Dick Jones, the new President of the Northwest Aquaculture Alliance.
Photo: NWAA / Blue Ocean Mariculture
The Northwest Aquaculture Alliance (NWAA) has elected new officers and directors, expanding its board with senior industry figures from across the Americas as the organisation enters its 2026 term.
Dick Jones, a long-time seafood and aquaculture executive, and former CEO of Blue Ocean Mariculture, has been elected President, with Alaska mariculture specialist Jeff Hetrick appointed Vice President.
The board has also welcomed two new directors: aquaculture health expert Marcela Paz Delgado, DVM, founder and CEO of Sudvet Corp., and Landen Talbot, Global Sales Manager at Troutlodge, Inc.
The elections were confirmed at a recent NWAA board meeting following the retirement of long-serving President Jim Parsons, CEO of Jamestown Seafood. Parsons, who led the Alliance from 2020 through December 2025, was awarded NWAA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024 and will continue to support the organisation as President-emeritus and Board Advisor.
NWAA Executive Director Jeanne McKnight said the new leadership team strengthens the Alliance’s ability to support industry growth and public engagement across the Pacific Region.
“The combined expertise of this group -- from fish health and hatchery operations to policy and global seafood systems -- positions NWAA to accelerate its advocacy and education efforts,” McKnight said.
Jones brings more than 30 years of experience from commercial aquaculture, seafood supply chains, and nonprofit ocean stewardship. He is the founder and CEO of Hawaii-based consultancy Tidepoint Group and previously led Blue Ocean Mariculture, the only open-ocean finfish mariculture company operating in the United States. He also serves as Executive Director of the Hawai‘i Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and the National Fisheries Institute’s Sushi Council.
“I am honored to serve as President and look forward to working with our members and partners to advance the Alliance’s strategic priorities,” Jones said. He added that NWAA intends to play a central role in expanding responsible seafood production in the United States, both in marine and freshwater systems.
Meanwhile, the new VP Jeff Hetrick, Director of the Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute in Seward, Alaska, is widely recognised for his work in shellfish mariculture, salmon enhancement, and tribally-led marine research. He also serves on the boards of the National Aquaculture Association and the Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Scholarship Foundation.
Marcela Paz Delgado, one of the NWAA's new board directors.
Photo: NWAA
The two new board directors, Marcela Paz Delgado and Landen Talbot, are also respected names within the industry. Delgado brings significant international experience, with a career spanning more than 25 years in fish health, diagnostics, and biosecurity. In 2025, she was named one of Chile’s 100 Most Influential Women Leaders for her contributions to aquaculture innovation and sustainability.
Meanwhile, Talbot adds extensive experience in trout genetics, broodstock management, and global seed-stock distribution, which NWAA said supports its focus on innovation and production efficiency.
The expanded board is beginning its term immediately and will guide NWAA’s strategic initiatives in 2026, with priorities including aquaculture education, public outreach, and industry innovation.
