Sustainable seafood is any fish or shellfish that is caught for consumption in a way that doesn’t threaten its ecosystem or the stability of the species. The way the fish is raised, harvested, or wild-caught must be renewable and cannot jeopardize the future population of that particular species. The fishing method also cannot over-pollute the environment in which the species lives.
Over 3 billion people rely on seafood as a major source of protein, highlighting its importance in food security and nutritious diets.
Roughly 34% of our global fisheries are overfished, despite seafood being one of the world’s healthiest and lowest environmental impact food sources.
The rapidly expanding aquaculture industry has stepped in to meet increased global demand as availability from wild capture has levelled off. In the face of an ever-changing global environment, whether it is pandemic-related trade disruptions or climate change, sustainable fishing and responsible aquaculture practices are critical in the development and growth of resilient systems that can sustain demand for seafood well into the future.
How do you know if your seafood is sourced sustainably?
For farmed seafood, farms that are not following best practices may produce lower quality seafood and have potential to harm the environment. ASC certified responsible seafood is produced in clean, clear water in accordance with ASC’s strict standards and chain of custody protocols. ASC’s sea green label is the best way to know that the seafood you are serving was raised with care and is what it claims to be when it arrives at its destination.
For wild-capture fisheries, ensuring enough fish remain in the ocean is critical to sustain healthy seafood populations. With the MSC fisheries standard, certified fisheries must maintain sustainable fish stocks, minimise environmental impact, and show evidence of effective fisheries management. The use of the MSC blue fish label on package or menu makes it easy to identify and choose wild-caught seafood from a credible and verified certified sustainable source.
Certifications provide the highest level of assurance that a product is sustainable/responsible, has been harvested legally, and can be traced back to its source. The locations where certified seafood come from have been audited by a third party to confirm they are minimising impacts on the environment, and treating their employees, fish and surrounding communities with care. Certified companies must abide by a rigorous set of standards and commit to continuous improvement over time.
The Yellow Fish uses, were possible, only fish from sustainable fisheries and farms. We support in ways that consider the long-term vitality of harvested species and the well-being of the oceans, as well as the livelihoods of fisheries-dependent communities. The Majority of our suppliers is either ASC or MSC certified.