Sustainable seafood can include seafood products that are either caught or farmed using methods that respect the long term viability or sustainability of the species, the integrity and health of the oceans and the livelihood of the farming or fisheries dependent communities. 

Wild-caught sustainable seafood is sourced from populations that are well managed, not overfished and have been captured using fishing gear that has minimal impact on the habitat and ecosystem as a whole. Aquaculture or the farming of fish and other aquatic products can provide an alternative source that reduces the pressure on our natural ocean resources. Global aquaculture production is growing rapidly and provides increasingly significant quantities of fish and other aquatic food for human consumption. However concerns are also emerging regarding the possible negative impact on the environment, communities and consumers. 

Certification schemes are programmes that aim to increase customer awareness of the environmental impact and sustainability of their seafood purchasing choices. It is a means of communicating to customers that the product is sourced from well-managed capture fisheries or aquaculture production facilities that focus on issues related to the sustainable use of aquatic resources. Certification is the procedure by which a third party gives assurance that a product process or service conforms to specified requirements and should be based on a range of inspection activities and carried out by a competent and recognised certification body.

Friend of the Sea has developed a set of standards for certification for fisheries and aquaculture products in order to minimise the negative effects of aquaculture operations, providing a tool for fisheries and the fish farming industry to respect the marine environment, thus preserving natural resources for the future.

We have a policy of continually improving our seafood standards. Therefore, in order to keep up with the scientific and technological advances, Friend of the Sea seafood standards are reviewed periodically and new standards are developed. Thanks to this policy, our certification remains updated and consistent.

Our seafood standards follow the UN/FAO guidelines for the eco-labelling of seafood products from marine capture fisheries and technical guidelines on aquaculture certification. Moreover, our Chain of Custody Standard is designed to ensure that certified seafood can be traced back to a sustainable, well-managed source.