HOW WE DEFINE SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD
Sustainable seafood is an especially slippery concept. Whilst there is much common ground between different sustainability models, there is ultimately little consensus on what the term actually means, except in a very general way. This is confusing for seafood consumers and sellers wanting to source sustainably.
It is this sort of hurdle that Happy Fish is setting out to dismantle.
SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA
To be endorsed and included in the Happy Fish List a fish needs to meet Happy Fish criteria.
Wild capture Australian fisheries are evaluated considering the stock status or population of the species,
as well as impact on the ecosystem habitat of the fishery
- Happy Fish assesses fish at the fishery level for the greatest accuracy. For instance a species of fish that meets Happy Fish criteria in NSW, may not meet criteria in another state
- Happy Fish will not endorse a species of an uncertain or unknown population status. This sets a higher standard than required by law
- Happy Fish reviews assessments and criteria used by other organisations, institutions and government agencies assessing the sustainability of seafood
- The quality of this data and its influence on the Happy Fish assessment process is ranked according to how recent the information is and how transparent the decision-making process was
- Happy Fish assessments are regularly reviewed due to the ever-shifting nature of biological systems
- Happy Fish could endorse species from another eco-label or system if it is consistent with Happy Fish criteria,
- Happy Fish will conduct random audits with participating seafood sellers to ensure supply chain integrity