About

The NFI Crab Council is a group focused on crab fishery improvement. As an association of U.S. seafood companies, the Crab Council recognizes the importance of maintaining successful crab fisheries for international businesses as well as local economies.

Since 2009, the Crab Council has practiced industry led stewardship, influencing crab management through funding fisheries improvement projects and market leadership. Throughout six countries in Asia, we sponsor projects designed to preserve crab as a popular, plentiful seafood item as well as an important economic resource for dependent livelihoods. In collaboration with in-country partners and key stakeholders, the Crab Council develops practical measures that address fishery needs through scientific, social, and financial channels.

Our efforts have received support from major funds, foundations, and financial institutions and our model of funding the majority of our efforts through a self-imposed tax on imported crab has trail blazed a new form of privately spearheaded sustainability work. The NFI Crab Council believes that market demand is the most effective tool for changing in-country catch practices and creating viable stock levels. Our mission is to support initiatives that produce larger sized crabs and more abundant harvests, ensuring that consumers have access to affordable and responsibly sourced crab for years to come.

Members

NFI Crab Council Members collectively represent around 85% of the total Blue Swimming Crab imported into the U.S. They also distribute crab throughout the EU, the UK, Dubai, Australia, and Canada. These companies have taken responsibility for their industry’s future by pledging resources, commitment, and funding to crab fishery improvement work in Asia. At the forefront of industry–led efforts, the Crab Council membership embodies a new balance of business and harvest, adopting source standards and funding projects that benefit fisheries, local economies and the consumer. Click on the links to learn more about the NFI Crab Council members.

3 Fish, Inc. is a value-added processor committed to delivering sustainably-sourced seafood products that provide convenient and memorable mealtime experiences to our customers.

AquaStar

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Aqua Star is one of the leading suppliers of frozen seafood in North America and one of the largest retail frozen seafood brands.

Atlantica Imports Inc.

Atlantica Imports Inc. specializes in globally sourcing superior seafood. Our efficient team consists of almost two hundred years industry experience giving our business the competitive advantage.

Bumble Bee Foods

Bumble Bee Foods is North America’s largest branded shelf-stable seafood company, offering a full line of canned and pouched seafood products.

Byrd International

Founded in 1995, Byrd International, Inc. offers a full line of Blue Swimming Crab Meat, ‘Cooked at Sea’ and Traditional Red Swimming Crab Meat from our kitchen to yours.

Carrington Foods

Carrington Foods began in 1971 and is a family owned and operated value added seafood manufacture. Our products are sold nationwide from our SQF level II certified plant in Alabama.

Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods

Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods is a leading importer of shrimp & pasteurized crab. As a founding NFI Crab Council member, we are strongly focused on sustainability initiatives.

Crustacea Seafood Company, Inc.

Crustacea is an importer of pasteurized crab meat with over 60 years of experience in the industry. We are committed to true sustainability, truth in labeling and integrity in our products so we can bring our customers Quality They Can See, Consistency They Can Depend On and a Great Eating Experience.

Direct Source Seafood

Direct Source Seafood, founded in 2010, is a major crab and shrimp importer and wholesaler.

Fisherman’s Choice

Fisherman’s Choice has operated as global importer and distributor of fish products and crab for more than 25 years. Based in the Netherlands, Fisherman’s Choice provides a suite of selectively sourced products to customers in Europe, Canada, the Middle East and Africa

Fortune Imports

Fortune International LLC is a premium seafood and gourmet food distributor with regional operations in the U.S. Midwest.

Gilpin & Company, Inc.

Gilpin & Company, Inc. is a global provider of easy-open ends, specialty closures, and plastic packaging. Founded in 1963, Gilpin is a trusted business partner of the pasteurized Blue Swimming Crab industry.

*contributing member

Handy International

Handy, a family-owned company, is the oldest seafood processor in the U.S. Products include soft crabs, crab meat & cakes, crab specialty items, oysters & artisanal fish.

Founded in 1975, Harbor Seafood has been setting the standard in product quality, service and customer satisfaction. The company maintains these high standards by utilizing a hands on approach of procuring seafood direct from the source with a focus on efficient and environmentally safe practices.

Heron Point Seafood

Heron Point Seafood is an importer and distributor of pasteurized crabmeat. Our many years in the seafood business have led to strong relationships with suppliers and customers.

Mark Foods imports and sells high-end specialty items, including canned crab, from all over the world, supplying distributors, chain restaurants and retailers.

