Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
to serve the desired outcomes for Seafood Watch and strongly support the needs of
the evolving sustainable seafood movement.
17.8.2 Increasing demand by bringing major buyers to the table
The Compass Group North America commitment and subsequent implementation
of a sustainable seafood policy has already affected the purchasing outcomes for
more than 1 million pounds of seafood. Similar programmes with other major food
service providers are establishing a new niche for our programme.
17.8.3 Creating a viable supply of sustainable seafood to
support the demand
To complement our efforts with food service providers and to increase the avail-
ability of sustainable seafood for the broader movement, we have leveraged our
partners' purchasing power to include new demands on their suppliers such as im-
proving access to sustainable sources. In partnership with our colleagues at Environ-
mental Defense, we are also stimulating the development of purchasing standards
for environmentally preferable sources of seafood relevant to major buyers.
In meeting with businesses and seafood suppliers, we are often reminded of
the critical role of 'issue salience' and how all of these elements fit together. Not
only have we observed an increased awareness of sustainability issues, but also an
interest to 'get off the red list'. The early successes of corporate commitments and
the increasing array of sustainable seafood options are attracting new businesses to
the initiative. Consistent with the broader movement's strategy, maintaining issue
salience, increasing demand for sustainable seafood and increasing the supply of
more environmentally sound choices have proven to be key to our success. If each of
these elements is fostered concurrently, we believe that Seafood Watch can indeed
help shape the seafood marketplace for a sustainable future.
17.9
What does success look like?
Success is a marketplace demand for sustainable seafood that provides financial in-
centives for the improved environmental performance of fisheries and aquaculture
operations, ultimately improving ocean health. The Seafood Watch strategy entails
transforming the purchasing practices of major seafood buyers towards sustainable
sources while continuing to build and leverage issue salience with seafood con-
sumers and businesses. We are already observing indications of success as more
fisheries are applying for certification from the MSC, various standards for sustain-
able aquaculture operations are emerging and more corporations are developing
sustainable seafood purchasing policies.
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