FAQ
- What is Sustainability?
- What is sustainable “wild caught” seafood?
- What is sustainable aquaculture (seafood farming)?
- Why is High Liner committed to 100% sustainability?
- How will High Liner know its seafood is sustainable?
- What about wild fisheries and aquaculture operations that aren’t certified?
- How will you know which fisheries need improvement?
- When will High Liner reach its goal of 100% sustainability?
- Does the transition to sustainable practices mean an increase in prices?
- Where does High Liner get its fish from?
- Wild Species of Fish and Shellfish
- Farmed Fish and Shellfish
- Which of these species are sustainable?
What is Sustainability?
To quote the Canadian Department of Fisheries Oceans, seafood sustainability “means that harvesting and farming of fish stocks are done in a manner that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This includes taking steps to ensure the conservation of target fish species and the ecosystem in which they live. Sustainability also means that when decisions are taken to allow fishing and aquaculture activities, they will factor social and economic considerations as well as environmental effects.”
What is sustainable “wild caught” seafood?
The vast majority of High Liner’s seafood is caught in the wild. To us sustainability for wild-caught seafood means it must be legally caught, secure from poaching and protected from overfishing. Further, the fishing practices need to eliminate or minimize damage to the habitat and non-target species.
What is sustainable aquaculture (seafood farming)?
Aquaculture is seafood raised in a controlled environment. At High Liner we maintain that sustainable fish farming must address a number of key factors including: habitat conservation, antibiotic or chemical use, biodiversity, escapement of exotic species, and feed management systems.
Why is High Liner committed to 100% sustainability?
Our vision is that High Liner Foods will be the leader in value-added frozen seafood in North America. To be a leader you need to be proactive, and lead positive change in the industry. We are investing not only for the long-term future of our company, but that of future generations. As one of High Liner’s key corporate strategic goals, sustainability is embraced from the top down with commitment and involvement in every area of our business.
How will High Liner know its seafood is sustainable?
In conjunction with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), we are conducting a survey of all of our source fisheries and aquaculture operations to determine which are currently sustainable, which can be improved and which should be avoided. Together, we are developing programs and strategies to take a pro-active role in improving fisheries and aquaculture programs worldwide.
High Liner was a founding member of the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), a group of industry experts whose mission is to establish best aquaculture (farmed seafood) practices. From this work the Alliance established the Aquaculture Certification Council (ACC). The Council uses independent certification teams to carry out site inspections at aquaculture facilities around the world and ensure they are meeting GAA BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) standards.
High Liner has also been working with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which is the world’s leading certification and eco-labelling program for sustainable wild-caught seafood. We want to ensure we are meeting their seafood traceability standards and are encouraging eco-certification of our source fisheries.
What about wild fisheries and aquaculture operations that aren’t certified?
We will work with our suppliers to ensure that they are moving toward certification within a reasonable period of time. We understand that some fisheries and farming operations may take longer and will require incremental improvements before becoming a candidate for certification. We will support these efforts through improvement projects as long as there is a clear path toward sustainability.
How will you know which fisheries need improvement?
In conjunction with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership we are conducting a survey of all of our source fisheries and aquaculture operations and will make a determination, based upon available scientific data, as to which are currently sustainable, which can be improved and which should be avoided.
When will High Liner reach its goal of 100% sustainability?
Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. In cooperation with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership(SFP) we are developing an information platform that provides a snapshot of where we are in transitioning to full seafood sustainability. Once an evaluation of our source fisheries and aquaculture operations is complete, we will have a better idea of how our products would be rated by various initiatives. From there, we can establish a timeline.
Does the transition to sustainable practices mean an increase in prices?
Sustainability and fishery/aquaculture improvements do not necessarily come with added cost.
Where does High Liner get its fish from?
73% of the fish and shellfish used in High Liner products are caught wild in the world’s oceans and seas. 27% of the fish and shellfish come from specially chosen fish and shellfish farms.
Wild Species of Fish and Shellfish
The following summary outlines where our wild species of fish and shellfish are caught and where the vessels are from:
| WILD SPECIES | SOURCE – OCEAN/SEA | COUNTRY WHERE THE WILD FISH ARE CAUGHT |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Salmon | North Pacific Ocean | USA, Japan, Russia |
| Haddock | Barents Sea | Russia |
| Sole | North Pacific Ocean | USA |
| Atlantic Cod | Barents Sea | Russia |
| Pacific Cod | Bering Sea | USA, Russia |
| Alaskan Pollock | North Pacific Ocean | USA, Russia |
| Boston Blue | Barents Sea | Russia |
| Whiting | North Pacific Ocean | USA |
| Scallops | Atlantic Ocean | Canada, USA |
Farmed Fish and Shellfish
The following summary outlines where our farmed species of fish and shellfish are from:
| FARMED SPECIES | COUNTRY WHERE FARMED |
|---|---|
| Mussels | Canada, Chile |
| Tilapia | Indonesia, China |
| Basa | Vietnam |
| Shrimp | Indonesia, Vietnam, China |
Which of these species are sustainable?
- The following species have already been certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) certifying to Best Aquaculture Practices (BAPs):
- North Atlantic Cold Water Shrimp – Canada (MSC)
- White Clams (MSC)
- Alaskan Pollock (MSC from USA fishery only)
- Pacific Cod (MSC from USA fishery only)
- Pacific Flatfish (MSC from USA fishery only)
- North Atlantic Sea Scallops – Canada offshore fishery (MSC)
- Warm Water farm raised Shrimp (GAA BAP)
- Farm-raised Tilapia (GAA BAP)
- North Atlantic Yellowtail Flounder (Sole) – (MSC from Canada fishery)
- Atlantic Cod* – (MSC) Barents Sea – Within Norwegian and Russian EEZ and International Waters (Only Ocean Trawl certified)
- Atlantic Haddock* – (MSC) Barents Sea – Within Norwegian and Russian EEZ and International Waters (Only Ocean Trawl certified)
* currently accounts for 60% of the Atlantic Cod and Haddock sold by High Liner Foods
- These species are currently under Full assessment by the MSC and expected to be certified by the end of this year:
- Alaskan Pollock (In Full MSC Assessment from Russian fishery)
- And these species are currently involved with Fisheries Improvement Projects (FIPs) and expected to enter the MSC assessment process to be certified by the end of 2011 or early 2012:
- Russian Pacific Salmon
As progress is made and more species become certified, we will continue to update this site.
Last revision: June 2011