Seafood Report: A Mark of Distinction

Robert Rangeley considers the Loblaw announcement “very significant” on multiple levels. “It sends a strong message throughout the industry that a major buying power will purchase only from sustainable sources,” says Rangeley, WWF-Canada vice-president (Atlantic Region). “Everyone in the industry perked up, to say the least, upon hearing the Loblaw announcement. They are the largest purchaser in the country and have made the boldest commitment on seafood.”

Burridge says that while the Loblaw announcement is welcome, most B.C. fisheries are export-oriented and therefore “have been working towards certification of key species…for years.” She notes that Canadian retailers have generally been much slower than their European counterparts to demand third-party certification. Echoing this, Butler explains that because principle markets for ASP certified shrimp are abroad, “this new commitment may mean increased opportunities in Canadian markets,” but will also “serve to encourage the industry going forward to consider certifying new fisheries.”

Butler describes the costs and challenges of the MSC process as “manageable.” In her role as chair of the international Association of Sustainable Fisheries (composed of fisheries certified or actively seeking certification by MSC), Burridge and other members are encouraging the MSC to make certification more practical, affordable and consistent, without sacrificing the rigour of the independent approach. “The new standardized assessment tree adopted by the MSC last year is a good step towards this, as it is reducing the time, the cost and the inconsistencies.”

As with wild-caught, retailers also have to choose which road to go down in terms of certified farm-raised seafood. WWF is currently developing a program that mirrors MSC called the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), with a rollout planned for 2011. It will address aquaculture sustainability concerns such as water quality, spread of disease and genetic contamination from escaped fish. However, more than 70 human rights and environmental groups are protesting the ASC’s creation, which they believe will support industrial aquaculture and harm local environments and indigenous communities.

Ruth Salmon, executive director of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance, says it’s too soon to tell whether this certification body will be the one widely adopted by Canadian retailers and aquaculture companies. There are others, such as Global Aquaculture Alliance, already established. “The important thing is that we’re all moving in the right direction,” says Salmon. “Our industry is supportive of certification and of improving our practices.”