Fisheries and Aquaculture Certification
Concerns about sustainability and the effectiveness of fisheries management on the
part of the public have resulted in demand from NGOs, retailers and consumers for
assurances that the food they purchase has been sustainably produced. This has led
to a number of private entities responding to this demand by establishing eco-labels
and certification schemes that claim to provide credible information to the consumer.
These labels intend to serve the interest of fishers and processors who need to transmit
positive information to the consumer to maintain their markets, and serve consumers
by providing information not elsewhere available.
This report considers the growing trend in information requirements for seafood products
in general, and in particular to the distinct sustainability features of wild capture
fisheries and aquaculture. This work refers primarily to privately-driven certification
schemes which have become an established feature of the market for eco-labels in fisheries
and aquaculture. The report focuses on private eco-labelling and analyzes the economics
of certification schemes, discusses key issues at the interface between public authorities,
private labelling schemes, business operators and consumers. Finally, main findings
and messages to policy makers are addressed.
Published on September 29, 2011Also available in: French