S1E11 - Susan Jackson - Conserving Fisheries and Shared Resources
Our conversation with Susan Jackson - president of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) - was a fascinating dive into a world that few of us know much about - tuna fishing and conservation. While seemingly esoteric, this episode describes the many facets of a system that strives to conserve shared resources - a particularly challenging task when dealing with sovereign nations and independent companies where there is temptation to cheat. ISSF has built a multi-decades-long reputation for bringing competing stakeholders to the table and collaborating for the benefit of the collective good. As Jackson said in her TED talk, “Our method is broader than our niche.” Listen to learn more about this advancement in private sector multilateralism, and to get more back story on our seafood and the health of the oceans.
ISSF is a global partnership among scientists, tuna processors, and environmental nonprofits to undertake science-based initiatives for the long-term conservation and sustainable use of tuna stocks, reducing bycatch and promoting a healthy marine ecosystem.
Prior to joining ISSF, Jackson was the vice president for government/industry relations and seafood sourcing for Del Monte Foods, where her responsibilities included government relations at the federal, state, and local levels, and acting as Del Monte’s representative to trade and industry associations.
Jackson was also responsible for the purchase of all raw tuna and tuna co-pack manufacturing for Del Monte’s StarKist brand. Jackson joined the H.J. Heinz Company in 1997 as an attorney in the law department, later working with the company’s seafood sourcing and other areas of procurement. Jackson graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BS in economics and received her law degree from Duke University. Read more about Susan Jackson and the ISSF here.
Conversation recorded on September 30, 2022.