New Informational Site Helps Buyers Understand the Sustainability of Gulf Seafood
OutdoorHub 03.17.14
Seafood buyers and other interested parties now have access to a one-stop-shop for the information they need to be confident that seafood harvested from Louisiana and other Gulf state fisheries is sustainable. Launching at Seafood Expo North America, GulfFishInfo.org, or Gulf FINFO, gathers information from fisheries experts from across the Gulf states and puts easy to understand, science-based facts about Gulf state fisheries at the public’s fingertips.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) collaborated with counterparts in the other Gulf states, the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, and NOAA Fisheries to develop FINFO. FINFO provides a platform for these authorities to communicate how they conserve and manage fisheries in Gulf state waters and complements NOAA’s FishWatch.gov, which covers fisheries in federal waters.
“Working with the other fisheries management authorities in the Gulf, we’re able to provide the most comprehensive, accurate resource available on the sustainability of Gulf seafood,” stated LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. “Seafood buyers increasingly require this information before making purchases—FINFO goes above and beyond to meet this need.”
FINFO profiles top Gulf fisheries, with information ranging from basics about species biology and habitat to how fisheries operate and how each state ensures these operations are sustainable. Through FINFO, users can quickly review the status of Gulf fisheries resources or dig deeper to understand the robust science and responsible management at work to ensure these resources are viable for generations to come. “FINFO does not have a list or rating system,” according to Barham. “FINFO tells the full story of the sustainability of Gulf seafood—how we take great care of our valuable fisheries resources through research, regulations, and responsible harvesting practices.”
FINFO uses education, rather than advocacy, to help seafood buyers appreciate the unique environment of the Gulf and demonstrate that Gulf seafood is not only world-famous but sustainable, too. “For decades, our biologists, managers, and fishing industry have worked hard to ensure Louisiana’s fisheries operate sustainably and continue to provide some of the best quality, best tasting seafood on the market,” stated LDWF Assistant Secretary Randy Pausina. “And now, through FINFO, we’re able to clearly explain this to the world.”
