US fish farmers step up seafood promotion during Covid-19 lockdown
Fish farmers in the United States have teamed up with the wild-caught sector to persuade Americans to eat more seafood during the Covid-19 epidemic.
The Eat Seafood, America! social media campaign is a collaborative effort of the members of the Seafood4Health Action Coalition which is urging US citizens to “help save an industry that employs 2 million Americans”.
One of the campaign’s succinct message states: “The coronavirus poses a significant threat to the US seafood economy. Support our fishing communities by eating delicious seafood. It’s as simple as that!”
Simple recipes
Another urges Americans to eat seafood to help their immune systems and stay healthy.
“Seafood’s omega-3s reduce inflammation, support your immune system and can even help reduce stress and anxiety — all things we need right now during these times,” says Seafood4Health on its website, which includes a link to “some delicious, simple recipes with pantry ingredients”.
Members of the coalition include the Global Salmon Initiative, the Global Aquaculture Alliance, the Maine Aquaculture Association and Northwest Aquaculture Alliance, which represents aquaculture producers and support-related businesses in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and in British Columbia in Canada.
Chilean involvement
The Boston-based Chilean Salmon Marketing Council is also part of the Seafood4Health coalition.
Wild-catch members include the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association and Seafood Harvesters of America.
Consumers are being urged to post a photo of their meal on social media and tag it #EATSEAFOODAMERICA.
‘Seafood community needs our help’
The campaign organisers have also given supporters examples of the kinds of Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn posts they’d like them to make.
Twitter / Instagram examples include: America’s seafood community needs our help! Join #EatSeafoodAmerica and buy seafood to help save our nation’s struggling fishermen and water farmers.
One suggested Facebook / LinkedIn post is: America’s seafood community needs our help! The coronavirus poses a significant threat to the future of an industry that employs approximately 2 million Americans. That’s why a coalition of seafood organizations is asking for help.
Read more about the campaign here.
