A new Shark Guardian investigation has revealed that fishery observer reports of shark finning and other malpractices on MSC-certified vessels in the Western Central Pacific Ocean have been routinely ignored. A total of 24 incidents of shark finning were identified, all of which took place on MSC certified vessels, 19 of them during MSC trips and sets classified as MSC … [Read more...]
Choose sustainable seafood this Heart Awareness Month
September is Heart Awareness Month and one of the best ways to keep your heart healthy is to eat fish 2 to 3 times a week. With campaign ‘#FeelGoodSeafood’, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) in partnership with Irvin & Johnson (I&J), encourage South Africans to take care of their hearts and our ocean. Up to 80 percent of heart disease and stroke can be prevented … [Read more...]
SA hake fishery impacts threatened sharks and rays
In November 2020, WILDTRUST submitted a formal Objection to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification of the South African Hake Trawl Fishery. MSC certification is an “eco-label” found on seafood packaging, supposedly confirming the products contained came from a sustainable fishery. In its Objection the WILDTRUST cited concerns about the fishery's impact on … [Read more...]
SA hake fishery celebrates fourth certification for seafood sustainability
Supported by government, industry and market stakeholders, the SA hake trawl fishery’s MSC status places it amongst the best managed fisheries in the world – helping to maintain its international market presence and deliver long-term socio-economic benefits to the South African people. The fishery is celebrating 16 years of MSC certification following the announcement of its … [Read more...]
Is your favourite seafood supplier selling you sustainable fish?
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, in 2014 the planet’s population – more than 7 billion at the time – each ate 19kg of seafood on average. In 1960, the number was only 10kg and the population was only 3 billion! According to the 2015 WWF-SASSI Retailer/Supplier Participation Report, wild-capture fisheries have been unable to meet this exponential growth … [Read more...]
Oil and gas prospecting reveals bleak future for SA oceans
How will our oceans cope with the oil and gas prospective plans? We may boast sustainable fisheries, but oil & gas prospecting is revealing a bleak future for our oceans. South Africa’s coastline is in high demand. It has become increasingly clear to the government, as well as large corporations, that there is money to be made from our coasts. Operation Phakisa was … [Read more...]
Tracing the fish on your dish
Are you eating the fish you ordered? Up to half of the fish is mislabelled in South Africa. Who can we trust? Green Times was invited to visit Three Streams Holdings and the Salmon Bar restaurant in the picturesque town of Franschhoek. The event was arranged by the Marine Stewardship Council of South Africa to express the importance of traceability in … [Read more...]
Fishing for a sustainable future
Over 80% of all seafood stock is overfished, according to the 2011 report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA) of the UN. How can we make the shift to fishing responsibly? Green Times attended the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Seafood conference this week hosted at Intaka Island Eco Centre, Century City. The purpose was to discuss the issue … [Read more...]
The terrible tale of tuna
Are the words “dolphin-friendly” or “dolphin-safe” on local tuna cans truthful, considering that most of our canned tuna seems to be imported from the Philippines, or Thailand? This is also where it is very common for dolphins to get caught up in tuna fishing nets and subsequently killed. This is the issue I tried to clear up with some research. Some fishermen purposely … [Read more...]
Time to focus on our oceans: 70% of our land mass
A recent Green Times article focuses on Dr Sylvia Earle, one of the most famous marine biologists in the world who in her lifetime has spent more time underwater than just about anyone else on the planet. Read what she has to say about Sushi sweeping the oceans clean, how fish are valued only after they are dead, that 96% of Bluefin tuna are gone, that we don’t have to … [Read more...]
National Marine Week highlights our oceans’ plight
By volume, oceans make up 99% of the Earth's living space. Our planet should, in fact, be called Ocean and not Earth! More than 97% of our entire planet's water is contained in the ocean. According to the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation, a minimal 2% is frozen in glaciers, less than 0.3% is carried in the atmosphere by clouds, while global inland seas and … [Read more...]
A new commitment to sustainable seafood
In a bid to address the growing concern about the exploitation of global seafood resources, a responsible supermarket has committed to transforming its entire fresh, frozen and canned seafood operations by the end of 2015. Said Pick n Pay’s Marketing and Sustainability Director, Bronwen Rohland, “As one of the country’s largest retailers, we cannot ignore the fact that … [Read more...]
The power is in your hands
Seafood restaurants are a commodity all over the world. No matter the country you’re in, it is always a treat to sit in a restaurant by the water, in which a row of colourful fishing boats are anchored, enjoying a seafood platter and a glass of wine. It creates the impression that the fish you’re having was caught in those very boats earlier that day. But unfortunately, the … [Read more...]
