“Seafood companies need a strong and reliable workforce, and looking at corporate policies through an equity lens shows that a company values its employees’ contributions," said SAGE founder, Julie Kuchepatov.
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Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE), a Portland, Oregon-based organization dedicated to creating a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable seafood industry, has been awarded $715,000 in philanthropic grants. The funding, provided by the Builders Initiative Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation, will support SAGE’s efforts to address gender disparities in the seafood sector over the next three years.
Founded in 2020, SAGE aims to raise awareness of the critical yet often overlooked contributions of women in the seafood industry. These new grants highlight the urgency of addressing inequities and empowering women within the sector, the organizations says.
"By championing gender equality in the seafood industry, we are actively shaping the future we want to see," said Jelani Odlum, Program Officer at Builders Initiative, in a press release. "SAGE is pushing companies to evaluate their practices, address biases, and take decisive action to promote equality."
The grants are to fund the continued development of SAGE’s Gender Equality Dialogues (GED), a program designed to bring seafood industry leaders together to align the approaches to gender equity issues, commit to action, and gain tools to promote inclusivity in their organizations.
SAGE is currently seeking seafood companies to join the next GED cohort, scheduled to begin in early 2025.
“We are so grateful for this incredible support,” said Julie Kuchepatov, founder of SAGE. “Seafood companies need a strong and reliable workforce, and looking at corporate policies through an equity lens shows that a company values its employees’ contributions.”
Several companies, including Fortune Fish and Gourmet, Acme Smoked Fish, and Seattle Fish, have already participated in a year-long pilot GED program that concluded in July. Through this program, participants signed public commitments on gender equality, including advocating for a diverse seafood industry, evaluating internal practices, and promoting equal opportunity for all employees - commitments they are now required to adhere to, with ongoing support from SAGE.
Leo Pradela, Program Officer at the Walton Family Foundation, praised the companies involved in the GED pilot, noting that over 2,300 employees will benefit from the initiatives set in motion. "The seafood industry has often left too many people out of the process," said Pradela. "We’re excited to see this number grow as more companies join future GED cohorts."
SAGE argues that the seafood sector, which faces challenges ranging from human rights concerns to market instability, has historically overlooked its role in improving the work experience of underserved groups. However, SAGE and its partners say they remain firm in their belief that by fostering equity and inclusion, the industry can become more resilient and sustainable.
"We are thrilled to partner with SAGE and believe that together we can make significant strides toward a more sustainable seafood sector," said Sean O’Scannlain, CEO of Fortune Fish and Gourmet.
