Extolling Sustainability at Seafood Expos

AWI is once again attending two key seafood industry events: Seafood Expo North America in Boston in March and Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona in May. Among the world’s largest seafood industry trade shows, these events draw tens of thousands of attendees from more than 150 countries. The expos provide us with an opportunity to meet with industry representatives, government agencies, certifiers, traceability groups, and allied animal protection and conservation groups.

The seafood industry has enormous power to help the world’s oceans through a commitment to sustainable fishing. Many of the companies in attendance, however, have ties to shark finning, bycatch of endangered and protected species, and commercial whaling. At the expos, AWI and allies meet with key suppliers and buyers from the seafood industry to urge them not to support these inhumane and unsustainable practices.

Seafood certification groups also play a key role in promoting sustainable practices. Their logos affixed to seafood product packaging are meant to assure consumers that the certifier has verified that the products come from fisheries with strong conservation measures in place. In reality, however, many seafood certifiers have weak standards, and their seal of approval is no guarantee that the products are wildlife friendly. At both events, AWI meets with representatives of seafood certifiers to share our continued concern that their eco-labels are misleading consumers and their standards need to be more rigorous.

Program Terms: Marine Wildlife

AWI Quarterly Terms: Quick Read