Experienced Seafood Industry Professional Kevin Bixler Appointed as Chair of the ISSF Board

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 15, 2021, the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) proudly announced the appointment of Kevin Bixler as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. Bixler, who serves as the Global Director of Group Fish Procurement for Thai Union Group, takes over from Luciano Pirovano, the Director of Sustainable Development at Bolton Food. Additionally, the ISSF Board welcomes William Gibbons-Fly, a former high-ranking official with the U.S. Department of State, specializing in fisheries negotiations. Alongside these new appointments, Dr. Rohan Currey of the Marine Stewardship Council has been named Vice Chair. Susan Jackson, President of ISSF, expressed profound appreciation for Luciano Pirovano's contributions during his tenure, highlighting significant conservation achievements and leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic. Jackson anticipates that Bixler's extensive experience in both commercial fishing and sustainability will bring valuable insights to the foundation. Kevin Bixler, expressing honor over his new role, emphasized Thai Union's longstanding commitment to ISSF's mission from its inception. He looks forward to collaborating with leading sustainability experts to further the cause of tuna fisheries sustainability. The ISSF Board, comprising a diverse mix of leaders from NGOs, marine science, government, and the seafood industry, plays a crucial role in advancing the foundation's mission through the adoption of conservation measures. Other notable members of the ISSF Board include: - Dr. Transform Aqorau, a Pacific Fisheries Expert - John Connelly, President of the National Fisheries Institute - Dr. Giuseppe Di Carlo, Lead Conservationist at WWF-International - Javier Garat, Secretary General of Cepesca - Bill Holden of the Marine Stewardship Council - Ichiro Nomura, Fisheries Policy Advisor in Indonesia - Dr. Victor Restrepo, Vice President of Science at ISSF - Dr. Martin Tsamenyi, a law professor with expertise in ocean resources Kevin Bixler's background includes a longstanding relationship with ISSF through his roles at Thai Union Group, where he has been instrumental in shaping the company's global fish sourcing strategy. His life-long involvement in the fishing industry and academic background from UCLA equip him with a unique perspective for his new role. William Gibbons-Fly brings to the board a wealth of experience in international fisheries policy from his tenure at the U.S. Department of State and leadership roles in various international fisheries organizations. The announcement also highlights Chicken of the Sea International (COSI) as a leading seafood provider committed to responsible sourcing and innovation in seafood products. The ISSF remains dedicated to promoting sustainable tuna fisheries and marine ecosystem health through science-based initiatives, aiming for global tuna fisheries to meet the Marine Stewardship Council certification standard. For more information on ISSF and its initiatives, visit the foundation's website and follow its social media channels.