We provide bulk and frozen seafood to a lot of places; dining halls, retailers, restaurants, K-12 schools, healthcare facilities, and more. That’s a lot of fish. Because of that, we care a lot about sustainability in the fishing industry.
Why? Because sustainable seafood is sourced using practices that respect habitats and do not inflict long-term damage. This ensures the stability and health of the species of fish we use in our products. We work closely with the Marine Stewardship Council to help achieve our goals of sustainability.
Good for the Environment
Overfishing impacts the environment. There’s no question of that. When we overfish any species of fish, we directly affect the food chain and marine ecosystem. On top of that, boats can contribute to pollution which further affects the ocean ecosystem and fish population. A major myth about seafood is that it’s too hard to source it sustainably, but that is decidedly not true thanks to both new fishing practices and aquaculture, which is the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, and other water organisms.
Overfishing is avoided by making sure there is enough fish left in the sea to keep reproducing indefinitely and by using fish farms with effective management in place. About half of the fish consumed globally come from fish farms, including salmon and cod which can be found in our own products. If fish numbers fall below sustainable levels, a certified fishery will adjust what it catches to give the fish time to recover.
Good for Business
Let’s be honest; we need fish to survive and repopulate in order for us to stay in business. So we have a vested interest in keeping the ocean thriving. Globally, billions of people rely on seafood for their nutrition and livelihoods. It’s important to keep the fish population sustainable for their sakes as well as future generations.
Aquaculture in particular is great for the fishing industry. It provides year-round jobs, drives employment in other parts of the fishing industry like seafood processing and equipment manufacturing, and can provide sustainable economic growth.
Something we do at Channel Fish Processing that we’re very proud of is utilize every pound of fish we receive. This cuts down on waste, which is not only great for the environment, but great for our overhead. Less wasted fish means less wasted money. It’s a win-win for everyone.
What You Can Do
One of the easiest ways you can do your part is by buying fish with the MSC blue fish label. These labels are a quick and sure-fire way to tell which products have come from certified, sustainable fisheries. Don’t think you need to go out of your way to find these labels – brands with this certification can be found at lots of major retailers.
