Seafood Sustainability:

You Have The Power To Turn The Tide

 

The simple fact is our oceans are in trouble. Our world’s fish stocks are disappearing from our seas because they have been overfished or harvested using damaging fishing practices. To keep our favorite seafood plentiful for us to enjoy and to keep it around for future generations, we must act now. As a shopper, you have the power to turn the tide. When you purchase seafood from fisheries using ocean-friendly methods, you reward their actions and encourage other fisheries to operate responsibly.

Whole Foods Market demonstrates its long-term commitment to seafood preservation by:

·       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 facility and processing plant, Pigeon Cove Seafood, located in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

·       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: Frequently Asked Questions

What is sustainable seafood?

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 or farmed catfish, 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, funded primarily with grants from non-governmental organizations, foundations, corporate sponsorships and individuals. The Marine Stewardship Council’s globally respected certification program provides its label to fisheries that meet strict, independently reviewed standards of sustainability.

 

How can MSC change the poor condition of many marine stocks worldwide?

The MSC has developed a “solution” through its certification program that uses market incentives to influence the way fisheries are managed in favor of environmental standards. By creating a standard, monitoring and accrediting certifiers, rewarding products with the seal of approval, and enlisting partners to purchase certified products, the MSC is encouraging responsible fishing practices that will help restore marine stocks to healthy states. The MSC Label will provide consumers with information and options to influence the process through their purchasing decisions.

 

What does the MSC Label mean?

The MSC Label means the seafood has been certified by an independent certification body and that it has met the MSC Standard for sustainability. Consumers know that by buying seafood with the MSC Label, they are supporting healthier oceans and a healthier environment.