Oceans contain up to 80 per cent of life on earth[i], with seafood providing an essential source of protein to more than 3 billion people across the world[ii]. However, the latest report on the state of the world’s fisheries, to be released tonight by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will reveal the increasing pressures on our oceans. A third of fisheries around the world have been fished beyond sustainable limits, and a further 60% are fished to their maximum capacity[iii].
This World Oceans Day (8 June), the Marine Stewardship Council is launching a new campaign: Little Blue Label, Big Blue Future . The aim is to encourage more of us to make the switch to certified sustainable seafood with the blue fish tick in a bid to end overfishing.
In an emotional video message, Nicola Tsiolis, youth activist, World Oceans Day ambassador and Ocean Youth alumni, said: “I hope for a future where life in our ocean is abundant. When I grow up, I want to see that we had turned the tide on unsustainable fishing and that we had done what we needed to do when it was time. Our actions today can ensure a future full of fish and oceans full of life for my generation. Not just here, but for young people all over the world. We can all choose a big blue future for our ocean right now by choosing sustainable seafood with the blue fish tick.”
Larissa Takchi, MasterChef winner 2019, revealed why she’s an advocate for sustainable seafood: “Since I was a child, I’ve loved cooking with seafood. There’s something special about the taste of the ocean right there on our plates. I have huge respect for the ocean and those fishers who brave dangerous conditions all around the world to bring us the very best seafood while respecting the wild natural environment. Choosing sustainable seafood with the blue fish tick has never been easier. Knowing your seafood is sustainable makes it taste that whole lot better. MasterChef has been an excellent platform for me to promote sustainability values close to my heart.”
Anne Gabriel who heads up the Oceania region for the international non-profit, the Marine Stewardship Council added: “Every day is World Oceans Day for us, for what we hope will be an infinite reservoir of life and diversity. Our ocean is under pressure from climate change, overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices. One simple action we can take is to choose sustainable seafood with the little blue fish tick for a big blue future.
We’re encouraged to see the growth of sustainable seafood. Hundreds of seafood products carrying the blue fish tick label are widely available in local supermarkets - from canned seafood, to frozen and chilled products. Every time you make that choice, you’re sending a signal through the supply chain, which incentivises more fisheries around the world to get certified as sustainable. This is vital if we’re going to end the global problem of overfishing.”
Others joining the call for sustainable seafood with the blue fish tick include science communicator and model Laura Wells, and chef Tom Walton, using the hashtag #bigbluefuture.
[i] An estimated 50-80% of all animal life on earth is found under the ocean surface. More detail can be found in PNAS 115 (25) 6506.
[ii] According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, fish provide about 3.2 billion people with almost 20 percent of their average per capita intake of animal protein - (UNFAO 2018) SOFIA Report, p70
[iii] According to the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, 33% of the world’s fish stocks are currently overfished, with this figure increasing consistently since 1974. 60% are fished to their maximum capacity.
Monday 8 June 2020 is World Oceans Day, with events planned in 150 countries to encourage people to work together for a better future for our oceans. To support this effort, the MSC has launched a new global campaign: ‘Little Blue Label, Big Blue Future’.
A range of celebrities and influencers from around the world will be posting on social media using the hashtag #bigbluefuture.
The campaign video and Nicola Tsiolis’ video message can be found on YouTube.
About the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
The MSC is an international non-profit organisation which sets globally recognised, science-based standards for sustainable fishing and seafood traceability.
The blue fish tick label on a seafood product means that:
• it comes from a wild-catch fishery which has been independently certified to the MSC’s science-based standard for environmentally sustainable fishing;
• it is fully traceable to a sustainable source.
It can be found on more than 100 species of seafood in 100 countries. msc.org
About the MSC in Australia & NZ
An estimated 10% of seafood sold in Australia carries the MSC blue fish tick, while 42% of Australia’s wild catch by volume is certified to the MSC Fisheries Standard for sustainability.
40% of New Zealand’s wild catch by volume is certified to the MSC Fisheries Standard for sustainability.
A new study of MSC fishery certifications in Western Australia showed that out of the 80 drivers mentioned, the top three were: validated sustainability credentials and social licence (such as being world leaders); economic incentives such as new market access and the availability of government support equal with improved management outcomes. More detail can be found in PLOSONE: Shifting focus: The impacts of sustainable seafood certification, 22 May 2020.
The MSC is an international non-profit organisation which sets globally recognised, science-based standards for sustainable fishing and seafood traceability.
The blue fish tick label on a seafood product means that:
• it comes from a wild-catch fishery which has been independently certified to the MSC’s science-based standard for environmentally sustainable fishing;
• it is fully traceable to a sustainable source.
It can be found on more than 100 species of seafood in 100 countries. msc.org
About the MSC in Australia & NZ
An estimated 10% of seafood sold in Australia carries the MSC blue fish tick, while 42% of Australia’s wild catch by volume is certified to the MSC Fisheries Standard for sustainability.
40% of New Zealand’s wild catch by volume is certified to the MSC Fisheries Standard for sustainability.
A new study of MSC fishery certifications in Western Australia showed that out of the 80 drivers mentioned, the top three were: validated sustainability credentials and social licence (such as being world leaders); economic incentives such as new market access and the availability of government support equal with improved management outcomes. More detail can be found in PLOSONE: Shifting focus: The impacts of sustainable seafood certification, 22 May 2020.
