Trans-Ocean Products Inc. recognized with MSC US Ocean Champion Award

Bellingham, Washington, U.S.A.-based Trans-Ocean Products Inc. was recognized by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as its 2020 US MSC Ocean Champion Award winner.

The company has demonstrated a continued dedication to seafood sustainability, “going above and beyond the MSC standard to make MSC certified products available to consumers,” the certification organization said in a press release.

Trans-Ocean Products' Crab Classic imitation crab, or imitation seafood, features MSC-certified wild Alaska pollock. One of the largest processors of surimi seafoods in the U.S., the firm also created the Simply Surimi, Jaiba Supremo, and Seafood Snackers brands.

Trans-Ocean Products Vice President of Sales and Marketing Lou Shaheen accepted the award on behalf of the company this month.

“Trans-Ocean was an early believer in the benefits of MSC certification. We proudly feature the MSC blue fish label on our packaging and in our marketing because it gives our products added credibility as high quality, sustainably-sourced seafood,” Shaheen said.

Established in 2017, the MSC US Ocean Champion Award exists to “reward fisheries and companies engaged in the MSC program who demonstrated continued leadership on sustainability above and beyond the MSC standard requirements,” MSC said. The award includes an internal champion, which can be a person or team, who has served as an “internal catalyst for change,” MSC said. In this case, Sheehan and the entire Trans-Ocean team were highlighted. A glass trophy is presented to the honorees, featuring a handmade wave that is crafted and inscribed in downtown Seattle, Washington.

“It is with great pleasure that the MSC U.S. recognizes Trans-Ocean Products Inc. with the MSC US Ocean Champion award. Their diligent and persistent support of the MSC mission and vision has been and continues to be inspiring,” MSC U.S.A. Program Director Eric Critchlow said. “MSC’s recent consumer insights survey shows that high quality product coupled with third-party sustainability certification resonates with consumers – Trans-Ocean’s success demonstrates that it meets consumers’ preferences as demonstrated by their wallets and forks.”

Trans-Ocean Products was among the first U.S. seafood brands to earn MSC Chain of Custody certification and incorporate the program’s blue fish label on its products, the organization said.  

“Trans-Ocean Products Inc. has been at the forefront of promoting MSC as a mark of environmental responsibility to the consumer market, and has featured MSC message in consumer advertising and other promotional activities helping to encourage Americans to buy seafood that’s good for them and good for the ocean,” MSC said.

Photo courtesy of Kimberly Michele Photography/Marine Stewardship Council