Fish and seafood: how to make better choices

Ocean Wise® Conservation Association’s Ocean Wise Seafood program started in 2005 with one specific goal in mind: ensure it’s easy for consumers to make ocean-friendly choices. Ocean Wise brings attention to overfishing — one of the biggest threats our oceans face today. The program helps businesses and consumers identify sustainable items, directly contributing to the conservation of our oceans. Getting started may seem daunting, with so much information out there. So we thought answering some of these questions might help guide you.

What is Ocean Wise Seafood?

Overfishing is a monumental, global issue. The Ocean Wise Seafood program is an Ocean Wise Conservation Association initiative that aims to tackle this crisis, and our partners make the commitment to clearly label all Ocean Wise choices so seafood buyers can make sustainable choices. If you see the Ocean Wise symbol next to a seafood item, you know that option is the best choice for the health of our oceans.

What is sustainable seafood?

Sustainable seafood can be defined as species that are caught or farmed in a way that ensures the long-term health and stability of that species, as well as the greater marine ecosystem. For many consumers, especially outside of coastal cities like Vancouver, Halifax or Gaspé, sustainable seafood is not on their radar. Ocean Wise Seafood, a proud member of the Conservation Alliance for Sustainable Solutions, along with 40+ other like-minded organizations, are working to increase seafood literacy by introducing Canadians to the issue of overfishing and making it easier for them to make ocean-friendly choices.