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Alaska Seafood Shares Tips on
The Top 10 Things To Look For in Sustainable Seafood:
#1) No Commitment Issues
#2) A Geek at Heart Every year, scientists from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the International Pacific Halibut Commission conduct and analyze research on the fisheries resources. In addition, research is conducted on the climatic, environmental, and socio-economic factors that affect the fisheries. These studies consider the effects of the ecosystem on the stock, and the effects of the stock and the fisheries on the ecosystem. Controlling the amount of fish harvested through quota establishment is key in preventing overfishing.
#3) Cares About the Environment The State of Alaska’s fish habitat protection statutes reflect Alaskans’ belief that fish species and habitats are assets that must be protected from unnecessary or inadvertent disturbance or destruction from human activities. Over 40 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been established to protect ecological structure and function, locate control sites for scientific research studies, conserve bottom habitat, protect vulnerable stocks, and preserve cultural resources. Of these 40 Marine Protected Areas, 31 prohibit either all commercial fishing or all bottom contact gear, such as trawls. Another part of the story is bycatch reduction. “Bycatch” means the unintended capture of non-target species, including other fish species, marine mammals or sea birds. Significant, effective bycatch reduction programs are enforced in all Alaska fisheries. When a predetermined amount of a prohibited species is taken, that fishery is closed, regardless of whether it has reached the Total Allowable Catch – a strong incentive to “fish clean.” To protect marine mammals, biologists and staff administer the following acts to develop regulations and management measures to protect, conserve and restore populations:
#4) Responsibility is the Mantra One important method is Total Allowable Catch (TAC) – set as a firm limit, beyond which fishing must stop. Balancing finite fish stocks with improvements in catching efficiency must be regulated by:
#5) Plays Well with Others In Alaska, the future of seafood stocks and the environment are more important than opportunities for commercial harvest. The state, federal and international processes ensure this by separating conservation authority from decisions regarding harvest levels. The conservation agencies are structured so that decisions are made by teams of scientists, without input or interference from harvesters or other stakeholders. Once the allocation process begins, comprehensive, vigorous public scrutiny and participation by harvesters, processors, and other stakeholders is welcomed. The overall decision-making is quite transparent, and it strives to achieve timely, practicable solutions.
#6) Runs A Tight Ship
In addition, Alaska’s fisheries follow a strict checklist of requirements and criteria – set forth by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The FAO is the internationally recognized authority on sustainable food production. The FAO's Fisheries and Aquaculture Department has developed a set of comprehensive principles, criteria, and methods for sustainable management of wild-capture fisheries. The FAO checklist includes a detailed series of questions on sustainable fisheries management and it is the original, internationally recognized standard. See the full checklist.
#7) Follows the Rules
The U.S. Coast Guard also helps enforce fisheries regulations and eliminate environmental damage and the degradation of natural resources associated with maritime transportation, fishing, and recreational boating.
#8) A Hometown Hero Members of the communities know that this way of life cannot continue without a willingness to help enforce the sustainability practices mandated by the state. Thousands of families make their living from the resources of Alaska’s rugged 34,000 miles of sparsely populated coastline. In fact, fishing and seafood processing employ more people than any other industry in Alaska. With this tradition of fishing and intimate relationship with the sea, Alaskans understand the need to protect and maintain the fisheries and the surrounding habitat for future generations.
#9) No Hidden Agendas
#10) Squeaky Clean Track Record
Downloadable Resources:
To order printed copies of the above materials free of charge, click here.
Point-of-Sale Materials:
To order printed copies of the above materials free of charge, click here. For more information on sustainable seafood, visit http://www.alaskaseafood.org/. Want to stay current on the latest sustainable seafood news? Sign up for the Alaska Seafood Foodservice E-Newsletter. And for tips on preparing seafood, info on pairing seafood species with different spices and ethnic flavors, and demonstration videos by culinary educators, check out the Alaska Seafood ProChef Website developed in partnership by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and the Culinary Institute of America. |
Are you still looking for “the one”? You know, that special fish that completes your menu with great taste, an impressive background, and a sensitive side that cares about the environment? Well, it might be time to cast a wider net and look to Alaska, where there really are plenty of fish in the sea. And every one is delicious, sustainable, and a great catch.
Consumers are becoming more concerned about the food they eat and its impact on the planet. They’re looking for sustainable seafood options on your menu. Alaska seafood, heralded as the model for sustainable seafood the world over, has developed a quick list of the top 10 things you should look for in sourcing sustainable seafood. So get ready to meet your dream fish – but be prepared to share with others, because Alaska seafood is so tasty that everyone will want to have some.
The state constitution mandates that “fish...be utilized, developed and maintained on the sustained yield principle”. In fact, every aspect of Alaska’s fisheries have been strictly regulated, closely monitored and rigidly enforced for nearly five decades. Long before that, however, sustainable fishing practices have been a time-honored tradition. Alaskans depend on sustainable fish harvests, year after year, and are dedicated to protecting this important natural resource for future generations.
