After more than eight decades of serving the seafood industry in the United States, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) has been renamed the National Seafood Association. Its mission remains to advocate for all sectors of the seafood business: harvesters, producers, importers, exporters, distributors and suppliers, each of which plays a role in bringing safe and sustainable fishery product to consumers throughout the USA.
The announcement coincided with the National Seafood Association Leadership Summit held September 14-17 in Washington, DC.
“National Seafood Association is a name that aligns with who we are today,” said Justin Conrad, chairman of the National Seafood Association and president and chief executive officer of Bay Hill Seafood. “Our new name honors our legacy while positioning us for the decades ahead.”
The new identity follows more than a year of research and engagement led by the organization’s executive committee and a rebranding subcommittee. The process included stakeholder engagement, member listening sessions, brand research and extensive evaluation of potential names before arriving at National Seafood Association.
“For more than 80 years, we’ve brought together businesses across the seafood value chain to advance science-based policy, educated consumers and policymakers, and championed seafood as the healthiest, most sustainable animal protein available,” said Lisa Wallenda Picard, president and chief executive officer of the Reston, Virginia-headquartered organization. “The National Seafood Association builds on that and where the seafood industry sees itself going forward.”
The trade association’s new logo features a contemporary compass mark, symbolizing leadership, collaboration and the industry’s shared direction, alongside flowing water that represents seafood’s journey from source to table. The accompanying tagline — “Science, Education & Advocacy since 1945” — underscores the organization’s longstanding mission.
“It was important for the rebranding to honor the legacy of the association while capturing the vibrant industry we are today,” said Michelle Faist, head of corporate affairs and government relations at StarKist Co. and a member of the rebranding subcommittee. “Members were fully engaged in the process and made it clear how passionately they feel about their association. The result is a new name that resonates deeply with our companies.”
