DOCSLIB.ORG

Safe and Sustainable Seafood

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Safe and Sustainable Seafood Safe and SustainableVirginia Sea Grant Seafood Sea Grant research advances “I’ve worked with scientists for years and years, sustainable red crab fishery but it’s never been like this... ” Red crab has the potential to occupy a niche as an upscale, live- —Captain Jon Williams market product, and the fishery is the first on the East Coast of the U.S. to obtain Marine Stewardship Council sustainability certification. Since 1996, Captain Jon Williams of Benthic Fishing Corp. a new Virginia fishery had made a business out of capturing red crab at Norfolk Can- yon off the mid-Atlantic shoreline. But until recently, few Vir- • $1 million in red crab landings were re- ported in Newport News in 2008, in- ginians had heard of the red crab, in part because no one was creased from $0 in 2005. landing them here. Instead, Williams and his boats would take their catch directly to Massachusetts. From there, most of their • Protocols could help develop a $4million crabs would proceed to Canadian processing houses and even- live market for red crab, with much of tual sale to Red Lobster as “generic crab meat.” the distribution from Virginia. When Williams started landing his catch at Newport News • 20-25% of all red crab fishery landings in 2006, he started to see the potential to market red crab in occur at Newport News, as of 2008. Virginia. Red crab is sweeter than snow crab, with a texture much like Dungeness. To market the crabs outside the ge- supporting sustainability neric market, Williams would need to develop a way to hold live red crabs on shore as well as appropriate cooking, packag- On September 3, 2009, the red crab fish- ery was certified Sustainable by the Marine ing, and processing protocols. Stewardship Coucil. To help him work out these important details, Williams as- sembled a team of Virginia Sea Grant extension agents from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and Virginia Tech’s Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center in partnership (VSAREC). Continued... Williams credits the Sea Grant staff at VSAREC and VIMS for their help turning the red crab into a new product to sell out of Virginia. “Working with this team has been great. I’ve worked with scientists for years and years, but it’s never been like this. adapted from Many watermen from New England look at marine biologists and scientists as more like the enemy than the advocate. But “From deadliest catch to sustainable catch” when I called the folks in Virginia, they said, ‘come on in and by Phil Marsosudiro let’s see what we can do.’ And they’re moving us forward much, much faster than I could have ever done on my own.” Virginia Marine Resource Bulletin One challenge of taking a deep water crab to the live market is (Fall/Winter 2008) keeping them alive and healthy. “We have to develop entirely new ways for managing their water chemistry: controlling for tem- perature, ammonia concentrations, pH, and many other factors,” says Bob Fisher, Virginia Sea Grant Fisheries Specialist at VIMS. At VSAREC, Drs. Dan Kauffman and Mike Jahncke are as- sisting with the development of appropriate cooking, packaging, and processing protocols. Much of that work is being done at Casey’s Seafood in Newport News. Kauffman explains “trials are being conducted in the picking houses, comparing boiled and steamed red crab to see what hand-picked yields are obtained. Structurally, red crab is very different from the blue crab they’ve been used to, so this is no small challenge. Shelf-life tests and bacteria counts are being done in the lab. We’re also looking at new packaging with wrappers that breathe so that the red crabs go to market fresh, or else with a barrier film that allows for pasteurizing.” The million dollar question is the market price. As Fisher puts it, “We don’t think of the red crab as a substitute for the blue crab. The red crab can occupy a niche all its own.” With proper marketing and a bit of luck, Williams thinks that Photos © Dan Kauffman/VASG. Top: the red crab may emerge as a viable product in the current sea- Captain Jon Williams. food market. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Seafood Watch Seafood Report: Crabs Blue Crab
