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Sustainability Certification

Verifying that Alaska seafood is managed responsibly and sustainably

Sustainability is nothing new in Alaska. For generations, Alaska has been deeply committed to ensuring that its seafood can be enjoyed now and into the future. In order to provide credible verification of what Alaska has been doing for over fifty years, Alaskan fisheries can choose to be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Certified Seafood International (CSI). Both programs provide independent, third-party certification of the responsible and sustainable management of wild capture fisheries around the world. MSC and CSI certifications give buyers, markets, and stakeholders assurance that Alaskan-caught seafood originates from trusted, well-managed fisheries. Currently, AFDF is the Fishery Client for MSC salmon and Pacific cod, and for CSI salmon, Pacific cod, halibut, and sablefish.

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a global nonprofit organization that works to end overfishing and promote sustainable fishing practices around the world. Working with scientists, fisheries, industry experts, and other nonprofits, the MSC developed a global standard for sustainable fishing. Fisheries are independently assessed against the standard. Additionally, seafood caught from certified fisheries must also pass a Chain of Custody Standard, which tracks the seafood from its source to its destination. Certified products carry the blue MSC ecolabel, which helps buyers identify seafood that has been responsibly caught from certified fisheries. Learn more about MSC here.

Certified Seafood International (CSI)

Certified Seafood International (CSI) is a third-party certification program for wild-capture fisheries, similar to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Fisheries are evaluated against a rigorous standard built from internationally recognized guidelines, which also includes a Chain of Custody process. Certified fisheries carry the CSI ecolabel, providing buyers with another trusted way to choose sustainable seafood products. CSI provides an additional, cost-effective certification option for fisheries that is similarly grounded in science and globally recognized. Learn more about CSI here.