The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has formed a partnership with Holland America Line to educate the cruise line’s employees on the species, benefits and responsible fishing practices of the Alaska fishing industry.
Through the partnership, which was announced May 7, ASMI is offering the cruise line’s dining and galley staff a short online digital course on Alaska seafood species, health benefits, fishing methods and the state’s overall sustainability practices.
The “Seafood U” training for Holland America Line’s culinary teams began earlier this year in advance of the cruise line’s 2024 Alaska season. Some 2,500 shipboard team members working on six ships are to undergo the training, according to ASMI.
“With this new step, Holland America Line has committed to not only serving fresh, sustainable seafood, but ensuring our team has the knowledge to be expert sources to our guests as we cruise Alaska’s waters,” Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha said.
“We’re thrilled to take this step with longtime supporter of the Alaska seafood industry, Holland America Line, and hope it can serve as an example for how other operators can easily become more knowledgeable,” ASMI foodservice marketing manager Leah Krafft said.
On any Alaska cruise, Holland America Line serves over 2,000 pounds of Alaska salmon, 1,000 pounds of Alaska cod, 800 pounds of Alaska halibut, 500 pounds of Alaska rockfish, and more, according to the cruise line.
ASMI officials said that Alaska’s seafood industry goes to great lengths to ensure the harvest of what the environment can support, so that consumers can feel good about choosing seafood from Alaska, whether on a cruise, dining at a restaurant or shopping at a local supermarket.
ASMI’s “Seafood U” training course is available across industries. For more information about the program, contact Krafft at lkfrafft@alaskaseafood.org.