NGOs update sustainable fisheries guidelines, plans online FIP tracker

The Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions has announced new guidelines for fisheries looking to become more sustainable, and plans to release an online tracking tool to learn about ongoing fisheries improvement projects (FIPs).

The Conservation Alliance, a nonprofit that connects environmental groups with the North American retail and foodservice markets, said in a release that the new guidelines describe FIPs that it would recommend for participation or sourcing seafood from.

The alliance originally released its FIP guidelines in 2012. The updated version includes two categories of FIP: “Basic,” which the alliance described as “a good entry point” for fisheries beginning to work more sustainably, and “Comprehensive,” which is more aligned with standards set by the Marine Stewardship Council.

“These new tools will help us better meet the needs of our business partners so that they can support fisheries that are making crucial improvements in their environmental performance,” said Jennifer Dianto Kemmerly, director of Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, on behalf of the alliance.

The alliance also announced the development of a new website for tracking FIPs. It will offer information about existing FIPs “that meet basic minimum requirements,” according to the alliance.

“The Conservation Alliance guidelines have been invaluable in our efforts to create fishery improvement projects in fisheries we source from,” said Adriana Sanchez, sustainability coordinator with Sea Delight. “Now the new tracking website will be an excellent tool for communicating the progress that FIPs are making and connecting them with more buyers for their products.”

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