Getting involved with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program

by Dr Thierry Chopin, Professor Marine Biology, University of New Brunswick

This past winter, I was invited to join the Aquaculture Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Seafood Watch Program of the Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA). Initially, I was not sure exactly what my role would be or what I would be able to contribute.
 

As I was interested in understanding this elaborate program from the inside, instead of relying on what I have heard from others (both negative and positive) about this program, and because I could have an impact on its evolution, I accepted.

On May 21-22, we had our face-to-face meeting at the MBA. I was very impressed by the professionalism of the Seafood Watch team and how the Aquaculture TAC was engaged, following a 60-day public consultation period, resulting in a 29-page document.

The diversity and excellence of the expertise gathered on the 15-member Aquaculture TAC, covering many aspects of aquaculture, is also impressive. We were, I believe, sincerely listened to, as we offered our comments and recommendations on several challenges that the Seafood Watch team has encountered and intends to address in their draft revisions to the Seafood Watch Aquaculture Standard, which last underwent in-depth revisions back in October 2016.

The Seafood Watch Program
The overall approach of the Seafood Watch Program is to provide information (maintaining standards, assessing fisheries and aquaculture operations globally, improving tools for industry and governments), engage strategically (for regionally applicable improvement solutions and collaborative approaches to increase engagement and promote better understanding), and build partnerships (with industry, business, government, investors, regional staff, universities and NGOs).

Read more HERE.

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