Publication

State of Sustainability Initiatives Review: Standards and the Blue Economy

This report examines market and performance trends of the nine most prevalent seafood certification schemes, including the Marine Stewardship Council, GLOBAL G.A.P. and Friend of the Sea.

By Jason Potts, Scott McFatridge, Jason Potts, Ann Wilkings, Matthew Lynch, Scott McFatridge on May 9, 2016

This report examines market and performance trends of the nine most prevalent seafood certification schemes, including the Marine Stewardship Council, GLOBAL G.A.P. and Friend of the Sea. 

The report finds that in 2015 demand from big retailers and restaurant chains pushed suppliers to certify a catch valued at $11.5 billion USD. Sustainable seafood now accounts for 14 per cent of global production, a dramatic rise from just 0.5 per cent in 2005.

However, the majority of certified seafood does not offer comprehensive protection of worker’s rights. The authors  call for targeted investment in developing country certification in order to facilitate transformative change on a global scale.

The SSI Review is a collaborative effort by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the International Institute for Environment and Development and the Finance Alliance for Sustainable Trade.

Publication details

Topic
Standards and Value Chains
Focus area
Economies
Publisher
IISD
Copyright
IISD, 2016