Friend of the Sea

Friend of the Sea is an esteemed certification initiative dedicated to the endorsement and authentication of seafood originating from ecologically sustainable fisheries and aquaculture operations. Unique in its approach, Friend of the Sea is the sole certification system to universally authenticate both wild-caught and aquacultured seafood under a single emblem.

Background

The conceptual foundation for Friend of the Sea was laid by the Earth Island Institute, a prominent NGO recognized for its influential International Dolphin-Safe project. The initiative has garnered significant attention and participation from major global retailers including Carrefour Italy, Coop Italia, Eroski, Manor, and Finiper. Furthermore, several renowned producers have sought and secured certification for their products, exemplifying the initiative's far-reaching impact.

Compliance and Criteria

To ensure transparency and authenticity, Friend of the Sea's adherence to its established criteria is rigorously validated by independent, accredited certification agencies. The fundamental criteria for fisheries encompass:

• Sustainability: The seafood product should not be sourced from overexploited, depleted, data deficient, or recuperating fish stocks.
• Seabed Preservation: Fishing methodologies should be devoid of detrimental impacts on the seabed.
• Selective Fishing: Emphasis on adopting selective fishing techniques to ensure discard rates remain below the global average (which stood at approximately 8% in 2005).
• Legal Adherence: Fisheries should unconditionally comply with all extant legal statutes and norms.

Aligning with the global sustainability agenda, Friend of the Sea resonates with the directives articulated in Article 30 of the FAO Guidelines for Ecolabelling of Marine Fisheries Products. This article accentuates the imperatives of safeguarding fish stocks for present and future generations, emphasizing optimal utilization and conservation. The article further advocates for immediate corrective and restorative measures in scenarios where biomass levels experience substantial depletion. Conforming to these tenets, the Friend of the Sea certification scheme exemplifies commitment to sustainable seafood practices.

Global Impact

Friend of the Sea has emerged as a beacon of trust for consumers, retailers, and producers alike. Its certification ensures that seafood products align with the highest standards of sustainability, providing an assurance of environmental responsibility and ethical sourcing. This global recognition has further propelled fisheries and aquaculture operations to adopt sustainable practices, thus fostering a positive impact on marine ecosystems.

See Also

• Ecolabel
• Sustainable fisheries
• Aquaculture sustainability
• Earth Island Institute
• Marine conservation

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