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New SeaChoice program provides Canadians sustainable seafood information from coast to coast to coastSeptember 27, 2006 - (TORONTO) – Canadian consumers, fishermen, chefs and businesses can now make informed sustainable seafood choices and help keep oceans healthy by using a rigorous, national program unveiled today. “SeaChoice is a comprehensive, made-in-Canada program that ranks seafood by sustainability,” says Sabine Jessen, manager, national oceans program of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. “Most importantly, SeaChoice provides the science-based information the public needs to make informed decisions.” Developed by Sustainable Seafood Canada, a national coalition of non-profit groups, SeaChoice encourages people to eat seafood from fisheries that are well managed and abundant. Consumption of species that are threatened or come from sources that cause significant harm to other sea life are discouraged. “We looked at the fish Canadians prefer and the state of our fisheries and designed a program that empowers all Canadians to get involved in supporting sustainable oceans,” says Jennifer Lash, Executive Director of the Living Oceans Society. “Having a made in Canada program means we’re making good decisions for our oceans. The SeaChoice program provides suppliers and consumers with information on sustainable seafood and the opportunity to work directly with Sustainable Seafood Canada member organizations. It features: A wallet card ranking seafood by green, yellow or red choices; A website with a searchable seafood database that includes details about each fishery and ways it can improve to receive a better ranking; and A list of substitutes for fish that are red-ranked species. Sustainable Seafood Canada launched the program today at events held in Halifax, Toronto and Vancouver. “Informed consumers and businesses can now make better choices and encourage the fishing industry to provide seafood that comes from environmentally responsible fisheries and aquaculture operations,” says Bill Wareham, David Suzuki Foundation director for marine conservation. “By choosing sustainable seafood people can also send a message to governments that they want our oceans managed properly.” Sustainable Seafood Canada is taking a broad-based approach that helps everyone take action, says Mark Butler, marine coordinator for the Ecology Action Centre. “Chefs and consumers can use the wallet card to make sustainable choices at the store or when menu planning,” he says. “Retailers and suppliers can find out where their fish comes from and how it is caught. The fishing industry gets an independent assessment of which fisheries are sustainable and should be supported and which ones must improve.” “Consumers can’t do it all themselves, but they’re part of a solution that involves government, industry and individuals,” says Colin Campbell, marine coordinator for the Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter. “By working together, we can ensure we have sustainable fisheries forever.” Sustainable Seafood Canada is a national coalition of leading environmental organizations working together to raise awareness and deliver solutions for sustainable fisheries. It consists of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, David Suzuki Foundation, Ecological Action Centre, Living Oceans Society and Sierra Club of Canada (BC chapter). The SeaChoice website is at www.seachoice.org.
For more information, please contact: Halifax: Toronto: Vancouver: Victoria: Colin Campbell, Sierra Club of Canada (BC Chapter): 250-386-5255 ext. 236
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