Is Your Seafood Supplier Hiding Something? Unmasking the Truth About Sustainable Seafood

What’s Really on Your Plate?

Sustainable seafood sourcing is more complex than it seems. Ever wondered what’s really on your plate when you order seafood? It’s a question more and more people are asking.

At Future Green’s recent monthly meetup, featuring very special guests Peter Bracher from Supply Chain In-Sights and Martin Rijk from SeafoodFriday, we dove deep into the murky waters of seafood sourcing. What we uncovered may surprise you.

The Ugly Truth About Seafood Sourcing

The global seafood industry is fraught with challenges, making responsible sourcing more difficult than it appears.

Overfishing and Exploitation

A staggering 90% of marine fish stocks are fully exploited. The shrimp industry, in particular, faces serious issues, including:

• Antibiotic overuse
• A focus on maximising yields rather than welfare
• Reports of slave labour and environmental destruction
• Audit Fraud

As Peter Bracher pointed out, some stories of labour and environmental issues are actually placed by competing organisations to damage reputations. However, these challenges remain significant let alone on audit days alone.

Food Safety Concerns

There are growing concerns around food safety, especially in aquaculture, where the risk of contamination and poor water quality can lead to serious health risks. We are also facing an increase use of antibiotics use due to overcrowding.

Lack of Transparency

Tracing seafood back to its source is extremely difficult. In many cases, suppliers may not be who they claim to be. This lack of transparency makes it challenging for businesses to make truly ethical choices.

The Myth of Perfect Certifications

Many businesses rely on certifications like MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) and ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) to ensure sustainability. However, as Peter Bracher explained, these certifications aren’t always perfect. They can be seen as “defensive paperwork,” a “tick-box exercise,” and the industry is “addicted to audit revenue.” Certifications are a good place to start, especially since not all sustainable farmers can afford the process, but they’re not the complete solution.

The Power of Relationships and Data

So, how do we move beyond certifications to ensure truly sustainable practices?

• Talk to Your Farmers: For real change to happen at the farm level, you need to talk to the people who are doing the work. Building strong relationships with your farmers and suppliers is essential.
• Go Above and Beyond: As a supplier, you need to go above and beyond to earn real trust with your buyers and farmers. This may include providing additional health certificates and lab tests that are above regulatory requirements.
• Leverage Verifiable Data: Peter Bracher from Supply Chain Insights emphasised the importance of using verifiable data to monitor supply chains. This includes photos, geolocation, and cross-referencing data points, even from remote locations, often through a mobile app for farmers.
• Embrace Technology: Utilise technology such as mobile apps and data cross-referencing to gain insights and drive transparency.

Education, Education, Education

Many customers don’t realise that seafood can be seasonal, just like produce. We need to eat seafood outside of the spawning seasons. We need to educate, educate, educate!

• The Role of Sellers: Educating chefs, retailers, and customers is essential for creating real change. This includes explaining why certain products aren’t available during spawning periods and promoting seasonal options.
• Transparency from Farm to Plate: Businesses should strive for transparency by providing customers with information about where their seafood comes from.
• Ask the Right Questions: Download our free worksheet below with 20 questions to ask your seafood supplier. These questions will help you understand more about what you are buying.

Key Takeaways:

• Certifications aren’t the end goal: While a good starting point, focus on building relationships with suppliers and using verifiable data to monitor practices.
• Technology drives transparency: Mobile apps and data cross-referencing can provide valuable insights into your supply chain.
• Knowledge is power: Educate your customers and staff about sustainable seafood choices, seasonal sourcing, and the origins of their seafood.
• Start conversations: Be inquisitive about your supply chain, and share what you discover. It can be a good idea to focus on a single commodity, such as shrimp.
• Consider alternative methods: Explore options such as cell-based seafood and vertical farming for sustainable sourcing.

What’s Next?

Future Green is dedicated to helping businesses navigate these complex issues. We offer a range of services, including consulting, courses, and access to a community of like-minded professionals.

Join the Movement

• Attend our UnConference on 21st March, which will focus on innovation and AI in the food system.
• Sign up for our in-person roundtable in April.
• Download our free resources, including the 20 questions to ask your supplier.
• Sign up for our online Food Sustainability Foundations course and get certified by CPD.
• Join our online community on Skool to learn more about food sustainability and connect with other leaders in the field.

Let’s work together to create a more sustainable future for our food systems!