Seafood Sustainability
By now, it’s pretty clear that our oceans are in trouble. The world’s fish stocks are disappearing due to over fishing and bad harvesting practices and fish farming is not yet the solution we thought it would be.
The good news is that there’s hope, but we all have to pitch in so our favorite seafood remains available for us and for future generations. As a shopper, you have the power to turn the tide. Buying seafood from responsible, certified fisheries is the way to go. You reward their actions and encourage other fisheries to be responsible too. Looking for the blue Marine Stewardship Council sticker on seafood packaging is a good place to start.
And, don’t hesitate to ask questions while shopping. Our fishmongers know a lot about what’s in the seafood case. As a company, we’re committed to responsible seafood practices, including:
- Supporting fishing practices that ensure the ecological health of the ocean and the abundance of marine life.
- Partnering with groups who encourage responsible practices and provide the public with accurate information about the issue.
- Operating our own well-managed seafood facilities.
- Helping educate our customers on the importance of practices that can make a difference now and well into the future.
- Promoting and selling the products of well-managed fisheries.
Sustainable Seafood FAQ
- What is sustainable seafood?
- Why do we need sustainable seafood?
- What makes sustainable seafood different from regular seafood?
- Does sustainable seafood taste any different?
- Who is the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)?
- Why does the wild Alaska salmon have the Marine Stewardship logo but the other seafood at Whole Foods Market does not?
- How does a fishery become certified?
- How long does certification last?
- Can certification be challenged by anyone or any group that opposes the certification?
- What are the pros and cons of aquaculture?
- Can farmed fish qualify for certification?
- Do environmental groups support the MSC program? Who are some of the MSC's environmental partners?
- How many certified fisheries are there?
- Why did Alaska seek the MSC label for its salmon?
- How committed are Alaskan salmon fisheries to sustainability?
- A task force for the National Organic Standards Board advised the Board to not support organic certification for wild caught fish, such as wild Alaskan salmon. How does Whole Foods Market feel about this?
Sustainable seafood comes from fishing practices that allow a depleted or threatened fish population to recover to healthy levels. It also prevents healthy fish populations from becoming depleted. Sustainable fishing practices help maintain the diversity and health of the oceans and rivers so the fish can live and thrive.
Why do we need sustainable seafood?
Today, 60 percent of the world's marine stocks are either fully fished, over-exploited, depleted or recovering at a slow rate. With seafood growing in demand, it is critical that sustainable fishing practices are followed. Whole Foods Market is committed to working with organizations, such as the Marine Stewardship Council, to bring solutions to the public on what they can do to make a difference.
What makes sustainable seafood different from regular seafood?
Sustainable seafood, such as wild Alaska salmon, comes from a well-managed source. That means the fishermen follow practices that allow the fish population to grow and thrive rather than be depleted. Some day we'd like to say that all seafood comes from well-managed sources.
Does sustainable seafood taste any different?
This may depend upon the individual fish. For instance, sustainable wild Alaska salmon has a much better flavor profile than farm-raised salmon.
Who is the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)?
The MSC is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to creating sustainable fisheries around the world by using market based incentives. The organization is committed to the long-term viability of the global fish supply and healthy marine ecosystems. They have set up a third-party certification program to deem well-managed, responsible fisheries sustainable. Customers purchasing this seafood can rest assured that their fish was not overfished or harvested in ways that harm the ocean.
Why does the wild Alaska salmon have the Marine Stewardship logo but the other seafood at Whole Foods Market does not?
The Marine Stewardship Council works with a third-party certifier to determine which fisheries are certified as sustainable and in the U.S., wild Alaska salmon is certified. Wild Alaska salmon is the first fishery in North America to be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. As others are certified sustainably managed, Whole Foods Market will offer them to our customers. On our end, Whole Foods Market operates its own-well managed seafood facility and processing plant, called Pigeon Cove, in Gloucester, Massachusetts. We work closely with small, independent fishermen to find the best quality, environmentally-responsible seafood choices for our customers.
How does a fishery become certified?
