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BOSTON – Slade Gorton, one of the largest and oldest privately-held seafood companies in the country, today released what it believes is one of the broadest and most comprehensive sustainable seafood programs in the industry.

“Slade Gorton & Company’s Sustainability Program will have a positive and far-reaching impact on the long-term sustainability of our oceans’ resources,” said CEO Kim Gorton.

“We believe that sustainability is as much about feeding a growing global population as it is about conservation of resources.”
The Company sources more than 80 species of seafood from nearly 50 countries and hundreds of fisheries around the world.

According to the policy document, ‘In the first year of our commitment, Slade Gorton will conduct an overall sustainability assessment of our products and supply chain in order to benchmark our supply sources and identify those fisheries and/or farms that are in need of the greatest level of improvement.’

‘ In year two, we will collaboratively work with our suppliers to enforce our Sustainable Seafood Policy in all procurement decisions and ensure progress towards more sustainable fishing and farming practices.’

On an ongoing basis, Slade Gorton will continue to work closely with suppliers, customers and other partner organizations to ensure investments in and adoption of more sustainable fishing and farming practices across our entire supply chain.

‘Slade Gorton recognizes that there are current standards in the seafood industry that have been developed to certify products as sustainable, by various organizations including the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP). While we do consider the MSC, GAA and other similar standards favorably in our sourcing decisions, Slade Gorton does not currently require all of our products to be certified as sustainable by such organizations. We do seek to ensure that the products we sell meet certain benchmarks for food safety, quality and sustainability as outlined above.

Slade Gorton will partner with both the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute to sponsor fishery improvement projects and work with selected customers on developing their own seafood sustainability programs.

The corner stone of the policy is developing and managing systems and practices to track seafood back to the harvest location or farm to ensure it is sourced from fisheries or farms that are well-managed, certified sustainable or actively working towards implementing more responsible and sustainable harvesting and farming practices.
Slade Gorton will:

· Source only from suppliers that share the Company’s commitment to sustainability and traceability, and working collaboratively with them to move along the continuum.

· Provide visibility to best practices to help address the economic, social and cultural impacts of developing more sustainable practices.

· Preferentially source responsibly harvested and farmed seafood that proactively addresses local, regional and global concerns regarding environmental impact, the preservation of healthy ecosystems, and ethical social practices.

· Maintain a rigorous protocol to ensure illegal, unreported and unregulated seafood products do not enter the Company’s supply chain.

· Proactively work with its customers to support the development and management of their own seafood sustainability programs.

“Sustainability is a personal issue for us,” said Gorton, the third generation of her family to serve as the Company’s CEO. “We have relied on the sustained resources of the world’s oceans for over 150 years to provide wholesome and nutritious seafood, enabling us to fulfill our mission of ensuring an enjoyable dining experience every time.”

Slade Gorton is one of the country’s largest importers, distributors and manufacturers of fresh, frozen and premium value-added seafood products serving the wholesale, food service and retail channels. The Company has offices in Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Sparks, Nevada.

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Catfish: No major market changes from last month’s report. Supply is good and foodservice business will pick up 20-25% for Lent. Smaller size fillets will be short. Low holiday season demand has caused farmers to leave fish in the ponds, resulting in larger fish. Overall, prices should remain stable.

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Calamari: The Squid market has been stable for the last several months. Prices are high, but not getting any higher. Catches are lower than last season, causing the strong pricing. Even with the higher prices, squid is a great value item on a menu.

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• All natural
• Sustainable
• Great tasting
• High Nutritional Value

Click here for more information on Gray-Gorton Salmon

1. Fishing and harvesting methods don’t harm natural habitats, other species, or the environment in general

Why Is Sustainability Important? According to Seafood Watch, nearly 75% of the world’s fisheries are currently overfished or are in danger of becoming so. When species are overfished or their habitats are destroyed, it can take decades for populations to recover – if at all. Choosing sustainable seafood helps avert this damaging cycle.

How Can I Make Better Choices?