    Seafood Watch Seafood Report: Crabs Volume I Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus Writer/Editor:AliceCascorbi Fisheries Research Analyst Monterey Bay Aquarium Additional Research: Heather Blough Audubon Living Oceans Program Final 14 February 2004 Seafood Watch® Blue Crab Report February 14, 2004 About Seafood Watch® and the Seafood Reports Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch® program evaluates the ecological sustainability of wild-caught and farmed seafood commonly found in the United States marketplace. Seafood Watch® defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether wild-caught or farmed, which can maintain or increase production in the long- term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. Seafood Watch® makes its science-based recommendations available to the public in the form of regional pocket guides that can be downloaded from the Internet (seafoodwatch.org) or obtained from the Seafood Watch® program by emailing [email protected]. The program’s goals are to raise awareness of important ocean conservation issues and empower seafood consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans. Each sustainability recommendation on the regional pocket guides is supported by a Seafood Report. Each report synthesizes and analyzes the most current ecological, fisheries and ecosystem science on a species, then evaluates this information against the program’s conservation ethic to arrive at a recommendation of “Best Choices”, “Good Alternatives” or “Avoid.” The detailed evaluation methodology is available upon request. In producing the Seafood Reports, Seafood Watch® seeks out research published in academic, peer-reviewed journals whenever possible. Other sources of information include government technical publications, fishery management plans and supporting documents, and other scientific reviews of ecological sustainability.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Seafood Campaign
    Sustainable Seafood Campaign Overfishing and destructive fishing are among the most significant threats facing our oceans. The UN reports that three-quarters of global fish stocks are either fully exploited or overexploited. Scientists estimate that 90% of top marine predators such as tuna and sharks are already gone. Pirate fishing, estimated to account for up to a third of the global catch, is notorious for targeting at-risk populations and using highly destructive methods. Destructive fishing indiscriminately kills “non-target” species, including marine mammals and seabirds, and destroys habitats that marine species depend on for survival. In addition to the direct and cascading effects on marine ecosystems, overfishing and destructive fishing make our ocean ecosystems more vulnerable to global warming. If current trends continue, scientists predict global fisheries will collapse in forty years. U.S. consumers buy half their seafood at supermarkets, to the tune of $16 billion every year. As consumer interest in sustainable products has grown, so have retailer efforts to promote their eco-friendly initiatives. Yet, few supermarkets have made significant efforts to improve their seafood sustainability. Greenpeace is calling on supermarkets to sell only sustainable seafood and to support positive reforms in fisheries management. By doing so, supermarkets will do their part to help avert the crisis facing our oceans while ensuring their customers quality fish from sustainable fisheries for years to come. Supermarkets have enormous purchasing power, and are well positioned to influence the way the fishing industry operates. What You Can Do! Greenpeace needs your help monitoring supermarket seafood policies and practices. The information you gather will be used to update our supermarket scorecard.
    [Show full text]
  • Progress Towards Sustainable Seafood – by the Numbers | June 2020 2 Introduction
    Progress Toward Sustainable Seafood – By the Numbers June 2020 Edition 1 Introduction Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 Business relationships & supply chain engagement 61 Corporate-NGO partnerships Greenpeace’s scorecard data PROJECT OVERVIEW 6 Precompetitive platforms Conditions for business change 81 Media penetration METRICS AND DATA 8 Industry event attendance Fraud and mislabeling Traceability and transparency Impact on the water 8 Enabling businesses and initiatives Global status and trends in fishery health and exploitation Ocean-focused impact investors Producer-level progress 28 Policy change 95 Status of global production Policy timeline Fishery improvement projects Port State Measures Certification data Marine Protected Areas Human well-being and seafood E.U. policy update U.S. policy update Consumption & trade dynamics 52 Global seafood consumption Seafood trade flow data Key commodity trade flow trends Packard Foundation | Progress Towards Sustainable Seafood – By the Numbers | June 2020 2 Introduction Executive Summary: The State of the Global Ocean and Production Global marine capture landings remain relatively stable according to Regionally, many stocks in the U.S. are improving, while most E.U. official landings data. While it is difficult to accurately account for illegal, stocks suffer from overfishing. In the U.S., 9% of stocks designated as unreported, and unregulated (IUU) catch, those that attempt to do so federally important are subject to overfishing, down from 26% in 2006 suggest global landings have declined from their peak in the mid-1990s. when the Magnuson-Stevens Act was reauthorized. In total, 18% of IUU catch estimates increase Food and Agriculture Organization of the stocks are considered overfished, down from 28%.
