The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) recently announced that during October, which is National Seafood Month, it will encourage shoppers to make good choices for themselves, their families, their pets, and for the ocean by choosing seafood that’s “Good for you and the ocean too” and purchasing seafood with the MSC blue fish label (shown below).
Seafood that’s good for the ocean, too
As the first global science-based seafood certification program to be recognized for rigor and credibility by the United Nations, the MSC with its blue fish label is meeting the demand for independent verification of sustainability claims by brands.
By working with the fishing industry, scientists, and conservation groups, MSC helps to create the world’s leading standard for sustainable seafood. In the MSC program, certified sustainable seafood is fished from stocks with healthy populations and caught with minimal impact on the marine environment.
Today, more than 10 million tons of seafood worldwide comes from more than 300 MSC certified fisheries, and almost 15% of all global catch is now certified to MSC standards.
In the U.S. there are more than 3,000 products with the MSC blue fish label in stores – including in the frozen section, canned aisle, fresh fish counter, and pet food and supplements.
By taking the simple step to look for the blue fish when purchasing seafood, shoppers can help protect oceans from over fishing, support fishermen and fishing communities, and promote traceability from ocean to dish.
“Now more than ever, we need to work together to protect our oceans,” said Brian Perkins, regional director for the Americas at the MSC Marine Stewardship Council. “Sustainable fishing reduces environmental impacts, keeps fish populations healthy, and protects hardworking coastal communities. We hope that by choosing the MSC blue fish this Seafood Month – and every month – you feel extra good knowing you’ve chosen seafood that’s ‘good for you and the ocean too’.”
ABOUT THE MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international non-profit organization. For more information visit www.msc.org or follow @MSCBlueFish on social media.