Seafood can be sourced from supply chains which are shown to be sustainable, either through certification or where fisheries
are working towards an improved level of sustainability. While not all sustainably sourced seafood is labelled as such, checking the label on products in store is still one of the easiest ways to find out more. The sheer volume of labelling can be confusing though, so Seafish has decoded some of the most common labels below — you’ll be an expert in no time!
Marine Stewardship Council
The MSC blue label is an independent sustainability label which indicates that seafood has been sourced using methods which minimise impacts upon the marine environment and fish stocks. The MSC’s standards comply with UN guidelines on eco-labelling.
Dolphin safe/ friendly
Dolphin safe/friendly labels indicate that your tuna or other seafood has not been sourced in a way that is harmful to dolphins. However, this does not necessarily exclude the possibility that other unwanted seafood and animal species have been caught using dolphin-safe methods.
RSPCA Assured
The RSPCA Assured welfare standard covers farmed salmon and trout and all aspects of the fish’s lives, including health, diet, environment, care and handling.
Pole-and-Line caught
This label indicates that seafood (e.g. tuna) has been caught using the pole-and-line method, which minimises the risk of catching other species (e.g. endangered turtles and sharks), making it a more responsible method of fishing.