Finding a trusted seafood supplier takes time, research and money, but certification programs hope to make the process a little simpler for the sustainably conscious buyer. Industry leaders have turned to seafood certification for a simple way to identify sustainable/eco-friendly fisheries. Here is some information on the certification process, the state of the seafood supply and how to buy sustainable.
Where it all began. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provides the guidelines for certification programs.
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a leading third party certification program, explains its principles behind the certification process and how to buy MSC certified seafood.
Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), which certifies fisheries for the MCS, lists the sustainable fisheries it has approved.
How does the certification process work? Alaska Seafood provides a simplified outline of how FAO compliant certifiers assess fisheries.
How do fish farms fit into the sustainability talk? Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), which provides sustainability certifications for fish farms, feed mills and processing plants, explains why the BAP certified mark matters.
Fish Choice breaks down some of the most popular watch programs and certifications for conscientious buyers.
So many fish, so little time – Fish Choice provides an easy to use tool to search which fish are sustainable certified.
Greenpeace provides the activists to take on the seafood industry. The 2012 report focuses on the state of sustainability in the supermarket industry.
Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch provides easy to use regional guides on what to buy and what to avoid.
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