Fish Fixe levels up seafood delivery with Marine Stewardship Council and Aquaculture Stewardship Council-certified lineup – The National Provisioner

Report on Fish Fixe’s Expansion of Sustainable Seafood Offerings and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

The seafood delivery company Fish Fixe has expanded its product line to include four new seafood options, each certified for sustainability by leading international bodies. This initiative directly addresses growing consumer demand for sustainable food sources and aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning marine conservation and responsible consumption.

New Certified Product Offerings

The company has introduced products certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for sustainable wild-fishing practices and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) for responsible aquaculture. The new offerings are:

• MSC-Certified Alaskan Sockeye Salmon: Harvested from the waters of Bristol Bay, Alaska.
• MSC-Certified Icelandic Haddock: Sourced from the Westfjord Region of Iceland.
• ASC-Certified Rainbow Trout: Farmed by Riverence Provisions along the Snake River in Idaho, adhering to strict aquaculture standards.
• ASC-Certified Cobia: Raised by Open Blue off the coast of Panama under rigorous responsible farming protocols.

Alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The company’s strategy of sourcing and promoting certified seafood demonstrates a commitment to key global sustainability targets.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

This initiative makes a direct contribution to SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

1. Combating Overfishing: By offering MSC-certified wild-caught salmon and haddock, the company supports fisheries that are managed to maintain healthy fish populations and minimize ecosystem impact.
2. Promoting Sustainable Aquaculture: The inclusion of ASC-certified trout and cobia supports farming practices that reduce environmental degradation, protect water quality, and ensure the health of aquatic ecosystems.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The expansion aligns with the objectives of SDG 12 by promoting sustainable production patterns and empowering consumers to make responsible choices.

• Consumer Education and Confidence: According to Chris Harrington, Chief Fishmonger at Fish Fixe, partnering with MSC and ASC provides rigorous verification of sustainability and traceability. This allows consumers to feel confident that their purchases support responsible sourcing.
• Supply Chain Transparency: The certifications ensure that the seafood is traceable from its source to the consumer, a critical component of responsible production and consumption systems.

Supporting Broader Development Goals

The sourcing strategy also indirectly supports other SDGs:

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Responsibly managed fisheries and aquaculture are essential for long-term global food security and providing nutritious protein sources.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Sourcing from certified fisheries in regions like Bristol Bay, Alaska, and Westfjord, Iceland, helps sustain local economies and livelihoods dependent on sustainable marine resource management.

Market Position and Consumer Impact

Fish Fixe positions its products to meet the needs of consumers seeking convenient, high-protein meals that are also verifiably sustainable. The company provides products with simple preparation instructions to make sustainable seafood more accessible to a wide range of consumers. The service offers nationwide delivery with box options ranging from eight to 24 portions, in addition to its existing portfolio which includes Gulf Shrimp and Yellowfin Tuna.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues related to sustainable and responsible seafood production and consumption, which directly connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is addressed through the article’s focus on providing consumers with sustainable food choices. The company, Fish Fixe, partners with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) to offer “rigorously verified as sustainable, traceable, and responsibly sourced” seafood. This empowers consumers to make responsible purchasing decisions and supports sustainable production patterns in the seafood industry.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This goal is central to the article, as it deals with the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources. By offering MSC-certified wild-caught fish and ASC-certified farmed fish, the company directly contributes to the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. The article mentions MSC-certified Alaskan Sockeye Salmon and Icelandic Haddock, which are “sustainably fished,” and ASC-certified Cobia and Rainbow Trout, which are “responsibly farmed,” practices that are crucial for maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

• Targets under SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

  • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The article’s emphasis on “sustainably fished” and “responsibly farmed” seafood, verified by MSC and ASC certifications, directly relates to the sustainable management of fish stocks and aquatic resources.
  • Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature. Fish Fixe provides certified sustainable products, giving consumers clear information (“home cooks can feel confident in the choices they bring to their dinner table”) to make choices that support sustainable lifestyles.

• Targets under SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

  • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts. The MSC certification for wild-caught fish and ASC certification for farmed fish ensure that the methods used minimize harm to marine and aquatic ecosystems. The article mentions ASC standards as the “world’s strictest aquaculture certification standards.”
  • Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, applied to the Alaskan Sockeye Salmon and Icelandic Haddock, is a direct mechanism to verify that fisheries are managed in a way that prevents overfishing and ensures long-term sustainability of fish stocks.
  • Target 14.7: By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism. The mention of “ASC-certified Open Blue Cobia is raised off the coast of Panama” points to the sustainable management of aquaculture in a developing nation, contributing to its economy through responsible practices.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official UN statistical indicators, but it implies several practical indicators that can measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicators for SDG 12

  • Use of Sustainability Certifications: The number and variety of products carrying credible sustainability certifications like MSC and ASC serve as a direct indicator of sustainable production. The article highlights “four new certified offerings,” showing a tangible increase in sustainable options.
  • Consumer Access to Sustainable Products: The availability of a nationwide delivery service for certified sustainable seafood indicates progress in providing consumers with the information and means to make responsible choices, aligning with Target 12.8.

• Indicators for SDG 14

  • Proportion of Certified Sustainable Fisheries: The mention of MSC-certified salmon from Bristol Bay, Alaska, and haddock from Iceland implies that these specific fisheries are managed sustainably. The proportion of a country’s or company’s seafood portfolio that is MSC-certified can be used as a proxy indicator for progress against overfishing (Target 14.4).
  • Adoption of Responsible Aquaculture Standards: The adoption of ASC certification for farmed trout in Idaho and cobia in Panama indicates the implementation of responsible aquaculture practices that protect ecosystems (Target 14.2). The growth in the volume of ASC-certified products is a measurable indicator.
  • Sourcing from Developing Nations: The specific example of sourcing ASC-certified cobia from Panama serves as an indicator for the sustainable use of marine resources for economic benefit in developing countries (Target 14.7).

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

Source: provisioneronline.com