by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor
Representing the interests of the entire Gulf seafood community is a huge job, but the Gulf Seafood Institute is the right group at the right time. This was the message that the Gulf Seafood Institute’s (GSI) Margaret Henderson conveyed to the audience of Biloxi’s WLOX “Midday”.
During a four-minute spot, Henderson was interviewed by ABC affiliate WLOX anchor Rhonda Weidner on a wide variety of subjects pertaining to GSI and Gulf seafood.
During a four-minute spot, Henderson was interviewed by ABC affiliate WLOX anchor Rhonda Weidner on a wide variety of subjects pertaining to GSI and Gulf seafood. Photo: WLOX News
“I was asked to give a broad overview of our organization and mission,” explained Henderson who was in Biloxi for GSI’s strategic planning session and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting.
The executive director explained that GSI is unique because it represents the entire seafood supply chain, from the water to the plate; harvesters, processors, retailers, restaurants and consumer. “We connect the dots from the harvesters to the consumers,” she said. “We are their voice in the areas that they need to be heard.”
When questioned by Weidner on the focus of the organization, Henderson explained that advocacy is one of the three main focuses. “So far we have been very active at the federal level and have great relationships with the Mississippi delegation up in Washington,” she said. “We have been working for a long time to foster those relationships and give the entire gulf seafood community a voice as one united front.”
Margaret Henderson explained that GSI is unique because it represents the entire seafood supply chain, from the water to the plate. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
According to the organization’s director, the hot topic lately has been access to the Gulf fishery. She explained there is a lot of concern about data collection and whether or not federal scientists have accurately captured the number of fish there are out there to be caught.
“A priority of GSI is to work with policy makers at the federal, state and local level to increase the amount of fishery science that is out there so consumers, fishermen and the supply chain is able to get what is demanded,” said Henderson. “The Gulf seafood community has been very supportive of ongoing testing to ensure there has been no impact from environmental factors. The seafood from the Gulf is the most tested seafood, as well as the safest in the world.”
Washington craves information from sources that are positive and solution oriented, and that is what GSI is striving to do, she said. “We strive to come to the table with solutions, as opposed complaints. There are plenty of challenges, but we work together to find solutions and make recommendations on the right thing to do for the whole supply chain.”
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