17 - Fishing for consumers: market-driven factors affecting the sustainability of the fish and seafood supply chain

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The fish and seafood industry successfully satisfies the annual consumption demands of millions of consumers worldwide. The industry's ability to continue this record of success is open to question. Rising incomes and trends in consumer tastes and preferences indicate a potentially dramatic increase in future demand; the future supply side of the industry equation is far more uncertain. The realities of fish and seafood production and the resulting threat to wild stocks of fish and seafood species will require careful management to assure both a sustainable supply of wild catch and sustainable growth in aquaculture to meet demand.

The uncertainty regarding the survival and renewal of wild stocks of fish and shellfish and their habitat is especially challenging. The fish and seafood industry shares similar characteristics with other industries – e.g., mining or timber – utilizing renewable resources. Some species can be readily managed with more sustainable practices; others, such as long-living, late-maturing fish, may not be renewable in our lifetime. The tremendous growth in aquaculture attests to its potential to counterbalance declines in wild harvest. Aquaculture, however, has its own sustainability issues that also need to be resolved, including water quality concerns, invasive species release, disease, use of biotechnology, and drug use for enhanced growth or control of disease.

Even if the industry responds with sustainable management practices, consumers or those who supply consumers may or may not be willing to pay for the change. The grocery retail and hospitality industries directly respond to consumer demands daily.