Saving Seafood

Seafood MAP project aims to make sustainability certification more attainable

March 31, 2020 — For many seafood producers around the world, especially small-scale fishermen and fish farmers in the developing world, a sustainability certification is out of reach.

Despite actively improving the sustainability of their operations, they struggle to meet the thresholds required for certification or a fishery improvement project, or they have trouble filing the needed documentation. And for buyers seeking to actively demonstrate their sustainability commitments, the lack of knowledge about these fisheries leaves them in the dark.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

GSSI AND IDH launch Seafood MAP program to accelerate sustainable seafood

March 30, 2020 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative & The Sustainable Trade Initiative :

On March 30 2020, at a SeafoodSource webinar, the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) and IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative, launched Seafood MAP – a new market and investment program, supported by leading seafood companies, to accelerate sustainable seafood worldwide.

Seafood MAP – Measuring and Accelerating Performance of global seafood supply – responds to an urgent need to drive more responsible practices across the sector. It provides global guidance and incentives to seafood producers that are not yet certified to become more sustainable and profitable. This will create investment opportunities for financiers to support the supply of sustainable seafood to fast growing consumer markets in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

In 2020, Seafood MAP will develop a responsible roadmap and framework, based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and FAO Guidelines. The first pilots are due to go live in mid-2020 in regions worldwide, following the latest assessments in light of the global pandemic.

Read the full release here

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative includes the Shrimp Standard in the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Scope of Recognition

February 18, 2020 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative:

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) Steering Board is pleased to announce its first recognition of a scope extension. The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) scope of recognition now includes their Shrimp Standard (Version 1.0, March 27, 2014).

ASC applied for this scope extension in early 2019, having already obtained recognition for the scope of their Salmon Standard (version 1.1, April 27, 2017) in August 2018. The Independent Experts and the Benchmark Committee found the ASC Shrimp Standard to be in alignment with all the GSSI Essential Components for Section C (Aquaculture). The Independent Experts and the Benchmark Committee also confirmed the Governance (Section A) and Operational Procedures (Section B) have been appropriately applied to this ASC Shrimp Standard.

Read the full release here

GSSI Public Consultation on the ASC Shrimp Standard Scope Extension

November 15, 2019 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative:

On 23 October 2019, GSSI launched a 30-day public consultation on the Interim GSSI Benchmark Report for the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Shrimp Standard Scope Extension.

In early 2019, the ASC applied to extend the scope of its GSSI recognition to include its Shrimp Standard, having already obtained recognition for the scope of its Salmon Standard in August 2018.

The Independent Experts and the Benchmark Committee found the ASC Shrimp Standard V1.0 – March 2014 to be in alignment with all the GSSI Essential Components for Section C (Aquaculture). The Independent Experts and the Benchmark Committee also confirmed the Governance (Section A) and Operational Procedures (Section B) have been appropriately applied to the ASC Shrimp Standard V1.0 – March 2014.

GSSI now invites comments from all stakeholders on the recommendation of the Benchmark Committee to include the ASC Shrimp Standard in the GSSI scope of recognition for the ASC.

Following the public consultation, the Benchmark Committee, Independent Experts and ASC will process the feedback received. GSSI’s Benchmark Committee will then provide the GSSI Steering Board with a final recommendation on extending the scope of recognition. The Public Consultation feedback will be made publicly available after the GSSI Steering Board’s decision.

GSSI Public Consultation on the ASC Shrimp Standard Scope Extension

October 23, 2019 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative:

On 23 October 2019, GSSI launched a 30-day public consultation on the Interim GSSI Benchmark Report for the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Shrimp Standard Scope Extension.

In early 2019, the ASC applied to extend the scope of its GSSI recognition to include its Shrimp Standard, having already obtained recognition for the scope of its Salmon Standard in August 2018.

The Independent Experts and the Benchmark Committee found the ASC Shrimp Standard V1.0 – March 2014 to be in alignment with all the GSSI Essential Components for Section C (Aquaculture). The Independent Experts and the Benchmark Committee also confirmed the Governance (Section A) and Operational Procedures (Section B) have been appropriately applied to the ASC Shrimp Standard V1.0 – March 2014.

GSSI now invites comments from all stakeholders on the recommendation of the Benchmark Committee to include the ASC Shrimp Standard in the GSSI scope of recognition for the ASC.

Following the public consultation, the Benchmark Committee, Independent Experts and ASC will process the feedback received. GSSI’s Benchmark Committee will then provide the GSSI Steering Board with a final recommendation on extending the scope of recognition. The Public Consultation feedback will be made publicly available after the GSSI Steering Board’s decision.

