PROTECTING WILD SEAFOOD SOURCES
Marine Stewardship Council
‘Our oceans cover 70% of our planet.
They are vast and furious, beautiful and endlessly fascinating. Unfortunately, these same oceans are under immense pressure,’ writes Loren Hiller, commercial officer for the UK and Ireland at the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). ‘And at a time when a growing global population needs sustainable, low-carbon protein more than ever, a third of fish stocks are over-exploited and the ocean faces unprecedented threats, from global warming to ocean acidification and plastic pollution.
‘Seafood is our last truly wild major food source, so the stakes are high when we really think about how important it is to protect this resource. But addressing these challenges doesn’t mean we have to stop eating fish, nor is it a feasible solution for everyone. Globally, more than one billion people rely on fish as their primary source of protein, largely in developing countries.
‘We all need healthy oceans, so we must act to keep them teeming with life, now and into the future! The oceans define us. They regulate our climate and supply much of the oxygen we need to survive. The life within our oceans is also essential to sustain people’s livelihoods, providing incomes for millions all around the world. We are all connected in one way or another and we are, at this moment in time, in reach of a whole new relationship with the ocean: a wiser, more sustainable one.
‘As we have grown more aware of these threats, so has the willingness to work together to find global solutions. One way that you can make a positive change is by choosing the MSC blue label when buying fish and seafood. Choosing fish and seafood with the blue MSC label makes it easier to identify products that have been sourced sustainably from a well-managed fishery with limited impacts on the environment. The MSC’s approach means everyone can play a part in safeguarding the future of our oceans and seafood supplies. When you buy a product with this blue fish label, you become part of a virtuous circle, helping to protect the productivity and health of our oceans. The collectiveness of humanity can return our oceans to their glory, so that they remain ecologically abundant and capable of feeding the world.
‘So, next time you are out shopping or in a restaurant, #choosethebluefish, and let’s ensure there is plenty of fish and seafood for future generations.’