Cooke Aquaculture Appoints New CSO
BLACKS HARBOUR–Cooke Aquaculture Inc. has appointed a new top environmental executive.
In a Feb. 2 release, the Blacks Harbour-headquartered aquaculture giant announced it has appointed Michael Szemerda as its global chief sustainability officer (CSO).
Szemerda, a 30-year Cooke employee, will be responsible for Cooke’s environmental and regulatory programs, industry certifications, and sustainability initiatives for all of the company’s global wild and farmed subsidiaries.
Szemerda said in the release that his mandate is the same as Cooke’s: “to cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, provide for our families, and build stronger communities.”
Szemerda, who works as vice president of saltwater operations for the company’s North American operations, praised the talent and knowledge of those working in Cooke’s wild fisheries and aquaculture arms and their ability to innovate and implement practices using sound science and advanced technologies to bring sustainable seafood to market.
“I’m excited to unify these efforts and continue this important work with our colleagues around the globe,” Szemerda said.
Cooke CEO, Glenn Cooke, said Szemerda is a proven leader, with lots of experience in all of Cooke’s worldwide saltwater operations.
“We’re thrilled that he has accepted this role at such a pivotal time of growth for our company. We know this experience with our operations and knowledge of the seafood industry will help us in our commitment to protecting and enhancing the marine environments we work in,” said Cooke.
The release noted Szemerda will officially take on the new gig once Cooke finds a replacement VP of aquaculture to oversee its saltwater operations.
Sam Macdonald is a Huddle reporter in Moncton. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].