About Friend of the Sea
Certification, conservation and awareness for the marine environment.
Who we are
Friend of the Sea is a project of the World Sustainability Organization (WSO), an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to environmental conservation.
Founded in 2008 by Paolo Bray, Friend of the Sea brings together certification, marine conservation and public awareness. Our programme covers fisheries and aquaculture, alongside other products and services connected with the marine environment.
Through published standards and independent assessment, we give businesses a framework for demonstrating conformity with defined requirements and help buyers understand what certification covers.
Discover the World Sustainability Organization
Our mission
Our mission is to advance the conservation of marine species and habitats through certification requirements, conservation initiatives and public awareness.
We connect businesses, certification bodies, conservation partners and the public to encourage practical action and informed choices.
How we work
Certification
We develop standards for specific products, services and activities. Independent certification bodies assess applicants against the applicable requirements and make certification decisions.
Certification applies to the products, species, sites or activities identified in the certificate. It does not automatically cover an entire business or product range.
Marine conservation
Alongside certification, we promote projects and campaigns focused on marine species and habitats. These initiatives offer businesses and the public opportunities to engage with conservation work and support individual projects.
Public awareness
We share information about marine conservation, our standards and the meaning of the Friend of the Sea label. We help people understand certification and check the scope and validity of certificates.
What our programme covers
Our programme extends beyond seafood, with standards covering:
- Fisheries and aquaculture
- Omega-3 oils and marine collagen
- Salt, sunscreen and cleaning products
- Plant-based seafood alternatives
- Restaurants
- Ports, shipping and cruise lines
- Aquaria and ornamental fish
- Tourism and wildlife watching
Each standard defines the requirements relevant to its scope. Depending on the standard, these may address sourcing, traceability, habitats, pollution prevention, resource use, animal welfare and working conditions.
Independent assessment and recognition
Independent certification bodies assess conformity with Friend of the Sea standards.
Accredia lists Friend of the Sea certification among services delivered by product and service certification bodies accredited to ISO/IEC 17065. Friend of the Sea is also listed among the endorsed schemes of Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI).
Accreditation and endorsement apply to defined scopes. Our accreditation page explains these arrangements and the standards they cover.
Our story
Friend of the Sea grew from Paolo Bray’s work with the Earth Island Institute’s Dolphin-Safe programme.
That experience provided the starting point for a wider certification programme addressing fisheries, aquaculture and their supply chains. Since its foundation in 2008, Friend of the Sea has expanded into other products and services while maintaining its focus on the marine environment.
How we are governed
Friend of the Sea operates within WSO’s governance structure. Learn how decisions are made, standards are developed and stakeholders can contribute.
Our work and reporting
Annual reports
WSO’s annual reports provide an overview of the organisation’s activities, including Friend of the Sea, during each reporting period.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals
WSO’s published assessment examines how its wider activities relate to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Areas relevant to Friend of the Sea include SDG 14 — Life Below Water, SDG 12 — Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals.
This is WSO’s own assessment of its activities and opportunities for further action. It does not constitute United Nations endorsement or certification.
Get involved
Find the certification programme relevant to your business, check certified products and services, or explore our marine conservation initiatives.
