American Seafoods on Thursday announced Bernt Bodal is retiring from the company and his role as chairman of the company’s board of directors.

“American Seafoods sincerely appreciates Bernt’s contributions as both an officer and leader of the company,” said Mikel Durham, CEO of American Seafoods. “Bernt is one of the true pioneers of what are among the most sustainable and well-managed fisheries in the world.”

Bodal led American Seafoods through an era that included the formation of fishing cooperatives in both the US Pacific hake and Alaska pollock fisheries.