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Sustainable seafood advisory lists and certification facts for kids

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Sustainable seafood advisory lists and certification are programs that help people choose seafood that is good for the ocean. These programs want to make sure that the fish we eat are caught or farmed in ways that don't harm the environment or reduce fish populations too much.

Some well-known guides include Seafood Watch from California and the fish online guide from the Marine Conservation Society. A very popular program that certifies seafood products is run by the Marine Stewardship Council.

Other helpful programs exist around the world. For example, the GoodFish Project in Australia helps people find sustainable seafood. In Canada, SeaChoice uses a traffic light system to show how sustainable seafood is. The Vancouver Aquarium's Ocean Wise program recommends restaurants that serve ocean-friendly seafood.

Why is Sustainable Seafood Important?

Choosing sustainable seafood helps protect our oceans and the creatures living in them. When fish are caught or farmed responsibly, it means there will be enough fish for the future. It also helps keep ocean habitats healthy.

What are Advisory Lists?

Advisory lists are like shopping guides for seafood. They tell you which types of fish are caught or farmed in a way that is good for the environment. They also warn you about seafood that might be caught using harmful methods or that comes from unhealthy fish populations.

  • Aquarium of the Bay Sustainable Seafood Alliance: Learn more here
  • InSeason Fish: A guide for India
  • Marine Conservation Society (MCS) Good Fish Guide: For the UK and Northeast Atlantic
  • The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch: Check their recommendations
  • The Seafood Guide by Good Fish Foundation and WWF Europe: Good Fish Foundation and WWF Europe
  • Greenpeace Seafood Red List: See the list of fish to avoid
  • Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) Sustainable Seafood Guide: Australia's guide
  • Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Best Fish Guide: New Zealand's guide
  • Audubon Society National Seafood Wallet Card: For the US
  • Monterey Fish Market Seafood advisory list: For the West Coast, US
  • Canada’s Seafood Guide by SeaChoice: Canada's guide
  • The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) Consumer Guide To Prawns: A guide for prawns

What is Seafood Certification and Labelling?

Certification programs put a special label on seafood products that meet certain standards for sustainability. This label helps you quickly see if the seafood you are buying is a good choice for the environment.

  • The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has a well-known certification program. They list certified seafood products on their website: Find MSC certified products
  • Ocean Wise: This program from the Vancouver Aquarium certifies restaurants that serve sustainable seafood. They also publish a dining guide.
  • FishWise: This program helps retailers label their seafood to show how sustainable it is.
  • Friends of the Sea: This organization certifies products from sustainable fisheries and aquaculture (fish farming). They also look at how much carbon is produced and if workers are treated fairly.

How Does Seafood Affect Your Health?

Some seafood can contain things like mercury, which can be harmful if you eat too much. Organizations like Oceana work to make sure seafood is safe to eat. They have campaigns to stop seafood contamination.

  • Oceana's Campaign to Stop Seafood Contamination: Learn about their efforts

See also

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