December 15, 2023
Cooke Seafood appoints Global Seafood Alliance veteran as US director of public affairs
Cooke Seafood has announced the appointment of Steve Hedlund, formerly of the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), as its new director of public affairs in the United States, Fish Farmer reported.
Bringing extensive experience in seafood communications, public affairs, event management, and media relations, Hedlund joins the family-owned company from his recent role as spokesperson for GSA and the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), the world's largest aquaculture certification programme.
Joel Richardson, vice president of public relations at Cooke Inc, highlighted Hedlund's impressive skills and decades of experience in the seafood industry.
He also underlined Hedlund’s passion for environmentally sustainable seafood production, promoting aquaculture benefits in the local food system, and preserving Maine's heritage of a vibrant working waterfront.
In his new role, Hedlund will collaborate with Cooke's employees, residents, and stakeholders on various municipal, state, and federal policies to support the company's growing workforce, the local marine supply chain, and maximise the social and economic benefits of Maine's salmon aquaculture industry.
Cooke Aquaculture USA has over 200 employees in Maine and is the sole ocean-raised Atlantic salmon producer in the US. Since 2004, the company has operated certified freshwater hatcheries, a processing plant, and saltwater farms. Cooke's antibiotic-free Atlantic salmon, raised in Maine, is available across New England at reputable grocers.
Hedlund will also collaborate with the Maine Aquaculture Association, a lead trade group connecting fishing and aquaculture seafood communities that contribute over US$3.2 billion annually to the Maine economy. Additionally, he will support Cooke's membership in the National Aquaculture Association (NAA), ensuring a unified national voice for aquaculture's sustainability, profitability, and environmentally responsible development.
- Fish Farmer
