Founded in 2008, The Conservation Alliance – a Bend, Oregon, U.S.A.-based charity – represents over 185 organizations and companies across 30 countries working to, among other sustainability goals, improve how seafood is produced, sold, and consumed worldwide. 

The organization has a stated goal of ensuring that 75 percent of global commercial seafood production will be environmentally responsible or making verifiable improvements by 2030, and to do so effectively, it provides a platform for companies and other stakeholders to discuss and learn about trends in responsible production and supply chains across the seafood industry.

The alliance recently released its 2025-2028 Strategy, and SeafoodSource sat down with Executive Director Meaghan Hudgins and Board Chair Richard Stavis to discuss how the organization is evolving to help the seafood industry deliver a healthy, responsible product to global seafood markets. 

Hudgins has worked with the alliance since 2015 and became its executive director in May 2024. Stavis has over 35 years of experience in the commercial seafood and sustainability industries, holding purchasing, sales, and sustainability management roles. 

SeafoodSource: How would you explain The Conservation Alliance to someone not familiar with the organization?

Hudgins: The alliance is the key convener and catalyst of the sustainable seafood movement. We unite over 180 member organizations from across the global supply chain that are committed to advancing the environmental sustainability and social responsibility of our seafood. Through essential resources, targeted capacity-building, and a strong, collaborative network, we empower our members to drive greater impact and do their work more effectively.

We are the only organization that welcomes members from all stakeholder groups, regions, and topical expertise because we believe that the diversity of voices and approaches are essential to identifying scalable solutions that move the entire sustainable seafood movement forward.

SeafoodSource: What do you see as the return on investment for industry engagement with the alliance?

Stavis: Seafood sustainability is not a new concept. The Marine Stewardship Council will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year, and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership will be celebrating its 20th. Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of a series of exposes highlighting human rights abuses that catalyzed the inclusion of social responsibility into most responsible sourcing policies. 

Most, if not all, major public facing companies involved in sourcing and selling seafood have created sustainability pledges and responsible sourcing policies. Suppliers have worked to meet the requirements and expectations of their customers, but the diverse policies and rules have made universal compliance quite difficult. 

The alliance gives the community the opportunity to share, align, and refine the definition of responsibly sourced seafood. This allows for improved influence and oversight on the ground and through the supply chain. We also help the community to collaborate on sharing implementable solutions to the challenges we face. Involvement in this process gives companies access to a broader group of customers, ultimately allowing them to expand their businesses.

SeafoodSource: You recently launched a new strategy. Can you share some of its priorities or focus areas?

Hudgins: Our new strategy is built around three core pillars: cultivating an international community of experts, expanding access to capacity- and skill-building opportunities, and delivering the resources, programming, and platforms our members need to meet the demands of their work. We believe that increased connectivity and capacity across actors and initiatives will lead to more scalable solutions. 

All of this work is designed to cut through the noise and reduce inefficiencies across the seafood movement. With an ever-growing number of tools, platforms, and research initiatives telling companies what they need to do, what’s often missing is clear guidance on how to make it all work in practice. That’s where the alliance comes in. 

We’re uniquely positioned to help companies navigate this complex landscape and identify where their engagement and implementation efforts can add real value – not just to the broader movement but to their own business as well.

In this next chapter, the alliance is deepening its role as the trusted home for the tough conversations and collective action required to address challenges no single organization can solve alone. As the movement evolves, the alliance serves as the connective tissue, bringing together diverse voices that chart a path forward, drive meaningful change, and amplify the impact of every member.

SeafoodSource: You have been working with the seafood industry for a number of years on issues including traceability and small-scale fisheries. How should companies think about engaging with sustainability and/or responsible practices?

Stavis: Now is a great time for companies to find their leadership voice. Proactive involvement creates opportunity. Sustainability and responsibility, demonstrated credibly through robust traceable supply chains, open doors with existing and emerging customer bases. 

Best-of-class suppliers are attractive to current and prospective customers as they, in turn, build loyalty with consumers through demonstrably provable positive actions. Knowing your supply chain is not just about meeting customer expectations. It can also drive quality and efficiency within product lines, reducing waste and saving money. Traceable, sustainable, and responsible practices are win/wins!  

SeafoodSource: How do you help companies find that leadership voice?

Hudgins: We recognize that a lot is being asked of industry right now, and the rapidly evolving landscape of environmental and social responsibility can often feel overwhelming – especially when the burden of implementation falls on just one person within a company. The pressure to meet expectations while avoiding public scrutiny is real, and companies need a strong support system to help them navigate how to do the right thing. 

That’s why it’s more important than ever that businesses and NGOs work together from the start – ensuring that proposed solutions are not only ambitious but also clearly communicated and practical to implement. 

The alliance is intentionally welcoming more industry voices into our membership to help shape these conversations early on. As members, companies gain a seat at the table during solution development and receive access to valuable resources to support implementation. This includes timely webinars and our annual conference that dive into relevant topics in sustainable seafood, a global network of peers, practical guidance, and tactical tools like our “Sustainability 101” series launching this summer to support new sustainability advisors.