The South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) is a “traffic light” guide to help you make environmentally responsible seafood choices. It is not an eco-label, nor an endorsement of specific products.
To use the SASSI list you need to know what species you are eating, how it was caught/farmed and where it comes from.
- The health of fish stocks and the vulnerability of the species to fishing pressure (what).
- The environmental effects of the fishing method used to capture the fish (how).
- The effectiveness of the management of the fishery (where).
Only the most popular seafood species have been included, for a more complete listing visit http://www.wwf.org.za/our_research/publications/
Green – Best Choice: These are the most sustainable seafood choices, from the healthiest and most well managed fish populations. These species can handle current fishing pressure or are farmed in a way that does not harm the ocean.
Orange – Think twice: There are reasons for concern either because the species is depleted as a result of overfishing and cannot sustain current fishing pressure or because the fishing or farming method poses harm to the environment and or the biology of the species makes it vulnerable to high fishing pressure.
Red – DON’T BUY: The red list species are from unsustainable populations that have extreme environmental concerns, lack the appropriate management or are illegal to buy or sell in SA. “No sale” species are illegal to sell and are reserved for recreational fishers who require a valid fishing permit and must adhere to specific regulations.
To find out the status of your seafood SMS its name to FishMS 0794998795, you will receive an instant response.
There is a SASSI app, download the free app for Android, Blackberry or iPhone.
http://www.wwf.org.za/our_work/oceans/
Vote with your wallet to motivate restaurants and supermarkets to sell sustainably-sourced seafood!
