A legacy of sustainable food
March 6th, 2015
There is no doubt about how tasty are fish and seafood. However, in addition to tasty, they are essential to food security. Nevertheless, overfishing is compromising the activity for the decades to come. Some species, such as tuna, for example, decreased in abundance by more than 50% over the past decades.
Aware of this, one of the most important sustainability premises of Rio 2016 is the purchase of certified fish. However, choosing to offer only certified fish and seafood was not an easy decision to take, given that this market is still in development in Brazil. Nevertheless, it was an important decision because certification guarantees that products are responsibly fished in a way that does not compromise the environment.
To help boost the supply of certified fish, in December 2013 Rio 2016 entered into a partnership with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The MSC is a global entity that certifies wild-capture fisheries and develops standards for sustainable fishing and seafood traceability.
The partnership between Rio 2016 and the MSC has the technical support of the Rio de Janeiro State Fishing Institute Foundation (FIPERJ) and is aimed at mobilising, training and certifying small fisherman in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The partnership is also working to develop a consumer market for certified fish in Brazil.
When Rio 2016 chooses for sustainability, it looks not only at the staging of the Games, but also to the future, in order to leave a positive legacy for the country. More than becoming a Rio 2016 supplier, the MSC certification allows small fishermen to expand their market potential, besides ensuring the long-term continuity of their business.
Do you want to be part of this legacy as well? How about buying certified fish and seafood from now on?
Watch this video about the Rio 2016-MSC partnership: