SeaChoice: Healthy choices, healthy oceans

Comprehensive National Seafood Program

SeaChoice, Canada’s most comprehensive sustainable seafood program, is about solutions for healthy oceans. Launched in 2006, SeaChoice was created to help Canadian businesses and shoppers take an active role in supporting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture at all levels of the seafood supply chain. Based on scientific assessments, SeaChoice has created easy-to-use tools that help you make the best seafood choices.

Working in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s acclaimed Seafood Watch program, SeaChoice undertakes science-based seafood assessments, provides informative resources for consumers, and supports businesses through collaborative partnerships.

We understand that choosing sustainable seafood can be challenging, that's why SeaChoice has created easy-to-use products that help you identify the best seafood choices and find information about the fisheries that you support with your purchasing. This is the first time that information has been compiled for Canadians about our domestic fisheries and the seafood we import.

The ultimate solutions will require all of us-governments, industry, retailers and individuals-to take responsibility for changing our approach to seafood and fishing. We hope you will choose to be part of the solution.

We use the best available science, strategic communications and partnerships to mobilize sustainable seafood markets via six main programs:

•  Research  – To assess the status of fish stocks and the structure of the seafood supply chain.
•  Industry outreach  – Support for members of the supply line who would like to embrace sustainable sourcing.
•  Public education  – Empowering consumers to promote conservation through their choices at restaurants and retail stores.
•  Retail partnerships  – Working with major Canadian retailers to promote sales of sustainable seafood.
•  Strategic communications  – Clear, effective and targeted communications.
• Dialogue with government  – Reforming fisheries policy to reflect scientific best fisheries practices, providing protection for threatened and endangered fish stocks and their habitat.

The threat

The movement towards sustainable seafood is about solutions for our oceans. Choosing sustainable seafood is a simple and effective action that you can take every time you eat at a restaurant or buy seafood. Whether you are an individual shopping for your family, a chef buying for your restaurant, or a supplier sourcing from fishing communities, your choices count. Voting with your wallet sends a strong signal to government and industry leaders, telling them that you support responsible stewardship of our natural marine resources.

What CPAWS is doing

The SeaChoice program is operated by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, David Suzuki Foundation, Ecology Action Centre, Living Oceans Society and Sierra Club BC. Our work is funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Webster Foundation, and the Eden Foundation.

Resources

Visit the Seachoice website to download Canada's Seafood Guide.