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Seafood Summit 2004

Chicago, Illinois
October 26 – 28, 2004

John G. Shedd Aquarium, co-host of Summit 2004Seafood Summit 2004 brought together the leaders of the seafood choices movement to exchange information and to:

  • Get the latest scoop on consumer, conservation, and industry trends relating to seafood sustainability;
  • Learn how ocean-friendly seafood can positively impact a business's bottom line;
  • Discover new opportunities for growth

Sponsored by Seafood Choices Alliance, the annual Seafood Summit has evolved into a multi-day meeting that brings together all sectors - seafood professionals, conservation organizations, scientists, educators, fishers and fish farmers, and charitable foundations - to identify new solutions to ensure a lasting and diverse seafood supply. Seafood Summit 2004, co-hosted with the John G. Shedd Aquarium and Chefs Collaborative, reflected the increasing diversity of the seafood choices movement with participation from over 100 representatives and 65 organizations and businesses from across the globe.

Seafood Summit 2004 was a celebration of recent successes and growth. In his keynote address, The Right Honorable John Gummer MP, Chairman of the Marine Stewardship Council, encouraged attendees to celebrate the progress made towards a healthier ocean and fish supply. For the first time, the Summit branched out of North America to include the leading international voices in sustainable seafood, solidifying the global nature of the movement. The Summit recognized the critical role of the seafood industry and private businesses in shifting supply towards more sustainable choices. Some of the nation’s foremost chefs, including Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill), Rick Moonen (Restaurant rm), Peter Hoffman (Savoy), Eric Stenberg (Savory Olive), and John Ash (John Ash & Company), explored avenues by which those gathered could assist other food professionals and the public in making ocean-friendly choices.

Industry veterans Howard Johnson, Peter Redmayne, Bob Sullivan (Plitt Seafood), and John Fiorillo (The Wave.com) shared the seafood industry’s perspective on the growing movement. Sustainable seafood distributor, Henry Lovejoy, with Paul Johnson (Monterey Fish) and Rich Boot (Sustainable Fishery Advocates), offered tips on marketing sustainable seafood in innovative ways.

In addition, the John G. Shedd Aquarium hosted a kick-off reception, the Chef’s Collaborative and Shaw’s Crab House organized a mouth-watering dinner and enlightening discussion, and William Rice shared his perspective from his experience as food and wine columnist for the Chicago Tribune.

Charles Clover of The Daily Telegraph concluded the event by reminding attendees to continue to think globally and act locally by making choices with the health of the ocean in mind.