Global Seafood Alliance Welcomes Two New Members to Board of Directors

Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Szemerda and Trin Tapanya to its Board of Directors. Their extensive expertise and commitment to the seafood industry will guide GSA as it continues to promote responsibility and innovation in global seafood production.

Michael Szemerda serves as the Global Chief Sustainability Officer at family-owned Cooke Inc., where he oversees environmental programs, regulatory compliance, industry certifications, and sustainability initiatives across Cooke’s global wild and farmed seafood operations. With over 30 years at Cooke, including his previous role as Vice President of Saltwater Operations for Cooke Aquaculture’s North American Operations, Michael has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing responsible seafood practices.

Trin Tapanya, Senior Vice President of Operations at Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods/ Thai Union Group, brings diverse expertise spanning the seafood business, supply-chain management, food service and restaurant industries.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael and Trin to our Board of Directors,” said Mike Kocsis, CEO of GSA. “Their diverse perspectives and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the seafood industry will be instrumental in helping us achieve our mission of advancing responsible seafood practices worldwide.”

The addition of Michael and Trin underscores GSA’s commitment to fostering leadership that represents the global seafood community. Their contributions are expected to support the organization’s initiatives in driving innovation, promoting best practices, and ensuring a sustainable future for the industry. 

About Global Seafood Alliance

The Global Seafood Alliance is an international, nonprofit trade association dedicated to advancing responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy and third-party assurances. Through the development of its certification programs, GSA has become the leading provider of assurances for wild and farmed seafood globally. The organization’s work addresses the full spectrum of responsibility, from environmental responsibility and social accountability to food safety. Established in 1997 as the Global Aquaculture Alliance, GSA is headquartered in Portsmouth, N.H., USA. To learn more, visit www.globalseafood.org.