The current situation and prospects of fisheries certification and ecolabelling

Gutiérrez, Nicolás; Defeo, Omar; Bush, Simon R.; Butterworth, Doug S; Roheim, Cathy A.; Punt, André E.

doi:10.1016/j.fishres.2016.05.004

Cited by 30 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 48 publications

(57 reference statements)

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“…The ways in which consumer and trader perceptions interact with influences on the trade highlight that on their own, market-based initiatives may currently struggle to provide the sorts of environmental governance impacts needed to ensure that sea cucumbers are harvested more sustainably (Jacquet et al, 2010). We suggest that this provides further evidence that the social context in which the SSM operates needs to be closely considered (Gutiérrez and Morgan, 2015;Adolf et al, 2016;Gutierrez et al, 2016). In particular, the ways in which market-based initiatives interact with the state, and the extent to which the perception that market actors can be responsible for market governance is shared across society, will be crucial for improved environmental governance through sustainable seafood markets.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…With an increase in fisheries trade and the increasing role of private actors in certification and ecolabels, perceptions of consumers and traders can also have significant influence on environmental governance via international seafood markets. Consumer and retailer perceptions in international markets about the relative importance of sustainably caught fish can lead to the introduction of certification and ecolabels, which have influenced the development of fisheries management in source countries (Gutierrez et al, 2016). China is the world's largest seafood market, and the perceptions that influence decisions among traders in this market are important to understand.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chinese Trader Perceptions on Sourcing and Consumption of Endangered Seafood

2017

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Growing trade networks through globalization have expanded governance of local environments to encompass multiple scales. The governing role of market actors, such as traders and consumers in importing countries, has been recognized and embraced for sustainable seafood sourcing and trade. The perceptions that affect the conduct of these actors are a potential influence on governance of distal environments. In this paper we investigate the perceptions of sea cucumber traders in China. Sea cucumbers are an important global fishery commodity predominantly traded to China, the world's largest seafood market, and seven traded species are endangered globally. We examine what traders and consumers in China perceive as important issues in seafood markets, and where they perceive the responsibility for sustainable fisheries to lie, to interpret what scope there is for sustainability to become an important issue in China's seafood markets. We find that clusters of perceptions about cultural status, quality, health and food safety, and country of origin influence decisions that consumers make. These norms are rooted in sociocultural practice and drive current trade strategies. While traders do want to mitigate risks and secure supplies, food safety, product quality and country of origin are viewed as more important concerns than stock sustainability. Responsibility for sustainable fishing is perceived to be that of national governments in production countries. Trading practices and consumer perceptions together pose a serious challenge to sustainable seafood markets, further confounded by clandestine cross-border gray trade into China.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chinese Trader Perceptions on Sourcing and Consumption of Endangered Seafood

2017

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“…The low level of landings likely mean that one successful strategy could be that of creating a niche market of MSC-certified shrimp, characterized by relatively low production and high prices. Even without the use of eco-labels, restaurants and retailers are able to drive the demand for certified seafood (Gutiérrez et al 2016). Products of the certified line could be mainly destined for restaurants, hotels, and high-end supermarkets, both in Mexico and the United States.…”

Section: Potential Contribution Of the Rebyc-ii Lac Project To Certifmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eco-Label Certification: A Case Study of the Campeche Shrimp Fishery, Mexico

Cintio¹,

Moreno²

2017

GCR

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AbstrAct:The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) eco-label certifies that seafood comes from a sustainable source. The use of this eco-label lags behind in the developing world, where ecosystem approaches to fishery management have not yet been widely implemented. However, the Food and Agriculture Organization under its REBYC-II LAC project is addressing ecosystem concerns within the shrimp trawl fisheries of a number of developing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean by helping them to improve management of the negative ecosystem impacts by modifying their gear to reduce by-catch and habitat damage. This study investigates how the potential improvements identified by the REBYC-II LAC project will help in satisfying the requirements for obtaining an MSC certification in the Campeche shrimp fishery in Mexico. The feasibility and desirability of obtaining an MSC certification in this fishery was assessed by interviewing managers, fishers, processors, and other relevant stakeholders of the fishery. By comparing the MSC certification requirements with the current conditions of the Campeche shrimp fishery, this paper shows that the fishery is currently not certifiable. Although the REBYC-II LAC project could represent a significant step towards the potential certification of the fishery, further actions will need to be implemented by the Mexican management authorities and private sector, if certification is sought. This paper should help guide the Campeche shrimp industry and fishery managers towards the necessary steps for achieving sustainability.

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“…For example, seafood certification systems such as Fair Trade USA and the Marine Stewardship Council programs provide standards, information, training, and (in the case of Fair Trade USA) price premiums to facilitate and incentivize better performance (Gutiérrez et al, 2016). Such programs also provide better market access, in particular access to buyers committed to sourcing sustainable seafood, as do Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) (Bush and Oosterveer, 2015;Sampson et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Science-Based Co-management, Partnerships, Participatory Processes and Stewardship Incentives to Improve the Performance of Small-Scale Fisheries

et al. 2017

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Small scale fisheries are critically important for the provision of food security, livelihoods, and economic development for billions of people. Yet, most of these fisheries appear to not be achieving either fisheries or conservation goals, with respect to creating healthier oceans that support more fish, feed more people and improve livelihoods. Research and practical experience have elucidated many insights into how to improve the performance of small-scale fisheries. Here, we present lessons learned from five case studies of small-scale fisheries in Cuba, Mexico, the Philippines, and Belize. The major lessons that arise from these cases are: (1) participatory processes empower fishers, increase compliance, and support integration of local and scientific knowledge; (2) partnership across sectors improves communication and community buy-in; (3) scientific analysis can lead fishery reform and be directly applicable to co-management structures. These case studies suggest that a fully integrated approach that implements a participatory process to generate a scientific basis for fishery management (e.g., data collection, analysis, design) and to design management measures among stakeholders will increase the probability that small-scale fisheries will implement science-based management and improve their performance.

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The current situation and prospects of fisheries certification and ecolabelling

Cited by 30 publications

References 48 publications

Chinese Trader Perceptions on Sourcing and Consumption of Endangered Seafood

Chinese Trader Perceptions on Sourcing and Consumption of Endangered Seafood

Eco-Label Certification: A Case Study of the Campeche Shrimp Fishery, Mexico

Integrating Science-Based Co-management, Partnerships, Participatory Processes and Stewardship Incentives to Improve the Performance of Small-Scale Fisheries

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