Sustainable Certification

** Please note important updates as of Nov 2019 **

On Nov 28th 2019 the BC Salmon Marketing Council hosted a meeting to discuss the industry’s recent voluntary withdrawal from MSC certification for BC sockeye, pink and chum salmon and the subsequent change in Ocean Wise rankings for these species from “recommended” to “under review”. Representatives from MSC, Ocean Wise as well as the MSC client group, the Canadian Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Society (CPSFS) shared their insights on this marketing challenge. It was clarified that the issue is not necessarily a lack of sustainable fishing, but rather a lack of stock assessment data. The CPSFS is working with DFO to address this gap over the next two years. In the meantime, all present committed to collaborating on sustainability messaging to consumers and global markets around this sensitive topic.

It is important for consumers, buyers, businesses and chefs to know that the (temporary) suspension of the MSC certification is, in no way, linked to the actual sustainability of the salmon fishery and that our fishers and industry members have done everything within their control to continue to make wild BC salmon sustainable. The BCSMC will continue to work hard to support BC’s commercial fishermen and to promote Wild BC Salmon both locally and internationally and we look forward to finding a way to meet the MSC criteria required to ensure this fishery remains an environmentally sound option.

Wild BC Salmon continues to be an iconic, much loved and premium artisanal product desired by buyers who are aware of the incredible attributes of wild BC salmon. Continuing to purchase Wild BC Salmon locally helps support your commercial fishers, processors, restaurants and businesses and continues to be a critical component in the economy of vibrant coastal communities.

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

The Marine Stewardship Council has developed standards for sustainable fishing and seafood traceability. Its ecolabel and fishery certification program recognize and reward sustainable fishing practices, with the goal of influencing the choices people make when buying seafood. To date, after a comprehensive assessment, the Marine Stewardship Council has certified wild BC Chinook and Coho. Wild BC Chum, Sockeye and Pink are part of the voluntary (temporary) suspension mentioned above, however any of these three species caught before Nov 27, 2019 are still MSC certified.

Oceanwise

The Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise seafood conservation program educates the public about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood. In determining whether to rate a seafood sustainable or unsustainable, the program takes into account abundance and resiliency to fishing pressures; how well managed the fishery is; whether it is harvested in a way that limits bycatch; and whether it is harvested in a way that limits damage to the animal’s natural habitat. Ocean Wise typically endorses BC wild salmon appearing on restaurant menus and recommends a number of BC seafood products. Due to the voluntary (temporary) withdrawal from MSC certification, Ocean Wise has changed it’s rating to “Under Review” for Wild BC Chum, Sockeye and Pink Salmon.

Seafood Watch

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program helps consumers and businesses choose sustainable seafood by recommending which items are “Best Choices,” “Good Alternatives,” and which ones you should “Avoid.” These recommendations are science-based, peer reviewed and use ecosystem-based criteria. Wild BC salmon species including Chinook and Coho consistently rated as a “Best Choice” or “Good Alternative”.