• Think Low Species that are lower on the food chain (catfish, mussels, Atlantic croaker) require fewer resources and can be a healthier choice than large, predatory species (swordfish, shark, tuna) which often have higher mercury levels.
• Think Fast Species that grow quickly (mahimahi, tilapia, barramundi) are a better choice than slow-growing species (orange roughy, grouper, Chilean seabass) that can take 15-30 years to reach maturity.
• Support Responsible Practices Just as important as the type of seafood you choose is how it was caught or harvested. Irresponsible fishing methods can kill endangered species (like sea turtles) and destroy breeding grounds. Learn more about the best and worst practices
• Check the Charts Is the seafood you want to buy a Best Choice, a Good Alternative, or one you should Avoid? The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program maintains up-to-date, color-coded charts and handy Pocket Guides listing seafood choices based on species population, fishing/farming practices, health concerns, and more.

Is Farm-Raised a Better Choice Than Wild-Caught? It can be, but not always. Some fish and shellfish farming practices are responsible; others can be outright hazardous to health. Because of higher standards and oversight, U.S. farm-raised fish and shellfish options are currently a better choice than those from Asia.

How Can I Tell if the Seafood in the Supermarket Is Sustainable?

• Read Labels Improved labeling in recent years has helped shoppers make better choices in the supermarket. These labels may show country of origin, whether the seafood was farm-raised or wild-caught, and even the fishing/harvesting method.
• Look for Logos Choose seafood and seafood products that are certified as sustainable by organizations with tough standards like the Marine Stewardship Council and Friends of the Sea.
• Grill Your Fish Seller Your local seafood vendor can be your best source for information on quality, origin, and methods. Don’t be afraid to ask questions: honest vendors are proud of their stock and will be happy to help. If a vendor is impatient with your questions or vague with their answers, shop elsewhere!

What About Restaurants?

Choose Sustainable Chefs. Many chefs and restaurants have already joined sustainability organizations (such as the Sustainable Seafood Initiative here in Charleston, SC.) They’ve committed to keeping at-risk species off their menus and serving more locally available seafood. Check your local seafood restaurant’s website to find out more.

• Pick a Pocket Guide The regional and national Pocket Guides available for download from the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program are a convenient way to keep sustainability information at hand when dining out locally or while traveling.
• There’s an App for That You can now download a free Seafood Watch application for your iPhone or get Pocket Guide info on any mobile device.

References: How to Choose Sustainable Fish and Seafood

Environmentally Sound Choices Are Good for You and Good for the Oceans, Too

By Doug DuCap, About.com Guide

Shrimp is an excellent source of protein and selenium. It is also a very good source of vitamin D, vitamin B12 and a good source of iron, phosphorus, omega-3 fatty acids, niacin, zinc, copper and magnesium.

There are numerous varieties of shrimp, but the most commonly available type is the deep-water which is also referred to as the pink shrimp. It is three to four inches in length and reddish-pink in color. Giant tiger prawns are also becoming popular worldwide. These large shrimp measure six to twelve inches in length, are one of the most widely consumed types, it is available on the menu of most seafood restaurant in many countries of Asia.

Fresh shrimp should have firm body that is still attached to their shells. They should be free of black spots on their shell since this indicates that the flesh has begun to break down.   If you have the option, purchase displayed shrimp as opposed to those that are prepackaged. The reason for this is you can smell displayed fish because smell is a good indicator of freshness; good quality shrimp have a slightly saltwater smell.  When storing any type of seafood, including shrimp, it is important to keep it cold since seafood is very sensitive to temperature. Therefore, after purchasing shrimp or other seafood, make sure to return it to a refrigerator as soon as possible. Fresh shrimp can last for 1 to 2 days. You can extend the shelf life of shrimp by freezing it. To do so, wrap it well in plastic and place it in the coldest part of the freezer where it will keep for about one month. To defrost shrimp place it in a bowl of cold water or in the refrigerator. Do not thaw the shrimp at room temperature or in a microwave since this can lead to a loss of moisture and nutrients.

As a leader in the US seafood industry, we have in place a rigorous protocol for ensuring the integrity, quality and safety of all our seafood products.  We do everything in our power to make sure that our customers receive exactly what they have ordered.  We are aware that some companies in our industry have not played by the rules and have mislabeled seafood, either by design or by mistake.  Mislabeling seafood is an unconscionable act that we at Slade Gorton & Company do not condone.

