SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Aug. 19) A new Web site, FishChoice.com , launched in early August with the goal of providing chefs and other commercial buyers a powerful, free tool to quickly locate sustainable seafood suppliers that meet the stringent requirements of seven leading seafood conservation organizations.
The site currently carries more than 300 different products from 130 suppliers, offering sustainable versions of a variety of different species, including shrimp, tuna, salmon, pollock, and tilapia– the top five most consumed seafood species in America.
“It’s been difficult to find sustainable seafood at the right commercial quantities,” said Richard Boot, founder and president of FishChoice.com. “FishChoice.com provides a business solution to an environmental problem by creating a crucial link in the supply chain to connect buyers and sellers of sustainable seafood."
Boot is also a former chef and director of operations for a sustainable fishery advocacy group where he worked extensively with seafood distributers, retail buyers, fishermen, and environmental NGOs.
FishChoice.com works with the seven leading ocean conservation organizations – Marine Stewardship Council, The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program, Blue Ocean Institute, New England Aquarium, Fish Wise and Sea Choice –to have access to the most current seafood rankings and certifications available. FishChoice.com will find listings of companies that fish for, farm or process products that meet the rankings or certifications.
Detailed product information – including supplier name, contact information, product forms, catch methods, gear or farm type, delivery information, and more is listed on FishChoice.com . This information is collected by Sea Fare Group Inc., a respected seafood consultancy organization based in Seattle, Washington. As users grow, the inventory on the site will grow. Users can request that FishChoice.com locate items to meet their needs and suppliers can submit their products for inclusion.
“FishChoice.com is the most comprehensive, versatile tool I’ve ever seen,” said Gerard Viverito, CEC, CHE, director of culinary education for Passionfish.org , and proprietor of Hudsonvalleyfishmonger.com . “It’s one-stop shopping for seafood buyers, allowing you to not only find suppliers you might not know about but also to compare their order requirements and rankings. I’ve been a chef for over 20 years and FishChoice has helped me make some of the most informed choices in my career to date.”
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