About Us
Who We Are
SeaShare is a non-profit founded in 1994 to help the seafood industry donate to hunger-relief efforts in the United States.
Over 275 Million Seafood Servings Donated
It began with a small group of commercial fishermen in Alaska who took unintentionally caught fish (known as bycatch) that were required by law to be thrown back into the sea, and gave those fish – vital, healthy protein – to food banks. Over the past 31 years, SeaShare has grown its donations far beyond our original bycatch program. Now 90 percent of our seafood is first-run product, donated by generous fishermen and processors around the country. They believe in the power of seafood to help those served by food banks and feeding centers. Over 275 million seafood servings have been distributed, and we’re still counting.
Our original bycatch donation program allowed SeaShare to accomplish a number of important milestones that have led to our success. It required achieved changes to National Marine Fisheries Service regulations in Alaska – the largest fishery in the United States – to allow the retention of bycatch solely for use by hunger-relief agencies. It also required us to develop a network of service donors so the load is shared and the results are maximized. With a growing list of processors, freight companies, food banks, and financial donors, more seafood is being served on more tables across the country.
It was an important story about fishermen who valued every fish they pulled from the sea. Today this program makes up only about 8% of our donations but we still value every fish and their significant source of nutrition. Because SeaShare’s goal isn’t just to feed people, but to use seafood to feed people well.
We’re proud to have received these awards
- 2019 General Mills Food Recovery Champion
- 2018 Finalist, Global Seafood Champion Award in Leadership
- 2016 Community Partner Award – Millionair Club
- 2016 Alaska Ocean Leadership Award – Stewardship & Sustainability
- 2012 LA Food Bank Top 50 Donor
- 2011/2012 Food Lifeline Top Donor
- 2011 Alaska Champion Award
- 2011 Disaster Relief Campaign Partner with Feeding America
- 2009 Outstanding Food Donor – Food Lifeline, Seattle, WA
- 2009 Certificate of Appreciation – Food Bank of Alaska, Anchorage, AK
- 2008 Evergreen Award for Groundbreaking Work in Partnerships and Collaboration from the Seattle-based Executive Alliance at the 14th Annual Washington State Non-profit Conference
- 2006 Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Award in the categories of Community Service, Media, and Public Education from NOAA -U.S. Dept. of Commerce
- Feeding America Hunger’s Hope Award (1995-2001)
- 1999 Environmental Hero Award from NOAA, presented by Vice President Al Gore.
An Efficient, Collaborative Model
Getting seafood from the ocean into food banks is a complex and costly process. SeaShare provides the framework and logistics that allow a wide range of partners to work together to make large- and small-scale donations possible. By coordinating donations from fishermen with contributions from its cold storage, processing, and shipping partners, SeaShare leverages its network to enable the industry to give on a scale that can only be achieved from a collective effort.
Feeding America
We have a long-standing collaboration with Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. With their network we’re able to join forces and make donations across the nation.
Our strength has always been a detailed, insider’s knowledge of the seafood industry
Board members and staff utilize expertise in key areas of the industry; including policy and law, marketing and communications, harvesting and production, logistics, and finance. They are also guided by a sense of responsibility for the stewardship and efficient utilization of our nation’s resources.