Recent FAO assessments of the precarious state of many of the world’s fisheries resources seems to have galvanized some non-governmental organizations and private industry toward environmental labelling, or more specifically ecolabelling, as a complement to traditional fisheries management programmes currently in place. Similarly, in order to promote sustainable aquaculture practices and maintain market shares in eco-sensitive export markets, the aquaculture industry is developing ecolabelling schemes for some products such as cultured shrimp.
In parallel, national and international efforts are underway to apply mandatory product certification and catch documentation schemes in support of fisheries management and conservation and to prevent and deter IUU fishing in accordance with the International Plan of Action (FAO 2001). Monitoring has always been a key component of effective fisheries management. But now initiatives are being made to extend monitoring and enforcement into the post-harvest sector. Mandatory product certification schemes now exist, or are under consideration, for several valuable species that are managed by regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs).
This technical paper provides a general overview of product certification and ecolabelling for fisheries sustainability. It is divided into six sections. The first section “Why Label for Sustainability” looks into the reasons for the recent emergence of labels in the fisheries context. A brief survey of the different types of labels in use is provided. The second section on “Ecolabelling” seeks to define consumer ecolabels, their economic rationale and their key institutional characteristics. Possible criteria for ecolabels are outlined and some experiences from other sectors are recounted.
Section three discusses product certification looking at its origin and economic rationale. Some characteristics of product certification schemes are explored, as are some experiences with them.
The concerns and opportunities that ecolabelling schemes can create in general, and for developing countries in particular, are looked at in section four. Section five looks at the relationship between sustainability labels and international trade rules, in particular the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. The trade implications of seafood ecolabelling are then discussed.
Some concluding thoughts are offered in section six. Ecolabels have the potential to create a suite of positive incentives for fishers and fisheries authorities. These incentives will exist only as long as the consumers have sufficient concern for fisheries to financially support their improvement through higher prices. More importantly, the incentives will exist as long as participants trust the ecolabelling scheme. Maintaining credibility and public engagement will be a critical challenge for providers of ecolabels.
Product certification systems are being used to support fisheries conservation and management initiatives. The value of such systems appears to be high in international fisheries, where there are particular challenges with high value stocks (e.g., bluefin tuna, Antarctic toothfish). Care needs to be taken to keep compliance costs low while maintaining clear custody chains that are validated by the appropriate authorities. It will also be important to ensure that these systems remain closely connected to management measures and, most importantly, the activity of fishing.
