Øyvind Ihle has become the new Chief Executive Officer of the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI), replacing Interim Executive Director Lisa Goché.
The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) has announced Øyvind Ihle as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ihle brings a wealth of experience from across the seafood and marine ingredients industries, having held various leadership roles in sustainability and innovation.
Ihle has dedicated the past decade to promoting health and sustainability in seafood value chains, in companies such as BASF (Omega-3), DSM/Veramaris (algae feed ingredients), and Avramar (bass & bream farming). Most recently, Ihle serves as board member at Zooca (zooplankton for feed and nutraceuticals), and his efforts to change consumer habits for the better earned him an invitation to support the Seafood Nutrition Partnership in their Eat Seafood America campaign, serving on their marketing committee.
“I have experienced the power of GSSI firsthand, adding tremendous value to us at Avramar. They significantly elevated our sustainability efforts, enhanced our value proposition, and opened up new avenues for business growth. GSSI now has the chance to catalyze sustainability advancements throughout the industry, empowering others to achieve the same transformative impact we’ve witnessed at Avramar. I’m also humbled by the talent and level of dedication in the team, which bodes well for bringing us closer to our vision of more sustainable seafood for everyone,” shares Ihle.
GSSI emphasizes that with the growing need to preserve aquatic resources and the increasing pressure on the supply chain to validate ESG claims, collaboration is more crucial than ever. GSSI drives the credibility of various assurance programs and connects a broader range of entities than any other sustainability initiative in the industry. Its partners also benefit from the leveling of the playing field and the expansion of sustainable sourcing options.
“We are delighted to welcome Øyvind as the new CEO of GSSI. Øyvind brings a wealth of experience in sustainability and leadership from his previous roles at prominent environmental and consumer-focused organizations. His proven track record in driving impactful initiatives and fostering industry collaboration aligns succinctly with our mission. Øyvind’s expertise and vision will advance GSSI’s commitment to promoting sustainable seafood practices globally. We look forward to the positive impact he will make to our organization and the broader industry,” says Ingrid Kelling, Co-Chair of the GSSI Steering Board.
Øyvind replaces Lisa Goché, who served as Interim Executive Director since February 2023. Goché’s time at the helm of GSSI was marked by leadership establishing a foundation for future growth and impact, which Øyvind will continue to build upon, according to the statement of GSSI.
