Dozens of businesses are teaming up with Ocean Wise to help end overfishing

June 8, 2021

Starting this World Oceans Day, businesses and individuals are taking action with Ocean Wise to help end overfishing

Overfishing is one of the greatest threats to the health of our oceans, contributing to biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, bycatch of marine species, human rights abuses, and more. It’s a global issue that can feel both daunting to overcome and demoralizing to consider.

But today, individuals and businesses finally have a reason to be optimistic.

Throughout June and July, Ocean Wise’s seafood program is running its Waves of Change campaign to educate and empower individuals and businesses to take action to help end one of our planet’s greatest crises: overfishing.

“The practice of overfishing continues to pose immediate, as well as long-term threats to the health of our oceans,” explains Sophika Kostyniuk, Ocean Wise’s Director, Fisheries and Seafood. “Not only are ocean habitats, biodiversity and species populations at risk when overfishing occurs, the livelihoods and cultures of tens of millions of people around the globe are also negatively impacted. Every business and every consumer has the power to create positive change by educating themselves and making the right choices every day. Ocean Wise is here to guide you to be an important part of the solution. Together, we can help turn the tide on overfishing.”

In June and July, Ocean Wise is asking members of the media and the general public to join us as we share educational resources about the drivers and solutions to overfishing. We will also be highlighting the ways in which Ocean Wise’s incredible partners are leading the sustainable seafood movement.

The campaign features a brand-new call to action for all businesses and individuals to pledge to help end overfishing in a number of different ways.

How businesses, individuals are stepping up

Ocean Wise has been working closely with food service partners and businesses across Canada to identify and take key steps to help end overfishing – and the result has been an inspiring set of actions that give real hope.

This Waves of Change campaign already has over 40 business partners, including Fresh Prep, Save On Foods and White Spot. Many of these partners are running fundraisers to support Ocean Wise’s efforts throughout the campaign, as can be found on this list.

Stay up to date with Waves of Change over the coming months and find out how even everyday people can be part of the movement to help end overfishing by making the right consumer choices. Regular updates will be posted on our campaign landing page at: seafood.ocean.org/waves-of-change.

There, you can also find many resources, fundraisers, actions and events to get involved, including a webinar on World Oceans Day, June 8 at 12:00 PM PST / 3PM EST titled Navigating Solutions to Overfishing, focused on actionable solutions that every person and business can take to make a positive contribution to ocean health.

About Ocean Wise
Ocean Wise is a globally focused conservation organization on a mission to protect and restore the world’s oceans. Through research, education, direct-action conservation and field projects, we empower communities to take action for ocean health. We’re focused on tackling three major ocean challenges: overfishing, ocean pollution and climate change. Ocean Wise is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia with initiatives across the world. ocean.org

About Ocean Wise Seafood program
With over 750 unique partners around the world, the Ocean Wise symbol is our verification of an ocean-friendly seafood choice. Using the most current research and recommendations, our team works individually with fisheries, suppliers, restaurants and grocery chains to help them make sustainable practices a lasting part of their business. We focus on bringing partners along a path of continuous improvement, with the ultimate goal of becoming 100 per cent Ocean Wise recommended. seafood.ocean.org

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