Industry experts gathered at a recent panel organized by GlobalGAP to discuss the evolving landscape of sustainability certifications in aquaculture. Over the past decade, expectations around sustainability have grown, prompting certification schemes to adapt to meet these demands.
According to FAO Deputy Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture Audun Lem, sustainability now encompasses not only environmental factors but also social dimensions such as civil rights and decent work conditions. The FAO has been actively developing guidance documents to address these issues and aims to create standards that various sustainability and certification organizations can adopt.
The FAO’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 – “Life Under Water,” have become crucial benchmarks for seafood companies and nonprofits. However, Teresa Fernandez, Sustainability Senior Manager at Hilton Foods, highlighted the challenge of aligning government legislation with industry expectations, particularly regarding transparency in seafood supply chains.
Carlos Tavares Ferreira, Sustainability and Quality Director at Stolt Sea Farm, emphasized the need for innovation in addressing challenges such as ingredient sourcing for aquaculture feed. With a heavy dependency on marine-based ingredients, the industry faces the task of finding sustainable alternatives to ensure long-term viability.
The panelists agreed that collaboration and innovation are essential for tackling sustainability challenges in aquaculture. As the industry continues to evolve, embracing new ideas and approaches will be crucial for achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Source-Seafoodsource.com