An empty fish tray at Loblaw indicates that Chilean Sea Bass is at risk.
Loblaw has announced a new and inspiring goal to source all of its seafood from sustainable sources by 2013. This initiative, already underway at 18 stores, means the largest buyer and seller of seafood in Canada is abandoning the purchase of at-risk species and sourcing all of its seafood from sustainable sources.
Sustainable seafood refers to species that can maintain or increase their population in the future and can be harvested without damage to their ecosystems.
At the seafood counter, customers may notice that fish trays usually stocked with skate, shark, Chilean sea bass and orange roughy are empty, and signs suggesting delicious, eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives have taken their place.
To ensure the company meets its goal, Loblaw will be working closely with WWF-Canada, the Marine Stewardship council, marine scientists, conservation experts and fisheries.
Dr. Jeffery Hutchings, Professor of Biology and Canada Research Chair in Marine Conservation and Biodiversity at Dalhousie University, emphasizes the importance of a big company like Loblaw setting standards for its fish and seafood supply. "Many of the world's most important fish stocks have collapsed, experiencing declines of more than 90 per cent," says Dr. Hutchings.
And, according to the United Nations, 80 per cent of the world's fisheries are fully fished, overfished or depleted.
No Chilean sea bass for me, thank you very much!
Have you changed the way you buy fish? How so?
