On Thursday, 23 January 2025, the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) proudly announced the appointment of Michael Szemerda and Trin Tapanya to its esteemed Board of Directors. These two industry experts bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization, further solidifying GSA’s commitment to promoting responsible and innovative practices within the global seafood industry.
Michael Szemerda currently serves as the Global Chief Sustainability Officer at Cooke Inc., a family-owned company with operations in wild and farmed seafood production worldwide. With over 30 years of experience at Cooke, including his previous role as Vice President of Saltwater Operations for Cooke Aquaculture’s North American Operations, Michael has demonstrated exceptional leadership in driving sustainable seafood practices. His oversight of environmental programs, regulatory compliance, industry certifications, and sustainability initiatives at Cooke highlights his dedication to advancing responsible seafood production.
Trin Tapanya, the Senior Vice President of Operations at Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods/ Thai Union Group, brings a diverse background in the seafood business, supply-chain management, and the food service industry. His expertise and experience will be invaluable in guiding GSA’s initiatives towards promoting best practices and sustainability within the industry.
Mike Kocsis, CEO of GSA, expressed his excitement about welcoming Michael and Trin to the Board of Directors, emphasizing their unique perspectives and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the seafood industry. Their contributions are expected to play a crucial role in helping GSA achieve its mission of advancing responsible seafood practices on a global scale.
The appointment of Michael Szemerda and Trin Tapanya underscores GSA’s commitment to fostering leadership that represents the diverse global seafood community. Their presence on the Board is set to support the organization’s efforts in driving innovation, promoting best practices, and ensuring a sustainable future for the industry.
About Global Seafood Alliance
The Global Seafood Alliance is an international, nonprofit trade association dedicated to advancing responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy, and third-party assurances. Through the development of certification programs, GSA has become a leading provider of assurances for both wild and farmed seafood globally. The organization’s work encompasses environmental responsibility, social accountability, and food safety, addressing the full spectrum of sustainability in the seafood industry.
Established in 1997 as the Global Aquaculture Alliance, GSA is headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA. To learn more about GSA and its initiatives, visit their website at www.globalseafood.org.
In conclusion, the addition of Michael Szemerda and Trin Tapanya to the Board of Directors at GSA marks a significant milestone in the organization’s commitment to promoting responsible and sustainable practices within the global seafood industry. Their expertise and leadership will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of GSA in advancing responsible seafood practices worldwide.
