Ensuring our seafood is harvested in a sustainable and responsible manner is important for the future of our oceans and our coastal communities.

Fisheries and aquaculture operations in Canada are an important part of our economy and culture. Yet, these operations can result in the depletion of commercially fished populations,  incidental catch of unwanted species, and negative impacts on wild populations and their habitats.

SeaChoice Priority Species (produced in Canada)

The majority of seafood currently harvested or farmed in Canada is consumed abroad. Our largest export markets are the United States, Europe, and Asia. While SeaChoice may not have direct opportunities to shift consumers’ purchasing behaviours in these foreign markets, we can engage directly with Canadian fisheries and aquaculture operations at the beginning of the supply chain. These efforts will help to increase the supply of sustainable seafood in the global market.

SeaChoice has identified, in part through our 2016 Taking Stock report, species caught or farmed in Canada which need operational management improvements to address ecological and/or social impact concerns. Most of these species represent high-volume and high-value fisheries that our partner organizations are currently engaged with to make improvements.

Because of their low population levels, some marine fish species have been assessed by the Committee on Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and are being considered for listing under Canada’s Species At Risk Act (SARA). SeaChoice and its partner organizations are championing various improvement approaches, such as enhancing science and research, increasing precautionary fisheries management, refining policy implementation, and ensuring robust markets-based tools and certification processes.