Seafood - Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI)
Author: Janine Basson - Seafood Consumer Outreach, WWF Sustainable Fisheries Programme
( Article Type: Explanation )
Our oceans are in a state of crisis.
The United Nations estimates that a quarter of all fisheries are now classified as overfished or depleted, approximately 25% of what is caught is thrown back often dead and wasted. Meanwhile, the appetite for seafood continues to grow; the average person eats 6 kg more fish every year now than in the 60’s. This is hardly surprising as seafood is considered healthy, trendy and a better environmental choice than meat. But the demand for seafood now surpasses the supply; in a world where fishing is central to the livelihood and food security of millions of people, this is a real cause for concern. In South Africa, many different sectors of our society, from high-end eco-tourism businesses through to small-scale subsistence fishers, are reliant on our marine ecosystems. Unless these ecosystems are protected against threats like overfishing, pollution and habitat degradation, they will not be able to continue meeting these needs. It is therefore in the interest of all to work together to secure the health of marine ecosystems, and thus invest in the long-term survival of seafood businesses.
With seafood as the most traded primary commodity in the world, developing a sustainable seafood industry requires more than simply focusing on the individual components of sustainable fishing; it requires addressing all aspects along the seafood supply chain, from the fisherman’s hook to the consumer’s plate. This is the philosophy underpinning the work of the WWF Sustainable Fisheries Programme. The programme’s activities can be divided into: how fish are caught and how fish are traded. SASSI (the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative), focussing on retailers, restaurants, chefs and consumers, largely addresses the latter.
Whilst the SASSI Restaurant Programme focuses on developing mutually beneficial relationships with restaurants (190 thus far), to both promote the wise stewardship of South Africa’s marine ecosystems and create new business value for participants, the SASSI consumer guide aims to inform consumers of more sustainable and environmentally friendly seafood choices. The list, drafted in early 2005 and revised in 2010, aims to increase the awareness of seafood consumers around different species of fish, deter them from choosing illegal species, and guide them towards more ecologically sound choices. Through an easy-to-use ‘traffic light’ system, consumers can now know which seafood species can be consumed with a clear conscience (green), which should be regarded with concern because of specified reasons (orange), and which are considered unsustainable or illegal to sell in South Africa (red). The detailed list, based on the latest and most robust scientific information, encourages consumers to always ask three simple questions of their seafood: What is it called? Where is from? How was it caught or farmed? This information can be obtained using the SASSI website (www.wwf.org.za/sassi) and a mobisite (wwfsassi.mobi), which facilitates viewing of the SASSI website using a mobile phone. Also, the ingenious FishMS brings the list to consumers via an SMS; by texting the name of the fish to the number 079-499-8795, the service will send an immediate response advising whether to tuck in, think twice or avoid completely.
Through using these tools, consumers have embraced their ability to drive positive change by making informed seafood choices and supporting sustainable practises. Due to the almost weekly determined onslaught by these consumers on top management of prominent South African retailers, significant changes have been catalysed; for example, one of the biggest retailers in the country has committed to not procuring overexploited imported linefish species. These individuals continue to stubbornly challenge these retailers to consider the high risks associated with greenwashing their businesses whilst encouraging them to urgently address issues of seafood sustainability. These consumers are driving significant change through their active determination to contribute to the recovery of our overexploited marine resources. Furthermore, they fully recognise the role of consumer activism and informed buying as a strong means of catalysing positive change through the seafood industry. As environmental issues become more prominent in the public arena, consumers are increasingly demanding accountability from companies and individuals alike. In a world where demand for traceable, sustainable seafood outstrips supply, seafood businesses have two options: either respond to the growing awareness and demand through avenues such as SASSI, thereby retaining the loyalty of existing customers and simultaneously attracting new enviro-conscious clientele, or continue to deal in overexploited seafood species, leaving themselves vulnerable to an unpredictable supply of these species and the loss of customers who don’t want to contribute to the further demise of our marine resources. In short, sustainable practises make good business sense; by shifting dependence away from overfished stocks, seafood businesses can improve the reliability of their seafood supply chains and thereby enable the development of long-term business plans. For more information about SASSI, visit www.wwf.org.za/ sassi or email sassi@wwf.org.za.
