Connelly was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, in March 2022.
NFI shared the news via a press release on Monday, 21 November. It did not provide a date of death.
“It is with great sadness that we reflect on the loss of NFI’s President and CEO John Connelly. John led our organization with passion and a steadfast hand for nearly 20 years. He was a warm, generous man and his legacy will have an impact on NFI and the seafood industry for decades to come,” NFI said in a press release.
Connelly helped to build NFI into the leading U.S. seafood industry trade group. He helped create the Better Seafood Board, the Global Seafood Market Conference and the Seafood Nutrition Partnership; led the merger of the National Tuna Federation and subsequent development of the NFI council system; and served on multiple industry boards. He was presented with a 2022 Wallace R. Stevens Lifetime Achievement Award by the Global Seafood Alliance in October 2022.
"John was not afraid of hard work with a professional mantra of 'no job too big, no job too small.' John was a master communicator who would weave in charming personal antidotes while breaking down complex issues like corporate responsibility, sustainability, free markets, and whatever was keeping the consumer awake at night - all in the manner of an affable sweater-wearing professor," NFI said. "The NFI staff will remember his indelible impact on our lives. He was a hard-working boss whose naval officer pedigree taught him to lead from the front. He was a warm-hearted father figure who cared deeply about those around him. He was a tough, honest and funny man - with a genuine twinkle in his eye and a story for every occasion. He was someone who wrote postcards to family and friends from his travels around the world. He was a man of deep faith and happiest spending time with his family."
Connelly announced his retirement in January 2022, with a plan to leave his position by January 2023. Lisa Wallenda Picard, formerly of the trade group representing the U.S. turkey industry, was named NFI’s incoming president and CEO in November 2022.
Connelly will be memorialized at a ceremony on Sunday, 15 January at the Global Seafood Market Conference in Palm Springs, California, U.S.A.
In memoriam of Connelly, NFI has established The John Connelly Intern Scholarship at the College of the Holy Cross, Connelly’s alma mater, to benefit the Semester in D.C. Program. The scholarship will be awarded annually to an NFI advocacy intern and will also benefit other interns at Washington, D.C.-based food trade associations, NFI said.
In a March 2022 interview with SeafoodSource, Connelly was asked what his best and worst days at NFI had been.
“There are two questions I just can’t answer. The first is, ‘What is your favorite seafood?’ mostly because nearly all seafood is delicious and I’m also ecumenical about our members products! The second is, 'What is your best day at work?' I’m proud to say that I do not need a third hand to count the number of days over the past 19-plus years that I have not wanted to go to work. NFI and the seafood community are a fascinating group of people to work for and alongside,” he said. “My saddest days are the ones when we learn of the loss of the leaders that built our industry. Seafood is such a personal business, and any time an industry giant passes, it causes me to reflect on if I am doing enough to help grow the industry.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, the global food market is facing increasing volatility in logistics costs, energy prices, and supply chains. In the seafood sector, alongside ocean-caught products such as tuna, the surimi-based product group—including fish cakes, crab sticks, fish balls, and other imitation seafood products—has also been affected to some extent by these developments.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the 2026 brackish-water shrimp farming calendar issued by the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Environment, the 2026 crop started in early January and is expected to harvest in late June. However, stocking progress has been slower than planned as farmers remain cautious, focusing on pond renovation and production preparations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo 2026, commercial clam prices in Ha Tinh province surged sharply, nearly doubling compared to normal levels and standing about 20–30% higher than the same period last year. The spike has encouraged many aquaculture households to accelerate harvesting and sell large volumes to the market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In January 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 379.6 million, up 22% compared to the same period in 2025. The double-digit growth in the very first month of the year signals a relatively positive recovery in orders, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) From the very beginning of 2026, India’s shrimp industry has received a series of favorable trade signals: U.S. reciprocal tariffs have been reduced, while the successful conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU has opened prospects for eliminating nearly all seafood tariffs in the coming years. This shift not only enables Indian shrimp to quickly offset declines in the U.S. market, but also reshapes the global competitive landscape, placing greater pressure on Vietnamese shrimp exporters in terms of price, market share, and strategic positioning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is recording many positive signals, both in terms of raw fish prices and export prospects. Export turnover this year is projected to reach approximately USD 2.3 billion. Amid ongoing volatility in the global market, diversifying export destinations, reducing dependence on major markets, and effectively leveraging free trade agreements (FTAs) are considered key to maintaining sustainable growth and creating new momentum for the pangasius sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With forecasts indicating that weather conditions in 2026 may become more complex—featuring prolonged heatwaves, unseasonal rains, and increased salinity intrusion—the agricultural sector of Can Tho City advises brackish water shrimp farmers to strictly follow the seasonal farming calendar and strengthen pond environmental management to minimize risks and improve production efficiency.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On February 4, a working delegation led by the Authority of Telecommunications (Ministry of Science and Technology) met with the Management Board of Cat Lo Fishing Port (Phuoc Thang Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) to comprehensively review the installation of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), assess signal connectivity, and evaluate the effectiveness of information technology applications in fisheries management across the city.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a significant milestone for China’s lobster market, with total imports reaching a record high and the supply structure undergoing major changes. Amid this surge, Vietnam’s lobster exports—especially green lobster—accelerated dramatically, reaching new highs and contributing substantially to Vietnam’s overall record shrimp export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a range of synchronized solutions, from institutional improvements and strengthened communication to strict fleet control, Quang Ninh is stepping up efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, determined to join the country in soon having the European Commission’s (EC) “yellow card” lifted.
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