A team of experts from an independent, third party certification agency reviews the fishery's stock assessment, ecosystem impact, fishery management and local fisheries knowledge. To receive MSC certification, a fishery must demonstrate that it meets the following three conditions:
The fishery must be conducted in a way that does not take more fish than can be replenished naturally or kills other species through harmful fishing practices.
The fishery must operate in a manner that ensures the health and diversity of the marine ecosystem on which it depends.
The fishery must respect local, national, and international laws and regulations for responsible and sustainable fishing.
How long does certification last?
The certification lasts five years with an annual audit by the certifier to ensure that the fishery continues to meet certification requirements.
Can certification be challenged by anyone or any group that opposes the certification?
The MSC structure has a formal process for appeals to reject a certification. In fact, throughout the entire process of certification, feedback is actively requested and taken seriously. A summary of the pre-assessment evaluation of the fishery is placed in the public domain, as well as the final assessment report and maintenance report.
What are the pros and cons of aquaculture?
Aquaculture (farmed fish) can provide an economical, year-round supply of seafood that does not deplete the available stocks of wild fish. It is important, however to only buy farmed fish from operations that use antibiotic-free aquaculture feed, ensure that their fish remain contained within the aquaculture operation without escaping to other bodies of water, and protect water quality and the surrounding environment with good nutrient management systems.
Can farmed fish qualify for certification?
The MSC Program's Standard was developed for marine capture fisheries, and the MSC is not currently engaged in aquaculture certification. However, this is currently under discussion and the MSC is seeking funding to begin the necessary research.
Do environmental groups support the MSC program? Who are some of the MSC's environmental partners?
Yes, the MSC enjoys support from some of the largest and most influential environmental groups, including World Wildlife Fund, Consumer Choice Council, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the National Audubon Society.
How many certified fisheries are there?
Alaska salmon is the largest fishery to be certified and the first in the USA. Other certified species include Western Australian Rock Lobster, Thames Herring, South West Handline mackerel, Burry Inlet cockles and New Zealand Hoki. More than two dozen fisheries are currently involved in the MSC certification process.
Why did Alaska seek the MSC label for its salmon?
As part of its ongoing salmon conservation effort, the state of Alaska began pursuing MSC certification in 1996. More than four years later, the Alaska salmon fishery has become the first US fishery to receive the MSC label for sustainability. Alaska started as a test case for the process and helped develop the MSC standards by which fisheries are evaluated for certification. Alaska salmon was already considered by industry insiders and conservationists to be a model fishery, managed to ensure sustainability of its stocks and its marine environment. Alaska felt that a label indicating the salmon is sustainably harvested would help consumers get the information they sought about the origins of their seafood.
How committed are Alaskan salmon fisheries to sustainability?
When Alaska became a state in 1959, it inherited a troubled salmon fishery. Since 1940, overfishing had contributed to severe declines in salmon stocks. In fact, Alaska's salmon stocks and the fishing industry that depended on those stocks were in such dire straits that President Eisenhower declared Alaska a federal disaster area in 1953.
Since that time, Alaska has focused on rebuilding healthy salmon stocks. Its state constitution requires that the salmon habitat be conserved and protected. Today, this constitutional requirement as well as effective management have brought the salmon fishery to health. In 1959, statewide salmon harvests were about 25 million salmon a year. In 1999 (forty years later) Alaska's commercial salmon catch was 214 million fish, the second largest in the state's history.
A task force for the National Organic Standards Board advised the Board to not support organic certification for wild caught fish, such as wild Alaskan salmon. How does Whole Foods Market feel about this?
Whole Foods Market is very excited about wild Alaskan salmon being certified as a sustainable fishery by the Marine Stewardship Council. When it comes to wild fisheries, we believe that evaluations regarding environmental sustainability are more meaningful and applicable than an organic label. There are very specific rules and regulations for what practices must be followed for a producer to get his/her product certified as organic. Regulations for organic livestock include direct managerial responsibility of the producers to raise their livestock according to the feed, healthcare, and living conditions requirements as stated in the Organic Foods Production Act - specific requirements that wild fisheries are unable to fulfill. However, the Marine Stewardship Council certification provides consumers with verification of what is of most concern regarding the environment and wild fisheries: sustainability of the species for years to come.