Harbor Seafood has joined the McLean, Virginia, USA-headquartered National Fisheries Institute’s (NFI) Crab Council. The New Hyde Park, New York-based importer sources a wide variety of fishery products, including blue swimming crab, from around the globe.
Founded in 1975, Harbor Seafood is one of the principle blue swimming crab importers In North America. Its supplies come from eight crab processing partner plants in Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, each of which adheres to rigorous procurement standards. Already engaged in BSC fishery improvement work of its own in both Central Java and Southern Sulawesi, Indonesia, the company joined the Crab Council with a detailed resume in resource management.
“Safeguarding the supply is paramount to Harbor Seafood,” said President Christian Limberg. “In our sourcing areas, we have worked with in-country partners to implement a vetted value chain centered on responsible governance. We are excited to marry those efforts with the Crab Council’s and amplify our commitment to blue swimming crab.”
Harbor Seafood’s membership in the Crab Council marks a watershed moment for the pre-competitive sustainability group. At 32 companies, the council’s roster of US and international businesses comprises the markets’ most recognized and high-volume brands. The council’s funding for fishery improvement projects in Southeast Asia comes from an assessment placed on the pounds of blue swimming crab imported by its members.
As the fourth company to join the Crab Council in 2017, Harbor Seafood signs on during a period of marked council growth both in membership and activity as the coalition expands existing projects and establishes new ventures.
“With Harbor Seafood, the Crab Council has reached a new level of industry prominence,” said Crab Council Chairman Brendan Sweeny. “Businesses and customers alike have endorsed the council’s work and recognize the council logo. It is a symbol of real support for the continued longevity of a valuable resource.”
The NFI Crab Council was founded in 2009 and funds blue swimming crab sustainability projects through contributions from participating companies and has received grants from the World Bank, the Walton Family Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
