Recalling the announcement at the CFSI annual meeting that San Francisco wanted to prohibit the possession and sale of any product containing polystyrene (Styrofoam), including fish boxes, beginning January 1, 2017,  industry wasted no time in reaching out to city officials to educate them on the need to make an exception for fish. Tom Tobin, who brought this proposed ban to the members of CFSI, invited key city officials to meet on Fishermen’s Wharf Pier 45) very early in the morning, and they accepted. Tom visited several fishmongers including LaRocca, Caito, Pier 45 Seafood, and others who explained to the city officials that to insure quality and safety, fish arrives in polystyrene boxes and that there are no alternatives at present. After the tour and interview with the CFSI members on the wharf, city officials said that industry would not have to comply with the new regulation as the boxes were needed to assure a wholesome product.

The argument that boxes were necessary to assure quality, did not leak on an airplane, were prevalent in worldwide commerce, were best for wholesome food handling and were recovered and eventually recycled prevailed.

Tobin took this on swiftly, had others in industry willing to meet with officials, and a decision was made after city officials  were educated on the issue.

Rob Ross, who joined the meeting and tour said the SF action to exempt polystyrene fish boxes, was significant as it set a precedent for other cities to follow, thus preventing costly and unnecessary box bans.