Omega-3 makers choose MSC certification to show commitment to sustainability
It’s widely known that omega-3 is good for your heart, brain and bones. For those who don’t regularly consume seafood, supplements are a great way to get these healthy nutrients. Not only are omega-3 supplements good for your body, but some can be good for the environment too. To showcase their commitment to the environment, many companies are choosing to enter their products into the Marine Stewardship Council certification program. Over the last few years, MSC certification of fish and krill oil products has grown at a rapid rate.
The Marine Stewardship Council is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable fisheries and healthy oceans. The MSC works with fisheries, grocery stores and other businesses to change the way the oceans are fished and to make it simple for consumers to purchase seafood and omega-3 supplements that are sustainable and traceable to a trusted and verified source. As more consumers want to know where their products come from, MSC certification provides that assurance.
According to the GlobeScan 2016 survey of U.S. seafood consumers, more than two-thirds of consumers want to know that their seafood products can be traced back to a known and trusted source. Additionally, 79% of consumers surveyed cited “sustainable sourcing” as an important purchase motivator. The MSC Standard for sustainable fishing is widely recognized as the most credible standard for sustainable seafood, and it’s not limited to whole fish.
The number of omega-3 supplements carrying the MSC label has grown from 11 to more than 500 in the last six years. Nowhere has this growth been greater than in the United States. The U.S. market now accounts for more than 65% of total sales of MSC-certified supplements by volume. The most popular of the MSC-certified supplements are krill (52%) and Alaska pollock (32%).
The MSC-certified krill fishery, Aker BioMarine Antarctic Krill, has been certified since June 2010, and was the first MSC-certified krill supplier. Krill are harvested with a unique, highly selective fishing method that virtually eliminates unwanted catch. The fishery also is highly transparent — operations are monitored by a combination of satellites and on-board observers.
Two MSC-certified Alaska pollock fisheries have been certified since 2005. Both achieved sustainability scores that were among the highest of any MSC-certified fishery. They continually innovate to further reduce their impact on the planet and gain efficiencies in their processes. Alaska pollock fisheries are committed to full utilization of fish harvested so nothing is wasted. In addition to fish oil, Alaska pollock is used to make fillets, surimi, fish meal and other fish products.
These fisheries, along with hake, cod and salmon, are making their way into more fish and krill oil supplements, in response to consumer demands. As this market expands, so too will the MSC’s long-standing commitment to work with fisheries, suppliers and retailers to encourage a more sustainable seafood market.
This year, the MSC celebrates 20 years of safeguarding the future of the world’s oceans. Over time, this has come to include every aspect of the fishing supply chain — from fishermen and processors to restaurants, supermarkets and consumers. And as more supplement producers are seeking sustainable certification, the MSC will continue to serve as the world’s leading standard and to support these efforts.
To find out how your business can support healthy oceans, email the MSC at [email protected] or visit msc.org.
Emily Tripp is the MSC marketing and communications manager, U.S.
The Marine Stewardship Council is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable fisheries and healthy oceans. The MSC works with fisheries, grocery stores and other businesses to change the way the oceans are fished and to make it simple for consumers to purchase seafood and omega-3 supplements that are sustainable and traceable to a trusted and verified source. As more consumers want to know where their products come from, MSC certification provides that assurance.
According to the GlobeScan 2016 survey of U.S. seafood consumers, more than two-thirds of consumers want to know that their seafood products can be traced back to a known and trusted source. Additionally, 79% of consumers surveyed cited “sustainable sourcing” as an important purchase motivator. The MSC Standard for sustainable fishing is widely recognized as the most credible standard for sustainable seafood, and it’s not limited to whole fish.The number of omega-3 supplements carrying the MSC label has grown from 11 to more than 500 in the last six years. Nowhere has this growth been greater than in the United States. The U.S. market now accounts for more than 65% of total sales of MSC-certified supplements by volume. The most popular of the MSC-certified supplements are krill (52%) and Alaska pollock (32%).
The MSC-certified krill fishery, Aker BioMarine Antarctic Krill, has been certified since June 2010, and was the first MSC-certified krill supplier. Krill are harvested with a unique, highly selective fishing method that virtually eliminates unwanted catch. The fishery also is highly transparent — operations are monitored by a combination of satellites and on-board observers.
Two MSC-certified Alaska pollock fisheries have been certified since 2005. Both achieved sustainability scores that were among the highest of any MSC-certified fishery. They continually innovate to further reduce their impact on the planet and gain efficiencies in their processes. Alaska pollock fisheries are committed to full utilization of fish harvested so nothing is wasted. In addition to fish oil, Alaska pollock is used to make fillets, surimi, fish meal and other fish products.
These fisheries, along with hake, cod and salmon, are making their way into more fish and krill oil supplements, in response to consumer demands. As this market expands, so too will the MSC’s long-standing commitment to work with fisheries, suppliers and retailers to encourage a more sustainable seafood market.
This year, the MSC celebrates 20 years of safeguarding the future of the world’s oceans. Over time, this has come to include every aspect of the fishing supply chain — from fishermen and processors to restaurants, supermarkets and consumers. And as more supplement producers are seeking sustainable certification, the MSC will continue to serve as the world’s leading standard and to support these efforts.
To find out how your business can support healthy oceans, email the MSC at [email protected] or visit msc.org.
Emily Tripp is the MSC marketing and communications manager, U.S.