Half the world’s fisheries are fully exploited, another quarter are nearly so, and the rest are in fragile condition. The significant decline of tuna stocks, uncontrolled shark catches for the fin trade and over-harvesting of endangered eel populations for farming in China have been widely publicized. The ecological price has been huge. It is now widely acknowledged that the world’s seafood industry is operating on an unsustainable basis. If nothing is done there will be dire consequences and many who rely on the oceans for their food supply will be severely impacted.

To bring attention to these alarming trends and encourage discussion on promoting a sustainable seafood market in Asia, The Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) facilitated two briefings in Hong Kong featuring The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

MSC is an independent, global, non-profit organisation which operates a unique eco-labelling scheme for wild-caught fish. Through this scheme, fisheries meeting strict scientifically based standards can be certified as operating on a sustainable basis and can then use the label on their products enabling consumers to choose certified products.

At the two events in Hong Kong, John White, MSC Director for Development and Dr. Shelley Clarke, Hong Kong fisheries scientist and MSC Technical Advisory Board member spoke to the community about the importance of the Asia region to the global fisheries trade. They also addressed the challenges and opportunities associated with bringing more Asian fisheries into the MSC certification programme.

The speakers addressed senior members of the community at an FCC Luncheon facilitated by GIFT on October 24 and at the GIFT and Crown Wine Cellars Dinner Event on October 25.

Speaking about GIFT’s support of the MSC, Chandran Nair, founder and chief executive of GIFT said, “Action in and through Hong Kong is important so that Asia can be part of the solution to sustainable fishing rather than part of the problem. To succeed any remedy must be based firmly in the realities of the market place. ”

The MSC Briefings are part of GIFT’s ongoing efforts to improve dialogue on key regional and global issues related to sustainable development in Asia.