Overfishing is one of the greatest threats facing our world's oceans. It contributes to biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and the bycatch of marine species. This includes our at-risk marine mammals, birds, and turtles.
The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is a key agency dedicated to sustainability. According to them, a third of the world's fish stocks are overfished.
This means we are removing too many fish from those stocks at any given time. Which makes it difficult for the populations to replenish. It also means we can't generate the healthy levels needed to support fishing activity for our future generations.
Choosing seafood from sustainable sources helps ensure we're not contributing to this problem.
What is Sustainable Seafood?
When we talk about seafood being sustainable, it all revolves around the harvesting methods. Ocean Wise recommends both farmed and wild seafood options that follow these criteria:
- Harvesting that ensures healthy and resilient stocks and populations.
- Effective and adaptive management.
- Limited negative impacts on habitats and other species.
Why Choose Sustainable Seafood?
Global consumption of seafood has doubled since the 1970s. In 2018, alone, we consumed a record-breaking 20.5kilograms per person!
The seafood industry has continued to grow substantially. It now directly employs over 56 million people worldwide, with many millions more through associated industries.
Overfishing is one of the greatest threats to our world’s oceans. It threatens serious impacts on the food web and the livelihood of millions of people worldwide.
An estimated 4 of 10 fish caught in wild capture fisheries are considered by catch. And they’re tossed back into the ocean dead or dying due to unsustainable harvesting methods. However, choosing seafood that is farmed or caught in a sustainable way helps to curb this impact.
What is Bycatch?
When an untargeted species is caught, it is referred to as bycatch.
The degree of bycatch varies from fishery to fishery and relates to the selectivity of the fishing gear used. It can also be influenced by the scope of the fishery, and how many target species are included.
Fishing gear is said to be selective when it performs well at catching just the species intended, and un-selective when it captures other animals (other fish, seabirds, turtles, marine mammals, invertebrates, etc.).
Choosing seafood from Ocean Wise recommended fisheries helps ensure the proper measures are in place to reduce bycatch.
For example, using selective harvesting methods like pole and line to reduce incidental catches. This type of harvesting method doesn't interact with the seafloor. Meaning the impact to the surrounding environment and ecosystem is even more reduced.
The choices we make about the seafood we buy affect the health of the ocean in the future.
With the partnership between Sobeys and The Ocean Wise Seafood Program, we’re choosing to make a difference to help you make Ocean Wise seafood choices, one bait and hook at a time.
You too, could be part of this sustainability initiative. Find a Sobeys store with the seafood for you and cast a fishing line for future generations.
There’s more...
We also have more content for you to fish around on our site. For example, our “7 Reasons to Eat more Seafood” page and a range of recipes such as “Seared Scallops with Roasted Pesto Tomatoes”. Or, to learn more about sustainability for our oceans, visit our partners at the Ocean Wise Seafood website.
What is Bycatch?
When a species is caught and is something that is not the target in fisheries, it is referred to as bycatch.
The degree of bycatch varies from fishery to fishery and relates to the selectivity of the fishing gear used. It can also be influenced by the scope of the fishery, and how many target species are included.
Fishing gear is said to be selective when it performs well at catching just the species intended, and un-selective when it captures other animals (other fish, seabirds, turtles, marine mammals, invertebrates, etc.).
Choosing seafood from Ocean Wise recommended fisheries helps ensure the proper measures are in place to reduce bycatch.
For example, using selective harvesting methods like pole and line to reduce incidental catches. This type of harvesting method doesn't interact with the seafloor. Meaning the impact to the surrounding environment and ecosystem is even more reduced.
The choices we make about the seafood we buy affect the health of the ocean in the future.
With the partnership between Sobeys and The Ocean Wise Seafood Program, we’re choosing to make a difference to seafood sustainability, one bait and hook at a time.
You too, could be part of this sustainability initiative. Find a Sobeys store with the seafood for you and cast a fishing line for future generations.
There’s more...
We also have more content for you to fish around on our site. For example, our “7 Reasons to Eat more Seafood” page and a range of recipes such as “Seared Scallops with Roasted Pesto Tomatoes”. Or, to learn more about sustainability for our oceans, visit our partners at the Ocean Wise Seafood website.
Sobeys Community Action Fund
Sobeys has a proud history of giving back, and in these challenging times, our local communities need us more than ever. We’re committed to helping those most in need with our Community Action Fund, supporting communities from coast to coast. Sobeys stores are creating thousands of unique acts of support, a commitment equaling millions of dollars, and, addressing the emergency needs facing frontline community organizations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the unprecedented situation constantly shifting, we know that each and every community will be in need of unique support to address the increased challenge of food insecurity. In the weeks and months to come, we will continue to work with community groups to offer support to neighbours in need in their time of crisis.
Sobeys is incredibly inspired by our community partners and their unwavering commitment. Thank you to the frontline employees and volunteers in community food networks across the country for their extraordinary efforts to make healthy and affordable food possible during this unprecedented time.
Every day, our family is responding to donation requests. We’ll continue to do everything we can.
If your organization is interested in applying to Sobeys for support, please visit here.
If your organization is looking to apply for a discount for a bulk order of Sobeys gift cards, please visit here. Discounts are available on orders over $2,000 and applied at the time of order.
