Canadian frozen seafood company High Liner Foods announced this week that the company has achieved 99 percent of its three-year sustainability goal.
The company, based in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, set a goal in 2010 to source all of its seafood from "certified sustainable or responsible" fisheries and aquaculture by the end of 2013. In the company's 6 February statement, High Liner announced it had reached the 99 percent mark by the end of 2013.
"Three years ago, we set an ambitious goal that fundamentally changed the way we do business, and I'm very proud that we've achieved 99 percent of that goal," said Henry Demone, High Liner's CEO.
The company indicated it had reached 100 percent of its goal for Atlantic cod, haddock, pollock, sole/flounder, Pacific cod and Pacific salmon. The company reported reaching 98 percent for tilapia and 91 percent for shrimp. Some species the company sources still don't meet the criteria, such as various species of squid, ocean perch and small wild shrimp.
High Liner defines its sustainability criteria as coming from a fishery or aquaculture farm that has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, the Global Aquaculture Alliance's Best Aquaculture Practices program, or the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. The company also includes fisheries and farms that have not been certified, but are "on a clear, defined path actively working toward certification and capable of documenting measurable improvements." High Liner Foods partnered with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership to help reach its objective.
"The most powerful way to catalyze fishery improvements is through continuous buyer engagement in the process," said Jim Cannon, CEO of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership. "High Liner Foods is a great example of an industry leader using its purchasing power to bring about real positive changes throughout its supply chain."
The 99 percent achievement figure did not include American Pride Seafoods, which High Liner acquired in October 2013, and will be integrating into its operations in 2014.
