06 Jun Sustainable Seafood info, guides, & actions

Last Week's Shades of Green Energy radio show focused on sustainable fisheries, in honor of World Oceans Day which is this Wednesday, June 8th. I've re-capped the resources mentioned on the show and researched some more resources so you can shift your own purchasing as well as impact the whole fisheries system.

What can you do?

> Be an informed and questioning customer – it is the best way to redirect the behaviors of even the largest companies. In fact Costco just announced a major change in their practices regarding seafood purchases.

> "Wear blue and tell two" about sustainable fisheries this Wednesday (or any day!)

> Greenpeace has ocean actions you can take and a grocery store scorecard.

> Check out these resources to learn more about sustainable seafood:

• Marine Stewardship Council is the leading standard setter for certifying sustainable fisheries. They set scores related to healthy stock (quantity), marine system impacts (including by-catch) and responsible management practices. They have a great list of grocery stores and restaurants that carry MSC certified seafood.

• Monterrey Bay Aquarium – learn more, find sustainable seafood recipes, get the sustainable seafood app, and download or order their Seafood watch pocket guide that rates fish Red/Yellow/Green and recipes.

• Whole Foods Market Seafood Sustainability has eliminated all the red rated fish and stocks MSC certified fish.

• NOAA – does extensive testing on fish to see about mercury and other contaminants.

• World Wildlife Fund's Conservation Science Program – their main foci are ecoregional planning, the development of marine protected areas (MPAs) and marine MPA networks, and conservation of specific marine species.

• Sustainable Fisheries Partnership – engage and catalyze global seafood supply chains in rebuilding depleted fish stocks and reducing the environmental impacts of fishing and fish farming.