Knowingly mislabeling seafood and other forms of economic fraud are not only illegal, but in the end, hurt the entire supply chain from fishermen to consumers. Fishermen work hard and in many cases, risk their lives to bring their product to market; processors and distributors provide market access to a wide variety of wholesome and safe seafood products; and retailers and restaurants, who face the consumer directly, endeavor to ensure a positive dining experience, whether at home or away from home. The consumer, in turn, seeks the opportunity to enjoy healthy, wholesome, quality food and experience the multitude of seafood products available. Fraudulent behavior destroys value at all levels in the supply chain, by undermining the hard work, heritage and nourishment that such a meaningful industry support.

Slade Gorton and many other leaders in the seafood industry work very hard to advocate for economic integrity and fair trade in our industry. We have made significant investments in quality assurance and food safety systems, work closely with various trade associations, such as the National Fisheries Institute and its Better Seafood Board, as well as NGOs, regulators and scientists to ensure that the products we deliver to the market are what we say they are – every time.

Slade Gorton follows mandated guidelines to ensure compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations.  We have also developed our own standards, systems and protocol, well above and beyond that which is mandated, in order to provide our customers with the utmost confidence in our products and practices. We feel it is our responsibility and our obligation to deliver wholesome, safe and authentic products for consumers to enjoy. Honesty, integrity and pride in what we do are core values.

We have also recognized the importance of innovation, continuous improvement and adoption of best practices in order to fulfill our mission of bringing wholesome and safe seafood from around the world to America’s table. Some of our processes and protocol include: 

1. SQF (Safe Quality Foods) – Level 3 certified – The annual SQF audit process, certifies that we adhere to safe food practices to ensure the quality, food safety, traceability, authenticity and integrity of our products. We are one of only several US seafood companies who have received a Level 3 certification – SQF’s highest distinction.
2. We undergo annual 3^rd party audits by Silliker to verify our SQF program.
3. We mandate a rigorous vendor qualification program which includes visibility and transparency into our suppliers’ business practices. All suppliers must undergo 3^rd party audits to verify they have an FDA-approved HACCP Plan.
4. We follow a strict quality assurance protocol as mandated by our HACCP Plan, and verified by FDA, that includes testing for:
   1. Net weight
   2. Wholesomeness
   3. Adherence to Slade Gorton product specifications
   4. DNA testing on certain species
   5. Chain of custody certification to verify proper traceability, licensing, and countries of origin
5. MSC Chain of Custody Certified, audited annually by NSF Surefish, to ensure traceability back to source fisheries.
6. We undergo an annual Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility Audit, conducted by Intertek – Consumer Foods North America.
7. We have adopted GFS1 as our global tracking and traceability platform.
8. We are a member of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and a leading supporter of its Better Seafood Board (BSB). The BSB helps to promote ethical practices, works collaboratively with other agencies to identify and help eradicate fraud and ensures customers who do business with NFI members that they are buying products of integrity. We sign a pledge of economic integrity each year in order to maintain our status as an NFI member.
9. We have partnered with various additional NGOs, including the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) in order to support and lead change in global sustainable fishing practices and social responsibility.

Along with other leaders in our industry, we will continue to advocate at all levels in the supply chain for the adoption of ethical, safe and fair business practices. It is simply, the right thing to do.

We had a late start with fundraising this year, but we have been able to raise $3,425.00 and counting!  People had bake sales, stepped out of their comfort zones to ask for donations, and our shrimp buyer, Mike Hughes, took a Friday afternoon and played guitar in our cafeteria for donations!  This, plus our performance in 2009 and 2010, brings our three year total to $16,473.20.

The walk is an opportunity for supporters and survivors to come together, celebrate the advances in cancer treatments, and remember those who have succumbed to the disease.  All walkers carry lighted balloons for the two laps around Boston Common.  Supporters carry red balloons, survivors carry white balloons, and gold balloons honor people who have passed on.

One of this year’s honored patients, Julie Rando, spoke of how she began exhibiting symptoms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia on a business trip to China.  Doctors diagnosed her with a sinus infection and she went home.  Her own doctor did blood tests and discovered the disease.  Julie went through aggressive treatment, and is in remission.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society leads the charge in finding cures for blood cancers.  They help patients and families every step of the way!

I am very proud that Slade Gorton & Co. has been such an ardent supporter of LLS and the Light The Night walk.

We will be taking donations through the end of the year.  If you would like to donate, please go to the following link:

http://pages.lightthenight.org/ma/BostonL11/SladeGorton