Mr.Goodfish
Description of the action / project
Context
According to the FAO (SOFIA, 2008), 52% of stocks (of the 200 most consumed species) are fully exploited, leaving no room for further expansion, 19% are overexploited and 8% are depleted. This means that the proportion of stocks for which the maximum wild capture potential has been reached or exceeded stands at 79%. Only 20% of stocks are considered as « moderately exploited », although unfortunately this percentage is falling constantly ; it stood at 40% in 1974 and at 23% in 2005. Lastly, 1% of stocks are recovering from depletion.
Methodology
Mr.Goodfish is a constructive recommendation for the purchase and consumption of seafood.
Mr.Goodfish is a constructive programme: nothing is banned, there are only recommendations.
These recommendations are published quarterly, in the form of a list, made available on the internet and communicated to all contributing members.
Each quarter fishmongers receive a poster showing images of the fish that are in season. This is to display to clients on business premises.
Of course, in line with its principles, Mr.Goodfish does not prevent fishmongers or restauranteurs from offering species that are not on the recommended list.
Four Mr.Goodfish selection criteria have been developed in France in partnership with IFREMER.
They are robust scientific criteria. They are:
- Resource status: “Mr.Goodfish” products must come from stocks whose health is deemed satisfactory, using official evaluation methods. There must therefore be data available from one or more scientific institutions, or at least authoritative scientific opinion.
- Size: The minimum recommended size is the size at first sexual maturity. If there is a difference in this size between males and females, the larger size applies. It is worth noting that this size is often different to the minimum landing size specified in statutory instruments.
- Season: Mr.Goodfish publishes recommended lists of species for each season. The recommended seasons are those that are outside reproduction peak(s) for the species concerned.
- Species status: Mr.Goodfish draws on the latest advice on stocks published by the ICES, which is published annually.
The respect of these 4 criteria guarantees that the purchase and consumption of recommended species does not threaten stocks and ensures their long-term survival.
Duration of the project
The programme started in 2009 and was launched in 2010 to be developed as a long term programme.
At present time, the adherents are:
- France:
o 344 restaurants,
o 30 fishmongerings,
o 7 caterers,
o 103 wholesale fish merchants (including Métro Cash&Carry’s 93 entrepots ),
o 4 food-processors,
o 13 school canteens.
- Italy:
o 9 restaurants,
o 166 fishmongerings.
- Spain:
o 5 restaurants,
o 5 fishmongerings.
Technical partners involved
Downloadable projects documents
THE PROJECT
Objectives
The Mr.Goodfish programme initiated by the World Ocean Network aims to sensitize the general public and the fish industry professionals about the sustainable consumption of seafood.
At short term, the objective is to develop the appropriate communications and educational means to empower them to make informed and sound choices when they buy seafood so as to reduce human pressure on nonsustainable fisheries.
At mid term, the objective is to validate these tools within the pilot phase at three sites: the Acquario di Genova (Italy), Aquarium Finisterrae (Spain) and Nausicaa, Centre National de la Mer (France).
Category
Marine biodiversity
Contributor’s information
Florence HURON / Mr.Goodfish French Coordinator
Date
26.11.2013
Project’s title
Mr.Goodfish, For you who like fish
Area
Europe