    [Show full text]
  • Accelerating Sustainable Seafood
    ACCELERATING SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD ACCELERATING SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD 1 ACCELERATING SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 03 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 04 SIX KEY ENABLERS FOR ACCELERATING SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD 05 RATIFICATION, REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND META-GOVERNANCE 08 ENSURING A SOCIALLY SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD SECTOR 10 UNLOCKING SUSTAINABLE FINANCE 12 HIGH-QUALITY, STANDARDIZED NON-FINANCIAL DATA 14 BEYOND TRANSPARENCY: FROM QUANTIFYING PROGRESS TO REWARDING PERFORMANCE 17 RECOGNIZING SEAFOOD WITHIN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 18 CONCLUSION 19 ANNEX 20 RESOURCES AND REFERENCES 22 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 25 2 ACCELERATING SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD INTRODUCTION The global community is challenged with meeting a Over three calls, 50 stakeholders from policy, business, growing demand for fish as an important climate friendly science and finance discussed how the sustainable source of nutrition and provider of livelihoods and economic development of the seafood sector can be accelerated. prosperity while simultaneously ensuring the sustainability The first meeting focused on the role ofmeasurement , of harvested stocks and farming practices.1 including the tools and means to enable effective comparison of seafood companies. This meeting discussed Sustainable aquaculture and marine capture fisheries could how new forms of sustainability assessments have enabled 2 supply over six times more food than they do today, in turn, a ‘race to the top’ between companies, in turn, accelerating representing more than two-thirds of the edible meat that the sustainable development of the seafood industry. the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates will be needed to feed the future global population.3 The second meeting focused on the role of finance and how both traditional and innovative financial mechanisms can Aquaculture in particular is expected to significantly play a key role in driving the sustainable development of the contribute to this growth.
    [Show full text]
  • Seafood Watch® Standard for Fisheries
    1 Seafood Watch® Standard for Fisheries Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Seafood Watch Guiding Principles ...................................................................................................... 3 Seafood Watch Criteria and Scoring Methodology for Fisheries ........................................................... 5 Criterion 1 – Impacts on the Species Under Assessment ...................................................................... 8 Factor 1.1 Abundance .................................................................................................................... 9 Factor 1.2 Fishing Mortality ......................................................................................................... 19 Criterion 2 – Impacts on Other Capture Species ................................................................................ 22 Factor 2.1 Abundance .................................................................................................................. 26 Factor 2.2 Fishing Mortality ......................................................................................................... 27 Factor 2.3 Modifying Factor: Discards and Bait Use .................................................................... 29 Criterion
    [Show full text]
  • ICELAND, WHALING and ECOSYSTEM - BASED FISHERY MANAGEMENT
    ICELAND, WHALING and ECOSYSTEM - BASED FISHERY MANAGEMENT PETER CORKERON Iceland, whaling and ecosystem-based fishery management. Peter Corkeron Ph.D. http://aleakage.blogspot.com/ 1 Introduction Icelanders look to the sea, and always have. Fishing has always been important to them, and they have a good record of attempting to ensure that their fisheries are sustainable. As the Icelandic Ministry of Fisheries stated in a declaration on 17th October 2006, “The Icelandic economy is overwhelmingly dependent on the utilisation of living marine resources in the ocean around the country. The sustainability of the utilisation is therefore of central importance for the long-term well being of the Icelandic people. For this reason, Iceland places great emphasis on effective management of fisheries and on scientific research on all the components of the marine ecosystem. At a time when many fish stocks around the world are declining, or even depleted, Iceland's marine resources are generally in a healthy state, because of this emphasis. The annual catch quotas for fishing and whaling are based on recommendations by scientists, who regularly monitor the status of stocks, thus ensuring that the activity is sustainable.”. Fisheries account for approximately 40% of the value of Iceland’s exported goods and exported services, and roughly two-thirds of Iceland's exported goods, minus services. Fisheries and fish processing account for little under 10% of Iceland’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), down from more than 15% in 1980. With a population of just over 300,000 in 2007, Iceland is the world’s 178th largest nation, but in 2002 it was still ranked as the world’s 13th largest fisheries exporter.
    [Show full text]
  • Reef Responsible
    REEF RESPONSIBLE Protect the ocean, choose sustainable fish What is the Reef Responsible Initiative? In the Caribbean, coral reefs are affected by factors such as overexploitation, contamination by sewage, chemicals and sedimentation, and the destruction of essential habitats including mangroves, wetlands and seagrass beds. In addition, the introduction of the lionfish, an invasive Indo-Pacific species, has increased stress on the region’s reefs. Reef Responsible was created to promote sustainable consumption and better management of seafood products, which in turn fosters economic stability and food security. This initiative aims to inform restaurants and consumers about the origin of seafood, the fishing gear with which it was captured, and the laws and regulations that protect the species. The main objective of Reef Responsible is to work with restaurants and Why Join the Reef consumers to promote the sale and consumption of local species that are well managed and in good condition. We believe that through outreach, Responsible Initiative? education and active participation, we can achieve our goal of preserving our Restaurants that participate in natural resources while supporting local economies and sustainable fishing. Reef Responsible will benefit from positive exposure in the community for their commitment to the environment and for promoting Making Sustainable Choices The following categories have been developed for local commercial species: sustainable fishing. Participating restaurants will receive: GOOD CHOICE • Contact with local fishers and These species are in good condition and fish markets to obtain fresh, have adequate management practices. sustainably harvested seafood • Recognition from the Puerto Rico GO SLOW Department of Natural and These species are important to the marine Environmental Resources environment and there are concerns about how they are managed or caught.
