Many wild fish populations are on the verge of collapse due to overfishing and habitat-related issues. Your choices can make a difference. As you shop or dine at restaurants, just remember to TASTE to become an informed, conscientious consumer:
• Try something different. Switch between species every so often to keep fish stocks level and healthy. It’s a great way to discover a new sustainably sourced fish you never knew you loved.
• Ask the grocery store or restaurant how their fish is caught. Choose fish that are pole and line caught or farmed sustainably. Avoid methods such as bottom trawling, ghost fishing, longlines and poison/explosives.
• Species – Choose you species wisely and avoid purchasing from depleted stocks. Seafood Watch is a good resource to see what species to avoid and which are good alternatives.
• Tag – Check for the blue Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) tag to ensure your fish is coming from a sustainable fishery. They have strict rules for certification and periodically test fish for accuracy.
• Eat local seafood when you can. It is often caught using less damaging fishing practices than commercially caught seafood.
Pacific Whale Foundation supports the recommendations of the Marine Stewardship Council. As one of the world’s leading certification programs, the MSC does not endorse the two Hawaiian longline fisheries, which aligns with our organizational values. Longline fishing is a commercial fishing technique that uses a long line with baited hooks attached at intervals. This poses a significant threat to marine life such as seabirds, sea turtles, sharks and dolphins. We are especially concerned with the danger longline fishing presents to the endangered population of false killer whales found in Hawaii that we are working to protect.
To learn more about the Marine Stewardship Council, visit www.msc.org and to find certified fisheries in your area, visit www.fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries
