If we continue to fish as we are now scientists predict that the world’s oceans will be empty by 2048. Seafood has become the most traded global food commodity in the world, and as a result 80% of world fish stocks are either overexploited or exploited to their maximum. This is concerning as fish like salmon, sardines and tuna are often accredited by dietitians as great sources of lean protein, omega-3s and other nutrients. So what can you do to help?
CONSUMERS
As awareness of the need to preserve and protect the world’s seafood resources grows, you too can now do your bit too to help save the world’s fish. Your choice of seafood today will affect what is available in the future. With so many different seafood options available in restaurants and supermarkets, how can you ensure you make the best choice for you as well as for the environment?
1. Get SASSI
Green, orange, or red? The South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) have devised a practical classification system which labels locally caught fish and seafood according to smart traffic light system: a green (go for it), yellow (think twice), and red (definite no-no). Click here for a handy SASSI pocketguide.
The green list refers to seafood that are the best choices and most sustainable.
Reason: The seafood on this list can handle current fishing demand and are well-managed.
Examples: Hake, land-based farmed kob, Alaskan salmon, yellowtail, West Coast rock lobster, tuna (pole caught yellowfin and albacore, not bluefin), dorado, and SA snoek.
This is the group from which people are encouraged to choose from as it contains the best managed, most sustainable choices available to consumers.
Seafood over which there is concern over sustainability of the species is grouped on the orange list.
Reason: This group includes species that have associated reasons for concern, either because of their poor stock status, worrying population trends, or because of other negative environmental issues associated with the fishery that the species is caught in. These species may be legally sold by registered commercial fishers and retailers.
Examples: Kingklip, East Coast sole, geelbek (Cape salmon), swordfish, white stumpnose, kob (farmed at sea or line caught) and red roman
Consumers are encouraged to consider the implications of these choices. SASSI urges to rather not buy these, especially not on a regular basis.
This group includes unsustainable species and those that are illegal to sell in South Africa.
Reason: Some of these “no-sale” species are very important recreational species that cannot handle commercial fishing pressures, and may therefore only be caught for your own enjoyment and use, (subject to the possession of a valid recreational fishing permit and other restrictions that may apply).
Examples: Black musselcracker (poenskop), bluefin tuna, trawl caught kob, red steenbrass and trawl caught sharks. Fish that are illegal to sell in SA include galjoen, king fish, Natal stumpnose, Seventy-four, white steenbras and musselcracker, blacktail (dassie) and Cape Stumpnose.
These are species that you should never buy. All seafood on the red list is illegal to sell at any retailer, and is protected by law.
2. Send a FishMS
Save this number on your phone: 079 499 8795. SASSI FishMS, a world first, enables you to make on-the-spot choices when dining out or shopping for seafood. Send the name of the fish as a text message to the number for a prompt response telling you where the species is on the list (SMS charged at standard cellular rates).
3. Watch “End of the Line”
The End of the Line is a documentary on the devastating effect of overfishing our seas showing firsthand the effects of the global love affair with fish as food. The End of the Line points to solutions that are simple and doable, but political will and activism are crucial to solve this international problem. The film lays the responsibility squarely on consumers who innocently buy endangered fish, politicians who ignore the advice and pleas of scientists, fishermen who break quotas and fish illegally, and the global fishing industry that is slow to react to an impending disaster.
RETAILERS
Globally, as people have become sensitized to the environmental issues around seafood, businesses involved in the seafood industry have come under increasing pressure to ensure the sustainability of their operations to ensure the survival of our marine ecosystems, but also their own.
“Sustainable seafood is more than just a good deal for our marine ecosystems, it makes business sense too. SASSI is committed to working hand-in-hand with the seafood industry towards a future in which sustainable fisheries and aquaculture thrives at a level that supports the communities and businesses that depend on them.”
Pick n Pay
“This is a giant leap forward in our ongoing efforts to keep our fish stocks at healthy levels. WWF believes that corporate engagement is key to transforming markets and for adopting and promoting sector-wide shifts to sustainable development and corporate best practice. Many marine ecosystems are currently facing unprecedented threats from human activities such as overfishing and climate change. We congratulate Pick n Pay for leading the way in setting these tangible conservation goals for the retail sector,” said Dr Morné du Plessis, WWF South Africa’s Chief Executive Officer.
Martin Purves, MSC Southern Africa’s Programme Manager, added: “This commitment by Pick n Pay proves that they are very serious about addressing the threats of overfishing and the degradation of marine ecosystems caused by unsustainable fishing practices. The MSC congratulates them for the leading role they are taking among African retailers on the path towards sustainable seafood and providing their customers with the best environmental choices.”
Martin Purves, MSC Southern Africa’s Programme Manager, added: “This commitment by Pick n Pay proves that they are very serious about addressing the threats of overfishing and the degradation of marine ecosystems caused by unsustainable fishing practices. The MSC congratulates them for the leading role they are taking among African retailers on the path towards sustainable seafood and providing their customers with the best environmental choices.”
Woolworths
“Woolworths is doing everything possible to help customers ensure all their seafood is traceable and sourced from legal and well-managed fisheries. Having introduced our Sustainable Seafood Policy and signed the landmark WWF South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative’s (SASSI) Retail Charter in 2008, we’re now the first major South African retailer to begin labeling seafood in accordance with SASSI’s green, orange, red system.
No seafood in the SASSI red classification will ever be found at Woolworths, and seafood that falls outside of SASSI’s classifications, such as farmed or certain imported seafood, will carry a blue label at Woolworths. For example, though SASSI put kingklip on their orange list, the kingklip from Woolworths is sourced from well-managed hake trawl fisheries where it is caught as part of the monitored bycatch. Kingklip will not be targeted and catches won't exceed the precautionary limits set by Marine and Coastal Management.”
Send us an email at sassi@wwf.org.za.
Sources
SASSI website. www.wwwfsassi.co.za. Accessed 10 October 2011.
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