Holland America Line partners with Alaska Seafood to introduce 2,500 team members to wild Alaskan seafood through Seafood U® training courses.
There are six culinary team members Holland America Line the ship will be Alaska Seafood University Certification This year.
Alaska is the largest domestic source of wild seafood in the U.S., via SeafoodU Through Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) educational courses, HAL’s catering and kitchen team members will demonstrate their knowledge of Alaska seafood species, responsible fishing practices and health benefits.
Seafood U provides education about Alaska’s various seafood species, health benefits, fishing methods, and overall sustainability practices in the state, which supplies more than 60 percent of the country’s wild seafood.
In preparation for the cruise line’s 2024 Alaska season, Holland America Line’s culinary team began Seafood U training earlier this year. Approximately 2,500 onboard team members on six ships are expected to complete the course.
Related: What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise – Plus a Free Packing List!
Holland America Line commits to sustainable seafood
Alaskan seafood has long been a feature of HAL’s immersive culinary experiences and dedication to sustainability. On every Alaska cruise, the company offers more than 2,000 pounds of Alaska salmon, 1,000 pounds of Alaska pollock, 800 pounds of Alaska halibut, 500 pounds of Alaska grouper and more. Guests can choose from a variety of Alaskan seafood options, such as grilled fennel-crusted Alaskan halibut or Alaskan salmon steak salad.
Holland America Line received responsible fisheries management In 2022, all six of its Alaska-bound ships received (RFM) certification, making it the first cruise line to earn this prestigious credential by serving only certified sustainable and traceable wild Alaskan seafood.
“We’ve been sharing the excitement of Alaska’s glaciers and wildlife with our guests for 75 years, and supporting sustainable fisheries and local businesses is an important commitment to us,” Gus AntochaPresident of Holland America Line. “With this new initiative, Holland America Line is not only committed to providing fresh, sustainable seafood, but also ensuring our team has the knowledge to be an expert resource for our guests as we sail Alaskan waters.”
Related: Holland America Line launches global fresh fish program
Most consumers prefer wild seafood
According to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institutethe preference ratio for wild seafood is usually 4:1, and products clearly marked as wild (especially products with the Alaska Seafood logo) are more attractive to customers. While the vast majority of consumers want to eat sustainably, more than three-fifths of Americans are unsure which seafood is sustainable and which is not.
“We know consumers are interested in learning how to choose high-quality, nutritious and sustainable seafood. ASMI’s Seafood U is applicable across industries, so anyone involved in the seafood industry, from processors to chefs to restaurant workers to grocery store seafood departments , can better understand the value of Alaskan seafood.” Leah CraftASMI Foodservice Marketing Manager.
“We are excited to take this step with Holland America Line, a long-time supporter of Alaska’s seafood industry, and hope it serves as an example to other operators of how to easily improve their knowledge,” Kraft continued.
Related: KLM expands Alaska close-haul program
Alaska puts sustainable fisheries in its constitution
Alaska seafood includes five species of wild salmon, cod, halibut, wild Alaska pollock, sablefish, rockfish, sole/flounder, crab and more, all available year-round.
Alaska is the only state to enshrine sustainable fisheries in its constitution, and the Alaska seafood industry goes to great lengths to ensure they only harvest what the environment can support.
The state has pioneered global standards for preventive resource management, protecting fisheries and surrounding habitats for future generations and ensuring a sustainable supply of wild seafood for global markets.
ASMI is a partnership between the State of Alaska and the Alaska seafood industry to promote the benefits of wild and sustainable Alaska seafood while providing seafood business education. Alaska’s fisheries are the state’s largest essential private sector employer, accounting for more than 60 percent of all U.S. wild seafood and 99 percent of wild salmon.
More news about Holland America Airlines
Is choosing sustainable seafood important to you? Holland America has chosen to certify its culinary staff through Seafood U training, will this affect your choice of cruise line? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
