Rio 2016 serves up responsibly sourced seafood
ATTENDEES of the Olympic and Paralympic Games are enjoying sustainably and responsibly sourced seafood, thanks to an extraordinary effort by the Rio 2016 Olympic Organising Committee and its partners.
More than 70 tonnes, equivalent to more than 350,000 portions, of seafood served to athletes and media at the Games will come from fisheries or farms which meet the requirements of the Marine Steward- ship Council (MSC) or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). This represents the most sustainable seafood offering to date of any Olympic or Paralympic Games.
Seafood served with the green ASC or blue MSC label can be traced back to fisheries and farmers that are independently certified as meeting globally recognised standards for sustainable wild fishing or responsible farming.
Included on various menus within the Olympic Village, Media Village and media centres are: ASC certified responsibly farmed Brazilian tilapia from Netuno and Chilean salmon from Los Fiordos.
Delivering its commitment to sustainably and responsibly sourced seafood has required the Rio 2016 Olympic Organising Committee and its partners to bring new supplies of certified seafood to Brazil. As a result, numerous farms and fisheries across the region have taken steps to improve their environmental performance.
Chris Ninnes, chief executive of the ASC, said: ‘With this landmark commitment by the Games, local suppliers and caterers can showcase the best The Prince Edward Island government is spending more than $140,000 on aquaculture programmes to help develop the industry, reported the local press. Of that funding, $93,800 will go to the Aquaculture Futures Programme, with another $50,000 to the Aquaculture Technology Programme. of Brazilian cuisine to a global audience and create lasting change by emphasising the importance of making the right choice when buying seafood. The public can join the effort to preserve fish for future generations by buying from producers who share their goals.’ Matt Sullivan, executive director of the PEI Aquaculture Alliance, said the industry values the support to maintain the province’s position as a centre for sustainable seafood. ‘We are very happy that the provincial government continues to support the growing aquaculture sector,’ he said.