GAPP announces new pollock partnerships

Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) has announced 16 partners that will benefit from USD 1.6 million (EUR 1.36 million) in funding to market existing items and develop new products from Alaska pollock.

The funds were awarded through GAPP’s partnership program to seafood companies including Gorton’s Seafood, High Liner Foods, Alaska Naturals, and Pure Catch Nutritional Supplements.

Seven of the 20 projects will focus on products made from surimi, a pollock paste that will be abundant this season, as large quantities of smaller fish in the Alaska pollock fishery meant processors turned out fewer fillets and more surimi.

Hawaii’s Okuhara Foods, a new partner for GAPP, will be using its funds to re-launch its Fishcake brands, while Trans-Ocean will look to push its Crab Classic brand, both made from pollock surimi.

GAPP CEO Craig Morris said his organization wanted to use the funding to market existing products, but also to promote innovative new products made from pollock. To that end, Okuhara will have a new Pupu Paste product, while an undisclosed national food service distributor plans a fall rollout for a new tempura California roll.

“From Hawaiian company Okuhara Foods to a luxury branded retailer to a significant foodservice distributor, you’re going to see wild Alaska pollock products popping up in countless new ways, places, and menus in the coming year thanks to these partners and their vision for our fish,” Morris said.

Gorton’s will launch new air-fried pollock fillets, while Catch & Fetch will roll out new pet treats, and Pure Catch Nutritional Supplements will have a new product made from pollock oil. High Liner Foods is launching Alaska Wild Wings with a national restaurant chain.

GAPP also awarded funds to Neptune Snacks for the second year to expand its line of jerky made from Alaska pollock. 

Morris said the partnership program is key to the work of GAPP, a nonprofit formed in 2003 to market once-frozen Alaska pollock.

“We’re building on an incredibly successful year for wild Alaska pollock and an incredibly successful program with these new partners,” Morris said. “With each new group of distinguished partners, our industry is able to launch new products, engage consumers about our fish and its attributes and contribute to a shared knowledge-base about how to continue driving our fish forward. Beyond all else, these partnerships are the most powerful thing we do.”  

According to GAPP, competition for funding this year was heavy, with the organization receiving some USD 5 million (EUR 4.25 million) in requests.  

Photo courtesy of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers