The US seafood industry remains staggeringly behind when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), according to a panel of speakers at this week's North Atlantic Seafood Forum (NASF) in Norway.

Panelist Sandrine Devillard, senior partner at consultancy firm McKinsey & Co, noted gains in leadership in seafood for women and people of color were meager when measured through research of 423 participating US organizations.

Women made modest gains at top in the seafood sector, making up only 14 percent of corporate bodies at the top 80 seafood companies, one of the lowest levels across all industries, she said.