Eco-labelling : the new cost of doing business in the seafood sector

Glynn, Sherry (2010) Eco-labelling : the new cost of doing business in the seafood sector. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Since the collapse of some of the major fish stocks around the world there has been increasing pressure from non-governmental organizations and individuals for ocean conservation and more sustainably managed fisheries. This desire to impact fisheries management by supporting sustainable fisheries has manifested itself in the form of seafood eco-labelling. -- Eco-labelling is based on the idea that if consumers are provided with environmental information and a choice between products, they will choose the products that have fewer negative environmental impacts. The goal of seafood eco-labelling is to support, financially, those fisheries that are deemed sustainable, and in turn, provide economic incentive for unsustainable fisheries to improve. -- The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the economic power wielded by environmentally-conscience consumers is sufficient to influence those who catch and process the fish and, in turn, fisheries managers. By reviewing various certification schemes, governmental responses to eco-labelling, and the role of retailers, this paper argues that non-governmental organizations are the real driving force behind eco-labelling and that any economic gains from eco-labelling are generally temporary and do not filter back to fish harvesters and processors. Furthermore, eco-labelling has had almost no success in protecting the marine ecosystem.

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