SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 18, 2024--
American Seafoods Group (“American Seafoods” or “the Company”), a global leader in sustainable proteins and one of the world’s largest at-sea processors of wild Alaska pollock and wild Pacific hake, announced today the publication of its annual sustainability report. The report details the Company’s continued advancement of its environmental and social responsibility efforts as it innovates and sustainably harvests the world’s best-managed fisheries. American Seafoods is the first Alaska seafood company to release its sustainability report in 2024, which further validates its category leadership in environmental protection initiatives.
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“I am absolutely thrilled with the progress American Seafoods has made with achieving key sustainability metrics as we remain at the forefront of innovation in our industry,” said Einar Gustafsson, CEO of American Seafoods. “We have a deep appreciation of the marine environment and a key understanding of the importance of sustainably managing our fisheries. These pillars are the very foundation of our success, and we look forward to pushing our efforts even further to help build a cleaner and healthier planet for all. In addition to the significant progress that our team made on the environmental front, I am equally proud of our team’s continued dedication to supporting our invaluable crew, the local communities in Alaska and our broader industry.”
Chief Sustainability Officer of American Seafoods, Tim Fitzgerald, added: “I am very excited about the sustainability trajectory that American Seafoods is on, and this report is just the latest addition to our company’s rich history.”
Mr. Fitzgerald continued, “American Seafoods predicates itself on an unwavering commitment to the science-based management of our fisheries, continuous improvement of our vessels’ efficiencies and our longstanding commitment to third party certifications and full traceability. The bottom line is that at American Seafoods, sustainability is central to everything that we do. While we are proud of our achievements, we know there is always more to be done. American Seafoods profoundly understands that responsible and conservative natural resource management is the predominant driver of long-term success for our business. We will continue to lead on this front.”
To access the 2023 Sustainability Report, please visit: https://www.americanseafoods.com/sustainability/sustainabilityreport2023
American Seafoods Sustainability Highlights For The Full Year 2023
Mr. Fitzgerald concluded: “Moving forward our sustainability roadmap will continue to expand beyond the performance of these fisheries into more ambitious goals around carbon, plastics and waste and transparent public reporting. Our industry has always pushed the envelope on sustainability initiatives, and these areas are ripe for further innovation. American Seafoods is ready to lead the way.”
About American Seafoods Group
American Seafoods is a global leader in sustainable proteins and in the harvesting, processing, preparation and supply of frozen at sea, wild-caught seafood. Harvesting a variety of fish species from the rich, pristine waters of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, American Seafoods processes seafood into a wide array of finished products on board its state-of-the-art fleet of vessels. American Seafoods produces a diverse range of fillet, surimi, roe and block product offerings, made from Alaska pollock, Pacific hake, Pacific cod, and yellowfin sole that yielded 1.3 billion servings of sustainable seafood in 2023. Finished products from our sustainable fisheries are sold worldwide through an extensive global distribution and customer support network. From the ocean to the plate, American Seafoods has established a global sourcing, selling, marketing and distribution network bringing sustainably-harvested seafood to consumers worldwide. For more information, please visit us at www.americanseafoods.com.
American Seafoods, Preeminent Fishing Leader in Sustainable Proteins, Releases Annual Sustainability Report (Graphic: Business Wire)
TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Dozens of people have been arrested in Georgia after police in the capital used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters who rallied outside Parliament to protest a controversial bill which they argue limits media freedom.
Georgia's Interior Ministry said 63 people were arrested Tuesday while they took part in a demonstration in Tbilisi. Levan Khabeishvili, an opposition MP, posted a picture of himself on his social media accounts with a bloodied face and heavy bruising. Members of his party said he had been assaulted by police.
Those arrested were taking part in the latest in a series of protests against a bill which would require media and non-commercial organizations to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if they get more than 20% of their funding from abroad.
The protesters have denounced it as “the Russian law” because Moscow uses similar legislation to stigmatize independent news media and organizations critical of the Kremlin.
It is similar to a bill that the ruling Georgian Dream party proposed and then withdrew under pressure last year after large street protests.
If the bill is adopted, protesters are concerned that it will allow the authorities to more heavily control the media space as well as derailing integration with the EU after Georgia was granted candidate status in December 2023.
“We do not want the Soviet regime that our parents have experienced," Kato Salukvadze, a protester, told The Associated Press, adding, “I think that everyone should be in the streets and say no to the Russian law and yes to Europe.”
Police moved to break up the protest late Tuesday after demonstrators tried to block the entrances to Parliament in order to prevent lawmakers from leaving.
Georgia's Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze said at a briefing Wednesday that the protesters and leaders of the opposition party were “constantly committing violence.” Darakhvelidze alleged that Khabeishvili, the opposition MP, broke through a police cordon and was injured while “he resisted.”
Giorgi Vashadze, another opposition politician, said Georgians have the right to peaceful protest and that the behavior of the ruling party and law enforcement agencies is “completely illegal.”
Earlier this month, the parliament endorsed the bill on its first reading despite the protests. Debate will continue Wednesday as part of the bill's second reading. It must pass three readings before it can be adopted.
Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili has harshly criticized the bill and vowed to veto it if it is passed by parliament. The ruling party, however, can override her veto and then the parliament speaker can sign it into law.
A woman shows a heart standing in front of riot police during an opposition protest against "the Russian law" near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Clashes erupted between police and opposition demonstrators protesting a new bill intended to track foreign influence that the opposition denounced as Russia-inspired. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
A demonstrator stands with a EU flag in front of police block during an opposition protest against "the Russian law" near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Clashes erupted between police and opposition demonstrators protesting a new bill intended to track foreign influence that the opposition denounced as Russia-inspired. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Riot policemen stand ready to fire gas grenade during an opposition protest against "the Russian law" near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Clashes erupted between police and opposition demonstrators protesting a new bill intended to track foreign influence that the opposition denounced as Russia-inspired. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Demonstrators scuffle with riot police during an opposition protest against "the Russian law" near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Clashes erupted between police and opposition demonstrators protesting a new bill intended to track foreign influence that the opposition denounced as Russia-inspired. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Riot police detain a demonstrator during an opposition protest against "the Russian law" near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Clashes erupted between police and opposition demonstrators protesting a new bill intended to track foreign influence that the opposition denounced as Russia-inspired. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Riot police use a water cannon during an opposition protest against "the Russian law" near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Clashes erupted between police and opposition demonstrators protesting a new bill intended to track foreign influence that the opposition denounced as Russia-inspired. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Demonstrators sit in front of police line during an opposition protest against "the Russian law" near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Clashes erupted between police and opposition demonstrators protesting a new bill intended to track foreign influence that the opposition denounced as Russia-inspired. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
