The ins and outs of seafood certification

Seafood is commonly viewed as a healthier, more sustainable option than other protein sources such as red meat. According to Statista, the revenue of the ‘fish and seafood’ segment of the Canadian food market is forecast to rise continuously by more than 27 per cent from 2023 to 2028.

Seafood is now trendy

Post-pandemic, tinned seafood rose in popularity as a high-protein food with a low carbon footprint. From sardines to tuna and more exotic options such as octopus, tinned options are increasingly seen in both home kitchens and gourmet food stores.

As seafood gains popularity, consumers are actively seeking sustainably sourced products, including seafood caught or farmed with minimal impacts on the marine ecosystem. Consumers also demand more social responsibility and transparency at all points of the supply chain. In an industry that prides itself on the quality and freshness of its products, seafood certifications help buyers and consumers clearly distinguish truly sustainable products.

Sustainable claims must be backed

Simply labelling seafood products as ‘sustainable’ is not enough. According to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), 71 per cent of seafood consumers believe retailers’ and brands’ claims about sustainability and the environment need to be clearly labelled by an independent organization. As certification marks become more recognized on market shelves, they help suppliers provide consumers with validated options. In fact, some food-related businesses ranging from grocery stores to quick-service restaurants now mandate sustainable seafood certifications from suppliers.

Seafood certifications measure the practices of producers and their products against globally recognized industry standards. Certifications can help validate that the business passed hazard analyses, developed a seafood quality program, met good manufacturing practices, employed sanitation standard operating procedures and complied with government regulations and established industry best practices, ranging from legality, food safety, sustainability, environmental stewardship and employee health and safety.

Valid certifications confirm that stringent values and processes have been adopted to achieve the certification, which is usually renewed annually as confirmation of continued compliance. As a result, seafood certifications allow businesses to stay competitive, meet buyer expectations and increase brand awareness and loyalty.

Credible seafood certification options

Certifications from the following organizations demonstrate that the product has been reviewed and vetted by an accredited certification body. These certifications require producers to meet guidelines in areas such as labelling accuracy, quality, traceability and responsible sourcing and management.

MSC: This organization has been evaluating fisheries since 2000, ensuring fisheries are sustainable and environmentally responsible. It also has addressed social responsibility (forced labor) since 2022 in the MSC Labour Eligibility Requirements. In Canada, 16 fisheries are currently MSC-certified.

Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC): ASC has been evaluating farms for best practices since 2012 and now includes a social responsibility component to their initial standard. Currently, there are two group certifications for salmon farming.

MarinTrust: The MarinTrust’s Factory Standard and Chain of Custody (CoC) certification program is based on best practices in the sourcing and producing of marine ingredients, fish and animal feeds, pet food and health supplements. To make fish food for aquaculture, companies participating in the production of feed can follow the standard in order to ensure the harvested fish follows sustainable practices, good manufacturing practices, and responsible sourcing.

Global Seafood Alliance (GSA): Since 2002, GSA’s backbone has been aquaculture operations via ASC’s Best Aquaculture Practices Certifications. The certifications are tailored to feed, hatchery, farm and processing. In 2021, GSA added wild fisheries to its Responsible Fishing Vessel Certification and the processing of wild-caught seafood products. These certifications include a pillar or principle of social accountability.

Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM): RFM’s eco-sustainability considers conservation, biodiversity and ecosystem integrity, as well as due regard to social responsibility and the economic viability of the fishery. It is currently most popular in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO): Canada has its own pledge or Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, managed through DFO.

Organic Aquaculture: Salmon and mussel farms can seek certification for organic aquaculture, which is part of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations.

Achieving a sustainable seafood certification

First, research the different seafood certifications to determine which one is best for your business. Certifications offer different requirements and can also vary depending on the type of seafood, or whether the product is wild or farmed. Once the certification is selected, ensure proper policies and procedures are in place to meet the standard’s requirements. Develop, monitor and adjust policies accordingly. Evidence-based audits can help businesses to demonstrate that requirements are being met, in addition to clear documentation.

Review the latest standard version and work with a third-party certification body to achieve certification. This can involve completing a questionnaire, providing documentation, label reviews and an onsite facility audit. Certification also requires correcting any non-conformances with the standard. After certification is achieved, maintain good standing with the standard and regulatory requirements throughout the year, and make any corrections needed prior to the recertification or surveillance audit.

Leveraging additional support

Consider leveraging additional resources to follow best practices in seafood sustainability, including overcoming capture/harvest pressures, maintaining a balanced and healthy population and reviewing environmental and commercial inputs and outputs. Joining an association (there are over a dozen seafood-focused ones in Canada) can help companies keep up with industry trends and updates.
Businesses can work with service providers such as NSF to navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape, conduct ongoing supply chain audits, improve training and employ cloud-based technology for supply chain management. Doing so can help a company stay competitive, increase efficiency and preserve brand integrity.

We all play a part in restoring the health of oceans around the world. Providing sustainable, responsibly farmed and wild-caught seafood meets buyer and consumer demands while establishing greater food security.

Christine Harmon is a senior technical reviewer, food supply chain, specializing in sustainable seafood at NSF.

This article was originally published in the Aug./Sept. 2024 issue of Food in Canada.

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