The program will feature top industry experts presenting topics including seafood consumption and consumer trends, AI, aquaculture, policy trends and regulations, labor rights, marine plastics and more.
Portland, Maine, February 19, 2025 – Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, the largest seafood trade event in North America, produced by Diversified, announced the 2025 conference program. With over 30 sessions, the conference program will delve into a range of topics and issues impacting the seafood industry with relevant case studies and timely insights from top experts across fields. This year’s session topics include seafood consumption and consumer trends, policy trends and regulatory issues, AI, labor rights, marine plastics and more. The conference program will begin with a keynote address by Nomi Prins, PhD, macro-economist, geopolitical financial expert and best-selling author, titled “Riding the Waves: Navigating Economic, Energy, and Trade Policies Impacting the Seafood Industry in 2025,” on Sunday, March 16 at 11:15am EST.
New and existing regulations, policies and best practices around seafood traceability requirements, SIMP, forced labor, human rights issues, FSMA and more will be discussed in this year’s program. In “The Demise of the Chevron Doctrine and the Legal Implications for Fisheries and Aquaculture,” attendees will understand the legal and practical implications of these decisions and how the fisheries and aquaculture industry should be prepared to respond accordingly. A discussion around SIMP 2.0 featuring speakers from FishWise, NOAA Fisheries, EU IUU Fishing Coalition and more will review key ideas around the traceability requirements, highlight NOAA Fisheries latest activities on import controls, the regulatory landscape and more.
Other sessions will discuss trends and actions being taken to prevent IUU and fraudulent fish from entering the U.S. market and how AI can automate and improve quality and food safety inspection.
Several sessions in this year’s program will focus on seafood trends, consumer behavior and innovations. Emmy-winning and four-time James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef and writer Andrew Zimmern and Seafood Nutrition Partnership will lead a discussion around existing challenges and notable solutions to increase seafood consumption in America in “Fall in Love with Seafood: Driving Consumer Behavior Change and Seafood Sales.” The Power of Seafood session will present the results of The Food Industry Association’s (FMI) annual survey on seafood shopping habits. They will reveal why consumers are shopping for seafood, what their preferences are and how their behaviors have changed. Other sessions will cover restaurant, menu and supermarket trends and winning practices to make seafood a consumer’s preferred protein.
Sustainability efforts around marine plastic pollution will be presented by experts and leaders across the industry. A conversation on marine plastic pollution and the issue of lost, abandoned, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) or “ghost gear,” will be led by a member of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI)/Ocean Conservancy.
Sessions on promoting gender equity in the seafood industry and next generation seafood entrepreneurs will dive into how embracing diverse products and cultivating a diverse workforce can impact a company’s bottom line and set it apart in a competitive market. Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE) and The Justice Collective (TJC) will present a Gender Equity Index Tool and guide participants through an abridged version of the tool to understand the challenges and opportunities across organizations.
Seafood industry buyers and professionals can learn more about Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America and register to attend by visiting seafoodexpo.com/north-america.
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About Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America
Seafood Expo North America/ Seafood Processing North America is North America’s largest seafood exposition. Thousands of buyers and suppliers from around the world attend the annual, three-day exhibition to meet, network and do business. Attending buyers represent importers, exporters, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and other retail and foodservice companies. Exhibiting suppliers offer the newest seafood products, processing and packaging equipment, and services available in the seafood market. The exposition is sponsored by the National Fisheries Institute. SeafoodSource is the official media. The exposition is produced by Diversified, the international leader in seafood-industry expositions and media. For more information, visit: www.seafoodexpo.com/north-
About Diversified
Diversified is a global B2B events and media company that strengthens business communities by fostering a space, in person and online, for professionals and businesses to connect and grow. The company serves as a trusted partner across several industries including active lifestyle, business management, clean energy, commercial marine, healthcare, seafood, technology and more. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, the global company has divisions and offices around the world in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Diversified is a third-generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com.
Media Contact
Lindsey Robinson, PR Specialist
Diversified
LRobinson@divcom.com
207-842-5573
