Empowering seafood industry leaders to turn the tide against climate change—and chart a course towards a low-carbon future.
Enter your solution for reducing the seafood industry’s carbon footprint.
November 2nd, 2023
The Seafood Industry Climate Awards (SICA) celebrate early stage efforts to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.
Significant progress has been made in the seafood industry to address sustainability issues. Yet, climate adaptation is a relatively new focus area that is demanding immediate action.
We believe that if innovators, from applied researchers to product developers to entrepreneurs, have increased attention and resources, they can help turn the tide and transform the seafood industry into a leader in the climate movement.
Click here to see the application for more details. Questions can be directed to climateaward@acmesmokedfishfoundation.org
Entries Address one or More Industry Areas
Our SICA recipients are selected by the leading minds in the seafood industry.
Corporate Citizenship Manager - TD Bank Foundation
Cofounder - Green Ticket
Chief Executive Officer - Atlantic Sea Farms
Director Marketing and Sustainability Coordinator - Fortune Fish and Gourmet, Board Member of SeaPact Foundation
Sr Strategic Sourcing Specialist - Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
Plant Engineer - Acme Smoked Fish
Chief People and Sustainability Officer - Acme Smoked Fish, Acme Smoked Fish Foundation
Winning applications must meet and will be evaluated on the following requirements:
Ability, current or potential, to reduce the carbon footprint of discrete aspects of the seafood industry.
50% of Total Score
Application Question: How would the proposed work reduce the carbon footprint of the seafood sector?
Clear and realistic approach to achieve application goals including leverage of the award.
25% of Total Score
Application Question: What is the plan for implementation with a focus on 12 months from receiving award?
Applying team and/or program improves seafood industry diversity (women, people of color, and marginalized communities).
25% of Total Score
Application Question: How is the team and/or work improving the diversity of the seafood sector?
Awardees will be reviewed and selected by judges representing a broad set of perspectives from across the seafood industry. Judge’s will evaluate entries based on the criteria, each with equal weighting. Judges may contact applicants for clarification or additional information. Evaluation will begin once the application period has closed and winners will be announced in December 2023.
The Acme Smoked Fish Foundation does not fund the following:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are examples of good entries?
We encourage applications from a wide range of efforts. These can be from any of the following categories:
Entries can range from researchers diving into the impacts of seafood shipping, nonprofit programs dedicated to improving fishing practices, startups developing alternative proteins and more. Entries can be from the seafood industry or compelling applications from other fields. The opportunity and need for innovative solutions is wide, and we want to find the most impactful ideas and teams, wherever they may come from.
What is the application deadline?
Applications for the U.S. and Canada are being accepted until November 2, 2023 at 5pm EDT.
When will winners be announced?
All applicants, including winners, will be notified in December.
What do winners receive?
Three winners will be selected from the pool of U.S. and Canadian applicants. Each winner will receive a $70,000 grant to be used for the plan outlined in their application. They will also receive recognition in industry press and will present their work at a seafood industry event.
What makes a good application?
Successful applications have the following:
Who can I talk to with questions or to get help?
Send an email with any questions to climateaward@acmesmokedfishfoundation.org.
With Micmac Farms and Hatchery, the Mi’kmaq Nation makes a meaningful difference. Each year, they provide about 12,000 pounds of Maine strain Eastern Brook Trout to the community using innovative Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology. Through SICA funding, they’re taking their eco-friendly approach a step further by integrating renewable solar power into their RAS. By making strides in sustainable aquaculture, the Mi’kmaq Nation has created a resilient, energy-independent food source for their community and inspired other indigenous groups to join their journey.
To transition the Alaska fishing fleet to hybrid diesel/electric power, ALFA is launching an innovative pilot project—collaborating with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Energy Transitions Initiative Project Partnership, and over 300 fisher-members to lessen their industry’s carbon footprint. This all-hands-on-deck initiative to convert ships, collect crucial data, and cultivate community engagement began in the fall of 2022, powered by SICA funding.
BIPOC students and immigrants face countless barriers to entry when it comes to the commercial fishing and lobstering industries in Maine. Luke’s Seafood is here to change that, paving pathways for prospective fishermen and women from underserved communities. Through hands-on experiences, Luke’s helps enrolled students gain insights into the environmental impact of the industry and discover opportunities to innovate. Through SICA funding, Luke’s can hire more instructors and lead more students to sustainable careers.
Addressing the climate crisis requires a global approach. Through the Chilean awards program, Acme acknowledges that sustainable action and seafood-industry innovation know no borders.
In a nation with a massive coastline and booming seafood industry, everything seems to happen at sea. But all of the boating required to take care of business can take a toll on the health of the planet, contributing to the industry’s overall carbon emissions. Antü Energía SpA is working to lighten the footprint, gathering key data and designing efficient electric systems to power small outboard motorboats.
Guided by the spirit of transformation, Salmonhealth SpA seeks to convert 22,000 tonnes of plastic waste from the salmon industry into clean, efficient energy. It’s a powerful idea and a promising project, one that can reduce the industry’s carbon output, preserve the biodiversity of the Los Lagos region, and inspire fellow innovators to view waste as an opportunity.
The Seafood Industry Climate Award is made possible by a fleet of intrepid thinkers, philanthropists, and corporate leaders. Beyond Acme Smoked Fish Corp., SICA’s sponsors include The Builder's Initiative, TD Bank, Northside Packaging, Feature Foods International, Buckhead Capital Corp., Eastern Quality Foods, Rampart Insurance Services, Margolin Winer & Evens, LLP, Cole Scholtz P.C., and Marc Brownstein.