Greenpeace/Leger Marketing Survey has conducted a national survey which shows that nearly 7 out of 10 Canadians believe they are not sufficiently informed by their supermarkets about capture methods for the fish and seafood they buy. The survey also reveals that about three quarters want to buy seafood from sustainable fisheries if they were properly informed.
Beth Hunter, Greenpeace’s Oceans Coordinator, said that on the auspicious occasion of World Ocean Day the organization want to inform individuals and supermarkets that seafood consumption is threatening the world’s oceans. It is fact that consumers who care about the environment can’t make the right choices because of inadequate labeling on seafood products. He said that it is the duty of supermarkets to help consumers make responsible choices.
It is said that seafood should contain information such as fish stock status, fishing methods (i.e., bottom trawling or hand lining) and fish type (whether it is wild-caught or farm-raised). According to Greenpeace if supermarkets gave their clients sufficient information, 74 per cent of Canadians would buy fish and sea food sourced from sustainable fisheries.
Hunter opined that in Great Britain, sales of sustainably harvested fish have quadrupled in the last three years after most retailers implemented sustainable seafood procurement policies. He also said the survey results show that consumers want to know more about commercial fishing issues, such as the destruction of marine habitats and the impacts of fish farming.
