Southeastern FisheriesAssociation, Inc. |
Join the Southeastern Fisheries Association (SFA) to protect fishermen’s rights, ensure access to seafood for all, and support sustainable fishing practices.
Updates
SFA's Mission
SFA’s mission is to defend, protect and enhance the commercial fishing industry in the southeastern United States for present participants as well as future generations through all legal means while maintaining healthy and sustainable stocks of fish.
The FISHES ACT, the bill that requires the OMB to make a decision on all disaster relief requests for funds within 30 days. This will expedite the funding process so funds should be provided much quicker than in the past. This bill began by the efforts of Rep Donalds from Ft Myers and the companion bill was done by Sen Scott (FL). SFA was among the first supporters of this bill and helped gather others to provide support for it. SFA, working with others, is proud have been involved in the passage of this bill. I also want to thank Capt Butch Smith, President of NACO, the for hire charter association I was President of before coming to SFA, for his help with his Sen Cantwell in Washington state. I was notified by the FWC Legislative liaison Brian McManus this past Tuesday night that Sen Cantwell had thrown a wrench into the passage of the bill at the last minute. I reached out to Butch who is well connected to Sen Cantwell, described the problem, and he was able to get with her direct staff and was able to have her pull back her objections. This is how reaching across to other sectors all working on the same issue can provide success in obtaining our needs. THIS IS A BIG WIN FOR SFA AND ALL THE SMALL FAMILY COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY BUSINESSES. THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF SFA. THIS COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT. | Featured member |
Become a member
Please help to keep Southeastern Fisheries Association fighting for the future of the commercial seafood industry and YOUR access to seafood - the cleanest, safest protein in the world. Partner with us by becoming a member.
SFA's Major Goals
Preserve harvesting access to the marine fisheries resources for future generations.
There are worldwide efforts to reduce the harvest of seafood and to reduce the number of fishing vessels and fishermen in the industry. One major effort of reduction is in fisheries identified as overcapitalized. Another effort is being made by groups who are opposed to harvesting animals for food purposes.
Promote and deliver continuing education programs concerning seafood safety.
There is a worldwide concern about seafood safety, so much so that the United States, Canada and the European Economic Union have initiated strict seafood safety regulations. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established 21 CFR 123 in 1996 as the controlling regulations for all seafood and aquaculture products sold at wholesale in the country. SFA is developing new options for those needing to be HACCP-certified.
Chronicle the history of the southeastern seafood industry.
Manuscripts, rules and regulations show how the seafood industry in the southeast has been transformed from a valuable and respected industry to an industry considered by some groups as no longer needed.
SFA Board of DirectorsExecutive Committee Chairman of the Board: Tony Lombardi, Lombardi's Seafood President: Eugene Raffield, Raffield Fisheries Vice President: Mike Merrifield, Wild Ocean Market Treasurer: Sherri McCoy, Cape Canaveral Shrimp Co. Secretary: Jeanna Merrifield, Wild Ocean Market Directors Johnny Banyas, Cortez Bait & Seafood Pat Barker, Refrigerated Express Inc Karen Bell, AP Bell Fish Co. Greg D'Agostino, Stone Crab Inc. Dennis Henderson, Trico Shrimp Co, Inc Jimmy Hull, Hull's Seafood Market Peter Jarvis, Triar Seafood Mike Lombardi, Lombardi's Seafood Pat Lynch, Bionic Bait Steven Rash, Water Street Seafood Justin Versaggi, Versaggi Shrimp Co. Amy Wirtz, Pelican Point Seafood Jim Zurbrick, Fish For America |
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