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By Lorelei Stevens
BOSTON, MA - With the goal of providing a positive, unified public relations voice for the industry, a number of seafood companies have joined together to create the New England Seafood Producers Association.
"There are a lot of good things to say about the people in the seafood industry and about the products we sell," said Marion Kaiser, president of Aquanor Marketing in Boston, one the group's interim directors. "We feel that with the right PR campaign, we can refute some of the misinformation reaching our customers."
For example, Kaiser pointed out that cod is being portrayed in the environmental news as endangered and the new groundfish fishing restrictions are compounding that image in the minds of uninformed consumers.
"The specific mission of the group is to have a more positive message to the consumer about their right to have access to healthy seafood products without feeling they are somehow being environmentally irresponsible," she explained.
The organization formed during a meeting held in early March. By mid-April, it had established an interim board of directors, a founding members dues structure, and a mission statement, which is to "advocate, promote, and sustain the seafood industry of New England through positive public relations."
The group had also interviewed three public relations companies as of mid-May, according to Kaiser.
"Getting underway with a public relations campaign is a priority to establish and build our organization with the public and the media," she said.
Interim directors
In addition to Kaiser, the association's interim directors include: Stuart Altman of Stavis Seafoods, Boston; David Carnes of Chatham Fish and Lobster, Chatham; Angelo Ciocca of Nova Seafood, Portland; Charles DiPesa of F.J. O'Hara, Boston; Ted Heidenreich of Packaging Products, New Bedford; John Norton of Cozy Harbor Seafood, Portland; Steve Parkes of Whole Foods, Gloucester; N. Sonny Stanley of Bergies Seafood, New Bedford; Norm Stavis of North Coast Seafoods, Boston; and Mike Vitale of Puritan Fish Co., Boston.
The association is encouraging other companies and individuals to join them.
For more information, contact Kaiser at: phone (617) 269-6900;
fax (617) 269-6999; or e-mail marionk@aquanor-usa.com.