Newport International

Founded in 1964, Newport International is a leading producer and importer of refrigerated and frozen Crabmeat, Shrimp, Fish, and Lobster, with operations across Asia and South America. Its brands, Jack’s Catch® and Pacific Cove®, are renowned nationwide.

Panamei® Seafood

Panamei® Seafood is a direct importer and distributor of seafood in the south east US and throughout the Americas with over 40 years of experience working directly with seafood packers from around the globe.

Phillips Foods, Inc

Phillips Foods, Inc. is a global seafood company specializing in blue swimming crab. Over 100 years, Phillips has become an iconic restaurateur, seafood manufacturer and distributor.

Poseidon food has 20 years of experience as an importer and global distributor of high quality and sustainable Crab meat. We supply retail and whole sale customers with a full range of Crab meat products as well as other Crustaceans and Frozen Fish products.

RGE USA Corp is the marketing arm of RGE Agridev Corporation, the leading Philippine crabmeat processor and exporter. We supply world-class pasteurized crabmeat to the U.S. and other markets.

Rich Products Corporation

Through its iconic SeaPak Shrimp & Seafood Co. consumer brand, Rich’s has provided premiere frozen specialty seafood products for more than 60 years. As the No. 1 selling frozen retail shrimp brand, SeaPak’s product list contains diverse offerings including Maryland Style Crab Cakes.

Stavis Seafoods

Stavis Seafoods sources more than 1000 seafood items from 35 countries, including multiple varieties and species of crab, and can distribute seafood via air and truck nationwide.

Supreme Crab & Seafood, Inc

The Signature Catch brand is produced by Supreme Crab & Seafood, a vertically-integrated seafood company specializing in blue swimming crab meat from Indonesia, the leader in supply.

Trans-Global Products

Trans-Global Products is a wholesaler of imported seafood and a producer of domestic seafood products for export. We emphasize quality and customer service. Trans-Global is “Seafood Done Right!”

Twin Tails Seafood Corporation

Our commitment to consistent high quality has made Twin Tails Seafood Corporation a leader in the industry. We strive to develop long-term customer relationships based on trust and satisfaction.

Partners

The NFI Crab Council’s work is strengthened by key partnerships. Our diverse partners include leading non-profits invested in fishery management and crab sustainability. With their distinct perspectives and backing, the Crab Council maximizes its efforts, increasing presence and impact in Southeast Asia. We work with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), WWF, and Ocean Outcomes.

In addition to our member generated contributions funding from The World Bank, the Walton Family Fund, and Sea Pact have been crucial to the Crab Council’s work.

50 in 10

50-in-10 is a worldwide collaboration among NGOs, businesses, funders, and governments to restore fisheries and sustain the communities that depend on them. 50in 10’s vision is that fisheries become the sustainability success story of the 21^st century, creating more food, better livelihoods, more prosperous businesses, and healthier oceans. The Council is working with 50in 10 to assess the economic impact of industry-funded sustainability projects.

Ocean Outcomes

Ocean Outcomes (O2) works with commercial fisheries, seafood industry, local communities and NGOs to develop and implement creative solutions towards more sustainable fisheries and fish farming practices. O2’s science-based improvement initiatives include assessments, supply chain analysis, buyer engagement, traceability programs, fishery improvement projects and stakeholder convening. O2 is working with the NFI Crab Council to scope, develop and implement fishery improvement projects for crab in Northeast Asia. Learn more at oceanoutcomes.org

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership

Sustainability Fisheries Partnership (SFP) engages seafood buyers and suppliers to improve environmental performance of fisheries and fish-farming regions. SFP has been working with the Crab Council for four years providing strategic and technical guidance for in-country operations.

The Walton Family Foundation

The Walton Family Foundation promotes environmental solutions that make economic sense for communities and their natural resources. The foundation works to achieve change that lasts by creating new and unexpected partnerships and bringing conservation, business and community interests to the same table to build long-term solutions to big problems.

The World Bank

The World Bank provides financial and technical assistance to ensure economic, sustainable development. The Crab Council’s first partner was ALLFISH. ALLFISH is a public-private partnership created by the seafood industry with support from among others, the World Bank, the Global Environment Facility and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. ALLFISH has provided program advice and financial support to the NFI Crab Council. The initial financial support has generated an additional $12 for every $1 that ALLFISH invested.

WWF

WWF is an international conservation organization that integrates local and global perspectives to deliver solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature. WWF is working with the Crab Council on a blue swimming crab Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) in Vietnam, and a second FIP is in development in Thailand; the goal of the FIPs is to improve the overall sustainability of the fisheries.