The Seafood Industry Climate Awards

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.

Apply Now

Application opens

September 25th, 2025

Entries accepted through

November 7, 2025

alaskan salmon fisherperson

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. This coming year, three recipients will each receive a $70,000 grant, including a new dedicated TD Bank Award for one recipient whose project is focused on the low carbon transition through workforce development and operating between Maine and Florida.

Click here to see the application for more details. Questions can be directed to climateaward@acmesmokedfishfoundation.org

3 winners

$70,000 Per Award

Featured in Media & At Industry Events

Entries Address one or More Industry Areas

  • On the Water
  • Shipping & Logistics
  • Processing & Manufacturing
  • Energy Usage
  • Waste Management
  • Alternative Proteins
  • Workforce Development

Our SICA Judges

Our SICA recipients are selected by the leading minds in the seafood industry.  

smoked salmon charity judge

Amanda Foster

Corporate Citizenship Manager - TD Bank Foundation

Acme Smoked Fish

Kenneth Halanych

Executive Director - Center for Marine Science at UNCW

smoked salmon charity judge

Bri Warner

Chief Executive Officer - Atlantic Sea Farms

smoked salmon charity judge

Stacy Schultz

Director Marketing and Sustainability Coordinator - Fortune Fish and Gourmet, Board Member of SeaPact Foundation

smoked salmon charity judge

Cari McCall

Sr Strategic Sourcing Specialist - Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

smoked salmon charity judge

Sid Shafin

Plant Engineer - Acme Smoked Fish

smoked salmon charity judge

Rob Snyder

Chief People and Sustainability Officer - Acme Smoked Fish, Acme Smoked Fish Foundation

Criteria

Winning applications must meet and will be evaluated on the following requirements:

Impact

Ability, current or potential, to reduce the carbon footprint of discrete aspects of the seafood industry through tangible, measurable solutions.

50% of Total Score

Application Question: How would the proposed work reduce the carbon footprint of the seafood sector?

Plan

A clear and realistic approach of award use to achieve application goals with demonstrable progress expected within 12 months of receiving the award.

25% of Total Score

Application Question: What is the plan for implementation with a focus on 12 months from receiving award?

Diversity

Applying team and/or program improves seafood industry diversity (women, people of color, and marginalized communities) through representation in leadership, access to opportunities, or learning and development.

25% of Total Score

Application Question: How is the team and/or work improving the diversity of the seafood sector?

Selection Process

Awardees will be reviewed and selected by judges representing a broad set of perspectives from across the seafood industry. Judges 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 ended and winners will be announced in January 2026.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be formally affiliated with and applying through a legally registered entity that can receive unrestricted grant funding.
  • Applicant must be registered and located in the United States or Canada.
  • Project must be located or implemented in the United States or Canada.
  • Meet all submission deadlines, including submitting a completed application form by the required deadline.
  • Ability to fulfill all grant requirements including a minimum of a midterm and final update.
  • Past Seafood Industry Climate Award winners are not eligible to apply.
  • Organizations may not resubmit the same project from previous application cycles. New projects or substantially different approaches from the same organization are welcome.
  • Agree to all legal terms and conditions of the award.

The Acme Smoked Fish Foundation does not fund the following:

  • Lobbying and activities to influence specific legislation or policy advocacy
  • Religious organizations
  • Individuals unaffiliated with a legal entity
  • Theoretical or academic research without clear implementation pathways

Frequently Asked Questions

What are examples of good entries?

We encourage submissions from a wide array of projects that demonstrate the potential for tangible, real-world impact. These can be from any of the following categories:

  • On the water 
  • Shipping & Logistics
  • Processing & Manufacturing
  • Energy Usage
  • Waste Management
  • Alternative Proteins
  • Workforce Development

Entries can range from applied research with clear implementation timelines (such as pilot studies or field trials), nonprofit programs with concrete deliverables, startups developing alternative proteins and more. Entries can be from the seafood industry or compelling applications from other fields. We prioritize solutions that have clear pathways to market adoption, revenue generation, or sustainable impact. The opportunity and need for innovative solutions are wide-ranging, and we want to support the most impactful ideas and teams that can deliver tangible results. Find previous SICA winners below!

What is the application deadline?

Applications for the U.S. and Canada are being accepted until November 7, 2025 at 5pm EDT. 

What makes a good application?

Successful applications have the following:

  • Meet eligibility requirements
  • Complete all required information
  • Address the three criteria– impact, plan and diversity–in their application
  • Clearly articulate how they can deliver tangible results to reduce the carbon footprint of the seafood industry
  • Demonstrate realistic implementation timelines with measurable outcomes
  • Show pathways to improved sustainability outcomes, scalable solutions, or market adoption

What types of projects are we not looking for?

  • Theoretical research or academic studies without implementation components
  • Policy advocacy or lobbying efforts
  • Projects without clear, measurable deliverables within the 12-month timeframe
  • Previously submitted projects from the same organization

When will winners be announced?

All applicants, including winners, will be notified by January, 2026. 

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 be given the opportunity to showcase their work at seafood industry events.

Who can I talk to with questions or to get help?

Send an email with any questions to climateaward@acmesmokedfishfoundation.org

2024 North American SICA Recipients

Council of Great Lakes Governors, Inc.

The 100% Great Lakes Fish initiative, led by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers (GSGP), addresses climate change challenges in the freshwater fishing industry by valorizing fish by-products and diverting waste from landfills for high value purposes. This process not only reduces methane and carbon emissions, but also captures the maximum value of the fishery and creates a circular economy. The initiative aims to productively utilize 100% of each fish in collaboration with key stakeholders, including indigenous and commercial fishers, processors, researchers, and global industry leaders.

Learn More

Oceans 97, LLC

Oceans 97’s vision for zero waste seafood processing involves developing a curriculum and training program for smoked fish, chitin, and mussel powder production in Carteret County, North Carolina. This research effort will support a formal program in zero waste seafood processing and aims to employ women, people of color, and marginalized communities. The curriculum will be developed and operated in partnership with Carteret County Community College.

Learn More

Gulf of Maine Research Institute

The Aquaculture Apprenticeship Program is a comprehensive, hands-on training initiative designed to build a skilled, sustainable workforce for Maine’s growing aquaculture sector. Managed by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) in partnership with the Maine Aquaculture Association and Southern Maine Community College, the program combines technical education with practical farm experience and prepares apprentices for successful careers in the low-carbon aquaculture industry.

Learn More

2024 Chilean SICA Recipients

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. 

Smart Reactor

Organic waste management with IoT sensors to monitor and regulate critical process variables such as temperature, humidity and oxygen levels in real time. This ensures ideal conditions for efficient processing of organic matter.

Learn More

Thermikhouse

Production of thermal insulation from recycled cardboard and paper. By transforming this waste into an efficient product with low environmental impact, both waste generation and carbon footprint are reduced.

Learn More

Our SICA Partners

acme smoked fish

td bank

acme smoked fish foundation

Support for SICA

acme smoked fish philanthropy

Support for SICA

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.

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