BlueNalu Joins National Fisheries Institute as First Cell-Cultured Seafood Company 

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – February 27, 2024 – BlueNalu, a global leader in the development of cell-cultured seafood, announced today that it has gained membership into the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the leading trade association in the United States representing the nation’s critically important seafood industry. This marks a historic moment as BlueNalu becomes the first company in the cell-cultured seafood industry to be invited and accepted into NFI. BlueNalu will also serve as a founding member of NFI’s inaugural Sushi Council.  

The announcement follows BlueNalu's recent participation at NFI’s annual Global Seafood Market Conference, where the company, alongside its industry partners Nutreco and Pulmuone Co. Ltd., discussed how this innovative approach to seafood production will work hand-in-hand with industry to contribute to the shared goal of feeding future generations with healthy and nutritious seafood. 

The National Fisheries Institute is a globally recognized authority in the seafood industry, and BlueNalu is honored to be a part of this esteemed organization. NFI and its members are committed to sustainable management of our ocean and stewardship of our environment by endorsing the United Nations Principles for Responsible Fisheries. This membership underscores BlueNalu's commitment to collaboration, food security, and expanding the seafood market with responsible production practices. 

"Joining the National Fisheries Institute is a significant step for BlueNalu. We believe that collaboration across the seafood industry is crucial to meeting the growing demand for high-quality, sustainable seafood,” said Lou Cooperhouse, founder, president & CEO of BlueNalu. “Cell-cultured seafood is not a replacement for traditional methods but a complementary solution. It represents a real and viable option that addresses challenges, including overfishing and climatic events, that impact the industry's growth today. BlueNalu is dedicated to working alongside our industry partners to ensure that our innovative approach contributes positively to the sustainable growth of the seafood sector."  

"The National Fisheries Institute is thrilled to welcome BlueNalu as its newest member," said Lisa Wallenda Picard, president & CEO of the National Fisheries Institute. "Their innovative cell-cultured seafood is a game-changer that aligns with our mission to have Americans eat more seafood by expanding the market with additional options. Traditional seafood sources are healthy, delicious and good management makes them sustainable, but volumetrically there are limits when feeding a growing planet. BlueNalu's innovation is a vital addition to our efforts to increase seafood consumption. We look forward to BlueNalu's impact in diversifying and securing our seafood supply, making a significant contribution to our goal of a broader, healthier seafood diet for Americans." 

BlueNalu's mission is to develop a new method of seafood production to help fill the impending supply gap in a way that is resilient, secure, and year-round. Cell-cultured seafood is real seafood, made directly from fish cells and which will complement the existing supply that originates from traditional fishing or aquaculture practices. Leveraging technology to produce seafood, without contributing to the strain on the environment, allows BlueNalu to deliver a sustainable seafood option to consumers in the U.S. and around the world. 

As BlueNalu continues to pioneer advancements in cell-cultured seafood technology, the company looks forward to actively engaging with the National Fisheries Institute and its members to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and drive positive change within the seafood industry. 

For more information about BlueNalu, please visit www.bluenalu.com. 

About BlueNalu 

BlueNalu’s mission is to develop great-tasting, healthy, safe and trusted cell-cultured seafood products that support the sustainability and diversity of our ocean. BlueNalu is a member of the United Nations Global Compact and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, a blueprint to achieve a better and more resilient future for our planet. BlueNalu began its operations in 2018 and is based in San Diego, California.   

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