covenants and the mission statement of Gulf Wild.
Delacruz and Tate have been working to establish an inaugural Board of Directors.
“I am looking forward to joining the Board and working to help Gulf Wild improve fisheries conservation efforts and profits for the communities in which they are working,” said Monica Jain of Manta Consulting,
Gulf Wild is also implementing a Conservation Standards Committee comprised of industry leaders; fisherman, biologist, distributors and chefs. The committee will govern oversight of conservation efforts undertaken by Gulf Wild.
“We applaud the efforts of Gulf Wild as it develops a Standards Committee to help ensure sustainable fishing practices in the Gulf region,” said committee member Wendy Norden, senior scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
In her new role, T.J. Tate will be responsible for the organization meeting critical standards defined in conservation covenants and the mission statement of Gulf Wild. Photo: Gulf Wild
During this next year, Gulf Wild will be adding new species to the list of uniquely tagged fish. They will also be strengthening conservation efforts, research and new programming
The By Catch Conservation Fund, a newly established division within Gulf Wild, will help identify areas in need of conservation and research. The Fund will focus on projects such as; Quota Bank, a partnership with the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders Alliance to eliminate by catch and discards within catch share fisheries; Electronic Logbooks to ensure catch accountability in real time; hot spot mapping of by catch; and research into weak hooks that will potentially release sea turtles and larger size fish of breeding age.
Gulf Wild will also be review existing program, such as traceability. In addition education and outreach will be strengthened and made more robust to achieve higher standards and awareness of fishery conservation and seafood sustainability.
“The team we are assembling is the cream of the crop,” said Tate. “We have accomplished one difficult task to create change in the seafood industry, so we have raised the bar and facing new hurdles. With the power of fishermen, strong leadership and vision, Gulf Wild will continue to ensure Seafood with Certainty.”
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