Read the full release here

GSSI Public Consultation on the Benchmark Report for the Marine Eco-Label Japan (MEL) Scheme

July 2, 2019 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative:

On 1 July 2019, GSSI launched a 30-day public consultation on the GSSI Benchmark Report for the Marine Eco-Label Japan (MEL) scheme.

Marine Eco-Label Japan (MEL) Council applied for GSSI recognition of its MEL scheme in September 2018 and has been benchmarked against the GSSI Global Benchmark Tool on Section A (Governance), Section B (Operational Management) Section C (Aquaculture) and D (Fisheries).

The Independent Experts and the Benchmark Committee found the scheme to be in alignment with all the GSSI Essential Components. GSSI now invites comments from all stakeholders on the recommendation of the Benchmark Committee to recognize the Marine Eco-Label Japan (MEL) scheme for their Aquaculture Management Standard (Version 1.0, 2018) and Fisheries Management Standard (Version 2.0, 2018).

Following the public consultation, the Benchmark Committee, Independent Experts and MEL will process the feedback received. GSSI’s Benchmark Committee will then provide the GSSI Steering Board with a final recommendation on recognition. The Public Consultation feedback will be made publicly available after the GSSI Steering Board’s decision.

Read the full release here

Southwind Foods Joins GSSI

June 17, 2019 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative, Southwind Foods, and Great American Seafood Imports Co:

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative is pleased to announce that Southwind Foods has joined the GSSI Global Partnership as a Funding Partner.

Southwind Foods is a U.S. owned and operated seafood company servicing U.S. grocery, distributor and food service customers fresh and frozen seafood certified by GSSI recognized schemes BAP, ASC and MSC.

“We are excited to partner with GSSI and further our commitment to sustainable, socially responsible, safe and traceable seafood,” said Paul Galletti, Co-Owner and EVP, Sales & Marketing. “Our family owned, and operated company represents 4 generations that has made its living from commercial fishing to wholesale, processing, and distribution. We have witnessed first-hand how global seafood consumption has increased and it is crucial that we do our part to keep fish populations thriving and our seafood industry healthy for years to come.”

ABOUT SOUTHWIND FOODS

Southwind Foods is a U.S. owned and operated company supplying our grocery, distributor and food service customers the finest fresh and frozen responsibly harvested seafood from around the world.

Our corporate office and world-class 160,000 square feet BRC Global Standard, HACCP approved processing, storage, and distribution facility is located in Carson, California. We also operate sales offices in New York, Texas, and Arizona along with processing and distribution facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Las Vegas, Nevada that supports our sales and distribution in all 50 states.

Southwind Foods import division, Great American Seafood Imports Co., was established in 2003 and operates as the company’s overseas procurement division. The brand consists of a diverse line of cooked, raw, and breaded, bulk and packaged shrimp, fillets, steaks, portions, whole fish, crab, shellfish, and aquatics along with value added and innovative products such as meal kits, planks, skewers, poke and more.

Our highly skilled and ethical marketing and procurement associates work closely with our customers and suppliers to supply the highest level of quality, service and value.

To learn more, please visit www.southwindfoods.com.

THE GSSI GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) is a global, Public-Private Partnership, working towards more sustainable seafood for everyone. For more information on our Global Partnership and how to become a partner, please visit our website or contact us: secretariat@ourgssi.org.

Seattle Shrimp & Seafood Company Joins GSSI

March 26, 2019 — The following was released by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative and Seattle Shrimp & Seafood:

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative is pleased to announce that Seattle Shrimp & Seafood Company has joined the GSSI Global Partnership as a Funding Partner.

Seattle Shrimp & Seafood Company is a global supplier of shrimp and shellfish. Seattle Shrimp & Seafood Company works with GSSI recognized schemes BAP and MSC.

“Seattle Shrimp & Seafood Company is proud to be partnering with the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative and its supporters as an acting member and Funding Partner. We are extremely excited for the opportunity to collaborate with organizations from industry and NGO sectors that are committed to the long-term preservation, sustainability and growth of global fisheries,” said Atsushige Amano, President of Seattle Shrimp & Seafood.

BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. Joins GSSI

March 19, 2019 — The following was released by Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative and BJ’s Wholesale:

The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative is pleased to announce that BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (BJ’s) has joined the GSSI Global Partnership as a Funding Partner.

BJ’s Wholesale Club is a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States. By joining GSSI’s Global Partnership, BJ’s joins more than 90 stakeholders industry-wide in addressing the seafood sector’s sustainability challenges.

“BJ’s Wholesale Club is committed to providing sustainably sourced seafood to our members,” said Scott Williams, Vice President, Own Brands and Quality at BJ’s Wholesale Club. “We’re excited to join The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative to deepen our commitment to responsible sourcing and helping the industry find solutions.”