NGO Friends of the Sea (FoS) is set to include a new sustainable shipping standard in the next update of its sustainability certification criteria, in a bid to ensure that seafood is transported in an environmentally friendly manner as possible.
Seafood, like most food stuff, is shipped mainly by sea across the globe. The potential environmental impact of this important part of the production cycle is never taken in consideration by sustainability certification programs or seafood guides. Friend of the Sea has led the way by introducing a specific requirement in Version 3 of its standard. Certified companies are now recommended to use only Friend of the Sea shipping companies.
“Merchant shipping is currently carrying more than 90% of international trade. Although some shipping companies have already implemented several strict sustainability measures, there are still many of them which don’t even comply with the minimum requirements,” explains Paolo Bray, Founder and Director of Friend of the Sea.
“This is why an international certification for sustainable shipping…is fundamental for producers and retailers to easily select environmentally-friendly shipping companies. This is even more important for companies which claim sustainability of their seafood’s origin.”
The Friend of the Sea Sustainable Shipping certification criteria includes pollution prevention, water and waste control, social accountability and sustainable seafood requirements.
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