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Sustainable seafood study

According to a new report released from SeaChoice, Canada should do more to protect oceans and the food they provide. The organization, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, released the first major assessment of the sustainability of all of Canada’s seafood imports and exports. The report, Taking Stock: Sustainable Seafood in Canadian Markets, is part of SeaChoice’s work to promote and highlight sustainable seafood choices in Canadian grocery stores.

“While we are celebrating the growing support for sustainable seafood among Canadians, along with increased fisheries assessments, the report’s findings show there are still obstacles to supporting healthy oceans,” said Karen Wristen from the Living Oceans Society.

The report found:

● Weak government labelling and traceability requirements have made Canadian seafood assessments impossible for many species.

● Tropical farmed shrimp, farmed open net-pen salmon and skipjack tuna caught with harmful gear were the top three “red-listed” or “avoid” fish imported into Canada (by volume).

● Open net-pen Atlantic salmon is Canada’s most exported red-listed fish.

● Only 16 per cent of the seafood in Canada is considered “Best Choice” by SeaChoice. 

Many groups have contributed to sustainable seafood gains, namely the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions and its 30 collaborators and members, which include the Marine Stewardship Council, Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, Ocean Wise and SeaChoice.

“Increasing the profile of sustainable seafood would not have been possible without the efforts of collaborators, members, major retailers, suppliers, seafood consumers, chefs and fishing and aquaculture industries,” said Bill Wareham, Western Canada science manager at the David Suzuki Foundation, a SeaChoice member.

SeaChoice was created in 2006 to help Canadian businesses and seafood lovers support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture throughout the supply chain. Huge strides have been made over the past decade.