Wally Stevens’ Lifetime Achievements Earn Him Induction Into The Boston Seafood Hall Of Fame

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Fisheries Foundation inducted industry veteran Wally Stevens into its Boston Seafood Hall of Fame during the opening ceremonies of the 6th Annual Boston Seafood Festival today. Stevens, who currently serves as Executive Director of the Global Aquaculture Alliance, was honored as the 2017 inductee for his nearly five decades of service in the seafood industry which includes his tireless work to promote seafood sustainability and improve practices across the entire aquaculture production chain. The induction ceremony was held on Boston’s historic Fish Pier.

“Wally has been a leader in the seafood industry for decades,” said Richard Stavis, Board Member of the Boston Fisheries Foundation and CEO of Stavis Seafoods. “A true innovator, Wally has touched virtually all aspects of the seafood business. He was one of the first to raise Salmon in Maine, served as President of a major Bostonbased seafood distributor and then jumped to the NGO side of the business with the Global Aquaculture Alliance, which through its Best Aquaculture Practices Certification program has helped set and propagate sustainable aquaculture standards and practices globally. Wally has helped the Boston and global seafood industries in countless ways. His commitment to responsible, sustainable aquaculture has also furthered the concept of sustainability, which will help feed current and future populations. He is incredibly deserving of induction into the Boston Seafood Hall of Fame.”

A 47-year seafood veteran, Stevens has a lifetime of experience in the industry. Since 2007, Wally Stevens has served as Executive Director of the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), an international, non-profit organization committed to feeding the world through responsible, sustainable aquaculture. Before leading the GAA, he served as President of Slade Gorton, overseeing the company’s national sales of seafood out of Boston for more than 17 years. He also served as President of Ocean Products where he was on the ground, growing fish, and as Senior Vice President of Operations at Booth Fisheries.

Prior to his seafood career, Stevens served during the Vietnam era in the U.S. Army, assisting with the transportation of men and materials to and from Southeast Asia.

Stevens has played a significant role in the growth of GAA and its Best Aquaculture Practices third-party certification program. His efforts with the GAA have helped provide much needed resources to improve seafood production practices. He is also treasurer of the Responsible Aquaculture Foundation. For much of his career, Stevens has been a volunteer with the National Fisheries Institute, where he served as chairman in 2001 and co-founded the Future Leaders program.

The Boston Seafood Hall of Fame was established in 2014 to honor the pioneers and leaders of the New England seafood community. Previous inductees include the late Gerry Frattollilo in its first year of inception, Brian Rothschild, president of the New Bedford-based Center for Sustainable Fisheries, in 2015 and Angela Sanfilippo, president of the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association, last year.

Presented by Boston Fisheries Foundation, the annual Boston Seafood Festival is a terrific family-friendly day of delicious seafood sampling, live music, local chef demonstrations, and children’s activities that also provides an opportunity to learn more about Boston’s seafood and maritime heritage. This year, it was presented with support from generous sponsors that included Massport, Harpoon, Stavis Seafoods, Channel Fish, The John Nagle Company, Quarterdeck, JCDecaux, Carpenter’s Union, Ipswich Clambake, East Boston Savings Bank, Boston Sword & Tuna, and F.J. O’Hara & Son’s. The Boston Seafood Festival is managed and produced by Conventures, Boston’s leading events management and communications agency

About Boston Fisheries Foundation

The Boston Fisheries Foundation’s 6th Annual Boston Seafood Festival was held on the Boston Fish Pier, August 13, 2017. For more information, please visit www.bostonseafoodfestival.org.

Source: Boston Fisheries Foundation