Aquaculture

Mr.Goodfish’s Recommendations for Aquaculture 

How are Mr. Goodfish’s recommendations for aquaculture developed? 

What are the “Mr.Goodfish” eligibility criteria for farmed species?
Three main criteria are used to establish proposed lists of aquaculture products:  

Feeding: Species must be fed a quantity of sustainable feed that complies with a yield threshold set and optimized for each species: The feed used must come from a sustainable source, meaning it must be made from wild-caught species subject to quotas or certified as sustainable (in increasing proportions as practices improve). Other sources of ingredients, such as byproducts, algae, insects, and flax, are encouraged. 

Rearing practices: The selected species must be reared under optimal conditions for animal health and welfare: Veterinary monitoring is implemented in accordance with European regulations. The species must be reared in a manner consistent with their natural behaviors, with stocking densities appropriate for each species. 

Environmental impact: The selected species must be raised under optimal conditions that respect the environment. The environmental impact must be controlled and assessed: 

• The species produced must occur naturally in the environment when production takes place in an open environment. 

• These species have a feeding pattern that prevents organic matter from settling on the bottom. Sanitary products should only be used under veterinary prescription and in compliance with European regulations. Mr.Goodfish has also established a maximum number of treatments per year. 

• When it comes to cleaning facilities, Mr. Goodfish prefers to use mechanical or biological methods. 

In conclusion: A species raised using a specific farming method can only be included on the Mr.Goodfish list of recommendations if all three criteria and their sub-criteria listed above are met. 

Method for Compiling Lists 

In order to implement its recommendations for aquaculture, Mr. Goodfish has formed a committee of aquaculture experts representing all sectors of the industry.
The aquaculture committee consists of: 

Initially, scientific experts were consulted on the relevance of the approach. Mr. Goodfish then drew on scientific studies, notably ID-Aqua, to select the most relevant sustainability indicators that align with the slogan “Good for the sea, good for you”; these were validated by the committee members. The indicators and thresholds are based on those of existing labels and certifications, with the aim of not complicating the monitoring processes and guiding consumers toward them. 

The Mr.Goodfish Aquaculture Committee meets once a year to conduct an annual review of the various producers participating in the Mr.Goodfish program. Producers participating in the Mr.Goodfish program follow a phased approach, spanning two, three, or five years depending on the criteria being evaluated.