Reply #67: Sustainable fishing - no gill nets - saves whales, dolphins, turtles, etc. [View All]

Between the years 1992-2002 there was a 21% increase in global consumption of seafood <15>. Over 1 billion people on the planet depend on fish as the main protein of their diet. Without sustainable fisheries, these communities would face economic crisis and hunger. Such a high demand for seafood around the world creates the need for industrial fishing techniques. The fishing industry supports about 200 million livelihoods including: fishermen, processing, packaging, transport, restaurants, and retail.

The Marine Stewardship Council was created in 1997 by two global organizations, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Unilever. The MSC is an organization that supports and rewards sustainable fisheries. The core standards are: sustainability of fish stocks, maintenance of ecosystem, and responsible management. Well managed fisheries make it possible for consumers to enjoy the variety of seafood we are accustomed to while maintaining adequate fish stocks to supply future generations of consumers. Sustainable fisheries have also developed fishing methods that eliminate, or greatly reduce, by-catch. Sustainable seafood products that are MSC certified are marked with a blue Eco label to make it easy for consumers to find these products. Buying products with these Eco labels not only support sustainable fisheries, but also protect fishing communities and employment opportunities.

CONSUMERS' GUIDE TO CHOOSING SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD

By choosing to eat sustainable seafood or asking restaurants where their fish come from, consumers influence retailers to adjust their supply. A major difference can be made to conserve the ocean’s resources if individuals make educated decisions on the kind of seafood they eat, where, and how it is harvested. There are many seafood guides, such as Seafood Watch, that point consumers in the direction of the best choices of seafood. These guides are divided into three categories that show the best, good alternatives, and worst choices in seafood and explain the degree to which each choice is environmentally friendly. Consumers’ decision to eat sustainable seafood supports a community of change in large scale fisheries’ methods. Hundreds of fisheries are taking the steps toward sustainable certification and these numbers increase with consumers’ demand for sustainable seafood.