Misguided Eco-Labels Hurt Sustainable Fishing

If you're buying fish at the seafood counter and don't have your sustainable seafood, don't depend on the grocery store to let you know what is environmentally-friendly.

“People often think that if they buy seafood with an eco-label, it’s automatically a good choice,” said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch.

Labels that say "sustainably harvested" or "environmentally produced" may seem like a better option, but it's misleading. There is no regulated definition for sustainablility.

“Consumers aren’t told that these labels often have a ‘pay to play’ aspect,” added Marianne Cufone, director of Food & Water Watch’s fish program. "We need government standards. And they need to be rigorous so consumers can make truly informed decisions about what seafood to buy.”

It seems to be a completely reasonable request.

Tags: seafood, sustainability