Download I was surprised to find how few people knew about SASSI, and

Marine resources overexploited
I was surprised to find how few people knew about SASSI, and having been a proud
member of the organization for the last three years I feel obliged to share this
information with you….
The Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) was initiated by WWF
South Africa during 2004 in order to inform and educate mankind about the
conservation of the Ocean.
Seafood is now a more popular food choice than ever before. It’s the healthy, sensible
and a guilt-free choice…or is it?
Over the last decade our ocean has been viewed as a bottomless resource, but the reality
is that the continued globalisation of markets has seen seafood become the most traded
global food commodity in the world .The ancient tradition of fishing has in many cases
left in its wake dangerously depleted fish stocks and an ecosystem whose balance has
been sufficiently tipped to jeopardize the existence of a number of key species. While the
outlook for many threatened marine ecosystems remains bleak in the face of
unsustainable fishing practices, those involved in the seafood industry as well as
consumers are realising that by changing the way they utilise this precious resource,
each one of us can do our bit to preserve our oceans and its amazing inhabitants for
future generations.
SASSI has established and implemented a colour guide to inform consumers which
species are safe to purchase and which to avoid….
GREEN
The fish you will on this list include the most sustainable choices from the healthiest and
most well-managed populations. These species can handle current fishing pressure, or
are farmed in a manner that does not harm the environment. Some green species are not
targeted by any particular fishery, but are managed as a sustainable bycatch.
This is the group from which consumers are encouraged to choose from as it contains
the best managed, most sustainable choices available to consumers.
ORANGE
This group includes species that have associated 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
RED
Consumers are encouraged to avoid all species on this list and report any illegal trade of
these species in South Africa, according to the Marine Living Resources Act.
It is in our hands to make the right choice:
Few SASSI ‘s Green List for sustainable fish species at
http://www.wwfsassi.co.za/?m=5&s=8