    [Show full text]
  • Seafood for Future Generations the MSC Annual Report 2017 - 18 2 MSC Annual Report 2017-18
    Seafood for future generations The MSC Annual Report 2017 - 18 2 MSC Annual Report 2017-18 Our ocean is in trouble. We urgently need to scale workable solutions to deliver sustainable fisheries and resilient marine ecosystems. The attainment of SDG14’s targets is essential to the ocean’s future well-being. I welcome MSC’s latest initiative to engage with and help fisheries in the global south, and to invest in new scientific research that could benefit many fisheries around the world. Peter Thomson, the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean and Co-Chair of the Friends of Ocean Action Cover image: European Lobster © Tony Fitzsimmons Contents image: Maldives pole and line tuna fishing © David Loftus Contents 3 Contents Messages from our Chief Executive and Chair 5 Chain of Custody 26 Overview 7 2020 Leaders for a Living Ocean 28 Growth in the MSC program 9 Sustainable seafood getting big in Japan 30 Making an impact 10 MSC labeled products 32 Current work in the developing world 12 20th anniversary campaign 34 Tuna stakes 14 Partner campaigns across the world 36 Newly certified fisheries 16 Consumer insights and education 38 Continued commitment 18 Upholding our Standards 40 Fishery firsts 20 Our funding and finances 42 Suspensions 22 The MSC’s governance 44 A pathway to sustainability 24 4 MSC Annual Report 2017-18 A message from our Chief Executive Last year, millions of people marvelled Over the last 20 years, the MSC has shown that it can be We want to see more such impacts in more fisheries – at the wonders of the BBC’s Blue a part of the solution.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Seafood: China’S Role in the Global Ocean
    Dr Andrew F Johnson Sustainable seafood: China’s role in the global ocean Image © Paul Hilton / Greenpeace Our demand for natural resources is hastening and deepening many global environmental crises and China’s footprint is significant. There is an urgent need for better practices to acknowledge China’s legitimate needs, while finding sustainable solutions to them. China Dialogue Ocean aims to investigate, analyse, report and illuminate China’s role in the global ocean. After a two-year project to examine fisheries and a range of other human pressures on the marine ecosystem, what lessons have we learned? 20 October 2020 China Dialogue Trust is a UK registered charity, with offices in London and Beijing, that researches, writes, commissions, edits and publishes news, reports and analysis of climate change and environmental affairs, with a special focus on China, stimulating the exchange of information and ideas – in multiple languages – between readers in diverse geographies. Its outlets include websites dedicated to specific regions or topics, including China Dialogue (energy, climate, biodiversity), China Dialogue Ocean (the global ocean crisis), Diálogo Chino (the China-Latin America relationship) and The Third Pole (the Himalayan watershed). AUTHOR Dr Andrew Frederick Johnson is CEO of MarFishEco Fisheries Consultants Ltd, Assistant Professor at the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, and CTO of PactMedia.org. He has a PhD in Fisheries Ecology and has published over 50 peer-review and public media articles on fisheries-related topics. Image: Alamy Sustainable seafood: China’s role in the global ocean Foreword For around five centuries, we thought of China predominantly as a land-based power.
