What We Do

Mobilizing and Connecting for Sustainable Seafood and Healthy Oceans

Seafood Choices Alliance is mobilizing and connecting world leaders who support action for a sustainable supply of seafood and healthy oceans through responsible business, management, policy, and regulation.  We convene networking events, facilitate a diverse program of forums for inquiry and dialogue, and use international networks to leverage knowledge exchange and make smart connections which advance positive change and strategic development. 

• Convenes and connects voices in a safe and neutral environment in ways that lead to industry change;
• Works with our partners to navigate trends, cut through complexity, fill gaps in knowledge and promote relationships; and
• Provides services to enhance effectiveness and capacity across our audiences.

• Climate Change
• Responsible Aquaculture
• Sustainable Fishing Practices
• Traceability and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing

Climate Change

Global climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges we face today.  The vast ocean is critical in regulating climate, yet its capacity to do so is diminishing.  Global climate change is affecting our oceans through fluctuations in temperature that cause movement or decline of fish populations; changing patterns of ocean circulation that can lead to increases in oceanic “dead zones”; and ocean acidification that is negatively affecting many species of coral, crustacean, and mollusk and has greater long-term ecological implications. Seafood Choices Alliance is working with its partners to open the dialogue on the impacts of the seafood industry on climate change and the opportunities for this industry to find and support creative solutions.

Responsible Aquaculture

Aquaculture can be a sustainable source of seafood for billions of people. There is increasing debate and exploration on how best to expand aquaculture worldwide, and – with the vast majority of fish farmers based in developing countries – what effect that will have on the communities that pursue it.  All of this is forcing both industry and NGOs to look more closely at the social and community issues associated with the growth of aquaculture.  At the same time all parties are beginning to consider how best to integrate sustainability standards into the daily operations of fish farms. From convenings that bring together intergovernmental bodies and industry executives to discuss certification standards, to forums on sustainable feeds and organic labeling, Seafood Choices is actively engaging conservation and business leaders to ensure the sustainable development of this industry.

Sustainable Fishing Practices

The ocean is critical to our planet’s – and, therefore, our own – well-being.  It is home to 90% of the world’s living creatures, and seafood is the main source of protein for one-sixth of the human population.  With over 75% of world fish stocks fully or over-exploited, we are depleting the fish and other marine life that we eat faster than their populations can replenish.  Seafood Choices Alliance supports those in the fishing industry that are working to improve the long-term sustainability of marine resources through adherence to set quotas, use of gear types that reduce habitat damage and bycatch, and innovations in management such as the implementation of marine protected areas. Seafood Choices communicates these innovations up the supply chain to processors, distributors, wholesalers and retailers and annually recognizes as Seafood Champions true leaders in the field.

Traceability and Illegal, Unreported,
and Unregulated Fishing

A primary challenge in ensuring a sustainable seafood supply is the lack of traceability of fish products from point of capture to your plate.  While traceability is an issue for both wild-capture and aquaculture species, the problem for wild-capture species is exacerbated by “illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing,” a term that describes a host of irresponsible fishing activities such as use of banned gear types, fishing in closed areas, and misreporting of catches.  IUU fishing occurs around the world, and can comprise a high proportion of total catch in many areas. Enhancing the capacity of countries to monitor national waters and enforce regulations, implementing advanced traceability systems throughout the supply chain, and improving global reporting of catches, can lead to a decline in IUU fishing.  Seafood Choices will work with partners in the conservation community, local and national governments, and the seafood industry to facilitate knowledge exchange and increase global capacity to address these complicated issues.