ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE August 2024 27 everyone. Our overriding purpose is to give more people more access to more sustainable seafood. For us, more sustainable seafood means a world with three things: Firstly, preserving natural resources through the implementation of responsible fisheries and aquaculture practices; secondly, greater inclusivity and access to resources and markets; and third, more economic opportunity, community empowerment, and less food insecurity. Our experience and successes to-date have affirmed that achieving a sustainable seafood industry requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses ecological, economic, and social dimensions. We further maintain that this is best achieved through the following 5 aligned but very separate steps: STEP 1: COLLABORATE GLOBALLY AND PRE-COMPETITIVELY GSSI is of the firm opinion that to foster a sustainable seafood industry, international, pre-competitive collaboration is crucial. This allows for cooperation among industry players, governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders across borders and sectors to share knowledge, resources, and best practices without the constraints of competition. Regulation and voluntary measures must go hand in hand. We also maintain that only together and with a shared vision on the development of seafood supply chains can we hope to initiate actions at the pace and scale needed. STEP 2: EXPAND CREDIBLY CERTIFIED SEAFOOD Certification plays a critical role in verifying that seafood products meet global sustainability standards. It is also a means to empower industry and stakeholders to design, implement, and revise management decisions and to ensure compliance with regulations and market expectations. This leads to safer, more resilient production systems, improved livelihoods, and long-term resource sustainability. Similarly, with people’s increasing engagement on sustainability issues, especially regarding the food it eats, seafood can be a shining light for new generations of consumers. What’s clear, though, is that regardless of whether a fish comes via a fishing boat or from a farm, people want to know exactly what it is that they’re eating, particularly that it’s what it claims to be, that it’s safe to consume, and that no social or environmental risks have been taken in getting it to their table. Certification is regarded as a key pathway to achieving this aim, which is why we now see several organisations in the seafood space offering standards and certifications for responsibly produced wild and farm-raised species. STEP 3: GET SMALL-SCALE PRODUCERS ON THE PATH TO SUSTAINABILITY Of course, certification is not the only tool in the box. Indeed, approximately 85% of the seafood currently available in the world is not certified by a credible, recognised scheme. Therefore, supporting uncertified fisheries and producers in programmes that enable these entities to elevate their standards and best-practices will have a tremendous, positive impact for everyone involved. At the same time, inclusive sourcing ensures that all players in the seafood supply chain, including small-scale fishers and farmers, are supported in their journey towards sustainability. This means providing access to resources, training, and markets that can help them adopt sustainable practices and accelerate their efforts. In recognition of these needs, GSSI, together with the sector, developed Seafood MAP. This globally inclusive digital platform seeks to compile and accelerate fisheries and aquaculture efforts on the pathway to sustainability. Furthermore, by building
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