World Wildlife Fund

Jose Villalon

Posted 1 July 2008, 11.55 AM

Hi , I am the Director of WWF's Aquaculture Programy job is to address the need for a globally recognized eco-label for farmed seafood.

What does that mean? Well, you have most likely come across farmed seafood when you have been grocery shopping or ordering seafood in a restaurant- perhaps you were offered farmed shrimp or salmon. That's because farmed seafood is almost everywhere now. The farmed seafood business - called aquaculture - is growing at a rate of 9 percent a year. It's the fastest growing food production system in the world.

Unfortunately, seafood farming can have a negative impact on the environment and society. I've experienced this firsthand, as I was a shrimp farmer for 26 years before coming to WWF. So, what we need are standards for the industry that will reduce or maybe even eliminate those impacts. If a seafood farmer meets the standards, an eco-label will be put on his product to let you know that. This makes it clear to you that the source of seafood is from a responsible farm. This is much the same way the Marine Stewardship Council or Forest Stewardship Council standards work - both of which WWF created in response to threats to sustainability.

My team's specific role in this is to coordinate the Aquaculture Dialogues, which are a series of roundtable meetings being held all over the world. We are meeting with leaders in the seafood farming industry - from farmers to grocery store owners - to create standards for nine species of seafood that are farmed globally. These are salmon, shrimp, pangasius, tilapia, abalone, oysters, mussels, scallops and clams. We know the standards will work for the industry and for YOU, as they will be based on the best science, created with input from a broad group of experts, and be measurable.

Over the next two days I'll be blogging on some of the more specific needs for the aquaculture standards and the progress with the different Dialogues. I'm looking forward to hearing your comments or questions on this.

Ciao - Jose.

Posted 1 July 2008, 2.39 PM

Jody R. wrote:
You say WWF is helping to create standards. Does that mean we should look for the WWF panda on seafood packages soon?

Joses's response:
You won't find the WWF logo on the packaging. That's because the standards will be given to a separate entity that will use independent third-party certification bodies to audit farms. This type of third party involvement is critical. It helps ensure fair and effective management of the standards. It's the same process we followed when we helped create standards for fisheries and forest products. For aquaculture, we are in the midst of assessing whichy - new or existing - to use when the standards are completed in a year or so.

Posted 1 July 2008, 3.48 PM

James K. wrote:
Are most of the people who participate in the Dialogues from the seafood industry? If so, doesn't this mean the standards will be focused primarily on the needs of the industry, not protection of the environment and society?

Joses's response:
Roughly 35 percent of the Dialogue participants are from the seafood industry. They are a key group but they do not make up the majority. Another key group of stakeholders is NGOs, which make up approximately 20 percent of the participants. Other major stakeholder groups are academics, retailers and government officials. All of the stakeholders are involved in the Dialogues because they are interested in protecting the environment and society. This includes many of the industry leaders, who - even without the standards finalized - are making changes on the ground that address sustainability.

Posted 1 July 2008, 4.11 PM

Katy G. wrote:
Who do you anticipate will want to become certified when the standards are finalized?

Joses's response:
Joses's response:
Our hope is that the involvement of key stakeholders in the Dialogues will ensure that the final standards are well-supported. We anticipate, therefore, that many of the producers engaged in the Dialogues will consider becoming certified and that the majority of the buyers involved will encourage their suppliers to become certified. Ultimately, market demand for safe and healthy seafood will motivate the industry to meet the standards.