    [Show full text]
  • Prescription: Sustainable Seafood
    Why health professionals should care about sustainable fisheries PRESCRIPTION: SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD Health benefits of seafood consumption A growing body of scientific literature demonstrates that consuming even modest amounts of fish helps protect against heart disease and stroke, and may have important benefits for pre- and post-natal cognitive development. The federal government1 and American Heart Association2 both note that eating two servings of fatty fish per week may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in healthy people and the risk of mor- tality from cardiovascular disease in people who have already experienced a cardiac event. At present, Amer- icans fall short of these consumption levels, averaging only five ounces of fish per week. U.S. fish oil capsule sales have tripled in recent years. By contrast, terrestrial sources of omega-3s contain primarily the shorter chain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is not as beneficial. Some food products are enriched with omega-3s— generally plant-derived ALA or fish-derived DHA/EPA.4 At least one company produces DHA directly from marine algae; their product is used to enrich many infant formulas and a few other products.5 However, commercial use of algal DHA in foods is not wide- spread to date. In short, consuming fish or fish oil (or products Salmon is popular for its high omega-3 content. enriched with fish oil) is currently the only way to add substantial quantities of key heart-healthy omega-3s Omega-3 fatty acids to the diets of most Americans. Cardiovascular benefits are greatest from consuming fish high in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, namely docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic Wild fisheries acid (EPA).3 The highest levels of these omega-3s occur Sadly, even as the health benefits of eating fish are be- in small oily fish such as mackerel and herring, and coming increasingly clear, the ocean’s ability to provide larger predatory fish such as salmon and some tuna.
    [Show full text]
  • Seafood Sustainability
    Seafood Sustainability Better variety, quality and taste, for a better tomorrow. Sodexo’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative is part of our organization’s Better Tomorrow Plan, our global roadmap for sustainability. The commitment to source 100% sustainable seafood is one of 14 Better Tomorrow commitments to the environment, health, and local communities. Sodexo’s Sustainable Seafood Mission: To provide our customers with the most comprehensive, highest quality, sustainable fresh and frozen seafood program in the industry. In assuming this leadership role, Sodexo is committed to delivering Your Better Choice in Seafood™ through: ● A flexible full line of great tasting products designed to meet evolving customer needs, ● Competitive industry pricing and fair market value, ● Unparalleled levels of customer service, support and education, ● Best in class processes to ensure the highest level of quality assurance and food safety and ● An allegiance to global standards of excellence for environmental responsibility and accountability in seafood. Sodexo’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative is unparalleled, incorporating industry leading best practices. Our commitment is to have 100% of our contracted seafood certified as sustainable by the MSC or BAP by 2015. This document is printed on a vector performance coated stock that contains 15% post consumer waste. It is chlorine free and carries the environmental “Green Seal” certification. Additional information on Sodexo’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative, including details on current contracted frozen and fresh products, can be found at SodexoNet (SodexoNet Keyword: Seafood). Sodexo Supply Management - Providing Strategic Supply Solutions © 2011 Sodexo Additional Consequences Executive Summary of Unsustainable Practices Key Facts Seas diversity and ecosystems are threatened: V Global fisheries production Fish provide a vital source of protein for more than 1 billion people, ● Fishing effort has shifted to the deep sea and previously totals 141.6 million tons but also for animals such as whales and dolphins.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Seafood: What’S the Problem?
    Sustainable Seafood: What’s the problem? Charlotte Jarman Ethical Eats, Sustain With thanks to the Marine Conservation Society What is sustainable seafood? • Sourced from well- managed, healthy fish stocks • Caught/farmed using methods that have a minimal impact on the marine environment 1 Why choose sustainable seafood? • By choosing to source sustainable seafood you are helping to ensure the future for: – a healthy marine eco-system – a productive fishing industry • Both of these are essential in securing a future for seafood Effects of fishing • Around 80% of EU fish populations are over-fished • Only 15% world fisheries have excess capacity • Over 80% of the worlds large predatory fish have disappeared in the last 50 years • High levels of bycatch, discards and habitat damage are widespread • Food webs are being disrupted by the removal of predators and prey 2 Environmental impacts of fishing Low Impact • Hand collection • Line fishing Medium Impact • Mid-water trawls • Seine nets High Impact • Dredges • Trawls • Explosives Overfishing 3 Overfishing Overfishing • Overfishing – reduces the reproductive capacity of fish populations and prevents them from recovering • Some species such as the Bluefin Tuna and Atlantic halibut are now as endangered as the Tiger and Panda 4 Discards & bycatch • Discards: Throwing away under-sized, non-quota, over- quota, and/or non- target species. • Bycatch: Incidental capture of marine mammals, turtles, seabirds and other non-target animals. Habitat Disturbance The effects of fishing gears can alter the marine habitat significantly, reducing its ability to support marine life, including the fish that are being targeted. 5 Aquaculture • Now accounts for 46% of all seafood production (FAO, 2010).
    [Show full text]