Greenpeace/Leger Marketing Survey

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Packaged fish on display at a local Montreal supermarket.

"On the occasion of World Ocean Day, we want to inform individuals and supermarkets that seafood consumption is threatening the world's oceans," said Beth Hunter, Greenpeace's Oceans Coordinator. "Consumers who care about the environment can't make the right choices because of inadequate labeling on seafood products. Supermarkets should be helping consumers make responsible choices."

Information such as fish stock status, fishing methods (i.e., bottom trawling or hand lining) and fish type (whether it is wild-caught or farm-raised) are necessary in order to identify sustainable seafood.

The survey indicates that if supermarkets gave their clients sufficient information, 74 per cent of Canadians would buy fish and sea food sourced from sustainable fisheries.

"These results show that if supermarkets helped consumers choose sustainably harvested fish and seafood, it could be good for their bottom line," said Hunter.  In Great Britain, sales of sustainably harvested fish have quadrupled in the last three years after most retailers implemented sustainable seafood procurement policies."

The impact of consumer demand on the oceans is great.  The UN says that 76 per cent of the world's fish reserves are fully exploited or over-exploited and 90 per cent of large predators, such as tuna and cod, have disappeared from the oceans.

"Our survey results show that consumers want to know more about commercial fishing issues, such as the destruction of marine habitats and the impacts of fish farming", said Hunter. "Supermarkets are the best place to give them that information."

The Leger Marketing survey was conducted between May 21 and 25, 2008, with 1507 respondents from coast to coast. The margin of error is of +/- 2.52%, 19 times out of 20.

For more information, please contact:

Brian Blomme, Media and Public Relations Officer, (416) 930-9055